[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 159 (Thursday, August 15, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 42425-42426] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-20819] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Agency for Health Care Policy and Research Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection Reinstatement; Comment Request AGENCY: Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, HHS. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice announces the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research's (AHCPR) intention to request the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to reinstate an expired information collection project. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), the AHCPR invites the public to comment on this proposed reinstatement of an information collection. DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by October 15, 1996. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be submitted to: Carole Dillard, Reports Clearance Officer, AHCPR, 2101 East Jefferson Street, Suite 502, Rockville, MD 20852-4908. All comments will become a matter of public record. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB approval of the proposed information collection reinstatement. In accordance with the above cited legislation, comments on the reinstatement of AHCPR information collection proposal are requested with regard to any of the following: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of functions of the Agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection 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 on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carole Dillard, AHCPR's Reports Clearance Officer, (301) 594-1357, extension 1324. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Proposed Project Pretest for 1997 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey--Insurance Component (MEPS-IC). AHCPR intends to conduct a survey of establishments in 1997 to collect information from employers concerning employer-sponsored health insurance. This survey will be an integration of two previous surveys, now components of MEPS-IC. The two surveys, which collected similar information, are: 1.) the 1987 Health Insurance Plans Survey (HIPS) sponsored by AHCPR, and 2.) the National Employer Health Insurance Survey (NEHIS) sponsored by AHCPR, NCHS (National Center for Health Statistics), HCFA (Health Care Financing Administration). Due to the integration of HIPS and NEHIS survey operations into MEPS-IC, updating of [[Page 42426]] the questionnaire, and proposed changes in collection methodology, AHCPR proposes to test this updated survey collection activity. A sample of potential respondents will be selected and data collection will be attempted. Based upon the results of this test collection effort, AHCPR will develop and refine the survey process of the 1997 MEPS-IC. Burden Estimates Follow Number of Respondents...............................................350 Number of Surveys per Respondent......................................1 Average Burden/Response..............................................75 Estimated Total Burden..............................................263 Copies of these proposed information collection plans and instruments can be obtained from AHCPR Reports Clearance Officer (see above for details). Dated: August 8, 1996. Clifton R. Gaus, Administrator. [FR Doc. 96-20819 Filed 8-14-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4160-90-M