Emergency Justification

Department of Memorandum

Veterans Affairs

Date: August 13, 2013

From: VHA PRA Compliance Liaison (10B4)

Subject: Request for OMB review of IFR AO79

Reimbursement of Certain Medical Expenses for Camp Lejeune Family Members

10-10068 Camp Lejeune Family Member Program Application

10-10068a Camp Lejeune Family Member Program Claim Form

10-10068b Camp Lejeune Family Member Program Treating Physician Form

10-10068c Camp Lejeune Family Member Program Information Update Form

To: OMB Desk Officer for Veterans Affairs (Sarah Bashadi)

Under 38 U.S.C. 1787, VA is required to furnish hospital care and medical services to the family members of certain veterans who were stationed at Camp Lejeune between 1957 and 1987. In order to furnish such care, VA must collect certain information from the family members to ensure that they meet the requirements of the law. VA cannot furnish the statutorily-mandated hospital care and medical services until the collection of information is approved. The specific hospital care and medical services that VA must provide are for a number of illnesses and conditions connected to exposure to contaminated drinking water while at Camp Lejeune. Many of these conditions are life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Therefore, VA certifies that the collection of information meets each of the listed criteria for the following reasons:

Data collection is needed prior to the expiration of time periods established
in this Part; and

The collection ss needed prior to the expiration of time periods established under this Part, because we anticipate that the regulations authorizing VA to furnish hospital care and medical service to Camp Lejeune family members will publish and become effective prior to the expiration of the time periods established under this Part

Data collection is essential to the mission of the agency

The collection is essential to the mission of the agency, because VA cannot begin to furnish the hospital care and medical services set forth in regulation and required by law, to Camp Lejeune family members without forms without first collecting required information.

The agency cannot reasonably comply with the normal clearance procedures under this Part because:

VA cannot reasonably comply with the normal clearance procedures because public harm is reasonably likely to result if normal clearance procedures are followed. VA will furnish Camp Lejeune family members with hospital care and medical services for 15 illnesses and conditions that are life threatening and require immediate medical intervention.

Thank you for your consideration of this matter.

Respectfully,

Kerry Pugh

Management Analyst, OMB/PRA Compliance

Veterans Health Administration/Office of Regulatory and Administrative Affairs (10B4)

Office: 202-461-5868 kerry.pugh@va.gov