[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 41 (Friday, March 1, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 9454]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-4916]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Meeting of the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Regulatory 
Reform

AGENCY: Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, 
HHS.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of a public hearing by the Department 
of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary's Advisory Committee on 
Regulatory Reform. As governed by the Federal Advisory Committee Act in 
accordance with Section 10(a)(2), the Secretary's Advisory Committee on 
Regulatory Reform is seeking guidance for the Department's efforts to 
streamline regulatory requirements. The Advisory Committee will advise 
and make recommendations for changes that would be beneficial in four 
broad areas: health care delivery, health systems operations, 
biomedical and health research, and the development of pharmaceuticals 
and other products. The Committee will review changes identified 
through regional public hearings, written comments from the public, and 
consultation with HHS staff.
    All meetings and hearings of the Committee are open to the general 
public. During each meeting, invited witnesses will address how 
regulations affect health-related issues. Meeting agendas will also 
allow some time for public comment. Additional information on each 
meeting's agenda and list of participating witnesses will be posted on 
the Committee's Web site prior to the meetings, http://www.regreform.hhs.gov.

DATES: The second public hearing of the Secretary's Advisory Committee 
on Regulatory Reform will be held on Wednesday, March 20, 2002, from 8 
a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Thursday, March 21, 2002, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The hearing will be held in Phoenix, AZ. Information about 
the exact location will be posted at the Web site address listed above 
and published in the Federal Register when the location has been 
confirmed.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Christy Schmidt, Executive 
Coordinator, Secretary's Advisory Committee on Regulatory Reform, 
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, 200 
Independence Avenue, SW., Room 344G, Washington, DC, 20201, (202) 401-
5182.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Anyone planning to attend the meeting who 
requires special disability-related arrangements such as sign-language 
interpretation should provide notice of their need by Friday, March 
15th. Please make any request to Michael Starkweather--phone: 301-628-
3141; fax: 301-628-3101; e-mail: 3.com">mstarkweather@s-3.com.
    On June 8, 2001, HHS Secretary Thompson announced a Department-wide 
initiative to reduce regulatory burdens in health care, to improve 
patient care, and to respond to the concerns of health care providers 
and industry, State and local Governments, and individual Americans who 
are affected by HHS rules. Common sense approaches and careful 
balancing of needs can help improve patient care. As part of this 
initiative, the Department is establishing the Secretary's Advisory 
Committee on Regulatory Reform to provide findings and recommendations 
regarding potential regulatory changes. These changes would enable HHS 
programs to reduce burdens and costs associated with departmental 
regulations and paperwork, while at the same time maintaining or 
enhancing the effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and access of HHS 
programs.

    Dated: February 25, 2002.
William Raub,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation.
[FR Doc. 02-4916 Filed 2-28-02; 8:45 am]
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