[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 135 (Wednesday, July 15, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 38189]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-18753]



[[Page 38189]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration


Statement of Organization, Functions and Delegations of Authority

    This notice amends Part R of the Statement of Organization 
Functions and Delegations of Authority of the Department of Health and 
Human Services (DHHS), Health Resources and Services Administration (60 
FR 56605 as amended November 6, 1995, as last amended at 63 FR 35938-39 
dated July 1, 1998). This notice reflects the establishment of the 
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Office for the 
Advancement of Telehealth (RAB).
    Establish The Office for the Advancement of Telehealth (RAB) in the 
Office of the Administrator to read as follows:
    Telehealth is the use of electronic communications and information 
technologies to provide and support health care services and training 
when distance separates the participants. The Office for the 
Advancement of Telehealth (OAT) serves as the focal point within the 
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for coordinating 
and advancing the use of electronic communications and information 
(telehealth) technologies. Telehealth technologies can be used in a 
broad array of applications, including, but not limited to, the 
provision of: health care at a distance (telemedicine); technical 
assistance to grantees using electronic media; distance-based learning 
to improve the knowledge of HRSA staff, grantees, and others; and 
improved information dissemination to both consumers and providers 
about the latest developments in health care, and other activities 
designed to improve the health status of the nation. The Office for the 
Advancement of Telehealth carries out the following functions. 
Specifically: provides leadership within HRSA in developing and 
coordinating telehealth programs and policies and in facilitating the 
electronic dissemination of best practices in health care to health 
professionals and others; (2) provides technical assistance and support 
to HRSA components and others as they develop telehealth initiatives; 
(3) produces, and provides technical support and training to HRSA 
components in the production and planning of health-related media; (4) 
administers grant programs to promulgate and evaluate the use of 
appropriate telehealth technologies among HRSA grantees and others; (5) 
assesses new and existing telehealth technologies and advises the HRSA 
Administrator on strategies to maximize the potential of these 
technologies for meeting HRSA's educational, technical assistance and 
other objectives; (6) provides a resource center for the dissemination 
of the latest information and research findings related to the use of 
telehealth technologies in HRSA programs and underserved areas, 
including findings on ``best practices''; (7) staffs the Joint Working 
Group on Telemedicine; (8) works with other components of the 
Department, with other Federal and state agencies, and with the private 
sector to promote and overcome barriers to cost-effective telehealth 
programs; and (9) advises the Administrator and the Department on 
telehealth policy.
    Delegations of Authority. All delegations and redelegations of 
authority which were in effect immediately prior to the effective date 
hereof have been continued in effect in them or their successors 
pending further redelegation.
    This reorganization is effective upon date of signature.

    Dated: July 7, 1998.
Claude Earl Fox,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 98-18753 Filed 7-14-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-15-U