[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 195 (Tuesday, October 9, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51552-51553]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-25461]



[[Page 51551]]

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

Part V





Department of Health and Human Services





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



Emergency Funds for Public Health Assistance Related to September 11, 
2001 Terrorist Attacks; Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 195 / Tuesday, October 9, 2001 / 
Notices  

[[Page 51552]]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Emergency Awards for Healthcare Under Section 319 of the PHS Act 
Grants for Immediate Response

AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services.

ACTION: Notice of availability of funds.

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

SUMMARY: In order to provide emergency funding for public health 
assistance related to the terrorist acts that occurred on September 11, 
2001, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announces the 
availability of a competitive grant program. HHS will issue awards that 
will help pay for healthcare-related costs incurred and/or to be 
incurred by organizations that have been affected by the attacks of 
September 11. This special disaster relief initiative will be 
characterized by a relatively easy process of applying for funds, 
speedy review and abbreviated administrative procedures. Grant awards 
will go to recipients rapidly.
    Name of Grant Program: Grants for Immediate Response
    Program Authorization: Section 319 of the Public Health Service 
Act, 42 U.S.C. 247d.
    Amount of funding available: $35 million. We expect that individual 
grant awards will range between $5,000 and $1 million.
    Eligible Applicants: Public entities, not-for-profit entities, and 
Medicare and Medicaid enrolled suppliers and institutional providers 
that incurred healthcare-related expenses or lost revenues as a result 
of their response to the public health emergency resulting from 
terrorist acts on September 11, 2001. This includes hospitals, skilled 
nursing facilities, home health agencies, dialysis facilities, durable 
medical equipment suppliers, and transportation providers. For the 
purposes of this program, ``response'' is defined as immediate actions 
responding to the attacks, including actions taken by hospitals in 
implementing their disaster plans in response to State and/or Federal 
emergency management directives.
    Faith-based and community organizations that meet the above 
criteria and have incurred allowable costs are eligible to receive 
funding from this program.
    Individuals are not eligible for funding under this program.
    Allowable costs: Expenses incurred by an eligible applicant in the 
provision of healthcare-related services that were needed as a direct 
result of the terrorist acts on September 11, 2001. Personnel costs, 
supplies, and contractual expenses for healthcare-related services are 
examples of allowable costs. Capital equipment, repair of public 
facilities, renovations and alterations, and other capital expenditures 
essential to the provision of healthcare-related services are also 
eligible for consideration. Lost or foregone revenues directly 
attributable to the terrorist acts will also be considered an eligible 
cost for the purposes of this program.
    Costs must directly relate to the provision of healthcare in the 
affected areas (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Virginia, 
Pennsylvania, Washington, DC).
    Allowable costs are costs for which payment and/or reimbursement 
has not been (and will not be) received and/or the applicant is not 
eligible for reimbursement. This program is intended to cover only 
direct costs (i.e., costs that can be specifically identified with a 
particular project or program). Requests can cover costs incurred on or 
after September 11, 2001, including those costs expected to be incurred 
(and which can be reasonably estimated) prior to January 11, 2002.
    Costs for which funding is awarded will be subject to verification 
and validation, including audits by the Office of the Inspector 
General, after grants are awarded. The grants are also subject to the 
general provisions applicable to Federal grants awarded by the 
Department of Health and Human Services (see 45 CFR parts 74 and 92), 
including applicable cost principles incorporated by those regulations.
    For profit organizations should pay particular attention to 45 CFR 
74.81, which requires that no HHS funds may be paid as profit to any 
recipient even if the recipient is a commercial organization.
    Unallowable costs: Unallowable costs include, but are not limited 
to, the following:

Research activities
Political and lobbying activities
Subgrants to other organizations
Purchase of real property
Indirect costs and overhead
Expenses intended to prepare for future similar events

    Applicant submission: All applications must be received at the 
below address before 5:00 PM EDT on October 19, 2001.
    Applications must be submitted to the following location:

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and 
Services Administration (HRSA), Office of Special Programs, Room 7-100, 
5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857

    Applications may be faxed to 301 443-1221 or 301 594-6096. In the 
event the application is faxed, please note a fax and phone number so 
that a representative from the Office of Special Programs can confirm 
receipt.
    Applications can also be e-mailed to [email protected]
    For applications that are faxed or e-mailed, if the applicant does 
not receive confirmation of receipt it should be assumed that the 
application was not received. For any application that is faxed or e-
mailed a hard copy original signed application must also be provided.
    Application requirements: Applications should not exceed 10 pages 
and must be submitted on standard size paper (8.5" x11"). All 
application information may be submitted on plain bond paper (i.e., 
there are no special forms that need to be submitted). All of the 
following information must be included:
    1. Cover sheet which references CFDA #93.003 and includes the 
following: Date submitted, legal name of applicant, applicant address, 
employer identification number, name and telephone number of contact 
person, grant amount requested, Medicare/Medicaid provider number (if 
applicable). Alternatively, applicants may choose to submit Standard 
Form 424, Application for Federal Assistance, which can be viewed on 
line at www.hrsa.gov/osp/gir.htm. This cover sheet must also include 
the following statement signed by an authorized representative of the 
applicant: ``To the best of my knowledge and belief, all information 
included in this application is true and correct. The filing of this 
application has been duly authorized by the governing body of the 
applicant and the applicant will comply with all required assurances if 
the assistance is awarded.'' [Information on assurances can be viewed 
on line at www.hrsa.gov/osp/gir.htm.]
    Applicant shall provide sufficient detail to ensure that individual 
recipients of grant funds are clearly identified where they differ from 
the applicant.
    2. Breakdown and justification of expenses and/or lost revenues for 
which funding is sought.
    3. The need for the funding and the impact on the organization if 
funding is not received.
    4. Expenses and/or revenues that would have been expected if there 
were no terrorist acts and the actual level of expenses and/or revenues 
covering the period for which funding is requested. Funding can be 
sought for a combination of lost revenues and

[[Page 51553]]

increased expenses; in such cases clearly delineate the amount 
attributable to lost revenue and the amount attributable to increased 
expenses.
    If there is not a clear and direct link between the services 
provided/expenses incurred/revenues lost and the terrorist acts, 
provide an explanation of the relationship.
    5. The manner/methodology by which any increased expense or lost 
revenue estimates were determined. If such information is not readily 
available, please indicate how any estimates were derived.
    6. Location where the services for which funding is sought were 
provided.
    7. Statement from an authorized representative of the applicant 
confirming that the applicant is a public or not-for-profit 
organization, if applicable.
    8. Listing of any additional Federal, State, or private agencies or 
organizations from which funding relief has been sought in relation to 
the September 11, 2001, terrorist acts (e.g., FEMA, Red Cross). Amount 
of funding requested and description/explanation of basis for any such 
request.
    9. Statement/assurance from an authorized representative of the 
applicant that:
    a. Expenses/lost revenues for which grant funding is sought are not 
eligible for reimbursement and/or payment from Medicare, Medicaid, 
FEMA;
    b. Reimbursement and/or payment will not be sought from Medicare, 
Medicaid, or FEMA for any expenses/lost revenues covered by the grant;
    c. Grant funds will be not used to supplant any Federal or non-
Federal funds that are received for the activities or purposes for 
which funding is sought; and
    d. If the applicant has sought funding from another source for the 
same expenses and/or lost revenues and is uncertain as to whether such 
request(s) will be approved, it must include an assurance that if that 
funding is received, funding from this program will be returned.

Review Criteria

    1. Demonstration that costs or lost revenues were for healthcare-
related services or will be used for such services. This includes a 
clear explanation of the services provided/or to be provided, including 
a clear differentiation between ``normal'' services and any incremental 
services needed because of the terrorist acts.
    2. Demonstration that the services/expenses/lost revenues for which 
the grant is sought are directly associated with terrorist acts on 
September 11, 2001.
    3. Reasonableness of estimates and clarity of methodology used to 
support cost estimates for which funding is sought.
    4. Extent to which funds will rapidly be made available for the 
provision of needed healthcare.
    5. Urgency and nature of need for the funds.
    6. Impact on the organization if funding is not received.
    Program Contact Person: Mr. Timothy Miller, Executive Officer, HRSA 
Office of Special Programs, Room 7-100, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, 
MD 20857, 301 443-4268 (phone), 301 443-1221 (fax), [email protected] 
(e-mail)

    Dated: October 4, 2001.
Tommy G. Thompson,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 01-25461 Filed 10-5-01; 9:28 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-15-P