[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 89 (Thursday, May 8, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 25200]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-11915]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration


Request for Nominations of Representatives to the Advisory 
Committee on Infant Mortality

AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The HRSA is requesting nominations for representatives of 
specified constituencies or organizations to serve on the Advisory 
Committee on Infant Mortality (ACIM). The composition of the ACIM is 
being expanded to meet new congressional requirements to provide advice 
and guidance to the Secretary on health care services provided to 
mothers and newborns, as authorized under Section 606 (``Newborns'' and 
Mothers' Health Protection Act of 1996'') of Pub. L. 104-204, the 
Veterans Administration-Housing and Urban Development Appropriations 
Act of 1997.
    Many of the categories of constituencies or organizations specified 
by Section 606(b) of the Act for membership on the panel are already 
represented on the ACIM. Additionally, Congress has identified other 
organizations with specific areas of expertise for inclusion on the 
panel. Those categories not already represented in the current 
membership or that have not been specifically identified by Congress 
include: health plans; hospitals; employers; and consumers. Nominations 
are being solicited for persons of national stature representing these 
four categories who are knowledgeable about maternal and infant health, 
study methods and quality assurance.

DATES: Nominations should be received by June 9, 1997.

ADDRESSES: All letters of nominations, specifying the nominee's 
expertise and category they are representing, and curricula vitae of 
the nominees should be sent to Audrey H. Nora, M.D., M.P.H., Director, 
Maternal and Child Health Bureau, and Assistant Surgeon General, 5600 
Fishers Lane, Room 18-05, Rockville, MD 20857, within 30 days of this 
Federal Register notice.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Woodie Kessel, M.D., M.P.H., Director, 
Division of Science, Education, and Analysis, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 
18A-55, Rockville, MD 20857.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 606 of Pub. L. 104-204 requires 
health plans and insurance carriers that provide maternity benefits to 
provide coverage for postpartum hospital stays of at least 48 hours for 
uncomplicated vaginal deliveries and 96 hours for Cesarean sections. 
Section 606(b) of the Act directs the Secretary to establish an 
advisory panel to review data on health care services provided to 
mothers and newborns, to study several issues related to quality of 
care and length of maternity stay, and to report to Congress within 5 
years on a series of issues related to private sector improvements in 
prenatal and postnatal care. An interim report is required in 18 
months.
    The law specifies that the advisory panel be chosen from public and 
private sector entities with expertise in areas such as patient care, 
patient education, quality assurance, outcomes research, and consumer 
issues, and include representatives of health care practitioners, 
health plans, hospitals, employers, States, and consumers. The Senate 
Labor and Human Resources Committee Report, S. Rpt. 104-326, which 
accompanied the ``Newborns' and Mothers' Health Protection Act of 
1996'' (S. 969), further elaborates on the composition of the advisory 
panel, identifying a number of organizations by name as well as 
category for membership. Congressionally-identified organizations in 
categories not already represented by current ACIM members have already 
been invited to nominate a representative to the advisory panel.
    On January 29, 1997, the Secretary designated the ACIM to carry out 
the additional responsibilities of the advisory panel authorized under 
Section 606(b) of the Act, with the understanding that its composition 
would be expanded to meet the broadened membership requirements of 
Section 606(b) of the Act. These membership categories are health 
plans, hospitals, employers, and consumers. Organizations in categories 
not otherwise represented by current ACIM members are being invited via 
this notice to nominate a representative to serve on the advisory 
panel. If no nomination is received from entities within these 
categories, the MCHB will nominate a member to represent that 
constituency's interests.
    The Advisory Committee on Infant Mortality was established in 1991 
to advise the Secretary on HHS programs directed at reducing infant 
mortality and improving the health status of pregnant women and 
infants. The Committee is governed by provisions of Public Law 92-463, 
as amended, (5 U.S.C. App. 2), which sets forth standards for the 
formation and use of advisory committees. The Committee currently 
consists of the Assistant Secretary for Health, the Assistant Secretary 
for Children and Families, the Administrator, Health Care Financing 
Administration and the Assistant Secretary for Food and Consumer 
Services, USDA, as ex-officio members, and 21 members, including the 
chair, selected by the Secretary. Both the public and private sectors 
are represented. Members from the private sector represent corporations 
and foundations, the media, the clergy, health and other professional 
organizations. Members from the public sector represent administrators 
from State and local levels, including minority, rural and urban 
interests. The ACIM receives administrative support from HRSA's 
Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB).
    Members of the advisory panel will serve for a 4-year term. The 
panel will meet 3 to 4 times per year.

    Dated: May 2, 1997.
Claude Earl Fox,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 97-11915 Filed 5-7-97; 8:45 am]
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