[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 246 (Thursday, December 21, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80443-80444]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-32440]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration

[HCFA-1172-N]


Medicare Program; January 10, 2001, Meeting of the Advisory Panel 
on Medicare Education

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 on January 10, 2001 of 
the Advisory Panel on Medicare Education (the Panel). This Panel 
advises and makes recommendations to the Secretary of the Department of 
Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Administrator of the Health 
Care Financing Administration (HCFA) on opportunities for HCFA to 
optimize the effectiveness of the National Medicare Education Program 
and other HCFA programs that help Medicare beneficiaries understand 
Medicare and the range of Medicare options available with the passage 
of the Medicare+Choice Program. The Panel meeting is open to the 
public.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, January 10, 2001, from 8 
a.m. e.s.t until 5:15 p.m. e.s.t.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Madison Hotel, at 1177 15th 
Street, NW., Washington, DC 20005, Telephone: (202) 862-1600.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Nancy Caliman, Public Affairs 
Specialist, Partnership Development Group, Center for Beneficiary 
Services, Health Care Financing Administration, 7500 Security 
Boulevard, S2-23-05, Baltimore, MD, 21244-1850, (410) 786-5052. Please 
refer to the HCFA Advisory Committees Information Line (1-877-449-5659 
toll free)/(410-786-9379 local) or the Internet (http://www.hcfa.gov/events/apme/homepage.htm) for additional information and updates on 
committee activities, or by contacting Ms. Caliman via E-mail at 
[email protected]. Press inquiries are handled through the HCFA Press 
Office at (202) 690-6145.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. 
App. 2, Sec. 9(a)), Public Law 92-463, grants to the Secretary the 
authority to establish an advisory panel if the Secretary finds the 
panel necessary and in the public interest. The Secretary signed the 
charter establishing this Panel on January 21, 1999 (64 FR 7899, 
February 17, 1999). The Advisory Panel on Medicare Education advises us 
on opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of consumer education 
materials serving the Medicare program.
    The goals of the Panel are as follows:
     Developing and implementing a national Medicare education 
program that describes the options for selecting a health plan under 
Medicare.
     Enhancing the Federal Government's effectiveness in 
informing the Medicare consumer, including the appropriate use of 
public-private partnerships.
     Expanding outreach to vulnerable and underserved 
communities, including racial and ethnic minorities, in the context of 
a national Medicare education program.
     Assembling an information base of best practices for 
helping consumers evaluate health plan options, and for building a 
community infrastructure for information, counseling, and assistance.
    The current members of the Panel are: Diane Archer, J.D., 
President, Medicare Rights Center; David Baldridge, Executive Director, 
National Indian Council on Aging; Bruce Bradley, M.B.A., Director, 
Managed Care Plans, General Motors Corporation; Carol Cronin, 
Chairperson, Advisory Panel on Medicare Education; Joyce Dubow, M.U.P., 
Senior Policy Advisor, Public Policy Institute, AARP; Jennie Chin 
Hansen, Executive Director, On Lok Senior Services; Elmer Huerta, M.D., 
M.P.H., Director, Cancer Risk and Assessment Center, Washington 
Hospital Center; Bonita Kallestad, J.D., M.S., Western Minnesota Legal 
Services, Mid Minnesota Legal Assistance; Steven Larsen, J.D., M.A., 
Maryland Insurance Commissioner, Maryland Insurance Administration; 
Brian Lindberg, M.M.H.S., Executive Director, Consumer Coalition for 
Quality Health Care; Heidi Margulis, B.A., Vice President, Government 
Affairs, Humana, Inc.; Patricia Neuman, Sc.D., Director,

[[Page 80444]]

Medicare Policy Project, Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation; Elena Rios, 
M.D., M.S.P.H., President, National Hispanic Medical Association; 
Samuel Simmons, B.A., President and CEO, The National Caucus and Center 
on Black Aged, Inc.; Nina Weinberg, M.A., President, National Health 
Council; and Edward Zesk, B.A., Executive Director, Aging 2000.
    The agenda for the January 10, 2001, meeting will include the 
following:
     Recap of the previous (September 21, 2000) meeting.
     Legislative and agency update.
     Presentation on the Federal agency budget process.
     Medicare education budget and priorities for the 2000/2001 
and 2001/2002 budget periods.
     Panel discussion and examination of model programs that 
provide culturally and linguistically appropriate education and 
information services to the Medicare population.
     Public comment.
    Individuals or organizations that wish to make 5-minute oral 
presentations on the agenda issues should contact Nancy Caliman by 12 
noon, Wednesday, January 3, 2001, 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 Ms. Caliman no later than 12 
noon, Wednesday, January 3, 2001. Anyone who is not scheduled to speak 
may submit written comments to Ms. Caliman by 12 noon, Wednesday, 
January 3, 2001. The meeting is open to the public, but attendance is 
limited to the space available. Individuals requiring sign language 
interpretation for the hearing impaired or other special accommodations 
should contact Ms. Caliman at least 15 days before the meeting.

(Section 222 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 217(a)) and 
section 10(a) of Public Law 92-463 (5 U.S.C. App. 2, section 10(a)); 
41 CFR 101-6.1015)

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773, 
Medicare--Hospital Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, Medicare--
Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)
    Dated: December 12, 2000.
Michael M. Hash,
Acting Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 00-32440 Filed 12-20-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P