[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 115 (Tuesday, June 16, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32889-32890]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15947]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration
[HCFA-2028-N]


New and Pending Demonstration Project Proposals Submitted 
Pursuant to Section 1115(a) of the Social Security Act: February 1998 
and March 1998

AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: One new proposal for a Medicaid demonstration project was 
submitted to the Department of Health and Human Services during the 
month of February, and none was submitted in March 1998 under the 
authority of section 1115 of the Social Security Act. One proposal was 
approved in February, and no proposals were disapproved or withdrawn 
during February or March. (This notice can be accessed on the Internet 
at http://www.hcfa.gov/cmso/sect115.htm.)
    Comments: We will accept written comments on this proposal. We 
will, if feasible, acknowledge receipt of all comments, but we will not 
provide written responses to comments. We will, however, neither 
approve nor disapprove any new proposal for at least 30 days after the 
date of this notice to allow time to receive and consider comments. 
Direct comments as indicated below.

ADDRESSES: Mail correspondence to: Gloria Smiddy, Center for Medicaid 
and State Operations, Health Care Financing Administration, Mail Stop 
C3-18-26, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gloria Smiddy, (410) 786-7723.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Under section 1115 of the Social Security Act (the Act), the 
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) may consider and approve 
research and demonstration proposals with a broad range of policy 
objectives. These demonstrations can lead to improvements in achieving 
the purposes of the Act.
    In exercising her discretionary authority, the Secretary has 
developed a number of policies and procedures for reviewing proposals. 
On September 27, 1994, we published a notice in the Federal Register 
(59 FR 49249) that specified (1) the principles that we ordinarily will 
consider when approving or disapproving demonstration projects under 
the authority in section 1115(a) of the Act; (2) the procedures we 
expect States to use in involving the public in the development of 
proposed demonstration projects under section 1115; and (3) the 
procedures we ordinarily will follow in reviewing demonstration 
proposals. We are committed to a thorough and expeditious review of 
State requests to conduct such demonstrations.
    As part of our procedures, we publish a notice in the Federal 
Register with a monthly listing of all new submissions, pending 
proposals, approvals, disapprovals, and withdrawn proposals. Proposals 
submitted in response to grant solicitation or other competitive 
process is reported as received during the month that such grants or 
bid is awarded, so as to prevent interference with the awards process.

II. Listing of New, Pending, Approved, Disapproved, and Withdrawn 
Proposals for the Months of February and March 1998

A. Comprehensive Health Reform Programs

1. New Proposal
    No new proposals were received during the months of February or 
March 1998.
2. Pending Proposals
    The following comprehensive health reform proposal is pending.
    Demonstration Title/State: BadgerCare/Wisconsin.
    Description: The State submitted a proposal that would use a 
combination of title XIX and title XXI funding to ensure access to 
health care for all children and parents in uninsured families with 
incomes below 185 percent of the Federal poverty level. Once enrolled, 
families would maintain

[[Page 32890]]

their eligibility until their income reaches 200 percent of the Federal 
poverty level. The benefits would be identical to the Medicaid benefits 
package and current provisions for quality assurance under Wisconsin's 
present Medicaid managed care system.
    Date Received: January 23, 1998.
    State Contact: Angie Dombrowicki, Department of Health and Family 
Services, Division of Health, One West Wilson Street, Room 237, P.O. 
Box 309, Madison, WI 53701-0309, Phone: (608) 266-1935.
    Federal Project Officer: Maria Boulmetis, Health Care Financing 
Administration, Center for Medicaid and State Operations, Family/
Children's Health Program Group, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 
21244-1850.
    The pending proposals for July 1997 through November 1997 
referenced in the Federal Register of February 4, 1998 (63 FR 5810) 
remain unchanged except for the New Jersey proposal, which is discussed 
in item 4, below.
3. Approved Conceptual Proposals (Award for Waivers Pending)
    No conceptual proposals were approved during the months of February 
or March 1998.
4. Approved Proposals
    The following comprehensive health reform proposal was approved 
during the month of February. No comprehensive health reform proposals 
were approved during the month of March.
    Demonstration Title/State: New Jersey Managed Charity Care 
Demonstration.
    Description: The State will incorporate aspects of managed care 
into the current charity care program to achieve program efficiencies, 
better value, and improved care and health outcomes for charity care 
beneficiaries. The demonstration would use the DSH funds allocated to 
the charity care component and re-direct these funds to a new managed 
charity care program.
    Date Received: March 24, 1997.
    Date Approved: February 13, 1998.
    State Contact: Laurie Facciarossa, Division of Medical Assistance 
and Health Services, CN 712, Trenton, NJ 08065, Phone: (609) 588-4518.
    Federal Project Officer: Dan McCarthy, Health Care Financing 
Administration, Center for Medicaid and State Operations, Family and 
Children's Health Program Group, Division of Integrated Health Systems, 
7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.
5. Disapproved Proposals
    No proposals were disapproved during the months of February or 
March 1998.
6. Withdrawn Proposals
    No proposals were withdrawn during the months of February or March 
1998.

B. Other Section 1115 Family Planning Programs

1. New Proposals
    The following Family Planning proposal was received during the 
month of February 1998. No new proposals were received during the month 
of March 1998.
    Demonstration Title/State: Family Planning Expansion Project/
Oregon.
    Description: Oregon submitted a proposal to expand family planning 
coverage to women and men with incomes less than 185 percent of 
poverty.
    Date Received: February 18, 1998.
    State Contact: Julie Abrams, Health Division, State of Oregon, 
Salem, Oregon 97310, Phone: (503) 731-4235.
    Federal Project Officer: Alisa Adamo, Health Care Financing 
Administration, Center for Medicaid and State Operations, Family and 
Children's Health Programs Group, Division of Integrated Health 
Systems, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.
2. Pending Proposals
    The pending proposals for July 1997 through November 1997 that are 
referenced in the Federal Register of March 10, 1998 (63 FR 11686) 
remain unchanged.
3. Approved Conceptual Proposals (Award of Waivers Pending)
    No conceptual proposals were approved during the months of February 
or March 1998.
4. Approved, Disapproved, Withdrawn Proposals
    No proposals were approved, disapproved or withdrawn during the 
months of February or March 1998.

III. Requests for Copies of a Proposal

    Requests for copies of a specific Medicaid proposal should be made 
to the State contact listed for the specific proposal. If further help 
or information is needed, inquires should be directed to HCFA at the 
address above.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program, No. 93.779; Health 
Financing Research, Demonstrations, and Experiments.)

    Dated: May 19, 1998.
Sally K. Richardson,
Director, Center for Medicaid and State Operations.
[FR Doc. 98-15947 Filed 6-15-98; 8:45 am]
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