[Federal Register: December 17, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 242)]
[Notices]               
[Page 69638]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17de98-77]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration
[HCFA-1061-N]
RIN 0938-AJ33

 
Medicare Program; Meeting of the Competitive Pricing Advisory 
Committee

AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), HHS.

ACTION: Notice of a meeting.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act, this notice announces a public meeting of the 
Competitive Pricing Advisory Committee (the CPAC) on January 6, 1999. 
Section 4012 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 required the Secretary 
of the Department of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to 
create the CPAC. The CPAC meets periodically and makes recommendations 
to the Secretary concerning the designation of areas for inclusion in 
the Medicare+Choice competitive pricing demonstration project and 
suggests appropriate research designs for implementing the project.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled for January 6, 1999, from 9 a.m. until 
5:30 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Omni Shoreham Hotel, 2500 
Calvert Street, NW., Washington, DC 20008.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lu Zawistowich, Sc.D., Executive 
Director, Competitive Pricing Advisory Committee, Health Care Financing 
Administration, 7500 Security Boulevard C4-14-17, Baltimore, Maryland 
21244-1850, (410) 786-6451.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 4011 of the Balanced Budget Act of 
1997, (BBA) (Public Law 105-33) required the Secretary of the 
Department of Health and Human Services (the Secretary) to establish a 
demonstration project under which payments to Medicare+Choice 
organizations in designated areas are determined in accordance with a 
competitive pricing methodology. In addition, section 4012 of the BBA 
required the Secretary to appoint a Competitive Pricing Advisory 
Committee (the CPAC) to meet periodically to make recommendations to 
the Secretary concerning the designation of areas for inclusion in the 
project and appropriate research designs for implementing the project.
    The CPAC consists of 15 individuals who are independent actuaries; 
experts in competitive pricing and the administration of the Federal 
Employees Health Benefit Program; and representatives of health plans, 
insurers, employers, unions, and beneficiaries. In accordance with 
section 4012(a)(5) of the BBA, the CPAC shall terminate on December 31, 
2004.
    The CPAC held its first meeting on May 7, 1998, its second meeting 
on June 24 and 25, 1998, its third meeting on September 23 and 24, 
1998, and its fourth meeting on October 28, 1998. The CPAC members are: 
James Cubbin, Executive Director, General Motors Health Care 
Initiative; Robert Berenson, M.D., Director, Center for Health Plans 
and Providers, HCFA; John Bertko, CEO and Senior Actuary, PM-Squared 
Inc.; Dave Durenberger, Senior Health Policy Fellow, University of St. 
Thomas and Founder of Public Policy Partners; Gary Goldstein, M.D., 
CEO, The Oschner Clinic; Samuel Havens, Healthcare Consultant and 
Chairman of Health Scope/United; Margaret Jordan, Healthcare Consultant 
and CEO, The Margaret Jordan Group; Chip Kahn, CEO, The Health 
Insurance Association of America; Cleve Killingsworth, President, 
Health Alliance Plan; Nancy Kichak, Director, Office of Actuaries, 
Office of Personnel Management; Len Nichols, Principal Research 
Associate, The Urban Institute; Robert Reischauer, Senior Fellow, The 
Brookings Institute; John Rother, Director, Legislation and Public 
Policy, American Association of Retired Persons; Andrew Stern, 
President, Service Employees International Union, AFL-CIO; and Jay 
Wolfson, Director, The Florida Information Center, University of South 
Florida. The Chairperson is James Cubbin and the Co-Chairperson is 
Robert Berenson, M.D.
    The agenda for the January 6, 1999, meeting will include a 
discussion and selection of demonstration sites and the approval of the 
Final Recommendation Report to the Secretary.
    Individuals or organizations that wish to make 5-minute oral 
presentations on the agenda issues should contact the Executive 
Director by 12 noon, December 30, 1998, to be scheduled. The number of 
oral presentations may be limited by the time available. A written copy 
of the oral remarks should be submitted to the Executive Director no 
later than 12 noon, January 4, 1999.
    Anyone who is not scheduled to speak may submit written comments to 
the Executive Director by 12 noon, January 4, 1999. The meeting is open 
to the public, but attendance is limited to the space available.

(Section 4012 of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, Public Law 105-33 
(42 U.S.C.1395w-23 note) and section 10(a) of Public Law 92-463 (5 
U.S.C. App.2, section 10(a))

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773, 
Medicare--Hospital Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, Medicare--
Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)

    Dated: December 11, 1998.
Nancy-Ann Min DeParle,
Administrator, Health Care Financing Administration.
[FR Doc. 98-33383 Filed 12-16-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P