Availability of additional HRSA competitive grants. Health Resources and Services Administration, HHS. Notice of availability of funds

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announces the availability of funds for several HRSA programs. This Notice lists several programs that are announcing competitions for fiscal year (FY) 1999 funds but were not published in the fall 1998 HRSA Preview. This Notice includes funding for HRSA discretionary authorities and programs as follows: (1) Special Projects of National Significance, HIV/AIDS Bureau; (2) Extramural Support Program for Projects to Increase Organ and Tissue Donation, HIV/AIDS Bureau; (3) Cooperative Agreement for Emergency Medical Services for Children and Quality Improvement Center, Maternal and Child Health Bureau; and (4) Basic Nurse Education and Practice: Baccalaureate Nursing Education Using Distance Learning Methodologies for Rural RNs, Bureau of Health Professions. These programs were not published in the fall 1998 HRSA Preview and will only appear in the Federal Register and on the HRSA Home Page at: http://www.hrsa.dhhs.gov/. The next edition of the HRSA Preview is scheduled to be published by early summer 1999. The purpose of the HRSA Preview is to provide the general public with a single source of program and application information related to the Agency's competitive grant reviews. The HRSA Preview is designed to replace multiple Federal Register notices which traditionally advertised the availability of HRSA's discretionary funds for its various programs.     

Medical use of byproduct material; draft policy statement--NRC. draft policy statement

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing, for formal comment, revisions of its 1979 policy statement on the medical use of byproduct material. These proposed revisions are one component of the Commission's overall program, as previously announced in the Federal Register, for revising its regulatory framework for medical use, including its regulations that govern the medical use of byproduct material. The overall goals of this program are to focus NRC regulation of medical use on those medical procedures that pose the highest risk and to structure its regulations to be risk-informed and performance-based, where appropriate, consistent with NRC's "Strategic Plan for Fiscal Year 1970 Fiscal Year 2002".     

State offices of rural health grant program--HRSA. Notice of availability of funds

The Office of Rural Health Policy, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), announces that applications are being accepted for matching grants to States for the purpose of improving health care in rural areas through the continued operation of State Offices of Rural Health. This program is authorized by section 338J of the Public Health Service Act 42 U.S.C. 254r. Awards will be made from funds appropriated under Public Law 105-78 (HHS Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 1998). Approximately $3.0 million will be available to support 50 grants in fiscal year (FY) 1998.     

Medical use of byproduct material; proposed revision--NRC. Proposal rule

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is proposing a revision of its regulations governing the medical use of byproduct material. The proposed rule is one component of the Commission's overall program for revising its regulatory framework for medical use. The overall goals of this program are to focus NRC's regulations on those medical procedures that pose the highest risk to workers, patients, and the public, and to structure its regulations to be risk-informed and more performance-based, consistent with the NRC's "Strategic Plan for Fiscal Year 1997-Fiscal Year 2002". A notice in this issue of the Federal Register announcing the Commission's proposed revision of its 1979 "Medical use Policy Statement" for public comment is published elsewhere.     

Medicare Program; physician performance standard rates of increase for fiscal year 1994 and physician fee schedule update for calendar year 1994--HCFA. Correction of final notice with comment period

This document corrects an error that occurred in the calculation of the fiscal year 1994 Medicare volume performance standard for surgical services and that appeared in the final notice with comment period published in the Federal Register on December 2, 1993 (58 FR 63856) entitled "Medicare Program; Physician Performance Standard Rates of Increase for Fiscal Year 1994 and Physician Fee Schedule Update for Calendar Year 1994." This notice also corrects a typographical error in a date.     

Request for comments: technical assistance to rural hospitals--HRSA. Notice: request for comments

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Office of Rural Health Policy (ORHP), is interested in obtaining public comments and suggestions to assist the Office in planning a program of technical assistance to rural hospitals. The ORHP is anticipating that funds may become available in Fiscal Year 1991 for technical assistance to rural hospitals. The ORHP invites comments on the needs of rural hospitals for technical assistance and support.     

Revised federal allotments to states for social services expenditures pursuant to Title XX--Social Services Block Grant Act; promulgation for fiscal year 1984--HHS. Notification

The Federal allotments of +2.5 billion to States for social services under Section 2003 of the Social Security Act (Act) which were published in the Federal Register November 26, 1982 (47 FR 53502) were based upon the authorization set forth in Section 2003 of the Act at that time and were contingent upon Congressional appropriations actions for the fiscal year. Public Law 98-135, enacted October 24, 1983, amended Section 2003 of the Act, by increasing the authorization to +2.7 billion for Fiscal Year 1984 and each succeeding fiscal year. The allocation of this authorized amount for Fiscal Year 1984 is shown in Column 1 of the table below, and it too is contingent upon Congressional appropriations actions. Public Law 98-139, enacted October 13, 1983 appropriates +2.675 billion for allocation to the States under Section 2003 of the Act for Fiscal Year 1984. The allocation of this appropriated amount is shown in Column 2 of the table below. Accordingly, the promulgation made in 47 FR 53502, November 26, 1982, is rescinded and the promulgation, as revised, is set forth in Column 2 of the table below.     

Availability of funds for grants to provide for the delivery of AIDS/HIV services within community health facilities--HRSA. Notice of available funds

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announces the availability of approximately $10.9 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 1990 for grants to community health facilities, including Community and Migrant Health Centers and local public hospitals and clinics, to provide comprehensive primary care services to persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. These grants will be awarded under the provisions of the Department of Health and Human Services Appropriations Act, FY 1990, Public Law 101-166.     

Health Resources and Services Administration. Final eligibility criteria, preferences, and priorities for scholarships for disadvantaged students

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announces final eligibility criteria, preferences, and priorities for the Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students (SDS) program, under the authority of section 737 of the Public Health Service Act (the Act), Title VII, Part B, as amended by the Health Professions Education Partnerships Act of 1998. Pub. L. 105-392, dated November 13, 1998. A notice which proposed eligibility criteria, preferences, and priorities for the SDS program was published in the Federal Register at 64 FR 29660, dated June 2, 1999. A period of 30 days was established to allow public comment concerning the proposed eligibility criteria, preferences, and priorities. Five comments were received. This notice discusses these comments and sets forth the final eligibility criteria, preferences, and priorities.     

Third party billing for cost and care provided by Indian Health Service--HRSA Options for Indian Health Service

The notice sets forth a discussion of major approaches under consideration by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to implement the Administration's proposed Fiscal Year 1984 budget with respect to expanding the billing and collection for services provided by the IHS from insurance companies and other sources.     

Office of the Secretary; Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (CHAMPUS); transitional assistance management program; early eligibility for TRICARE for certain reserve component members. Final rule

This final rule revises requirements and procedures for the Transitional Assistance Management Program, which was temporarily revised by section 704 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004 (NDAA-04) (Pub. L. 108-136) and section 1117 of the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act for the Reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan, 2004 (Emergency Supplemental) (Pub. L. 108-106), which revisions were made permanent by section 706(a) of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005 (NDAA-05) (Pub. L. 108-375). In addition, it establishes requirements and procedures for implementation of the earlier TRICARE eligibility for certain reserve component members authorized by section 703 of NDAA-04 and section 1116 of the Emergency Supplemental, which provisions were made permanent by section 703 of NDAA-05. The rule adopts the interim rule published in the Federal Register on March 16, 2005 (70 FR 12798).     

Medicare program; revisions to payment policies under the physician fee schedule for calendar year 1999; correction--HCFA. Correction of proposed rule

This document corrects technical errors that appeared in the proposed rule published in the Federal Register on June 5, 1998, entitled "Medicare Program; Revisions to Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule for Calendar Year 1999."     

Medicare program; revisions to payment policies under the physician fee schedule, other Part B payment policies, and establishment of the clinical psychologist fee schedule for calendar year 1998; correction--HCFA. Correction of proposed rule

This document corrects technical errors that appeared in the proposed rule published in the Federal Register on June 18, 1997 entitled "Medicare Program; Revisions to Payment Policies Under the Physician Fee Schedule, Other Part B Payment Policies, and Establishment of the Clinical Psychologist Fee Schedule for Calendar Year 1998."     

Medicare and Medicaid programs; surety bond requirements for home health agencies--HCFA. Final rule

This final rule revises several provisions of an earlier final rule concerning surety bond requirements published in the Federal Register on January 5, 1998 (63 FR 292). This rule also establishes the surety bond submission compliance data, as described in a notice of intent and in a final rule concerning surety bond requirements published in the Federal Register on March 4, 1998 (63 FR 10730 and 10732). The March 4 documents advised the public that we intended to make technical revisions to the January 5, 1998 final rule and extend the February 27, 1998 compliance date for all home health agencies (HHAs) to furnish a surety bond to HCFA and/or the State Medicaid agency, or both, until 60 days after the date of publication of this final rule. In this rule, for Medicare-participating HHAs, we are establishing a new compliance date to submit a surety bond that is 60 days after the date of publication of this final rule. For Medicaid-participating HHAs, we are establishing a new compliance date to furnish a surety bond that is a date established by the State Medicaid agency up to 120 days after the date of publication of this final rule. We are also responding to comments we received in response to the January 5, 1998 final rule that pertain to the technical revisions we discussed in our March 4, 1998 notice. It is our intention to respond to all comments not addressed herein in a future Federal Register document. This final rule revision does not change the beginning date of the term the initial surety bond is to cover, that is, January 1, 1998.     

Medical use of byproduct material; policy statement, revision. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Final policy statement; revision

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is revising its 1979 policy statement on the medical use of byproduct material. These revisions are one component of the Commission's overall program for revising its regulatory framework for medical use, including its regulations that govern the medical use of byproduct material. The overall goals of this program are to focus NRC regulation of medical use on those medical procedures that pose the highest risk and to structure its regulations to be risk-informed and more performance-based, consistent with NRC's "Strategic Plan for Fiscal Year 1997-Fiscal Year 2002." The policy informs NRC licensees, other Federal and State agencies, and the public of the Commission's general intentions in regulating the medical use of byproduct material.     

Revised federal allotments to states for social services expenditure pursuant to Title XX--Social Services Block Grant Act; promulgation for fiscal year 1985--HHS

The FY 1985 Federal allotments of $2.6 billion to States for social services under Section 2003 of the Social Security Act (Act) which were published in the Federal Register on October 27, 1983 (48 FR 49697) were based upon the authorization set forth in Section 2003 of the Act at the time they were prepared. Pub. L. 98-135, enacted October 24, 1983, amended Section 2003 of the Act by increasing the authorization to $2.7 billion for Fiscal Year 1984 and each succeeding fiscal year. Accordingly, the initial promulgation is rescinded and the promulgation as revised is set forth in the table below. These allotments are contingent upon Congressional appropriations actions for the year. If the Congress enacts, and the President approves, an amount different from the authorization, the allotments will be adjusted proportionately.     

Medicare program; revisions to payment policies and adjustments to the relative value units under the physician fee schedule, other Part B payment policies, and establishment of the clinical psychologist fee schedule for calendar year 1998; correction--HCFA. Correction of final rule with comment period

This document corrects technical errors that appeared in the final rule with comment period published in the Federal Register on October 31, 1997 entitled "Medicare Program; Revisions to Payment Policies and Adjustments to the Relative Value Units Under the Physician Fee Schedule, Other Part B Payment Policies, and Establishment of the Clinical Psychologist Fee Schedule for Calendar Year 1998.     

Medicaid program; Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS) performance review; notification procedures for changes in requirements, performance standards, and reapproval conditions--HCFA. Final rule

This rule eliminates the requirement in the Medicaid regulations that HCFA meet certain Federal Register notification requirements for any changes in performance standards and other conditions for reapproval of State Medicaid Management Information Systems (MMISs), even if such Federal Register notice would not otherwise be required. An independent Federal Register publication requirement will remain in place with respect to changes in system requirements and other conditions for approval of MMISs. We believe that a revised process for notifying States and other concerned parties of changes in performance standards and other conditions of reapproval is appropriate and will facilitate the efficient issuance of revised MMIS review requirements and methodologies each year.     

Federal financial participation in state assistance expenditures; federal matching shares for Aid to Families With Dependent Children, Medicaid, and aid to needy aged, blind, or disabled persons for October 1, 1994 through September 30, 1995--HHS. Notice

The Federal Percentages and Federal Medical Assistance Percentages for Fiscal Year 1995 have been calculated pursuant to the Social Security Act (the Act). These percentages will be effective from October 1, 1994 through September 30, 1995. This notice announces the calculated "Federal percentages" and "Federal medical assistance percentages" that we will use in determining the amount of Federal matching in State welfare and medical expenditures. The table gives figures for each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. Programs under title XIX of the Act exist in each jurisdiction; title IV-A programs in all jurisdictions except American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands; programs under titles I, X, and XIV operate only in Guam and the Virgin Islands; while a program under title XVI (AABD) operates only in Puerto Rico. The percentages in this notice apply to State expenditures for assistance payments and medical services (except family planning which is subject to a higher matching rate). The statute provides separately for Federal matching of administrative costs. Sections 1101(a)(8) and 1905(b) of the Act, as revised by section 9528 of Public Law 99-272, require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to publish these percentages each year. The Secretary is to figure the percentages, by formulas in sections 1101(a)(8) and 1905(b) of the Act, from the Department of Commerce's statistics of average income per person in each State and in the Nation as a whole.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Health care programs: fraud and abuse; technical revision to the scope and effect of the OIG exclusion regulations--HHS. Final rule

This document sets forth a technical revision to OIG regulations on program integrity for Medicare and State Health Care programs, concerning the scope and effect of the OIG's program exclusion regulations. Prior to this revision, the regulations provided that a program exclusion imposed under title XI of the Social Security Act was to affect future participation in all Federal non-procurement programs. This revision specifically amends the language in the existing regulations to clarify that the scope of an exclusion is now applicable to all Executive Branch procurement and non-procurement programs and activities. This rule is consistent with the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act, and the Department's Common Rule on debarment and suspension which is also being amended and published elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register.