[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 166 (Tuesday, August 27, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55016-55017]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-21726]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Meeting by Teleconference 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 teleconference.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces a teleconference meeting open to the 
public to be held 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 will advise and 
make recommendations for changes that

[[Page 55017]]

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 and 
advise on 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. The teleconference agenda will allow some time for public 
comment. Additional information on the agenda and meeting materials 
will be posted on the Committee's Web site prior to the telemeeting 
(http://www.regreform.hhs.gov).

DATES: The teleconference will be held on Monday, September 9, 2002, 
from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm Eastern Daylight Time.
    Telephone Number: Members of the public who wish to attend via 
telephone should dial (877) 381-6315 and provide conference ID 5382888. 
TTY for the hearing impaired can be accessed by dialing 711. Attendance 
on the call may be limited by the number of telephone lines available. 
To ensure that we can accommodate members of the public, individuals 
are encouraged, but not required, to notify HHS staff in advance of the 
meeting if they are planning to attend via telephone by sending an e-
mail to [email protected] or fax to (202) 401-5159 with the 
following information: Name, organization, phone number, fax number, 
and e-mail address. Individuals who wish to provide public comment 
during the teleconference will be provided instructions when they call.

ADDRESSES: Members of the public are also invited to the following 
location to attend the teleconference: Room 800, Hubert H. Humphrey 
Building, 200 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20201. To comply 
with security requirements, individuals who do not possess a valid 
Federal identification must present a picture identification, e.g., 
driver's license or passport upon entry to the Humphrey Building.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Margaret P. Sparr, 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 teleconference 
by coming to the Hubert H. Humphrey Building and who requires special 
disability-related arrangements such as sign-language intepretation 
should provide notice of their need by Tuesday, September 3, 2002. 
Please make any request to Ms. Vineeta Jain--phone: (202) 401-5182; 
fax: (202) 401-5159; e-mail: [email protected].
    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 established 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: August 21, 2002.
Margaret P. Sparr,
Executive Coordinator, Secretary's Advisory Committee on Regulatory 
Reform.
[FR Doc. 02-21726 Filed 8-26-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4151-05-P