Meeting of the National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality

AGENCY:

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), HHS

ACTION:

Notice of public meeting.

SUMMARY:

In accordance with section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, this notice announces a meeting of the National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality.

DATES:

The meeting will be held on Friday, April 2, 2004, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is open to the public.

ADDRESSES:

The meeting will be held at the Agency Conference Center, 540 Gaither Road, First Floor, Rockville, Maryland 20850.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Anne Lebbon, Coordinator of the Advisory Council, at the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville, Maryland 20850, (301) 427-1215. For press-related information, please contact Karen Migdail at (301) 427-1855.

If sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodation for a disability is needed, please contact Mr. Donald L. Inniss, Director, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Program, Program Support Center, on (301) 443-1144 no later than March 25, 2004.

Agenda, roster and minutes are available from Ms. Bonnie Campbell, Committee Management Officer, Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research, 540 Gaither Road, Rockville, Maryland 20850. Her phone number is (301) 427-1554. Minutes will be available after April 19, 2003.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Purpose

Section 921 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 299c) established the National Advisory Council for Healthcare Research and Quality. In accordance with its statutory mandate, the Council is to advise the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services and the Director, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), on matters related to actions of the Agency to enhance the quality, improve the outcomes, reduce the costs of health care services, improve access to such services through scientific research, and to promote improvements in clinical practice and in the organization, financing, and delivery of health care services. The Council is composed of members of the public appointed by the Secretary and Federal ex-officio members.

II. Agenda

On Friday, April 2, 2004, the meeting will begin at 9 a.m., with the call to order by the Council Chair. The Director, AHRQ, will present the status of the Agency's current research, programs, and initiatives. Tentative agenda items include Building the Science Base for Evaluating the Effectiveness of Health Care Interventions, the Agency's HCAHPS program, and the Agency's new mission. The official agenda will be available on AHRQ's Web site at http://www.ahrq.gov no later than March 18. The meeting will adjourn at 4 p.m.