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Code · REGISTER · 2006-11-08 · Office of Governmentwide Policy, General Services Administration (GSA) · Notices

Notices. Notice

7,407 words·~34 min read·/register/2006/11/08/06-9111

A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

BILLING CODE 6760-01-P GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION [Docket FTR-2006-006; Sequence 5] Seventh National Federal Fleet Management Workshop and Information Fair, Including Aviation and Motor Vehicle Workshops (FedFleet 2007) AGENCY: Office of Governmentwide Policy, General Services Administration (GSA). ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The General Services Administration
(GSA)is announcing that it will hold its Seventh National Federal Fleet Management Workshop and Information Fair (including Aviation and Motor Vehicle workshops) (FedFleet 2007). FedFleet 2007: Performance Measurement/Navigating Success will take place July 24-26 at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida. FedFleet 2007 offers three days of valuable educational opportunities, with sessions being facilitated by fleet and aviation experts as well as invited professional speakers, various networking opportunities, and a first-class exhibit hall. In addition, a Basic Fleet class, optional but included in the registration fee, will be held on Sunday, July 22. A 24-hour ICAP Aircraft Safety Officer’s
(ASO)training course will begin on Monday, July 23. To attend, exhibit, or hold an agency-wide meeting, visit the FedFleet 2007 web site at *www.fedfleet.org* . FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael Hopkins, Office of Governmentwide Policy, at
(202)208-4421, or by e-mail to *Michael.Hopkins@gsa.gov* . Dated: November 1, 2006. Janet C. Dobbs, Director of Aviation Policy, Acting Director of Motor Vehicle Fleet. [FR Doc. E6-18872 Filed 11-7-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6820-24-S GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE No FEAR Act Notice AGENCY: Government Accountability Office. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: The Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002 (No FEAR Act) requires that each Federal agency provide notice to all employees, former employees, and applicants for employment about the rights and remedies available under antidiscrimination laws and whistleblower protection laws applicable to them. GAO's notice specifically describes the GAO processes and procedures for filing complaints alleging violations of these laws. This document fulfills GAO's requirement to publish the initial notice in the **Federal Register** . DATES: This notice is effective November 8, 2006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barbara Simball, Assistant General Counsel; telephone 202-512-8173; e-mail *simballb@gao.gov* . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The “Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002” was passed to require that Federal agencies be accountable for violations of discrimination and whistleblower protection laws. The Act recognized that agencies cannot be run effectively if those agencies practice or tolerate discrimination. As defined in 5 U.S.C. 104, GAO is an independent establishment, and by extension an executive agency as defined in 5 U.S.C. 105, and thus is covered under this Act. The Act and regulations promulgated by Office of Personnel Management at 5 CFR 724.102 require that Federal employees, former employees, and applicants be notified in paper and/or electronic form of the rights and protections available to them under Antidiscrimination and Whistleblower Protection laws. GAO's notice will raise the awareness of its employees, former employees, and applicants for employment of the procedures to follow if they believe they have been subject to a violation of these laws. No FEAR Act Notice On May 15, 2002, Congress enacted the “Notification and Federal Employee Antidiscrimination and Retaliation Act of 2002,” Public Law 107-174, 116 Stat. 566, which is now known as the No FEAR Act. One purpose of the Act is to “require that Federal agencies be accountable for violations of antidiscrimination and whistleblower protection laws.” Public Law 107-174, Summary. In support of this purpose, Congress found that “agencies cannot be run effectively if those agencies practice or tolerate discrimination.” Public Law 107-174, Title I, General Provisions, section 101(1). The Act also requires that each Federal agency provide the following notice to its employees, former employees, and applicants for Federal employment to inform them of the rights and protections available to them under Federal antidiscrimination and whistleblower protection laws. Antidiscrimination Laws A Federal agency cannot discriminate against an employee or applicant with respect to the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or political affiliation. Discrimination on these bases is prohibited by one or more of the following statutes: 5 U.S.C. 2302(b)(1), 29 U.S.C. 206(d), 29 U.S.C. 631, 29 U.S.C. 633a, 29 U.S.C. 791, 42 U.S.C. 2000e-16, and 42 U.S.C. 12101. If you believe that you have been the victim of unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or disability, you must contact an Office of Opportunity and Inclusiveness
(OOI)counselor within 45 calendar days of the alleged discriminatory action, or, in the case of a personnel action, within 45 calendar days of the effective date of the action, before you can file a formal complaint of discrimination with your agency. See GAO Order 2713.2, “Discrimination Complaint Resolution Process” (July 10, 2006). If you believe that you have been the victim of unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, you must either contact an EEO counselor as noted above or give notice of intent to sue to OOI within 180 calendar days of the alleged discriminatory action. If you are alleging discrimination based on marital status or political affiliation, you may file a charge with the Personnel Appeals Board Office of General Counsel (PAB/OGC). See 4 CFR Part 28. In addition, in certain types of adverse and performance-based actions, such as removals, you may file a discrimination charge directly with the PAB/OGC within 30 days of the effective date of the action, instead of filing a complaint with OOI. See 4 CFR 28.98(c) for further information. Whistleblower Protection Laws A Federal employee with authority to take, direct others to take, recommend or approve any personnel action must not use that authority to take or fail to take, or threaten to take or fail to take, a personnel action against an employee or applicant because of disclosure of information by that individual that is reasonably believed to evidence violations of law, rule, or regulation; gross mismanagement; gross waste of funds; an abuse of authority; or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, unless disclosure of such information is specifically prohibited by law and such information is specifically required by Executive order to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or the conduct of foreign affairs. Retaliation against an employee or applicant for making a protected disclosure is prohibited by 5 U.S.C. 2302(b)(8), as made applicable to GAO by 31 U.S.C. 732(b)(2). If you believe that you have been the victim of whistleblower retaliation, you may file a charge with the PAB/OGC. See 4 CFR part 28. Retaliation for Engaging in Protected Activity A Federal agency cannot retaliate against an employee or applicant because that individual exercises his or her rights under any of the Federal antidiscrimination or whistleblower protection laws listed above. If you believe that you are the victim of retaliation for engaging in protected activity, you must follow, as appropriate, the procedures described in the antidiscrimination laws and whistleblower protection sections in order to pursue any legal remedy. Disciplinary Actions Under the existing laws, each agency retains the right, where appropriate, to discipline an employee for conduct that is inconsistent with Federal antidiscrimination and whistleblower protection laws up to and including removal. Nothing in the No FEAR Act alters existing laws or permits an agency to take unfounded disciplinary action against a Federal employee or to violate the procedural rights of a Federal employee who has been accused of discrimination. Additional Information For further information regarding the No FEAR Act regulations, refer to 5 CFR Part 724, or contact the Office of Opportunity & Inclusiveness
(OOI)or the Office of the General Counsel, Legal Services Group. OOI is located at 441 G Street, NW., Room 6123, Washington, DC 20548. The Office of the General Counsel, Legal Services, is located at 441 G Street, NW., Room 7838, Washington, DC 20548. Additional information regarding Federal antidiscrimination, whistleblower protection, and retaliation laws can be found at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Web site— *http://www.eeoc.gov* , the Office of Special Counsel Web site— *http://www.osc.gov* , and in GAO Order 2713.2, “Discrimination Complaint Resolution Process” (July 10, 2006), and Personnel Appeals Board regulations, 4 CFR Part 28. The PAB/OGC is located at Union Center Plaza II, Suite 580, 820 First Street, NE., Washington, DC 20002. Existing Rights Unchanged Pursuant to section 205 of the No FEAR Act, neither the Act nor this notice creates, expands, or reduces any rights otherwise available to any employee, former employee or applicant under the laws of the United States, including the provisions of law specified in 5 U.S.C. 2302(d). Dated: November 3, 2006. Gary L. Kepplinger, General Counsel, Government Accountability Office. [FR Doc. E6-18862 Filed 11-7-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 1610-02-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [30Day-07-05BF] Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC)publishes a list of information collection requests under review by the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). To request a copy of these requests, call the CDC Reports Clearance Officer at
(404)639-4766 or send an e-mail to *omb@cdc.gov* . Send written comments to CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC or by fax to
(202)395-6974. Written comments should be received within 30 days of this notice. Proposed Project Human Smoking Behavior—New—National Center for Chronic Disease and Public Health Promotion (NCDDPHP), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Background and Brief Description CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), in a joint venture with the National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), proposes to conduct a 2-year laboratory-based study of human smoking behavior among established current smokers of the major styles and varieties of cigarettes consumed in the United States. This study will compare how different categories of cigarettes deliver toxic chemicals to smokers in order to further investigate the link between tobacco use and disease. The major objective of this study is to better understand how human and cigarette variables influence the delivered dose of harmful chemicals in smoke to identify risk factors that result in adverse health effects from smoking. The smoking behavior and biomarkers of 360 smokers will be ascertained. Participants will attend two sessions on consecutive days. Solanesol levels in cigarette filter butts; carbon monoxide boost in breath; carcinogens and nicotine and its metabolites in urine; cotinine in saliva; vent-blocking (as measured by filter stain pattern and visualization of lip and finger placement on the rod using fluorescent markers); smoking topography; and breathing patterns (inhalation and exhalation volume, breath velocity and duration prior to smoking, during smoking and after smoking) will be used to measure dose based on the number of cigarettes smoked, amount of each cigarette smoked, filter vent blocking behavior, smoking behavior and puff characteristics. Another objective of this study is to define average or “composite” smoking patterns across several of the most popular cigarette categories (ultralight, light, full-flavored menthol and full-flavored non-menthol) from the quantitative and observational data. All current smoking machine methodologies are “one size fits all” approaches to generating cigarette smoke. The composite conditions can be used to establish human behavior-based smoking machine methods for laboratory studies that require cigarette smoke for chemical or toxicological testing. Currently, laboratory scientists rely on automated smoking machines to generate cigarette smoke for chemical and toxicological testing. Funding for this study will come from both NCCDPHP and NCEH. The Centers will share responsibilities, with administrative and technical assistance coming from NCCDPHP and laboratory support coming from NCEH. This is a two-year study, and an estimated 500 respondents will be screened by telephone to yield 360 eligible respondents who complete both visits over the two-year study period. The total burden for each respondent who completes screening, visit 1 and visit 2 will be two hours and five minutes. The CATI screening will take five minutes. Visit 1 will take one hour, which includes a short screening item, the informed consent process, biologic sample collection (urine, saliva, and breath carbon monoxide), smoking topography, ventilation hole blocking procedure and breath measurements. Visit 2 will also take approximately one hour, which includes compensation, discussion of quit opportunities if requested, collection of cigarette butts, biologic sample collection (urine, saliva, and breath carbon monoxide), smoking topography, ventilation hole blocking procedure and breath measurements. The following table summarizes burden on an annualized basis for 500 telephone interviews and 180 eligible respondents (one-half of the total respondents). The 180 eligible respondents estimated to complete visit 2 are the same respondents estimated to complete visit 1. There are no costs to the respondents other than their time. The total estimated annualized burden hours are 402. Estimated Annualized Burden Hours Respondents Procedure Number of respondents Number of responses per respondent Average burden per response (in hours) Smokers CATI Screening 500 1 5/60 Eligible Smokers Visit 1 (Day 1) 180 1 1 Eligible Smokers Visit 2 (Day 2) 180 1 1 Dated: November 1, 2006. Catina J. Conner, Acting Assistant Reports Clearance Officer, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [FR Doc. E6-18825 Filed 11-7-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4163-18-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Privacy Act of 1974; Report of a Modified or Altered System of Records AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). ACTION: Notice of a Modified or Altered System of Records (SOR). SUMMARY: In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, we are proposing to modify or alter an existing SOR, “Medicaid Statistical Information System (MSIS),” System No. 09-70-6001, last published at 67 FR 48906 (July 26, 2002). CMS is reorganizing its databases because of the impact of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003
(MMA)(Public Law (Pub. L.) 108-173) provisions and the large volume of information the Agency collects to administer the Medicare program. We propose to assign a new CMS identification number to this system to simplify the obsolete and confusing numbering system originally designed to identify the Bureau, Office, or Center that maintained the system of records. The new assigned identifying number for this system should read: System No. 09-70-0541. We propose to modify existing routine use number 1 that permits disclosure to agency contractors and consultants to include disclosure to CMS grantees who perform a task for the agency. CMS grantees, charged with completing projects or activities that require CMS data to carry out that activity, are classified separate from CMS contractors and/or consultants. The modified routine use will remain as routine use number 1. We will delete routine use number 4 authorizing disclosure to support constituent requests made to a congressional representative. If an authorization for the disclosure has been obtained from the data subject, then no routine use is needed. The Privacy Act allows for disclosures with the “prior written consent” of the data subject. We will broaden the scope of routine uses number 5 and 6, authorizing disclosures to combat fraud and abuse in the Medicare and Medicaid programs to include combating “waste” which refers to specific beneficiary/recipient practices that result in unnecessary cost to all federally-funded health benefit programs. We are modifying the language in the remaining routine uses to provide a proper explanation as to the need for the routine use and to provide clarity to CMS's intention to disclose individual-specific information contained in this system. The routine uses will then be prioritized and reordered according to their usage. We will also take the opportunity to update any sections of the system that were affected by the recent reorganization or because of the impact of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003
(MMA)(Public Law 108-173) provisions and to update language in the administrative sections to correspond with language used in other CMS SORs. The primary purpose of this modified system is to establish an accurate, current, and comprehensive database containing standardized enrollment, eligibility, and paid claims of Medicaid beneficiaries to be used for the administration of Medicaid at the Federal level, produce statistical reports, support Medicaid related research, and assist in the detection of fraud and abuse in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Information retrieved from this system will also be disclosed to:
(1)Support regulatory, reimbursement, and policy functions performed within the agency or by a contractor or consultant;
(2)assist another Federal or state agency with information to enable such agency to administer a Federal health benefits program, or to enable such agency to fulfill a requirement of Federal statute or regulation that implements a health benefits program funded in whole or in part with Federal funds;
(3)support a research or evaluation project;
(4)support litigation involving the agency; and
(5)combat fraud, waste, and abuse. We have provided background information about the modified system in the Supplementary Information section below. Although the Privacy Act requires only that CMS provide an opportunity for interested persons to comment on the modified or altered routine uses, CMS invites comments on all portions of this notice. See Effective Dates section for comment period. DATES: *Effective Dates:* CMS filed a modified or altered system report with the Chair of the House Committee on Government Reform and Oversight, the Chair of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs, and the Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget
(OMB)on November 2, 2006. To ensure that all parties have adequate time in which to comment, the modified system, including routine uses, will become effective 30 days from the publication of the notice, or 40 days from the date it was submitted to OMB and Congress, whichever is later, unless CMS receives comments that require alterations to this notice. ADDRESSES: The public should address comments to: CMS Privacy Officer, Division of Privacy Compliance, Enterprise Architecture and Strategy Group, Office of Information Services, CMS, Room N2-04-27, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850. Comments received will be available for review at this location, by appointment, during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., eastern time zone. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ron North, Division of Informational Analysis and Technical Assistance, Finance, Systems & Budget Group, Center for Medicaid and State Operations, CMS, Mail Stop S3-13-15, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850. He can also be reached by telephone at 410-786-5651, or via e-mail at *Ronald.North@cms.hhs.gov.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1994, CMS established a new SOR under the authority of section 1902 (a)(6) of the Social Security Act (the Act) (42 Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR)1396(a)(6)), and the Balanced Budget Act (Public Law 105-33). Notice of this system, MSIS, was published in the **Federal Register**
(FR)at 58 FR 41327 (August 1, 1994), an unnumbered routine use was added for the Social Security Administration
(SSA)at 61 FR 6645 (February 21, 1996), three new fraud and abuse routine uses were added at 63 FR 38414 (July 16, 1998), two of the fraud and abuse routine uses were revised and a third deleted at 65 FR 50552 (August 18, 2000), and three routine uses were deleted and the security classification was modified at 67 FR 48906 (July 26, 2002). I. Description of the Modified or Altered System of Records A. Statutory and Regulatory Basis for SOR Authority for maintenance of the system is given under section 1902 (a)(6) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a (a)(6)), and Title IV of the Balanced Budget Act (Public Law 105-33). B. Collection and Maintenance of Data in the System MSIS contains information on Medicaid beneficiaries, and physicians and other providers involved in furnishing services to Medicaid beneficiaries. Information contained in this system includes, but is not limited to: Assigned Medicaid identification number, social security number, health insurance claim number, date of birth, gender, ethnicity and race, medical services, equipment, and supplies for which Medicaid reimbursement is requested, and materials used to determine amount of benefits allowable under Medicaid. Information on physicians and other providers of services to the beneficiary consist of an assigned provider identification number, and information used to determine whether a sanction or suspension is warranted. II. Agency Policies, Procedures, and Restrictions on the Routine Use A. Agency Policies, Procedures, and Restrictions on the Routine Use The Privacy Act permits us to disclose information without an individual's consent if the information is to be used for a purpose that is compatible with the purpose(s) for which the information was collected. Any such disclosure of data is known as a “routine use.” The government will only release MSIS information that can be associated with an individual as provided for under “Section III. Proposed Routine Use Disclosures of Data in the System.” Both identifiable and non-identifiable data may be disclosed under a routine use. We will only collect the minimum personal data necessary to achieve the purpose of MSIS. CMS has the following policies and procedures concerning disclosures of information that will be maintained in the system. Disclosure of information from this system will be approved only to the extent necessary to accomplish the purpose of the disclosure and only after CMS: 1. Determines that the use or disclosure is consistent with the reason that the data is being collected, *e.g.* , to establish an accurate, current, and comprehensive database containing standardized enrollment, eligibility, and paid claims of Medicaid beneficiaries to be used for the administration of Medicaid at the Federal level, produce statistical reports, support Medicaid related research, and assist in the detection of fraud and abuse in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. 2. Determines that: a. the purpose for which the disclosure is to be made can only be accomplished if the record is provided in individually identifiable form; b. the purpose for which the disclosure is to be made is of sufficient importance to warrant the effect and/or risk on the privacy of the individual that additional exposure of the record might bring; and c. there is a strong probability that the proposed use of the data would in fact accomplish the stated purpose(s). 3. Requires the information recipient to: a. establish administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to prevent unauthorized use of disclosure of the record; b. remove or destroy at the earliest time all patient-identifiable information; and c. agree to not use or disclose the information for any purpose other than the stated purpose under which the information was disclosed. 4. Determines that the data are valid and reliable. III. Proposed Routine Use Disclosures of Data in the System A. The Privacy Act allows us to disclose information without an individual's consent if the information is to be used for a purpose that is compatible with the purpose(s) for which the information was collected. Any such compatible use of data is known as a “routine use.” The proposed routine uses in this system meet the compatibility requirement of the Privacy Act. We are proposing to establish the following routine use disclosures of information maintained in the system: 1. To support agency contractors, consultants, or grantees who have been engaged by the agency to assist in the performance of a service related to this collection and who need to have access to the records in order to perform the activity. We contemplate disclosing information under this routine use only in situations in which CMS may enter into a contractual or similar agreement with a third party to assist in accomplishing CMS function relating to purposes for this system. CMS occasionally contracts out certain of its functions when doing so would contribute to effective and efficient operations. CMS must be able to give a contractor, consultant or grantee whatever information is necessary for the contractor, consultant or grantee to fulfill its duties. In these situations, safeguards are provided in the contract prohibiting the contractor, consultant or grantee from using or disclosing the information for any purpose other than that described in the contract and requires the contractor, consultant or grantee to return or destroy all information at the completion of the contract. 2. To assist another Federal or state agency, agency of a state government, an agency established by state law, or its fiscal agent to: a. Contribute to the accuracy of CMS' proper management of Medicare/Medicaid benefits; and/or b. Enable such agency to administer a Federal health benefits program, or as necessary to enable such agency to fulfill a requirement of a Federal statute or regulation that implements a health benefits program funded in whole or in part with Federal funds; and/or c. Assist Federal/state Medicaid programs within the state. Other Federal or state agencies in their administration of a Federal health program may require MSIS information for the purposes of determining, evaluating, and/or assessing cost, effectiveness, and/or the quality of health care services provided in the state. SSA may require MSIS data to enable them to assist in the implementation and maintenance of the Medicare/Medicaid program. Disclosure under this routine use shall be used by state Medicaid agencies pursuant to agreements with HHS for determining Medicaid and Medicare eligibility, for quality control studies, for determining eligibility of recipients of assistance under Title IV, XVIII, XIX and XXI of the Act, and for the administration of the Medicaid program. Data will be released to the state only on those individuals who are eligible enrollees, and beneficiaries under the services of a Medicaid program within the state or who are residents of that state. We also contemplate disclosing information under this routine use in situations in which state auditing agencies require MSIS information for auditing state Medicaid eligibility considerations. CMS may enter into an agreement with state auditing agencies to assist in accomplishing functions relating to purposes for this system of records. 3. To an individual or organization for a research project or in support of an evaluation project related to the prevention of disease or disability, the restoration or maintenance of health, or payment related projects. The MSIS data will provide for research or in support of evaluation projects, a broader, national perspective of the status of Medicare beneficiaries. CMS anticipates that many researchers will have legitimate requests to use these data in projects that could ultimately improve the care provided to Medicare beneficiaries and the policy that governs the care. 4. To the Department of Justice (DOJ), court or adjudicatory body when: a. the agency or any component thereof, or b. any employee of the agency in his or her official capacity, or c. any employee of the agency in his or her individual capacity where the DOJ has agreed to represent the employee, or d. the United States Government is a party to litigation or has an interest in such litigation, and by careful review, CMS determines that the records are both relevant and necessary to the litigation and that the use of such records by the DOJ, court or adjudicatory body is compatible with the purpose for which the agency collected the records. Whenever CMS is involved in litigation, and occasionally when another party is involved in litigation and CMS' policies or operations could be affected by the outcome of the litigation, CMS would be able to disclose information to the DOJ, court or adjudicatory body involved. 5. To a CMS contractor (including, but not necessarily limited to fiscal intermediaries and carriers) that assists in the administration of a CMS-administered health benefits program, or to a grantee of a CMS-administered grant program, when disclosure is deemed reasonably necessary by CMS to prevent, deter, discover, detect, investigate, examine, prosecute, sue with respect to, defend against, correct, remedy, or otherwise combat fraud, waste, and abuse in such program. We contemplate disclosing information under this routine use only in situations in which CMS may enter into a contractual relationship or grant with a third party to assist in accomplishing CMS functions relating to the purpose of combating fraud, waste, and abuse. CMS occasionally contracts out certain of its functions and makes grants when doing so would contribute to effective and efficient operations. CMS must be able to give a contractor or grantee whatever information is necessary for the contractor or grantee to fulfill its duties. In these situations, safeguards are provided in the contract prohibiting the contractor or grantee from using or disclosing the information for any purpose other than that described in the contract and requiring the contractor or grantee to return or destroy all information. 6. To another Federal agency or to an instrumentality of any governmental jurisdiction within or under the control of the United States (including any State or local governmental agency), that administers, or that has the authority to investigate potential fraud, waste, and abuse in, a health benefits program funded in whole or in part by Federal funds, when disclosure is deemed reasonably necessary by CMS to prevent, deter, discover, detect, investigate, examine, prosecute, sue with respect to, defend against, correct, remedy, or otherwise combat fraud, waste, and abuse in such programs. Other agencies may require MSIS information for the purpose of combating fraud, waste, and abuse in such federally-funded programs. B. Additional Provisions Affecting Routine Use Disclosures To the extent this system contains Protected Health Information
(PHI)as defined by HHS regulation “Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information” (45 CFR Parts 160 and 164, Subparts A and E) 65 FR 82462 (12-28-00). Disclosures of such PHI that are otherwise authorized by these routine uses may only be made if, and as, permitted or required by the “Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information.” (See 45 CFR 164-512(a)(1).) In addition, our policy will be to prohibit release even of data not directly identifiable, except pursuant to one of the routine uses or if required by law, if we determine there is a possibility that an individual can be identified through implicit deduction based on small cell sizes (instances where the patient population is so small that individuals could, because of the small size, use this information to deduce the identity of the beneficiary). IV. Safeguards CMS has safeguards in place for authorized users and monitors such users to ensure against excessive or unauthorized use. Personnel having access to the system have been trained in the Privacy Act and information security requirements. Employees who maintain records in this system are instructed not to release data until the intended recipient agrees to implement appropriate management, operational and technical safeguards sufficient to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the information and information systems and to prevent unauthorized access. This system will conform to all applicable Federal laws and regulations and Federal, HHS, and CMS policies and standards as they relate to information security and data privacy. These laws and regulations may apply but are not limited to: The Privacy Act of 1974; the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002; the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986; the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996; the E-Government Act of 2002, the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996; the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, and the corresponding implementing regulations. OMB Circular A-130, Management of Federal Resources, Appendix III, Security of Federal Automated Information Resources also applies. Federal, HHS, and CMS policies and standards include but are not limited to: all pertinent National Institute of Standards and Technology publications; the HHS Information Systems Program Handbook and the CMS Information Security Handbook. V. Effects of the Modified System of Records on Individual Rights CMS proposes to modify this system in accordance with the principles and requirements of the Privacy Act and will collect, use, and disseminate information only as prescribed therein. Data in this system will be subject to the authorized releases in accordance with the routine uses identified in this system of records. CMS will take precautionary measures to minimize the risks of unauthorized access to the records and the potential harm to individual privacy or other personal or property rights of patients whose data are maintained in the system. CMS will collect only that information necessary to perform the system's functions. In addition, CMS will make disclosure from the proposed system only with consent of the subject individual, or his/her legal representative, or in accordance with an applicable exception provision of the Privacy Act. CMS, therefore, does not anticipate an unfavorable effect on individual privacy as a result of information relating to individuals. Dated: November 1, 2006. John R. Dyer, Chief Operating Officer, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. SYSTEM NO. 09-70-0541 SYSTEM NAME: “Medicaid Statistical Information System (MSIS),” HHS/CMS/CMSO. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: Level Three Privacy Act Sensitive Data. SYSTEM LOCATION: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
(CMS)Data Center, 7500 Security Boulevard, North Building, First Floor, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850 and at various contractor sites and at CMS Regional Offices. CATEGORIES OF INDIVIDUALS COVERED BY THE SYSTEM: MSIS contains information on Medicaid beneficiaries, and physicians and other providers involved in furnishing services to Medicaid beneficiaries. CATEGORIES OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM: Information contained in this system includes, but is not limited to: assigned Medicaid identification number, social security number (SSN), health insurance claim number (HICN), date of birth, gender, ethnicity and race, medical services, equipment, and supplies for which Medicaid reimbursement is requested, and materials used to determine amount of benefits allowable under Medicaid. Information on physicians and other providers of services to the beneficiary consist of an assigned provider identification number, and information used to determine whether a sanction or suspension is warranted. AUTHORITY FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE SYSTEM: Authority for maintenance of the system is given under section 1902(a)(6) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(6)), and Title IV of the Balanced Budget Act (Public Law 105-33). PURPOSE(S) OF THE SYSTEM: The primary purpose of this modified system is to establish an accurate, current, and comprehensive database containing standardized enrollment, eligibility, and paid claims of Medicaid beneficiaries to be used for the administration of Medicaid at the Federal level, produce statistical reports, support Medicaid related research, and assist in the detection of fraud and abuse in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Information retrieved from this system will also be disclosed to:
(1)Support regulatory, reimbursement, and policy functions performed within the agency or by a contractor or consultant;
(2)assist another Federal or state agency with information to enable such agency to administer a Federal health benefits program, or to enable such agency to fulfill a requirement of Federal statute or regulation that implements a health benefits program funded in whole or in part with Federal funds;
(3)support a research or evaluation project;
(4)support litigation involving the agency; and
(5)combat fraud, waste, and abuse. ROUTINE USES OF RECORDS MAINTAINED IN THE SYSTEM, INCLUDING CATEGORIES OR USERS AND THE PURPOSES OF SUCH USES: A. The Privacy Act allows us to disclose information without an individual's consent if the information is to be used for a purpose that is compatible with the purpose(s) for which the information was collected. Any such compatible use of data is known as a “routine use.” The proposed routine uses in this system meet the compatibility requirement of the Privacy Act. We are proposing to establish the following routine use disclosures of information maintained in the system: 1. To support agency contractors, consultants, or grantees who have been engaged by the agency to assist in the performance of a service related to this collection and who need to have access to the records in order to perform the activity. 2. To assist another Federal or state agency, agency of a state government, an agency established by state law, or its fiscal agent to: a. Contribute to the accuracy of CMS' proper management of Medicare/Medicaid benefits; and/or b. Enable such agency to administer a Federal health benefits program, or as necessary to enable such agency to fulfill a requirement of a Federal statute or regulation that implements a health benefits program funded in whole or in part with Federal funds; and/or c. Assist Federal/state Medicaid programs within the state. 3. To an individual or organization for a research project or in support of an evaluation project related to the prevention of disease or disability, the restoration or maintenance of health, or payment related projects. 4. To the Department of Justice (DOJ), court or adjudicatory body when: a. The agency or any component thereof, or b. Any employee of the agency in his or her official capacity, or c. Any employee of the agency in his or her individual capacity where the DOJ has agreed to represent the employee, or d. The United States Government is a party to litigation or has an interest in such litigation, and by careful review, CMS determines that the records are both relevant and necessary to the litigation and that the use of such records by the DOJ, court or adjudicatory body is compatible with the purpose for which the agency collected the records. 5. To a CMS contractor (including, but not necessarily limited to fiscal intermediaries and carriers) that assists in the administration of a CMS-administered health benefits program, or to a grantee of a CMS-administered grant program, when disclosure is deemed reasonably necessary by CMS to prevent, deter, discover, detect, investigate, examine, prosecute, sue with respect to, defend against, correct, remedy, or otherwise combat fraud, waste, and abuse in such program. 6. To another Federal agency or to an instrumentality of any governmental jurisdiction within or under the control of the United States (including any State or local governmental agency), that administers, or that has the authority to investigate potential fraud, waste, and abuse in, a health benefits program funded in whole or in part by Federal funds, when disclosure is deemed reasonably necessary by CMS to prevent, deter, discover, detect, investigate, examine, prosecute, sue with respect to, defend against, correct, remedy, or otherwise combat fraud, waste, and abuse in such programs. B. Additional Provisions Affecting Routine Use Disclosures To the extent this system contains Protected Health Information
(PHI)as defined by HHS regulation “Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information” (45 CFR Parts 160 and 164, Subparts A and E) 65 FR 82462 (12-28-00). Disclosures of such PHI that are otherwise authorized by these routine uses may only be made if, and as, permitted or required by the “Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information.” (See 45 CFR 164-512(a)(1).) In addition, our policy will be to prohibit release even of data not directly identifiable, except pursuant to one of the routine uses or if required by law, if we determine there is a possibility that an individual can be identified through implicit deduction based on small cell sizes (instances where the patient population is so small that individuals could, because of the small size, use this information to deduce the identity of the beneficiary). POLICIES AND PRACTICES FOR STORING, RETRIEVING, ACCESSING, RETAINING, AND DISPOSING OF RECORDS IN THE SYSTEM: STORAGE: All records are stored on computer diskette and magnetic media. RETRIEVABILITY: Information can be retrieved by the assigned beneficiary identification number, SSN, HICN, and the assigned physician or other providers of services identification number. SAFEGUARDS: CMS has safeguards in place for authorized users and monitors such users to ensure against excessive or unauthorized use. Personnel having access to the system have been trained in the Privacy Act and information security requirements. Employees who maintain records in this system are instructed not to release data until the intended recipient agrees to implement appropriate management, operational and technical safeguards sufficient to protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of the information and information systems and to prevent unauthorized access. This system will conform to all applicable Federal laws and regulations and Federal, HHS, and CMS policies and standards as they relate to information security and data privacy. These laws and regulations may apply but are not limited to: the Privacy Act of 1974; the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002; the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act of 1986; the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996; the E-Government Act of 2002, the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996; the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003, and the corresponding implementing regulations. OMB Circular A-130, Management of Federal Resources, Appendix III, Security of Federal Automated Information Resources also applies. Federal, HHS, and CMS policies and standards include but are not limited to: All pertinent National Institute of Standards and Technology publications; the HHS Information Systems Program Handbook and the CMS Information Security Handbook. RETENTION AND DISPOSAL: CMS will retain identifiable MSIS data for a total period not to exceed 10 years after the final determination of the case is completed. All claims-related records are encompassed by the document preservation order and will be retained until notification is received from DOJ. SYSTEM MANAGER(S) AND ADDRESS: Director, Division of Informational Analysis and Technical Assistance, Finance, Systems & Budget Group, Center for Medicaid and State Operations, CMS, Mail Stop S3-18-15, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850. NOTIFICATION PROCEDURE: For purpose of access, the subject individual should write to the system manager who will require the system name, HICN, address, date of birth, and gender, and for verification purposes, the subject individual's name (woman's maiden name, if applicable), and SSN. Furnishing the SSN is voluntary, but it may make searching for a record easier and prevent delay. RECORD ACCESS PROCEDURE: For purpose of access, use the same procedures outlined in Notification Procedures above. Requestors should also specify the record contents being sought. (These procedures are in accordance with department regulation 45 CFR 5b.5(a)(2).) CONTESTING RECORDS PROCEDURES: The subject individual should contact the system manager named above, and reasonably identify the records and specify the information to be contested. State the corrective action sought and the reasons for the correction with supporting justification. (These Procedures are in accordance with Department regulation 45 CFR 5b.7.) RECORDS SOURCE CATEGORIES: CMS obtains the identifying information contained in this system from state Medicaid agencies, or Medicaid Management Information Systems maintained by the individual states, and information contained on CMS Form 2082. SYSTEMS EXEMPTED FROM CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE ACT: None. [FR Doc. E6-18814 Filed 11-7-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120-03-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Administration for Children and Families Submission for OMB Review, Comment Request *Title:* Evaluation of the Head Start Region III I am Moving, I am Learning (IM/IL) Program. *OMB No.:* New Collection. *Description:* The purpose of this evaluation is to examine the implementation of the Head Start project I am Moving, I am Learning (IM/IL) as a preventive intervention targeting obesity in children. IM/IL was designed to fit within the Head Start Performance Standards and the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework through enhancements to current teaching and family support practices by providing more focused guidance on quality movement, gross and fine motor development, and child nutrition. This data collection will be conducted among programs implementing IM/IL in Region III, and will gain information about each site's program context and service components, including level of adoption of IM/IL enhancements, intensity of implementation, and sustainability of enhancements. Progress toward achieving outcomes and goals of the IM/IL program that can be measured will also be assessed. *Respondents:* Head Start directors, management teams, teachers, and staff in Region III that received spring 2006 IM/IL training; parents or guardians of children who attend Head Start programs where IM/IL is being implemented. Annual Burden Estimates Instrument Number of respondents Number of responses per respondent Average burden hours per response Total burden hours Director/Manager Questionnaire 65 1 0.84 54.6 Director/Manager Telephone Interview 30 1 1.5 45.0 Teacher/Home Visitor Telephone Interview 60 1 0.5 30.0 Director Interview 16 1 2.0 32.0 Key Management Staff Interview 48 1 1.5 72.0 Teacher/Home Visitor Focus Group 80 1 1.5 120.0 Parent Focus Group 160 1 1.5 240.0 *Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:* 593.6. *Additional Information:* Copies of the proposed collection may be obtained by writing to the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Administration, Office of Information Services, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20447, Attn: ACF Reports Clearance Officer. All requests should be identified by the title of the information collection. E-mail address: *infocollection@acf.hhs.gov.* *OMB Comment:* OMB is required to make a decision concerning the collection of information between 30 and 60 days after publication of this document in the **Federal Register** . Therefore, a comment is best assured of having its full effect if OMB receives it within 30 days of publication. Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information collection should be sent directly to the following: Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attn: Desk Officer for ACF, E-mail address: *Karen_T._Matsuoka@omb.epo.gov.* Dated: November 3, 2006. Robert Sargis, Reports Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 06-9111 Filed 11-7-06; 8:45am]
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