[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 18, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 7641]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-3418]



[[Page 7641]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

[Document Identifier: CMS-10109]


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), 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 an initiative of 
the Administration and is required in order to meet the demands of new 
legislation. We cannot reasonably comply with the normal clearance 
procedures because of an unanticipated event and possible public harm.
    This Hospital Reporting Initiative will collect quality data to 
achieve the following: (1) Provide useful and valid information about 
hospital quality to the public; (2) provide hospitals a sense of 
predictability about public reporting expectations; (3) begin to 
standardize data and data collection mechanisms; and (4) foster 
hospital quality improvement. This information is an important tool for 
individuals to use in making decisions about their health care 
coverage. This effort will assist beneficiaries by providing comparison 
information for consumers who need to select a hospital. It will also 
serve as a way of encouraging accountability of hospitals for the care 
they provide. This will allow consumers to make ``apples to apples'' 
comparisons among hospitals, allow hospitals and hospital chains to 
self-compare, and provide state oversight officials with valuable data. 
The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 
2003 provides monetary incentives for hospitals to submit specific 
quality data. Due to the timeframe imposed by the recent legislation, 
CMS is requesting emergency review in order to meet the deadlines 
established by the legislation.
    CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by May 
1, 2004, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and 
recommendation will be accepted from the public if received by the 
individuals designated below by March 18, 2004.
    Type of Information Collection Request: New collection; Title of 
Information Collection: Hospital Reporting Initiative--Hospital Quality 
Measures; Use: There is a growing consensus among a broad array of 
federal, state, business, industry, union, employer, and consumer 
stakeholders around the importance of public reporting of hospital 
quality measures, including those that measure clinical outcomes and 
the patient's perception of care. Over time, public reporting will give 
consumers needed information about the health care system that may help 
them make more informed decisions about their care. Valid, reliable, 
comparable and salient quality measures have been shown to provide a 
potent stimulus for clinicians and providers to improve the quality of 
the care they provide. This reporting initiative is a significant step 
toward a more informed public and sustained health care quality 
improvement for Medicare beneficiaries; Form Number: CMS-10109 
(OMB: 0938-NEW); Frequency: Annually; Affected Public: 
Business or other for-profit; Number of Respondents: 4,600; Total 
Annual Responses: 4,600; Total Annual Hours: 239,200.
    To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms 
for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access CMS's 
Web site address at http://cms.hhs.gov/regulations/pra/default.asp, or 
E-mail 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 March 18, 2004:

CMS, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Division of 
Regulations Development and Issuances, Attention: Dawn Willinghan, CMS-
10109, Room C5-14-03, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 
21244-1850
 and,
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget, Room 10235, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 
20503, Attn.: Brenda Aguilar, Desk Officer, Fax  202-395-6974.

    Dated: February 9, 2004.
Dawn Willinghan,
Acting Paperwork Reduction Act Team Leader, Office of Strategic 
Operations and Strategic Affairs, Division of Regulations Development 
and Issuances.
[FR Doc. 04-3418 Filed 2-17-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P