[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 182 (Thursday, September 20, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53780-53781]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-18562]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration


Notice of Availability of Final Policy Guidance

AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Final Agency Guidance and Response to Public Comments.

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SUMMARY: The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is 
publishing a final Agency Guidance (``Policy Information Notice'' (PIN) 
2007-16) to describe and clarify the circumstances under which Federal 
Tort Claims Act (FTCA)--deemed Health Center Program grantees are 
covered under the FTCA as they respond to emergencies. The PIN, 
``Federal Tort Claims Act Coverage for Health Center Program Grantees 
Responding to Emergencies,'' and the Agency's ``Response to Public 
Comments'' are available on the Internet at http://bphc.hrsa.gov/policy/pin0716.

DATES: The effective date of this final Agency guidance is August 22, 
2007.

Background: HRSA administers the Health Center Program, which supports 
more than 3,800 health care delivery sites, including community health 
centers, migrant health centers, health care for the homeless centers, 
and public housing primary care centers. Health centers serve clients 
that are primarily low-income and minorities, and deliver 
comprehensive, culturally competent, quality primary health care 
services to patients regardless of their ability to pay. Charges for 
health care services are set according to income.
    On March 15, 2007, HRSA made the draft PIN, ``Federal Tort Claims 
Act Coverage for Health Center Program Grantees Responding to 
Emergencies,'' available for public comment on HRSA's Web site. 
Comments were due to HRSA by May 31, 2007.
    Comments were received from 14 organizations and/or individuals. 
After review and careful consideration of all comments received, HRSA 
has amended the PIN to incorporate certain recommendations from the 
public. The final PIN reflects these changes.
    In addition to making the final PIN available on HRSA's Web site, 
HRSA is also posting the Agency's ``Response to Public Comments.'' The 
purpose of that document is to summarize the major comments received 
and describe the Agency's response, including any corresponding changes 
made to the PIN. Where comments did not result in a

[[Page 53781]]

revision to the PIN, explanations are provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions regarding this notice, 
please contact the Office of Policy and Program Development, Bureau of 
Primary Health Care, HRSA, at 301-594-4300.

    Dated: September 14, 2007.
Elizabeth M. Duke,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. E7-18562 Filed 9-19-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-15-P