[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 139 (Thursday, July 18, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 37486-37487] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-18241] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Health Care Financing Administration Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection Activity; Comment Request AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration, HHS. In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 U.S.C.) the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), Department of Health and Human Services, is publishing the following summary of proposed information dissemination activities for public comment. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the burden or any other aspect of this information dissemination activity, including any of the following subjects: (1) The necessity and utility of the proposed activity for the proper performance of the agency's functions; (2) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information being disseminated; and (3) the use of other automated techniques or other forms of information dissemination to minimize the burden of the information dissemination activity. The Health Care Financing Administration is soliciting comments from the public on dissemination of information via an agency home page on the Internet. This service is a result of an ongoing process of creating a more customer-oriented, efficient government by improving public access to agency information electronically. The objective is to make releasable information available through the Internet when there is an important or substantial interest. Examples of the information available include: (1) Program information overview; (2) HCFA strategic plan and 5-year Information Resource Management plan; (3) Laws and regulations; (4) Press information, including news releases, Administrator speeches and testimony; (5) Office of [[Page 37487]] Research initiatives; (6) Public Use Files which include data that supports the institutional payment rates; (7) Beneficiary publications, including the Medicare Handbook; and (8) Electronic interactive communication of inquiries. The availability of the above on the Internet does not eliminate the availability of this information from the agency in hardcopy, tape, or other currently available formats. The Health Care Financing Administration will continue to apply the rules of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552) and the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 522a) when disclosing information via the home page. All graphic and table information displays will be converted to text format to ensure the content is accessible and readable for users with disabilities, as well as to accommodate various browser software packages and low-bandwidth access. The Internet is a powerful tool for information dissemination and interactive communication which HCFA aims to use to improve program management and to provide improved services for program clients and customers. On-line information available on HCFA's home page will be updated so documents represent a current resource rather than a historical artifact. When a publication is changed, its title page or the home page will include a modification date. The intent is to continue to increase the presence of the agency data available on the Internet. Some of the areas for future consideration are: (1) Reporting of fraud and abuse; (2) Quality of care issues; (3) Request for Proposals; (4) Published statistics and evaluation reports; (5) Solicitations; (6) Increase the availability of the Public Use Files; (7) Additional Medicare and Medicaid program information; and (8) Managed Care information. HCFA's home page may be accessed at http://www.hcfa.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Malcolm Sneen, Chief, Information Processing Branch, 410-786-0163 or send an e-mail to MSneen @ hcfa.gov., or John Burke, HCFA Paperwork Clearance Officer, 410-786- 1325. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information dissemination activity must be mailed within 60 days of this notice directly to the HCFA Paperwork Clearance Officer designated at the following address: HCFA, Office of Financial and Human Resources, Management Planning and Analysis Staff, Attention: John Burke, Room C2- 26-17, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850. Dated: July 11, 1996. Kathleen B. Larson, Director, Management Planning and Analysis Staff, Office of Financial and Human Resources, Health Care Financing Administration. [FR Doc. 96-18241 Filed 7-17-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120-03-P