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: Free Clinic—FTCA Deeming Application (OMB No. 0915-0293)—Extension
Congress legislated FTCA medical malpractice protection for free clinic volunteer health professionals through section 194 of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) amending Section 224 of the Public Health Service Act. Individuals eligible to participate in this program are health care practitioners volunteering at free clinics who meet specific eligibility requirements. If an individual meets all the requirements of this program they can be “deemed” to be a Federal employee. This deemed status is specifically to provide immunity from medical malpractice lawsuits as a result of the performance of medical, surgical, dental, or related activities within the scope of the volunteer's work at the free clinic.
The sponsoring free clinic entity must submit an application to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This application will require information about the sponsoring free clinic's credentialing system, risk management practices, and quality assurance system in order to ensure the Government is not exposed to undue liability resulting from the medical malpractice coverage of non-qualified health care professionals. Attached to the application will be a listing of specific health care providers for whom the sponsoring free clinic is requesting deemed status.
Estimates of annualized reporting burden are as follows:
| Type of form | Number of respondents | Responses per respondent | Total responses | Hours per response | Total burden hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTCA Deeming Application | 600 | 1 | 600 | 5 | 3,000 |
| Total | 600 | 600 | 3,000 |
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.
Dated: November 8, 2004.
Tina M. Cheatham,
Director, Division of Policy Review and Coordination.
[FR Doc. 04-25403 Filed 11-15-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-15-P