[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 79 (Wednesday, April 23, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21956-21957]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-8614]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality


National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality: 
Request for Nominations for Public Members

AGENCY: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), HHS.

ACTION: Request for nominations for public members.

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SUMMARY: Section 931 of the Public Health Service Act (PHS Act), 42 
U.S.C. 299c, established a National Advisory Council for Healthcare 
Research and Quality (the Council). The Council is to advise the 
Secretary of HHS (Secretary) and the Director of the Agency for 
Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) on matters related to activities 
of the Agency to improve the quality, safety, efficiency, and 
effectiveness of health care for all Americans.
    Seven current members' terms will expire in November 2008. To fill 
these positions in accordance with the legislative mandate establishing 
the Council, we are seeking individuals who are distinguished: (1) In 
the conduct of research, demonstration projects, and evaluations with 
respect to health care; (2) in the fields of health care quality 
research or health care improvement; (3) in the practice of medicine; 
(4) in other health professions; (5) in representing the private health 
care sector (including health plans, providers, and purchasers) or 
administrators of health care delivery systems; (6) in the fields of 
health care economics, information systems, law, ethics, business, or 
public policy; and, (7) in representing the interests of patients and 
consumers of health care. Individuals are particularly sought with 
experience and success in activities specified in the summary above.

DATES: Nominations should be received on or before June 15, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Nominations should be sent to Ms. Deborah Queenan, AHRQ, 540 
Gaither Road, Room 3238, Rockville, Maryland 20850. Nominations also 
may be faxed to (301) 427-1341.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Deborah Queenan, AHRQ, at (301) 
427-1330.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 931 of the PHS Act, 42 U.S.C. 299c, 
provides that the Secretary shall appoint to the National Advisory 
Council for Healthcare Research and Quality twenty-one appropriately 
qualified individuals. At least seventeen members shall be 
representatives of the public and at least one member shall be a 
specialist in the rural aspects of one or more of the professions or 
fields listed in the above summary. In addition, the Secretary 
designates, as ex officio members, representatives from other Federal 
agencies specified in the authorizing legislation, principally agencies 
that conduct or support health care research, as well as Federal 
officials the Secretary may consider appropriate. The Council meets in 
the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, generally in Rockville, 
Maryland, approximately three times a year to provide broad guidance to 
the Secretary and AHRQ's Director on the direction of and programs 
undertaken by AHRQ.
    Seven individuals will be selected presently by the Secretary to 
serve on the Council beginning with the meeting in the spring of 2009. 
Members generally serve 3-year terms. Appointments are staggered to 
permit an orderly rotation of membership.
    Interested persons may nominate one or more qualified persons for 
membership on the Council. Self-nominations are accepted. Nominations 
shall include: (1) A copy of the nominee's resume or curriculum vitae; 
and (2) a statement that the nominee is willing to serve as a member of 
the Council. Selected candidates will be asked to provide detailed 
information concerning their financial interests, consultant positions 
and research grants

[[Page 21957]]

and contracts, to permit evaluation of possible sources of conflict of 
interest.
    The Department seeks a broad geographic representation and has 
special interest in assuring that women, minority groups, and the 
physically handicapped are adequately represented on advisory bodies, 
and therefore, particularly encourages nominations for appropriately 
qualified female, minority, and/or physically handicapped candidates.

    Dated: April 15, 2008.
Carolyn M. Clancy,
Director.
[FR Doc. E8-8614 Filed 4-22-08; 8:45 am]
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