[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 244 (Thursday, December 19, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77791-77792]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-31923]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10078]


Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements 
Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, HHS.
    In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 
Services (CMS) (formerly known as the Health Care Financing 
Administration (HCFA)), Department of Health and Human Services, is 
publishing the following summary of proposed collections for public 
comment. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding this 
burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, 
including any of the following subjects: (1) The necessity and utility 
of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of 
the agency's functions; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burden; (3) 
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and (4) the use of automated collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology to minimize the information 
collection burden.
    We are, however, requesting an emergency review of the information 
collection referenced below. In compliance with the requirement of 
section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we have 
submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the following 
requirements for emergency review. We are requesting an emergency 
review because the collection of this information is needed before the 
expiration of the normal time limits under OMB's regulations at 5 CFR 
part 1320. This is necessary to ensure compliance with the Trade Act of 
2002. We cannot reasonably comply with the normal clearance procedures 
because of an unanticipated event and public harm.
    President Bush signed into law on August 6, 2002, the Trade Act of 
2002. Additionally, the law provided funding of $20 million in Fiscal 
Year (FY) 2003 for seed grants to states to create high risk insurance 
pools and $80 million ($40 million in FY 2003 and $40 million in FY 
2004) for matching grants to states for the operation of existing high 
risk pools. The provision in the legislation about high risk pools was 
unanticipated. (High risk pools are a mechanism for states to provide 
health coverage to individuals who cannot obtain health insurance in 
the private market because of a history of illnesses.)
    In addition, public harm will result if funding to the states is 
delayed in any manner. The purpose of the grant program is to provide 
money to the states to expand the coverage in the high risk pools to 
make it available to more individuals. Any delay in the funding, 
therefore, would result in a delay in individuals obtaining health care 
for their illnesses. Because of this, the Bush Administration has 
instructed that this program to be enacted as quickly as possible.
    CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by 
January 3, 2003, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and 
recommendations will be accepted from the public if received by the 
individuals designated below by January 2, 2003. During this 180-day 
period, we will publish a separate Federal Register notice announcing 
the initiation of an extensive 60-day agency review and public comment 
period on these requirements. We will submit the requirements for OMB 
review and an extension of this emergency approval.
    Type of Information Collection Request: New collection; Title of 
Information Collection: Matching Grants to States for the Operation of 
High Risk Pools; Form No.: CMS-10078 (OMB 0938-XXXX); Use: 
HHS/CMS is requiring this information as a condition of eligibility for 
grants that were authorized in the Trade Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-210). 
The information is necessary to determine if a state applicant meets 
the necessary eligibility criteria for a grant as required by the law. 
The respondents will be states that have a high risk pool as defined in 
section 2744(c)(2) of the Public Health Service Act. The grants will 
provide matching funds to states that incur losses in the operation of 
high risk pools. High risk pools are set up by states to provide heatlh 
insurance to individuals that cannot obtain health insurance in the 
private market because of a history of illness; Frequency: On occasion; 
Affected Public: State, local, or tribal government; Number of 
Respondents: 20; Total Annual Responses: 20; Total Annual Hours: 800.
    We have submitted a copy of this notice to OMB for its review of 
these information collections. A notice will be published in the 
Federal Register when approval is obtained.
    To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms 
for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access CMS' 
Web Site address at http://cms.hhs.gov/regulations/pra/default.asp or 
E-mail

[[Page 77792]]

your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number, and CMS 
document identifier, to [email protected], or call the Reports 
Clearance Office on (410) 786-1326.
    Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the 
burden or any other aspect of these collections of information 
requirements. However, as noted above, comments on these information 
collection and recordkeeping requirements must be mailed and/or faxed 
to the designees referenced below, by December 30, 2002.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Office of Strategic 
Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Division of Regulations Development 
and Issuances, Room C5-16-03, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 
21244-1850. Fax Number: (410) 786-3064. Attn: Julie Brown.

 and,
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget, Room 10235, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 
20503, Fax Number: (202) 395-6974 or (202) 395-5167. Attn: Brenda 
Aguilar, CMS Desk Officer.

    Dated: December 10, 2002.
John P. Burke, III,
CMS Reports Clearance Officer, CMS, Office of Information Services, 
Security and Standards Group, Division of CMS Enterprise Standards.
[FR Doc. 02-31923 Filed 12-18-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P