Designation of medically underserved areas--Health Services Administration. Notice

This notice is intended to clarify, for purposes of certain Federal health programs, the distinction between designation of an area as a Health Manpower Shortage Area (HMSA) and designation of an area as a Medically Underserved Area (MUA). Although it is possible for an area to be designated as both an HMSA and an MUA, the two designation processes are independent, each having its own established criteria and procedures. An area designated as an HMSA will be considered as an MUA only if it has been formally designated as an MUA under the criteria and procedures published in the Federal Register. The latest such publication is that of October 15, 1976 (41 FR 45718--45777), "Designation of Medically Underserved Areas."