[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 242 (Wednesday, December 17, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 75164-75165]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-29576]


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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 (HHS), Health Resources and

[[Page 75165]]

Services Administration (HRSA) (60 FR 56605, as amended November 6, 
1995; as last amended at 79 FR 69499 dated November 21, 2014).
    This notice reflects organizational changes in the Health Resources 
and Services Administration (HRSA), Office of Rural Health Policy. 
Specifically, this notice: (1) Changes the name from the Office of 
Rural Health Policy to the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy; (2) 
establishes the Policy Research Division (RH5); (2) establishes the 
Administrative Operations Division (RH6); and (3) abolishes the Border 
Health Division.

Chapter RH--Federal Office of Rural Health Policy

Section RH-00, Mission

    To improve access to quality health care in rural communities.

Section RH-10, Organization

    Delete the organization for the Office of Rural Health Policy (RH) 
in its entirety and replace with the following:
    The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (RH) is headed by the 
Associate Administrator, who reports directly to the Administrator, 
Health Resources and Services Administration. The Federal Office of 
Rural Health Policy includes the following components:
    (1) Office of the Associate Administrator (RH);
    (2) Hospital State Division (RH1);
    (3) Community-Based Division (RH2);
    (4) Office for the Advancement of Telehealth (RH4);
    (5) Policy Research Division (RH5); and
    (6) Administrative Operations Division (RH6).

Section RH-20, Functions

    (1) Establish the Policy Research Division (RH5) and transfer the 
policy research functions from the Office of the Associate 
Administrator (RH) to the newly established Policy Research Division 
(RH5); (2) establish the Administrative Operations Division (RH6) and 
transfer the administrative operations functions from the Office of the 
Associate Administrator (RH) to the newly established Administrative 
Operations Division (RH6); (3) transfer the functions of the Border 
Health Division (RH3) to the Office of the Associate Administrator 
(RH); (4) abolish the Border Health Division; and (5) update the 
functional statement for the Office of Associate Administrator (RH).

Office of the Associate Administrator (RH)

    The Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) is responsible 
for the overall leadership and management of the office. FORHP serves 
as a focal point within the Department of Health and Human Services 
(HHS) for rural health-related issues and as a principal source of 
advice to the Secretary for coordinating efforts to strengthen and 
improve the delivery of health services to populations in the nation's 
rural areas. FORHP provides leadership within HHS and with stakeholders 
in providing information and counsel related to access to, and 
financing and quality of, health care to rural populations. 
Specifically, the Office of the Associate Administrator: (1) Provides 
staff support to the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health and 
Human Services; (2) stimulates and coordinates interaction on rural 
health activities and programs in the Agency, Department and with other 
federal agencies; (3) establishes and maintains a resource center for 
the collection and dissemination of the latest information and research 
findings related to the delivery of health services in rural areas; (4) 
ensures successful dissemination of appropriate information technology 
advances, such as electronic health records systems; (5) monitors the 
health information technology policy and activities of other HHS 
components for useful application in rural areas; (6) monitors HRSA's 
border health activities and investments to promote collaboration and 
improve health care access to those living along the U.S.-Mexico 
border; (7) provides overall direction and leadership over the 
management of nationwide community-based rural health grants programs; 
(8) provides overall direction and leadership over the management of a 
program of state grants which support collaboration within state 
offices of rural health; (9) provides overall direction and leadership 
over the management of programs to advance the use of telehealth and 
coordination health information technology; and (10) provides overall 
direction and leadership over the office's administrative and 
management functions.

Policy Research Division (RH5)

    The Policy Research Division serves as the focal point within FORHP 
to support health policy and research focused on rural populations. 
Specifically, the Policy Research Division: (1) Supports rural health 
research centers and keeps informed of research and demonstration 
projects funded by states and foundations in the field of rural health 
care delivery; (2) establishes and maintains a resource center for the 
collection and dissemination of the latest information and research 
findings related to the delivery of health services in rural areas; (3) 
maintains data and analytic capabilities to support office functions; 
(4) advises the Agency, Administrator, and Department on the effects of 
current policies and proposed statutory, regulatory, administrative, 
and budgetary changes in the programs established under titles XVIII 
and XIX of the Social Security Act, on the financial viability of small 
rural hospitals and the ability of rural areas to attract and retain 
physicians and other health professionals; and (5) monitors rural 
hospital impact analyses developed by the Centers for Medicare and 
Medicaid Services whenever proposed regulations might have a 
significant impact on a substantial number of small rural hospitals.

Administrative Operations Division (RH6)

    The Administrative Operations Division collaborates with FORHP 
leadership to plan, coordinate, and direct FORHP-wide administrative 
management activities. Specifically, the Administrative Operations 
Division: (1) Develops, executes, and monitors FORHP's budget; (2) 
provides guidance and coordination of human resources; (3) plans, 
coordinates, and manages FORHP's grant activities; (4) plans, 
coordinates, and manages FORHP's procurement activities; (5) 
coordinates the review and clearance of correspondence and official 
documents to and from FORHP; and (6) provides additional management 
support services including, but not limited to, timekeeping, supplies, 
equipment, space, records, and training.

Section RH-30, Delegations of Authority

    All delegations of authority and re-delegations of authority made 
to HRSA officials that were in effect immediately prior to this 
reorganization, and that are consistent with this reorganization, shall 
continue in effect pending further re-delegation.
    This reorganization is effective upon date of signature.

    Dated: December 11, 2014.
Mary K. Wakefield,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2014-29576 Filed 12-16-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-15-P