[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 136 (Friday, July 17, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34767-34768]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-16959]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration


Section 330A(e) of the Public Health Service Act, as Amended (42 
U.S.C. 254c(e)) and Section 317(k)(2) of the Public Health Service Act, 
as Amended (42 U.S.C. 247b(k)(2))

AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration, HHS.

ACTION: Notice of Single Source Grant Award to Lincoln County Health 
Department in Libby, MT.

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SUMMARY: The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is 
issuing a new single source award through the Rural Health Care 
Services Outreach Grant Program and the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention's (CDC) screening grant program authority to Lincoln County 
Health Department (LCHD) in Libby, Montana. A serious public health 
problem has been identified in Lincoln County, Montana, as residents in 
this rural community have been adversely affected by the asbestos 
released from a vermiculite mine. The asbestos-related diseases in 
which Lincoln County residents have been diagnosed include asbestosis, 
lung cancer, mesothelioma, and others. The purpose of this 
demonstration grant would be to provide care management for Lincoln 
County residents with asbestos-related diseases. The grant will provide 
funds to support the coordination and payment of care for asbestos-
related diseases among such entities as hospitals, clinics, specialty 
care providers, and others involved in the care and treatment of this 
service population.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Intended Recipient of the Award: Lincoln County Health Department 
in Libby, Montana.
    Amount of the Award FY 2009: It is anticipated that up to 
$6,000,000 will be available from all sources for a 2-year project 
period from August 1, 2009--July 31, 2011. Of the $6,000,000, 
$2,000,000 will be available from CDC to support this effort. The 
remaining $4,000,000 will be awarded by HRSA's Office of Rural Health 
Policy's Rural Health Care Services Outreach Program, of which 
$2,000,000 will be provided the first year and an additional $2,000,000 
will be provided the second year. Funding beyond the first year, 
however, is dependent on the availability of appropriated funds, 
grantee satisfactory performance, and a decision that continued funding 
is in the best interest of the Federal Government.
    Project Period: The project period for this grant is August 1, 
2009, through July 31, 2011.
    Authority: This activity is funded under the authority of HRSA's 
Rural Health Care Services Outreach Program, statutory authority 
Section 330A(e) of the Public Health Service Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 
254c(e)); and the CDC's statutory authority Section 317(k)(2) of the 
Public Health Service Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 247b(k)(2)). The 
authority for the single source award is HHS Grants Policy Directive 
2.04, Awarding Grants.
    Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Number: HRSA's Rural 
Health Care Services Outreach Grant: 93.912. CDC Screening Program: 
93.161.
    Justification for Single Source Awards: Because of the serious 
public health problem in Lincoln County, Montana, and the prevalence of

[[Page 34768]]

asbestos-related diseases among the residents, their health is at risk 
of being severely impaired by lack of essential screening and related 
medical treatment. Due to the urgency of the situation, HRSA cannot run 
a full or limited competition since this process would take 
approximately 290 days.
    LCHD has been identified as uniquely qualified for undertaking this 
activity. LCHD has the requisite administrative and medical 
infrastructure as well as prior experience with screening and 
coordinating treatment with other local health care providers. In 
addition, tracking of disease incidents is a necessary component of the 
award activity and LCHD has previously worked with the Montana 
Department of Public Health and Human Services in developing and 
maintaining their asbestos-related disease registry. LCHD is in a 
unique position to immediately undertake and coordinate the award 
activities necessary to address this urgent public health problem and 
in a manner minimizing adverse health outcomes that might otherwise 
result from an extended delay in providing such services.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tom Morris, Associate Administrator, 
Office of Rural Health Policy, Health Resources and Services 
Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857; phone 301-443-
0835; [email protected].

    Dated: July 10, 2009.
Mary K. Wakefield,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. E9-16959 Filed 7-16-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-15-P