[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 124 (Thursday, June 27, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38720-38723]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-15420]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration


Statement of Organization, Functions and Delegations of Authority

    This notice amends Part R of the Statement of Organization, 
Functions and Delegations of Authority of the Department of Health and 
Human Services (HHS), Health Resources and Services Administration 
(HRSA) (60 FR 56605, as amended November 6, 1995; as last amended at 78 
FR 32404-32405 dated May 30, 2013).
    This notice reflects organizational changes in the Health Resources 
and Services Administration (HRSA). Specifically, this notice abolishes 
the Office of Special Health Affairs (OSHA) (RA1) and transfers 
functions to other areas throughout HRSA. (1) The Office of Health 
Equity (RAB) function will transfer from OSHA to the Office of the 
Administrator (RA); (2) the Office of Global Health Affairs (RPJ) 
function will transfer from OSHA to the Bureau of Health Professions 
(RP); (3) the Office of Strategic Priorities will be abolished, the 
oral and behavioral health function will transfer to the Bureau of 
Health Professions (RP); (4) the Office of Emergency Preparedness and 
Continuity of Operations function will transfer to the Office of 
Information Technology (RB5); (5) the Office of Health Information 
Technology and Quality will be abolished and functions will transfer to 
(a) the Healthcare Systems Bureau (RR); (b) the Office of Rural Health 
Policy (RH); and (c) the Office of Planning, Analysis and Evaluation 
(RA5); (6) establishes the Office of Performance and Quality 
Measurement (RA58) within the Office of Planning, Analysis and 
Evaluation (RA5). HRSA will benefit from the improvements and 
efficiencies gained through this reorganization.

Chapter RA--Office of the Administrator

Section RA-10, Organization

    Delete in its entirety and replace with the following:
    The Office of the Administrator (RA) is headed by the 
Administrator, Health Resources and Services Administration, who 
reports directly to the Secretary. The Office of the Administrator 
includes the following components:
    (1) Immediate Office of the Administrator (RA);
    (2) Office of Equal Opportunity, Civil Rights, and Diversity 
Management (RA2);
    (3) Office of Planning, Analysis and Evaluation (RA5);
    (4) Office of Communications (RA6);
    (5) Office of Legislation (RAE);
    (6) Office of Women's Health (RAW); and
    (7) Office of Health Equity (RAB).

Section RA-20, Functions

    Delete the functional statement for the Office of Special Health 
Affairs (RA1). Establish the functional statement for the Office of 
Health Equity (RAB) within the Office of the Administrator (RA).

Office of Health Equity (RAB)

    Serves as the principal advisor and coordinator to the Agency for 
the special needs of minority and disadvantaged populations, including: 
(1) Providing leadership and direction to address HHS and HRSA 
Strategic Plan goals and objectives related to improving minority 
health and eliminating health disparities; (2) establishing and 
managing an Agency-wide data collection system for minority health 
activities and initiatives including the White House Initiatives for 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Educational Excellence 
for Hispanic Americans, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Asian 
Americans and Pacific Islanders, and departmental initiatives; (3) 
implementing activities to increase the availability of data to monitor 
the impact of Agency programs in improving minority health and 
eliminating health disparities; (4) participating in the formulation of 
HRSA's goals, policies, legislative proposals, priorities, and 
strategies as they affect health professional organizations and 
institutions of higher education and others involved in or concerned 
with the delivery of culturally-appropriate, quality health services to 
minorities and disadvantaged populations; (5) consulting with federal 
agencies and other public and private sector agencies and organizations 
to collaborate in addressing health equity, including enhancing 
cultural competence in health service providers; (6) establishing 
short-term and long-range objectives; and (7) participating in the 
focus of activities and objectives in assuring equity in access to 
resources and health careers for minorities and the disadvantaged.

Chapter RP--Bureau of Health Professions

Section RP-10, Organization

    Delete in its entirety and replace with the following:
    The Bureau of Health Professions is (RP) is headed by the Associate 
Administrator, Bureau of Health Professions, who reports directly to 
the Administrator, Health Resources and Services Administration (RA). 
The Bureau of Health Professions includes the following components:
    (1) Office of the Associate Administrator (RP);
    (2) Office of Administrative Management Services (RP1);
    (3) Office of Global Health Affairs (RPJ);
    (4) Office of Policy Coordination (RP3);
    (5) Office of Performance Measurement (RP4);
    (6) Division of Public Health and Interdisciplinary Education 
(RPF);
    (7) Division of Medicine and Dentistry (RPC);
    (8) Division of Nursing (RPB);
    (9) Division of Practitioner Data Banks (RPG);
    (10) Division of Student Loans and Scholarships (RPD); and
    (11) National Center for Health Workforce (RPW).

Section RP-20, Functions

    Delete and replace the functional statement for (1) the Bureau of 
Health Professions (RP); (2) the Office of the Associate Administrator; 
(3) the Division of Public Health and Interdisciplinary Education; (4) 
the Division of Medicine and Dentistry; and (5) establish the 
functional statement for the Office of Global Health Affairs (RPJ).

Bureau of Health Professions (RP)

    The Bureau of Health Professions' programs are designed to improve 
the health of the nation's underserved communities and vulnerable 
populations by assuring a diverse, culturally competent workforce that 
is ready to provide access to quality health care services. Bureau of 
Health Professions' program components

[[Page 38721]]

provide workforce studies, including research analysis of alternative 
methodologies for areas of need, training grants for health 
professions, financial support to students, information to protect the 
public from unsafe health care practitioners, support for graduate 
medical education at the nation's freestanding children's hospitals and 
teaching health centers, and coordinate global health activities. The 
Health Professions Training Program awards grants to health profession 
schools and training programs in every state. Grantees use the funds to 
develop, expand, and enhance their efforts to train the workforce 
America needs.

Office of the Associate Administrator (RP)

    The Office of the Associate Administrator provides overall 
leadership, direction, coordination, and planning in support of the 
Bureau of Health Professions' programs to ensure alignment and support 
of the Agency mission and strategic objectives. Specifically, the 
Office of the Associate Administrator: (1) Directs and provides policy 
guidance for workforce recruitment, student assistance, training, and 
placement of health professionals to serve in underserved areas; (2) 
establishes program goals and priorities, and provides oversight of 
program quality and integrity in execution; (3) maintains effective 
relationships within HRSA and with other federal and nonfederal 
agencies, state and local governments, and other public and private 
organizations concerned with health workforce development and improving 
access to health care for the nation's underserved; (4) plans, directs, 
and coordinates bureau-wide management and administrative activities; 
(5) leads and guides bureau programs in recruiting and retaining a 
diverse workforce; and (6) coordinates, reviews, and provides clearance 
of correspondence and official documents entering and leaving the 
bureau.

Office of Global Health Affairs (RPJ)

    Serves as the principal advisor to the Agency on global health 
issues. Specifically: (1) Provides leadership, coordination, and 
advancement of global health activities relating to health care 
services for vulnerable and at-risk populations and for training 
programs for HRSA programs; (2) provides support for the Agency's 
International Visitors Program; and (3) provides leadership within HRSA 
for the support of global health and coordinates policy development 
with the HHS Office of Global Health Affairs and other departmental 
agencies.

Division of Public Health and Interdisciplinary Education (RPF)

    The Division of Public Health and Interdisciplinary Education 
serves as the bureau's lead for increasing the public health and 
behavioral health workforce, promoting interdisciplinary health 
professions issues and programs, including geriatric training, and 
increasing the diversity of the health professions workforce. 
Specifically: (1) Provides grants and technical assistance to expand 
and enhance training critical to the current and future public health 
workforce, supports academic-community partnerships, expands and 
improves the quality of health professions interdisciplinary and inter-
professional education, expands health career opportunities for diverse 
and disadvantaged populations and supports and guides the career 
development in geriatric specialties; (2) evaluates programmatic data 
and promotes the dissemination and application of findings arising from 
supported programs; (3) collaborates within the bureau to conduct, 
support, or obtain analytical studies to determine the present and 
future supply requirements of the healthcare workforce in the areas 
addressed by the Division of Public Health and Interdisciplinary 
Education's programs; (4) provides leadership and staff support for the 
Advisory Committee on Interdisciplinary, Community-Based Linkages; and 
(5) represents the bureau, Agency, and federal government, as 
designated, on national committees, and maintains effective 
relationships within HRSA and with other federal and non-federal 
agencies, state and local governmental agencies, and other public and 
private organizations concerned with public health and behavioral 
health workforce development, and improving access to health care for 
the nation's underserved.

Division of Medicine and Dentistry (RPC)

    The Division of Medicine and Dentistry serves as the bureau's lead 
in support and evaluation of medical and dental personnel development 
and utilization including (a) primary care physicians, (b) dentists, 
(c) dental hygienists, and (d) physician assistants to provide health 
care in underserved areas. Specifically: (1) Administers grants to 
educational institutions for the development, improvement, and 
operation of educational programs for primary care physicians (pre-
doctoral, residency) and physician assistants, including support for 
community-based training and funding for faculty development to teach 
in primary care specialties training; (2) provides technical assistance 
and consultation to grantee institutions and other governmental and 
private organizations on the operation of these educational programs 
which includes funding for the nation's free standing children's 
hospitals to support graduate medical education; (3) evaluates 
programmatic data and promotes the dissemination and application of 
findings arising from supported programs; (4) collaborates within the 
bureau to conduct, support, or obtain analytical studies to determine 
the present and future supply and requirements of physicians, dentists, 
dental hygienists and physician assistants by specialty, geographic 
location, and for state planning efforts; (5) encourages community-
based training opportunities for primary care providers, particularly 
in underserved areas; (6) provides leadership and staff support for the 
Advisory Committee on Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry 
and for the Council on Graduate Medical Education; and (7) represents 
the bureau, Agency, and federal government, as designated, on national 
committees maintaining effective relationships within HRSA and with 
other federal and non-federal agencies, state and local governments, 
and other public and private organizations concerned with health 
personnel development and improving access to health care for the 
nation's underserved.

Chapter RB5--Office of Information Technology

Section RB5-10, Organization

    The Office of Information Technology (RB5) is headed by the 
Director, Office of Information Technology, who reports to the Chief 
Operating Officer, Office of Operations (RB).

Section RB5-20, Functions

    Delete and replace the functional statement for the Office of the 
Director and Chief Information Officer (RB5).

Office of the Director and Chief Information Officer (RB5)

    The Chief Information Officer is responsible for the organization, 
management, and administrative functions necessary to carry out the 
responsibilities of the Chief Information Officer including: (1) 
Provides organizational development, investment control, budget 
formulation and execution, policy development, strategic and tactical 
planning, and performance monitoring; (2) provides leadership in

[[Page 38722]]

the development, review, and implementation of policies and procedures 
to promote improved information technology management capabilities and 
best practices throughout HRSA; (3) coordinates Information Technology 
(IT) workforce issues and works closely with the Office of Management 
on IT recruitment and training issues; (4) coordinates HRSA activities 
related to emergency preparedness planning and policy; (5) oversees the 
HRSA Emergency Operations Center; (6) serves as HRSA's liaison to HHS 
and interagency partners on emergency preparedness matters; (7) 
coordinates HRSA continuity of operations and continuity of Government 
activities and maintains HRSA's Alternate Operating Facilities; and (8) 
provides guidance on workforce health protection issues for emergencies 
and disasters.

Chapter RR--Healthcare Systems Bureau

Section RR-10, Organization

    The Healthcare Systems Bureau (RR) is headed by the Associate 
Administrator, Healthcare Systems Bureau, who reports to the 
Administrator, Health Resources and Services Administration (RA).

Section RR-20, Functions

    Delete and replace the functional statement for the Division of 
Vaccine Injury Compensation (RR4).

Division of Vaccine Injury Compensation (RR4)

    The Division of Vaccine Injury Compensation, on behalf of the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services, administers all statutory 
authorities related to the operation of the National Vaccine Injury 
Compensation Program by: (1) Evaluating petitions for compensation 
filed under the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program through 
medical review and assessment of compensability for all complete 
claims; (2) processing awards for compensations made under the National 
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program; (3) promulgating regulations to 
revise the Vaccine Injury Table; (4) providing professional and 
administrative support to the Advisory Commission on Childhood 
Vaccines; (5) developing and maintaining all automated information 
systems necessary for program implementation; (6) providing and 
disseminating program information; (7) maintaining a working 
relationship with the Department of Justice and the U.S. Court of 
Federal Claims in the administration and operation of the National 
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program; (8) providing management, 
direction, budgetary oversight, coordination, and logistical support 
for the Medical Expert Panel contracts as well as Clinical Reviewer 
Contracts; (9) maintaining responsibility for activities related to the 
Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines, the development of policy, 
regulations, budget formulation, and legislation, including the 
development and renewal of the Advisory Commission on Childhood 
Vaccines charter and action memoranda to the Secretary, and the 
analysis of the findings and proposals of the Advisory Commission on 
Childhood Vaccines; (10) developing, reviewing, and analyzing pending 
and new legislation relating to program changes, new initiatives, the 
Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines, and changes to the Vaccine 
Injury Table, in coordination with the Office of the General Counsel; 
(11) providing programmatic outreach efforts to maximize public 
exposure to private and public constituencies; (12) providing 
submission of special reports to the Secretary of the Department of 
Health and Human Services, the Office of Management and Budget, the 
Congress, and other governmental bodies; (13) providing the 
coordination of Advisory Commission on Childhood Vaccines travel, 
personnel, meeting sites, and its agenda; (14) provides guidance in 
using the results of the medical claims review process to HRSA programs 
to improve quality; and (15) provides support for the Department's 
Medical Claims Review Panel.

Chapter RH--Office of Rural Health Policy

Section RH-10, Organization

    The Office of Rural Health Policy (RH) is headed by the Associate 
Administrator, Office of Rural Health Policy, who reports to the 
Administrator, Health Resources and Services Administration (RA).

Section RH-20, Functions

    Delete and replace the functional statement for the Office of the 
Associate Administrator (RH).

Office of the Associate Administrator (RH)

    The Office of the Administrator is headed by the Associate 
Administrator who, in conjunction with other management officials 
within HRSA, is responsible for the overall leadership and management 
of the Office of Rural Health Policy. The Office of Rural Health Policy 
serves as a focal point within the Department and as a principal source 
of advice to the Administrator and Secretary for coordinating efforts 
to strengthen and improve the delivery of health services to 
populations in the nation's rural areas and border areas, providing 
leadership and interacting with stakeholders in the delivery of health 
care to underserved and at risk populations. Specifically, the Office 
of Rural Health Policy is organized around the following primary issue 
areas: Delivery of Health Services: (1) Collects and analyzes 
information regarding the special problems of rural health care 
providers and populations; (2) works with states, state hospital 
associations, private associations, foundations, and other 
organizations to focus attention on, and promote solutions to, problems 
related to the delivery of health services in rural communities; (3) 
provides staff support to the National Advisory Committee on Rural 
Health and Human Services; (4) stimulates and coordinates interaction 
on rural health activities and programs in the Agency, Department and 
with other federal agencies; (5) supports rural health center research 
and keeps informed of research and demonstration projects funded by 
states and foundations in the field of rural health care delivery; (6) 
establishes and maintains a resource center for the collection and 
dissemination of the latest information and research findings related 
to the delivery of health services in rural areas; (7) coordinates 
congressional and private sector inquiries related to rural health; (8) 
advises the Agency, Administrator and Department on the effects of 
current policies and proposed statutory, regulatory, administrative, 
and budgetary changes in the programs established under titles XVIII 
and XIX of the Social Security Act on the financial viability of small 
rural hospitals, the ability of rural areas to attract and retain 
physicians and other health professionals; (9) oversees compliance by 
CMS with the requirement that rural hospital impact analyses are 
developed whenever proposed regulations might have a significant impact 
on a substantial number of small rural hospitals; (10) supports 
specialized rural programs on minority health, mental health, 
preventive health education, oral health, and occupational health and 
safety; (11) directs the management of a nationwide rural health grants 
program; (12) directs the management of a program of state grants which 
support collaboration within state offices of rural health; (13) funds 
radiation exposure screening and education programs that screen 
eligible individuals adversely affected by the

[[Page 38723]]

mining, transport and processing of uranium and the testing of nuclear 
weapons for cancer and other diseases; (14) serves as the focal point 
for developing policy to promote the coordination and advancement of 
health information technology, including telehealth to HRSA's programs, 
including the use of electronic health record systems; (15) develops an 
Agency-wide health information technology and telehealth strategy for 
HRSA; (16) assists HRSA components in program-level health information 
technology efforts; (17) ensures successful dissemination of 
appropriate information technology advances, such as electronic health 
records systems, to HRSA programs; (18) works collaboratively with 
states, foundations, national organizations, private sector providers, 
as well as departmental agencies and other federal departments in order 
to promote the adoption of health information technology; (19) ensures 
the health information technology policy and activities of HRSA are 
coordinated with those of other HHS components; (20) assesses the 
impact of health information technology initiatives in the community, 
especially for the uninsured, underserved, and special needs 
populations; and (21) translates technological advances in health 
information technology to HRSA's programs.

Chapter RA5--Office of Planning, Analysis and Evaluation

Section RA5-10, Organization

    Delete in its entirety and replace with the following:
    The Office of Planning, Analysis and Evaluation (OPAE) is headed by 
the Director, OPAE, who reports to the Administrator, Health Resources 
and Services Administration (RA). The OPAE includes the following 
components:
    (1) Office of the Director (RA5);
    (2) Office of Policy Analysis (RA53);
    (3) Office of Research and Evaluation (RA56);
    (4) Office of External Engagement (RA57); and
    (5) Office of Performance and Quality Measurement (RA58).

Section RA5-20, Functions

    Delete and replace the functional statement for the Office of the 
Director (RA5) and establish the functional statement for the Office of 
Performance and Quality Measurement (RA58).

Office of the Director (RA5)

    (1) Provides Agency-wide leadership for policy development, data 
collection and management, major analytic activities, research, and 
evaluation; (2) develops HRSA-wide policies; (3) coordinates the 
agency's long term strategic planning process; (4) conducts and/or 
guides analyses, research, and program evaluation; (5) coordinates the 
Agency's participation in Department and federal initiatives; (6) as 
requested, develops, implements, and coordinates policy processes for 
the Agency for key major cross-cutting policy issues; (7) facilitates 
policy development by maintaining analytic liaison between the 
Administrator, other OPDIVs, Office of the Secretary staff components, 
and other Departments on critical matters involving program policy 
undertaken in the Agency; (8) provides data analyses, graphics 
presentations, briefing materials, and analyses on short notice to 
support the immediate needs of the Administrator and Senior Leadership; 
(9) conducts special studies and analyses and/or provides analytic 
support and information to the Administrator and Senior Leadership 
needed to support the Agency's goals and directions; (10) collaborates 
with the Office of Operations in the development of budgets, 
performance plans, and other administration reporting requirements; 
(11) provides support, policy direction, and leadership for HRSA's 
health quality efforts; (12) produces regular HRSA-wide program 
performance reports and plans.

Office of Performance and Quality Measurement (RA58)

    (1) Serves as the principal Agency resource for performance and 
quality measurement and reporting and for supporting HRSA in its 
implementation of the National Quality Strategy; (2) produces regular 
HRSA-wide program performance reports and plans in compliance with the 
Government Performance and Results Act Modernization Act, and OMB and 
departmental directives, including performance budget material and web-
based data system reports; (3) provides technical assistance to HRSA 
divisions in the selection, development, maintenance, and alignment of 
performance measures; (4) provides support, policy direction, and 
leadership for HRSA's health quality measurement efforts, including 
assists HRSA components in health quality assessment and measuring the 
impact of health quality initiatives in the community, especially for 
the uninsured, underserved, and special needs populations; and (5) 
collaborates with other HHS agencies to promote improvements in the 
availability of performance- and quality-related information.

Section RA5-30, Delegations of Authority

    All delegations of authority and re-delegations of authority made 
to HRSA officials that were in effect immediately prior to this 
reorganization, and that are consistent with this reorganization, shall 
continue in effect pending further re-delegation.
    This reorganization is effective upon date of signature.

    Dated: June 17, 2013.
Mary K. Wakefield,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2013-15420 Filed 6-26-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-15-P