04-10283. National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality: Request for Nominations for Public Members

AGENCY:

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, HHS.

ACTION:

Request for nominations for public members.

SUMMARY:

42 U.S.C. 229c, section 921 of the Public Health Service (PHS Act), established a National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality (the Council). The Council is to advise the Secretary of HHS and the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) on matters related to actions of the Agency to enhance the quality, improve the outcomes, and reduce the costs of health care services, as well as improve access to such services, through scientific research and the promotion of improvements in clinical practice and in the organization, financing, and delivery of health care services.

Seven current members' terms will expire in November 2004. To fill these positions in accordance with the legislative mandate establishing the Council, we are seeking individuals who are distinguished in the conduct of research, demonstration projects, and evaluations with respect to health care; individuals distinguished in the fields of health care quality research or health care improvement; individuals distinguished in the practice of medicine; individuals distinguished in the other health professions; individuals either representing the private health care sector (including health plans, providers, and purchasers) or individuals distinguished as administrators of health care delivery systems; individuals distinguished in the fields of health care economics, management science, information systems, law, ethics, business, or public policy; and individuals representing the interests of patients and consumers of health care. Individuals are particularly sought with experience and success in activities specified in the summary paragraph above, through which the Agency carries out its work.

DATES:

Nominations should be received on or before June 1, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

Nominations should be sent to Ms. Deborah Queenan, AHRQ, 540 Gaither Road, Room 3238, Rockville, Maryland 20850. Nominations also may be faxed to [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ms. Deborah Queenan, AHRQ, at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

42 U.S.C. 299c, section 921 of the PHS Act, provides that the national Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality shall consist of 21 appropriately qualified representatives of the public appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and, in addition, ex officio representatives from other Federal agencies specified in the authorizing legislation, principally agencies that conduct or support health care research, as well as Federal officials the Secretary may consider appropriate. The Council meets in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area, generally in Rockville, Maryland, approximately three times a year to provide broad guidance to the Secretary and AHRQ's Director on the direction and programs for AHRQ.

Seven individuals will presently be selected by the Secretary to serve on the Council beginning with the meting in the fall of 2004. Members generally serve 3-year terms. Appointments are staggered to permit an orderly rotation of membership. Interested persons may nominate one or more qualified persons for membership on the Council. Nominations shall include a copy of the nominee's resume or curriculum vitae, and state that the nominee is willing to serve as a member of the Council. Potential candidates will be asked to provide detailed information concerning their financial interests, consultant positions, and research grants and contracts, to permit evaluation of possible sources of conflict of interest.

The Department is seeking a broad geographic representation and has special interest in assuring that women, minority groups, and the physically handicapped are adequately represented on advisory bodies and, therefore, extends particular encouragement to nominations for appropriately qualified female, minority, and/or physically handicapped candidates.

Dated: April 28, 2004.

Carolyn M. Clancy,

Director.