```

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 42 (Friday, March 2, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12847-12848]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5011]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10424]

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, HHS.
    In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 
Services (CMS) is publishing the following summary of proposed 
collections for public comment. Interested persons are invited to send 
comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this 
collection of information, including any of the following subjects: (1) 
The necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for 
the proper performance of the agency's functions; (2) the accuracy of 
the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and 
clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology to minimize the information collection burden.
    1. Type of Information Collection Request: New collection; Title of 
Information Collection: Cooperative Agreement to Support Establishment 
of the Affordable Care Act's Health Insurance Exchanges; Use: All 
States (including the 50 States, consortia of States, and the District 
of Columbia herein referred to as States) that received a State 
Planning and Establishment Grant for Affordable Care Act's Exchanges 
are eligible for the Cooperative Agreement to Support Establishment of 
the Affordable Care Act's Health Insurance Exchanges. The State of 
Alaska did not apply for either the original Planning grant made 
available in September 2010, nor the second Planning grant made 
available in January 2011 exclusively to States that did not apply for 
the first. Because Alaska did not receive funding under

[[Page 12848]]

Section 1311 for planning and establishment of an Exchange within one 
year of the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, by Statute, it will 
not be eligible for Section 1311 Exchange planning and establishment 
money in the future. Section 1311 of the Affordable Care Act provides 
for grants to States for the planning and establishment of these 
Exchanges. Given the innovative nature of Exchanges and the statutorily 
prescribed relationship between the Secretary and States in their 
development and operation, it is critical that the Secretary work 
closely with States to provide necessary guidance and technical 
assistance to ensure that States can meet the prescribed timelines, 
federal requirements, and goals of the statute.
    In order to provide appropriate and timely guidance and technical 
assistance, the Secretary must have access to timely, periodic 
information regarding State progress. Consequently, the information 
collection associated with these grants is essential to facilitating 
reasonable and appropriate federal monitoring of funds, providing 
statutorily mandated assistance to States to implement Exchanges in 
accordance with Federal requirements, and to ensure that States have 
all necessary information required to proceed, such that retrospective 
corrective action can be minimized.
    There are two levels of awards for States to apply for the 
Establishment grants. Grants are open to States that received federal 
funding for Exchange Planning activities, awardees of the Cooperative 
Agreements to Support Innovative Exchange Information Technology 
Systems, and awardees under the Cooperative Agreement to Support 
Establishment of State-Operated Health Insurance Exchanges. Level One 
Establishment cooperative agreements provide one year of funding to 
States that are ready to initiate establishment activities having made 
progress under their Exchange Planning grant. Level Two Establishment 
cooperative agreements are designed to provide funding to applicants 
for the establishment of a State-based Exchange and that can 
demonstrate specific eligibility criteria. Level One Establishment 
grantees may apply for additional funding under Level Two Establishment 
grants once they have achieved the benchmarks identified in the Level 
Two Establishment review criteria.
    HHS anticipates releasing this funding opportunity on June 15, 
2012. There will be four opportunities for applicants to apply for 
funding. HHS anticipates Level One Establishment and Level Two 
Establishment applications will be due: August 1, 2012; November 1, 
2012; February 1, 2013; May 1, 2013; August 1, 2013; November 1, 2013; 
February 3, 2014; May 1, 2014; August 1, 2014; and November 3, 2014. 
The Period of Performance for Level One Establishment grants is up to 
one year after date of award. The Period of Performance for Level Two 
Establishment grants is up to three years after date of award. Form 
Number: CMS-10424 (OCN: 0938-NEW); Frequency: Annually; Affected 
Public: State, Local, or Tribal Governments. Number of Respondents: 50. 
Number of Responses: 325. Total Annual Hours: 49,175. (For policy 
questions regarding this collection contact Katherine Harkins at 301-
492-4445. For all other issues call 410-786-1326.)
    To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms 
for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access CMS' 
Web site address at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PaperworkReductionActof1995, 
or Email your request, including your address, phone number, OMB 
number, and CMS document identifier, to Paperwork@cms.hhs.gov, or call 
the Reports Clearance Office on (410) 786-1326.
    In commenting on the proposed information collections please 
reference the document identifier or OMB control number. To be assured 
consideration, comments and recommendations must be submitted in one of 
the following ways by May 1, 2012:
    1. Electronically. You may submit your comments electronically to 
http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for ``Comment or 
Submission'' or ``More Search Options'' to find the information 
collection document(s) accepting comments.
    2. By regular mail. You may mail written comments to the following 
address: CMS, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs, 
Division of Regulations Development, Attention: Document Identifier/OMB 
Control Number ----, Room C4-26-05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, 
Maryland 21244-1850.

    Dated: February 27, 2012.
Martique Jones,
Director, Regulations Development Group, Division B, Office of 
Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2012-5011 Filed 2-27-12; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P
```