[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 140 (Friday, July 22, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42327-42328]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-14150]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

[CMS-3158-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 (MCAC).

DATES: Nominations will be considered if received at the designated 
address, as provided in the ADDRESSES section of this notice, no later 
than 5 p.m. on August 25, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Mail nominations for membership to the following address: 
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Office of Clinical Standards 
and Quality, Attention: Kimberly Long, 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 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/8b1-1.asp.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kimberly Long, 410-786-5702.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. 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 Medicare 
Coverage Advisory Committee Charter on November 24, 1998. The charter 
was renewed by the Secretary and will terminate on November 24, 2006, 
unless renewed again by the Secretary.
    The Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee is governed by provisions 
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463), as amended (5 
U.S.C. App. 2), which sets forth standards for the formulation and use 
of advisory committees, and is 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, biologic and 
physical sciences, health care data and information management and 
analysis, patient advocacy, the economics of health care, medical 
ethics, and other related professions (for example, epidemiology and 
biostatistics), and methodology of trial design. A maximum of 88 
members are standard voting members, and 12 are nonvoting members (6 of 
whom are representatives of consumer interests, and 6 of whom 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 are eligible for 
coverage under Medicare. The Committee works from an agenda provided by 
the Designated 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 making national 
coverage decisions for Medicare.
    As of November 2005, there will be 15 terms of membership expiring, 
one of which is a non-voting industry representative. 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

[[Page 42328]]

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 curricula vitae. Nomination 
packages must be sent to Kimberly Long at the address listed in the 
Addresses section.

II. Criteria for Committee Members

    Nominees for voting membership must have expertise and experience 
in one or more of the following fields: Clinical medicine of all 
specialties, administrative medicine, public health, patient advocacy, 
biologic and physical sciences, health care data and information 
management and analysis, the economics of health care, medical ethics, 
and other related professions (for example, epidemiology and 
biostatistics), and methodology of trial design.
    We are also seeking nominations for one nonvoting industry 
representative. Nominees for this position must possess appropriate 
qualifications to understand and contribute to the MCAC's work.
    The nomination letter must include a statement 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. We are requesting 
that all curricula vitae include 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 a list of areas of expertise. In the nominations 
letter, we are requesting that the nominee specify whether applying for 
a voting membership position or the industry representative nonvoting 
position. Potential candidates will be asked to provide detailed 
information concerning 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 2-year terms. A member 
can serve after the expiration of the member's term until a successor 
takes 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)

    Dated: June 16, 2005.
Barry M. Straube,
Acting Chief Medical Officer, Acting Director, Office of Clinical 
Standards and Quality, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 05-14150 Filed 7-21-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P