[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 211 (Wednesday, October 31, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 54998]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-27414]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary


Announcement of the Establishment of the Secretary's Council on 
Public Health Preparedness

AGENCY: Office of Public Health and Science.

ACTION: Notice of Establishment of the Secretary's Council on Public 
Health Preparedness.

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SUMMARY: The Office of the Secretary announces establishment of the 
Secretary's Council on Public Health Preparedness by the Secretary of 
Health and Human Services on October 22, 2001. The Secretary 
established this committee to respond to public health emergencies, 
which exist as a consequence of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 
2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Harold P. Thompson, (202) 690-5605.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Authority and Purpose

    Pursuant to section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
247D), the Secretary of Health and Human Services has determined that a 
public health emergency exists as a consequence of the terrorist 
attacks on September 11, 2001. The Secretary's Council on Public Health 
Preparedness, established pursuant to section 222 of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 217a), will provide advice to the Secretary 
on appropriate actions to take to respond to this public health 
emergency and similar emergencies.

Function

    The Council shall advise the Secretary regarding steps that the 
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services can take to (1) Improve 
the public health and health care infrastructure to better enable 
Federal, State, and local governments to respond to a public health 
emergency and, specifically, a bio-terrorism event; (2) ensure that 
there are comprehensive contingency plans in place at the Federal, 
State, and local levels to respond to a public health emergency and, 
specifically, a bio-terrorism event; and (3) improve public 
preparedness at the Federal, State, and local levels.

Structure

    The Council shall consist of not more than 26 members appointed by 
the Secretary. Members shall be selected from State and local public 
health agencies, other components of the public health community, 
academia, and other appropriate stakeholders. Members shall be invited 
to serve for overlapping four year terms. Terms for more than two years 
are contingent upon the renewal of the Committee by appropriate action 
prior to its termination. Unless renewed by appropriate action, the 
Council will terminate on September 30, 2003.

Compensation

    Members shall be paid at a rate of $188.00 for each day they are 
actively engaged in the performance of duties as members of the 
Council. Members also shall receive per diem and reimbursement of 
travel expenses incurred, in accordance with the Federal Travel 
Regulations, when travel becomes necessary to carry out duties in 
relation to Council membership.

    Dated: October 26, 2001.
Arthur J. Lawrence,
Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health.
[FR Doc. 01-27414 Filed 10-30-01; 4:08 pm]
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