2020-05563. Meeting of the National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality

AGENCY:

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), HHS.

ACTION:

Notice of change to public meeting.

SUMMARY:

In response to recently issued OPM guidance to agencies on reducing non-essential travel, this notice announces a change to a meeting of the National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality.

DATES:

The meeting will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2020, from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

ADDRESSES:

The meeting will now be held virtually (via WebEx).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jaime Zimmerman, Designated Management Official, at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 5600 Fishers Lane, Mail Stop 06E37A, Rockville, Maryland, 20857, [phone]. For press-related information, please contact Bruce Seeman at [phone] or [e-mail].

Closed captioning will be provided during the WebEx. If another reasonable accommodation for a disability is needed, please contact the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Management on [phone], no later than Thursday, March 19, 2020. The agenda, roster, and minutes will be available from Ms. Heather Phelps, Committee Management Officer, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, Maryland 20857. Ms. Phelps' phone number is [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Purpose

In accordance with section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App., this notice announces a meeting of the National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality (the Council). The Council is authorized by Section 941 of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. 299c. In accordance with its statutory mandate, the Council is to advise the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Director of AHRQ on matters related to AHRQ's conduct of its mission including providing guidance on (A) priorities for health care research, (B) the field of health care research including training needs and information dissemination on health care quality and (C) the role of the Agency in light of private sector activity and opportunities for public private partnerships. The Council is composed of members of the public, appointed by the Secretary, and Federal ex-officio members specified in the authorizing legislation.

II. Agenda

On Thursday, March 26, 2020, the Council meeting will convene at 12:30 p.m., with the call to order by the Council Chair and approval of previous Council summary notes. The meeting is open to the public and will be available via webcast at www.webconferences.com/​ahrq. The meeting will begin with an update on AHRQ's recent accomplishments and budget. The agenda will also include a discussion about 21st Century Care and AHRQ Data and Analytics Initiatives, including Synthetic Data. The meeting will adjourn at 3:30 p.m. For information on accessing the WebEx, as well as other meeting details, including information on how to make a public comment, please go to https://www.ahrq.gov/​news/​events/​nac/​. The final agenda will be available on the AHRQ website no later than Thursday, March 19, 2020.

Dated: March 12, 2020.

Virginia L. Mackay-Smith,

Associate Director.