[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 184 (Friday, September 23, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 55859]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-19066]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Administration on Aging


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for OMB 
Review; Comment Request; State Annual Long-Term Care Ombudsman Report 
and Instructions

AGENCY: Administration on Aging, HHS.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Administration on Aging (AoA) is announcing that the 
proposed collection of information listed below has been submitted to 
the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Submit written comments on the collection of information by 
October 24, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information by 
fax 202.395.6974 or by mail to the Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs, OMB, New Executive Office Bldg., 725 17th St. NW., rm. 10235, 
Washington, DC 20503, Attn: Brenda Aguilar, Desk Officer for AoA.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sue Wheaton, telephone: (202) 357-
3587; e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In compliance with 44 U.S.C. 3507, AoA has 
submitted the following proposed collection of information to OMB for 
review and clearance.
    To comply with this requirement, AoA is publishing notice of the 
proposed collection of information set forth in this document. With 
respect to the following collection of information, AoA invites 
comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of AoA's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of AoA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions 
used; (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 when appropriate, and other forms of 
information technology.
    The reporting system, the National Ombudsman Reporting System 
(NORS), was developed in response to the needs and directives 
pertaining to the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program and approved by the 
Office of Management and Budget for use in FY 1995-96 and extended with 
slight modifications for use in FY 1997-2001 and again for FY 2002-
2006.
    This request is to continue the use of the existing information 
collection, State Annual Long-Term Care Ombudsman Report (and 
Instructions), from state ombudsmen programs under Older Americans Act 
Titles III and VII. The information also serves as input for work with 
the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and others on major 
long-term care issues, planning, training, technical assistance for 
ombudsmen programs and policy development. We are finalizing our work 
with the states and local ombudsmen on recommendations which revise and 
update the form and instructions for use beginning in FY 2007; they are 
to be available for public comment in the near future.
    The reporting form would retain the following elements: a profile 
of the cases, complainants and complaints by type of facility; action 
taken on the complaints; a summary of long-term care issues; a detailed 
profile of the program and its activities, including the number and 
type of facilities licensed and operating in the state (and the number 
beds this represents); the staffing and funding of local programs; and 
an overview of other ombudsman activities (including: training, 
technical assistance, consultation to organizations and individuals, 
resident visitation, community education, etc.)
    AoA estimates the burden of this collection of information as 
follows: Approximately 10 minutes per case, per respondent, for a total 
annual hour burden of 10,258 hours, with 52 State Agencies on Aging 
responding annually.

    Dated: September 20, 2005.
Josefina G. Carbonell,
Assistant Secretary for Aging.
[FR Doc. 05-19066 Filed 9-22-05; 8:45 am]
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