Agency Information Collection Activity: Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care

AGENCY:

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

Veterans Health Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is announcing an opportunity for public comment on the proposed collection of certain information by the agency. Under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, Federal agencies are required to publish notice in the Federal Register concerning each proposed collection of information, including each proposed extension of a currently approved collection, and allow 60 days for public comment in response to the notice.

DATES:

Written comments and recommendations on the proposed collection of information should be received on or before October 10, 2017.

ADDRESSES:

Submit written comments on the collection of information through Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) at www.Regulations.gov or to Brian McCarthy, Office of Regulatory and Administrative Affairs (10B4), Department of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20420 or email to Brian.McCarthy4@va.gov. Please refer to “OMB Control No. 2900-0556” in any correspondence. During the comment period, comments may be viewed online through FDMS.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Brian McCarthy at (202) 461-6345.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the PRA of 1995, Federal agencies must obtain approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for each collection of information they conduct or sponsor. This request for comment is being made pursuant to Section 3506(c)(2)(A) of the PRA.

With respect to the following collection of information, VHA invites comments on: (1) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of VHA's functions, including whether the information will have practical utility; (2) the accuracy of VHA's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information; (3) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (4) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or the use of other forms of information technology.

Authority: 38 U.S.C. 7331.

Title: Living Will and Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care; VA Form 10-0137.

OMB Control Number: 2900-0556.

Type of Review: Extension of a currently approved collection.

Abstract: VA Form 10-0137, VA Advance Directive: Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care and Living Will, is the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recognized legal document that permits VA patients to designate a health care agent and/or specify preferences for future health care. The VA Advance Directive is invoked if a patient becomes unable to make health care decisions for him or herself. Use of the VA Advance Directive is specified in VHA Handbook 1004.02, Advance Care Planning and Management of Advance Directives. Veterans' rights to designate a health care agent and specify health care preferences in advance are codified in 38 CFR 17.32. This regulation also obligates VA to recognize advance directives and to use the information contained therein when health care decisions must be made for a patient that has lost decision making capacity. Use of advance directives is a well-established standard within clinical practice in the U.S. Offering the opportunity to complete an advance directive and the requirement to honor such documents is supported by Joint Commission standards and the Patient Self Determination Act of 1990 (applicable to Medicare providers.) Use of advance directives is also consistent with the health care ethics standard that patients have autonomy in health care decision making and have a right to control what is done to them in a medical setting.

Affected Public: Individuals and households.

Estimated Annual Burden: 171,811 hours.

Estimated Average Burden Per Respondent: 30 minutes.

Frequency of Response: Annually.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 343,622.