[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 246 (Thursday, December 23, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 72086]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-33260]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration
[HCFA-1109-N]


Medicare Program; January 12, 2000, Meeting of the Competitive 
Pricing Advisory Committee

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

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act, this notice announces a meeting of the Competitive 
Pricing Advisory Committee (the CPAC) on January 12, 2000. The Balanced 
Budget Act of 1997 (BBA) requires the Secretary of the Department of 
Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to establish a demonstration 
project under which payments to Medicare+Choice organizations in 
designated areas are determined in accordance with a competitive 
pricing methodology. The BBA requires the Secretary to create the CPAC 
to make recommendations on demonstration area designation and 
appropriate research designs for the project. The CPAC meetings are 
open to the public.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled to meet on January 12, 2000, from 1 
p.m. until 5 p.m., e.s.t.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Embassy Suites, 1250 22nd 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20037.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sharon Arnold, Ph.D., Executive 
Director, Competitive Pricing Advisory Committee, Health Care Financing 
Administration, 7500 Security Boulevard, C4-14-17, Baltimore, Maryland 
21244-1850, (410) 786-6451.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 4011 of the Balanced Budget Act of 
1997 (BBA) (Public Law 105-33), requires the Secretary of the 
Department of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to establish a 
demonstration project under which payments to Medicare+Choice 
organizations in designated areas are determined in accordance with a 
competitive pricing methodology. Section 4012(a) of the BBA requires 
the Secretary to appoint a Competitive Pricing Advisory Committee (the 
CPAC) to meet periodically and make recommendations to the Secretary 
concerning the designation of areas for inclusion in the project and 
appropriate research design for implementing the project. The CPAC has 
previously met on May 7, 1998, June 24 and 25, 1998, September 23 and 
24, 1998, October 28, 1998, January 6, 1999, May 13, 1999, July 22, 
1999, September 16, 1999, and October 29, 1999.
    The CPAC consists of 15 individuals who are independent actuaries, 
experts in competitive pricing and the administration of the Federal 
Employees Health Benefit Program; and representatives of health plans, 
insurers, employers, unions, and beneficiaries. The CPAC members are: 
James Cubbin, Executive Director, General Motors Health Care 
Initiative; Robert Berenson, M.D., Director, Center for Health Plans 
and Providers, HCFA; John Bertko, Actuary Principal, Humana Inc.; David 
Durenberger, Vice President, Public Policy Partners; Gary Goldstein, 
M.D., Healthcare Consultant; Samuel Havens, Healthcare Consultant; 
Margaret Jordan, Healthcare Consultant; Chip Kahn, President, The 
Health Insurance Association of America; Cleve Killingsworth, President 
and CEO, Health Alliance Plan; Nancy Kichak, Director, Office of 
Actuaries, Office of Personnel Management; Len Nichols, Principal 
Research Associate, The Urban Institute; Robert Reischauer, President, 
The Urban Institute; John Rother, Director, Legislation and Public 
Policy, American Association of Retired Persons; Andrew Stern, 
President, Service Employees International Union, AFL-CIO; and Jay 
Wolfson, Director, The Florida Information Center, University of South 
Florida. The chairperson is James Cubbin and the co-chairperson is 
Robert Berenson, M.D. In accordance with section 4012(a)(5)of the BBA, 
the CPAC will terminate on December 31, 2004.
    The agenda for the January 12, 2000, meeting will include an 
overview and discussion of the recent legislation that affected the 
Medicare competitive pricing demonstration, Public Law 106-113, 
referred to as the Appropriations Act for FY 2000.
    Individuals or organizations that wish to make 5-minute oral 
presentations on the agenda issue should contact the Executive 
Director, by 12 noon, January 7, 2000, to be scheduled. The number of 
oral presentations may be limited by the time available. A written copy 
of the oral remarks should be submitted to the Executive Director, no 
later than 12 noon, January 10, 2000. Anyone who is not scheduled to 
speak, may submit written comments to the Executive Director, by 12 
noon, January 10, 2000.
    The meeting is open to the public, but attendance is limited to the 
space available.

(Section 4012 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, Public Law 105-33 
(42 U.S.C.1395w-23 note) and section 10(a) of Public Law 92-463 (5 
U.S.C. App. 2, section 10(a))

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

    Dated: December 15, 1999.
Nancy-Ann Min DeParle,
Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 99-33260 Filed 12-22-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P