The Federal Register

Proposed Data Collections Submitted for Public Comment and Recommendations

Fri, Dec 5 2003 11:00:00 GMT

In compliance with the requirement of section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 for opportunity for public comment on proposed data collection projects, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will publish periodic summaries of proposed projects. To request more information on the proposed projects or to obtain a copy of the data collection plans and instruments, call the CDC Reports Clearance Officer on (404) 4981210.

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

National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities

Fri, Dec 5 2003 11:00:00 GMT

Name: Scientific Workshop on Impact of Maternal Thyroid Disease on the Developing Fetus: Implications for Diagnosis, Treatment, and Screening.

Times and Dates: 8 a.m.7:30 p.m., January 12, 2004. 8 a.m.4 p.m., January 13, 2004.

Place: Renaissance Atlanta Hotel Downtown, 590 West Peachtree Street, NW., Atlanta, Georgia 303083586, Telephone (404) 8816000.

Status: Open to the public, limited only by the space available.

Purpose: The purpose of the workshop is to summarize the body of scientific evidence, describe the gaps in knowledge, provide direction for future research, and offer guidance for appropriate public health action if warranted.

Matters To Be Discussed: The agenda will include an overview of the prevalence of thyroid dysfunction in reproductiveage women and factors associated with abnormal function, outcomes related to thyroid dysfunction during pregnancy, detection and treatment of thyroid dysfunction, and considerations for public health practice.

Agenda ite

Medicare Program; Coverage and Payment of Ambulance Services; Inflation Update for CY 2004

Fri, Dec 5 2003 11:00:00 GMT

This final rule provides the sunset date for the interim bonus payment for rural ambulance mileage of 18 through 50 miles as required by the Medicare, Medicaid and State Child Health Insurance Program Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000 (BIPA) and provides notice of the annual Ambulance Inflation Factor (AIF) for ambulance services for calendar year (CY) 2004. The statute requires that this inflation factor be
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applied in determining the fee schedule amounts and payment limits for ambulance services.

Medicare Program; Photocopying Reimbursement Methodology

Fri, Dec 5 2003 11:00:00 GMT

This final rule increases the rate of reimbursement for expenses incurred by prospective payment system (PPS) hospitals for photocopying medical records requested by Quality Improvement Organizations (QIOs), formerly known as Utilization and Quality Control Peer Review Organizations (PROs). We are increasing the rate from 7 cents per page to 12 cents per page to reflect inflationary changes in the labor and supply cost components of the formula.

This final rule also provides for the periodic review and adjustment of the perpage reimbursement rate to account for inflation and changes in technology. The methodology for calculating the perpage reimbursement rate will remain unchanged.

We are also providing for the payment of the expenses of furnishing photocopies to QIOs, to other providers subject to a PPS (for example, skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies), in accordance with the rules established for reimbursing PPS hospitals for these expenses.

Agency Information Collection Activities: Proposed Collection; Comment Request

Fri, Dec 5 2003 11:00:00 GMT

Agency: Centers for Medicare and 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 and Medicaid Services (CMS) (formerly known as the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA)), Department of Health and Human Services, 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 Collec

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI): Opportunity for Cooperative Research and Development Agreements

Fri, Dec 5 2003 11:00:00 GMT

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announces the opportunity for Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) to develop novel mechanical and biological treatments in interventional cardiovascular medicine using xray fluoroscopy and realtime magnetic resonance imaging. The NHLBI seeks potential Collaborators wishing to provide expertise in (1) novel biological treatments for cardiovascular disease, including agents to facilitate mobilization of bonemarrow derived stem and progenitor cells, (2) novel agents for therapeutic angiogenesis for myocardial or peripheral artery applications, (3) novel immunemodulating agents to treat to prevent manifestations of atherosclerosis, coronary artery occlusion, or myocardial ischemia/ infarction, (4) novel mechanisms of drug, gene, or cell delivery to the myocardium or skeletal muscle to treat manifestations of coronary or peripheral artery atherosclerosis, and (5) intravascular devices

Government-Owned Inventions; Availability for Licensing

Fri, Dec 5 2003 11:00:00 GMT

The inventions listed below are owned by an agency of the U.S. Government and are available for licensing in the U.S. in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 207 to achieve expeditious commercialization of results of federallyfunded research and development. Foreign patent applications are filed on selected inventions to extend market coverage for companies and may also be available for licensing.

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; Notice of Meeting

Fri, Dec 5 2003 11:00:00 GMT

Pursuant to section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), notice is hereby given of a meeting of the National Advisory Board on Medical Rehabilitation Research.

The meeting will be open to the public with attendance limited to space available. Individuals who plan to attend and need special assistance, such as sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodations, should notify the Contact Person listed below in advance of the meeting.

Name of Committee: National Advisory Board on Medical Rehabilitation Research.

Date: December 89, 2003.

Time: December 8, 2003, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Agenda: NICHD Director's Report presentation, Regional Research Networks, and an update on the Rehabilitation Medicine Scientist Training Program.

Place: Holiday InnSilver Spring, 8777 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

Time: December 9, 2003, 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Agenda: Other business dealing with the NABMRR Board.

Place: Ho

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease; Amended Notice of Meeting

Fri, Dec 5 2003 11:00:00 GMT

Notice is hereby given of a change in the meeting of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Special Emphasis Panel, November 25, 2003, 9 a.m. to November 25, 2003, 11 a.m. National Institutes of Health, Two Democracy Plaza, 6707 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda, MD, 20892 which was published in the Federal Register on October 31, 2003, 68 FR 62902.

The meeting will be held on December 18, 2003 from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. The meeting is closed to the public.

Dated: November 28, 2003.
Anna Snouffer,
Acting Director, Office of Federal Advisory Committee Policy. [FR Doc. 0330202 Filed 12403; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 414001M

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; Notice of Closed Meeting

Fri, Dec 5 2003 11:00:00 GMT

Pursuant to section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), notice is hereby given of the following meeting.

The meeting will be closed to the public in accordance with the provisions set forth in sections 552b(c)(4) and 552b(c)(6), Title 5 U.S.C., as amended. The grant applications and the discussions could disclose confidential trade secrets or commercial property such as patentable material, and personal information concerning individuals associated with the grant applications, the disclosure of which would constitute a clearly unwarranted invasion of personal property.

Name of Committee: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases Special Emphasis Panel, Chronic Kidney Disease.

Date: December 12, 2003.

Time: 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Agenda: To review and evaluate grant applications.

Place: National Institutes of Health, Two Democracy Plaza, 6707 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20892, (Telephone Conference Call).

National Institute of Mental Health; Notice of Closed Meeting

Fri, Dec 5 2003 11:00:00 GMT

Pursuant to section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. appendix 2), notice is hereby given of the following meeting.

Name of Committee: National Institute of Mental Health Special Emphasis Panel.

Date: December 10, 2003.

Time: 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Agenda: To review and evaluate grant applications.

Place: National Institutes of Health, Neuroscience Center, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20852, (Telephone Conference Call).

Contact Person: David I. Sommers, PhD, Sci

Center for Scientific Review; Amended Notice of Meeting

Fri, Dec 5 2003 11:00:00 GMT

Notice is hereby given of a change in the meeting of the Center for Scientific Review Special Emphasis Panel, December 18, 2003, 1 p.m. to December 18, 2003, 3 p.m., National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892 which was published in the Federal Register on November 26, 2003, 68 FR 6647166472.

The meeting will be held on December 19, 2003, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The location remains the same. The meeting is closed to the public.

Dated: November 28, 2003.
Anna Snouffer,
Acting Director, Office of Federal Advisory Committee Policy. [FR Doc. 0330201 Filed 12403; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 414001M

Current List of Laboratories Which Meet Minimum Standards To Engage in Urine Drug Testing for Federal Agencies

Fri, Dec 5 2003 11:00:00 GMT

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) notifies Federal agencies of the laboratories currently certified to meet the standards of subpart C of the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs (Mandatory Guidelines) published in the Federal Register on April 11, 1988 (53 FR 11970), and revised in the Federal Register on June 9, 1994 (59 FR 29908) and on September 30, 1997 (62 FR 51118). A notice listing all currently certified laboratories is published in the Federal Register during the first week of each month. If any laboratory's certification is suspended or revoked, the laboratory will be omitted from subsequent lists until such time as it is restored to full certification under the Mandatory Guidelines.

If any laboratory has withdrawn from HHS' National Laboratory Certification Program (NLCP) during the past month, it will be listed at the end, and will be omitted from the monthly listing thereafter.

This notice is also available on the Internet at