The Health Center Program, administered by HRSA, is authorized under section 330 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act, most recently amended by section 50901(b) of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, P.L. 115-123. Health centers are community-based and patient-directed organizations that deliver affordable, accessible, quality, and cost-effective primary health care services to patients regardless of their ability to pay. Nearly 1,400 health centers operate approximately 12,000 service delivery sites that provide primary health care to more than 28 million people in every U.S. state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Pacific Basin. HRSA uses the Uniform Data System (UDS) for annual reporting by certain HRSA award recipients, including Health Center Program awardees (those funded under section 330 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act), Health Center Program look-alikes, and Nurse Education, Practice, Quality and Retention (NEPQR) Program awardees (specifically those funded under the practice priority areas of section 831(b) of the PHS Act). These data help to identify trends over time, enabling HRSA to establish or expand targeted programs and to identify effective services and interventions that will improve the health of medically underserved communities.
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.