[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 50 (Tuesday, March 16, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12553-12554]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-5671]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration


Notice of Availability of Final Policy Document

AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), HHS.

ACTION: Final agency guidance and response to public comments.

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SUMMARY: HRSA is publishing a Final Agency Guidance (``Policy 
Information Notice'' (PIN) 2010-01) to describe the documentation that 
will be considered by the Health Resources and Services Administration 
(HRSA) in confirming public agency status for organizations that self-
identify as public agencies (also referred to in previous PINs as 
``public entities'' or ``public applicants'') for Health Center Program 
grant funding authorized under section 330 of the Public Health Service 
Act, as amended, and/or for Federally Qualified Health Center Look-
Alike designation. The PIN, ``Confirming Public Agency Status under the 
Health Center Program and FQHC Look-Alike Program,'' and the Agency's 
``Response to Public Comments'' are available on the Internet at http:/
/bphc.hrsa.gov/policy/pin1001/and http://bphc.hrsa.gov/policy/pin1001/PublcCommentsPIN2010-01.pdf, respectively.

DATES: The effective date of this final Agency guidance is February 5, 
2010.
    Background: HRSA administers the Health Center Program, which 
supports more than 1,100 organizations operating more than 7,500 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 medically underserved 
communities delivering preventive and primary care services to patients 
regardless of their ability to pay. The Health Center Program's 
authorizing statute and implementing regulations (Section 330 of the 
PHS Act, as amended, 42 CFR part 51c, and 42 CFR part 56) state that 
any public or non-profit private entity is eligible to apply for a 
grant under the Health Center Program. The term ``public agency'' is 
not defined in section 330 of the PHS Act, as amended, or in the Health 
Center Program's regulations; however, reference is made to public 
agencies in section 330 of the PHS Act, as amended, in the context of 
defining a public center as ``a health center funded (or to be funded) 
through a grant under this section to a public agency.'' (Sentence 
following Section 330(k)(3)(M) of the PHS Act, as amended) HRSA is 
issuing this PIN to describe the documentation that will be considered 
by HRSA in confirming public agency status for organizations that self-
identify as public agencies (also referred to in previous PINs as 
``public entities'' or ``public applicants'') for Health Center Program 
grant funding authorized under section 330 of the Public Health Service 
Act, as amended, and/or for Federally Qualified Health Center Look-
Alike designation.
    On August 14, 2009, the Health Resources and Services 
Administration (HRSA) made the draft Program Information Notice (PIN), 
``Confirming Public Agency Status under the Health Center Program and 
FQHC Look-Alike Program,'' available for public comment. HRSA also 
published a notice in the

[[Page 12554]]

Federal Register of August 28, 2009, requesting comments on this draft 
PIN.
    Sixteen parties, including both individuals and groups, submitted a 
total of 31 comments regarding the draft PIN. 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 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 [email protected].

    Dated: March 8, 2010.
Mary K. Wakefield,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2010-5671 Filed 3-15-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-15-P