[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 225 (Friday, November 24, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 55845]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-25425]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES


Announcement of Meetings of the Tick-Borne Disease Working Group

AGENCY: Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy, Office of the 
Assistant Secretary for Health, Office of the Secretary, Department of 
Health and Human Services.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in 
accordance with Section 2062 of the 21st Century Cures Act, announces 
the inaugural meetings of the Tick-Borne Disease Working Group (Working 
Group). For these first meetings, Working Group members will focus on 
plans to submit a report to the Secretary of HHS and Congress that is 
due December 2018. The report will address a number of issues related 
to tick-borne diseases, including: Ongoing research; advances in 
research; Federal activities; gaps in research; the Working Group's 
meetings; and the comments received by the Working Group. The report 
will also include any recommendations to the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services. Planning will include developing plans to solicit 
stakeholder input and establish subcommittees. Working Group members 
will also determine how and when future meetings will be conducted.

DATES: December 11, 2017, from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Eastern Time, 
and December 12, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Eastern Time.

ADDRESSES: Hubert H. Humphrey Building, Great Hall, 200 Independence 
Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20201; via webcast at: https://www.hhs.gov/ash/advisory-committees/tickbornedisease/index.html.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Berger, Office of HIV/AIDS and 
Infectious Disease Policy, Office of the Assistant Secretary for 
Health, Department of Health and Human Services; via email at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Members of the public may attend the 
meetings in person or via webcast at https://www.hhs.gov/ash/advisory-committees/tickbornedisease/index.html.
    In-person attendance at the meetings is limited to space available; 
therefore preregistration for public members is advisable and can be 
accomplished by registering at http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=zz7zptzab&oeidk=a07edrodfu088eae0cf by Friday, 
December 8, 2017. On the day of the meetings, seating will be provided 
first to persons who have preregistered. People who have not 
preregistered will be accommodated on a first come, first served basis 
if additional seats are still available 10 minutes before the meetings 
start. Non-U.S. citizens who plan to attend in person are required to 
provide additional information and must notify the Working Group 
support staff via email at [email protected] before November 30, 
2017. Members of the public who wish to attend the meetings should 
enter from Independence Avenue. Please allow extra time to get through 
security.
    The Working Group invites public comment on issues related to the 
Working Group's charge. It may be provided in-person at the meetings or 
in writing. Persons who wish to provide public comment in person should 
submit a request to do so via email at [email protected] on or 
before December 1, 2017. In-person comments will be limited to three 
minutes each to accommodate as many speakers as possible. A total of 60 
minutes will be allocated to public comment and may be divided between 
the two days of meetings. If more requests are received than can be 
accommodated, speakers will be randomly selected. The nature of the 
comments will not be considered in making this selection.
    Public comment may also be provided in writing only. Individuals 
who would like to provide written public comment should send their 
comments to [email protected] on or before December 6, 2017.
    Meeting information is available at the group's Web page: https://www.hhs.gov/ash/advisory-committees/tickbornedisease/index.html or by 
contacting the Working Group via email at [email protected] to 
request additional information.
    Purpose of Meetings: Working Group members will focus on plans to 
submit a report to the Secretary of HHS and Congress that is due 
December 2018. The report will address a number of issues related to 
tick-borne diseases, including: Ongoing research; advances in research; 
Federal activities; gaps in research; the Working Group's meetings; and 
the comments received by the Working Group. The report will also 
include any recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human 
Services. Planning will include developing plans to solicit stakeholder 
input and establish subcommittees. Working Group members will also 
determine how and when future meetings will be conducted.
    Background and Authority: The Tick-Borne Disease Working Group was 
established on August 10, 2017, in accordance with Section 2062 of the 
21st Century Cures Act, and the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 
U.S.C. App., as amended, to provide expertise and review all HHS 
efforts related to tick-borne diseases to help ensure interagency 
coordination and minimize overlap, examine research priorities, and 
identify and address unmet needs. The Working Group will submit a 
report to the Secretary of HHS and Congress on issues related to tick-
borne diseases, including: Ongoing research: Advances in research: 
Federal activities; gaps in research; the Working Group's meetings; and 
the comments by the Working Group.
    Structure, Membership, and Operation: The Working Group consists of 
14 members selected to represent a diverse range of stakeholder 
perspectives. Seven members were nominated and selected from the 
public, and seven members, or their designees, represent federal 
agencies doing this work. A roster of Working Group members is 
available at the Working Group's Web page: https://www.hhs.gov/ash/advisory-committees/tickbornedisease/index.html.

    Dated: November 15, 2017.
Richard Wolitski,
Director, Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy, Designated 
Federal Officer, Tick-Borne Disease Working Group.
[FR Doc. 2017-25425 Filed 11-22-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4150-28-P