[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 230 (Wednesday, December 1, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69992-69993]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-26465]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0621]


Proposed Information Collection Activity: Proposed Collection; 
Comment Request

AGENCY: Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is announcing an 
opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain 
information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 
1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal 
Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including 
each proposed extension of a currently approved collection, and allow 
60 days for public comment in response to the notice. This notice 
solicits comments on information needed to consider if a medical 
malpractice payment is related to substandard care, professional 
incompetence or professional misconduct on the part of a physician, 
dentist, or other health care practitioner.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before January 31, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to 
Ann Bickoff, Veterans Health Administration (193E1), Department of 
Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20420 or e-
mail [email protected]. Please refer to ``OMB Control No. 2900-
0621'' in any correspondence.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ann Bickoff at (202) 273-8310.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13; 44 
U.S.C. 3501-3521), Federal agencies must obtain approval from the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of 
information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being 
made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.
    With respect to the following collection of information, VHA 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of VHA's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of VHA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on respondents, including through the use 
of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of 
information technology.
    Title: National Practitioner Data Bank Regulations.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0621.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: The National Practitioner Data Bank was established for 
the purpose of collecting and releasing

[[Page 69993]]

certain information concerning physicians, dentists, and other licensed 
health care practitioners. VA will obtain information from the National 
Practitioner Data Bank concerning physicians, dentists, and other 
licensed health care practitioners who provide or seek to provide 
health care services at VA facilities and report information regarding 
malpractice payments and adverse clinical privileges action to the 
National Practitioner Data Bank.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: 1,750 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 5 hours.
    Frequency of Response: One time.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 350.

    Dated: November 22, 2004.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Loise Russell,
Director, Records Management Service.
[FR Doc. 04-26465 Filed 11-30-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 8320-01-P