New and Pending Demonstration Project Proposals Submitted Pursuant to Section 1115(a) of the Social Security Act: March 1997

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration

[ORD-099-N]

New and Pending Demonstration Project Proposals Submitted

Pursuant to Section 1115(a) of the Social Security Act: March 1997

AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: During the month of March, one new proposal for Medicaid

demonstration project was submitted to the Department of Health and

Human Services under the authority of section 1115 of the Social

Security Act. There were no proposals approved, disapproved, or

withdrawn during that time period.

(This notice can be accessed on the Internet at http://www.hcfa.gov/

ord/sect1115.htm)

COMMENTS: We will accept written comments on these proposals. We will,

if feasible, acknowledge receipt of all comments, but we will not

provide written responses to comments. We will, however, neither

approve nor disapprove any new proposal for at least 30 days after the

date of this notice to allow time to receive and consider comments.

Direct comments as indicated below.

ADDRESSES: Mail correspondence to: Susan Anderson, Office of Research

and Demonstrations, Health Care Financing Administration, Mail Stop C3-

11-07, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Anderson (410) 786-3996.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

Under section 1115 of the Social Security Act (the Act), the

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) may consider and approve

research and demonstration proposals with a broad range of policy

objectives. These demonstrations can lead to improvements in achieving

the purposes of the Act.

In exercising her discretionary authority, the Secretary has

developed a number of policies and procedures for reviewing proposals.

On September 27, 1994, we published a notice in the Federal Register

(59 FR 49249) that specified (1) The principles that we ordinarily will

consider when approving or disapproving demonstration projects under

the authority in section 1115(a) of the Act; (2) the procedures we

expect States to use in involving the public in the development of

proposed demonstration projects under section 1115; and (3) the

procedures we ordinarily will follow in reviewing demonstration

proposals. We are committed to a thorough and expeditious review of

State requests to conduct such demonstrations.

As part of our procedures, we publish a notice in the Federal

Register with a monthly listing of all new submissions, pending

proposals, approvals, disapprovals, and withdrawn proposals. Proposals

submitted in response to a grant solicitation or other competitive

process are reported as received during the month that grant or bid is

awarded, so as to prevent interference with the awards process.

II. Listing of New, Pending, Approved, Disapproved, and Withdrawn

Proposals for the Month of March 1997

A. Comprehensive Health Reform Programs

1. New Proposals

The following comprehensive health reform proposal was received

during the month of March.

Demonstration Title/State: New Jersey Managed Charity Care

Demonstration.

Description: The State is proposing to incorporate aspects of

managed care into the current charity care program to achieve program

efficiencies, better value, and improved care and health outcomes for

charity care beneficiaries. The demonstration would use the

Disproportionate Share Hospital funds allocated to the charity care

component and redirect these funds to a new managed charity care

program.

Date Received: March 24, 1997.

State Contact: Laurie Facciarossa, Division of Medical Assistance

and Health Services, CN 712, Trenton, NJ 08065, (609) 588-4518.

Federal Project Officer: Bruce Johnson, Health Care Financing

Administration, Office of Research and Demonstration, Office of State

Health Reform Demonstrations, Mail Stop C3-18-26, 7500 Security

Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.

2. Pending, Approved, Disapproved, or Withdrawn Proposals

We did not approve or disapprove any proposals during the month of

March nor were any proposals withdrawn during that month. Therefore,

pending proposals for the month of January 1997 published in the

Federal Register of March 31, 1997 (62 FR 15187) remain unchanged.

B. Other Section 1115 Demonstration Proposals

1. New, Pending, Approved, Disapproved, and Withdrawn Proposals

We did not receive any new proposals or approve or disapprove any

Other Section 1115 Demonstration Proposals during the month of March

nor were any proposals withdrawn during that month.

Pending proposals for the month of January 1997 found in the

Federal Register of March 31, 1997 (62 FR 15187) remain unchanged,

except for the addition of the Minnesota Long Term Care Facility Waiver

(a new proposal that was received in January).

III. Requests for Copies of a Proposal

Requests for copies of a specific Medicaid proposal should be made

to the State contact listed for the specific proposal. If further help

or information is needed, inquiries should be directed to HCFA at the

address above.

(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Program, No. 93.779; Health

Financing Research, Demonstrations, and Experiments.)

Dated: May 1, 1997

Barbara Cooper,

Acting Director, Office of Research and Demonstrations.

[FR Doc. 97-12272 Filed 5-9-97; 8:45 am]

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