[No title available]

[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 180 (Monday, September 19, 1994)]

[Unknown Section]

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From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[FR Doc No: 94-23135]

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[Federal Register: September 19, 1994]

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Part IV

Office of Management and Budget

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Cumulative Report on Rescissions and Deferrals; Notice

OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET

Cumulative Report on Rescissions and Deferrals

September 1, 1994.

This report is submitted in fulfillment of the requirement of

Section 1014(e) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act

of 1974 (Public Law 93-344). Section 1014(e) requires a month report

listing all budget authority for this fiscal year for which, as of the

first day of the month, a special message has been transmitted to

Congress.

This report gives the status of 65 rescission proposals and 12

deferrals contained in six special messages for FY 1994. These messages

were transmitted to Congress on October 13, November 1, and November

19, 1993; and on February 7, May 2, and June 8, 1994.

Rescissions (Attachments A and C)

As of September 1, 1994, 65 rescission proposals totaling $3,172.2

million had been transmitted to the Congress. Congress approved 45 of

the Administration's rescission proposals in P.L. 103-211. A total of

$1,286.7 million of the rescissions proposed by the President was

rescinded by that measure. There are no rescission proposals pending

before the Congress. Attachment C shows the status of the FY 1994

rescission proposals.

Deferrals (Attachments B and D)

As of September 1, 1994, $1,199.6 million in budget authority was

being deferred from obligation. Attachment D shows the status of each

deferral reported during FY 1994.

Information From Special Messages

The special messages containing information on the rescission

proposals and deferrals that are covered by this cumulative report are

printed in the Federal Register cited below:

58 FR 54256, Wednesday, October 20, 1993

58 FR 59517, Tuesday, November 9, 1993

58 FR 63264, Tuesday, November 30, 1993

59 FR 7122, Monday, February 14, 1994

59 FR 24006, Monday, May 9, 1994

59 FR 32068, Tuesday, June 21, 1994

Alice M. Rivlin,

Acting Director.

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Part VI

Department of Health and Human Services

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National Institutes of Health

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National Institutes of Health Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

Research Loan Repayment Program; Notice

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

National Institutes of Health

RIN 0905-ZA59

National Institutes of Health Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

(AIDS) Research Loan Repayment Program

AGENCY: National Institutes of Health, Public Health Service, HHS

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announces the

availability of educational loan repayment under the National

Institutes of Health Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Research

Loan Repayment Program. The Program, which is authorized by section

487A of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 U.S.C. 288-1), as added

by the Health Omnibus Programs Extension Act of 1988 (Pub. L. 100-607)

and amended by the National Institutes of Health Revitalization Act of

1993 (Pub. L. 103-43), provides for the partial repayment of the

accumulated educational loan debt of health professionals who agree to

conduct, as employees of the NIH, research with respect to AIDS. The

Program provides for the repayment of up to $20,000 of the principal

and interest of the educational loans of such health professionals for

each year of obligated service. The purpose of the program is the

recruitment and retention of highly qualified health professionals

conducting AIDS research as NIH employees. The NIH, through this

notice, invites health professionals interested in engaging in AIDS

research as NIH employees to apply for participation in the NIH AIDS

Research Loan Repayment Program.

DATES: Interested persons may request information about the Program

beginning on September 19, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Information regarding the requirements and application

procedures for the Program may be obtained by calling or writing: Mr.

Marc Horowitz, Director, NIH AIDS Research Loan Repayment Program,

Office of AIDS Research, National Institutes of Health, Federal

Building, Suite 102, 7550 Wisconsin Avenue, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-

9905 (1-800-528-7689).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Institutes of Health

Revitalization Act of 1993 (Public Law 103-43) was enacted on June 10,

1993, amending section 487A of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42

U.S.C. 288-1). Section 487A directs the Secretary to continue a program

of entering into agreements with appropriately qualified health

professionals under which such health professionals agree to conduct,

as employees of the NIH, research with respect to acquired

immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in consideration of the Federal

Government agreeing to repay, for each year of service, not more than

$20,000 of the principal and interest of the educational loans of such

health professionals. This program is known as the NIH AIDS Research

Loan Repayment Program.

Under the Program, the NIH will repay qualified educational loan

debt incurred by health professionals to pay for their undergraduate,

graduate, and/or medical educational expenses. Upon application,

individuals must have total qualified debt which will exceed 20% of

their anticipated annual NIH salary (``debt threshold'') on the date of

program eligibility. Half of this debt threshold amount will not be

repaid by the Program and will remain the obligation of the

participant.

The remaining repayable debt of qualified health professionals will

be satisfied at the rate of one-third per year, subject to a statutory

limit of $20,000 per year, for each year of obligated service EXCEPT

for individuals with repayable debt equal to or less than $10,000.

These individuals will receive repayment of their repayable debt at the

rate of one-half per year. Obligated service requires individuals

selected to participate in the Program to agree to serve at least 2

years as an NIH employee engaged in qualified AIDS research.

Participants may apply for renewal contracts in one-year increments to

satisfy their remaining repayable debt.

In return for the repayment of their educational loans,

participants must agree to (1) Engage primarily in qualified AIDS

research as employees of the NIH for a minimum period of 2 years; (2)

make payments to lenders on their own behalf for periods of Leave

Without Pay (LWOP); (3) pay monetary damages as required for breach of

contract; and (4) satisfy other terms and conditions of the Program's

contract and application procedures. Applicants must submit a signed

contract, prepared by the NIH, agreeing to obligated service at the

time they apply for consideration under the Program. Substantial

monetary penalties will be imposed for breach of contract.

Since program participation is contingent upon employment with the

NIH, an individual who wishes to apply must obtain a written commitment

from an Institute, Center, or Division (ICD) Personnel Office of the

NIH to be employed in a qualified AIDS research position. Current

deadlines, sources for assistance, and additional details regarding

application procedures are published in an annual Applicant Information

Bulletin which is available from the Director, AIDS Research Loan

Repayment Program.

The Loan Repayment Committee (LRC), whose members are appointed by

the Director, NIH, review, rank, and approve or disapprove the

scientific portions of Loan Repayment Program applications. The LRC is

composed of NIH scientific staff and chaired by the Associate Director

for AIDS Research, NIH. Review and selection of applications for

approval is based upon the following:

(1) The appropriateness of the research assignment to qualified

AIDS research;

(2) The scientific merit of the research assignment; and

(3) The credentials of both applicant and supervisor and other

criteria the Secretary deems appropriate.

Initial contracts will be executed to cover a two-year service

period. At the conclusion of this initial contract, participants may be

recommended for a one-year renewal contract, subject to review of their

AIDS research accomplishments. These continuation contracts may be

approved on a year-to-year basis. Funding of all contracts is

contingent upon appropriation and/or allocation of funds from the U.S.

Congress and/or the NIH.

The NIH will repay lenders for the principal, interest, and related

expenses (such as the required insurance premiums on the unpaid

balances of some loans) of qualified Government (Federal, State, local)

and commercial educational loans obtained by participants for the

following:

(1) Undergraduate, graduate, and health professional school tuition

expenses;

(2) Other reasonable educational expenses required by the school(s)

attended, including fees, books, supplies, educational equipment and

materials, and laboratory expenses; and

(3) Reasonable living expenses, including the cost of room and

board, transportation and commuting costs, and other reasonable living

expenses as determined by the Secretary.

Repayments will be authorized quarterly for direct payment to

lenders, following receipt of (1) The supervisor's verification of

completion of the prior period of obligated service and (2) lender

verification of the crediting of prior loan repayments, including the

resulting account balances and current account status. The NIH will

repay loans in the following order unless significant savings would

result from repaying loans in a different priority order:

(1) Health Education Assistance Loans (HEAL);

(2) Other loans guaranteed by the Federal Government; and

(3) Other qualifying loans.

The following loans are NOT repayable under the Program:

(1) Loans not obtained from a Government entity or commercial

lending institution, such as loans from friends and relatives, or other

private individuals;

(2) Loans for which contemporaneous documentation is not available;

and

(3) Loans, or those portions of loans, obtained for educational or

living expenses which exceed a ``reasonable'' level as determined by a

review of the standard school budget for the year in which the loan was

made.

In addition, for other programs which provide loans, scholarships,

loan repayments, or similar awards in exchange for a future service

obligation, the NIH will NOT repay any sums that may result from

failure to serve as required or conversion of the obligation to a loan

under these programs. This includes, but is not limited to the

following:

(1) Physicians Shortage Area Scholarship Program;

(2) National Research Service Award Program;

(3) Public Health Service and National Health Service Corps

Scholarship Programs;

(4) Armed Forces (Army, Navy, or Air Force) Health Professions

Scholarship Programs; and

(5) Indian Health Service Scholarship Program.

Finally, payments will not be made under the Program for loans

which participants have already repaid, delinquent loans, loans in

default, loans not current in their payment schedule, or loans for

which promissory notes have been signed after the program eligibility

date. During lapses in loan repayments, due either to administrative

complications or a break in service, Program participants are wholly

responsible for making payments or other arrangements which maintain

loans in a current payment status such that increases in either

principal or interest do not occur. Penalties assessed participants as

a result of NIH administrative complications may be considered for

reimbursement.

Activities Constituting AIDS Research

The following parameters define whether a proposed research

assignment meets the criteria for coverage under the NIH AIDS Research

Loan Repayment Program--that is, whether the incumbent will be

``primarily'' engaged in AIDS research. ``Primarily'' engaged in AIDS

research is defined as AIDS research activities that constitute at

least 80% of a researcher's time. Clinical Associates, whose intent is

to primarily engage in AIDS research, must engage in qualified AIDS

research for at least three months in the first year of their program,

with a total of fifteen months of qualified AIDS research during their

two-year contract. AIDS researchers include registered nurses who are

principal or associate investigators in AIDS research studies.

(1) AIDS research includes studies of the human immunodeficiency

virus (HIV), the pathophysiology of HIV infection, the development of

models of HIV infection and its sequelae, cofactors predisposing to HIV

infection and AIDS, or its sequelae, and the development of vaccines

and therapeutics. Specifically, the following research activities are

included:

a. Studies of HIV and related retroviruses;

b. Studies of the mechanism(s) by which HIV and related

retroviruses establish infection and infect host cells;

c. Studies of the mechanism(s) by which HIV and related

retroviruses cause disease, including studies of the immune deficiency

induced by HIV and related retroviruses;

d. Studies of the pathophysiology of host response to HIV

infection;

e. Studies of in vivo or in vitro models of human HIV infection and

its sequelae;

f. Epidemiologic studies of HIV and related retrovirus infection;

g. Clinical trials involving prophylaxis or therapy for HIV

infection or its sequelae;

h. Preclinical studies aimed at the development of therapy for or

prevention of HIV infection and the immunodeficiency caused by HIV

infection and its sequelae;

i. Cofactors predisposing to acquiring HIV infection and/or the

progression of HIV-related disease;

j. Basic studies and clinical trials involving vaccines, or other

immunological or chemotherapeutic interventions for the prevention of

HIV infection and its sequelae;

k. Studies into the transmission of HIV involving high risk

behaviors and research concerning the interruption of transmission by

behavioral change and pharmacologic intervention; and

l. Basic studies of the societal impact of and response to the HIV/

AIDS epidemic, including subgroups within the population.

(2) AIDS researchers include scientists who are intellectually

engaged in the process of providing scientific direction and guidance

in programs of original AIDS research, specifically, epidemiologists,

statisticians, and others who are involved in the design and conduct of

research studies. The duties of such scientists may include the

generation and design of studies and collation and analysis of data;

and/or the preparation and publication, as author or co-author, of

studies in peer-reviewed journals.

(3) AIDS researchers include physicians and registered nurses who

are providing care for HIV-infected individuals who are subjects of

HIV-related research.

Eligibility Criteria

Specific eligibility criteria with regard to participation in the

NIH AIDS Research Loan Repayment Program include the following:

(1) Participants must be U.S. citizens, nationals, or permanent

residents;

(2) Participants must have a Ph.D., M.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.M.D.,

D.V.M., B.S.N. or A.D.N., or equivalent degree;

(3) Participants must have qualifying educational debt in excess of

20 percent of their annual NIH salary at their expected date of program

eligibility. In the case of U.S. Commissioned Corps employees, their

NIH salary includes base pay plus quarters, subsistence, and variable

housing allowances. Special and bonus pays, such as board certified,

contract, and variable incentive pays, are not considered in the LRP's

calculation of salary. For those employed under the Civil Service

General Schedule, salary does not include Physicians Comparability

Allowances (PCAs). However, PCA recipients who are accepted into the

LRP will have their PCAs reduced by the amount of loan repayments to be

received. The expected date of program eligibility is the date by which

the following conditions will be met: (a) An applicant agrees to begin

qualified AIDS research as a NIH employee, and (b) the Secretary is

expected to execute their LRP contract;

(4) Participants must be considered employees of the NIH. The

following are among those NOT considered NIH employees: (a) Visiting

fellows (i.e. foreign scientists), (b) Intramural Research Training

Award (IRTA) recipients, (c) National Research Service Award (NRSA)

recipients, (d) Guest Researchers or Special Volunteers, (e) NIH-

National Research Council (NRC) Biotechnology Research Associates

Program participants, and (f) Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA)

participants;

(5) Participants may be appointed under a temporary or permanent

employment mechanism, so long as their employment in an LRC-approved

AIDS research assignment has the potential to last a minimum of 2

years;

(6) Individuals with existing service obligations to Federal,

State, or other entities will not be considered for the Program unless

and until the existing service obligation is discharged or deferred for

the length of Program participation;

(7) Applicants will not be excluded from consideration under the

Program on the basis of age, race, culture, religion, gender,

disability, or other non-merit factors.

Additional Program Information

This program is not subject to the provisions of Executive Order

12372, Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs.

This program is subject to OMB clearance under the requirements of

the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980. A Request for OMB Review and

Approval of information collection associated with the program is being

prepared by the NIH.

The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance number for the Program

is 93.936.

Dated: June 17, 1994.

Ruth L. Kirschstein,

Deputy Director, NIH.

[FR Doc. 94-23135 Filed 9-16-94; 8:45 am]

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