FR 2021-00221

The document under review is a notice from the Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, regarding a change in the schedule of a public meeting. Initially set to occur on January 29, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the meeting's open session has now been altered to take place from 11:00 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. This notice serves as an update to a prior announcement published in the Federal Register on November 25, 2020.

General Summary

The notice informs the public about a change in the timing of an open session of the Council of Councils meeting. The revised schedule dictates a significant reduction in the duration of the open session, trimming down the hours originally planned.

Significant Issues and Concerns

A notable concern with this notice is the absence of an explanation for the change in meeting times. Transparency is crucial for public meetings, and anticipating public inquiries about reasons for such modifications would have been beneficial. Moreover, the reference to the previously published notice in the Federal Register requires interested parties to seek out another document for potentially important context, which could be burdensome for some readers.

Additionally, the notice lacks a detailed agenda. For those interested in participating or simply understanding the public discussion topics, an agenda would provide necessary clarity. Furthermore, the document uses somewhat dense bureaucratic language, such as "Program Analyst, Office of Federal Advisory Committee Policy," which could be confusing to those unfamiliar with such terms.

Impact on the Public

For the general public, this notice acts primarily as a scheduling update, but it may lead to a sense of exclusion if the reasons behind the meeting time amendments remain unexplained. Public meetings often allow for community input and transparency in governmental operations, and any alterations without detailed explanations can raise concerns about accessibility and transparency.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

Specific stakeholders, including researchers, healthcare professionals, or any individuals directly involved with or interested in the activities of the National Institutes of Health, might find the reduction in open session time problematic. This change could limit the opportunity for public observation or participation in this federal advisory committee’s activities. On the other hand, the continuation of a virtual format ensures the meeting is accessible to a broader audience regardless of geographic location, a positive adjustment given ongoing public health considerations.

In summary, while the notice fulfills its primary purpose of informing about a schedule change, it would benefit from additional transparency and detail to fully engage and inform the public and stakeholders.