Overview
Title
Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services wants people to share their thoughts on how they can make filling out forms easier and more helpful. They need to collect information from people, but they want to make sure it's easy and safe for everyone to do so.
Summary AI
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a chance for the public to comment on their plan to collect information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This act requires federal agencies to get approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) before gathering information from the public. CMS is seeking comments on things like the necessity of the information, how it will be collected, and ways to minimize the burden on the public. The public has until March 11, 2021, to provide feedback on this proposed information collection.
Abstract
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is announcing an opportunity for the public to comment on CMS' intention to collect information from the public. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension or reinstatement of an existing collection of information, and to allow a second opportunity for public comment on the notice. Interested persons are invited to send comments regarding the burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including the necessity and utility of the proposed information collection for the proper performance of the agency's functions, the accuracy of the estimated burden, ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected, and the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology to minimize the information collection burden.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) highlights the opportunity for public input regarding a proposed collection of information. This initiative is part of compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, which mandates federal agencies to secure approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) before collecting any public information. Individuals are invited to provide feedback until March 11, 2021.
General Summary
CMS is soliciting comments on its intention to collect information to ensure that the process is efficient and does not overly burden the public. The information, once collected, will be used to aid public understanding and decision-making concerning healthcare insurance options. Specific details on the practical utilization of the data have not been thoroughly outlined. The intent is to streamline the data collection process, making it easier and more consistent for consumers to access pertinent information.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Some notable concerns arise from the document. Firstly, it does not provide an estimation of the cost or time burden this information collection will impose on respondents, which might make it difficult for stakeholders to gauge the potential impact. A lack of specific details about how the collected information will be used signifies another gap, creating ambiguity regarding the necessity and value of the data collection itself.
Technical jargon such as 'SBC standards' and 'Plan Finder application' is used without explanation. This may be confusing to those not familiar with these terms, potentially alienating some stakeholders from fully understanding the document. Furthermore, the frequency of information collection is labeled as 'occasionally,' a vague description that may lead to misunderstanding regarding data submission timelines.
Additionally, there is absence of any mention about data security measures. Considering the sensitive nature of the data possibly involved, assurances about confidentiality and protection are critical. Finally, while there is a guide for online comment submissions, it lacks support for individuals who may encounter difficulties with the process, potentially limiting accessibility to some public members.
Potential Impact on the Public
Broadly, this document reflects a procedural step in the implementation of more efficient and informationally rich public healthcare decisions. For the average citizen, this collection aims to refine public access to healthcare insurance data, ensuring that decision-making is informed and cohesive. However, the lack of clarity in several areas could result in a less effective engagement with the public, thus potentially undermining the initiative's goals.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For state and local governments, as well as insurance issuers, this information collection could translate to administrative efforts required to comply with these requests. This could impact resources and operational focus unless adequately managed and minimized.
Conversely, if implemented well, these efforts could bring about positive outcomes. State agencies and healthcare providers could reap benefits from having a standardized and comprehensive data resource at their disposal. This could assist in assessing insurance options and ensuring accountability, ultimately leading to enhanced service delivery.
In summary, while the CMS document's intentions are geared toward optimized public information regarding healthcare insurance, it requires further refinement and clarification to address significant concerns and maximize positive impact.
Issues
• The document does not specify the estimated burden in terms of cost or time per respondent, making it difficult to assess the potential impact on respondents.
• There is insufficient detail on how the information collected will be specifically utilized, potentially leading to ambiguity about the necessity and utility of the information collection.
• The document uses technical terms such as 'SBC standards' and 'Plan Finder application' without explaining them, which may be confusing to readers unfamiliar with these terms.
• The frequency of collection is described as 'occasionally,' which is not precise and could lead to misunderstandings about the expected frequency of data submission.
• There is no mention of steps being taken to ensure the data collected is secure, given it involves input from public and possibly sensitive information.
• The process for submitting comments includes navigating a government website, but there is no assistance or guidance offered for individuals who might face difficulties with online submissions.