[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 2, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 15574]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-7831]


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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, 
Department of Health and Human Services.

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 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 third public hearing of the Secretary's Advisory Committee 
on Regulatory Reform will be held on Wednesday, April 17, 2002, from 
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Thursday, April 18, 2002, from 8:00 a.m. 
to 1:00 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The Secretary's Advisory Committee on Regulatory Reform will 
meet on Wednesday, April 17, 2002, in the Philadelphia Room, Ramada 
Plaza Suites and Conference Center, One Bigelow Square, Pittsburgh, 
Pennsylvania, 15219. On Thursday, April 18, 2002, the Committee will 
meet in the Pittsburgh Room, Ramada Plaza Suites and Conference Center, 
One Bigelow Square, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15219.

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: The Ramada Plaza Suites and Conference 
Center is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. 
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, April 12, 2002. Please make any 
request to Michael Starkweather by 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: March 26, 2002.
William Raub,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation.
[FR Doc. 02-7831 Filed 4-1-02; 8:45 am]
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