[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 104 (Friday, May 30, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32527-32528]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-13609]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-3116-N]


Medicare Program; Request for Nominations for Members for the 
Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice requests nominations for consideration for 
membership on the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee.

DATES: Nominations will be considered if received at the designated 
address, as provided below, no later than 5 p.m. on June 30, 2003.

ADDRESSES: You may mail nominations for membership to the following 
address: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Office of Clinical 
Standards and Quality, Attention: Michelle Atkinson, 7500 Security 
Blvd., Mail Stop: Central Building 1-09-06, Baltimore, MD 21244.
    A copy of the Secretary's Charter for the Medicare Coverage 
Advisory Committee (MCAC) can be obtained from Maria Ellis, Office of 
Clinical Standards and Quality, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 
Services, 7500 Security Blvd., Mail Stop: Central Building 1-09-06, 
Baltimore, MD 21244, or by e-mail to [email protected]. The charter is 
also posted on the Web at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcac/default.asp.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Atkinson, Centers for 
Medicare & Medicaid Services, Office of Clinical Standards and Quality, 
7500 Security Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21244, 410-786-2881.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On December 14, 1998, we published a notice in the Federal Register 
(63 FR 68780) announcing establishment of the Medicare Coverage 
Advisory Committee (MCAC). The Secretary signed the initial charter for 
the MCAC on November 24, 1998. The charter has been renewed by the 
Secretary and will terminate on November 24, 2004, unless renewed again 
by the Secretary.
    The Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee is governed by provisions 
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, as amended (5 
U.S.C. App. 2), which sets forth standards for the formulation and use 
of advisory committees, and authorized by section 222 of the Public 
Health Service Act as amended (42 U.S.C. 217A).
    The MCAC consists of a pool of 100 appointed members. Members are 
selected from among authorities in clinical medicine of all 
specialties, administrative medicine, public health, epidemiology and 
biostatistics, methodology of trial design, biologic and physical 
sciences, health care data and information management and analysis, the 
economics of health care, medical ethics, and other related 
professions. A maximum of 88 members are standard voting members, 12 
are nonvoting members, 6 of which are representatives of consumer 
interests, and 6 of which are representatives of industry interests.
    The MCAC functions on a committee basis. The committee reviews and 
evaluates medical literature, reviews technology assessments, and 
examines data and information on the effectiveness and appropriateness 
of medical items and services that are covered or eligible for coverage 
under Medicare. The Committee works from an agenda provided by the 
Designed Federal Official that lists specific issues, and develops 
technical advice to assist us in determining reasonable and necessary 
applications of medical services and technology when we make national 
coverage decisions for Medicare.
    A few vacancies exist on the current MCAC roster, and terms for 
some members currently serving will expire in 2003. Accordingly, we are 
requesting nominations for both voting and nonvoting members to serve 
on the MCAC. Nominees are selected based upon their individual 
qualifications and not as representatives of professional associations 
or societies. We have a special interest in ensuring that women, 
minority groups, and physically challenged individuals are adequately 
represented on the MCAC. Therefore, we encourage nominations of 
qualified candidates from these groups.
    All nominations must be accompanied by a curricula vitae. 
Nomination packages should be sent to Michelle Atkinson at the address 
above.

Criteria for Members

    Nominees must have expertise and experience in one or more of the 
following fields: clinical medicine of all specialties, administrative 
medicine, public health, epidemiology and biostatistics, methodology of 
trial design, biologic and physical sciences, health care data and 
information management and analysis, the economics of health care, 
medical ethics, and other related professions.
    We are also seeking nominations for nonvoting consumer and industry 
representatives. Nominees for these positions must possess appropriate 
qualifications to understand and contribute to the MCAC's work.
    Nominations must state that the nominee is willing to serve as a 
member of the MCAC and appears to have no conflict of interest that 
would preclude membership. It would be very helpful if all curricula 
vitae included the following: date of birth, place of birth, social 
security number, title and current position, professional affiliation, 
home and business address, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail address, 
and list of expertise. In the nominations letter specify whether 
applying for voting member, industry representative, or consumer 
representative. Potential candidates will be asked to provide detailed 
information concerning such matters as financial holdings, 
consultancies, and research grants or contracts in order to permit 
evaluation of possible sources of conflict of interest.
    Members are invited to serve for overlapping 4-year terms; terms of 
more than 2 years are contingent upon the renewal of the MCAC by 
appropriate action before its termination on November 24, 2004. A 
member may serve after the expiration of the member's term until a 
successor has taken office. Any interested person may nominate one or 
more qualified persons. Self-nominations are also accepted.

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. App. 2, section 10(a)(1) and (a)(2).

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.774, Medicare-
Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)


[[Page 32528]]


    Dated: May 23, 2003.
Thomas A. Scully,
Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 03-13609 Filed 5-29-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P