[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 44 (Monday, March 8, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11012-11015]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5539]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Agency for Health Care Policy and Research
General Reorganization; Statement of Organization, Functions, and
Delegations of Authority
Part E, Chapter E (Agency for Health Care Policy and Research), of
the Statement of Organization, Functions, and Delegations of Authority
for the Department of Health and Human Services (61 FR 15955-58, April
10, 1996, most recently amended at 63 FR 36698, July 7, 1998) is
further amended to reflect organizational changes within the Agency for
Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR). The principal organizational
and functional changes requiring this notice of amendment involve:
A. Abolishing the Office of Policy Analysis, to eliminate the
overlap of functions between that office and other AHCPR offices; and
B. Establishing a third-echelon organizational substructure to
facilitate day-to-day management and utilization of Agency resources
(including human, fiscal, and material resources), to streamline and
improve administrative operations, and to enhance shared decision-
making and communications throughout the Agency.
Other minor changes have been made consistent with this
reorganization.
Under Section E-10, Organization, delete C. Office of Policy
Analysis, and reorder D. through K. as new C. through J.
Under Section E-20, Functions, delete the title and statement for
the Office of Policy Analysis (EAC).
Within the statement for the Immediate Office of the Administrator
(EA), following (6), delete ``; and ``, and following (7), delete the
period and insert ``; and (8) coordinates the legislative activities of
the Agency, including the development of legislative proposals and
analysis of health legislative initiatives, the review and clearance of
Department and other Federal policies and regulations, and reports to
Congress.''
Following the statement for the Office of Management (EAA), insert
the following:
Division of Administrative Services (EAA2). Provides administrative
support services. Specifically: (1) processes small purchase requests
and manages the credit card program for small purchases; (2) manages
the assignment and renovation of office space; (3) manages the common
conference areas, copy centers, supply rooms, and mail services; (4)
develops and administers safety and security programs; (5) manages the
automated travel management system and provides travel guidance and
advice; and (6) acquires and manages real property for the Agency.
Division of Contracts Management (EAA3). Provides for the
solicitation, negotiation, award and management of negotiated
contracts. Specifically: (1) solicits, negotiates, and awards
negotiated contracts and provides for their post-award administration;
(2) develops and manages a contract program to benefit small and
disadvantaged businesses; (3) develops, implements, and maintains
policies and procedures for the management of negotiated contracts; (4)
provides guidance, assistance, and training for project officers on
their duties and responsibilities; (5) manages the Intra/InterAgency
Agreement program; and (6) develops and maintains a contract and intra/
interagency information system.
Division of Financial Management (EAA4). Provides services and
guidance in all aspects of financial management including Agency budget
formulation and execution. Specifically: (1) formulates the Agency
budget, serves as the focal point of its defense and appeal and
provides ongoing coordination between the budget formulation and
program planning process; (2) develops, analyzes, and monitors Agency
appropriation activities; (3) establishes and maintains financial
accounting and reporting systems; (4) coordinates responses to and
maintains liaison on budget and accounting matters with all levels of
Agency management, Department fiscal offices, Congressional committees,
and the private sector; and (5) provides administrative support for
Office/Center and Agency-wide operational spending.
Division of Grants Management (EAA5). Provides for the negotiation,
award and administrative management of grants and cooperative
agreements. Specifically: (1) negotiates and awards grants/cooperative
agreements and provides for their post-award business and
administrative management; (2) develops, implements, and maintains
policies and procedures for the management of the Agency's grant/
cooperative agreement program; (3) provides guidance, assistance, and
training for project officers on their duties and responsibilities; (4)
assists grantee institutions in the interpretation and application of
grant/cooperative agreement policies and regulations; and (5) provides
for the review of grant/
[[Page 11013]]
cooperative agreement expenditures and resolution of problematic audit
findings.
Division of Human Resource Management (EAA6). Provides services and
guidance in all matters regarding human resource and organization
management. Specifically: (1) administers personnel management and
operations authorities, including recruitment and placement, position
classification, compensation and pay, payroll liaison, performance
management, employee development and training, and employee relations;
(2) establishes, implements and evaluates human resource management
programs; (3) provides advice and assistance to managers and employees
in exercising their personnel management rights and responsibilities;
(4) issues and maintains Agency-wide administrative and operational
policies and procedures and delegations of authority; and (5)
recommends and performs organizational and management analyses to
improve and streamline operations and implements approved
organizational changes.
Division of Information Technology Management (EAA7). Provides for
and manages the information technology (IT) infrastructure for the
Agency. Specifically (1) administers and maintains an Agency-wide Local
Area Network and a Wide Area Network; (2) develops and maintains
Agency-wide management information systems and data bases; (3) develops
and supports Agency Intranet and Extranet sites; (4) develops and
oversees IT security and policy; (5) provides IT software and hardware
support to staff; and (6) manages Agency telecommunications.
Following the statement for the Office of Health Care Information
(EAF), insert the following:
Division of Print and Electronic Publishing (EAF2). Responsible for
disseminating AHCPR's many and varied informational products. Ensures
that findings and information from research conducted or funded by
AHCPR are created in forms useful to intended recipients. Specifically:
(1) produces information products in a variety of print and electronic
formats that are scientifically sound and appropriately targeted to
various audiences; (2) edits and controls the review and publication of
all AHCPR documents; (3) ensures proper clearance procedures consistent
with Departmental rules; (4) provides interfaces with the Government
Printing Office and National Technical Information Service; (5)
organizes and conducts AHCPR's exhibits program and provides conference
support services to program staff; (6) provides and coordinates
graphics, printing and visual aids production for AHCPR; (7) analyzes
AHCPR audiences and information needs, and recommends information
products that meet AHCPR's scientific information and dissemination
goals; and (8) works with and assists the National Library of Medicine
in efforts to improve the availability of health services information
to the public.
Division of Public Affairs (EAF3). Responsible for planning and
carrying out the public affairs activities of the Agency. Specifically:
(1) handles AHCPR media relations; (2) develops health care research
information dissemination partnerships with other Federal agencies,
provider groups, the continuing education and continuing medical
education communities, and the private sector; (3) ensures that
findings and information from research conducted or funded by AHCPR are
made promptly available to the public and private sectors; (4) analyzes
AHCPR audiences and information needs and recommends new outreach/
dissemination programs and information products to meet AHCPR's
scientific information and dissemination goals and needs of AHCPR
target audiences; (5) recommends the most effective and efficient
approaches to information dissemination; (6) develops and evaluates the
effectiveness of Agency dissemination strategies; (7) manages AHCPR's
publication clearinghouse; (8) responds to public inquiries about AHCPR
and its research; (9) makes final reports of Agency-supported research
available to the public through the National Technical Information
Service; and (10) carries out AHCPR's Freedom of Information Act
activities.
Division of Research Synthesis and Translation (EAF4). Responds to
internal and external needs for information by providing or
facilitating analytic syntheses of existing research findings, data and
activities, particularly in research areas to which AHCPR has made
substantial contributions. Specifically: (1) coordinates and supports
development of speeches and other presentations made by the AHCPR
Administrator; (2) provides informal syntheses and examples of Agency
research and activities in particular areas for a variety of uses (for
example, briefings, budget and planning documents, correspondence,
requests from Agency staff for information); (3) drafts articles,
briefing sheets, and other analytic documents that synthesize and
analyze particular topics and issues in health services research or
pertaining to agency activities; (4) coordinates and supports ongoing
improvement and maintenance of the Agency's research database system;
and (5) conducts other activities that improve information sharing
within the Agency and facilitates the ability of analysts across the
Agency to compile, synthesize, and analyze health services research.
Division of User Liaison (EAF5). Provides direction and
coordination of the Agency's program to define the issues, problems,
and information needs of selected users of health services research,
especially public and private sector policymakers, and to disseminate
to them relevant research findings, program data, and descriptive
information related to the organization, planning, management,
financing, delivery, evaluation, and outcomes of health services at the
Federal, state, and local level. Specifically: (1) develops syntheses
of research findings focused on particular issues dealing with policy
concerns and operational problems; (2) plans and conducts workshops and
seminars to provide research findings and related information to
policymakers and other consumers of health services research to allow
them to make better informed health care policy decisions; (3)
maintains liaison with State and local government organizations, public
policy organizations, and with the research community and receives and
appropriately transmits information which may impact the Agency's
research plan and priority setting process; (4) formulates; in
collaboration with Agency staff, appropriate policies and activities to
develop effective linkages with potential users of health services
research (3) communicates information regarding user research needs to
the Agency Administrator and appropriate Agency staff to ensure user
needs are adequately addressed in current and planned Agency project;
(6) develops and implements mechanisms to identify and contact
potential users of research findings and related information; (7) plans
meetings and coordinates contacts between Agency staff and individual
users and representatives of user's groups and organizations; (8)
provides assistance and advice to other Federal agencies and
organization in evaluating the utility of Federally-sponsored research
to State and local government officials; and (9) provides technical
assistance for the design and implementation of research projects
undertaken by State and local governments.
Following the statement for the Office of Research Review,
Education, and Policy (EAE), insert the following:
Division of Research Education (EAE2). Develops, implements, and
[[Page 11014]]
evaluates a comprehensive extramural health services research education
program which supports the career development of predoctoral and
postdoctoral students. Specifically: (1) Manages the AHCPR research
education/training portfolio, which includes National Research Service
Award (NRSA) institutional training grants, NRSA individual
postdoctoral training grants, dissertation training grants, and
incentive innovation awards; (2) establishes systems/mechanisms to
monitor the external health care environment for research needs of
potential private and public sector employers and to anticipate special
training needs; (3) implements new programs and support mechanisms, and
modifies existing ones to meet changing needs; (4) develops and manages
activities intended to evaluate the effects of past investments in
health services research training by examining career patterns,
publication records, and research productivity of persons supported by
AHCPR; (5) promotes visibility for the field of health services
research and the availability of training support through a variety of
mechanisms; (6) keep abreast of Departmental policies and procedures
which pertain to extramural research education training, and assures
compliance at the AHCPR level; and (7) works with AHCPR leadership to
assure communication and collaboration between OREP and program centers
with an interest in research education.
Division of Research Policy, Coordination, and Analysis (EAE3).
Serves as the focal point within AHCPR for developing, coordinating,
and communicating policies, procedures, and priorities for non-
financial aspects of AHCPR's extramural research program. Specifically:
(1) Coordinates the review and clearance of public announcements
pertaining to grant opportunities and other extramural research
interests for publication in the Federal Register and/or the NIH Guide
for Grants and Contracts: (2) coordinates legal clearance of notices,
announcements, and other policy documents and positions with the Office
of General Counsel; (3) serves as liaison with the National Institutes
of Health on referral of research applications and represents AHCPR on
committees and workgroups coordinating referral issues; (4) provides
locus for AHCPR grants referral activities by assigning research
applications to appropriate AHCPR program centers, and developing
criteria for grants referral in cooperation with program centers; (5)
coordinates AHCPR intramural and extramural functions pertaining to
ethics in research, including the development of policies and seminars,
as appropriate; (6) coordinates the activities of the Extramural
Research Committee (ERC) which provides policy recommendations to the
Agency on a variety of research and operational issues; (7) supports
AHCPR program staff and the health care research community by providing
guidance on issues and questions dealing with the Agency's extramural
grants policies, other than on business and fiscal matters,
particularly the inclusion of women, minorities, and children in
research; (8) integrates and develops management information systems to
track and report on AHCPR scientific review activities; (9) assures
uniform implementation of AHCPR grants streamlining activities; and
(10) supports the AHCPR committee management function.
Division of Scientific Review (EAE4). Plans and carries out the
scientific review for all AHCPR extramural research grants and SBIR
proposals. Specifically: (1) Assures compliance with organizational,
regulatory, and policy aspects of peer review; (2) determines review
requirements for standing study sections and special emphasis panels;
(3) anticipates needs/changes regarding the charters of standing study
sections, establishes and implements procedures for chartering study
sections, filling study section vacancies and appointing new members
and chairpersons, orients new reviewers to peer review processes; (4)
advises Agency staff on peer review processes and grant solicitations;
(5) keeps abreast of departmental, especially NIH, policies and
procedures regarding peer review to assure compatibility of AHCPR
processes; (6) interacts with the health services research community
and keeps abreast of emergent research developments as they relate to
review planning; (7) establishes and maintains continuous quality
monitoring and improvement activities; and (8) coordinates funding
meetings and relevant follow-up activities.
Following the statement for the Center for Cost and Financing
Studies (EC), insert the following:
Division of Modeling and Simulation (EC2). Provides research,
models, and data bases to support microsimulation analyses of household
impacts and trends in health expenditures from health policies embodied
in current law and from health care policies embodied in generic
versions of proposed health care reforms. Specifically: (1) Projects
the National Medical Expenditures Survey and the Medical Expenditure
Panel Survey household expenditure data to future years; (2) aligns the
projected household expenditure data to the Health Care Financing
Administration's National Health Expenditures by type of health service
and payment source; (3) uses a variety of outside data sources to
project, for example, the household population, Medicaid enrollees,
household income, and private and public health insurance benefits; (4)
develops and updates the Agency's MEDSIM microsimulation model's
software to estimate current household income and payroll taxes,
current private and public insurance coverage and benefits, and the
costs and consequences of generic versions of proposed health care
reforms; (5) provides the latest versions of the projected expenditures
data bases and associated research products on the Agency home page;
(6) uses MEDSIM and its data bases to conduct and publish research on
current and proposed health policies and on trends in household health
care expenditures; and (7) provides cost and distributional MEDSIM
estimates of specific legislative health care reform proposals to
provide predecisional guidance to requesting federal officials.
Division of Social and Economic Research (EC3). Provides basic
descriptive and behavioral analyses of the population's access to, use
of, expenditures and sources of payment for health care; the
availability and costs of private health insurance in the employment-
related and non-group markets; the population enrolled in public health
insurance coverage and those without health care coverage; and the role
of health status in health care use, expenditures, and household
decision-making, and in health insurance and employment choices.
Specifically: (1) Provides analytical input to the design and
development of primary data collection efforts and research-related
data bases; (2) develops a research agenda related to health care use,
expenditures, access to care, sources of payment, health insurance, and
health status; (3) conducts applied research in these areas by applying
substantive research tools from the fields of health services research,
health economics, medical sociology, public policy analysis,
demography, statistics and econometrics; (4) disseminates research
findings through presentations at conferences, publications in peer
reviewer journals, book chapters, and conference volumes; (5) provides
substantive technical expertise on health care use, expenditures, and
[[Page 11015]]
insurance coverage to other units within AHCPR, other governmental
units, private sector research institutions, and by serving as
technical reviewers and advisors to scholarly journals, technical
advisory committees, and private and public sector task forces.
Division of Statistical Research and Methods (EC4). Plans and
conducts studies on statistical methods and the use of statistics in
survey design in health services research. These studies provide the
bases for policy research and analysis and for technical assistance
provided to other Centers and Offices within the Agency. Specifically:
(1) Identifies, designs, conducts, and implements statistical research
and evaluation studies in accordance with the research priorities of
the Center for Cost and Financing Studies; (2) oversees the statistical
design of the National Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS); and (3)
conducts research in the areas of survey design, sampling, estimation,
imputation, the analysis of complex survey data, and the reduction of
sources of sampling and nonsampling errors in the design of national
health care surveys.
Division of Survey Operations (EC5). Plans, implements and monitors
the fielding of CCFS surveys. Specifically: (1) Develops and
disseminates public use data files which include editing, imputation
and estimation tasks; (2) assists in the development of data reports
which are of particular interest to the Public Health Service, DHHS,
and other Federal, State and local government agencies as well as the
larger research community; and (3) monitors the development of Computer
Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) data collection instruments.
Under Section E-30. Order of Succession, delete (3), (4), and (5).
All delegations and redelegations of authority to officers and
employees of the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research which were
in effect immediately prior to the effective date of this
reorganization shall continue in effect pending further redelegation,
provided they are consistent with this reorganization.
These changes are effective upon date of signature.
Dated: February 23, 1999.
John M. Eisenberg,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 99-5539 Filed 3-5-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-90-M
