Social security benefits: Federal old age, survivors and disability insurance— Endocrine system and obesity impairments; revised medical criteria for determining disability,

[Federal Register: June 10, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 111)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 31680-31681]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr10jn98-39]

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

20 CFR Part 404

[Regulations No. 4]

RIN 0960-AE65

Revised Medical Criteria for Determination of Disability, Endocrine System and Related Criteria

AGENCY: Social Security Administration.

[[Page 31681]]

ACTION: Proposed rule; extension of comment period.

SUMMARY: On March 11, 1998, the Social Security Administration (SSA) published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register (63 FR 11854), that would delete the ``Obesity'' listing from the Listing of Impairments SSA uses to adjudicate claims for disability involving obesity under titles II and XVI of the Social Security Act (the Act) when we evaluate claims of individuals at step 3 of our sequential evaluation process. A 60-day period within which to comment on the NPRM was provided. To allow the public additional time to send us comments, we are extending the comment period.

DATES: To be sure that your comments are considered, we must receive them no later than July 13, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted in writing to the Commissioner of Social Security, P.O. Box 1585, Baltimore, MD 21235, sent by telefax to (410) 966-2830, sent by E-mail to ``regulations@ssa.gov'', or delivered to the Office of Process and Innovation Management, Social Security Administration, L2109 West Low Rise Building, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on regular business days. Comments may be inspected during these same hours by making arrangements with the contact person shown below.

The electronic file of this document is available on the Federal Bulletin Board (FBB) at 9:00 a.m. on the date of publication in the Federal Register. To download the file, modem dial (202) 512-1387. The FBB instructions will explain how to download the file and the fee. This file is in WordPerfect and will remain on the FBB during the comment period.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert J. Augustine, Legal Assistant, Office of Process and Innovation Management, Social Security Administration, L2109 West Low Rise Building, 6401 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21235, (410) 966-5121 for information about these rules. For information on eligibility or claiming benefits, call our national toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On March 11, 1998 (63 FR 11854), we published ``Revised Medical Criteria for Determination of Disability, Endocrine System and Related Criteria'' as an NPRM. This NPRM would delete the ``Obesity'' listing from the Listing of Impairments we use to adjudicate claims for disability involving obesity under titles II and XVI of the Act when we evaluate claims of individuals at step 3 of our sequential evaluation process. We provided a comment period ending May 11, 1998. We have received a number of requests to extend the comment period. This factor, and the significance of the proposed rule, make it appropriate to extend the comment period through July 13, 1998.

Dated: June 3, 1998. Kenneth S. Apfel, Commissioner of Social Security.

[FR Doc. 98-15486Filed6-9-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4190-29-P