National Advisory Council on the National Health Service Corps
Committee’s Official Designation
The committee shall be known as the National Advisory Council on the National Health Service Corps (“Advisory Council”).
Authority
The Advisory Council was established under 42 USC 254j (section 337 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act), as amended by Section 10501 of the Affordable Care Act. The Advisory Council is governed by provisions of Public Law 92-463 (5 USC App.2), which set forth standards for the formation and use of advisory committees.
Objectives and Scope of Activities
The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (“Secretary”), and by delegation, the Administrator, Health Resources and Services Administration (“HRSA Administrator”), are authorized under Subpart II, Part D of Title III of the PHS Act (42 USC 254e), as amended, to designate areas of the United States with health professional shortages and assign National Health Service Corps (NHSC) clinicians to improve the delivery of health services in health professional shortage areas. The Advisory Council shall consult with, advise, and make recommendations to the Secretary and the HRSA Administrator with respect to their responsibilities under Subpart II, Part D of Title III.
Description of Duties
The Advisory Council serves as a forum to discuss and identify the priorities of the NHSC, bring forward new priorities as needed, and anticipate health workforce emerging program trends as well as challenges. The Council will provide ongoing communication with Council members, professional organizations, and with the NHSC. The Council will function as a sounding board for proposed policy changes by using the varying levels of expertise represented on the Council to advise on specific program areas and new initiatives.
Agency or Official to Whom Committee Reports
The Advisory Council reports to the Secretary.
Support
Management and support services shall be provided by the Bureau of Health Workforce, HRSA.
Estimated Annual Operating Costs and Staff Years
Estimated annual cost for operating the Advisory Council, including compensation and travel expenses for members but excluding staff support, is $108,450. Estimated annual person-years of staff support required is 1.20 FTE, at an estimated annual cost of $181,725 in FY 2020.
Designated Federal Officer (DFO)
HRSA will select a full-time or permanent part-time federal employee to serve as the Designated Federal Officer (“DFO”) to attend each Advisory Council meeting and ensure that all procedures are within applicable statutory, regulatory, and HHS General Administration Manual directives. The DFO will approve and call all of the Advisory Council’s meetings, approve all meeting agendas, adjourn any meeting when the DFO determines adjournment to be in the public interest, and chair meetings when directed to do so by the official to whom the committee reports.
The DFO will approve and call all of the advisory committee’s meetings, approve all meeting agendas, adjourn any meeting when the DFO determines adjournment to be in the public interest, and chair meetings when directed to do so by the official to whom the committee reports.
Estimated Number and Frequency of Meetings
Meetings shall be held up-to four times per year at the discretion of the DFO or designee. Meetings shall be open to the public except as determined otherwise by the Secretary or designee in accordance with the Government in the Sunshine Act 5 U.S.C. 552b(c) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Notice of all meetings shall be given to the public. Meetings shall be conducted, and records of the proceedings kept, as required by applicable laws and departmental regulations.
Duration
Continuing
Termination
This Advisory Council is exempt from Section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as stated in section 337(c) of the PHS Act, as amended. This charter will remain in effect until amended or section 337 of the PHS Act, as amended, is repealed by law.
Membership and Designation
The Advisory Council shall consist of not more than 15 members including the Chair. Members who are not federal employees or ex officios are appointed as Special Government Employees. The ex officio members are non-voting and do not count towards a quorum. Members shall be selected by the Secretary, and the Chair shall also be designated by the Secretary. Members are required to be knowledgeable of the issues related to the Advisory Council’s functions. They are selected from the primary care health workforce. Members shall be appointed for a term of 3 years, except that any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which the member’s predecessor was appointed shall be appointed for the remainder of such term. Members may be reappointed to the Advisory Council with the Secretary’s approval.
Subcommittees
Subcommittee members may be members of the parent Advisory Council. The subcommittee shall make recommendations for deliberation by the parent Advisory Council and must not provide advice or work products directly to the agency. The Department’s Committee Management Officer will be notified upon the establishment of the each subcommittee and will be provided information on the subcommittee’s name, membership, function, and estimated frequency of meetings.
Recordkeeping
The records of the Advisory Council, established subcommittees, or other subgroups of the Advisory Council shall be handled in accordance with General Records Schedule 6.2 or other approved agency records disposition schedule. These records shall be available for public inspection and copying, subject to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552.
Filing Date:
Feb 20, 2020
Approved
Feb 20, 2020
Thomas J. Engels
Administrator, Health Resources and Services Administration