[Federal Register: September 24, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 185)]
[Notices]
[Page 57304-57305]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24se04-70]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
[CMS-3154-N]
Medicare Program; Request for Nominations for Members for the
Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee
AGENCY: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), HHS.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice requests nominations for consideration for
membership on the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee (MCAC).
DATES: Nominations will be considered if received at the designated
address, as provided below, no later than 5 p.m. on September 30, 2004.
ADDRESSES: You may mail nominations for membership to the following
address: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Office of Clinical
Standards and Quality, Attention: Michelle Atkinson, 7500 Security
Blvd., Mail Stop: Central Building 1-09-06, Baltimore, MD 21244.
A copy of the Secretary's Charter for the Medicare Coverage
Advisory Committee can be obtained from Maria Ellis, Office of Clinical
Standards and Quality, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 7500
Security Blvd., Mail Stop: Central Building 1-09-06, Baltimore, MD
21244, or by e-mail to mellis@cms.hhs.gov. The charter is also posted
on the web at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/mcac/8b1-1.asp.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Atkinson, 410-786-2881.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On December 14, 1998, we published a notice in the Federal Register
(63 FR 68780) announcing establishment of the Medicare Coverage
Advisory Committee (MCAC). The Secretary signed the initial charter for
the Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee on November 24, 1998. The
charter was renewed by the Secretary and will terminate on November 24,
2004, unless renewed again by the Secretary.
The Medicare Coverage Advisory Committee is governed by provisions
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Pub. L. 92-463, as amended (5
U.S.C. App. 2), which sets forth standards for the formulation and use
of advisory committees, and is authorized by section 222 of the Public
Health Service Act as amended (42 U.S.C. 217A).
The MCAC consists of a pool of 100 appointed members. Members are
selected from among authorities in clinical medicine of all
specialties, administrative medicine, public health, epidemiology and
biostatistics, methodology of trial design, biologic and physical
sciences, health care data and information management and analysis, the
economics of health care, medical ethics, and other related
professions. A maximum of 88 members are standard voting members, 12
are nonvoting members, 6 of whom are representatives of consumer
interests, and 6 of whom are representatives of industry interests.
The MCAC functions on a committee basis. The committee reviews and
evaluates medical literature, reviews technology assessments, and
examines data and information on the effectiveness and appropriateness
of medical items and services that are covered or eligible for coverage
under Medicare. The Committee works from an agenda provided by the
Designated Federal Official that lists specific issues, and develops
technical advice to assist us in determining reasonable and necessary
applications of medical services and technology when we make national
coverage decisions for Medicare.
A few vacancies exist on the current MCAC roster, and terms for
some members currently serving will expire in 2004. Accordingly, we are
requesting nominations for both voting and nonvoting members to serve
on the MCAC. Nominees are selected based upon their individual
qualifications and not as representatives of professional associations
or societies. We have a
[[Page 57305]]
special interest in ensuring that women, minority groups, and
physically challenged individuals are adequately represented on the
MCAC. Therefore, we encourage nominations of qualified candidates from
these groups.
All nominations must be accompanied by curricula vitae. Nomination
packages must be sent to Michelle Atkinson at the address listed in the
Addresses section.
Criteria for Members
Nominees for voting membership must have expertise and experience
in one or more of the following fields: clinical medicine of all
specialties, administrative medicine, public health, patient advocacy,
epidemiology and biostatistics, methodology of trial design, biologic
and physical sciences, health care data and information management and
analysis, the economics of health care, medical ethics, and other
related professions.
We are also seeking nominations for nonvoting consumer and industry
representatives. Nominees for these positions must possess appropriate
qualifications to understand and contribute to the MCAC's work.
The nomination letter must include a statement that the nominee is
willing to serve as a member of the MCAC and appears to have no
conflict of interest that would preclude membership. We are requesting
that all curricula vitae include the following: Date of birth, place of
birth, social security number, title and current position, professional
affiliation, home and business address, telephone and fax numbers, e-
mail address, and list of areas of expertise. In the nominations
letter, we are requesting that the nominee specify whether applying for
voting member, Industry Representative, or Consumer Representative.
Potential candidates will be asked to provide detailed information
concerning such matters as financial holdings, consultancies, and
research grants or contracts in order to permit evaluation of possible
sources of conflict of interest.
Members are invited to serve for overlapping 4-year terms. A member
may serve after the expiration of the member's term until a successor
takes office. Any interested person may nominate one or more qualified
persons. Self-nominations are also accepted.
Authority: 5 U.S.C. App. 2, section 10(a)(1) and (a)(2).
(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program No. 93.774,
Medicare--Supplementary Medical Insurance Program)
Dated: September 14, 2004.
Sean R. Tunis,
Director, Office of Clinical Standards and Quality, Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services.
[FR Doc. 04-21200 Filed 9-23-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4120-01-P