The new voluntary prescription drug
benefit program was enacted into law on December 8, 2003 in section
101 of Title I of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and
Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA). The MMA specifies that the
prescription drug benefit program will be available to
beneficiaries on January 1, 2006. Coverage for the prescription
drug benefit will be provided under private prescription drug
plans, or through Medicare Advantage prescription drug plans.
Organizations offering drug plans will have flexibility in the
design of the prescription drug benefit.
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.