[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 182 (Tuesday, September 21, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56429-56430]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-21170]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

[60Day-04-04KI]


Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and 
Recommendations

    In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on 
proposed data collection projects, the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention (CDC) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. 
To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a 
copy of the data collection plans and instruments, call 404-498-1210 or 
send comments to Sandi Gambescia, CDC Assistant Reports Clearance 
Officer, 1600 Clifton Road, MS-E11, Atlanta, GA 30333 or send an e-mail 
to [email protected].
    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, 
utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways 
to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, 
including through the use of automated collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology. Written comments should be received 
within 60 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

    2004 State Medicaid Survey--New--National Center for Chronic 
Disease Prevention and Control (NCCDPHP), Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

    The proposed 2004 State Medicaid Survey will assess State Medicaid 
Programs to determine the extent of coverage for tobacco-dependence 
treatment. Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the 
United States. One of the 2010 National Health Objectives is to 
increase insurance coverage of evidence-based treatment for nicotine 
dependence (i.e., Food and Drug Administration [FDA]-approved 
pharmacotherapies and total coverage of behavioral therapies in 
Medicaid programs) from 36 states to all 50 states and the District of 
Columbia. To increase both the use of treatment by smokers attempting 
to quit and the number of smokers who quit successfully, the Guide to 
Community Preventive Services recommends reducing the out-of-pocket 
cost of effective tobacco-dependence treatments (i.e., individual, 
group and telephone counseling and FDA-approved pharmacotherapies). The 
2000 Public Health Service (PHS) Clinical Practice Guideline supports 
expanded insurance coverage for tobacco-dependence treatment.
    In 2000, approximately 32 million low-income persons in the United 
States received their health insurance coverage through federally 
funded State Medicaid programs; approximately 11.5 million (36%) of 
these persons smoked. The amount and type of coverage for tobacco-
dependence treatment offered by Medicaid has been reported for 1998 and 
annually from 2000-2003. In 2002 and 2003, surveys were funded by the 
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). RWJF will no longer be tracking

[[Page 56430]]

this coverage; therefore, CDC proposes to fund the survey. CDC proposed 
to fund the survey from 2004-2010. The survey will allow CDC to 
continue to measure progress of State Medicaid Programs toward the 2010 
National Health Objective and document changes in the provision of 
coverage toward reaching the Healthy People 2010 goal.
    The objectives of the project are as follows:
     Conduct a study of all 50 states and the District of 
Columbia Medicaid Programs to determine coverage for tobacco dependence 
treatment (counseling and FDA-approved pharmacotherapies) and assess 
compliance with the PHS recommendations.
     Analyze and publish the data.
    Medicaid recipients have approximately 50% greater smoking 
prevalence than the overall U.S. adult population, and they are 
disproportionately affected by tobacco-related disease and disability. 
Substantial action to improve coverage will be needed if the United 
States is to achieve the 2010 National Health Objective of 12% smoking 
prevalence among adults.
    This project will provide an opportunity to assess the extent of 
coverage for tobacco-dependence treatment under Medicaid. In 2002, 36 
states provided coverage for some FDA approved medications; however, 
only 10 states provided some form of coverage for counseling and only 2 
states provided comprehensive coverage, counseling and medication. 
Fifteen states provided no coverage. This project will be conducted 
with a mailed request to State Medicaid directors to identify a 
knowledgeable person within their system to respond to the survey. The 
survey will be mailed to the identified individuals.
    Respondents will be asked to submit a written copy of their 
Medicaid coverage policies. If responses are not received, individuals 
will receive a telephone follow-up. Respondents are mailed the survey 
that they completed the previous year and asked to make revisions if 
changes have occurred. If this is being done by the person who 
completed the survey the previous year, the response burden is reduced. 
If the questions are not answered or not answered clearly, follow-up is 
required which takes additional time. All 50 states plus the District 
of Columbia have reported in the past. There is no cost to respondents 
except the time to complete the survey.

                                             Annualized Burden Table
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                                                                                      Average
                                                     Number of       Number of      burden per     Total burden
                   Respondents                      respondents    responses per   response  (in       hours
                                                                    respondent         hrs)
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State Medicaid Programs with Minimal Response...              35               1           15/60               9
State Medicaid Programs with Maximum Response...              16               1               1              16
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    Dated: September 14, 2004.
Alvin Hall,
Director, Management Analysis and Services Office, Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 04-21170 Filed 9-20-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P