[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 126 (Thursday, June 29, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 40111]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-16455]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration, HHS.

[Document Identifier: HCFA-10012]


Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements 
Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration, HHS.
    In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Health Care Financing 
Administration (HCFA), Department of Health and Human Services, is 
publishing the following summary of proposed collections for public 
comment. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding this 
burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, 
including any of the following subjects: (1) The necessity and utility 
of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of 
the agency's functions; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) 
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and (4) the use of automated collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology to minimize the information 
collection burden.
    We are, however, requesting an emergency review of the Information 
collections referenced below. In compliance with the requirement of 
section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we have 
submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the following 
requirements for emergency review. We are requesting an emergency 
review because the collection of this information is needed prior to 
the expiration of the normal time limits under OMB's regulations at 5 
CFR part 1320. This collection of information will be used to test the 
effectiveness of three possible Medicare smoking cessation benefits and 
to make inferences that are generalizable to the Medicare program. 
Using a comparison trial with restricted randomization of study 
locales, this study will compare three variations in a potential 
Medicare smoking cessation benefit on smoking cessation and abstinence 
rates. Smoking cessation for seniors is currently receiving attention 
from Congress and the White House. Senator Graham (D-FL) has proposed a 
smoking cessation Medicare benefit, while the White House provides for 
a smoking cessation demonstration in the President's Plan to Modernize 
and Strengthen Medicare for the 21st Century. In response to this White 
House initiative, HCFA is launching this demonstration to test smoking 
cessation as a possible covered benefit under the Medicare program. If 
this information is not collected, public harm is likely to occur. 
Considerable evidence indicates that much greater improvement in health 
status could be accomplished if currently existing, effective and 
commonly available preventative practices and services were implemented 
more widely; therefore, this demonstration could help improve the 
health of the Medicare population.
    HCFA is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by 
July 5, 2000, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and 
recommendations will be accepted from the public if received by the 
individuals designated below by July 3, 2000. During this 180-day 
period, we will publish a separate Federal Register notice announcing 
the initiation of an extensive 60-day agency review and public comment 
period on these requirements. We will submit the requirements for OMB 
review and an extension of this emergency approval.
    Type of Information Collection Request: New Collection;
    Title of Information Collection: Healthy Aging Smoking Cessation 
Demonstration;
    Form No.: HCFA-10012 (OMB no. 0938-NEW);
    Use: The goals of the Healthy Aging Project are to test the 
effectiveness of three possible Medicare smoking cessation benefits and 
to make inferences that are generalizable to the Medicare program. 
Using a comparison trial with restricted randomization of study 
locales, this study will compare three variations in a potential 
Medicare smoking cessation benefit on smoking cessation and abstinence 
rates.;
    Frequency: Semi-annually;
    Affected Public: Individuals or Households;
    Number of Respondents: 43,500;
    Total Annual Responses: 130,500;
    Total Annual Hours: 58,000.
    To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms 
for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access HCFA's 
Web Site address at http://www.hcfa.gov/regs/prdact95.htm, or E-mail 
your request, including your address, phone number, to 
[email protected], or call the Reports Clearance Office on (410) 786-
1326.
    Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the 
burden or any other aspect of these collections of Information 
requirements. However, as noted above, comments on these Information 
collection and recordkeeping requirements must be mailed and/or faxed 
to the designees referenced below, by July 3, 2000: Health Care 
Financing Administration, Office of Information Services, Security and 
Standards Group, Division of HCFA Enterprise Standards Attention: Dawn 
Willinghan, Room N2-14-26, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 
21244-1850; and
    Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management 
and Budget, Room 10235, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 
20503, Fax Number: (202) 395-6974 or (202) 395-5167, Attn: Allison 
Herron Eydt, HCFA Desk Officer.

    Dated: June 1, 2000.
John P. Burke III,
HCFA Reports Clearance Officer, HCFA Office of Information Services, 
Security and Standards Group, Division of HCFA Enterprise Standards.
[FR Doc. 00-16455 Filed 6-28-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P