[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 186 (Thursday, September 25, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55430-55431]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-24213]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) 
Commission; Notice of Meeting

    The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) gives notice under Public 
Law 92-463 (Federal Advisory Committee Act) that the Capital Asset 
Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) Commission will hold a 
meeting on Tuesday, October 7, 2003, in Room 418 of the Russell Senate 
Office Building, Washington, DC 20510. The meeting will begin at 8:30 
a.m. and end at 5 p.m. The meeting is open to the public.
    The purpose of the Commission is to conduct an external assessment 
of VA's capital asset needs and to assure that stakeholder and 
beneficiary concerns are fully addressed. The Commission is reviewing 
recommendations in VA Under Secretary for Health's Draft National CARES 
Plan. The Commission will also consider recommendations submitted by 
veterans service organizations, individual veterans, Congress, medical 
school affiliates, VA employees, local government entities, community 
groups and others. Following its assessment, the Commission will make 
specific recommendations to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs regarding 
the realignment and allocation of capital assets necessary to meet the 
demands for and enhance veterans health care services over the next 20 
years.
    The October 7, 2003, meeting will be the first national meeting of 
the Commission since the Draft National CARES Plan was issued where 
parties from outside VA will address the Commission. As a final step in 
the Commission's information gathering process, national leaders are 
being asked to provide a national perspective on the CARES process and 
the Draft National CARES Plan to the entire Commission. Leadership from 
both the Senate and House of Representatives Veterans Affairs 
Committees and the

[[Page 55431]]

Appropriations Subcommittees on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies may 
appear. Leadership from veterans service organizations, the Department 
of Defense, national VA employee organizations and national medical and 
nursing affiliate organizations will also be invited to make 
presentations to the Commission.
    No time will be allocated at this meeting for receiving oral 
presentations from the public. However, interested persons may either 
attend or file statements with the Commission., Written statements may 
be filed either before the meeting or within 10 days after the meeting 
and addressed to: CARES Commission (OOCARES), Department of Veterans 
Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420. Additionally, 
comments may be submitted on the Web site at http://[email protected], or via facsimile at (202) 501-2196. Any 
member of the public wishing additional information should contact Mr. 
Richard E. Larson, Executive Director, CARES Commission, at (202) 501-
2000.

    Dated: September 15, 2003.

    By Direction of the Secretary.
E. Philip Riggin,
Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-24213 Filed 9-24-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-M