[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 17, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7899-7900]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-3557]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration
[HCFA-4008-N]


Medicare Program; Establishment of the Citizens Advisory Panel on 
Medicare Education and Requests for Nominations for Members

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

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Pursuant to Public Law 92-463, the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (FACA), the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) 
announces the establishment by the Secretary of the Citizens Advisory 
Panel on Medicare Education (CAP-ME). The Secretary, DHHS, signed the 
charter establishing the Committee on January 21, 1999. This notice 
also requests nominations for members for the panel. The Committee 
shall terminate on January 22, 2001, unless the Secretary, DHHS, 
formally determines that continuance is in the public interest.
    This Committee shall advise and make recommendations to the 
Secretary, DHHS, and the Administrator of the Health Care Financing 
Administration (HCFA) on opportunities for HCFA to make more effective 
use of its National Medicare Education Program and other HCFA programs 
that help Medicare beneficiaries understand the expanded range of 
Medicare options available with the passage of the Medicare+Choice 
program.

DATES: Nominations for members will be considered if we receive them at 
the appropriate address, as provided below, no later than 5:00 p.m. on 
April 5, 1999.

ADDRESSES: You may mail or deliver nominations for membership to the 
following address: Linda Levin, Center for Beneficiary Services, Health 
Care Financing Administration, 7500 Security Boulevard, Room S1-08-07, 
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.
    A request for a copy of the Secretary's charter for the CAP-ME 
should be submitted to Eric Katz, J.D., Center for Beneficiary 
Services, Health Care Financing Administration, 7500 Security 
Boulevard, Room S1-08-07, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850, (410) 786-6477, or 
by e-mail to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Eric Katz, (410) 786-6477.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background and Legislative Authority

    The Citizens Advisory Panel on Medicare Education (CAP-ME) is 
governed by provisions of Public Law 92-463 as amended (5 U.S.C. 
Appendix 2), which sets forth standards for the formulation and use of 
advisory committees. The Secretary, DHHS, has found that the CAP-ME is 
necessary and in the public interest.
    The CAP-ME will consist of 10 appointed members from among 
authorities in disability and chronic disease interests, minority 
populations, health consumer interests, seniors' organizations, health 
communications and policy, research and philanthropic organizations, 
health insurers and plans, employer groups, and health providers.
    The CAP-ME will focus its review on the National Medicare Education 
Program and our other efforts to help Medicare beneficiaries and those 
who assist them find accurate and current information about new 
Medicare options and benefits under the Medicare+Choice program. The 
committee will also identify best practices in consumer health 
education that could enhance our efforts to inform and assist Medicare 
beneficiaries about their health plan options. An annual report to our 
Administrator will summarize the panel's findings and any 
recommendations the panel may provide.
    We are requesting nominations for voting members to serve on the 
CAP-ME. We have a special interest in ensuring that women, minority 
groups, and physically challenged individuals are adequately 
represented on the advisory committee and, therefore, encourage 
nominations of qualified candidates from these groups. We also seek to 
ensure geographic diversity in the composition of the panel.
    All nominations and curricula vitae for the CAP-ME should be sent 
to Linda Levin at the address in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.

II. Criteria for Members

    Persons nominated for membership should have expertise in one or 
more of the following areas: disability and chronic disease interests, 
minority populations, health consumer interests, seniors' 
organizations, health

[[Page 7900]]

communications and policy, research and philanthropic organizations, 
health insurers and plans, employer groups, and health providers.
    Nominations must state that the nominee is willing to serve as a 
member of the CAP-ME and appears to have no conflict of interest that 
would preclude membership. Potential candidates will be asked to 
provide detailed information concerning such matters as financial 
holdings, consultancies, and research grants or contracts to permit 
evaluation of possible sources of conflict of interest.
    Members shall be appointed to a term of between 1 and 4 years, with 
3- and 4-year appointments contingent on the Secretary deciding it is 
in the public interest to continue this Committee beyond the initial 2-
year term described in the Charter.
    Any interested person may nominate one or more qualified persons. 
Self-nominations will also be accepted.

    Authority: Section 1102 and 1871 of the Social Security Act (42 
U.S.C. 1302 and 1395hh).

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773, 
Medicare--Hospital Insurance Program; and No. 93.774, Medicare--
Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)

    Dated: February 5, 1999.
Nancy-Ann Min DeParle,
Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 99-3557 Filed 2-11-99; 11:31 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P