[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 166 (Monday, August 26, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 43775-43776] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-21650] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Health Resources and Services Administration Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: Comment Request In compliance with the requirement of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects being developed for submission to OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. To request more information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and instruments, call the HRSA Reports Clearance Officer on (301) 443-1129. Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the 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. Proposed Project Uncompensated Services Reporting and Recordkeeping--42 CFR 124, Subpart F (OMB No. 0915-0077)-- Extension and Revision--Titles VI and XVI of the PHS Act, commonly known as the Hill-Burton Act, provide for government grants and loans for construction or renovation of health care facilities. As a condition of receiving this construction assistance, facilities are required to provide a ``reasonable volume'' of services to persons unable to pay. Facilities are also required to provide assurances periodically that the required level of uncompensated care is being provided, and to follow certain notification and recordkeeping procedures. These requirements are referred to as the uncompensated services assurance. The regulations contain provision for reporting to the government the amount of free care provided, as well as provisions for following certain notification and recordkeeping procedures. All of these regulations are included in this clearance request. The Uncompensated Services Assurance Report (USAR) (HRSA form 710) is one of the methods of reporting the amount of free care provided. There are no changes to the USAR form. There will be a significant reduction in the burden from the previous request for OMB approval. Fewer facilities are obligated to report since many have met their obligation. A new Charitable Facilities Compliance Alternative has been added. Burden estimates are as follows: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Responses Total Requirement Number of per Burden per burden respondents respondent response hours ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclosure Requirements (42 CFR): Published Notices (124.504(a))......................... 788 1 1 788 Individual Notices (124.504(c))........................ 788 1 59 46,492 Determinations of Eligibility (124.507)................ 788 160 2 252,160 Reporting Requirements (42 CFR)--Uncompensated Services-- HRSA Form 710 (USAR) (124.509(a))......................... 678 1 14 9,492 Complaint Information (124.511(a)): Individuals............................................ 4 1 .25 1 Facilities............................................. 4 1 .50 2 Application for Compliance Alternative for Public Facilities (124.513(c))................................... 5 1 6 30 Annual Certification for Public Facilities (124.509(b)).... 355 1 .5 178 Application for Compliance Alternative for Small Obligation Facilities (124.514(c))................................... 0 0 2 0 Annual Certification for Small Obligation Facilities (124.509(c)).............................................. 2 1 .5 1 Application for Compliance Alternative for Charitable Facilities (124.516(c))................................... 2 1 6 12 Annual Certification for Charitable Facilities (124.516(c)) 19 1 .5 10 Subtotal--Reporting and Disclosure--309,166 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Recordkeeping Burden is as follows: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hours/ Requirement (42 CFR) Number of facility/ Recordkeeping recordkeepers year burden ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Nonalternative Facilities (124.510(a))................ 788 75 59,100 Small Obligation Facilities (124.510(b))\1\............. 2 0 0 Public Facilities (124.510(b))\1\............. 355 0 0 Subtotal--Recordkeeping -59,100 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ \1\ Requires facilites under the public facilities compliance alternative and the small obligation compliance alternative to maintain qualification documents. These are ordinarily retained by facilities, so there is no burden. [[Page 43776]] Total burden for this project is estimated to be 368,266 hours. Send comments to Patricia Royston, HRSA Reports Clearance Officer, Room 14-36, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice. Dated: August 20, 1996. J. Henry Montes, Associate Administrator for Policy Coordination. [FR Doc. 96-21650 Filed 8-23-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4160-15-P