[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 166 (Friday, August 26, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 59041-59042]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-20543]


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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS


Solicitation of Nominations for Appointment to the Veterans Rural 
Health Advisory Committee

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of Rural 
Health, is seeking nominations of qualified candidates to be considered 
for appointment to the Veterans Rural Health Advisory Committee 
(VRHAC). The Committee advises the Secretary on ways to improve and 
enhance access to VA healthcare services for enrolled Veterans residing 
in rural areas and the identification of barriers to providing 
services. The Committee makes recommendations to the Secretary 
regarding such activities. Nominations of qualified candidates are 
being sought to fill upcoming vacancies on the Committee.

DATES: Nominations for membership on the Committee must be received no 
later than 5:00 p.m. EST on December 15, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Nominations should be submitted to the VA Office of Rural 
Health by email at [email protected] or via United States Postal Service to 
VA Office of Rural Health, 810 Vermont Ave., Mail Code 10P1R, 
Washington, DC 20420.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: VA Office of Rural Health, Department 
of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Ave. NW., Mail Code 10P1R, Washington, 
DC 20420, or by telephone at (202) 632-8576. A list of the current 
membership can be viewed at http://www.ruralhealth.va.gov/aboutus/vrhac.asp.

[[Page 59042]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Committee was established by direction 
of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and operates under the provisions 
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. 2. The 
Committee consists of 12 Members representing federal agencies 
appointed by the Secretary of VA and 4 appointed Ex Officio members. 
The Committee is tasked with examining ways to enhance health care 
services for Veterans in rural areas. The Committee works in 
collaboration with the VA Office of Rural Health (ORH) to discuss 
programs and policies that impact the provision of VA health care 
services to Veterans in rural areas. The Committee hosts a minimum of 
two Advisory meetings a year and provides recommendations to the VA 
Secretary.
    Membership Criteria: Nominee must understand issues and/or policy 
affecting rural Veterans, their families, and the rural communities 
where they live. Nominee must be familiar with healthcare services, 
delivery of care in rural areas, and benefits issues as they pertain to 
rural Veterans. Members of the Committee meet in person twice a year 
and may meet at other times by teleconference as needed. Members serve 
an initial three-year term and the Secretary may reappoint members for 
additional terms of service. During the course of their terms, 
Committee members are expected to attend all meetings and to contribute 
their time and expertise to Committee projects. It is the potential 
candidate's responsibility to identify possible conflict(s) of interest 
that might affect their objectivity and recommendations submitted to 
the Secretary. If a potential conflict is identified, detailed 
information about the possible conflict such as employment, research 
grants and/or contracts must be provided to permit evaluation of 
possible conflicts of interest.
    Professional Qualifications: Nominee must have experience working 
on Veterans' policy issues at the local, state or regional level; and 
have an understanding of how the rural healthcare delivery system 
operates.
    Requirements for Nomination Submission: Nominations should be type 
written (one nomination per nominator). Nomination package should 
include: (1) A letter of nomination that clearly states the name and 
affiliation of the nominee, the basis for the nomination (i.e., 
specific attributes which qualify the nominee for service in this 
capacity), and a statement from the nominee indicating a willingness to 
serve as a member of the Committee; (2) the nominee's contact 
information, including name, mailing address, telephone numbers, and 
email address; (3) the nominee's curriculum vitae or resume, and (4) a 
summary of the nominee's experience and qualification relative to the 
professional qualifications criteria listed above. Self-nominations are 
welcome. Third-party nominations must indicate that the nominee has 
been contacted and is willing to serve.
    Membership Terms: Individuals selected for appointment to the 
Committee shall be invited to serve a three-year term. Committee 
members will receive a stipend for attending Committee meetings, 
including per diem and reimbursement for travel expenses incurred.
    The Department makes every effort to ensure that the membership of 
its Federal advisory committees is fairly balanced in terms of points 
of view represented and the committee's function. Every effort is made 
to ensure that a broad representation of geographic areas, males and 
females, racial and ethnic minority groups, and the disabled are given 
consideration for membership. Appointment to this Committee shall be 
made without discrimination because of a person's race, color, 
religion, sex (including gender identity, transgender status, sexual 
orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, or 
genetic information. Nominations must state that the nominee is willing 
to serve as a member of the Committee and appears to have no conflict 
of interest that would preclude membership. An ethics review is 
conducted for each selected nominee.

    Authority: The Committee was established in accordance with 5 
U.S.C. 2.

    Dated: August 23, 2016.
LaTonya L. Small,
Federal Advisory Committee Management Office.
[FR Doc. 2016-20543 Filed 8-25-16; 8:45 am]
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