[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 46 (Monday, March 10, 2014)] [Notices] [Pages 13311-13312] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2014-05137] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Health Resources and Services Administration Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: Public Comment Request AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration, HHS. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In compliance with the requirement for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects (Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995), the Health Resources and Services [[Page 13312]] Administration (HRSA) announces plans to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR), described below, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Prior to submitting the ICR to OMB, HRSA seeks comments from the public regarding the burden estimate, below, or any other aspect of the ICR. DATES: Comments on this Information Collection Request must be received within 60 days of this notice. ADDRESSES: Submit your comments to [email protected] or mail the HRSA Information Collection Clearance Officer, Room 10-29, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request more information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and draft instruments, email [email protected] or call the HRSA Information Collection Clearance Officer at (301) 443-1984. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: When submitting comments or requesting information, please include the information request collection title for reference. Information Collection Request Title: Data Collection Tool for Rural Health Community-Based Grant Programs OMB No.: 0915-0319--Revision Abstract: There are currently five rural health grant programs that operate under the authority of section 330A of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act. These programs include: (1) Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grant Program (Outreach); (2) Rural Health Network Development Grant Program (Network Development); (3) Small Healthcare Provider Quality Grant Program (Quality); (4) Delta States Rural Development Network Grant Program (Delta); and (5) Rural Health Network Development Planning Grant Program (Network Planning). These grants are to provide expanded delivery of health care services in rural areas, for the planning and implementation of integrated health care networks in rural areas, and for the planning and implementation of quality improvement and workforce activities. In general, the grants may be used to expand access, coordinate, and improve the quality of essential health care services and enhance the delivery of health care in rural areas. Need and Proposed Use of the Information: For these programs, performance measures were drafted to provide data useful to the programs and to enable HRSA to provide aggregate program data required by Congress under the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) of 1993. These measures cover the principal topic areas of interest to ORHP, including: (a) Access to care; (b) the underinsured and uninsured; (c) workforce recruitment and retention; (d) sustainability; (e) health information technology; (f) network development; and (g) health related clinical measures. Several measures will be used for all six programs. All measures will speak to the ORHP's progress toward meeting the goals set. Likely Respondents: Award recipients of the programs under the section 330A of the Public Health Service Act. Burden Statement: Burden in this context means the time expended by persons to generate, maintain, retain, disclose or provide the information requested. This includes the time needed to review instructions; to develop, acquire, install and utilize technology and systems for the purpose of collecting, validating and verifying information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and providing information; to train personnel and to be able to respond to a collection of information; to search data sources; to complete and review the collection of information; and to transmit or otherwise disclose the information. The total annual burden hours estimated for this Information Collection Request are summarized in the table below. Total Estimated Annualized Burden Hours: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Average Number of Number of Total burden per Total burden Form name respondents responses per responses response (in hours respondent hours) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rural Health Care Services 71 1 71 2 142 Outreach Grant Program Measures Rural Health Network Development 20 1 20 5 100 Grant Program Measures......... Delta States Rural Development 12 1 12 6 72 Network Grant Program.......... Small Health Care Provider 30 2 60 10 600 Quality Improvement Grant Program........................ Rural Health Network Development 21 1 21 1 21 Planning Grant Program Measures ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total....................... 154 .............. 184 .............. 935 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HRSA specifically requests comments on: (1) The necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden. Dated: February 28, 2014. Jackie Painter, Deputy Director, Division of Policy and Information Coordination. [FR Doc. 2014-05137 Filed 3-7-14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4165-15-P