[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 134 (Tuesday, July 14, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 37891]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-18692]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: 
Comment Request

    In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on 
proposed data collection projects, the Health Resources and Services 
Administration (HRSA) will publish periodic summaries of proposed 
projects being developed for submission to OMB under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995. To request more information on the proposed 
project or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans, call the HRSA 
Reports Clearance Officer on (301) 443-1129.
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology.

Proposed Project

    Grantee Reporting Requirements for the Rural Health Network 
Development Grant Program (OMB NO. 0915-0218)--Extension.
    This is a request for extension of the reporting requirements for 
the Rural Network Development Grant Program authorized by section 330A 
of the Public Health Service Act as amended by the Health Centers 
Consolidation Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-229). The purpose of the 
program is to assist in the development of vertically integrated 
networks of health care providers in rural communities. Grantees will 
be working to change the delivery system in their service areas and 
will be using the Federal funds to develop network capabilities.
    Grantees submit semiannual reports which provide information on 
progress towards goals and objectives of the network, progress toward 
developing the governance and organizational arrangements for the 
network, specific network activities, certain financial data related to 
the grant budget, and health care services provided by the network.
    The information is used to evaluate progress on the grants, to 
understand barriers to network development in rural areas, to identify 
grantees in need of technical assistance, and to identify best 
practices in the development of provider networks in rural communities.
    The information is also used to begin to evaluate the impact of 
networks on access to care.
    To minimize the burden on grantees, the reports will are submitted 
electronically. The estimated burden is as follows:

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                                                 Number of      Responses per      Hours per       Total burden 
             Type of respondent                 respondents       respondent        response          hours     
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Grantees....................................              40                2               20            1,600 
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    Send comments to: HRSA Reports Clearance Officer, Room 14-36, 
Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Written 
comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.

    Dated: July 7, 1998.
Jane Harrison,
Director, Division of Policy Review and Coordination.
[FR Doc. 98-18692 Filed 7-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-15-P