[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 226 (Monday, November 27, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56038-56039]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-25509]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration


Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: 
Public Comment Request

    Information Collection Request Title: Rural Health Network 
Development Program, OMB No. 0906-0010--Revision
AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), 
Derpartment of Health and Human Services.

ACTION: Notice

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SUMMARY: In compliance with the requirement for opportunity for public 
comment on proposed data collection projects of the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, HRSA announces plans to submit an Information Collection 
Request (ICR), described below, to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB). Prior to submitting the ICR to OMB, HRSA seeks comments from the 
public regarding the burden estimate, below, or any other aspect of the 
ICR.

DATES: Comments on this Information Collection Request must be received 
no later than January 26, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments to [email protected] or mail the HRSA 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, Room 14N39, 5600 Fishers 
Lane, Rockville, MD 20857.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: To request more information on the 
proposed project or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and 
draft instruments, email [email protected] or call Lisa Wright-
Solomon, the HRSA Information Collection Clearance Officer at (301) 
443-1984.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: When submitting comments or requesting 
information, please include the information request collection title 
for reference, in compliance with Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
    Information Collection Request Title: Rural Health Network 
Development Program OMB No. 0906-0010--Revision.
    Abstract: The purpose of the Rural Health Network Development 
(RHND) program is to support mature, integrated rural health care 
networks that have combined the functions of the entities participating 
in the network in order to address the health care needs of the 
targeted rural community. Awarded programs combine the functions of the 
entities participating in the network to create innovative solutions to 
local healthcare needs while addressing the following statutory 
charges: (i) Achieve efficiencies; (ii) expand access, coordinate, and 
improve the quality of essential health care services; and (iii) 
strengthen the rural health care system as a whole.

[[Page 56039]]

    RHND funded programs promote population health management and the 
transition towards value based care through diverse network membership 
that include traditional and non-traditional network partners 
collaborating to address the local healthcare needs of the targeted 
community. Evidence of program effectiveness demonstrated by outcome 
data and program sustainability are integral components of the program. 
This is a three-year competitive program for mature networks composed 
of at least three members that are separate, existing health care 
providers entities.
    Need and Proposed Use of the Information: For this program, 
performance measures provide data to program staff and enable HRSA to 
provide aggregate program data. These measures cover the principal 
topic areas of interest to the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, 
including: (a) Network infrastructure; (b) sustainability; (c) 
community impact; and (d) access and quality of healthcare.
    For this revised ICR, there are proposed changes to several 
measures that include network infrastructure, sustainability, community 
impact, and access and quality of healthcare.
    Likely Respondents: The respondents are the RHND Program grant 
recipients.
    Burden Statement: Burden in this context means the time expended by 
persons to generate, maintain, retain, disclose, or provide the 
information requested. This includes the time needed to review 
instructions; to develop, acquire, install, and utilize technology and 
systems for the purpose of collecting, validating and verifying 
information, processing and maintaining information, and disclosing and 
providing information; to train personnel and to be able to respond to 
a collection of information; to search data sources; to complete and 
review the collection of information; and to transmit or otherwise 
disclose the information. The total annual burden hours estimated for 
this ICR are summarized in the table below.

                                     Total Estimated Annualized Burden Hours
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                                                                                      Average
                                     Number of       Number of         Total        burden per     Total burden
            Form name               respondents    responses per     responses     response (in        hours
                                                    respondent                        hours)
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Performance Improvement and                   51               1              51               6             306
 Measurement System (PIMS)
 Database.......................
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    Total.......................              51  ..............              51  ..............             306
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    HRSA specifically requests comments on: (1) The necessity and 
utility of the proposed information collection for the proper 
performance of the agency's functions; (2) the accuracy of the 
estimated burden; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity 
of the information to be collected; and (4) the use of automated 
collection techniques or other forms of information technology to 
minimize the information collection burden.

Amy McNulty,
Acting Director, Division of the Executive Secretariat.
[FR Doc. 2017-25509 Filed 11-24-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4165-15-P