The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has submitted the following request (see below) for emergency OMB review under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). OMB approval has been requested upon publication of this notice for 120 days and the approval foregoes the routine comment period. During the emergency approval period, HRSA will publish a
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) provides $1.5 billion in grants to support construction, renovation and equipment, and the acquisition of health information technology systems, for health centers, including health center controlled networks receiving operating grants under section 330 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. 254b). HRSA is requesting emergency processing procedures for the Electronic Health Records (EHR) Readiness Checklist portion of the application because this information is needed before the expiration of the normal time limits under regulations at 5 CFR part 1320 to ensure the timely availability of data to make award determinations for receipt of funds under ARRA. Of the $1.5 billion, HRSA will award approximately $850 million, through limited competition grants, for one-time Capital Improvement Program (CIP) grant funding in fiscal year (FY) 2009 to support existing section 330 funded health centers. Funding under this opportunity will address pressing capital improvement needs in health centers, such as construction, repair, renovation, and equipment purchases, including health information technology systems. Applicants must provide information using the EHR Readiness Checklist that demonstrates comprehensive planning and readiness for implementing EHRs.
The estimated annual burden is as follows: