[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 151 (Tuesday, August 8, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 37167]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-16683]



[[Page 37167]]

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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

[OMB Control No. 2900-0556]


Agency Information Collection Activity: Living Will and Durable 
Power of Attorney for Health Care

AGENCY: Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs 
(VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed 
collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork 
Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish 
notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of 
information, including each proposed extension of a currently approved 
collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the 
notice.

DATES: Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection 
of information should be received on or before October 10, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information 
through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov 
or to Brian McCarthy, Office of Regulatory and Administrative Affairs 
(10B4), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20420 or email to [email protected]. Please refer 
to ``OMB Control No. 2900-0556'' in any correspondence. During the 
comment period, comments may be viewed online through FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brian McCarthy at (202) 461-6345.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under the PRA of 1995, Federal agencies must 
obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each 
collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for 
comment is being made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.
    With respect to the following collection of information, VHA 
invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information 
is necessary for the proper performance of VHA's functions, including 
whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy 
of VHA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on respondents, including through the use 
of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of 
information technology.

    Authority:  38 U.S.C. 7331.

    Title: Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care; 
VA Form 10-0137.
    OMB Control Number: 2900-0556.
    Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.
    Abstract: VA Form 10-0137, VA Advance Directive: Durable Power of 
Attorney for Health Care and Living Will, is the Department of Veterans 
Affairs (VA) recognized legal document that permits VA patients to 
designate a health care agent and/or specify preferences for future 
health care. The VA Advance Directive is invoked if a patient becomes 
unable to make health care decisions for him or herself. Use of the VA 
Advance Directive is specified in VHA Handbook 1004.02, Advance Care 
Planning and Management of Advance Directives. Veterans' rights to 
designate a health care agent and specify health care preferences in 
advance are codified in 38 CFR 17.32. This regulation also obligates VA 
to recognize advance directives and to use the information contained 
therein when health care decisions must be made for a patient that has 
lost decision making capacity. Use of advance directives is a well-
established standard within clinical practice in the U.S. Offering the 
opportunity to complete an advance directive and the requirement to 
honor such documents is supported by Joint Commission standards and the 
Patient Self Determination Act of 1990 (applicable to Medicare 
providers.) Use of advance directives is also consistent with the 
health care ethics standard that patients have autonomy in health care 
decision making and have a right to control what is done to them in a 
medical setting.
    Affected Public: Individuals and households.
    Estimated Annual Burden: 171,811 hours.
    Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 30 minutes.
    Frequency of Response: Annually.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 343,622.

    By direction of the Secretary.
Cynthia Harvey-Pryor,
Department Clearance Officer, Office of Quality and Compliance, 
Department of Veterans Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2017-16683 Filed 8-7-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 8320-01-P