[Federal Register: February 18, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 32)]
[Notices]
[Page 7641]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr18fe04-48]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
[Document Identifier: CMS-10109]
Emergency Clearance: Public Information Collection Requirements
Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, HHS.
In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services (CMS), Department of Health and Human Services, is publishing
the following summary of proposed collections for public comment.
Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding this burden
estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information,
including any of the following subjects: (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.
We are, however, requesting an emergency review of the information
collection referenced below. In compliance with the requirement of
section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we have
submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) the following
requirements for emergency review. We are requesting an emergency
review because the collection of this information is needed before the
expiration of the normal time limits under OMB's regulations at 5 CFR
part 1320. This is necessary to ensure compliance with an initiative of
the Administration and is required in order to meet the demands of new
legislation. We cannot reasonably comply with the normal clearance
procedures because of an unanticipated event and possible public harm.
This Hospital Reporting Initiative will collect quality data to
achieve the following: (1) Provide useful and valid information about
hospital quality to the public; (2) provide hospitals a sense of
predictability about public reporting expectations; (3) begin to
standardize data and data collection mechanisms; and (4) foster
hospital quality improvement. This information is an important tool for
individuals to use in making decisions about their health care
coverage. This effort will assist beneficiaries by providing comparison
information for consumers who need to select a hospital. It will also
serve as a way of encouraging accountability of hospitals for the care
they provide. This will allow consumers to make ``apples to apples''
comparisons among hospitals, allow hospitals and hospital chains to
self-compare, and provide state oversight officials with valuable data.
The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of
2003 provides monetary incentives for hospitals to submit specific
quality data. Due to the timeframe imposed by the recent legislation,
CMS is requesting emergency review in order to meet the deadlines
established by the legislation.
CMS is requesting OMB review and approval of this collection by May
1, 2004, with a 180-day approval period. Written comments and
recommendation will be accepted from the public if received by the
individuals designated below by March 18, 2004.
Type of Information Collection Request: New collection; Title of
Information Collection: Hospital Reporting Initiative--Hospital Quality
Measures; Use: There is a growing consensus among a broad array of
federal, state, business, industry, union, employer, and consumer
stakeholders around the importance of public reporting of hospital
quality measures, including those that measure clinical outcomes and
the patient's perception of care. Over time, public reporting will give
consumers needed information about the health care system that may help
them make more informed decisions about their care. Valid, reliable,
comparable and salient quality measures have been shown to provide a
potent stimulus for clinicians and providers to improve the quality of
the care they provide. This reporting initiative is a significant step
toward a more informed public and sustained health care quality
improvement for Medicare beneficiaries; Form Number: CMS-10109
(OMB: 0938-NEW); Frequency: Annually; Affected Public:
Business or other for-profit; Number of Respondents: 4,600; Total
Annual Responses: 4,600; Total Annual Hours: 239,200.
To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms
for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access CMS's
Web site address at http://cms.hhs.gov/regulations/pra/default.asp, or
E-mail your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number,
and CMS document identifier, to Paperwork@hcfa.gov, or call the Reports
Clearance Office on (410) 786-1326.
Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the
burden or any other aspect of these collections of information
requirements. However, as noted above, comments on these information
collection and recordkeeping requirements must be mailed and/or faxed
to the designees referenced below by March 18, 2004:
CMS, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Division of
Regulations Development and Issuances, Attention: Dawn Willinghan, CMS-
10109, Room C5-14-03, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland
21244-1850
and,
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and
Budget, Room 10235, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC
20503, Attn.: Brenda Aguilar, Desk Officer, Fax 202-395-6974.
Dated: February 9, 2004.
Dawn Willinghan,
Acting Paperwork Reduction Act Team Leader, Office of Strategic
Operations and Strategic Affairs, Division of Regulations Development
and Issuances.
[FR Doc. 04-3418 Filed 2-17-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-03-P