[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 153 (Tuesday, August 11, 2026)]
[Notices]
[Page 51722]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2026-16348]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Health Resources and Services Administration
Notice of Availability of Final Health Center Program Scope of
Project Policy Manual Guidance
AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department
of Health and Human Services.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Health Center Program Scope of Project Policy Manual
(Scope Manual) is program guidance to assist health centers in
understanding what constitutes the Health Center Program scope of
project under section 330 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions regarding this notice,
contact HRSA through the HRSA Bureau of Primary Health Care Contact
Form: https://hrsa.my.site.com/support/s/ and select ``Scope Manual
General Inquiry'' under ``Health Center Program Policy and
Information'' or call Lauren Spears, Bureau of Primary Health Care,
HRSA, at 301-594-4300.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This final Scope Manual update provides
program guidance for all health centers that apply for and receive a
federal award under the Health Center Program, as authorized by section
330 of the PHS Act, as well as section 330 subrecipient organizations,
and health centers designated as Health Center Program look-alikes.
HRSA released a Notice of Availability for the draft Scope Manual
(89 FR 97629) on December 9, 2024, for a 60-day public comment period.
The Notice of Availability of Draft Health Center Program Scope Manual
Guidance is available online at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/12/09/2024-28748/notice-of-availability-of-draft-health-center-program-scope-policy-manual-guidance. HRSA's ``Summary of
Comments and HRSA Responses'' is also available online at: https://bphc.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/bphc/compliance/scopemanual-comments.pdf. HRSA received a total of 2,767 comments from 135
organizations and individuals on the draft Scope Manual. After thorough
review and consideration of all comments received, HRSA made a
substantial number of updates to the Scope Manual to incorporate
suggestions and requests for further clarification. The final Scope
Manual takes effect upon release and is available online at: https://bphc.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/bphc/compliance/scopemanual.pdf.
HRSA provides grants to eligible applicants authorized under
section 330 of the PHS Act (42 U.S.C. 254b), to support the delivery of
preventive and primary care services to the nation's medically
underserved individuals and families. HRSA also designates eligible
entities as look-alikes under the Health Center Program under sections
1861(aa)(4)(B) and 1905(l)(2)(B)(iii) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1395x(aa)(4)(B) and 42 U.S.C. 1396d(l)(2)(B)(iii)) respectively.
Look-alikes do not receive Health Center Program funding but must meet
the Health Center Program requirements. Health centers are local
organizations that provide comprehensive, high-quality preventive and
primary health care services tailored to their communities regardless
of their ability to pay. HRSA's Health Center Program is a cornerstone
of our country's health care system, especially for individuals and
families who are uninsured; enrolled in Medicaid; or living in rural,
remote, or medically underserved areas. Nearly 1,400 HRSA-funded health
centers and more than 150 HRSA-designated look-alikes operate more than
16,200 service delivery sites that provide care to more than 33.9
million patients in every U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto
Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Pacific Basin. Note that for the
purposes of this document, the term ``health center'' refers to
entities that are authorized to receive a federal award under section
330 of the PHS Act, as well as subrecipients and organizations
designated as look-alikes, unless otherwise stated.
Organizations receiving Health Center Program federal awards,
including subrecipients, and organizations designated as Health Center
Program look-alikes, continue to be subject to all requirements stated
in Notices of Funding Opportunity, Notices of Award, Look-Alike Initial
Designation and Redesignation Instructions, Notices of Look-Alike
Designation, as well as other applicable laws, regulations, and
policies. Organizations are also subject to the distinct statutory,
regulatory, and program requirements of other federal programs in which
they participate.
Margeret M. Bush,
Deputy Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2026-16348 Filed 8-10-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-15-P