[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 180 (Monday, September 19, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
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From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-23135]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 19, 1994]


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Part IV





Office of Management and Budget





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Cumulative Report on Rescissions and Deferrals; Notice
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET

Cumulative Report on Rescissions and Deferrals

September 1, 1994.
    This report is submitted in fulfillment of the requirement of 
Section 1014(e) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act 
of 1974 (Public Law 93-344). Section 1014(e) requires a month report 
listing all budget authority for this fiscal year for which, as of the 
first day of the month, a special message has been transmitted to 
Congress.
    This report gives the status of 65 rescission proposals and 12 
deferrals contained in six special messages for FY 1994. These messages 
were transmitted to Congress on October 13, November 1, and November 
19, 1993; and on February 7, May 2, and June 8, 1994.

Rescissions (Attachments A and C)

    As of September 1, 1994, 65 rescission proposals totaling $3,172.2 
million had been transmitted to the Congress. Congress approved 45 of 
the Administration's rescission proposals in P.L. 103-211. A total of 
$1,286.7 million of the rescissions proposed by the President was 
rescinded by that measure. There are no rescission proposals pending 
before the Congress. Attachment C shows the status of the FY 1994 
rescission proposals.

Deferrals (Attachments B and D)

    As of September 1, 1994, $1,199.6 million in budget authority was 
being deferred from obligation. Attachment D shows the status of each 
deferral reported during FY 1994.

Information From Special Messages

    The special messages containing information on the rescission 
proposals and deferrals that are covered by this cumulative report are 
printed in the Federal Register cited below:

58 FR 54256, Wednesday, October 20, 1993
58 FR 59517, Tuesday, November 9, 1993
58 FR 63264, Tuesday, November 30, 1993
59 FR 7122, Monday, February 14, 1994
59 FR 24006, Monday, May 9, 1994
59 FR 32068, Tuesday, June 21, 1994
Alice M. Rivlin,
Acting Director.

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Part VI





Department of Health and Human Services





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National Institutes of Health



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National Institutes of Health Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) 
Research Loan Repayment Program; Notice
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health
RIN 0905-ZA59

 
National Institutes of Health Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome 
(AIDS) Research Loan Repayment Program

AGENCY: National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service, HHS

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announces the 
availability of educational loan repayment under the National 
Institutes of Health Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Research 
Loan Repayment Program. The Program, which is authorized by section 
487A of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 U.S.C. 288-1), as added 
by the Health Omnibus Programs Extension Act of 1988 (Pub. L. 100-607) 
and amended by the National Institutes of Health Revitalization Act of 
1993 (Pub. L. 103-43), provides for the partial repayment of the 
accumulated educational loan debt of health professionals who agree to 
conduct, as employees of the NIH, research with respect to AIDS. The 
Program provides for the repayment of up to $20,000 of the principal 
and interest of the educational loans of such health professionals for 
each year of obligated service. The purpose of the program is the 
recruitment and retention of highly qualified health professionals 
conducting AIDS research as NIH employees. The NIH, through this 
notice, invites health professionals interested in engaging in AIDS 
research as NIH employees to apply for participation in the NIH AIDS 
Research Loan Repayment Program.

DATES: Interested persons may request information about the Program 
beginning on September 19, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Information regarding the requirements and application 
procedures for the Program may be obtained by calling or writing: Mr. 
Marc Horowitz, Director, NIH AIDS Research Loan Repayment Program, 
Office of AIDS Research, National Institutes of Health, Federal 
Building, Suite 102, 7550 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-
9905 (1-800-528-7689).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Institutes of Health 
Revitalization Act of 1993 (Public Law 103-43) was enacted on June 10, 
1993, amending section 487A of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 
U.S.C. 288-1). Section 487A directs the Secretary to continue a program 
of entering into agreements with appropriately qualified health 
professionals under which such health professionals agree to conduct, 
as employees of the NIH, research with respect to acquired 
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in consideration of the Federal 
Government agreeing to repay, for each year of service, not more than 
$20,000 of the principal and interest of the educational loans of such 
health professionals. This program is known as the NIH AIDS Research 
Loan Repayment Program.
    Under the Program, the NIH will repay qualified educational loan 
debt incurred by health professionals to pay for their undergraduate, 
graduate, and/or medical educational expenses. Upon application, 
individuals must have total qualified debt which will exceed 20% of 
their anticipated annual NIH salary (``debt threshold'') on the date of 
program eligibility. Half of this debt threshold amount will not be 
repaid by the Program and will remain the obligation of the 
participant.
    The remaining repayable debt of qualified health professionals will 
be satisfied at the rate of one-third per year, subject to a statutory 
limit of $20,000 per year, for each year of obligated service EXCEPT 
for individuals with repayable debt equal to or less than $10,000. 
These individuals will receive repayment of their repayable debt at the 
rate of one-half per year. Obligated service requires individuals 
selected to participate in the Program to agree to serve at least 2 
years as an NIH employee engaged in qualified AIDS research. 
Participants may apply for renewal contracts in one-year increments to 
satisfy their remaining repayable debt.
    In return for the repayment of their educational loans, 
participants must agree to (1) Engage primarily in qualified AIDS 
research as employees of the NIH for a minimum period of 2 years; (2) 
make payments to lenders on their own behalf for periods of Leave 
Without Pay (LWOP); (3) pay monetary damages as required for breach of 
contract; and (4) satisfy other terms and conditions of the Program's 
contract and application procedures. Applicants must submit a signed 
contract, prepared by the NIH, agreeing to obligated service at the 
time they apply for consideration under the Program. Substantial 
monetary penalties will be imposed for breach of contract.
    Since program participation is contingent upon employment with the 
NIH, an individual who wishes to apply must obtain a written commitment 
from an Institute, Center, or Division (ICD) Personnel Office of the 
NIH to be employed in a qualified AIDS research position. Current 
deadlines, sources for assistance, and additional details regarding 
application procedures are published in an annual Applicant Information 
Bulletin which is available from the Director, AIDS Research Loan 
Repayment Program.
    The Loan Repayment Committee (LRC), whose members are appointed by 
the Director, NIH, review, rank, and approve or disapprove the 
scientific portions of Loan Repayment Program applications. The LRC is 
composed of NIH scientific staff and chaired by the Associate Director 
for AIDS Research, NIH. Review and selection of applications for 
approval is based upon the following:
    (1) The appropriateness of the research assignment to qualified 
AIDS research;
    (2) The scientific merit of the research assignment; and
    (3) The credentials of both applicant and supervisor and other 
criteria the Secretary deems appropriate.
    Initial contracts will be executed to cover a two-year service 
period. At the conclusion of this initial contract, participants may be 
recommended for a one-year renewal contract, subject to review of their 
AIDS research accomplishments. These continuation contracts may be 
approved on a year-to-year basis. Funding of all contracts is 
contingent upon appropriation and/or allocation of funds from the U.S. 
Congress and/or the NIH.
    The NIH will repay lenders for the principal, interest, and related 
expenses (such as the required insurance premiums on the unpaid 
balances of some loans) of qualified Government (Federal, State, local) 
and commercial educational loans obtained by participants for the 
following:
    (1) Undergraduate, graduate, and health professional school tuition 
expenses;
    (2) Other reasonable educational expenses required by the school(s) 
attended, including fees, books, supplies, educational equipment and 
materials, and laboratory expenses; and
    (3) Reasonable living expenses, including the cost of room and 
board, transportation and commuting costs, and other reasonable living 
expenses as determined by the Secretary.
    Repayments will be authorized quarterly for direct payment to 
lenders, following receipt of (1) The supervisor's verification of 
completion of the prior period of obligated service and (2) lender 
verification of the crediting of prior loan repayments, including the 
resulting account balances and current account status. The NIH will 
repay loans in the following order unless significant savings would 
result from repaying loans in a different priority order:
    (1) Health Education Assistance Loans (HEAL);
    (2) Other loans guaranteed by the Federal Government; and
    (3) Other qualifying loans.
    The following loans are NOT repayable under the Program:
    (1) Loans not obtained from a Government entity or commercial 
lending institution, such as loans from friends and relatives, or other 
private individuals;
    (2) Loans for which contemporaneous documentation is not available; 
and
    (3) Loans, or those portions of loans, obtained for educational or 
living expenses which exceed a ``reasonable'' level as determined by a 
review of the standard school budget for the year in which the loan was 
made.
    In addition, for other programs which provide loans, scholarships, 
loan repayments, or similar awards in exchange for a future service 
obligation, the NIH will NOT repay any sums that may result from 
failure to serve as required or conversion of the obligation to a loan 
under these programs. This includes, but is not limited to the 
following:
    (1) Physicians Shortage Area Scholarship Program;
    (2) National Research Service Award Program;
    (3) Public Health Service and National Health Service Corps 
Scholarship Programs;
    (4) Armed Forces (Army, Navy, or Air Force) Health Professions 
Scholarship Programs; and
    (5) Indian Health Service Scholarship Program.
    Finally, payments will not be made under the Program for loans 
which participants have already repaid, delinquent loans, loans in 
default, loans not current in their payment schedule, or loans for 
which promissory notes have been signed after the program eligibility 
date. During lapses in loan repayments, due either to administrative 
complications or a break in service, Program participants are wholly 
responsible for making payments or other arrangements which maintain 
loans in a current payment status such that increases in either 
principal or interest do not occur. Penalties assessed participants as 
a result of NIH administrative complications may be considered for 
reimbursement.

Activities Constituting AIDS Research

    The following parameters define whether a proposed research 
assignment meets the criteria for coverage under the NIH AIDS Research 
Loan Repayment Program--that is, whether the incumbent will be 
``primarily'' engaged in AIDS research. ``Primarily'' engaged in AIDS 
research is defined as AIDS research activities that constitute at 
least 80% of a researcher's time. Clinical Associates, whose intent is 
to primarily engage in AIDS research, must engage in qualified AIDS 
research for at least three months in the first year of their program, 
with a total of fifteen months of qualified AIDS research during their 
two-year contract. AIDS researchers include registered nurses who are 
principal or associate investigators in AIDS research studies.
    (1) AIDS research includes studies of the human immunodeficiency 
virus (HIV), the pathophysiology of HIV infection, the development of 
models of HIV infection and its sequelae, cofactors predisposing to HIV 
infection and AIDS, or its sequelae, and the development of vaccines 
and therapeutics. Specifically, the following research activities are 
included:
    a. Studies of HIV and related retroviruses;
    b. Studies of the mechanism(s) by which HIV and related 
retroviruses establish infection and infect host cells;
    c. Studies of the mechanism(s) by which HIV and related 
retroviruses cause disease, including studies of the immune deficiency 
induced by HIV and related retroviruses;
    d. Studies of the pathophysiology of host response to HIV 
infection;
    e. Studies of in vivo or in vitro models of human HIV infection and 
its sequelae;
    f. Epidemiologic studies of HIV and related retrovirus infection;
    g. Clinical trials involving prophylaxis or therapy for HIV 
infection or its sequelae;
    h. Preclinical studies aimed at the development of therapy for or 
prevention of HIV infection and the immunodeficiency caused by HIV 
infection and its sequelae;
    i. Cofactors predisposing to acquiring HIV infection and/or the 
progression of HIV-related disease;
    j. Basic studies and clinical trials involving vaccines, or other 
immunological or chemotherapeutic interventions for the prevention of 
HIV infection and its sequelae;
    k. Studies into the transmission of HIV involving high risk 
behaviors and research concerning the interruption of transmission by 
behavioral change and pharmacologic intervention; and
    l. Basic studies of the societal impact of and response to the HIV/
AIDS epidemic, including subgroups within the population.
    (2) AIDS researchers include scientists who are intellectually 
engaged in the process of providing scientific direction and guidance 
in programs of original AIDS research, specifically, epidemiologists, 
statisticians, and others who are involved in the design and conduct of 
research studies. The duties of such scientists may include the 
generation and design of studies and collation and analysis of data; 
and/or the preparation and publication, as author or co-author, of 
studies in peer-reviewed journals.
    (3) AIDS researchers include physicians and registered nurses who 
are providing care for HIV-infected individuals who are subjects of 
HIV-related research.

Eligibility Criteria

    Specific eligibility criteria with regard to participation in the 
NIH AIDS Research Loan Repayment Program include the following:
    (1) Participants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent 
residents;
    (2) Participants must have a Ph.D., M.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.M.D., 
D.V.M., B.S.N. or A.D.N., or equivalent degree;
    (3) Participants must have qualifying educational debt in excess of 
20 percent of their annual NIH salary at their expected date of program 
eligibility. In the case of U.S. Commissioned Corps employees, their 
NIH salary includes base pay plus quarters, subsistence, and variable 
housing allowances. Special and bonus pays, such as board certified, 
contract, and variable incentive pays, are not considered in the LRP's 
calculation of salary. For those employed under the Civil Service 
General Schedule, salary does not include Physicians Comparability 
Allowances (PCAs). However, PCA recipients who are accepted into the 
LRP will have their PCAs reduced by the amount of loan repayments to be 
received. The expected date of program eligibility is the date by which 
the following conditions will be met: (a) An applicant agrees to begin 
qualified AIDS research as a NIH employee, and (b) the Secretary is 
expected to execute their LRP contract;
    (4) Participants must be considered employees of the NIH. The 
following are among those NOT considered NIH employees: (a) Visiting 
fellows (i.e. foreign scientists), (b) Intramural Research Training 
Award (IRTA) recipients, (c) National Research Service Award (NRSA) 
recipients, (d) Guest Researchers or Special Volunteers, (e) NIH-
National Research Council (NRC) Biotechnology Research Associates 
Program participants, and (f) Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) 
participants;
    (5) Participants may be appointed under a temporary or permanent 
employment mechanism, so long as their employment in an LRC-approved 
AIDS research assignment has the potential to last a minimum of 2 
years;
    (6) Individuals with existing service obligations to Federal, 
State, or other entities will not be considered for the Program unless 
and until the existing service obligation is discharged or deferred for 
the length of Program participation;
    (7) Applicants will not be excluded from consideration under the 
Program on the basis of age, race, culture, religion, gender, 
disability, or other non-merit factors.

Additional Program Information

    This program is not subject to the provisions of Executive Order 
12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.
    This program is subject to OMB clearance under the requirements of 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980. A Request for OMB Review and 
Approval of information collection associated with the program is being 
prepared by the NIH.
    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number for the Program 
is 93.936.
    Dated: June 17, 1994.
Ruth L. Kirschstein,
Deputy Director, NIH.
[FR Doc. 94-23135 Filed 9-16-94; 8:45 am]
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