Approval is
granted in concept for the information collection entitled, "Survey
of Vermont Employers to Assess the Impact of the Vermont Parity
Act," through May 2003 once the agency addresses the following
issues: 1. Considering the highly technical nature of the
information requested from respondents, non-response is a concern.
OMB advises the agency to develop a pilot to test the questions for
non-response and incorporate the results into the final survey
instrument. 2. How does the agency plan to validate the responses
given by respondents? For example, validity could be tested
utilizing copies of the insurance plans for a representative
sample. 3. The agency is further directed to consult with other
agencies within HHS including ASPE, HCFA, AHRQ,NCHS, and the
Department of Labor. The agency must provide OMB with the results
of this consultation and any subsequent amendments to the
instrument and/or survey methodology. OMB requests that the agency
address these issues in a written response no later than 2 weeks
before the anticipated data collection. OMB reserves the right to
ask for amendments and/or deletions based on the results of the
agency's response.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
05/31/2001
05/31/2001
1,311
0
0
347
0
0
0
0
0
The purpose of this survey is to
determine the effects of the Vermont Mental Health and Substance
Abuse Parity Act, a comprehensive mental health and substance abuse
parity law that went into effect in Vermont in 1998. The survey
will gather information on the effects of the parity law on
employer-sponsored health insurance coverage and will provide
quantitative information on employer responses to parity that can
contribute to the policy discussion concerning the costs and
consequences of parity.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that
the collection of information encompassed by this request complies
with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR
1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding
the proposed collection of information, that the certification
covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a
benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control
number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of
these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked
and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.