Notices. Workshop Announcement

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

BILLING CODE 4150-24-M DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS); Workshop: Children's Environmental Health: Past, Present and Future Research Strategies AGENCY: National Institutes of Health (NIH), HHS. ACTION: Workshop Announcement. SUMMARY: On January 22-23, 2007, the NIEHS is hosting a workshop titled “Children's Environmental Health Research: Past, Present, and Future.” The goal of this workshop is to develop new strategies for research, exposure and effects monitoring, intervention and prevention in children's environmental health.

Specific objectives are to maximize the effectiveness of scientific research—basic science, exposure monitoring/biomonitoring, epidemiology, toxicology, clinical medicine and multidisciplinary studies—and to enhance the translation of research to the bedside, to the community and to public policy. This meeting is open to the public with attendance limited only by the space available. Time will be set aside for public discussion. Additional information about the workshop and on-line registration are available from the NIEHS Web site at *http://www.apps.niehs.nih.gov/conferences/od/cehr/.* The first day will begin with discussions of two case studies that demonstrate the successful implementation of evidence-based intervention/prevention strategies that became possible once links between environmental exposures and a disease in children had been identified.

The first case study will focus on lead and neurotoxicity. Findings on the adverse effects of lead on neurodevelopment ultimately led to efforts to reduce exposures to lead. Asthma will be used as a second case study because it provides a clear example of environmental triggers and some science-based prevention/intervention strategies that are already being implemented. The second day of the workshop will focus on applying lessons learned from the two “success” case studies to two children's disorders that appear to have environmental etiologies but are less well understood: disorders of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

A discussion will follow each case study presentation to consider the opportunities, the barriers and the design challenges that confront future clinical, toxicological, epidemiological, exposure monitoring, and basic research in children's environmental health. Specific topics include: • Past approaches to research translation to see what worked and what failed to work. • The critical mass of researchers and mix of disciplines needed to most efficiently advance research in children's environmental health. • Biomarkers of exposure, susceptibility, or subclinical dysfunction. • The use of “omics” technologies that might be incorporated into future toxicological, epidemiological and/or biomonitoring studies to enhance their sensitivity and efficiency. • Is there a point at which the use of new scientific tools might slow the pace of progress? • New approaches to accelerating the translation of science to treatment, prevention, and the remediation of environmental risks to children's health. • Potential study populations at uniquely high risk of disease. • Data resources—records, disease registries, well-characterized cohort populations, tissue banks, or stored DNA—in the U.S. or abroad that might facilitate future studies. • New partnerships in research.

DATES: The workshop will be held on January 22-23, 2007, at the NIEHS in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Individuals who plan to attend are encouraged to register online at *http://www.apps.niehs.nih.gov/conferences/od/cehr/* as soon as possible because seating is limited. Please note that a photo ID is required to access the NIEHS campus. Persons needing special assistance, such as sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodation in order to attend, should contact 919-541-2475 voice, 919-541-4644 TTY (text telephone), through the Federal TTY Relay System at 800-877-8339, or by e-mail to *niehsoeeo@niehs.nih.gov.* Requests should be made at least 7 days in advance of the event.

ADDRESSES: The workshop will be held in the Rodbell Auditorium, Rall Building at the NIEHS, 111 T.W. Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Any correspondence should be submitted to Dr. Kristina Thayer (NIEHS, P.O. Box 12233, MD B2-01, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709; telephone: 919-541-5021 or e-mail: *thayer@niehs.nih.gov* ). Dated: November 9, 2006. Samuel H. Wilson, Deputy Director, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and National Toxicology Program. [FR Doc.

E6-19807 Filed 11-22-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4140-01-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Office of the Secretary Findings of Research Misconduct AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, HHS. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Office of Research Integrity

(ORI)and the Assistant Secretary for Health have taken final action in the following case: *James C. Lin, Ph.D., University of Illinois at Chicago:* Based on the findings from an inquiry by the University of Illinois at Chicago

(UIC)and on additional analysis conducted by ORI during its oversight review, the U.S. Public Health Service

(PHS)found that James C. Lin, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Physiology, and Biophysics, UIC, engaged in research misconduct concerning National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), grant application 1 R01 NS47238-01, “Blood-Brain Barrier Interactions of Cellular-Phone Radi.” Specifically, PHS found that Dr. Lin committed research misconduct relative to the legend and related text for Figure 2 (data from a colleague on other experiments) for his NIH application 1 R01 NS47238-01, by falsely claiming the figure represented preliminary results of his independent experiments that differed from the source of the figure and the prior research in the field, in which he purported to have selectively exposed the rat's head to microwave irradiation, to have utilized higher peak exposure, of shorter duration and of different radio frequencies, and which reported injury of more acute nature to the blood barrier. Dr. Lin denies all allegations of research misconduct and contends that some of his original data is missing as a result of the involuntary relocation of his laboratory. Dr. Lin makes no admission of guilt in connection with the charges or PHS' findings of research misconduct herein. Both Dr. Lin and PHS are desirous of concluding this matter without further expense of time and other resources. Dr. Lin has entered into a Voluntary Exclusion Agreement in which he has voluntarily agreed, for a period of three

(3)years, beginning on October 24, 2006:

(1)That any institution which submits an application for PHS support for a research project on which Dr. Lin's participation is proposed or which uses him in any capacity on PHS supported research, or that submits a report of PHS-funded research in which Dr. Lin is involved, must concurrently submit a plan for supervision of Dr. Lin's duties to the funding agency for approval. The supervisory plan must be designed to ensure the scientific integrity of his research contribution. Dr. Lin agrees to ensure that a copy of the supervisory plan also is submitted to ORI by the institution. He also agrees that he will not participate in any PHS-supported research until such a supervision plan is submitted to ORI;

(2)that any institution employing Dr. Lin submit in conjunction with each application for PHS funds or reports, manuscripts, or abstracts of PHS-funded research in which Dr. Lin is involved a certification that the data provided by Dr. Lin are based on actual experiments or are otherwise legitimately derived and that the data, procedures, and methodology are accurately reported in the application or report. Dr. Lin must ensure that the institution also sends a copy of the certification to ORI; and

(3)to exclude himself from serving in any advisory capacity to PHS, including but not limited to service on any PHS advisory committee, board, and/or peer review committee, or as a consultant. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Director, Division of Investigative Oversight, Office of Research Integrity, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 750, Rockville, MD 20852,

(240)453-8800. Chris B. Pascal, Director, Office of Research Integrity. [FR Doc. E6-19889 Filed 11-22-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4150-31-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Office of the Secretary Findings of Misconduct in Science AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, HHS. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Office of Research Integrity

(ORI)and the Assistant Secretary for Health have taken final action in the following case: *Clifford R. Robinson, Ph.D., University of Delaware:* Based on the reports of investigations conducted by 3-Dimensional Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

(3DP)and the University of Delaware

(UD)and additional analysis conducted by ORI during its oversight review, the U.S. Public Health Service

(PHS)found that Clifford R. Robinson, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UD, engaged in misconduct in science involving research supported by National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), grants 1 R43 GM58950-01 and 2 R44 GM58950-02, “Four-helix bundle analog of a G-protein coupled receptor (C. Robinson, Principal Investigator [P.I.]). The following grant applications also were involved in Dr. Robinson's misconduct in science: 1 R43 GM62708-01, “Improved method for protein refolding” (C.R. Robinson, P.I.), submitted March 30, 2000; approved but not funded, withdrawn. 1 P20 RR017716-01, “Design of hierarchical recognition motifs,” Project V, “Determinants of stability and assembly of integral membrane proteins” (C.R. Robinson, Project Investigator), submitted March 1, 2002, funded September 16, 2002, to August 30, 2007. 1 R01 GM074789-01, “Folding and stability of integral membrane proteins” (C.R. Robinson, P.I.), submitted October 1, 2004; scored not competitive, not funded. 1 R01 GM075891-01, “Membrane protein expression, solubilization, and refolding” (C.R. Robinson, P.I.), submitted January 24, 2005; approved but not funded, pending. 1 R21 GM07953-01, “Mini-receptor analogs of GPCRs” (C.R. Robinson, P.I.), submitted January 25, 2005; not funded. Specifically, PHS found that Dr. Robinson engaged in the following acts of misconduct in science. With regard to the following paragraphs numbered 1-6, nothing herein shall be deemed as an admission of liability on the part of Dr. Robinson. 1. While at 3DP, Dr. Robinson systematically substituted crystallized chicken ovalbumin in place of β 2 -AR-NQ and repeatedly provided these crystalline preparations to other scientists to conduct molecular analyses. Dr. Robinson made false claims about his progress on characterizing β 2 -AR-NQ and falsely claimed to have supplied purified β 2 -AR-NQ to 3DP staff in project team meetings

(PTM)held on at least five occasions between July 14, 1998, and July 7, 1999. 2. Dr. Robinson made multiple false claims about his research on β 2 -AR-NQ in NIH grant applications R44 GM58950-02, submitted April 1, 1999, supplemental material for the same application submitted on July 7, 1999, and NIH grant application R43 GM62708-01, submitted March 30, 2000. 3. Dr. Robinson made similar claims as in item 1 above concerning the wild type form of β 2 -AR, by substituting canine ovalbumin. Dr. Robinson's false claims were made to 3DP staff at PTM meetings on at least three occasions between September 7, 1999, and March 30, 2000, and in NIH grant application R43 GM62708-01, and after moving to UD, in NIH grant application 1 P20 RR017716-01, submitted on March 1, 2002. 4. Dr. Robinson was unable to adequately produce recombinant β 2 -AR in *E. coli* and made false claims at PTM meetings in September and October 1999 that he had successfully expressed active protein and had purified it for crystallization trials. Dr. Robinson also made false claims in NIH grant applications R43 GM62708-01 and 1 R01 GM07589-01, submitted January 24, 2005, that he had purified large amounts of β 2 -AR-NQ from *E. coli* and that he had reconstituted the protein into its native biologically active form. 5. Dr. Robinson made false claims about his ability to produce, purify, and characterize a recombinant fragment of β 2 -AR-NQ containing four transmembrane domains (β 2 -AR-4HB) at PTM meetings in October 1998 and in NIH grant applications R44 GM58950-02 and 1 P20 RR017716-01. 6. Dr. Robinson falsified fluorescence spectra and circular dichroism measurements in Figure 7 (both left and right panels) of NIH grant application R44 GM58950-02 by substituting results obtained with different proteins. 7. After moving to UD, Dr. Robinson made false claims in NIH grant application 1 P20 RR017716-01, including presenting falsified data in both panels of Figures V.5 (fluorescence spectra and circular dichroism measurements) and V.9 (falsified experimental conditions). 8. While at UD, Dr. Robinson falsified circular dichroism and fluorescence data in NIH grant application 1 R01 GM074789-01 (Figures 5A, 5B, and 6) and circular dichroism data in NIH grant applications 1 R01 GM075891-01 (Figure 6) and 1 R21 GM075953-01 (Figure 5). 9. In presentations at the Biophysical Society annual meeting and a Cornell University Consortium meeting, both in 1999, Dr. Robinson falsely represented data obtained with cytochrome b562 as being obtained with β 2 -AR. Dr. Robinson has entered into a Voluntary Exclusion Agreement in which he has voluntarily agreed, for a period of five

(5)years, beginning on October 23, 2006:

(1)To exclude himself from any contracting or subcontracting with any agency of the United States Government and from eligibility for or involvement in nonprocurement programs of the United States Government as defined in the debarment regulations at 45 CFR Part 76; and

(2)to exclude himself from serving in any advisory capacity to PHS, including but not limited to service on any PHS advisory committee, board, and/or peer review committee, or as a consultant. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Director, Division of Investigative Oversight, Office of Research Integrity, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 750, Rockville, MD 20852,

(240)453-8800. Chris B. Pascal, Director, Office of Research Integrity. [FR Doc. E6-19888 Filed 11-22-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4150-31-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry [ATSDR-226] Availability of Final Toxicological Profiles AGENCY: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). ACTION: Notice of availability. SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of one new and five updated final toxicological profiles of priority hazardous substances comprising the eighteenth set prepared by ATSDR. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Olga Dawkins, Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Mailstop F-32, 1600 Clifton Road, NE., Atlanta, Georgia 30333, telephone

(770)488-3315. Electronic access to these documents is also available at the ATSDR Web site: *http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxpro2.html.* SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986

(SARA)(42 U.S.C. 9601 *et seq.* ) amended the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA or Superfund) (42 U.S.C. 9601 *et seq.* ) by establishing certain requirements for ATSDR and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

(EPA)with regard to hazardous substances that are most commonly found at facilities on the CERCLA National Priorities List (NPL). Among these statutory requirements is a mandate for the Administrator of ATSDR to prepare toxicological profiles for each substance included on the priority lists of hazardous substances. These lists identified 275 hazardous substances that ATSDR and EPA determined pose the most significant potential threat to human health. The availability of the revised list of the 275 priority substances was announced in the **Federal Register** on December 7, 2005 (70 FR 234). For prior versions of the list of substances, see **Federal Register** notices dated April 17, 1987 (52 FR 12866); October 20, 1988 (53 FR 41280); October 26, 1989 (54 FR 43619); October 17, 1990 (55 FR 42067); October 17, 1991 (56 FR 52166); October 28, 1992 (57 FR 48801); February 28, 1994 (59 FR 9486); April 29, 1996 (61 FR 18744; November 17, 1997 (62 FR 61332); October 21, 1999 (64 FR 56792); October 25, 2001 (66 FR 54014) and November 7, 2003 (68 FR 63098). Notice of the availability of drafts of these five updated and one new toxicological profiles for public review and comment was published in the **Federal Register** on October 22, 2004, (69 FR 62049), with notice of a 90-day public comment period for each profile, starting from the actual release date. Following the close of the comment period, chemical-specific comments were addressed, and, where appropriate, changes were incorporated into each profile. The public comments and other data submitted in response to the **Federal Register** notices bear the docket control number ATSDR-205. This material is available for public inspection at the Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 1825 Century Boulevard, Atlanta, Georgia (not a mailing address), between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except legal holidays. Availability This notice announces the availability of one new and five updated final toxicological profiles of priority hazardous substances comprising the eighteenth set prepared by ATSDR. The following toxicological profiles are now available through the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Technical Information Service (NTIS), 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, Virginia 22161, telephone 1-800-553-6847. There is a charge for these profiles as determined by NTIS. Eighteenth Set: Toxicological profile NTIS Order No. CAS No. 1. Cyanide, Hydrogen cyanide, Sodium cyanide, Potassium cyanide PB2007-100674 000057-12-5 000074-90-8 000143-33-9 000151-50-8 2. Dichlorobenzenes, 1, 2-Dichlorobenzene, 1,3-Dichlorobenzene, 1,4-Dichlorobenzene PB2007-100672 025321-22-6 000095-50-1 00541-73-1 00106-46-7 3. 1, 4-Dioxane * PB2007-100676 000123-91-1 4. Hydrogen Sulfide PB2007-100675 007783-065-4 5. 1, 1, 1-Trichloroethane PB2007-100673 000071-55-6 6. Vinyl Chloride PB2007-100671 000075-01-4 * Denotes new profile Dated: November 17, 2006. Ken Rose, Acting Director, Office of Policy, Planning and Evaluation, National Center for Environmental Health/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. [FR Doc. E6-19857 Filed 11-22-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4163-70-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Request for Nominations of Candidates to Serve on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Health and Human Services The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

(CDC)is soliciting nominations for possible membership on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). This committee provides advice and guidance to the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Director, CDC, regarding the most appropriate application of antigens and related agents for effective communicable disease control in the civilian population. The committee reviews and reports regularly on immunization practices and recommends improvements in the national immunization efforts. The committee also establishes, reviews, and as appropriate, revises the list of vaccines for administration to children eligible to receive vaccines through the Vaccines for Children

(VFC)Program. Nominations are being sought for individuals who have expertise and qualifications necessary to contribute to the accomplishments of the committee's objectives. Nominees will be selected based upon expertise in the field of immunization practices; multi-disciplinary expertise in public health; expertise in the use of vaccines and immunologic agents in both clinical and preventive medicine; knowledge of vaccine development, evaluation, and vaccine delivery; or knowledge about consumer perspectives and/or social and community aspects of immunization programs. Federal employees will not be considered for membership. Members may be invited to serve for up to four-year terms. Consideration is given to representation from diverse geographic areas, both genders, ethnic and minority groups, and the disabled. Nominees must be U.S. citizens. The following information must be submitted for each candidate: name, affiliation, address, telephone number, e-mail address and current curriculum vitae. Nominations should be accompanied with a letter of recommendation stating the qualifications of the nominee and postmarked by December 18, 2006 to: Demetria Gardner, Immunization Service Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Road, NE, Mailstop E-05, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, telephone

(404)639-8836. The Director, Management Analysis and Services Office, has been delegated the authority to sign **Federal Register** notices pertaining to announcements of meetings and other committee management activities for both CDC and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Dated: November 17, 2006. Alvin Hall, Director, Management Analysis and Services Office, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [FR Doc. E6-19842 Filed 11-22-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4163-18-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [Document Identifier: CMS-10053, CMS-P-0015A, and CMS-367] Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, HHS. In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

(CMS)is publishing the following summary of proposed collections for public comment. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including any of the following subjects:

(1)The necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions;

(2)the accuracy of the estimated burden;

(3)ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(4)the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden. 1. *Type of Information Collection Request:* Extension of a currently approved collection; *Title of Information Collection:* Paid Feeding Assistants in Long Term Care Facilities and Supporting Regulations at 42 CFR 483.160. *Use:* 42 CFR 483 permits long-term care facilities to use paid feeding assistants to supplement the services of certified nurse aides. If facilities choose this option, feeding assistants must complete a specified training program. In addition, a facility must maintain a record of all individuals, used by the facility as feeding assistants, who have successfully completed the training course for paid feeding assistants. This information is used as part of the process to determine facility compliance with this requirement. *Form Number:* CMS-10053 (OMB#: 0938-0916); *Frequency:* Recordkeeping—Once; *Affected Public:* Business or other for-profit and not-for-profit institutions; *Number of Respondents:* 8,772; *Total Annual Responses:* 3,509; *Total Annual Hours:* 21,054. 2. *Type of Information Collection Request:* Extension of a currently approved collection; *Title of Information Collection:* Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS): Rounds 48-56. *Use:* The Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey

(MCBS)is a continuous, multipurpose survey of a nationally representative sample of aged, disabled, and institutionalized Medicare beneficiaries. MCBS, which is sponsored by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, is the only comprehensive source of information on the health status, health care use and expenditures, health insurance coverage, and socioeconomic and demographic characteristics of the entire spectrum of Medicare beneficiaries. MCBS data users can assess the impact of major policy innovations and health care reform on Medicare beneficiaries. They can monitor delivery of services, sources of payment for Medicare covered and non-covered services, beneficiary cost sharing and financial protection, and satisfaction with and the access to health care services. *Form Number:* CMS-P-0015A (OMB#: 0938-0568); *Frequency:* Third Party Disclosure, Recordkeeping, and Reporting—Yearly; *Affected Public:* Individuals or households, Business or other for-profit and not-for-profit institutions; *Number of Respondents:* 49,500; *Total Annual Responses:* 49,500; *Total Annual Hours:* 50,325. 3. *Type of Information Collection Request:* Revision of a currently approved collection; *Title of Information Collection:* Medicaid Drug Program Monthly Quarterly Drug Reporting Format. *Use:* Section 1927 of the Social Security Act requires drug manufacturers to enter into and have in effect a rebate agreement with the Federal government for States to receive funding for drugs dispensed to Medicaid beneficiaries. The Deficit Reduction Act

(DRA)of 2005 modified Section 1927 to require additional reporting requirements beyond the quarterly data currently collected. CMS form 367 identifies the data fields that manufacturers must submit to CMS on both a monthly and quarterly basis. *Form Number:* CMS-367 (OMB#: 0938-0578); *Frequency:* Reporting: Monthly and quarterly; *Affected Public:* Business or other for-profit; *Number of Respondents:* 540; *Total Annual Responses:* 8,460; *Total Annual Hours:* 112,320. To obtain copies of the supporting statement and any related forms for the proposed paperwork collections referenced above, access CMS' Web Site address at *http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PaperworkReductionActof1995* , or E-mail your request, including your address, phone number, OMB number, and CMS document identifier, to *Paperwork@cms.hhs.gov* , or call the Reports Clearance Office on

(410)786-1326. To be assured consideration, comments and recommendations for the proposed information collections must be received at the address below, no later than 5 p.m. on January 23, 2007. CMS, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs, Division of Regulations Development—B, Attention: William N. Parham, III, Room C4-26-05, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, Maryland 21244-1850. Dated: November 15, 2006. Michelle Shortt, Director, Regulations Development Group, Office of Strategic Operations and Regulatory Affairs. [FR Doc. E6-19779 Filed 11-22-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120-01-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [CMS-1305-N] Medicare Program; Request for Nominations to the Advisory Panel on Ambulatory Payment Classification Groups AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: This notice invites nominations of members to the Advisory Panel on Ambulatory Payment Classification

(APC)Groups (the Panel). One vacancy presently exists on the Panel due to a Panel member's retirement in June 2006. There will be six more vacancies on the Panel between January 1 and September 30, 2007. Consequently, this solicitation is for seven new members. The purpose of the Panel is to review the APC groups and their associated weights and to advise the Secretary, DHHS, (the Secretary) and the Administrator, CMS, (the Administrator) concerning the clinical integrity of the APC groups and their associated weights. The advice provided by the Panel will be considered as we prepare our annual updates of the hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System

(OPPS)through rulemaking. The Secretary rechartered the Panel in 2004 for a 2-year period through November 21, 2006. The new Panel Charter will be effective through November 21, 2008. *Nominations:* We will consider nominations if they are received no later than 5 p.m. on December 18, 2006. Please mail or deliver nominations to the following address: CMS; Attn: Shirl Ackerman-Ross, Designated Federal Official (DFO), Advisory Panel on APC Groups; Center for Medicare Management, Hospital & Ambulatory Policy Group, Division of Outpatient Care; 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop C4-05-17; Baltimore, MD 21244-1850. *Web Site:* For additional information on the APC Panel and updates to the Panel's activities, search our Web site at the following: *http://www.cms.hhs.gov/FACA/05_AdvisoryPanelonAmbulatoryPaymentClassificationGroups.asp#TopOfPage.* *Advisory Committees' Information Lines:* You may also refer to the CMS Federal Advisory Committee Hotlines at 1-877-449-5659 (toll-free) or 410-786-9379 (local) for additional information. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Persons wishing to nominate individuals to serve on the Panel or to obtain further information may also contact Shirl Ackerman-Ross, the DFO, at *CMS_APCPanel@cms.hhs.gov* or call 410-786-4474. News media representatives should contact the CMS Press Office at 202-690-6145. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background The Secretary is required by section 1833(t)(9)(A) of the Social Security Act (the Act), as amended and redesignated by sections 201(h) and 202(a)(2) of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999

(BBRA)(Pub. L. 106-113), to consult with an expert, outside advisory panel regarding the clinical integrity of the APC groups and relative payment weights that are components of the hospital OPPS. The Panel meets up to three times annually to review the APC groups and to provide technical advice to the Secretary and the Administrator. We consider the technical advice provided by the Panel in preparing the proposed rule to update the OPPS for the next calendar year. The Panel may consist of a chair and up to 15 members who are full-time employees of hospitals, hospital systems, or other Medicare providers that are subject to the OPPS. (For purposes of the Panel, consultants or independent contractors are not considered to be full-time employees in these organizations.) The Administrator selects the Panel membership based upon either self-nominations or nominations submitted by providers or interested organizations. The current Panel members are as follows: (The asterisk [*] indicates a Panel member who will retire or whose term expires within 2007.) • E.L. Hambrick, M.D., J.D., Chair, a CMS Medical Officer. • *Marilyn K. Bedell, M.S., R.N., O.C.N. • Gloryanne Bryant, B.S., R.H.I.A., R.H.I.T., C.C.S. • *Albert Brooks Einstein, Jr., M.D. • Hazel Kimmel, R.N., C.C.S., C.P.C. • *Sandra J. Metzler, M.B.A., R.H.I.A. • Thomas M. Munger, M.D. • *Frank G. Opelka, M.D. • Louis Potters, M.D. • James V. Rawson, M.D. • *Lou Ann Schraffenberger, M.B.A., R.H.I.A. • Judie S. Snipes, R.N., M.B.A., C.H.E. • *Timothy Gene Tyler, Pharm.D. • Kim Allen Williams, M.D. • Robert M. Zwolak, M.D. Panel members serve without compensation, according to an advance written agreement; however, for the meetings, we reimburse travel, meals, lodging, and related expenses in accordance with standard Government travel regulations. We have a special interest in attempting to ensure, while taking into account the nominee pool, that the Panel is diverse in all respects to the following: Geography; rural or urban practice; race; ethnicity; sex; disability; medical or technical specialty; and type of hospital, hospital health system, or other Medicare provider. The Secretary, or his designee, appoints new members to the Panel from among those candidates determined to have the required expertise. New appointments are made in a manner that attempts to ensure a balanced membership under the guidelines of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. II. Criteria for Nominees All nominees must have technical expertise that enables them to participate fully in the work of the Panel. Such expertise encompasses hospital payment systems, hospital medical-care delivery systems, outpatient payment requirements, APC Groups, Physicians' Current Procedural Terminology Codes, the use and payment of drugs and medical devices in the outpatient setting, and other forms of relevant expertise. It is not necessary for a nominee to possess expertise in all of the areas listed, but each must have a minimum of 5 years experience and currently have full-time employment in his or her area of expertise. Members of the Panel serve overlapping terms of up to 4 years based on the needs of the Panel and contingent upon the rechartering of the Panel. Any interested person or organization may nominate one or more qualified individuals. Self-nominations will also be accepted. Each nomination must include the following: • Letter of Nomination; • Curriculum Vita of the nominee; and • Written statement from the nominee that the nominee is willing to serve on the Panel under the conditions described in this notice and further specified in the Charter. III. Copies of the Charter To obtain a copy of the Panel's Charter, submit a written request to the DFO at the address provided or by e-mail at *CMS_APCPanel@cms.hhs.gov,* or call her at 410-786-4474. Copies of the Charter are also available on the Internet at the following: *http://www.cms.hhs.gov/FACA/05_AdvisoryPanelonAmbulatoryPaymentClassificationGroups.asp#TopOfPage.* Authority: Section 1833(t)(9)(A) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(t)(9)(A)). The Panel is governed by the provisions of Pub. L. 92-463, as amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2). Dated: October 31, 2006. Leslie V. Norwalk, Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. [FR Doc. E6-19432 Filed 11-22-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120-01-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [CMS-1326-N] Medicare Program; Rechartering of the Advisory Panel on Ambulatory Payment Classification Groups AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: This notice announces the rechartering of the Advisory Panel on Ambulatory Payment Classification

(APC)Groups (the Panel) by the Secretary of DHHS (the Secretary) for a 2-year period with the new Charter effective until November 21, 2008. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shirl Ackerman-Ross, Designated Federal Official (DFO), Advisory Panel on APC Groups; Center for Medicare Management, Hospital and Ambulatory Policy Group, Division of Outpatient Care; 7500 Security Boulevard, Mail Stop C4-05-17; Baltimore, MD 21244-1850. You may also contact the DFO by phone at 410-786-4474 or by e-mail at *CMS_ APCPanel@cms.hhs.gov.* For additional information on the APC Panel and updates to the Panel's activities, please search our Web site at: *http://www.cms.hhs.gov/FACA/05_AdvisoryPanelonAmbulatoryPaymentClassificationGroups.asp#TopOfPage.* You may also refer to the CMS Federal Advisory Committee Hotline at 1-877-449-5659 (toll-free) or call 410-786-9379 (local) for additional information. News media representatives should contact the CMS Press Office at 202-690-6145. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background The Secretary is required by section 1833(t)(9)(A) of the Social Security Act (the Act) to consult with an expert, outside advisory panel on the ambulatory payment classification

(APC)groups established under the Medicare hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS). The purpose of the Panel is to review the APC groups and their associated weights and to advise the Secretary and the Administrator, CMS, (the Administrator) concerning the clinical integrity of the APC groups and their associated weights. The advice provided by the Panel will be considered as CMS prepares its annual updates of the hospital OPPS through rulemaking. The Panel membership must be fairly balanced in terms of the points of view represented and the functions to be performed. The Panel consists of up to 15 members. Each Panel member must be employed full-time by a hospital or other Medicare provider subject to the OPPS; have technical expertise to enable him or her to fully participate in the work of the Panel; and have a minimum of 5 years experience in his/her area(s) of expertise. For purposes of this Panel, consultants or independent contractors are not considered to be full-time employees of providers. A Federal official serves as the Chair and facilitates the Panel meetings. A DFO is appointed to the Panel as provided by the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). Meetings are held up to three times a year at the call of the DFO, and are open to the public, except as determined otherwise by the Secretary or other official to whom the authority has been delegated in accordance with the Government in the Sunshine Act (5 U.S.C. 552b(c)). Advance notice of all meetings is published in the **Federal Register,** as required by applicable laws and Departmental regulations, stating reasonably accessible and convenient locations and times. II. Provisions of this Notice The effective date of the APC Panel Charter renewal is November 21, 2006. The Charter will terminate on November 21, 2008, unless rechartered by the Secretary before the expiration date. III. Copies of the Charter You may obtain a copy of the APC Panel's Charter by submitting a request to the DFO at the street or e-mail addresses listed above or by calling her at 410-786-4474. Authority: Section 1833(t)(9)(A) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 1395l(t)(9)(A)). The Panel is governed by the provisions of Public Law 92-463, as amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2). The Panel was established by statute and has functions that are of a continuing nature. Therefore, its duration is not governed by section 14(a) of FACA, but rather it is otherwise provided by law. The Panel is rechartered in accordance with section 14(b)(2) of FACA. Dated: October 31, 2006. Leslie V. Norwalk, Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. [FR Doc. E6-19761 Filed 11-22-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120-01-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [CMS-4128-N] Medicare Program; Decisions Affecting Medicare Advantage Plans Deemed by Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Health Care Organizations AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: This notice announces our decisions regarding deemed status of Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Health Care Organization-accredited Medicare Advantage plans. These decisions follow business decisions made by Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Health Care Organization in late 2005 which affect its deeming operations beginning January 1, 2006 and continue until Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Health Care Organization's deeming authority expires on March 24, 2008. DATES: Effective January 1, 2006 through March 24, 2008. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shaheen Halim,

(410)786-0641. I. Background on Medicare Advantage Deeming Program Under the Medicare program, eligible beneficiaries may receive covered services through a managed care organization

(MCO)that has a Medicare Advantage

(MA)(formerly, Medicare+Choice) contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The regulations specifying the Medicare requirements that must be met in order for an MCO to enter into an MA contract with CMS are located at 42 CFR part 22. These regulations implement Part C of Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (the Act), which specifies the services that an MCO must provide and the requirements that the organization must meet to be an MA contractor. Other relevant sections of the Act are Parts A and B of Title XVIII and Part A of Title XI pertaining to the provision of services by Medicare certified providers and suppliers. Generally, for an MCO to be an MA organization, the MCO must be licensed by the State as a risk bearing organization as set forth in part 422 of our regulations. Additionally, the MCO must file an application demonstrating that it meets other Medicare requirements in part 422 of our regulations. Following approval of the MA contract, we engage in routine monitoring and oversight audits of the MA organization to ensure continued compliance. The monitoring and oversight audit process is comprehensive and uses a written protocol that itemizes the Medicare requirements the MA organization must meet. As an alternative for meeting some Medicare requirements, an MA organization may be exempt from CMS monitoring of certain requirements in subsets listed in section 1852(e)(4)(B) of the Act as a result of an MA organization's accreditation by a CMS-approved accrediting organization (AO). We “deem” that the Medicare requirements are met based on a determination that the AO's standards are at least as stringent as Medicare requirements. Organizations that apply for MA deeming authority are generally recognized by the industry as entities that accredit MCO's that are licensed as a health maintenance organization

(HMO)or a preferred provider organization (PPO). As we specify at § 422.157(b)(2) of our regulations, the term for which an AO may be approved by CMS may not exceed 6 years. For continuing approval, the AO must re-apply to CMS. The Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO) was granted deeming authority for Medicare Advantage HMOs and PPOs on March 22, 2002 in all six of the deemable areas set forth in 42 CFR 422.156(b) at the time. JCAHO was granted approval for deeming authority through March 24, 2008, and to date JCAHO has deemed 2 MA plans via accreditation. II. JCAHO Termination of Deeming Activities On November 9, 2005, JCAHO notified us of its decision to discontinue its network accreditation program and that, beginning January 1, 2006, it would not provide new accreditation to any MA organizations. JCAHO indicated that it intended to continue to provide technical support and monitoring for the two MA organizations that received JCAHO accreditation prior to January 1, 2006, until each plan's current term of JCAHO accreditation expires. III. CMS Decisions Regarding JCAHO and its Deemed MA Plans We decided to allow JCAHO's deeming authority to expire, as it normally would, on March 24, 2008. Thus, MA plans currently accredited by JCAHO under its network accreditation program will retain their deemed status until their current terms of accreditation expire. However, the period of time between January 1, 2006 and March 24, 2008, JCAHO will not accept new requests to deem MA plans. Authority: Section 1852(e)(4) of the Social Security Act. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.773, Medicare—Hospital Insurance; and Program No. 93.774, Medicare—Supplementary Medical Insurance Program (42 U.S.C. 1395w-22(e)(4)) Dated: November 9, 2006. Leslie V. Norwalk, Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. [FR Doc. E6-19799 Filed 11-21-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120-01-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [CMS-1383-N] Medicare Program; Listening Session on a Plan for Medicare Hospital Value-Based Purchasing—January 17, 2007 AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS. ACTION: Notice of meeting. SUMMARY: This notice announces a listening session being conducted as part of the development of a plan for Medicare hospital value-based purchasing, as authorized by the section 5001(b) of the Deficit Reduction Act

(DRA)of 2005. The purpose of the listening session is to solicit comments on the range of design issues being considered for plan development. Hospitals, hospital associations, and all interested parties are invited to attend and make comments in person. It will also be possible to participate by teleconference, although due to time constraints, telephone participants will not be able to make verbal comments. Written comments are welcomed. The perspectives expressed during this session and in writing will assist us in drafting the plan. An issues paper outlining the design questions to be discussed and further information about the January listening session will be posted no later than January 3, 2007 on the CMS Web site, Hospital Center, under Spotlights at *http://www.cms.hhs.gov/center/hospital.asp.* DATES: *Meeting Date:* The listening session will be held on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., e.s.t. *Registration and Request for Special Accommodations Deadline:* Registration must be completed no later than 5 p.m., e.s.t. on Wednesday, January 10, 2007. Requests for special accommodations must be received by 5 p.m., e.s.t. Wednesday, January 10, 2007. *Deadline for Submission of Written Comments or Statements:* Written comments on the design questions posed in the issues paper may be sent by mail, fax, or electronically and must be received by 5 p.m., e.s.t. on January 24, 2007. ADDRESSES: *Meeting Location:* The listening session will be held in the main auditorium of the central building of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850. *Registration and Special Accommodations:* Individuals wishing to participate or who need special accommodations or both must register by—completing the on-line registration located at *http://registration.mshow.com/cms2/;* contacting Robin Phillips at

(410)786-3010; e-mailing *robin.phillips@cms.hhs.gov;* or regular mail to Robin Phillips, Medicare Feedback Group, Center for Medicare Management, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Mail stop C4-13-07, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850. *Written Comments or Statements:* Written comments on design questions posed in the issues paper may be sent by mail, fax, or electronically and must be received by 5 p.m. January 24, 2007. Please send mail to Robin Phillips, Medicare Feedback Group, Center for Medicare Management, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Mail stop C4-13-07, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850; e-mail to *cmshospitalVBP@cms.hhs.gov;* or fax to 410-786-0330. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robin Phillips, 410-786-3010 or via e-mail to *robin.phillips@cms.hhs.gov.* Press inquiries are handled through the CMS Press Office at

(202)690-6145. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background Section 5001(b) of The Deficit Reduction Act

(DRA)of 2005, specifies that we develop a plan to implement a Value-Based Purchasing

(VBP)Program for payments under the Medicare program for subsection

(d)hospitals (as defined in section 1886(d)(1)(B) of the Social Security Act (the Act)) beginning with fiscal year

(FY)2009. Congress specified that the “plan” include consideration of the following issues: • The ongoing development, selection, and modification process for measures of quality and efficiency in hospital inpatient settings. • The reporting, collection, and validation of quality data. • The structure of value-based payment adjustments, including the determination of thresholds or improvements in quality that would substantiate a payment adjustment, the size of such payments, and the sources of funding for the value-based payments. • The disclosure of information on hospital performance. In developing the plan, we must consult with relevant affected parties and consider experience with demonstrations that are relevant to the value-based purchasing program. CMS has created a workgroup that is charged with developing the VBP Plan for Medicare hospital services provided by subsection

(d)hospitals. The Workgroup is organized into four subgroups to address each of the required planning issues:

(1)Measures;

(2)data collection and validation;

(3)incentive structure; and

(4)public reporting. The CMS Workgroup is charged with preparing a set of design options, narrowing the set of design options to prepare a draft plan, and preparing a report on the plan for implementing VBP for Medicare hospital services which will be provided to Congress as required under section 5001(b)(3) of the DRA. We are hosting two public listening sessions in early 2007 to solicit comments from relevant affected parties on outstanding design questions associated with development of the plan. The first is the listening session scheduled for January 17, 2007 to consider design questions posed in the issues paper. The second listening session is April 12, 2007 to consider the draft plan. II. Listening Session Format and Agenda The January 17, 2007 listening session will begin at 10 a.m. with an overview of the objectives for the session and a presentation on the background on the Medicare Reporting Hospital Quality Data for Annual Payment Update (RHQDAPU) program and the Value-Based Purchasing plan development. A brief review of the current state-of-the-art in hospital pay for performance will then be presented by consultants from RAND who are assisting the CMS Workgroup in plan development. Beginning at approximately 11 a.m., the remainder of the meeting will be devoted to addressing each of the following issue areas: measures; program and data infrastructure; incentives; and public reporting. Each area will be considered in turn, with the CMS Subgroup Leads first providing a brief presentation on key issues, followed by comments and questions from on-site session attendees. A lunch break will occur from approximately 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. The meeting will conclude by 5 p.m. with brief comments on “next steps.” III. Registration Instructions Persons interested in attending the meeting or listening by teleconference must register by the date specified in the DATES section of this notice in one of the following ways: • Completing the on-line registration located at *http://registration.mshow.com/cms2/.* The on-line registration system will generate a confirmation page to indicate the completion of your registration. Please print this page as your registration confirmation. • Contacting Robin Phillips via regular mail, e-mail or phone at the address listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. You will receive a registration confirmation with instructions for your arrival at the CMS complex. Persons will be notified if the seating capacity has been reached. Individuals attending the meeting who are hearing or visually impaired, or have a condition that requires special assistance or accommodations, must submit their request with their registration information or to Robin Phillips at the address specified in the ADDRESSES section of this notice by the date specified in the DATES section of this notice. Persons wishing to make comments at the meeting must indicate which section(s) of the issues paper they wish to address as part of their registration. Remarks will be limited to 2 minutes per person per section to assure that as many attendees as possible will have the opportunity to speak. The registration process will enable CMS to gauge relative interest in the four issue areas and to allocate comment time accordingly. This feedback on the issues paper will provide important input to development of the draft Medicare Hospital Value-based Purchasing Plan. Individuals may also listen to the session by teleconference. Registration is required so that we may provide further communications as the plan is developed. The call-in number will be provided upon confirmation of registration. Persons participating by phone will not be able to make verbal comments due to time constraints. However, written comments are welcome. An audio download of the listening session will be available through the CMS Hospital Center Web site within 72 hours after completion of the listening session. IV. Security, Building, and Parking Guidelines Because this meeting will be located on Federal property, for security reasons, any persons wishing to attend this meeting must register by close of business on January 10, 2007. Individuals who have not registered in advance will not be allowed to enter the building to attend the meeting. Seating capacity is limited to the first 550 registrants. The on-site check in for visitors will begin at 9 a.m. Please allow sufficient time to go through the security checkpoints. It is suggested that you arrive at central building by 9 a.m. so that you will have enough time to check in before the session begins. Security measures will include inspection of vehicles, inside and out, at the entrance to the grounds. In addition, all persons entering the building must check in by name, provide a government-issued identification, and pass through a metal detector. All items brought to CMS, whether personal or for the purpose of demonstration or to support a presentation, including items such as laptops, cell phones, and palm pilots, are subject to physical inspection. Authority: Section 5001(b) the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. (Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.733, Medicare—Hospital Insurance Program; and Program No. 93.774, Medicare—Supplementary Medical Insurance Program) Dated: November 16, 2006. Leslie V. Norwalk, Acting Administrator, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. [FR Doc. E6-19804 Filed 11-22-06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4120-01-P DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Administration for Children and Families Proposed Information Collection Activity; Comment Request Proposed Projects *Title:* 45 CFR 1304 Head Start Program Performance Standards. *OMB No.* 0970-0148. *Description:* Head Start Program Performance Standards require Head Start and Early Head Start Programs and Delegate Agencies to maintain program records. The Administration for Children and Families, Office of Head Start, is proposing to renew, without changes, the authority to require certain record keeping in all programs as provided for in 45 CFR 1304 Head Start Program Performance Standards. These standards prescribe the services that Head Start and Early Head Start programs provide to enrolled children and their families. *Respondents:* Head Start and Early Head Start grantees and delegate agencies. Annual Burden Estimates Number of respondents Number of responses per respondent Average burden hours per response Total burden hours Instrument 2,590 16 41.8 1,732,192 *Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours:* In compliance with the requirements of Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Administration for Children and Families is soliciting public comment on the specific aspects of the information collection described above. Copies of the proposed collection of information can be obtained and comments may be forwarded by writing to the Administration for Children and Families, Office of Information Services, 370 L'Enfant Promenade, SW., Washington, DC 20447, Attn: ACF Reports Clearance Officer. E-mail: *infocollection@acf.hhs.gov.* All requests should be identified by the title of the information collection. The Department specifically requests comments on:

(a)Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility;

(b)the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information;

(c)the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and

(d)ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Consideration will be given to comments and suggestions submitted within 60 days of this publication. Dated: November 17, 2006. Robert Sargis, Reports Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 06-9374 Filed 11-22-06; 8:45 am]

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