Tuesday, January 20, 2009

HHS Seeks Information

HHS through the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation is soliciting ideas via a Request for Information on how HHS can improve and encourage the development of new medical technologies. Information is needed on maintaining and improving the quality of care, controlling overall healthcare costs, and how to use timely and practical administrative procedures.

The responses need to be submitted on or by April 16, 2009. The notice was published in the January 15th Federal Register or go to http://aspe.hhs.gov/sp/medtechinnovation/rfi for more information. The Medical Technology Innovation Desk is available for calls at (202) 690-7858.

In another Sources Sought Notice (09HP00001) published on January 13th, the Office of Health Policy is trying to locate small businesses to do market research for the Office of Health Policy (HP) within the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE). HP provides cross-cutting analysis on health policy issues for the HHS Secretary, conducts policy, performs research, performs economic and budget analyses, reviews regulations, and assists in the development of budgets and legislation.

The businesses can be (8a), service-disabled veteran owned small businesses, HUBZone small businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, veteran-owned, and women- owned small businesses.

The three broad research areas in the notice include:

  • Health Financing Policy—Research and analysis of issues related to primarily
    Medicare, and polices affecting healthcare financing and costs. Current areas of interest include Medicare financial status, prescription drug benefit, Medicare Advantage, comparative effectiveness and cost effectiveness, quality, and potential payment reforms
  • Health Care for Low Income Populations—Research related to expanded health coverage to the uninsured with a special focus on safety net providers
  • Public Health Services—Research and analysis of issues related to health promotion and disease prevention, healthcare disparities, alcohol drug abuse, mental health services, workforce issues, and healthcare for Native Americans and Alaska Natives

The response date for the notice is January 28, 2009. For more information, go to http://www.fbo.gov/, or email Marie L. Sunday at marie.sunday@psc.hhs.gov or call 301-443-7081.