[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 83 (Monday, April 30, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21402-21403]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-10639]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration

[HCFA-3067-N]


Medicare Program; Request for Nominations for Members for the 
Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee (MCAC)

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice requests nominations for consideration for 
members of the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee.

DATES: Nominations will be considered if we receive them at the 
designated address, as provided below, no later than 5 p.m. on May 30, 
2001.

[[Page 21403]]


ADDRESSES: You may mail or deliver nominations for membership 
to the following address: Health Care Financing Administration, 
Attention: Constance Conrad, 7500 Security Blvd., Mail Stop: South 
Building 3-02-01, Baltimore, MD 21244.
    A request for a copy of the Secretary's Charter for the Medicare 
Coverage Advisory Committee (MCAC) should be submitted to Maria Ellis, 
Office of Clinical Standards and Quality, Health Care Financing 
Administration, 7500 Security Blvd., Mail Stop: South Building 3-02-01, 
Baltimore, MD 21244, or by e-mail to [email protected]. The charter is 
also posted on the web at www.hcfa.gov/coverage, and can be readily 
printed from that site.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Constance A. Conrad, Health 
Care Financing Administration, 7500 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 
21244, 410-786-4631.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee (MCAC) is governed by 
provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, as 
amended (5 USC Appendix 2), which sets forth standards for the 
formulation and use of advisory committees, and authorized by section 
222 of the Public Health Service Act as amended (42 U.S.C. 217A).
    The MCAC consists of no more than 120 appointed members from among 
authorities in clinical and administrative medicine, biologic and 
physical sciences, public health administration, health care data and 
information management and analysis, the economics of health care, 
medical ethics, and other related professions. A maximum of 9 members 
are standard voting members, and 24 are nonvoting members, 12 of which 
are representatives of consumer interests, and 12 of which are 
representatives of industry interests.
    The MCAC functions on a panel basis. The panels review and evaluate 
medical literature, review technical assessments, and examine data and 
information on the effectiveness and appropriateness of medical items 
and services that are covered or eligible for coverage under Medicare. 
Panel meetings generally follow an agenda that we provide that lists 
specific issues. The panels develop technical advice to aid us in 
determining reasonable and necessary applications of medical services 
and technology when we make national coverage decisions for Medicare.
    A few vacancies exist on the current MCAC panel rosters, and terms 
for some members currently serving will expire before January 1, 2002. 
Accordingly, we are requesting nominations for both voting and 
nonvoting members to serve on the MCAC. Nominees are selected based 
upon their individual qualifications and not as representatives of 
professional associations or societies. We have a special interest in 
ensuring that women, minority groups, and physically challenged 
individuals are adequately represented on the MCAC. Therefore, we 
encourage nominations of qualified candidates from these groups.
    All nominations and curricula vitae for the MCAC should be sent to 
Constance Conrad at the address above.

Criteria for Members

    Nominees should have expertise in one or more of the following 
fields: clinical and administrative medicine, biologic and physical 
sciences, public health administration, health care data and 
information management and analysis, the economics of health care, 
medical ethics, and other related professions.
    We are also seeking nominations for nonvoting consumer and industry 
representatives. Nominees for these positions must possess appropriate 
qualifications to understand and contribute to the MCAC's work.
    Nominations must state that the nominee is willing to serve as a 
member of the MCAC 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 in order to 
permit evaluation of possible sources of conflict of interest.
    Members are invited to serve for overlapping 4-year terms; terms of 
more than 2 years are contingent upon the renewal of the MCAC by 
appropriate action before its termination on November 23, 2002. A 
member may serve after the expiration of the member's term until a 
successor has taken office.
    Any interested person may nominate one or more qualified persons. 
Self-nominations are also accepted.

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. App. 2, section 10(a)(1) and (a)(2).

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.774, 
Medicare--Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)
    Dated: April 6, 2001.
Jeffrey L. Kang,
Director, Office of Clinical Standards and Quality, Health Care 
Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 01-10639 Filed 4-27-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P