2016-26408. Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: Public Comment Request; Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Core Medical Services Waiver Application Requirements

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 (Section 3506(c)(2)(A) 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 3, 2017.

ADDRESSES:

Submit your comments to [e-mail] or mail the HRSA Information Collection Clearance Officer, Room 14N39, 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 [e-mail] or call the HRSA Information Collection Clearance Officer at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

When submitting comments or requesting information, please include the information request collection title for reference.

Information Collection Request Title: Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Core Medical Services Waiver Application Requirements.

OMB No. 0915-0307—Extension.

Abstract: Title XXVI of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, as amended by the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009 (Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program), Part A section 2604(c), Part B section 2612(b), and Part C section 2651(c), requires that grantees expend 75 percent of Parts A, B, and C funds on core medical services, including antiretroviral drugs for individuals with HIV, identified and eligible under the legislation. For grantees under Parts A, B, and C to be exempted from the 75 percent core medical services requirement, they must request and receive a waiver from HRSA, as required in the Act.

On October 25, 2013, HRSA published revised standards for core medical services waiver requests in the Federal Register (78 FR 63990). These revised standards allow grant recipients flexibility to adjust resource allocation based on the current situation in their local environment. These standards ensure that grant recipients receiving waivers demonstrate the availability of core medical services, including antiretroviral drugs, for persons with HIV served under Title XXVI of the PHS Act. The core medical services waiver uniform standard and waiver request process will apply to Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Grant Awards under Parts A, B, and C of Title XXVI of the PHS Act. Core medical services waivers will be effective for a 1-year period that is consistent with the grant recipient award period. Grant recipients may submit a waiver request before the annual grant application, with the application, or up to 4 months after the grant recipient award has been made.

Need and Proposed Use of the Information: HRSA uses the documentation submitted in core medical services waiver requests to determine if the applicant/grant recipient meets the statutory requirements for waiver eligibility including: (1) No waiting lists for AIDS Drug Assistance Program services; and (2) evidence of core medical services availability within the grant recipient's jurisdiction, state, or service area to all individuals with HIV identified and eligible under Title XXVI of the PHS Act. See sections 2604(c)(2), 2612(b)(2), and 2651(c)(2) of the PHS Act.

Likely Respondents: Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part A, B, and C grant recipients.

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:

Form name	Number of respondents	Number of responses per respondent	Total responses	Average burden per response (in hours)	Total burden hours
Waiver Request	20	1	20	5.5	110
Total	20	1	20	5.5	110

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.

Jason E. Bennett,

Director, Division of the Executive Secretariat.