Part B—Health Care Improvement Research
§299b. Health care outcome improvement research
(a) Evidence rating systems
In collaboration with experts from the public and private sector, the Agency shall identify and disseminate methods or systems to assess health care research results, particularly methods or systems to rate the strength of the scientific evidence underlying health care practice, recommendations in the research literature, and technology assessments. The Agency shall make methods or systems for evidence rating widely available. Agency publications containing health care recommendations shall indicate the level of substantiating evidence using such methods or systems.
(b) Health care improvement research centers and provider-based research networks
(1) In general
In order to address the full continuum of care and outcomes research, to link research to practice improvement, and to speed the dissemination of research findings to community practice settings, the Agency shall employ research strategies and mechanisms that will link research directly with clinical practice in geographically diverse locations throughout the United States, including—
(A) health care improvement research centers that combine demonstrated multidisciplinary expertise in outcomes or quality improvement research with linkages to relevant sites of care;
(B) provider-based research networks, including plan, facility, or delivery system sites of care (especially primary care), that can evaluate outcomes and evaluate and promote quality improvement; and
(C) other innovative mechanisms or strategies to link research with clinical practice.
(2) Requirements
The Director is authorized to establish the requirements for entities applying for grants under this subsection.
(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title IX, §911, as added
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 299b, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title IX, §911, as added
Another prior section 299b, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title IX, §902, as added Oct. 6, 1965,
§299b–1. Private-public partnerships to improve organization and delivery
(a) Support for efforts to develop information on quality
(1) Scientific and technical support
In its role as the principal agency for health care research and quality, the Agency may provide scientific and technical support for private and public efforts to improve health care quality, including the activities of accrediting organizations.
(2) Role of the Agency
With respect to paragraph (1), the role of the Agency shall include—
(A) the identification and assessment of methods for the evaluation of the health of—
(i) enrollees in health plans by type of plan, provider, and provider arrangements; and
(ii) other populations, including those receiving long-term care services;
(B) the ongoing development, testing, and dissemination of quality measures, including measures of health and functional outcomes;
(C) the compilation and dissemination of health care quality measures developed in the private and public sector;
(D) assistance in the development of improved health care information systems;
(E) the development of survey tools for the purpose of measuring participant and beneficiary assessments of their health care; and
(F) identifying and disseminating information on mechanisms for the integration of information on quality into purchaser and consumer decision-making processes.
(b) Centers for education and research on therapeutics
(1) In general
The Secretary, acting through the Director and in consultation with the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, shall establish a program for the purpose of making one or more grants for the establishment and operation of one or more centers to carry out the activities specified in paragraph (2).
(2) Required activities
The activities referred to in this paragraph are the following:
(A) The conduct of state-of-the-art research for the following purposes:
(i) To increase awareness of—
(I) new uses of drugs, biological products, and devices;
(II) ways to improve the effective use of drugs, biological products, and devices; and
(III) risks of new uses and risks of combinations of drugs and biological products.
(ii) To provide objective clinical information to the following individuals and entities:
(I) Health care practitioners and other providers of health care goods or services.
(II) Pharmacists, pharmacy benefit managers and purchasers.
(III) Health maintenance organizations and other managed health care organizations.
(IV) Health care insurers and governmental agencies.
(V) Patients and consumers.
(iii) To improve the quality of health care while reducing the cost of health care through—
(I) an increase in the appropriate use of drugs, biological products, or devices; and
(II) the prevention of adverse effects of drugs, biological products, and devices and the consequences of such effects, such as unnecessary hospitalizations.
(B) The conduct of research on the comparative effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and safety of drugs, biological products, and devices.
(C) Such other activities as the Secretary determines to be appropriate, except that a grant may not be expended to assist the Secretary in the review of new drugs, biological products, and devices.
(c) Reducing errors in medicine
The Director shall, in accordance with part C, conduct and support research and build private-public partnerships to—
(1) identify the causes of preventable health care errors and patient injury in health care delivery;
(2) develop, demonstrate, and evaluate strategies for reducing errors and improving patient safety; and
(3) disseminate such effective strategies throughout the health care industry.
(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title IX, §912, as added
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 299b–1, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title IX, §912, as added
Amendments
2005—Subsec. (c).
§299b–2. Information on quality and cost of care
(a) In general
The Director shall—
(1) conduct a survey to collect data on a nationally representative sample of the population on the cost, use and, for fiscal year 2001 and subsequent fiscal years, quality of health care, including the types of health care services Americans use, their access to health care services, frequency of use, how much is paid for the services used, the source of those payments, the types and costs of private health insurance, access, satisfaction, and quality of care for the general population including rural residents and also for populations identified in
(2) develop databases and tools that provide information to States on the quality, access, and use of health care services provided to their residents.
(b) Quality and outcomes information
(1) In general
Beginning in fiscal year 2001, the Director shall ensure that the survey conducted under subsection (a)(1) will—
(A) identify determinants of health outcomes and functional status, including the health care needs of populations identified in
(B) provide information on the quality of care and patient outcomes for frequently occurring clinical conditions for a nationally representative sample of the population including rural residents; and
(C) provide reliable national estimates for children and persons with special health care needs through the use of supplements or periodic expansions of the survey.
In expanding the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, as in existence on December 6, 1999, in fiscal year 2001 to collect information on the quality of care, the Director shall take into account any outcomes measurements generally collected by private sector accreditation organizations.
(2) Annual report
Beginning in fiscal year 2003, the Secretary, acting through the Director, shall submit to Congress an annual report on national trends in the quality of health care provided to the American people.
(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title IX, §913, as added
Editorial Notes
Codification
December 6, 1999, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), was in the original "the date of the enactment of this title", which was translated as meaning the date of enactment of
Prior Provisions
A prior section 299b–2, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title IX, §913, as added
§299b–3. Information systems for health care improvement
(a) In general
In order to foster a range of innovative approaches to the management and communication of health information, the Agency shall conduct and support research, evaluations, and initiatives to advance—
(1) the use of information systems for the study of health care quality and outcomes, including the generation of both individual provider and plan-level comparative performance data;
(2) training for health care practitioners and researchers in the use of information systems;
(3) the creation of effective linkages between various sources of health information, including the development of information networks;
(4) the delivery and coordination of evidence-based health care services, including the use of real-time health care decision-support programs;
(5) the utility and comparability of health information data and medical vocabularies by addressing issues related to the content, structure, definitions and coding of such information and data in consultation with appropriate Federal, State and private entities;
(6) the use of computer-based health records in all settings for the development of personal health records for individual health assessment and maintenance, and for monitoring public health and outcomes of care within populations; and
(7) the protection of individually identifiable information in health services research and health care quality improvement.
(b) Demonstration
The Agency shall support demonstrations into the use of new information tools aimed at improving shared decision-making between patients and their care-givers.
(c) Facilitating public access to information
The Director shall work with appropriate public and private sector entities to facilitate public access to information regarding the quality of and consumer satisfaction with health care.
(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title IX, §914, as added
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 299b–3, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title IX, §914, as added
§299b–4. Research supporting primary care and access in underserved areas
(a) Preventive Services Task Force
(1) Establishment and purpose
The Director shall convene an independent Preventive Services Task Force (referred to in this subsection as the "Task Force") to be composed of individuals with appropriate expertise. Such Task Force shall review the scientific evidence related to the effectiveness, appropriateness, and cost-effectiveness of clinical preventive services for the purpose of developing recommendations for the health care community, and updating previous clinical preventive recommendations, to be published in the Guide to Clinical Preventive Services (referred to in this section as the "Guide"), for individuals and organizations delivering clinical services, including primary care professionals, health care systems, professional societies, employers, community organizations, non-profit organizations, Congress and other policy-makers, governmental public health agencies, health care quality organizations, and organizations developing national health objectives. Such recommendations shall consider clinical preventive best practice recommendations from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Institute of Medicine, specialty medical associations, patient groups, and scientific societies.
(2) Duties
The duties of the Task Force shall include—
(A) the development of additional topic areas for new recommendations and interventions related to those topic areas, including those related to specific sub-populations and age groups;
(B) at least once during every 5-year period, review 1 interventions and update 2 recommendations related to existing topic areas, including new or improved techniques to assess the health effects of interventions;
(C) improved integration with Federal Government health objectives and related target setting for health improvement;
(D) the enhanced dissemination of recommendations;
(E) the provision of technical assistance to those health care professionals, agencies and organizations that request help in implementing the Guide 3 recommendations; and
(F) the submission of yearly reports to Congress and related agencies identifying gaps in research, such as preventive services that receive an insufficient evidence statement, and recommending priority areas that deserve further examination, including areas related to populations and age groups not adequately addressed by current recommendations.
(3) Role of Agency
The Agency shall provide ongoing administrative, research, and technical support for the operations of the Task Force, including coordinating and supporting the dissemination of the recommendations of the Task Force, ensuring adequate staff resources, and assistance to those organizations requesting it for implementation of the Guide's recommendations.
(4) Coordination with Community Preventive Services Task Force
The Task Force shall take appropriate steps to coordinate its work with the Community Preventive Services Task Force and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, including the examination of how each task force's recommendations interact at the nexus of clinic and community.
(5) Operation
Operation.4 In carrying out the duties under paragraph (2), the Task Force is not subject to the provisions of
(6) Independence
All members of the Task Force convened under this subsection, and any recommendations made by such members, shall be independent and, to the extent practicable, not subject to political pressure.
(7) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year to carry out the activities of the Task Force.
(b) Primary care research
(1) In general
There is established within the Agency a Center for Primary Care Research (referred to in this subsection as the "Center") that shall serve as the principal source of funding for primary care practice research in the Department of Health and Human Services. For purposes of this paragraph, primary care research focuses on the first contact when illness or health concerns arise, the diagnosis, treatment or referral to specialty care, preventive care, and the relationship between the clinician and the patient in the context of the family and community.
(2) Research
In carrying out this section, the Center shall conduct and support research concerning—
(A) the nature and characteristics of primary care practice;
(B) the management of commonly occurring clinical problems;
(C) the management of undifferentiated clinical problems; and
(D) the continuity and coordination of health services.
(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title IX, §915, as added
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2022—Subsec. (a)(5).
2010—Subsec. (a).
1 So in original. Probably should be "review of".
2 So in original. Probably should be "updating of".
3 So in original. Probably should be "Guide's".
§299b–4a. Studies on preventive interventions in primary care for older Americans
(a) Studies
The Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the United States Preventive Services Task Force, shall conduct a series of studies designed to identify preventive interventions that can be delivered in the primary care setting and that are most valuable to older Americans.
(b) Mission statement
The mission statement of the United States Preventive Services Task Force is amended to include the evaluation of services that are of particular relevance to older Americans.
(c) Report
Not later than 1 year after December 21, 2000, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall submit to Congress a report on the conclusions of the studies conducted under subsection (a), together with recommendations for such legislation and administrative actions as the Secretary considers appropriate.
(
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Medicare, Medicaid, and SCHIP Benefits Improvement and Protection Act of 2000, and also as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2001, and not as part of the Public Health Service Act which comprises this chapter.
§299b–5. Health care practice and technology innovation
(a) In general
The Director shall promote innovation in evidence-based health care practices and technologies by—
(1) conducting and supporting research on the development, diffusion, and use of health care technology;
(2) developing, evaluating, and disseminating methodologies for assessments of health care practices and technologies;
(3) conducting intramural and supporting extramural assessments of existing and new health care practices and technologies;
(4) promoting education and training and providing technical assistance in the use of health care practice and technology assessment methodologies and results; and
(5) working with the National Library of Medicine and the public and private sector to develop an electronic clearinghouse of currently available assessments and those in progress.
(b) Specification of process
(1) In general
Not later than December 31, 2000, the Director shall develop and publish a description of the methods used by the Agency and its contractors for health care practice and technology assessment.
(2) Consultations
In carrying out this subsection, the Director shall cooperate and consult with the Assistant Secretary for Health, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Director of the National Institutes of Health, the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, and the heads of any other interested Federal department or agency, and shall seek input, where appropriate, from professional societies and other private and public entities.
(3) Methodology
The Director shall, in developing the methods used under paragraph (1), consider—
(A) safety, efficacy, and effectiveness;
(B) legal, social, and ethical implications;
(C) costs, benefits, and cost-effectiveness;
(D) comparisons to alternate health care practices and technologies; and
(E) requirements of Food and Drug Administration approval to avoid duplication.
(c) Specific assessments
(1) In general
The Director shall conduct or support specific assessments of health care technologies and practices.
(2) Requests for assessments
The Director is authorized to conduct or support assessments, on a reimbursable basis, for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Office of Personnel Management, and other public or private entities.
(3) Grants and contracts
In addition to conducting assessments, the Director may make grants to, or enter into cooperative agreements or contracts with, entities described in paragraph (4) for the purpose of conducting assessments of experimental, emerging, existing, or potentially outmoded health care technologies, and for related activities.
(4) Eligible entities
An entity described in this paragraph is an entity that is determined to be appropriate by the Director, including academic medical centers, research institutions and organizations, professional organizations, third party payers, governmental agencies, minority institutions of higher education (such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and Hispanic institutions), and consortia of appropriate research entities established for the purpose of conducting technology assessments.
(d) Medical examination of certain victims
(1) In general
The Director shall develop and disseminate a report on evidence-based clinical practices for—
(A) the examination and treatment by health professionals of individuals who are victims of sexual assault (including child molestation) or attempted sexual assault; and
(B) the training of health professionals, in consultation with the Health Resources and Services Administration, on performing medical evidentiary examinations of individuals who are victims of child abuse or neglect, sexual assault, elder abuse, or domestic violence.
(2) Certain considerations
In identifying the issues to be addressed by the report, the Director shall, to the extent practicable, take into consideration the expertise and experience of Federal and State law enforcement officials regarding the victims referred to in paragraph (1), and of other appropriate public and private entities (including medical societies, victim services organizations, sexual assault prevention organizations, and social services organizations).
(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title IX, §916, as added
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2003—Subsecs. (b)(2), (c)(2).
§299b–6. Coordination of Federal Government quality improvement efforts
(a) Requirement
(1) In general
To avoid duplication and ensure that Federal resources are used efficiently and effectively, the Secretary, acting through the Director, shall coordinate all research, evaluations, and demonstrations related to health services research, quality measurement and quality improvement activities undertaken and supported by the Federal Government.
(2) Specific activities
The Director, in collaboration with the appropriate Federal officials representing all concerned executive agencies and departments, shall develop and manage a process to—
(A) improve interagency coordination, priority setting, and the use and sharing of research findings and data pertaining to Federal quality improvement programs, technology assessment, and health services research;
(B) strengthen the research information infrastructure, including databases, pertaining to Federal health services research and health care quality improvement initiatives;
(C) set specific goals for participating agencies and departments to further health services research and health care quality improvement; and
(D) strengthen the management of Federal health care quality improvement programs.
(b) Study by the Institute of Medicine
(1) In general
To provide Congress, the Department of Health and Human Services, and other relevant departments with an independent, external review of their quality oversight, quality improvement and quality research programs, the Secretary shall enter into a contract with the Institute of Medicine—
(A) to describe and evaluate current quality improvement, quality research and quality monitoring processes through—
(i) an overview of pertinent health services research activities and quality improvement efforts conducted by all Federal programs, with particular attention paid to those under titles XVIII, XIX, and XXI of the Social Security Act [
(ii) a summary of the partnerships that the Department of Health and Human Services has pursued with private accreditation, quality measurement and improvement organizations; and
(B) to identify options and make recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of quality improvement programs through—
(i) the improved coordination of activities across the medicare, medicaid and child health insurance programs under titles XVIII, XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act and health services research programs;
(ii) the strengthening of patient choice and participation by incorporating state-of-the-art quality monitoring tools and making information on quality available; and
(iii) the enhancement of the most effective programs, consolidation as appropriate, and elimination of duplicative activities within various Federal agencies.
(2) Requirements
(A) In general
The Secretary shall enter into a contract with the Institute of Medicine for the preparation—
(i) not later than 12 months after December 6, 1999, of a report providing an overview of the quality improvement programs of the Department of Health and Human Services for the medicare, medicaid, and CHIP programs under titles XVIII, XIX, and XXI of the Social Security Act; and
(ii) not later than 24 months after December 6, 1999, of a final report containing recommendations.
(B) Reports
The Secretary shall submit the reports described in subparagraph (A) to the Committee on Finance and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Commerce of the House of Representatives.
(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title IX, §917, as added
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Social Security Act, referred to in subsec. (b), is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531,
Codification
December 6, 1999, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(A), was in the original "the date of the enactment of this title", which was translated as meaning the date of enactment of
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Change of Name
Committee on Commerce of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Energy and Commerce of House of Representatives, and jurisdiction over matters relating to securities and exchanges and insurance generally transferred to Committee on Financial Services of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Seventh Congress, Jan. 3, 2001.
§299b–7. Research on outcomes of health care items and services
(a) Research, demonstrations, and evaluations
(1) Improvement of effectiveness and efficiency
(A) In general
To improve the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of health care delivered pursuant to the programs established under titles XVIII, XIX, and XXI of the Social Security Act [
(i) the outcomes, comparative clinical effectiveness, and appropriateness of health care items and services (including prescription drugs); and
(ii) strategies for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of such programs, including the ways in which such items and services are organized, managed, and delivered under such programs.
(B) Specification
To respond to priorities and information requests in subparagraph (A), the Secretary may conduct or support, by grant, contract, or interagency agreement, research, demonstrations, evaluations, technology assessments, or other activities, including the provision of technical assistance, scientific expertise, or methodological assistance.
(2) Priorities
(A) In general
The Secretary shall establish a process to develop priorities that will guide the research, demonstrations, and evaluation activities undertaken pursuant to this section.
(B) Initial list
Not later than 6 months after December 8, 2003, the Secretary shall establish an initial list of priorities for research related to health care items and services (including prescription drugs).
(C) Process
In carrying out subparagraph (A), the Secretary—
(i) shall ensure that there is broad and ongoing consultation with relevant stakeholders in identifying the highest priorities for research, demonstrations, and evaluations to support and improve the programs established under titles XVIII, XIX, and XXI of the Social Security Act [
(ii) may include health care items and services which impose a high cost on such programs, as well as those which may be underutilized or overutilized and which may significantly improve the prevention, treatment, or cure of diseases and conditions (including chronic conditions) which impose high direct or indirect costs on patients or society; and
(iii) shall ensure that the research and activities undertaken pursuant to this section are responsive to the specified priorities and are conducted in a timely manner.
(3) Evaluation and synthesis of scientific evidence
(A) In general
The Secretary shall—
(i) evaluate and synthesize available scientific evidence related to health care items and services (including prescription drugs) identified as priorities in accordance with paragraph (2) with respect to the comparative clinical effectiveness, outcomes, appropriateness, and provision of such items and services (including prescription drugs);
(ii) identify issues for which existing scientific evidence is insufficient with respect to such health care items and services (including prescription drugs);
(iii) disseminate to prescription drug plans and MA–PD plans under part D of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [
(iv) work in voluntary collaboration with public and private sector entities to facilitate the development of new scientific knowledge regarding health care items and services (including prescription drugs).
(B) Initial research
The Secretary shall complete the evaluation and synthesis of the initial research required by the priority list developed under paragraph (2)(B) not later than 18 months after the development of such list.
(C) Dissemination
(i) In general
To enhance patient safety and the quality of health care, the Secretary shall make available and disseminate in appropriate formats to prescription drugs plans under part D, and MA–PD plans under part C, of title XVIII of the Social Security Act [
(I) present such evaluations and syntheses or findings in a form that is easily understood by the individuals receiving health care items and services (including prescription drugs) under such plans and periodically assess that the requirements of this subclause have been met; and
(II) provide such evaluations and syntheses or findings and other relevant information through easily accessible and searchable electronic mechanisms, and in hard copy formats as appropriate.
(ii) Rule of construction
Nothing in this section shall be construed as—
(I) affecting the authority of the Secretary or the Commissioner of Food and Drugs under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [
(II) conferring any authority referred to in subclause (I) to the Director.
(D) Accountability
In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary shall implement activities in a manner that—
(i) makes publicly available all scientific evidence relied upon and the methodologies employed, provided such evidence and method are not protected from public disclosure by
(ii) ensures that any information needs and unresolved issues identified in subparagraph (A)(ii) are taken into account in priority-setting for future research conducted by the Secretary.
(4) Confidentiality
(A) In general
In making use of administrative, clinical, and program data and information developed or collected with respect to the programs established under titles XVIII, XIX, and XXI of the Social Security Act [
(B) Rule of construction
Nothing in this section shall be construed to require or permit the disclosure of data provided to the Secretary that is otherwise protected from disclosure under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act [
(5) Evaluations
The Secretary shall conduct and support evaluations of the activities carried out under this section to determine the extent to which such activities have had an effect on outcomes and utilization of health care items and services.
(6) Improving information available to health care providers, patients, and policymakers
Not later than 18 months after December 8, 2003, the Secretary shall identify options that could be undertaken in voluntary collaboration with private and public entities (as appropriate) for the—
(A) provision of more timely information through the programs established under titles XVIII, XIX, and XXI of the Social Security Act [
(B) acceleration of the adoption of innovation and quality improvement under such programs; and
(C) development of management tools for the programs established under titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act [
(i) improve oversight by State officials;
(ii) support Federal and State initiatives to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of services provided under such programs; and
(iii) provide a basis for estimating the fiscal and coverage impact of Federal or State program and policy changes.
(b) Recommendations
(1) Disclaimer
In carrying out this section, the Director shall—
(A) not mandate national standards of clinical practice or quality health care standards; and
(B) include in any recommendations resulting from projects funded and published by the Director, a corresponding reference to the prohibition described in subparagraph (A).
(2) Requirement for implementation
Research, evaluation, and communication activities performed pursuant to this section shall reflect the principle that clinicians and patients should have the best available evidence upon which to make choices in health care items and services, in providers, and in health care delivery systems, recognizing that patient subpopulations and patient and physician preferences may vary.
(3) Rule of construction
Nothing in this section shall be construed to provide the Director with authority to mandate a national standard or require a specific approach to quality measurement and reporting.
(c) Research with respect to dissemination
The Secretary, acting through the Director, may conduct or support research with respect to improving methods of disseminating information in accordance with subsection (a)(3)(C).
(d) Limitation on CMS
The Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services may not use data obtained in accordance with this section to withhold coverage of a prescription drug.
(e) Authorization of appropriations
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2004, and such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year thereafter.
(
Editorial Notes
References in Text
The Social Security Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(A), (2)(C)(i), (3)(A)(iii), (C)(i), (4)(A), (6)(A), (C), is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531,
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(3)(C)(ii)(I), (4)(B), is act June 25, 1938, ch. 675,
The Public Health Service Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(3)(C)(ii)(I), (4)(A), is act July 1, 1944, ch. 373,
Codification
Section was enacted as part of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003, and not as part of the Public Health Service Act which comprises this chapter.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Definition of "Secretary"
"Secretary" means the Secretary of Health and Human Services, see section 1(c)(2) of
1 So in original. Probably should be followed by a comma.
§299b–8. Omitted
Editorial Notes
Codification
Section,