### 57048 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 179 / Thursday, September 15, 2011 / Notices

E XHIBIT 

### 3—E STIMATED 

### A NNUALIZED 

### C OST

Cost component Total cost Annualized cost

Review of literature ........................................................................................................... ....................................... $20,000 $20,000 Cognitive interviews ........................................................................................................... ...................................... 60,000 60,000 Field test ..................................................................................................................... ............................................. 90,000 90,000 Data analyses .................................................................................................................. ........................................ 40,000 40,000 Finalize survey ................................................................................................................ ......................................... 39,000 39,000 AHRQ project management ........................................................................................................ ............................ 50,000 50,000

Total .......................................................................................................................... ........................................ 299,000 299,000

Request for Comments

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, comments on AHRQ’s information collection are requested with regard to any of the following: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of AHRQ healthcare research and healthcare information dissemination functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of AHRQ’s estimate of burden (including hours and costs) of the proposed collection(s) 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 upon the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and included in the Agency’s subsequent request for OMB approval of the proposed information collection. All comments will become a matter of public record.

Dated: Aug 31 2011. Carolyn M. Clancy,

Director.
[FR Doc. 2011–23543 Filed 9–14–11; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4160–90–M**

**DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES** 

**Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality** 

**Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection;**  **Comment Request**

**AGENCY :**  Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, HHS.

**ACTION :**  Notice.

**SUMMARY :**  This notice announces the intention of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to request that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approve the proposed information collection project: ‘‘Medical Expenditure Panel Survey—Insurance Component 2012–2013.’’ In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501–3521, AHRQ invites the public to comment on this proposed information collection.

This proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register on June 30th, 2011 and allowed 60 days for public comment. No comments were received. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comment.

**DATES :**  Comments on this notice must be received by October 17, 2011.

**ADDRESSES :**  Written comments should be submitted to: AHRQ’s OMB Desk Officer by fax at (202) 395–6974(attention: AHRQ’s desk officer) or by email at OIRA

_submission@omb.eop.gov ( attention: AHRQ’s desk officer).

Copies of the proposed collection plans, data collection instruments, and specific details on the estimated burden can be obtained from the AHRQ Reports Clearance Officer.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  Doris Lefkowitz, AHRQ Reports Clearance Officer, (301) 427–1477, or by e-mail at doris.lefkowitz@AHRQ.hhs.gov

. **SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  Proposed Project Medical Expenditure Panel Survey— Insurance Component 2012–2013

Employer-sponsored health insurance is the source of coverage for 85 million current and former workers, plus many of their family members, and is a cornerstone of the U.S. health care system. The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey—Insurance Component (MEPS– IC) measures the extent, cost, and coverage of employer-sponsored health insurance on an annual basis. These statistics are produced at the National, State, and sub-State (metropolitan area) level for private industry. Statistics are also produced for State and Local governments. This research has the following goals: (1) To provide data for Federal policymakers evaluating the effects of National and State health care reforms;

(2) to provide descriptive data on the current employer-sponsored health insurance system and data for modeling the differential impacts of proposed health policy initiatives; and

(3) to supply critical State and National estimates of health insurance spending for the National Health Accounts and Gross Domestic Product.

This study is being conducted by AHRQ through an interagency agreement with the U.S. Census Bureau and pursuant to AHRQ’s statutory authority to conduct surveys to collect data on the cost, use and quality of health care, including the types and costs of private health insurance. 42 U.S.C. 299b–2(a).

Method of Collection

To achieve the goals of this project the following data collections for both private sector and state and local government employers will be implemented:

(1) Prescreener Questionnaire—The purpose of the Prescreener Questionnaire, which is collected via telephone, varies depending on the insurance status of the establishment contacted. (Establishment is defined as a single, physical location in the private sector and a governmental unit in state and local governments.) For establishments that do not offer health insurance to their employees, the prescreener is used to collect basic information such as number of employees. Collection is completed for these establishments through this telephone call. For establishments that do offer health insurance, contact name and address information is collected that is used for the mailout of the establishment and plan questionnaires. Obtaining this contact information helps ensure that the questionnaires are directed to the person in the establishment best equipped to complete them.


### 57049 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 179 / Thursday, September 15, 2011 / Notices

(2) Establishment Questionnaire—The purpose of the mailed Establishment Questionnaire is to obtain general information from employers that provide health insurance to their employees. Information such as total active enrollment in health insurance, other employee benefits, waiting periods, and retiree health insurance is collected through the establishment questionnaire.

(3) Plan Questionnaire—The purpose of the mailed Plan Questionnaire is to collect plan-specific information on each plan (up to four plans) offered by establishments that provide health insurance to their employees. This questionnaire obtains information on total premiums, employer and employee contributions to the premium, and plan enrollment for each type of coverage offered—single, employee-plus-one, and family—within a plan. It also asks for information on deductibles, copays, and other plan characteristics. This information is needed in order to provide the tools for Federal, State, and academic researchers to evaluate current and proposed health policies and to support the production of important statistical measures for other Federal agencies. Estimated Annual Respondent Burden

Exhibit 1 shows the estimated annualized burden hours for the respondent’s time to provide the requested data. The Prescreener questionnaire will be completed by 31,552 respondents and takes about 5 1 ⁄ 2 minutes to complete. The Establishment questionnaire will be completed by 25,839 respondents and takes about 23 minutes to complete. The Plan questionnaire will be completed by 23,230 respondents and will require an average of 2.1 responses per respondent. Each Plan questionnaire takes about 11 minutes to complete. The total annualized burden hours are estimated to be 21,440 hours.

Exhibit 2 shows the estimated annualized cost burden associated with the respondents’ time to participate in this data collection. The annualized cost burden is estimated to be $614,256.



### E XHIBIT 

### 1—E STIMATED 

### A NNUALIZED 

### B URDEN 

### H OURS

Form name Number of respondents Number of responses per

respondent Hours per response Total burden hours

Prescreener Questionnaire .............................................................................. 31,552 1 0.09 2,840 Establishment Questionnaire ........................................................................... 25,839 1 0.38 9,819 Plan Questionnaire .......................................................................................... 23,230 2.1 0.18 8,7 81

Total .......................................................................................................... 80,621 na na 21, 440



### E XHIBIT 

### 2—E STIMATED 

### A NNUALIZED 

### C OST 

### B URDEN

Form name Number of respondents Total burden hours Average hourly wage rate* Total cost burden

Prescreener Questionnaire .............................................................................. 31,552 2,840 28.65 $81,3 66 Establishment Questionnaire ........................................................................... 25,839 9,819 28.65 281,31 4 Plan Questionnaire .......................................................................................... 23,230 8,781 28.65 251,576

Total .......................................................................................................... 80,621 21,440 na614,256
*Based upon the mean hourly wage for Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists occupation code—1141, at http://www.bls.gov/ oes/current/oes

_ nat.htm#13–0000 (U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.)

Estimated Annual Costs to the Federal Government

Exhibit 3 shows the estimated annualized cost of this data collection. The total cost over the 2 years of this clearance is $22,954,000.



### E XHIBIT 

### 3—E STIMATED 

### TOTAL AND 

### A NNUALIZED 

### C OST [$ thousands]

Cost component Total cost Annualized cost

Project Development ............................................................................................................ ................................... $3,338 $1,669 Data Collection Activities ..................................................................................................... .................................... 7,789 3,895 Data Processing and Analysis ................................................................................................... .............................. 7,789 3,895 Project Management ............................................................................................................. ................................... 2,925 1,463 Overhead ....................................................................................................................... .......................................... 1,113 557

Total .......................................................................................................................... ........................................ 22,954 11,477

**Note:** Components may not sum to Total due to rounding.

Request for Comments

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, comments on AHRQ’s information collection are requested with regard to any of the following: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of AHRQ healthcare research and healthcare information


### 57050 Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 179 / Thursday, September 15, 2011 / Notices

dissemination functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of AHRQ’s estimate of burden (including hours and costs) of the proposed collection(s) 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 upon the respondents, including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and included in the Agency’s subsequent request for OMB approval of the proposed information collection. All comments will become a matter of public record.

Dated: Aug 31 2011. Carolyn M. Cancy,

Director.
[FR Doc. 2011–23539 Filed 9–14–11; 8:45 am]

**BILLING CODE 4160–90–M**

**DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES** 

**Food and Drug Administration**

**[Docket No. FDA–2011–N–0400]**

**DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE**

**Food Safety and Inspection Service**

**[Docket No. FSIS–2011–0014]**

**Approaches to Reducing Sodium Consumption; Establishment of**  **Dockets; Request for Comments, Data, and Information** 

**AGENCY :**  Food and Drug Administration, HHS; Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA.

**ACTION :**  Notice; establishment of dockets; request for comments, data, and information.

**SUMMARY :**  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) are announcing the establishment of dockets to obtain comments, data, and evidence relevant to the dietary intake of sodium as well as current and emerging approaches designed to promote sodium reduction. FDA and FSIS are particularly interested in research that will help both organizations understand current and emerging practices by industry in sodium reduction in foods; current consumer understanding of the role of sodium in hypertension and other chronic illnesses, sodium consumption practices; motivation and barriers in reducing sodium in their food intakes; and issues associated with the development of targets for sodium reduction in foods to promote reduction of excess sodium intake. Excess sodium intake is linked to increased risk of heart disease and stroke. FDA and FSIS recognize ongoing efforts by a number of members of the restaurant and packaged food industries to reduce sodium and appreciate the complexities of reducing sodium in foods. Continued input and support from industry and other stakeholders are important to support further progress on this significant public health issue.

**DATES :**  Submit either electronic or written comments and data and information by November 29, 2011.

**ADDRESSES :**  FDA: Submit electronic comments and data and information to http://www.regulations.gov. Submit written comments and data and information to the Division of Dockets Management (HFA–305), Food and Drug Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061, Rockville, MD 20852. All submissions must include the Agency name and docket number FDA–2011– N–0400.

FSIS: Submit electronic comments and data and information to http:// www.regulations.gov. Submit written comments and data and information to the Docket Clerk, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service, FSIS Docket Room, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Patriots Plaza 3, Mailstop 3782, Room 163A, Washington, DC 20250–3700. All submissions must include the Agency name and docket number FSIS–2011–
0014.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT :**  FDA: Richard E. Bonnette, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition (HFS–255), Food and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Pkwy., College Park, MD 20740–3835,
240–402–1235.

FSIS: Rosalyn Murphy-Jenkins, Director, Labeling and Program Delivery Division, Office of Policy and Program Development, Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, USDA, FSIS, OPPD, LPDD Stop Code 3784, Patriots Plaza III, 8– 161A, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250–3700.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION :**  I. Background

Research shows that excess sodium consumption is a contributory factor in the development of hypertension, which is a leading cause of heart disease and stroke (Ref. 1), the first and fourth leading causes of death in the United States, respectively (Ref. 2). Research also shows that the increase in blood pressure seen with aging, common to most Western countries, is not observed in populations that consume low sodium diets (Refs. 3 and 4) and that the U.S. population consumes far more sodium than recommended (Ref. 5 and 7). Moreover, dietary reduction of sodium can lower blood pressure as has been demonstrated in the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)-Sodium trial (Ref. 6). Because over three-quarters of sodium in the diet of the U.S. population is added during manufacturing of foods and preparation of restaurant foods, reduction in sodium consumption in the United States involves reduction in the sodium content of food in the U.S. marketplace (Refs. 5 and 7).

In this document, we refer primarily to ‘‘sodium,’’ a component of sodium chloride, commonly known as ‘‘salt.’’ Most but not all sodium is added to food in the form of salt and we are interested in all sources of sodium added to foods. The comments, data, and evidence regarding sodium reduction obtained by the establishment of these dockets will provide important information about current and emerging practices and approaches designed to reduce excess sodium intake, primarily coming from salt.

A. Sodium: Current and Recommended Intake

According to national food survey data from the ‘‘What We Eat in America, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007– 2008,’’ estimated average sodium intake from foods among persons in the United States aged 2 years or older is approximately 3,300 milligrams per day (mg/d) (excluding salt added at the table) (Ref. 8). Most of this sodium comes from salt used in the manufacture or preparation of foods (Ref. 9). In 2005, the IOM set a Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for sodium at 2,300 mg/d and an Adequate Intake (AI) at 1,500 mg/d for those 9 to 50 years of age, including pregnant and lactating women (AIs are lower for those 0–8 years of age and for those over 50 years of age) (Ref. 1). The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations are to ‘‘reduce daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 milligrams (mg) and further reduce intake to 1,500 mg among persons who are 51 and older and those of any age who are African American or have hypertension, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease.’’ The 1,500 mg recommendation applies to about half of the U.S. population (Ref. 7). Current sodium intake is substantially higher