[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 199 (Monday, October 15, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52421-52428]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-25841]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration


Statement of Organization, Functions and Delegations of Authority

    This notice amends Part R of the Statement of Organization 
Functions and Delegations of Authority of the Department of Health and 
Human Services (DHHS), Health Resources and Services Administration 
(HRSA) (60 FR 56605, as amended November 6, 1995 as last amended at 66 
FR 41249-51, dated August 7, 2001).
    This notice sets forth several major organizational changes in the 
Bureau of Health Professions (BHPr). Certain other organizational 
changes in various organizations within Health Resources and Services 
Administration are reflected in the notice.
    In addition to the changes in BHPr this notice will move 
communications functions throughout the agency into the Office of 
Communications, Office of the Administrator. Legislative functions 
throughout the agency will be consolidated into the Office of 
Legislation, Office of the Administrator. The Center for Quality and 
the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth will be moved from the 
Office of the Administrator and placed in the HIV/AIDS Bureau, and the 
Center for Health Services Financing and Managed Care will be placed in 
the Office of Planning and Evaluation. In addition, the Office of 
International Health Affairs will be moved from the Office of the 
Administrator and placed within the Office of Management and Program 
Support.

Section RA-00, Mission

    The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) directs 
national health programs which improve the health of the Nation by 
assuring quality health care to underserved, vulnerable and special-
need populations and by promoting appropriate health professions 
workforce capacity and practice, particularly in primary care and 
public health.

Section RA-10 Organization

    The Office of the Administrator is headed by the Administrator, 
Health Resources and Services Administration (OA) who reports directly 
to the Secretary. The OA includes the following components:
    (1) Immediate Office of the Administrator (RA);
    (2) Office of Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights (RA2);
    (3) Office of Planning and Evaluation (RA5);
    (4) Office of Communications (RA6);
    (5) Office of Minority Health (RA9); and
    (6) Office of Legislation (RAE)

Section RA-20 Function

1. Revise the functional statement for the Immediate Office of the 
Administrator. Immediate Office of the Administrator (RA)
    (1) Leads and directs programs and activities of the Agency and 
advises the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services on 
policy matters concerning them; (2) provides consultation and 
assistance to senior Agency officials and others on clinical and health 
professional issues; (3) serves as the Agency's focal point on efforts 
to strengthen the practice of public health as it pertains to the HRSA 
mission; (4) establishes and maintains verbal and written 
communications with health organizations in the public and private 
sectors to support the mission of HRSA; and (5) manages the legislative 
and communications programs for the agency.

2. In the Office of the Administrator, establish the Office of 
Legislation (RAE) as follows:

Office of Legislation (RAD)

    (1) Serves as the Administrator's primary staff unit and principal 
source of advice on legislative affairs; (2) oversees communications 
between the Administrator and higher levels of the Department on 
legislative matters; (3) oversees the legislative program for the 
Administrator; (4) develops a legislative program for the Agency and 
develops legislative proposals; (5) prepares the Administrator's 
analyses, position papers, and reports on proposed legislation; (6) 
coordinates the preparation of testimony and backup materials on the 
Administration's legislative program for presentation to Congressional 
Committees; (7) monitors hearings and Congressional activities 
affecting the Administration; (8) in conjunction with the Office of the 
Assistant Secretary for Legislation (L), coordinates the preparation of 
information requested by, and provides technical assistance to, 
Congressional Committees, Members of Congress, or their staff in 
relation to the Agency's legislative programs; and (9) coordinates the 
distribution of legislative materials and serves as a legislative 
reference center.
3. Rename the Office of Planning, Evaluation and Legislation (RA5) as 
the Office of Planning and Evaluation (RA5)

[[Page 52422]]

4. In the Office of Planning, Evaluation and Legislation (RA5), abolish 
the Division of Data Policy (RA54) and place the function in the Office 
of Information Technology, Office of Management and Program Support.
5. Abolish the Center for Health Services Financing and Managed Care 
(RAC) and transfer the functions to the Office of Planning and 
Evaluation (RA5). 
6. In the Office of Planning and Evaluation (RA5) establish the Center 
for Health Services Financing and Managed Care (RA55) as follows: 

Center for Health Services Financing and Managed Care (RA55)

    The Center for Health Services Financing and Managed Care serves as 
the focal point within the Health Resources and Services Administration 
(HRSA) for leadership, coordination, and advancement of managed care 
systems for safety net providers serving at risk, vulnerable 
populations and for training programs for health professionals. The 
Center for Health Services Financing and Managed Care carries out the 
following functions. Specifically: (1) Provides leadership within HRSA 
for the development of managed care policies and programs and in 
coordinating policy development with other Departmental agencies; (2) 
provides technical and other support to HRSA components and other 
mission related agencies as they establish managed care initiatives; 
(3) provides technical assessment and training to HRSA grantees and 
related safety net providers and health professions training 
institutions in all aspects of managed care including dissemination of 
best practices; (4) develops working relationships with the private 
managed care industry to assure mutual areas of cooperation, 
maximization of expertise and coordination; (5) assesses new and 
existing managed care systems and advises the HRSA Administrator on 
strategies to maximize the application of these systems to HRSA's 
programs; and (6) works with Foundations, private agencies and other 
Federal, State, and local agencies to assure effective development of 
policies, resources, program development, and resolution of program 
barriers and issues.
7. Delete the functional statement for the Office of Communications and 
replace as follows:

Office of Communications (RA6)

    (1) Provides leadership and general policy and program direction 
for and conducts and coordinates communications and public affairs 
activities of the Agency; (2) serves as focal point for coordination of 
Agency communications activities with those of other health agencies 
within the Department of Health and Human Services and with field, 
State, local, voluntary and professional organizations; (3) develops 
and implements national communications initiatives to inform and 
educate the public, health care professionals, policy makers and the 
media; (4) coordinates, researches, writes and prepares speeches and 
audiovisual presentations for the HRSA Administrator and staff; (5) 
provides communication and public affairs expertise and staff advice 
and support to the Administrator in program and policy formulations and 
execution consistent with policy direction established by the Assistant 
Secretary for Public Affairs; (6) develops and implements policies and 
procedures related to external media relations and internal employee 
communications including those for the development, review, processing, 
quality control, and dissemination of Agency communications materials, 
including exhibits and those disseminated electronically; (7) serves as 
Communications and Public Affairs Officer for the Agency including 
establishment and maintenance of productive relationships with the news 
media; and (8) serves as focal point for intergovernmental affairs for 
the Agency (9) coordinates the implementation of the Freedom of 
Information Act for the Agency.

8. In the Bureau of Primary Health Care, abolish the Information 
Dissemination and Communications Staff (RC-5) and place the function in 
the Office of the Administrator Office of Communication. 
9. In the Bureau of Primary Health Care, delete the functional 
statement in the Office of Program and Policy Development (RC1) and 
replace as follows: 

Office of Program and Policy Development (RC1)

    (1) Serves as the Bureau's principal staff arm for program 
planning, coordination, and analysis, including the development of 
alternative program and policy positions; (2) oversees planning and 
tracking functions in support of policy formulation and program 
implementation; (3) advises the Associate Administrator and his/her 
immediate staff on program policy and operational implications arising 
from activities of the Bureau; (4) collaborates in the development and 
implementation of annual and 5-year program and financial plans for the 
Bureau's program planning and budgeting systems; (5) conducts special 
inquiries and studies and provides liaison and coordination with the 
Office of the Administrator, Health Resources and Services 
Administration in the evaluation program for the Bureau; (6) manages 
the Bureau's correspondence activities; (7) coordinates the development 
of and accomplishes the formal clearance of policy for the Bureau; (8) 
maintains liaison with the Office of the General Counsel and the Office 
of the Inspector General, DHHS; (9) develops and/or provides technical 
assistance in the development and implementation of new and revised 
regulations and standards; (10) prepares and/or provides guidance and 
assistance in the development of associated Federal Register notices; 
and (11) provides the focus for the Bureau's program of health center 
managed care training and technical assistance and other health center 
related financing and reimbursement issues; and provides coordination 
and liaison with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

10. In the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, delete the Office of 
Communications (RM8) and place the function in the Office of the 
Administrator Office Of Communication. 
11. Revise the functional statement for the Maternal and Child Health 
Bureau (RM) as follows:

Maternal and Child Health Bureau (RM)

    Provides national leadership and policy direction for the planning, 
development, implementation and evaluation of the programs and 
activities of the Bureau. These programs are designed to improve the 
health of women of childbearing age, infants, children, adolescents, 
and their families, of children with special health needs, and of 
persons with hemophilia. Specifically: (1) Oversees the day-to-day 
management and operations of the Bureau's Offices, and Divisions; (2) 
coordinates all internal functions of the Bureau and facilitates 
effective, collaborative relationships with other health and related 
programs; (3) establishes a program mission, goals, objectives and 
policy with broad Administration guidelines; (4) serves as the focal 
point for managing the Bureau-wide strategic planning operation as it 
relates to long and short range programmatic goals and objectives for 
the Bureau; (5) works with other

[[Page 52423]]

Bureaus to further the Agency goals and mission; (6) develops and 
administers internal operating policies and procedures and provides 
guidance and direction to Field Office staff, to State Health Officers, 
and to State Maternal and Child Health and Special Health Needs 
Directors; (7) serves as principal contact point to the Agency, the 
Department, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the White House 
on matters concerning the health status of America's mothers and 
children; (8) directs and coordinates the Bureau's program 
responsibilities, including the Maternal and Child Health block grants 
to States, contracts, and other funding arrangements in the areas of 
research, training, genetics, hemophilia, and health service 
improvement through regionally and nationally significant projects, a 
national program to improve emergency medical services for children, a 
Healthy Start program designed to strengthen and improve the delivery 
of health services to improve the outcome of pregnancy, a national 
program on traumatic brain injury and on injury prevention for children 
and adolescents, and a national abstinence education program; (9) 
directs and coordinates the planning, implementation and monitoring of 
a national maternal and child health data and information system based 
in State and local jurisdictions; (10) provides direction and serves as 
the focal point for international matters of concern to the health of 
mothers, children, and their families; (11) develops a policy statement 
and an action plan to address the health needs of mothers and children 
from culturally diverse groups; (12) directs and coordinates Bureau 
activities in support of Equal Opportunity programs; (13) provides 
direction for the Bureau's Civil Rights compliance activities; (14) 
provides information and reports on the Bureau's programs to public, 
health, education and related professional associations, the Congress, 
other Federal agencies, OMB, and the White House; (15) administers the 
implementation of the Privacy Act and the Freedom of Information Act in 
the Bureau; and (16) performs the executive secretariat functions and 
coordinates responses to General Accounting Office (GAO) audit reports 
and monitors the implementation of GAO recommendations.

12. In the Office of the Administrator, abolish the Office for the 
Advancement of Telehealth and place the function within the HIV/AIDS 
Bureau.
13. In the HIV/AIDS Bureau, delete the Office of Communications (RV1) 
and place the function in the Office of the Administrator Office of 
Communication.
14. Revise the functional statement for the HIV/AIDS Bureau (RV) as 
follows:

HIV/AIDS Bureau (RV)

    Provides leadership and direction for the HIV/AIDS programs and 
activities of the Bureau and oversees its relationship with other 
national health programs. Specifically: (1) Coordinates the formulation 
of an overall strategy and policy for HRSA AIDS programs; (2) 
coordinates the internal functions of the Bureau and its relationships 
with other national health programs; (3) establishes AIDS program 
objectives, alternatives, and policy positions consistent with broad 
Administration guidelines; (4) administers the Agency's AIDS grants and 
contracts programs; (5) reviews AIDS related program activities to 
determine their consistency with established policies; (6) represents 
the Agency and the Department at AIDS related meetings, conferences and 
task forces; (7) serves as principal contact and advisor to the 
Department and other parties concerned with matters relating to 
planning and development of health delivery systems relating to HIV/
AIDS; (8) develops and administers operating policies and procedures 
for the Bureau; (9) directs and coordinates the Bureau activities in 
support of the Department/Bureau's Affirmative Action and Equal 
Employment Opportunity programs by ensuring that all internal 
employment practices provide an equal opportunity to all qualified 
persons and its employment practices do not discriminate on the basis 
of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religious affiliation, 
marital status, and that all external benefits and service oriented 
activities relative to the recipients of federal funds are likewise 
addressed in accordance with applicable laws, Executive Orders, DHHS 
regulations and policies; (10) provides direction to the Bureau's Civil 
Rights compliance activities; (11) directs and coordinates Bureau 
Executive Secretariat activities; (12) serves in developing and 
coordinating (telehealth) programs and in facilitating the electronic 
dissemination of best practices in health care to health care 
professional; and (13) directs the Center for Quality.
15. In the Bureau of Health Professions (RP), delete the functional 
statement in its entirety and replace as follows:

Bureau of Health Professions (RP)

    Provides national leadership in coordinating, evaluating, and 
supporting the development and utilization of the Nation's health 
personnel. Specifically: (1) Assesses the Nation's health personnel 
supply and requirements and forecasts supply and requirements for 
future time periods under a variety of health resources utilization 
assumptions; (2) collects and analyzes data and disseminates 
information on the characteristics and capacities of the Nation's 
health personnel production systems; (3) proposes new or modifications 
to existing Departmental policies, and programs related to health 
personnel development and utilization; (4) develops, tests and 
demonstrates new and improved approaches to the development and 
utilization of health personnel within various patterns of health care 
delivery and financing systems; (5) provides financial support to 
institutions and individuals for health professions education programs; 
(6) administers Federal programs for targeted health personnel 
development and utilization; (7) provides leadership for promoting 
equity and diversity in access to health services and health careers 
for under-represented minority groups; (8) provides technical 
assistance, consultation, and special financial assistance to national, 
State, and local agencies, organizations, and institutions for the 
development, production, utilization, and evaluation of health 
personnel; (9) provides linkage between Bureau headquarters and HRSA 
Field Office activities related to health professions education and 
utilization by providing training, technical assistance, and 
consultation to Field Office staff; (10) coordinates with the programs 
of other agencies within the Department, and in other Federal 
Departments and agencies concerned with health personnel development 
and health care services; (11) provides liaison and coordinates with 
non-Federal organizations and agencies concerned with health personnel 
development and utilization; (12) in coordination with the Office of 
the Administrator, Health Resources and Services Administration, serves 
as a focus for technical assistance activities in the international 
aspects of health personnel development, including the conduct of 
special international projects relevant to domestic health personnel 
problems; (13) administers the National Practitioner Data Bank Program; 
(14) administers the Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank 
Program; (15) administers the Ricky Ray Hemophilia

[[Page 52424]]

Relief Fund Program; (16) administers the Children's Hospitals Graduate 
Medical Education (CHGME) Payment Program; (17) administers the 
National Health Service Corps Program which assures accessibility of 
health care in underserved areas; (18) plans the activities of the 
National Health Service Corps Advisory Council; (19) administers the 
Public Health Service Scholarship Training Program and the National 
Health Service Corps Scholarship Loan Repayment Program; (20) 
administers the designation of health professional shortage areas and 
medically-underserved populations; (21) administers the Community 
Scholarship Program; (22) administers the State Loan Repayment Program; 
(23) administers the Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program; and (24) 
administers the Federal Credentialing Program.

16. Move the Legislative function in the Office of Planning and Project 
Development in the Bureau of Health Professions and place it in the 
Office of the Administrator Office of Legislation. Rename the Office of 
Planning And Project Development (RPA) in the Bureau of Health 
Professions as the Office of Policy and Planning, then delete the 
functional statement in its entirety and replace as follows: 

Office of Policy and Planning (RP)

    Serves as the Bureau focal point for program planning and 
evaluation program/operations review, analysis and Information 
Management System. Maintains liaison with governmental, professional, 
voluntary, and other public and private organizations, institutions, 
and groups for the purpose of providing information exchange. 
Specifically: (1) Stimulates, guides, and coordinates program planning, 
reporting, and evaluation activities of the Divisions and staff 
offices; (2) provides staff services to the Associate Administrator for 
program and strategic planning and its relation to the budgetary and 
regulatory processes, the development of issue papers, congressional 
reports, and coordination of OMB information clearance requests for 
forms and regulations; (3) coordinates the development and 
implementation of the Bureau's evaluation program; (4) reviews and 
interprets program award policies and authorities for incorporation 
into the development and implementation of the Bureau's program and 
award procedures; (5) coordinates the development, clearance, and 
dissemination of regulations, Federal Register notices, application 
guidelines and operating procedures; (6) identifies issues and 
coordinates the resolution of program award policy and procedural 
questions that arise; (7) serves as the Bureau's focal point for 
correspondence control; (8) coordinates the development of the Bureau's 
annual procurement plans and schedule for Bureau grants, contracts, and 
cooperative agreements; (9) coordinates and provides guidance on the 
Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act activities for the Bureau; 
(10) monitors obligatory service requirements and conditions of 
deferment for compliance; and (11) maintains liaison with the Office of 
the General Counsel and the Office of the Inspector General, DHHS.

17. In the Bureau of Health Professions, delete the Office of Program 
Support in its entirety and replace as follows: 

Office of Program Support

    Plans, directs, coordinates and evaluates Bureau-wide 
administrative management activities, including grants management and 
financial management activities. Maintains close liaison with officials 
of the Bureau, Agency, the Office of Public Health and Science, and the 
Office of the Secretary on management and support activities. 
Specifically: (1) Serves as the Associate Administrator's principal 
source for management and administrative advice and assistance; (2) 
provides advice, guidance, and coordinates personnel activities for the 
Bureau with the Office of Human Resources Development, HRSA; (3) 
directs and coordinates the allocation of personnel resources; (4) 
provides organization and management analysis, develops policies and 
procedures for internal operation, and interprets and implements the 
Bureau's management policies, procedures and systems; (5) develops and 
coordinates program and administrative delegations of authority 
activities; (6) responsible for planning and directing Bureau financial 
management activities, including budget formulation, presentation, and 
execution functions; (7) conducts all business management aspects of 
the review, negotiation, award and administration of Bureau grants 
management activities; (8) provides Bureau-wide support services such 
as supply management, equipment utilization, printing, property 
management, space management, records management and management 
reports; (9) manages the Bureau's performance management systems; and 
(10) develops general guidance and criteria related to the Bureau's 
grant programs.

18. In the Bureau of Health Professions, delete the Office of 
Extramural Program Review (RPG) in its entirety and replace as follows: 


Office of Peer Review (RPG)

    (1) Serves as the Bureau's focal point for the administration and 
management of the grants and cooperative agreement review process, and 
its peer review functions; (2) develops, implements and maintains 
policies and procedures necessary to carry out primary functions in 
keeping with all Agency requirements; (3) maintains close liaison 
between Divisions/Offices to obtain information regarding potential 
peer reviewer panelists; (4) provides technical assistance to Peer 
Reviewers ensuring that reviewers are aware of and comply with the 
appropriate administrative policies and regulations, e.g., conflict of 
interest, confidentiality, and Privacy Act; (5) provides technical 
advice and guidance to the Associate Administrator regarding the 
Bureau's peer review processes; (6) coordinates and assures the 
development of program policies and rules relating to the Bureau's 
extramural activities; and (7) administers the Bureau's peer review 
function; and provide Divisions with final disposition, e.g., approval/
disapproval for all applications peer reviewed.

19. In the Bureau of Health Professions, delete the Division of 
Interdisciplinary and Community Based Programs (RPE) in its entirety 
and replace as follows: 

Division of State, Community and Public Health (RPE)

    Serves as the principal focal point for specialized DHHS 
interagency projects, HRSA initiatives and Bureau of Health Professions 
interdivisional activities. Specifically: (1) Promotes, designs, 
supports and administers activities relating to the planning and 
development of nationally integrated health professions education 
programs; (2) administers special projects, such as the Secretary's 
Primary Care Policy Fellowship Program and the Secretary's Award 
Program for Innovations in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention; (3) 
promotes, plans and develops collaborative, interdisciplinary 
activities in the speciality areas of behavioral/mental health, rural 
health, geriatrics and the associated health professions, veterinary 
medicine, optometry, and pharmacy; allied health professions, including 
physical therapy, occupational therapy, medical technology, dental 
hygiene, respiratory therapy, radiography, radiation therapy, emergency 
medical technicians, and a

[[Page 52425]]

long list of similar professionals; chiropractic health care; social 
workers, especially in medical settings; clinical psychology; mental 
health workers; and new and developing health disciplines; (4) promotes 
quality improvement in health professions education through 
collaboration and partnerships with national and international 
institutes and centers for quality improvement; (5) promotes and 
supports academic-community partnerships whose goal is the development 
of interdisciplinary, community-based programs designed to improve 
access to health care through improving the quality of health 
professions education and training; (6) collaborates with relevant 
Divisions/Offices of the Bureau, HRSA and the Department; (7) maintains 
liaison with related professional groups, foundations, and other 
private and government organizations as needed; (8) serves as the 
Federal focus for the development and improvement of education for 
professional public health, preventive medicine, environmental health, 
and health administration practice, including undergraduate, graduate, 
and continuing professional development; (9) administers the Community 
Scholarship Program; and (10) administers the State Loan Repayment 
Program.

20. In the Bureau of Health Professions, delete the Division of Health 
Professions Diversity (RPD) in its entirety and replace as follows:

Division of Health Careers Development (RPD)

    Serves as the focal point for the Health Professions and Nursing 
Student Loan and Scholarship Programs, the Exceptional Financial Need 
Scholarship Program, the Federal Assistance to Disadvantaged Health 
Professions Scholarship Program, the Health Educational Assistance Loan 
Program, the Health Professions and Nursing Educational Loan Repayment 
and Loan Cancellation Programs by providing leadership to assure equity 
in access to health resources and health careers for diverse and 
disadvantaged populations. Specifically: (1) Provides technical 
assistance to groups that represent and seek to improve the health 
status of diverse and disadvantaged populations, and facilitates the 
access of such groups to Bureau and other Federal programs and 
resources; (2) provides leadership and direction for the development 
and implementation of Bureau objectives as they relate to diverse and 
disadvantaged populations; (3) develops and recommends health resources 
and health career opportunities for diverse and disadvantaged 
populations; (4) initiates, stimulates, supports, coordinates, and 
evaluates Bureau programs for improving the availability and 
accessibility of health careers for diverse and disadvantaged 
populations; (5) initiates, stimulates, supports, coordinates, and 
evaluates in conjunction with other Bureau units, comprehensive data 
systems and analyses on requirements, resources, accessibility, and 
accountability of the health delivery system for diverse and 
disadvantaged populations; (6) conducts special studies and collects 
baseline data to identify specific factors contributing to the health 
and health-related problems of diverse and disadvantaged populations, 
and to develop strategies for improving health services and career 
opportunities for diverse and disadvantaged populations; (7) conducts 
extramural programs, including the use of grants and contracts, 
specifically designed to promote equity in access to health careers; 
(8) assures contract compliance and implementation of the Policy 
Statement on Civil Rights in the Bureau; (9) in coordination with the 
Bureau's divisions and in collaboration with other HRSA entities, 
provides leadership for and assures implementation of Presidential, 
Departmental, and other special initiatives addressing the needs of 
diverse and disadvantaged populations; (10) conducts and coordinates 
Bureau programs in health careers for women; (11) provides leadership 
to develop and coordinate Bureau program support to student health 
organizations; (12) provides advice and consultation on policy and 
other matters related to assuring equity in access to health resources 
and health careers for diverse and disadvantaged populations; (13) 
plans, develops, implements and promotes special initiatives and 
projects; (14) coordinates all necessary Federal, State and/or private 
sector involvement to insure the success of the initiative; (15) takes 
appropriate steps to institutionalize initiatives which successfully 
promote the mission of the Bureau; (16) directs and administers the 
Health Professions and Nursing Student Loan and Scholarship Programs, 
the Exceptional Financial Need Scholarship Program, the Federal 
Assistance to Disadvantaged Health Professions Scholarship Program, the 
Health Educational Assistance Loan Program, the Health Professions and 
Nursing Educational Loan Repayment and Loan Cancellation Programs 
including the awarding of loan and scholarship funds; (17) develops and 
implements program plans and policies and operating and evaluation 
plans and procedures in coordination with the Office of Policy and 
Planning; (18) monitors and assesses educational and financial 
institutions with respect to capabilities and management of Federal 
support for students; (19) develops and conducts training activities 
for staff of educational and financial institutions; (20) maintains 
liaison with and provides assistance to program-related public and 
private professional organizations and institutions; (21) maintains 
liaison with the Office of the General Counsel, and the Office of the 
Inspector General, DHHS, components of the Department of Education and 
the Department of Defense, and State agencies concerning student 
assistance; (22) coordinates financial aspects of programs with 
educational institutions; and (23) develops program data needs, 
formats, and reporting requirements, including collection, collation, 
analysis and dissemination of data.

21. In the Bureau of Health Professions, delete the Division of Quality 
Assurance (RP8) in its entirety and replace as follows:

Division of Practitioner Data Banks (RP8)

    Serves as the focal point within DHHS/HRSA for medical, dental, 
nursing and other health professions quality assurance efforts. 
Specifically in coordination with the Department and other Federal 
entities, State licensing boards, and national, State and local 
professional organizations: (1) Administers the National Practitioner 
Data Bank (NPDB) as authorized under Title IV of the Health Care 
Quality Improvement Act of 1986 and Section 5 of the Medicare and 
Medicaid Patient and Program Protection Act of 1987; (2) prepares and 
submits periodic reports to the Congress on NPDB activities; (3) 
conducts and supports research based on NPDB information; (4) maintains 
active consultative relations with professional organizations, 
societies, and Federal agencies involved in the NPDB; (5) proposes and 
monitors guidelines for (a) credentials assessment, granting of 
privileges, and monitoring and evaluating programs for physicians, 
dentists, and other health care professionals; (b) professional review 
of specified medical events in the health care system; and (c) risk 
management and utilization reviews; (6) encourages evaluation and 
demonstration projects and research concerning quality assurance, 
medical liability and malpractice; (7) works with the Secretary's 
office to provide

[[Page 52426]]

technical assistance to States undertaking malpractice reform; (8) 
provides staff to and coordinates the activities of the PHS Interagency 
Advisory Council on Quality Assurance and Risk Management; (9) 
undertakes other quality assurance and risk management development 
efforts; (10) administers the Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data 
Bank Program (HIPDB); and (11) administers the Federal Credentialing 
Program (FCP).

22. In the Bureau of Health Professions, delete the National Center for 
Workforce Information and Analysis (RP-2) in its entirety and replace 
as follows:

National Center for Health Workforce Analysis (RPL)

    Serves as the Bureau focal point for health professions data 
analysis and research. Maintains liaison with governmental, 
professional, voluntary, and other public and private organizations, 
institutions, and groups for the purpose of providing information 
exchange. Specifically: (1) Provides Departmental, Agency and Bureau 
leadership for a National Health Workforce and Analysis Program; (2) 
sponsors and conducts research on important issues that affect the 
national, State and local health workforce; (3) provides technical 
assistance to States, educational institutions, professional 
associations and other Federal Agencies relative to health personnel 
analytical information and analysis; (4) develops and applies 
econometric, statistical, and other quantitative methods, and conducts 
and sponsors research to develop new models and techniques for 
assessing and forecasting the capacity and output of health professions 
educational institutions and the labor supply behavior of specific 
types of health personnel; (5) conducts special studies to update 
national supply and requirements projection models and to increase the 
accuracy and reliability of supply and requirements projections; (6) 
develops forecasting models of various sectors of the health care 
system, and develops integrated models to provide a system-wide 
forecasting capability; (7) develops and coordinates the Bureau data 
collection and modeling in conjunction with other entities involved in 
data collection and analysis, such as the Agency for Healthcare 
Research and Quality (AHRQ), the National Center for Health Statistics 
(NCHS), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the 
Administration on Aging (AOA); (8) provides technical coordination for 
the preparation of coordinated Bureau reports to Congress and other 
major technical reports, (9) develops, maintains and updates detailed 
models for the supply and requirements of physicians by specialty; (10) 
supports and conducts programs which address the development, supply, 
utilization, and quality of nursing personnel; (11) maintains 
communication and liaison with government, private and academic 
researchers concerned with educational research as well as modeling of 
health personnel supply, demand, and employment; (12) conducts 
analytical studies relevant to current and future policies of the 
Bureau and their impact on the supply and demand for health 
professionals and the health industry at large; (13) provides regular 
assessment to Office Directors and Bureau Associate Administrator of 
new information that has relevance to policy changes; (14) prepares 
policy analysis reports suitable for publication in peer reviewed 
journals; (15) initiates and conducts special studies to aid in the 
development of health professions policy initiatives and future health 
policy directions; (16) provides national leadership in the development 
and analysis of data related to nursing personnel requirements, 
distribution and availability and the relationship of nursing 
requirements to requirements for other types of health personnel; (17) 
provides national leadership and management of the designation of 
health professional shortage areas and medically-underserved 
populations; (18) maintains and enhances the Agency's critical role in 
the Nation's efforts to address equitable distribution of health 
professionals and access to health care for underserved populations; 
(19) encourages and fosters an ongoing, positive working relationship 
with other Federal, State and private sector partners; (20) approves 
designation requests and finalizes designation policies and procedures 
for both current and proposed designation criteria; (21) negotiates and 
approves State designation agreements (e.g., use of databases, 
population estimates, Statewide Rational Service Areas,); and (22) 
develops and obtains health professions and other health data.
23. In the Bureau of Health Professions, delete the Division of 
Shortage Designation (RPJ) and place the functions in the National 
Center for Health Workforce Analysis (RPK)
24. In the Bureau of Health Professions, delete the functional 
statement for the Division of Medicine and Dentistry (RPC) in its 
entirety and replace as follows:

Division of Medicine and Dentistry (RPC)

    Serves as the principal focus with regard to education, practice, 
and research of medical personnel; with special emphasis on allopathic 
and osteopathic physicians, podiatrists, dentists and physician 
assistants. Specifically: (1) Provides professional expertise in the 
direction and leadership required by the Bureau for planning, 
coordinating, evaluating, and supporting development and utilization of 
the Nation's health personnel for these professions; (2) supports and 
conducts programs with respect to the need for and the development, 
use, credentialing, and distribution of such personnel; (3) engages 
with other Bureau programs in cooperative efforts of research, 
development, and demonstration on the interrelationships between the 
members of the health care team, their tasks, education requirements, 
and training modalities, credentialing and practice; (4) conducts and 
supports studies and evaluations of physician, dentist, physician 
assistant, and podiatric personnel requirements, distribution and 
availability, and cooperates with other components of the Bureau and 
Agency in such studies; (5) analyzes and interprets physician, dental, 
physician assistant, and podiatric programmatic data collected from a 
variety of sources; (6) conducts, supports, or obtains analytical 
studies to determine the present and future supply and requirements of 
physicians, dentists, physician assistants, and podiatrists by 
specialty and geographic location, including the linkages between their 
training and practice characteristics; (7) conducts and supports 
studies to determine potential national goals for the training and 
distribution of physicians in graduate medical education programs and 
develops alternative strategies to accomplish these goals; (8) supports 
and conducts programs with respect to activities, associated with the 
international migration, domestic training, and utilization of foreign 
medical graduates and U.S. citizens studying abroad; (9) maintains 
liaison with relevant health professional groups and others, including 
consumers, having common interest in the Nation's capacity to deliver 
health services; (10) provides consultation and technical assistance to 
public and private organizations, agencies, and institutions, including 
Regional Offices, other agencies of the Federal Government, and 
international agencies and foreign governments, on all aspects of the 
Division's functions; (11)

[[Page 52427]]

provides administrative and staff support for the Advisory Committee on 
Training and Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry, and for the Council 
on Graduate Medical Education; and (12) represents the Bureau, Agency 
and Federal Government, as designated, on nation committees and/or the 
Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) and the 
Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME); (13) 
administers support programs for the development, improvement, and the 
operation of general, pediatric, and public health dental educational 
programs; (14) designs, administers and supports activities relating to 
dentists; (15) provides technical assistance and consultation to 
grantee institutions and other governmental and private organizations 
on the operation of these educational programs; (16) promotes the 
dissemination and application of findings arising from programs 
supported; and (17) develops congressional and other mandated or 
special program-specific reports and publications on dental educational 
processes, programs and approaches.

25. In the Bureau of Health Professions, delete the functional 
statement for the Division of Nursing (RP5) in its entirety and replace 
as follows:

Division of Nursing (RP5)

    Serves as the principal focus for nursing education and practice. 
Specifically: (1) Provides national leadership and professional nursing 
expertise in the areas of policy development, budget, planning, 
coordination, evaluation and utilization of nursing personnel 
resources; (2) serves, on behalf of the Secretary, as the Chair of the 
National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice; (3) supports 
and conducts programs which address the development, supply, 
utilization, and quality of nursing personnel; (4) promotes the 
involvement of States and communities in developing and administering 
nursing programs and assists States and communities in improving 
nursing services and educational programs; (5) encourages coordination 
of nursing-related issues within and across Departmental entities; (6) 
facilitates coordination of nursing-related issues with other 
governmental agencies and consults with them on national or 
international nursing workforce planning and development issues; (7) 
maintains liaison with external health professional groups, the 
academic community, consumers, and State and community groups with a 
common interest in the Nation's capacity to deliver nursing services; 
(8) advances and promotes the development of effective models of 
nursing practice and education; (9) stimulates initiatives in the area 
of international nursing information exchange and nursing workforce 
planning and development; (10) provides overall direction and 
management of Division's human and financial resources; and (11) 
administers the Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program.

26. In the Bureau of Health Professions, delete the functional 
statement for the Division of National Health Service Corps (RPH) in 
its entirety and replace as follows:

Division of National Health Service Corps (RPH)

    (1) Provides strategic planning and overall policy guidance and 
program oversight to the National Health Service Corps (NHSC); (2) 
initiates national program and policy changes, including regulatory and 
statutory amendments, as necessary, to ensure NHSC consistency with 
evolving national health care policy; (3) supports the NHSC National 
Advisory Council (NAC), which advises the Secretary, DHHS, on national 
health care policy, particularly as it affects health-manpower issues 
and the NHSC; (4) works with the Office of the Administrator and the 
Office of the Secretary to ensure that the NAC members are nationally 
recognized leaders in national health care policy issues, and in their 
respective primary health care disciplines; (5) provides national NHSC 
leadership, integration and coordination with HRSA and other 
Departmental programs serving or impacting the Nation's underserved 
communities and populations; (6) works directly with Bureau, Agency, 
intra-Agency, Departmental, and inter-Departmental organizations and 
staffs, as appropriate, on national policies and strategies affecting 
underserved populations and the development and distribution of primary 
care clinical personnel; (7) speaks for NHSC with national, regional, 
State, and local public and private health care professional 
associations, universities and other health professions training 
institutions and other groups whose public policy interests relate to 
primary health care manpower and access issues; (8) articulates NHSC 
policy interests and issues to a variety of national forums, including 
universities, foundations, think tanks, and other organizations whose 
interests in primary and other health care public policy issues have 
potential for affecting the NHSC; (9) provides policy guidance and 
support to HRSA field offices on NHSC issues; (10) coordinates NHSC's 
policy on primary and other health care manpower issues, and works with 
a wide variety of national, regional, State and local constituencies in 
ensuring their effective implementation; (11) directs and administers 
the Public Health Service Scholarship Training Program, the NHSC Loan 
Repayment Program, and the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) 
Scholarship Program programs, including the recruitment, application, 
selection and awarding of scholarship funds and deferment and service 
monitoring systems in close coordination with the NHSC; (12) develops 
and implements program plans and policies and operating and evaluation 
plans and procedures; (13) provides guidance and technical assistance 
for field office and educational institutions on the NHSC scholarship 
program; (14) provides guidance and technical assistance for field 
office and educational institutions on the NHSC scholarship program 
(15) maintains liaison with, and provides assistance to, program-
related public and private professional organizations and institutions; 
(16) coordinates financial aspects of programs with educational 
institutions; (17) develops program data needs, formats and reporting 
requirements including collection, collation, analysis and 
dissemination of data; and (18) participates in the development of 
forward plans and budgets, directs and administers these programs, 
including the recruitment, application, selection and awarding of 
scholarship funds and deferment and service monitoring systems in close 
coordination with the NHSC.

27. In the Bureau of Health Professions, abolish the Division of 
Scholarships and Loan Repayments (RPI) and place the function in the 
Division of National Health Service Corps (RPH).
28. In the Bureau of Health Professions, abolish the Division of 
Vaccine Injury Compensation and place it in the Office of Special 
Programs.
29. In the Bureau of Health Professions, abolish the Division of 
Student Assistance (RP6) and place the function in the Division of 
Health Careers Development (RPD).
30. In the Bureau of Health Professions, abolish the Center of Public 
Health (RP-4) and place the function in the Division of State, 
Community and Public Health (RPE).
31. In the Bureau of Health Professions, abolish the Center for Program 
Coordination (RP-1) and place the

[[Page 52428]]

function in the Office of Policy and Planning (RPA).
32. In the Office of Special Programs (RR), delete the functional 
statement in its entirety and replace as follows:

Office of Special Programs (RR)

    Provides overall leadership and direction for: Procurement, 
allocation, and transplantation of human organs and bone marrow; 
programmatic, financial and architectural/engineering support for 
construction/renovation programs; operation of the Vaccine Injury 
Compensation Program; and grants to States to improve health insurance 
coverage for the uninsured. Specifically: (1) Administers the Organ 
Procurement and Transplantation Network and the Scientific Registry of 
Transplant Recipients to assure compliance with Federal Regulations and 
policies; (2) administers the National Marrow Donor Program in matching 
volunteer unrelated marrow donors for transplants and studying the 
effectiveness of unrelated marrow transplants and related treatments; 
(3) develops, conducts and maintains a national program of grants and 
contracts to organ procurement organizations and other entities to 
increase the availability of various organs to transplant candidates; 
(4) manages national programs for compliance with uncompensated care 
and other assurances; (5) directs and administers Section 242 hospital 
mortgage insurance program (via inter-agency agreement with HUD) and 
HHS direct and guaranteed construction loan programs; (6) directs and 
administers grant program for construction/renovation/equipping of 
health care and other facilities; (7) directs and administers the 
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program; and (8) directs and 
administers the State Planning Grant Program'.

30. In the Office of Special Programs, establish the Division of 
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (RR4) as follows:

Division of Vaccine Injury Compensation (RR4)

    The Division of Vaccine Injury Compensation (RP9) (DVIC), on behalf 
of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), administers all 
statutory authorities related to the operation of the National Vaccine 
Injury Compensation Program (VICP) by the (1) evaluation of petitions 
for compensation filed under the VICP through medical review and 
assessment of compensability for all complete claims; (2) processing of 
awards for compensation made under the VICP; (3) development of 
regulations to revise the Vaccine Injury Table; (4) provision of 
professional and administrative support to the Advisory Commission on 
Childhood Vaccines (ACCV); (5) development and maintenance of all 
automated information systems necessary for program implementation; (6) 
provision and dissemination of program information; (7) promotion of 
safer childhood vaccines; and (8) maintains a working relationship with 
other Federal and private sector partners in the administration and 
operation of the VICP.

Section RA-30 Delegation of Authority

    All delegations of authority which were in effect immediately prior 
to the effective date hereof have been continued in effect in them or 
their successors pending further redelegation. I hereby ratify and 
affirm all actions taken by any DHHS official which involved the 
exercise of these authorities prior to the effective date of this 
delegation.
    This reorganization is effective upon the date of signature.

    Dated: October 4, 2001.
Elizabeth M. Duke,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 01-25841 Filed 10-12-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-15-P