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

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration

[ORD-101-N]

New and Pending Demonstration Project Proposals Submitted

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

AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA).

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: One new proposal for a Medicaid demonstration project was

submitted to the Department of Health and Human Services during the

month of May 1997 under the authority of section 1115 of the Social

Security Act. No proposals were approved, disapproved, or withdrawn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 this proposal. 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 May 1997

A. Comprehensive Health Reform Programs

1. New Proposals

The following new proposal was received during the month of May.

Demonstration Title/State: ARKids First Program--Arkansas

Description: The State is proposing to expand Medicaid eligibility and

access to health care services for children age 18 and under with gross

family income at or below 200 percent of the Federal poverty level. The

intent of the waiver is to cover all children not otherwise Medicaid

eligible at this income level statewide and to expand access to

preventative health care.

Date Received: May 16, 1997.

State Contact: Binnie Alberius, Arkansas Department of Human

Services, Division of Medical Services, Donaghey Plaza South, P.O. Box

1437, Little Rock, AK 72203-1437, (501) 682-8361.

Federal Project Officer: Joan Peterson, Ph.D., Health Care

Financing Administration, Office of Research and Demonstrations, Office

of State Health Reform Demonstrations, Mail Stop C3-18-26, 7500

Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.

[[Page 38315]]

2. Pending Proposals

Pending proposals for the month of April 1997 referenced in the

Federal Register of June 4, 1997 (62 FR 30604) remain unchanged.

3. Approved Conceptual Proposals (Award of Waivers Pending)

No conceptual proposals were approved during the month of May.

4. Approved, Disapproved, and Withdrawn Proposals

No proposals were approved, disapproved, or withdrawn during the

month of May.

B. Other Section 1115 Demonstration Proposals

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 New, Pending, Approved, Disapproved, and Withdrawn Proposals

No proposals were received, approved, disapproved, or withdrawn

during the month of May.

Pending proposals for the month of April 1997 found in the Federal

Register of June 4, 1997 (62 FR 30604) remain unchanged.

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: July 8, 1997.

Barbara Cooper,

Acting Director, Office of Research and Demonstrations.

[FR Doc. 97-18875 Filed 7-16-97; 8:45 am]

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