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[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 126 (Friday, June 29, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38837-38838]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-15997]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-8052-N]

Medicare Program; Meeting of the Medicare Economic Index 
Technical Advisory Panel

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces that a public meeting of the Medicare 
Economic Index Technical Advisory Panel (``the Panel''). The purpose of 
the Panel is to review all aspects of the Medicare Economic Index 
(MEI). During this third and final meeting the Panel will discuss their 
findings and recommendations regarding the MEI's inputs, input weights, 
price-measurement proxies, and productivity adjustment. This meeting is 
open to the public in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act.

DATES: Meeting date: The public meeting will be held on Wednesday, July 
11, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
    Deadline for submission of written comments: Written comments must 
be received at the mailing or email address specified in the FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice by 5 p.m. EDT, 
Thursday, July 5, 2012.
    Deadlines for speaker registration and presentation materials: The 
deadline to register to be a speaker and to submit PowerPoint 
presentation materials and any other written materials that will be 
used in support of an oral presentation is 5 p.m. EDT, Thursday, July 
5, 2012. Speakers may register by contacting Toya Via, HCD 
International, by phone at (301) 552-8803 or via email at 
MEITAP@hcdi.com. Materials that will be used in support of an oral 
presentation must be received at the mailing or email address specified 
in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice, by 5 
p.m. EDT, Thursday, July 5, 2012.
    Registration deadline for all other attendees: Individuals may 
register online at http://www.hcdi.com/mei/or by phone by contacting 
Toya Via, HCD International, at (301) 552-8803 by 5 p.m. EDT, Thursday, 
July 5, 2012.
    Deadline for submission of a request for special accommodations: 
Persons attending the meeting who are hearing or visually impaired, or 
have a condition that requires special assistance or accommodations, 
are asked to contact the Designated Federal Officer as specified in the 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice by 5 p.m. EDT, 
Thursday, July 5, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Meeting location: We will be broadcasting the meeting live 
via webinar and conference call (for audio purposes). Webinar details 
will be sent to registered attendees. At the close of the second 
meeting on June 25, 2012 (77 FR 34050), the Designated Federal Officer 
will decide if the third and final meeting, in addition to the webinar, 
will also be held in the Auditorium of the Centers for Medicare & 
Medicaid Services (CMS), 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244. 
The decision will be available online at http://www.hcdi.com/mei/after 
5 p.m. EDT, Monday, June 25, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Poisal, Designated Federal 
Officer, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Office of the 
Actuary, Mail stop N3-02-02, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 
21244 or contact Mr. Poisal by phone at (410) 786-6397 or via email at 
John.Poisal@cms.hhs.gov. Press inquiries are handled through the CMS 
Press Office at (202) 690-6145.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Medicare Economic Index Technical Advisory Panel (``the 
Panel'') was established by the Secretary to conduct a technical review 
of the Medicare Economic Index (MEI). The review will include the 
inputs, input weights, price-measurement proxies, and productivity 
adjustment. For more information on the Panel, see the October 7, 2011 
Federal Register (76 FR 62415). You may view and obtain a copy of the 
Secretary's charter for the Panel at https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/FACA/MEITAP.html. The members of the Panel are: 
Dr. Ernst Berndt, Dr. Robert Berenson, Dr. Zachary Dyckman, Dr. Kurt 
Gillis, and Ms. Kathryn Kobe.
    This notice announces the Wednesday, July 11, 2012 public meeting 
of the Panel. This meeting will focus on the Panel's findings and 
recommendations regarding the MEI's inputs, input weights, price-
measurement proxies, and the productivity adjustment.

II. Meeting Format

    This meeting is open to the public. There will be up to 45 minutes 
allotted at this meeting for the Panel to hear oral presentations from 
the public. Time allotted for each presentation may be limited. If the 
number of registrants requesting to speak is greater than can be 
reasonably accommodated during the scheduled open public hearing 
session, we will conduct a lottery to determine the speakers for the 
scheduled open public hearing session. The contact person will notify 
interested persons regarding their request to speak by 5 p.m. EDT, 
Friday, July 6, 2012. Any presentations that are not selected based on 
the lottery will be forwarded to the panel for consideration. For this 
meeting, public comments should focus on the MEI's inputs, input 
weights, price-measurement proxies, and productivity adjustment. We 
require that you declare at the meeting whether you have any financial 
involvement with manufacturers (or their competitors) of any items or 
services being discussed.
    The Panel will deliberate openly on the topics under consideration. 
Interested persons may observe the deliberations, but the Panel will 
not hear further comments during this time except at the request of the 
chairperson. The Panel will also allow up to 15 minutes for an 
unscheduled open public session for any attendee to address issues 
specific to the topics under consideration.

III. Registration Instructions

    HCD International is coordinating meeting registration. While there 
is no registration fee, individuals must register to attend. You may 
register online at http://www.hcdi.com/mei/ or by phone by contacting 
Toya Via, HCD International, at (301) 552-8803, by the

[[Page 38838]]

deadline specified in the DATES section of this notice. Please provide 
your full name (as it appears on your government-issued photographic 
identification), address, organization, telephone, and email address. 
At the time of registration, you will be asked to designate if you plan 
to attend in person or via webinar. You will receive a registration 
confirmation with instructions for your arrival at the CMS complex or 
you will be notified that the seating capacity has been reached.

IV. Security, Building, and Parking Guidelines

    This meeting will be held in a Federal government building; 
therefore, Federal security measures are applicable. We recommend that 
confirmed registrants arrive reasonably early, but no earlier than 45 
minutes prior to the start of the meeting, to allow additional time to 
clear security. Security measures include the following:
     Presentation of government-issued photographic 
identification to the Federal Protective Service or Guard Service 
personnel.
     Inspection of vehicle's interior and exterior (this 
includes engine and trunk inspection) at the entrance to the grounds. 
Parking permits and instructions will be issued after the vehicle 
inspection.
     Inspection, via metal detector or other applicable means, 
of all persons entering the building. We note that all items brought 
into CMS, whether personal or for the purpose of presentation or to 
support a presentation, are subject to inspection. We cannot assume 
responsibility for coordinating the receipt, transfer, transport, 
storage, set-up, safety, or timely arrival of any personal belongings 
or items used for presentation or to support a presentation.

    Note: Individuals who are not registered in advance will not be 
permitted to enter the building and will be unable to attend the 
meeting. The public may not enter the building earlier than 45 
minutes prior to the convening of the meeting. All visitors must be 
escorted in areas other than the lower and first floor levels in the 
Central Building.

    Authority:  5 U.S.C. App. 2, section 10(a).

    Dated: June 26, 2012.
Marilyn Tavenner,
Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 2012-15997 Filed 6-26-12; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P
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