[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 60 (Wednesday, March 28, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16950-16951]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-7631]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration

[HCFA-4020-N]


Medicare Program; Renewal of the Advisory Panel for Medicare 
Education (APME)

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

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: This notice announces the renewal of the Advisory Panel on 
Medicare Education (the Panel or APME). The Panel advises the Secretary 
of the Department of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) and the 
Administrator of the Health Care Financing Administration (the 
Administrator) concerning optimal strategies for implementing a 
national Medicare education program; enhancing the Federal Government's 
effectiveness in informing the Medicare consumer; expanding outreach to 
vulnerable and under-served communities; and assembling an information 
base of ``best practices'' for helping consumers to evaluate health 
plan options and build a community infrastructure for information, 
counseling, and assistance. In accordance with the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. Appendix 2, this notice announces the signing 
of the APME charter renewal by the Secretary on January 18, 2001. The 
charter will terminate on January 21, 2003, unless renewed by the 
Secretary.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy Caliman, Partnership Development 
Group, Center for Beneficiary Services, HCFA, 7500 Security Boulevard, 
Mail Stop S2-23-05, Baltimore, MD 21244, (410) 786-5052, or E-mail 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    On February 17, 1999, we published a notice in the Federal Register 
(64 FR 7899) announcing the establishment of the Citizens Advisory 
Panel on Medicare Education. The Secretary signed the charter for the 
Citizens Advisory Panel on Medicare Education on January 21, 1999. The 
name of the committee was changed to the Advisory Panel on Medicare 
Education via an amended charter signed by the Secretary on July 24, 
2000.
    The Panel, chartered under section 1114(f) of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. section 1314(f)), is governed by the provisions of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), that set 
forth standards for the formation and use of advisory committees.
    The Panel consists of up to 20 members with expertise in senior 
citizen advocacy; outreach to minority communities; health 
communications; disease-related health advocacy; disability policy and 
access; health research; health insurers and plans; providers and 
clinicians; and matters of labor and retirement. There are currently 16 
members on the Panel.
    The Panel advises the Secretary and the Administrator concerning 
optimal strategies for--
     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 providing information about 
the appropriate use of public-private partnerships;
     Expanding outreach to vulnerable and under-served 
communities, including racial and ethnic minorities, in the context of 
a national Medicare education program; and,
     Assembling an information base of ``best practices'' for 
helping consumers to evaluate health plan options and build a community 
infrastructure for information, counseling and assistance.

II. Provisions of This Notice

    This notice announces the signing of the APME charter renewal by 
the Secretary on January 18, 2001. The charter will terminate on 
January 21, 2003, unless renewed by appropriate action before its 
expiration date.

[[Page 16951]]

III. Copies of the Charter

    You may obtain a copy of the charter for the APME by submitting a 
request to Nancy Caliman, Partnership Development Group, Center for 
Beneficiary Services, Health Care Financing Administration, 7500 
Security Boulevard, Mail Stop S2-23-05, Baltimore, MD 21244, (410) 786-
5052, or E-mail the request to [email protected]. A copy of the charter 
is also available on the Internet at http://www.hcfa.gov/events/apme/homepage.htm.

    Authority: Secs. 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; and Program No. 93.774, Medicare--
Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)
    Dated: March 14, 2001.
Michael McMullan,
Acting Deputy Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 01-7631 Filed 3-27-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P