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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 230 (Friday, November 29, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 94883]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-28050]

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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Solicitation of Nomination for Appointment to the Veterans' Rural 
Health Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice of solicitation for nominations.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health 
Administration (VHA), is seeking nominations of qualified candidates to 
be considered for appointment as members of the Veterans' Rural Health 
Advisory Committee (hereinafter referred to as ``the VRHAC'').

DATES: Nominations for membership on the Committee must be received by 
January 21, 2025, no later than 4 p.m., eastern standard time. Packages 
received after this time will not be considered for the current 
membership cycle.

ADDRESSES: All nomination packages should be emailed to Mr. Paul 
Boucher, Committee Manager at [email protected] and cc: Dr. Peter 
Kaboli, Designated Federal Officer at [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannon Middleton, Assistant 
Designated Federal Officer, Center for Women Veterans, Department of 
Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW (00W), Washington, DC 20420, 
telephone 202-461-6194.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In carrying out the duties set forth, the 
Committee responsibilities include, but are not limited to,
    (1) Providing a letter to the Secretary and congress outlining 
recommendations to improve and enhance VA's delivery of services to 
rural Veterans.
    (2) Meeting with VA officials, Veteran Service Organizations, and 
other stakeholders to assess the Department's efforts in providing 
access to healthcare, outreach and education services offered to rural 
Veterans.
    (3) Making annual site visits and holding town hall meetings with 
Veterans to address their concerns.
    Management and support services for the Committee are provided by 
the Office of Rural Health (ORH).
    Authority: The Committee was established pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 3121 
and operates under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act 
(FACA) to advise the Secretary through the Under Secretary for Health 
on ways to improve and enhance access to VA health care services for 
Veterans residing in rural areas by reviewing current program 
activities and identifying barriers to accessing care and services.
    Membership Criteria: The VRHAC is requesting nominations for 
upcoming vacancies on the Committee. The committee is composed of 12 
members, in addition to ex-officio members. As required by statute, the 
members of the Committee are appointed by the Secretary from the 
general public, including, but not limited to:
    (1) Representatives of Veterans Service Organizations.
    (2) Persons who have distinguished themselves in the public, 
academic affiliation, community healthcare organizations, and private 
sector.
    (3) Ex-officio members of the Committee may include one 
representative from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 
Indian Health Service, Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, 
Department of Defense, and the Department of Agriculture.
    To the extent possible, the Secretary seeks members who have 
diverse professional and personal qualifications. We ask that 
nominations include information of this type so that VA can ensure a 
balanced Committee membership. Individuals appointed to the Committee 
by the Secretary shall be invited to serve a three-year term. The 
Secretary may reappoint a member for an additional term of service. In 
accordance with Federal Travel Regulation, Committee members will 
receive travel expenses and a per diem allowance for any travel made in 
association with duties as members of the Committee and within Federal 
travel guidelines. Self- nominations are acceptable. Any letters of 
nomination from organizations or other individuals should accompany the 
package when it is submitted. Non-Veterans are also eligible for 
nomination.
    Requirements for Nomination Submission: Nominations should be typed 
(one nomination per nominator). Nomination package should include: 
https://www.ruralhealth.va.gov/docs/VRHAC-Application-Form_7-31-18.pdf.
    (1) A letter of nomination that clearly states the name and 
affiliation of the nominee, the basis for the nomination (i.e., 
specific attributes which qualify the nominee for service in this 
capacity), and a statement from the nominee indicating that he/she is a 
U.S. citizen and is willingness to serve as a member of the Committee.
    (2) The nominee's contact information, including name, mailing 
address, telephone numbers, and email address.
    (3) The nominee's resume or curriculum vitae. the nominee's 
curriculum vitae.
    (4) A summary of the nominee's experience and qualifications 
relative to the membership considerations described above.
    (5) A statement confirming that he/she is not a federally-
registered lobbyist.
    The Department makes every effort to ensure that the membership of 
VA Federal advisory committees is balanced in terms of points of view 
represented and the committee's function. Appointments to this 
Committee shall be made without discrimination based on a person's 
race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, 
national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. Nominations 
must state that the nominee appears to have no conflict of interest 
that would preclude membership. An ethics review is conducted for each 
selected nominee.

    Dated: November 25, 2024.
Jelessa M. Burney,
Federal Advisory Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024-28050 Filed 11-27-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P
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