[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 224 (Thursday, November 19, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73728-73729]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-25520]



[[Page 73728]]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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), Department 
of Health and Human Services.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 ICR should be received no later than January 
19, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Submit your comments to [email protected] or mail the HRSA 
Information Collection Clearance Officer, Room 14N136B, 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.
    Information Collection Request Title: Rural Health Network 
Development Program OMB No. 0906-0010--Revision.
    Abstract: The Rural Health Network Development Program (RHND) is 
authorized under Section 330A(e) of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 254(e)). The purpose of this program is to support integrated 
rural health care networks that have combined the functions of the 
entities participating in the network to address the health care needs 
of the targeted rural community. Recipients will combine the functions 
of the entities participating in the network to address the following 
legislative aims: (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.
    RHND-funded programs promote population health management and the 
transition towards value based care through diverse network membership 
that includes traditional and non-traditional network partners. 
Evidence of program impacted demonstrated by outcome data and program 
sustainability are integral components of the program. This is a 3-year 
competitive program for networks composed of at least three members 
that are separate, existing health care providers or entities.
    Need and Proposed Use of the Information: This program needs 
measures that will enable HRSA to provide aggregate program data 
required by Congress under the Government Performance and Results Act 
of 1993. These measures cover the principal topic areas of interest to 
the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, including: (a) Access to 
care; (b) population demographics; (c) staffing; (d) consortium/
network; (e) sustainability; and (f) project specific domains. All 
measures will evaluate the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy 
(FORHP's) progress toward achieving its goals.
    The proposed changes of RHND measures are a result of the 
accumulation of grantee feedback, peer-reviewed research, and 
information gathered from the previously approved RHND measures. The 
proposed changes include additional questions surrounding the network's 
components of sustainability. Questions surrounding Health Information 
Technology (HIT) and Telehealth have been modified to reflect updated 
knowledge on the use of both HIT and Telehealth and to improve 
understanding of how these important technologies are affecting HRSA 
grantees. Additional National Quality Forum measures were also included 
in an effort to allow uniform collection efforts throughout FORHP. In 
addition, the total number of responses has decreased to 44 since the 
previous ICR submission. This is due to a new RHND grant cycle with a 
decreased number of awardees and therefore a decreased number of 
respondents.
    Likely Respondents: Respondents will be awardees of the Rural 
Health Network Development Program.
    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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Number of                    Average burden
            Form name                Number of     responses per       Total       per response    Total burden
                                    respondents     respondent       responses      (in hours)         hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Performance Improvement and                   44               1              44               6             264
 Measurement System Database....
                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Total.......................              44  ..............              44  ..............             264
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    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.


[[Page 73729]]


Maria G. Button,
Director, Executive Secretariat.
[FR Doc. 2020-25520 Filed 11-18-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-15-P