New and Pending Demonstration Project Proposals Submitted Pursuant to Section 1115(a) of the Social Security Act: December 1997 and January 1998

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Care Financing Administration

[HCFA-2021-N]

New and Pending Demonstration Project Proposals Submitted

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

and January 1998

AGENCY: Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), HHS.

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 January 1998 under the authority of section 1115 of the Social

Security Act. No proposals were received during the month of December

1997. No proposals were approved, disapproved or withdrawn during that

time period. (This notice can be accessed on the Internet at http://

www.hcfa.gov/cmso/sect115.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: Gloria Smiddy, Center for Medicaid

and State Operations, Health Care Financing Administration, Mail Stop

C3-18-26, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gloria Smiddy, (410) 786-7723.

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 grant solicitation or other competitive

process is reported as received during the month that such grants 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 Months of December 1997 and January 1998

A. Comprehensive Health Reform Programs

1. New Proposal

The following comprehensive health reform proposal was received

during the month of January 1998.

Demonstration Title/State: BadgerCare/Wisconsin.

Description: The State submitted a proposal that would use a

combination of title XIX and title XXI funding to ensure access to

health care for all children and parents in uninsured families with

incomes below 185

[[Page 11687]]

percent of the Federal poverty level. Once enrolled, families would

maintain their eligibility until their income reaches 200 percent of

the Federal poverty level. The benefits would be identical to the

Medicaid benefits package and current provisions for quality assurance

under Wisconsin's present Medicaid managed care system.

Date Received: January 23, 1998.

State Contact: Angie Dombrowicki, Department of Health and Family

Services, Division of Health, One West Wilson Street, Room 237, P.O.

Box 309, Madison, WI 53701-0309, 608-266-1935.

Federal Project Officer: Maria Boulmetis, Health Care Financing

Administration, Center for Medicaid and State Operations, Family/

Children's Health Program Group, 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD

21244-1850.

2. Pending Proposals

The pending proposals for July 1997 through November 1997 that are

referenced in the Federal Register of February 4, 1998 (63 FR 5810)

remain unchanged.

3. Approved Proposals

No proposals were approved during the months of December 1997 and

January 1998.

4. Approved Conceptual Proposals (Award for Waivers Pending)

No conceptual proposals were approved during the months of December

1997 and January 1998.

5. Disapproved and Withdrawn Proposals

No proposals were disapproved or withdrawn during the months of

December 1997 and January 1998.

B. Other Section 1115 Family Planning Programs

1. New Proposals: No new proposals were received during the months

of December 1997 and January 1998.

2. Pending Proposals: The pending proposals for July 1997 through

November 1997 that are referenced in the Federal Register of February

4, 1998 (63 FR 5810) remain unchanged.

3. Approved Conceptual Proposals (Award of Waivers Pending): No

conceptual proposals were approved in the months of December 1997 and

January 1998.

4. Approved/Disapproved/Withdrawn Proposals: No proposals were

approved, disapproved or withdrawn for the months of December 1997 and

January 1998.

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, inquires 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: February 24, 1998.

Sally K. Richardson,

Director, Center for Medicaid and State Operations.

[FR Doc. 98-6090 Filed 3-9-98; 8:45 am]

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