Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection: Comment Request

In compliance with the requirement for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects (section 3506(c)(2)(A) of Title 44, United States Code, as amended by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13), the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) publishes periodic summaries of proposed projects being developed for submission to OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. To request more information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and draft instruments, call the HRSA Reports Clearance Officer on (301) 443-1129.

Comments are invited 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) ways to enhance 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.

Proposed Project: The Black Lung Clinic Program Guidelines (42 CFR 55a) (OMB No. 0915-0081) Extension

The purpose of the Black Lung Clinic Program (BLCP) is to stimulate and encourage local public and private agencies to improve the health status of coalworkers and to increase coordination with other programs to assist the coalworkers population. The goal of the BLCP is to provide services to minimize the effects of respiratory and pulmonary impairments of coal miners. Grantees provide specific diagnostic and treatment procedures required in the management of problems associated with black lung disease which improve the functional status, i.e., “quality of life”, of the miner and reduces economic costs associated with morbidity and mortality arising from pulmonary diseases.

This request is for approval of the application requirements which are included in the program guidelines and the program regulation (42 CFR 55a.201 and 55a.301). Grantees must submit applications annually for continued grant support. The regulations outline the requirements for grant applications for States (55a.201) and the entities other than States (55a.301). The program guidelines further elaborate on these requirements.

The grant application form is cleared under another OMB approval (OMB No. 0920-0428). The burden for completing the application is not reflected in the Black Lung clearance request because the burden is reported in the clearance of the application form. The current request for clearance includes on hour of burden, to keep the clearance of the program-specific application requirements on the OMB database.

Send comments to Susan G. Queen, Ph.D., HRSA Reports Clearance Officer, Room 14-33, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Written comments should be received within 60 days of this notice.