[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 235 (Thursday, December 6, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63400-63401]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-30233]


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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 (60 
FR 56605 as amended November 6, 1995, as last amended at 66 FR 56333-
34, dated November 7, 2001).
    This notice establishes the Office for the Advancement of 
Telehealth and revises the functional statement for the Office of 
Policy and Program Development (RV3) in the HIV/AIDS Bureau (RV).
    1. Establish the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth as 
follows:

Office for the Advancement of Telehealth (RV9)

    Telehealth is the use of electronic communications and information 
technologies to provide and support health care services and training 
when distance separates the participants. The Office for the 
Advancement of Telehealth (OAT) serves as the focal point for 
coordinating and advancing the use of electronic communications and 
information (telehealth) technologies across all of HRSA's programs. 
Telehealth information can be used in a broad array of applications, 
including, but not limited to, the provision of: health care at a 
distance (telemedicine); distance-based learning to improve the 
knowledge of the agency grantees, and others; and improved information 
dissemination to both consumers and providers about the latest 
developments in health care, and other activities designed to improve 
the health status of the nation. The Office for the Advancement of 
Telehealth carries out the following functions, specifically; (1) 
provides leadership in developing and coordinating telehealth programs 
and policies; (2) provides professional assistance and support in 
developing telehealth initiatives; (3) administers grant programs to 
promulgate and evaluate the use of appropriate telehealth technologies 
among grantees and others; (4) in conjunction with HRSA's OIT assesses 
new and existing telehealth technologies and advises on strategies to 
maximize the potential of these technologies for meeting educational 
and technical assistance objectives; (5) in conjunction with OIT 
disseminates the latest information and research findings related to 
the use of telehealth technologies in the agency programs and 
underserved areas, including findings on ``best practices''; (6) works 
with other components of the Department, with other Federal and state 
agencies, and with the private sector to promote and overcome barriers 
to cost-effective telehealth programs; and (7) provides advise on 
telehealth policy.
    2. Abolish the functional statement for the Office of Policy and 
Program Development (RV3) in its entirety and replace with the 
following:

Office of Policy and Program Development (RV3)

    Serves as the Bureau's focal point for program planning and related 
coordination activities including the development and dissemination of 
program objectives, alternatives, policy statements and the formulation 
and interpretation of program related policies. Specifically: (1) 
Advises the Associate Administrator and Division Directors in the 
development of plans and proposals to support Administration goals, and 
serves as the primary staff unit on special projects for the Associate 
Administrator; (2) coordinates with the Office of Planning and 
Evaluation, HRSA, and other appropriate offices in the preparation of

[[Page 63401]]

HIV/AIDS-related program policies including the preparation of 
testimony and related information to be presented to the Congress; (3) 
monitors and analyzes HIV/AIDS-related policy developments, both within 
and outside the Department, for their potential impact on HIV/AIDS 
activities, and advises the Associate Administrator on alternative 
courses of action for responding to such developments; (4) organizes, 
guides, and coordinates the Bureau's program planning and development 
activities, and prepares the Bureau's strategic planning agenda; (5) 
provides staff services and coordinates activities pertaining to policy 
and position papers to assure the fullest possible consideration of 
programmatic requirements in meeting established departmental, and HRSA 
goals; (6) maintains liaison with the Agency, Department, and other 
agencies; (7) participates in the development and coordination of 
program policies and implementation plans, including the development, 
clearance, and dissemination of regulations, criteria, guidelines, and 
operating procedures; (8) serves as the point of contact for the 
Agency, developing and coordinating working relationships and conducts 
specific joint activities among programs to assure optimum interaction 
on related HIV/AIDS activities and to minimize duplication and overlap; 
(9) conducts special inquiries and studies with emphasis on 
coordinating, managing and/or undertaking special projects which cut 
across Office or Division lines and responsibilities; (10) coordinates 
Bureau and HRSA comments on HIV/AIDS-related reports, position papers, 
and related issues; (11) coordinates responses to requests for 
information received from other OPDIVs of the Department and from 
outside the Department; (12) provides program policy interpretation and 
technical assistance to other governmental and private organizations 
and institutions; and (13) develops and coordinates performance 
measures.
    3. In the HIV/AIDS Bureau, abolish the Office of Communications and 
Information Dissemination (RV8).

Delegation of Authority

    All delegations and redelegations of authorities to officers and 
employees of the Health Resources and Services Administration which 
were in effect immediately prior to the effective date of this action 
will be continued in effect in them or their successors, pending 
further redelegation, provided they are consistent with this action.
    This document is effective upon date of signature.

    Dated: November 30, 2001.
Elizabeth M. Duke,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 01-30233 Filed 12-5-01; 8:45 am]
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