E6-17034. Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

AGENCY:

Centers for Medicare & 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 & 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 function; (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.

1. Type of Information Collection Request: Revision of a currently approved collection; Title of Information Collection: Matching Grants to States for the Operation of High Risk Pools and Supporting Regulations at 42 CFR 148.316, 148.318, and 148.320; Use: CMS is requiring this information as a condition of eligibility for grants that were authorized in the Trade Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-210). The information is necessary to determine if a State applicant meets the necessary eligibility criteria for a grant as required by the law. The respondents will be States that have a high risk pool as defined in Section 2744(c)(2) of the Public Health Service Act. The grants will provide matching funds to States that incur losses in the operation of high risk pools. High risk pools are set up by States to provide health insurance to individuals that cannot obtain health insurance in the private market because of a history of illness. Form Number: CMS-10078 (OMB#: 0938-0887); Frequency: Reporting—On occasion; Affected Public: State, local, or tribal government; Number of Respondents: 33; Total Annual Responses: 33; Total Annual Hours: 1,320.

To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access CMS Web site address at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/​PaperworkReductionActof1995, or e-mail your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number, and CMS document identifier, to [e-mail], or call the Reports Clearance Office on [phone].

Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collections must be mailed or faxed within 30 days of this notice directly to the OMB desk officer: OMB Human Resources and Housing Branch, Attention: Carolyn Lovett, New Executive Office Building, Room 10235, Washington, DC 20503, Fax Number: [phone].

Dated: October 4, 2006.

Michelle Shortt,

Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs.