[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 89 (Thursday, May 8, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 25200]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-11915]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Health Resources and Services Administration
Request for Nominations of Representatives to the Advisory
Committee on Infant Mortality
AGENCY: Health Resources and Services Administration, HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The HRSA is requesting nominations for representatives of
specified constituencies or organizations to serve on the Advisory
Committee on Infant Mortality (ACIM). The composition of the ACIM is
being expanded to meet new congressional requirements to provide advice
and guidance to the Secretary on health care services provided to
mothers and newborns, as authorized under Section 606 (``Newborns'' and
Mothers' Health Protection Act of 1996'') of Pub. L. 104-204, the
Veterans Administration-Housing and Urban Development Appropriations
Act of 1997.
Many of the categories of constituencies or organizations specified
by Section 606(b) of the Act for membership on the panel are already
represented on the ACIM. Additionally, Congress has identified other
organizations with specific areas of expertise for inclusion on the
panel. Those categories not already represented in the current
membership or that have not been specifically identified by Congress
include: health plans; hospitals; employers; and consumers. Nominations
are being solicited for persons of national stature representing these
four categories who are knowledgeable about maternal and infant health,
study methods and quality assurance.
DATES: Nominations should be received by June 9, 1997.
ADDRESSES: All letters of nominations, specifying the nominee's
expertise and category they are representing, and curricula vitae of
the nominees should be sent to Audrey H. Nora, M.D., M.P.H., Director,
Maternal and Child Health Bureau, and Assistant Surgeon General, 5600
Fishers Lane, Room 18-05, Rockville, MD 20857, within 30 days of this
Federal Register notice.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Woodie Kessel, M.D., M.P.H., Director,
Division of Science, Education, and Analysis, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room
18A-55, Rockville, MD 20857.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 606 of Pub. L. 104-204 requires
health plans and insurance carriers that provide maternity benefits to
provide coverage for postpartum hospital stays of at least 48 hours for
uncomplicated vaginal deliveries and 96 hours for Cesarean sections.
Section 606(b) of the Act directs the Secretary to establish an
advisory panel to review data on health care services provided to
mothers and newborns, to study several issues related to quality of
care and length of maternity stay, and to report to Congress within 5
years on a series of issues related to private sector improvements in
prenatal and postnatal care. An interim report is required in 18
months.
The law specifies that the advisory panel be chosen from public and
private sector entities with expertise in areas such as patient care,
patient education, quality assurance, outcomes research, and consumer
issues, and include representatives of health care practitioners,
health plans, hospitals, employers, States, and consumers. The Senate
Labor and Human Resources Committee Report, S. Rpt. 104-326, which
accompanied the ``Newborns' and Mothers' Health Protection Act of
1996'' (S. 969), further elaborates on the composition of the advisory
panel, identifying a number of organizations by name as well as
category for membership. Congressionally-identified organizations in
categories not already represented by current ACIM members have already
been invited to nominate a representative to the advisory panel.
On January 29, 1997, the Secretary designated the ACIM to carry out
the additional responsibilities of the advisory panel authorized under
Section 606(b) of the Act, with the understanding that its composition
would be expanded to meet the broadened membership requirements of
Section 606(b) of the Act. These membership categories are health
plans, hospitals, employers, and consumers. Organizations in categories
not otherwise represented by current ACIM members are being invited via
this notice to nominate a representative to serve on the advisory
panel. If no nomination is received from entities within these
categories, the MCHB will nominate a member to represent that
constituency's interests.
The Advisory Committee on Infant Mortality was established in 1991
to advise the Secretary on HHS programs directed at reducing infant
mortality and improving the health status of pregnant women and
infants. The Committee is governed by provisions of Public Law 92-463,
as amended, (5 U.S.C. App. 2), which sets forth standards for the
formation and use of advisory committees. The Committee currently
consists of the Assistant Secretary for Health, the Assistant Secretary
for Children and Families, the Administrator, Health Care Financing
Administration and the Assistant Secretary for Food and Consumer
Services, USDA, as ex-officio members, and 21 members, including the
chair, selected by the Secretary. Both the public and private sectors
are represented. Members from the private sector represent corporations
and foundations, the media, the clergy, health and other professional
organizations. Members from the public sector represent administrators
from State and local levels, including minority, rural and urban
interests. The ACIM receives administrative support from HRSA's
Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB).
Members of the advisory panel will serve for a 4-year term. The
panel will meet 3 to 4 times per year.
Dated: May 2, 1997.
Claude Earl Fox,
Acting Administrator.
[FR Doc. 97-11915 Filed 5-7-97; 8:45 am]
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