Committee Reports
106th Congress (1999-2000)
House Report 106-370
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Committee Reports for the 106th Congress | |
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106TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Report
[Graphic image not available]
OCTOBER 7, 1999- Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed
59-857
1st Session
106-370
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATION BILL, 2000
| October 7, 1999- Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed | |
| Mr. PORTER, from the Committee on Appropriations, submitted the following | |
| REPORT | |
| together with | |
| DISSENTING VIEWS | |
| [To accompany H.R. 3037] |
The Committee on Appropriations submits the following report in explanation of the accompanying bill making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services (except the Food and Drug Administration and the Indian Health Service), and Education, Armed Forces Retirement Home, Corporation for National and Community Service, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, Institute of Museum and Library Services, Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, National Council on Disability, National Education Goals Panel, National Labor Relations Board, National Mediation Board, Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission, Railroad Retirement Board, Social Security Administration, and the United States Institute of Peace for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2000, and for other purposes.
(1)
| INDEX TO BILL AND REPORT | Page number | |
| Bill | Report | |
| Title I--Department of Labor: | ||
| Employment and Training Administration | 2 | 12 |
| Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration | 7 | 21 |
| Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation | 7 | 22 |
| Employment Standards Administration | 8 | 22 |
| Occupational Safety and Health Administration | 12 | 25 |
| Mine Safety and Health Administration | 15 | 28 |
| Bureau of Labor Statistics | 16 | 29 |
| Departmental Management | 17 | 29 |
| Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment and Training | 18 | 30 |
| Office of the Inspector General | 18 | 31 |
| General Provisions | 19 | |
| Title II--Department of Health and Human Services: | ||
| Health Resources and Services Administration | 20 | 31 |
| Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | 23 | 50 |
| National Institutes of Health | 24 | 64 |
| Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration | 30 | 117 |
| Agency for Health Care Policy and Research | 30 | 122 |
| Health Care Financing Administration | 31 | 123 |
| Administration for Children and Families | 34 | 129 |
| Administration on Aging | 39 | 140 |
| Office of the Secretary | 40 | 143 |
| General Provisions | 43 | |
| Title III--Department of Education: | ||
| Education Reform | 48 | 152 |
| Education for the Disadvantaged | 48 | 158 |
| Impact Aid | 50 | 162 |
| School Improvement Programs | 50 | 164 |
| Reading Excellence | 51 | 172 |
| Indian Education | 51 | 173 |
| Bilingual and Immigrant Education | 51 | 174 |
| Special Education | 52 | 177 |
| Rehabilitation Services and Disability Research | 52 | 181 |
| Special Institutions for Persons with Disabilities | 52 | 187 |
| Vocational and Adult Education | 53 | 189 |
| Student Financial Assistance | 54 | 192 |
| Federal Family Education Loans | 56 | 195 |
| Higher Education | 56 | 195 |
| Howard University | 57 | 203 |
| College Housing and Academic Facilities Loans | 57 | 204 |
| Historically Black College and University Capital Financing | 58 | 204 |
| Education Research, Statistics, and Improvement | 58 | 204 |
| Departmental Management | 59 | 214 |
| Office for Civil Rights | 59 | 215 |
| Office of the Inspector General | 60 | 216 |
| General Provisions | 60 | 216 |
| Title IV--Related Agencies: | ||
| Armed Forces Retirement Home | 68 | 216 |
| Corporation for National and Community Service | 69 | 217 |
| Corporation for Public Broadcasting | 69 | 218 |
| Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service | 70 | 219 |
| Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission | 71 | 219 |
| Institute of Museum and Library Services | 71 | 219 |
| Medicare Payment Advisory Commission | 71 | 219 |
| National Commission on Libraries and Information Science | 71 | 220 |
| National Council on Disability | 72 | 220 |
| National Education Goals Panel | 72 | 220 |
| National Labor Relations Board | 72 | 220 |
| National Mediation Board | 73 | 221 |
| Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission | 73 | 221 |
| Railroad Retirement Board | 74 | 221 |
| Social Security Administration | 75 | 222 |
| United States Institute of Peace | 80 | 224 |
| Title V--General Provisions | 81 | |
| Title VI--Early detection, diagnosis, and interventions for newborns and infants with hearing loss | 88 | 225 |
| Title VII--Child Protection Act | 98 | |
| Title VIII--NLRB Jurisdictional Thresholds | 102 | |
| Title IX--Miscellaneous Provisions | 103 | 225 |
| Title X--Disaster Relief for Farmers | 107 | |
| House of Representatives Report Requirements | 225 |
SUMMARY OF ESTIMATES AND APPROPRIATIONS
The following table compares on a summary basis the appropriations including trust funds for fiscal year 1999, the budget estimate for fiscal year 2000 and the Committee recommendation for fiscal year 2000 in the accompanying bill.
2000 LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS BILL
[In millions of dollars]
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Fiscal Year-- 2000 committee compared to--
1999 comparable 2000 budget 2000 committee 1999 comparable 2000 budget
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Department of Labor $12,727 $13,352 $11,834 -$893 -$1,518
Department of Health and Human Services 213,665 232,521 230,431 16,766 -2,090
Department of Education 35,821 37,051 35,660 -161 -1,391
Related Agencies 36,759 37,640 37,329 -348 -312
Grand Total, current year 298,972 320,564 315,254 15,364 -5,311
Advances 49,414 53,597 51,886 1,722 -2,461
Current year total using 302(b) scorekeeping 298,734 320,537 316,034 17,300 -4,503
Mandatory 209,041 227,076 226,598 17,557 -478
Discretionary 89,693 93,461 1 89,436 -257 -4,025
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DISCRETIONARY
[In millions of dollars]
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Fiscal Year-- 2000 committee compared to--
1999 comparable 2000 budget 2000 committee 1999 comparable 2000 budget
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Department of Labor $10,913 $11,588 $10,071 -$842 -$1,517
Department of Health and Human Services 37,425 39,056 37,021 -404 -2,035
Department of Education 35,517 34,712 33,321 -196 -1,391
Related Agencies 7,867 8,185 7,874 7 -311
Scorekeeping Adjustments -29 -80 1,149 1,178 1,229
Total Discretionary 89,693 93,461 1 89,436 -257 -4,025
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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BILL
Funding levels in the fiscal year 2000 appropriation bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies reflect the Committee's attempt to establish priorities within the very stringent limitations set by the bipartisan budget agreement between the President and the leadership of the Congress. As a result, discretionary spending in the bill is $257 million below the freeze level as calculated by the Congressional Budget Office.
Mandatory spending continues its inexorable increase, this year by $17.5 billion or 8.4%. If the discretionary component of the Committee bill were to grow at the same rate, total funding would be $97.2 billion. Conversely, if mandatory spending were constrained to the same levels of growth as inflation, an additional $12.4 billion would be added to the surplus, almost doubling the currently projected $14 billion.
As in past years, the Committee has increased funding for programs that work for people and which represent a core Federal responsibility. It has maintained or increased funding for block grants that provide maximum flexibility for local officials. It has rejected the President's hastily formulated and thinly justified new program initiatives, favoring instead to fund existing programs that will more efficiently and effectively address identified needs. Finally, to meet Presidential and Congressional priorities and to offset the very tight allocation, many programs have had to be cut or eliminated.
Bill total.--Total funding for the fiscal year 2000 appropriation bill for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education and Related Agencies is $316,034,204,000. For Discretionary accounts the bill provides $89,435,706,000.
Mandatory programs.--The bill provides $226,598,498,000 for entitlement programs in fiscal year 2000. Seventy-one percent of the funding in the bill is for these mandatory costs. Funding requirements for entitlement programs are determined by the basic authorizing statutes. Mandatory programs include general fund support for the Medicare and Medicaid programs, Supplemental Security Income, and Black Lung payments. The following chart indicates the funding levels for the major mandatory programs in fiscal years 1999 and 2000 and the growth in these programs.
MANDATORY
[Dollars in thousands]
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Program Fiscal year 1999 Fiscal year 2000 Change
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Department of Labor:
Black Lung Disability Trust Fund $1,021,000 $1,013,266 -$7,734
Department of Health and Human Services:
Health Care Financing Administration:
Medicaid current law benefits 102,265,000 108,257,500 5,992,500
Medicare Payments to Health Care Trust Fund 62,823,000 69,289,100 6,466,100
Department of Education:
Rehabilitation Services 2,304,411 2,338,977 34,566
Related Agencies:
Social Security Administration:
Special Benefits for Disabled Coal Miners 546,803 524,638 -22,165
Supplemental Security Income 30,475,000 31,150,000 675,000
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Department of Labor.--The bill appropriates $11,834,368,000 for the Labor Department, a decrease of $892,891,000 below fiscal year 1999 and $1,517,402,000 below the amount requested by the President. This funding level includes $4,561,058,000 to carry out the provisions of the Workforce Investment Act. The Committee recommends an increase in funding for the Job Corps operations of $66,358,000 over the fiscal year 1999 level. Based on the strong economy and low unemployment, the bill provides reduced funding for Adult and Youth training and Dislocated Worker Assistance. Total funding for these programs is $3,020,828,000, $335,647,000 below the fiscal year 1999 level and $530,647,000 below the President's request. No funding is provided for school-to-work activities in the Departments of Labor and Education, completing the phase-out of this program one year early.
Youth Opportunity Grants.--The Committee provides no funding for this program. The Committee chose to place the scarce funds available under the Bipartisan Budget Agreement caps in broader programs that give maximum flexibility to local officials.
Employment Standards Administration.--The Committee recommends $314,000,000 for ESA, essentially a program freeze. This level is $1,104,000 below the fiscal year 1999 level and $62,487,000 below the President's request.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration.--The Committee recommends funding for OSHA at $337,408,000, $50,734,000 below the request and $16,967,000 below last year's level. Within OSHA, state consultation grants are increased by 5 percent while funding for Federal enforcement is reduced by 8 percent.
Department of Health and Human Services.--The bill appropriates $230,430,996,000 which is $1,923,047,000 below the President's request and $17,528,299,000 above the fiscal year 1999 level. Funding for discretionary programs of $37,020,693,000 is $2,035,375,000 below the President's request and $854,102,000 above last year's level.
Health Resources and Services Administration.--Funding for HRSA programs is $4,150,895,000, an increase of $34,137,000 above last year and $9,812,000 above the President's request. Within HRSA, the community health centers funding is at $985,000,000, an increase of $60,294,000 above the fiscal year 1999 level. Health professions training is funded at $301,986,000, essentially a freeze at last year's level. Ryan White AIDS Care Act programs are funded at $1,519,000,000, $108,149,000 above last year and $8,500,000 above the President's request.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.--Overall funding for CDC, including emergency spending for bioterriorism is $2,827,976,000, $61,899,000 above last year and $110,464,000 below the President's request. Increases are provided for high priority activities including the preventive health block grant, tuberculosis control, sexually transmitted diseases, chronic and environmental disease prevention and breast and cervical cancer screening. Violence Against Women Act activities are funded at $51,000,000, the same as the President's request.
National Institutes of Health.--The Committee proposes $16,950,581,000 for biomedical research activities at the National Institutes of Health. This funding level represents an increase of $1,017,795,000 over the President's request and $1,337,111,000 over last year. This funding level provides a 9% increase in programmatic funds and indicates the very high priority that the Committee places on the activities of NIH. The Committee has maintained its policy of resisting disease specific earmarks in the bill and report, believing that decisions as to appropriate levels of funding and appropriate avenues of research are best left to the scientific managers at NIH. NIH has indicated that its allocation will allow increases above the overall NIH level for research related to Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, among others.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.--The bill provides $2,413,731,000 for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, a decrease of $73,582,000 below fiscal year 1999 and $312,774,000 below the request level. The Committee has provided $1,585,000,000 for the Substance Abuse Block Grant which is essentially a freeze at last year's level and $30,000,000 below the President's request. The Committee did not include an advance appropriation of $100,000,000 as proposed by the President.
Agency for Health Care Policy and Research.--The bill provides $175,050,000 for the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, an increase of $2,232,000 above last year and $31,205,000 below the President's request.
Medicare and Medicaid.--The bill provides $114,820,998,000 for Medicaid and $69,289,100,000 in Federal funds for the Government's share of payments to Medicare. Funding of $1,736,950,000 is provided for Medicare contractor payments.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance.--The Committee recommendation provides $1,100,000,000 for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. As is the Committee's normal practice, and authorized in statute, an additional $300,000,000 is provided in emergency funding for heating and cooling emergencies.
Child Care and Development Block Grant.--The fiscal year 1999 Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education and Related Agencies Act provided $1,182,672,000, for fiscal year 2000 funding of the Child Care and Development Block Grant. The Committee has not provided fiscal year 2001 funding, believing that such funding should be considered as part of the FY 2001 funding cycle.
Social Services Block Grant.--The Committee recommends $1,909,000,000, the same level as last year and $471,000,000 below the President's request.
Head Start.--The bill includes $4,760,000,000 for Head Start, $101,483,000 above last year's level and $507,000,000 below the President's request.
Community Services Block Grant.--Consistent with the Committee's policy of giving high priority to broad-based block and state grants, the bill provides $510,000,000 for the community services block grant, an increase of approximately $10,000,000 above fiscal year 1999 and the President's request.
Funding of Abortions.--The bill includes the revised `Hyde' language adopted last year which applied restrictions on the use of federal funds for abortions to all trust fund programs funded in the bill.
Medicare+Choice/Abortion Services.--The bill includes compromise language that assures that Medicare+Choice plans are not required to provide abortion services, but that such services must be available to beneficiaries outside of the plan. In addition, the Committee provides $15,000,000 in Medicare+Choice user fees.
Human Embryo Research.--The bill includes the same language included for the past several years to prohibit the use of funds for research involving human embryos. This language also has the effect of prohibiting human cloning.
Needle Exchange.--The bill includes a prohibition on the use of Federal funds for needle exchange programs, which is the same as last year.
Organ Transplantation.--The bill would prohibit implementation of HHS regulations that change the allocation methodology for human organs until October 1, 2000.
Title X Compliance With State Laws.--The bill includes a provision, continued from last year, requiring Title X clinics to comply with State laws relating to notification or reporting of child abuse, child molestation, sexual abuse, rape or incest.
Department of Education.--The bill funds programmatic and support activities in the Department of Education at $33,320,697,000, a decrease of $1,391,196,000 below the President's request and $195,861,000 below last year's level.
Education Reform.--The bill eliminates funding for Goals 2000, a decrease of $491,500,000 below last year's level and the President's request. This program, along with Class Size Reduction and Eisenhower Professional Development, was consolidated into a single block grant in the Teacher Empowerment Act (HR 1995) which passed the House on July 20th. This block grant was funded at $1,800,000,000 contingent upon enactment. The Committee provides no additional funding for School-to-Work in both the Departments of Labor and Education. This level is $110,000,000 below the President's request and $250,000,000 below fiscal year 1999. This level completes the statutory phase-out of the program a year early. For Technology for Education, the bill provides $500,100,000, a decrease of $300,900,000 below the President's request and $198,000,000 below last year's level.
Education for the Disadvantaged.--The bill provides a program level of $8,417,897,000, for grants to local education agencies. This level is essentially the same as the fiscal year 1999 amount and $326,023,000 below the request level. The bill also provides $120,000,000, the same level as last year, for Comprehensive School Reform. The Committee provides $6,204,763,000 in advance funding for fiscal year 2001, the same level as in fiscal year 1999 and $56,377,000 above the President's request.
Impact Aid- -The bill provides $907,200,000 for school districts that are impacted by Federal activities, such as military bases or Indian lands. This is an increase of $171,200,000 above the fiscal year 1999 level, and $43,200,000 above the President's request.
School Improvement Programs.--The bill funds title VI (the education block grant) at $385,000,000, an increase of $10,000,000 over fiscal year 1999 and $385,000,000 above the President's Request. The bill provides $1,800,000,000 for the Teacher Empowerment Act, subject to enactment. This level is $1,800,000,000 above both the President's request and the fiscal year 1999 amount. No funding is provided for the Eisenhower Professional Development program nor the Class Size Reduction program. These programs, along with Goals 2000, were consolidated into a single block grant in the Teacher Empowerment Act.
Safe and Drug Free Schools.--Safe and drug free schools is funded at $566,000,000, the same level as last year and $10,000,000 below the President's request.
Reading Excellence Act.--The Committee bill provides $200,000,000 for the Reading Excellence Act, $86,000,000 below the President's Request and $60,000,000 below last year's level.
Bilingual and Immigrant Education.--Bilingual and Immigrant Education programs are funded at $380,000,000, the same as the fiscal year 1999 amount and $35,000,000 below the President's request.
Special Education.--The Committee recommends an overall program funding level for special education programs of $5,833,146,000, $499,000,000 above last year's level and $383,250,000 above the President's request. The bill provides a $500,000,000 increase for grants to states under part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The bill also provides advance funding of $3,608,000,000 for special education in fiscal year 2001. This advance funding level is $1,683,000,000 above the President's request and $3,608,000,000 above last year's level and has no impact on the total funding available under IDEA for school year 2000-2001, the school year funded by the FY 2000 appropriation.
Vocational and Adult Education.--Vocational education state grants are funded at $1,080,650,000 and adult education state grants are funded at $365,000,000. Tech Prep is funded at last year's level. Overall, this account is funded at $1,582,247,000, $26,277,000 below the fiscal year 1999 level and $168,003,000 below the President's request.
Student Financial Assistance and Higher Education.--The Committee places a high priority on direct assistance to students. The bill includes funding to allow the maximum Pell grant to rise to $3,275--the highest in history, $150 above last year and $25 above the President's request. Federal work-study grants and TRIO are increased while institutional development for minority schools is frozen. TRIO is funded at $660,000,000, an increase of $60,000,000 above fiscal year 1999 and $30,000,000 above the President's request.
Education Research and Statistics.--The Committee proposes $390,867,000 for education research and statistics. This level is $66,000,000 below last year and $149,415,000 below the request level.
Social Security Administrative Costs.--Funding for the cost of administering the social security programs is $6,076,000,000, $5,000,000 above last year and $225,000,000 below the President's request. Full funding is provided for continuing disability reviews.
National Labor Relations Board.--Funding for the National Labor Relations Board is $174,661,000, $9,790,000 below last year's level and $35,532,000 below the President's request. The bill includes a provision that effectively requires the NLRB to update for inflation the economic thresholds the agency uses to determine whether or not it has jurisdiction over a complaint. These thresholds have not been updated for inflation since the 1950s. The current threshold for many retail businesses of $50,000 in annual sales would be revised to approximately $262,000 pursuant to the new provision.
Corporation for Public Broadcasting.--CPB is an advance funded account with funds already appropriated through fiscal year 2001. Funding proposed by the Committee is $340,000,000 for 2002, the same level as in 2001 and a decrease of $10,000,000 below the President's request.
Infant hearing screening.--The Committee bill includes, as title VI, a provision authorizing grants to the states on a voluntary basis to aid in setting up newborn and infant hearing screening programs.
Child Protection Act of 1999- The bill includes the text of the Child Protection Act of 1999 which requires any school or library receiving federal funds for the purchase of computers or computer related equipment to install an obscenity and child pornography filter on any computer to which minors have access.
Earned Income Tax Credit and other provisions- The bill includes, as title IX, legislation amending the Internal Revenue Code to require that Earned Income Tax Credit payments be paid on a monthly basis rather than in a lump sum annual payment. It also includes an amendment to the Higher Education Act concerning student loan origination fees and an amendment to the National Housing Act concerning the premium rebate for FHA home mortgages.
Agriculture Disaster Assistance- The bill includes, as title X, an emergency appropriation of $508,000,000 for the Department of Agriculture to provide assistance to producers for crop and livestock losses incurred as a result of the hurricanes, and the flooding associated with the hurricanes, that struck the eastern United States in August and September, 1999.
TRANSFER AUTHORITY
The Committee, again this year, has included a general transfer authority for the Departments and agencies funded under this bill. In doing so, it is providing the Executive Branch with the ability to respond to emergencies or unanticipated needs. The Committee reiterates that it is not the purpose of this authority to provide funding for new policy proposals that can, and should, be included in subsequent budget proposals.
The Congress sets funding levels for programs, projects and activities through the annual appropriations act and the accompanying tables included in the conference report. Absent the need to respond to emergencies or unforeseen circumstances discussed above, this authority cannot be used simply to increase funding for programs, projects or activities because of disagreements over the funding level or the difficulty or inconvenience with operating levels set by the Congress.
GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AND RESULTS ACT
The Committee continues to believe that the Departments and agencies under its jurisdiction have made adequate progress toward the establishment of goals and other benchmarks as required by the Government Performance and Results Act. However, they remain a long way from meeting its overall intent. As noted in specific instances throughout this Report, the Committee feels that individual performance indicators need to be developed for each program. These indicators must focus on the improvements in employment and income, worker safety, health status, biomedical discoveries, the quality of life of various populations, educational achievement, and the many other goals that are the primary purpose of the programs funded by this bill. Individual indicators need to be specific and measurable wherever possible, need to be consistent with other measures used in similar programs and need to be supported by systems that can provide annual information on the progress being made toward achieving the stated goals. The Committee is disappointed that the baselines so necessary for measuring progress are not being established rapidly enough. The Committee continues to expect that levels of improvement associated with requested funding will be included with the President's budget request. The Committee notes that it is particularly hard to justify new programs when the budget request includes no empirical statement of the problems the new programs are designed to redress, no baseline data and no statement of yearly improvements to be achieved if the new program is funded at the requested level.
Finally, the Committee believes that GPRA will not be successful until the Departments and agencies funded manage themselves based on performance and outcomes. They should use outcome and performance measures as the primary management tool for resource allocation and the evaluation of programs and individuals. The Committee expects that each Department and office funded in the bill will be prepared to testify during the fiscal year 2001 cycle on how performance and outcome measures are being used to manage their programs, including:
- How outcome and performance goals are being established for individual offices within departments and how they are held accountable for the achievement of these goals;
- How such data is used to establish individual performance goals; and
- How actual performance is measured against these goals and the kinds of incentives, both positive and negative, that are in place to assure the achievement of overall goals.
OPERATING PLANS
The Committee directs the Departments and agencies identified in the report accompanying the fiscal year 1998 bill to continue to provide it with operating plans on the dates identified in that report. The Committee further directs that, in any account, other than state and formula grant accounts, in which the funding level appropriated is different from the President's request, the reporting agency provide information to the Committee at a level of detail, consistent with the budget request, on the programs, projects and activities to be funded during the fiscal year. Any significant change in the funding of programs, projects or activities in accounts funded at the President's request must be identified to the Committee as part of the normal Committee notification process.
The Committee is pleased that the Departments and agencies are making progress in upgrading their financial management systems to better determine the actual flow of appropriated dollars to individual programs and identifying obligation schedules. However, the Committee is troubled by the fact that for many programs, simple formulas are used for outlay and obligation patterns rather than a true analysis of the likely obligation and spending patterns for the program.
In addition to the account level estimates of outlays and obligations included in the fiscal year 1998 reports, the Committee directs that estimates of obligations and outlays be included for those accounts appropriated in this bill and those specific appropriations made in other authorizing acts for the Departments and agencies subject to this reporting requirement. Finally the Departments and agencies subject to this reporting requirement should include estimates of obligations and outlays of any program, project or activity newly funded in this bill and any program, project or activity with a funding level that changes by more than 20%. The Committee further directs that the Departments and agencies subject to this reporting requirement report within 30 days of the close of each quarter of the fiscal year on any account or program for which the obligations or outlays have varied by more that 20% from the estimates in the operating plans and provide an explanation for the variance. The Committee understands that some Departments and agencies are currently unable to provide all of the obligation and outlay data required by this report. While this inability is hard to understand given the funds that have been provided by this Committee to upgrade financial systems, agencies which find themselves in this situation are to submit such information as they can along with a timetable indicating their ability to meet all of the requirements of this section.
EXTENDED AVAILABILITY OF SALARY AND EXPENSE ACCOUNTS
The Committee has provided that salary and expense accounts funded in this bill remain available for obligation through December 31, 2000. This provision allows an additional, `fifth quarter' for the obligation of these funds. In making this provision available to the Executive, the Committee hopes to avoid the rush to obligate funds at the close of the fiscal year and the attendant lack of wisdom and forethought that often accompanies these last minute decisions. It is the Committee's intention to have this extended period of obligation used only sparingly for emergency or abnormal situations and it is specifically not the intention of the Committee to have the effective fiscal year for these accounts become January 1 to December 31.
Therefore, the Committee directs the Departments and agencies funded under this bill to provide it with a report on September 15th of the funds it expects to obligate in the `fifth quarter' made available in this bill and a report on January 15th of the funds actually obligated in this `fifth quarter.'
TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION
TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
The Committee recommends $4,572,058,000 for this account which provides funding authorized primarily by the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). This is $708,861,000 below the fiscal year 1999 level and $902,740,000 below the budget request. Of the total amount made available, $1,964,758,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2000 and $2,607,300,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2001 for obligation on, or after, October 1, 2000.
The Training and Employment Services account is comprised of programs that enhance the employment and earnings of those in need of such services, operated through a decentralized system of skill training and related services. The account is mostly forward-funded on a July to June cycle, with funds provided in the bill supporting the effort from July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2001.
Fiscal year 1999 was a transition year from the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) to the new Workforce Investment Act; fiscal year 2000 will be the first full year of operations under the new law, beginning July 1, 2000. The new legislation is expected to significantly enhance employment and training services, consolidating, coordinating, and improving programs utilizing a local level one-stop delivery system.
The Committee notes that the Department is making progress in developing objective, measurable standards for achieving the goals of the various job training programs pursuant to the Government Performance and Results Act. The Committee encourages the Department to continue to refine the baseline data presented in the budget justification and believes that it is essential to develop specific, measurable standards for each and every one of these programs. There is a particular need to develop more timely performance data. The annual performance plan should include the specific, measurable improvements that are expected to occur with respect to all measures as a result of the proposed funding levels. The emphasis must be on the programs' mission, that is to train and place people in real jobs, with a particular emphasis on those people who have the most difficulty in obtaining work.
Adult employment and training activities
For adult employment and training activities, the Committee recommends $859,500,000. This is $95,500,000 less than the 1999 comparable level and the same amount below the budget request. Given the extremely tight budget constraints under which it is operating this year, the Committee was compelled to reduce funding for this activity. Furthermore, the Committee believes that the economy is sufficiently strong to justify a reduction in this program at this time. This program is authorized by the Workforce Investment Act. The funds are allocated by formula to States and further distributed to local workforce investment boards. Services for adults will be provided through the One-Stop system and most customers receiving training will use their individual training accounts to determine which programs and providers fit their needs. The Act authorizes core services, which will be available to all adults with no eligibility requirements, and intensive services, for unemployed individuals who are not able to find jobs through core services alone.
Dislocated worker employment and training activities
For dislocated worker employment and training activities, the Committee recommends $1,260,459,000. This is $140,051,000 less than the 1999 comparable level and $335,051,000 less than the budget request. Given the extremely tight budget constraints under which it is operating this year, the Committee was compelled to reduce funding for this activity. Furthermore, the Committee believes that the economy is sufficiently strong to justify a reduction in this program at this time. This activity, authorized by WIA, is a State-operated program which provides core services, intensive services, training, and supportive services to help permanently separated workers return to productive, unsubsidized employment. In addition, States use these funds for rapid response assistance to help workers affected by mass layoffs and plant closures. Eighty percent of funding is distributed by formula to the States. The remaining twenty percent is available to the Secretary for activities specified in WIA, primarily to respond to mass layoffs, plant and/or military base closings, and natural disasters across the country, which cannot be otherwise anticipated, as well as technical assistance and training and demonstration projects.
Youth activities
For youth activities, the bill includes $900,869,000. This is $100,096,000 less than the 1999 comparable level and the same amount below the budget request. Given the extremely tight budget constraints under which it is operating this year, the Committee was compelled to reduce funding for this activity. Furthermore, the Committee believes that the economy is sufficiently strong to justify a reduction in this program at this time. The Workforce Investment Act consolidates the Summer Youth Employment and Training Program under JTPA Title IIB and Youth Training Grants under JTPA Title IIC into a single youth training activity. The funds are allocated by formula to States and further distributed to local workforce investment boards. The local boards decide how much to spend on summer jobs and how much to spend on other youth activities. In addition to consolidating programs, WIA also requires youth activities to be connected to the One-Stop system as one way to link youth to all available community resources. The purpose of youth activities is to provide eligible youth with assistance in achieving academic and employment success through improving educational and skill competencies and providing connections to employers. Other activities include providing mentoring opportunities, opportunities for training, supportive services, summer employment opportunities that are directly linked to academic and occupational learning, incentives for recognition and achievement, and activities related to leadership development, citizenship and community service.
Youth opportunity grants
The bill includes no funding for Youth Opportunity Grants. The 1999 appropriation was $250,000,000 and the budget request is the same for 2000. Youth Opportunity Grants are newly-authorized in the recent Workforce Investment Act. These grants are aimed at increasing the long-term employment of youth who live in empowerment zones, enterprise communities, and other high-poverty areas. Given the extremely tight budget constraints under which it is operating this year, the Committee was forced to make difficult choices. Under the circumstances, the Committee believes that it is more important to fund the core job training programs under which all States receive funds than to fund this discretionary grant program which would provide funds to only about 35 areas.
School-to-work opportunities
The bill includes no further funding for the School-to-Work Opportunities Act. The President requested $55,000,000 to phase out the program. The 1999 appropriation was $125,000,000. School-to-Work is an educational strategy that aims to improve learning by connecting what goes on in the classroom to future careers and to real work situations, and to increase student access to a range of opportunities for postsecondary education and advanced training. Through this program, operated through a partnership between the Departments of Education and Labor, every State has had access to seed money to design and implement a comprehensive school-to-work transition system. Because of the extremely tight budget constraints under which the Committee is operating this year, it was not possible to provide further funding for the program.
Job Corps
For Job Corps, the Committee recommends $1,359,000,000. This is $49,786,000 more than the 1999 comparable level and $11,809,000 more than the President's request. The Job Corps, authorized by WIA, is a nationwide network of residential facilities chartered by Federal law to provide a comprehensive and intensive array of training, job placement and support services to at-risk young adults. The mission of Job Corps is to attract eligible young adults, teach them the skills they need to become employable and independent, and place them in meaningful jobs or further education. Participation in the program is open to economically disadvantaged young people in the 16-24 age range who are unemployed and out of school. Most Job Corps students come from disruptive or debilitating environments, and it is important that they be relocated to residential facilities where they can benefit from the highly structured and carefully integrated services provided by the Job Corps program. A limited number of opportunities are also available for non-residential participation. The increase over 1999 will provide for cost increases, vocational training modernization, upgrade of equipment and furnishings, an upgrade of post-termination services and salary increases for teachers and instructors. The Committee has provided additional funds over the request for salary increases to help bring Job Corps staff salaries to a more competitive level and to reduce turnover among instructional staff.
Historically, low income young people with children have been the most difficult to serve population in Job Corps. A collaborative partnership between Job Corps and Head Start would allow both programs to maximize the use of limited resources to serve this target population and to reach geographic and demographic areas not currently being served by existing programs. Expanding child care services on Job Corps campuses would enable more economically disadvantaged single parents to obtain the education, training and parenting skills needed to make a better life for their children and for themselves. Job Corps and Head Start should co-locate child care programs on Job Corps campuses, whereby Job Corps would provide facilities and Head Start would operate programs.
The Committee acknowledges the need for expanded child care services on Job Corps campuses to help more single parents enroll and succeed in the program. The Committee applauds the Department of Labor's efforts to collaborate and combine resources with the appropriate programs within the Department of Health and Human Services, such as Head Start, and to establish cost-effective partnerships furthering the mission and purpose of both Job Corps and Head Start as requested in last year's report. The Committee urges the Department of Labor to work with Head Start to select locations with available space for construction or rehabilitation of child care centers and with a need for child care services in areas where a qualified, high quality Head Start program is available and willing to participate. The Committee urges the Department to construct or rehabilitate facilities on some Job Corps campuses to co-locate Head Start programs to serve residential and non-residential Job Corps students and their children. The bill includes $5,000,000 specifically for this purpose.
The Committee supports the goal of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 of integrating our nation's many, diverse job training programs and its approach of retaining the national character of the Job Corps program within the new framework. To ensure the clearest possible accountability for all funds appropriated to Job Corps, as well as for the programmatic outcomes and societal benefits that represent the return on the taxpayer's investment, the Committee expects that Job Corps will continue to be administered through a distinct national-level management structure within the Department of Labor. The Committee urges the Department to continue its work to develop national partnerships with major regional and national employers to increase employment opportunities for Job Corps graduates. The Department should also continue to establish connections between Job Corps and State workforce development programs, and between Job Corps and other national and community partners, to provide the most efficient, cost-effective services possible.
In January, the Department designated Carville, Louisiana, Exeter, Rhode Island, Hartford, Connecticut, and Wilmington, Delaware as the sites for four new Job Corps centers. The Committee requests the Department to provide a detailed report on the progress in constructing these four centers, including the most current projections for their commencing operations.
Should funds become available in the future for the establishment of new Job Corps centers, the Department should give priority to sites within States that: currently have no more than one Job Corps center and exhibit strong employer, CBO, local and State support for Job Corps, including resources for child care and low cost center facilities.
Native Americans
For Native Americans, the bill includes $53,815,000, the amount requested by the President. This is the same as the 1999 comparable level after accounting for a one-time appropriation of $4,000,000 for a specific project in 1999. This program, authorized by WIA, is designed to improve the economic well-being of Native Americans (Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts, and Native Hawaiians) through the provision of training, work experience, and other employment-related services and opportunities that are intended to aid the participants to secure permanent, unsubsidized jobs. The Department of Labor allocates formula grants to Indian tribes and other Native American groups whose eligibility for such grants is established in accordance with Department's regulations.
Migrant and seasonal farmworkers
For Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers, the Committee recommends $71,017,000, the same as the President's request. This is $500,000 less than the 1999 comparable level after accounting for a one-time emergency appropriation of $7,000,000. This program, authorized by WIA, is designed to serve members of economically disadvantaged families whose principal livelihood is derived from migratory and other forms of seasonal farmwork. Through training and other employability development services, the program prepares eligible seasonal farmworkers and their family members for stable, year-round employment, both in- and outside the agricultural industry. The program also provides health care, day care and other supportive services for farmworkers who choose to stay in agriculture. At least 94 percent of each year's appropriation is allocated to States according to a population-based formula. The remainder of each year's appropriation is set aside for technical assistance to grantees and for other special projects to benefit seasonal farmworkers such as the Migrant Farmworker Housing Program. The Department is expected to continue the farmworker housing program at the current year level.
Veterans workforce investment programs
For veterans workforce investment programs, the Committee recommends $7,300,000. This is the same as the 1999 comparable level and the same as the budget request. This budget activity, authorized by WIA, supports efforts to provide lifelong learning and skills development to veterans who have service-connected disabilities, who have significant barriers to employment, who served on active duty in the armed forces during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized, or who are recently separated.
National programs
For national programs, the Committee recommends $60,098,000. This is $36,500,000 less than the 1999 comparable level and $78,902,000 less than the budget request. This activity includes WIA-authorized programs in support of the workforce system including technical assistance and incentive grants, evaluations, pilots, demonstrations and research. In addition, the activity includes the National Skills Standards Board, the Women in Apprenticeship program and the Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project.
Technical Assistance/Incentive Grants: The Committee recommends $5,000,000, the amount requested, for the provision of technical assistance, staff development, and replication of programs of demonstrated effectiveness; as well as incentive grants to each State that exceeds State adjusted levels of performance for WIA State programs.
Pilots, Demonstrations and Research: The Committee recommends $35,000,000 for grants or contracts to conduct research, pilots or demonstrations that improve techniques or demonstrate the effectiveness of programs. This is $32,500,000 below 1999 and the same as the budget request.
The Committee encourages the Department of Labor to work with private organizations to provide information to local communities, particularly small and medium-sized businesses, regarding workforce investment systems, welfare-to-work and other such activities.
Right Track Partnerships: The Committee recommends no funding for this proposed new competitive grant program under WIA Pilot, Demonstration, and Research authority. The budget request was for $75,000,000. The program's stated goal is to prevent economically disadvantaged youth from dropping out of school and to encourage those who already have done so to return to school. The Committee believes that this proposal duplicates activities conducted by the Department of Education. School dropout problems should be addressed by that Department.
Evaluation: The Committee recommends $9,098,000 to provide for the continuing evaluation of programs conducted under WIA, as well as of federally-funded employment-related activities under other provisions of law. This is the same as 1999 and $2,902,000 below the budget request.
National Skills Standards Board: The Committee recommends $7,000,000 for the Board to continue the development of voluntary partnerships. This is the same as 1999 and the same as the budget request. The Committee concurs with the National Skills Standards Board's decision not to fund a voluntary partnership to develop skill standards for the construction industry, and its findings to close out the Cooperative Agreement with the Construction Industry Coalition. It is the Committee's understanding that the Construction Industry Coalition should undertake no further activity under the auspices of the National Skills Standards Board.
Homeless Veterans Reintegration Project: The Committee recommends $3,000,000 for this program assisting homeless veterans to find jobs. This is the same as 1999 and $2,000,000 less than the request.
Women in Apprenticeship: The bill includes $1,000,000 for this program, the same as 1999. The President proposed not to fund it.
COMMUNITY SERVICE EMPLOYMENT FOR OLDER AMERICANS
The bill includes $440,200,000 for community service employment for older Americans. This is the same as the fiscal year 1999 level and the President's budget request. The Committee notes that this program again this year lacks an authorization for appropriations. The program, under title V of the Older Americans Act, provides part-time employment in community service activities for unemployed, low-income persons aged 55 and over. Participants receive the minimum wage. It is forward-funded from July to June, and the fiscal year 2000 appropriation will support the effort from July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2001. An estimated 61,500 job slots will be supported by the bill.
FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES
The bill includes $314,400,000, the same as the budget request and a reduction of $46,300,000 below the fiscal year 1999 comparable level. The fiscal year 2000 allowance provides funding for certain worker adjustment entitlement programs.
For trade adjustment assistance benefits, as authorized by the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, the bill includes $212,000,000. This is a reduction of $6,000,000 below the fiscal year 1999 level. The bill provides $94,400,000 for training, job search and job relocation allowances to workers adversely affected by imports. The funding for this activity is also authorized under the Trade Act of 1974, as amended. This is about the same as the fiscal year 1999 level.
For NAFTA transitional adjustment assistance benefits, also authorized by the Trade Act of 1974, as amended as a result of the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the bill includes $8,000,000. This is a reduction of $18,000,000 below the fiscal year 1999 level.
STATE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OPERATIONS
The bill includes $3,141,740,000 for this account, a reduction of $120,890,000 below the fiscal year 1999 level and $365,033,000 below the budget request. Included in the total availability is $3,018,288,000 authorized to be drawn from the Employment Security Administration Account of the Unemployment Trust Fund and $123,452,000 to be provided from the general fund of the Treasury. The funds in this account are used to provide administrative grants and assistance to State agencies which administer Federal and State unemployment compensation laws and operate the public employment service. In addition, funds are provided for the one-stop career center program.
The Committee notes that the Department is making progress in developing objective, measurable standards for achieving the goals of these programs. The Committee encourages the Department to continue to refine the baseline data presented in the budget justification and believes that it is essential to develop specific, measurable standards for all activities. The annual performance plan must include the specific, measurable improvements that are expected to occur with respect to all measures as a result of the proposed funding levels.
For Unemployment Insurance Services, the bill provides $2,220,125,000. This total includes a contingency amount of $75,000,000, which may be drawn from the Employment Security Administration Account of the Unemployment Trust Fund. The recommendation is $239,333,000 below the budget request and $74,390,000 below the fiscal year 1999 level. The Committee has not provided the request for an additional $71,000,000 for State integrity activities. Although the Committee realizes that this is an important area that deserves attention, sufficient funds do not exist in this year's budget allocation to accommodate it. It is estimated by the Department that the States are already spending about $360,000,000 for these activities in the current fiscal year. The Committee has also reduced the appropriation for the contingency fund by $86,884,000 below the 1999 level and $121,333,000 below the budget request. The economy continues to be very strong, and the Committee believes that the requested amount of contingency funds will not be needed. For national UI activities, the bill includes $10,000,000; this is the same as the fiscal year 1999 level and $47,000,000 below the budget request.
For the Employment Service, the bill provides $821,615,000 which includes $23,452,000 in general funds together with an authorization to spend $798,163,000 from the Employment Security Administration Account of the Unemployment Trust Fund. These amounts are the same as the fiscal year 1999 level and $26,700,000 less than the budget request. Included in the bill for the Employment Service is $761,735,000 for State grants, available for the program year of July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2001. This is the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 1999 level. Because of budget constraints, the Committee was unable to provide any funding for proposed new reemployment service grants for UI recipients.
The Committee has provided $59,880,000 for ES national activities, an increase of $36,300,000 over the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 1999 level. The largest portion of these funds is used for the alien labor certification program. The bill includes $20,000,000 specifically for administration by the States of the Work Opportunities Tax Credit and the Welfare-to-Work Tax Credit. No funds are provided for the proposed new AgNet for the agriculture industry.
The Committee is concerned that the Department's proposal to transfer the alien labor certification processes currently performed by the Employment and Training Administration to the Employment Standards Administration is not in the best interest of users of the labor certification programs. The Committee is not convinced that the Employment Standards Administration has the capacity to carry out those functions now under the Employment and Training Administration's purview, nor is the Committee persuaded that cost savings and administrative efficiencies would result from the transfer. Therefore, the Committee directs the Department to retain the labor certification processes currently performed by the Employment and Training Administration in that agency and prohibits the Department from utilizing any funds to transfer these functions.
The Committee remains concerned about the permanent labor certification program which continues to suffer systemic and habitual delays in a number of regions. The Committee believes that the labor certification process must be substantially streamlined and improved. The Department should develop a plan to reengineer the program within the Employment and Training Administration with a view towards substantially shortening processing times. The Department should be prepared to testify next year about its efforts to accomplish this.
The Committee has provided $100,000,000 for States to establish one-stop career centers to integrate the provision of labor market and training services to unemployed workers and to employers through collaboration of local service providers. This is a reduction of $46,500,000 from the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation and $49,000,000 below the budget request. This includes $20,000,000 for one-stop implementation grants to States and $80,000,000 for labor market information activities. One-stop implementation grants are declining in accordance with the original plan when the program was begun; this will be the final year of funding. The Committee has not approved the request for $49,000,000 for expansion of the labor market information systems. Given the extremely tight budget constraints under which it is operating this year, the Committee was forced to make difficult choices. The Committee believes that these are worthwhile activities, but that the additional funding will have to wait.
Likewise, funds are not available to start a new work incentive grant program for the disabled.
ADVANCES TO THE UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND AND OTHER FUNDS
The bill includes $356,000,000, the same as the budget request and a reduction of $1,000,000 below the fiscal year 1999 level. The appropriation is available to provide advances to several accounts for purposes authorized under various Federal and State unemployment compensation laws and the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund, whenever balances in such accounts prove insufficient. The bill anticipates that fiscal year 2000 advances will be made to the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund.
The separate appropriations provided by the Committee for all other accounts eligible to borrow from this account in fiscal year 2000 are expected to be sufficient. Should the need arise, due to unanticipated changes in the economic situation, or for other legitimate reasons, advances will be made to the needy accounts to the extent funds are available. Funds advanced to the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund are repayable with interest to the general fund of the Treasury.
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
The bill includes total funding for this account of $138,126,000. This is $2,924,000 below the request and $6,577,000 below the fiscal year 1999 level. After accounting for one-time funding in 1999 for Y2K activities and other one-time expenses, the Committee recommendation for this account is a freeze. This includes $94,410,000 in general funds and authority to expend $43,716,000 from the Employment Security Administration Account of the Unemployment Trust Fund. General funds in this account provide the Federal staff to administer employment and training programs under the Workforce Investment Act, the Older Americans Act, the welfare-to-work program, the Trade Act of 1974, and the National Apprenticeship Act. Trust funds provide for the Federal administration of employment security functions under title III of the Social Security Act and the Immigration and Nationality Act.
The Committee requests that the Department of Labor study and report back to the Committee by July 1, 2000, on which urban states have not accepted Welfare-to-Work funds available to them under the federal Welfare-to-Work program and assess the extent to which these states have met the goals intended by the federal Welfare-to-Work program in the absence of the available funds.
PENSION AND WELFARE BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
The bill provides $90,000,000 for this account, a reduction of $11,831,000 from the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 1999 level after adjusting for one-time Y2K funding in 1999. The Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration (PWBA) is responsible for the enforcement of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) in both civil and criminal areas. This involves ERISA fiduciary and reporting/disclosure requirements. PWBA is also responsible for enforcement of sections 8477 and 8478 of the Federal Employees' Retirement Security Act of 1986 (FERSA). The agency was also given new responsibilities under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
The Committee has followed carefully the public discussion on the affordability, quality and need for choice in our health care system. However, the Committee is concerned with proposed Department of Labor regulations that would substantially revise procedures for handling health benefits claims under employer-sponsored health plans. In particular, the Committee is concerned that the Department's regulations will conflict with legislation that Congress is now considering that address the very same issue. Duplicative regulations issued by the Department will unnecessarily subject employers to high compliance costs. Moreover, the Committee is concerned that, in issuing the proposed regulations, the Department has failed to provide any meaningful analysis of the potential for increased costs to health plans and who would be responsible for these costs. Without understanding the magnitude of the proposed changes, costs and benefits to employer sponsored plans and their employees, the Committee cannot provide funding for their implementation. The Committee recommends the withdrawal of the current regulations and directs the Department of Labor to certify to the authorizing and appropriating committees the effect that similar regulations, if revised and reproposed, would have on health plan costs and administrative complexity and that it would continue to meet the fundamental objectives of ERISA prior to requesting funding for implementation.
PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION
The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation is a wholly-owned government corporation established by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The law places it within the Department of Labor and makes the Secretary of Labor the chairman of its board of directors. The Corporation receives its income from insurance premiums collected from covered pension plans, collections of employer liabilities imposed by the Act, and investment earnings. It is also authorized to borrow up to $100 million from the Treasury. The primary purpose of the Corporation is to guarantee the payment of pension plan benefits to participants if covered plans fail or go out of existence.
The Corporation's budget for fiscal year 2000 includes benefit payments of $963,373,000, multi-employer financial assistance of $94,331,000, an administrative expenses limitation of $10,958,000, and administrative expenses that are exempt from limitation of $153,599,000. Only the administrative expenses limitation is subject to the appropriations process. The amount in the administrative expense limitation is a reduction of $394,000 below the request and the same as fiscal year 1999.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS ADMINISTRATION
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
The bill includes $314,000,000 for this agency. This is a reduction of $62,487,000 below the budget request and a freeze at the fiscal year 1999 level after accounting for one-time funding in 1999 for Y2K activities. The bill includes $312,076,000 in general funds for this account and also contains authority to expend $1,924,000 from the Special Fund established by the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act. In addition, an amount of $28,676,000 is available by transfer from the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund. This is the same as the request and $1,515,000 below the fiscal year 1999 level.
The Employment Standards Administration is involved in the administration of numerous laws, including the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Workers' Protection Act, the Davis-Bacon Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA), the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act (black lung). The agency also administers Executive Order 11246 related to affirmative action by Federal contractors and the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act.
With respect to the Government Performance and Results Act, the Committee notes that the agency's annual performance plan indicates that progress is being made in compiling baseline data for some of its performance goals. The agency is encouraged to continue to pursue refinements and improvements. The performance plan needs to show the specific, measurable improvements that are expected to occur with respect to all measures as a result of proposed funding levels.
The Committee recommendation includes $2,000,000 to continue and accelerate the development and implementation of the electronic filing of reports required to be filed under the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act, and a computer database of the information for each submission that is indexed and easily searchable by the public via the Internet.
The Committee has previously expressed its concern about procedural errors which occurred during the initial proposal of regulations relating to black lung benefits. The Committee understands that the Department has rewritten these regulations and submitted them to the Office of Management and Budget for approval and its confirmation that the regulations are in full compliance with the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA). The Committee urges the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration and the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget to advise the Committee whether or not the re-proposed regulations comply with the Regulatory Flexibility Act and SBREFA. While judgment will be reserved until the re-proposed regulations have been published, the Committee directs the Department to provide a report to the Committee on its efforts to provide outreach to small operators during the time in which the new proposals were developed. In addition, the Department is directed to provide advance notification to the Committee of any publication in the Federal Register relating to these regulations.
The Secretary of Labor has recently proposed the long-awaited Davis-Bacon helper regulations. Unfortunately, these regulations fail to address the widespread use of helpers and make assertions without providing evidence (such as suggesting that using more helpers would result in fewer apprentices, and that the previously proposed rule was an invitation to misclassification and abuse by contractors). More importantly, the regulations use a definition of helpers different from that used in the Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics Davis-Bacon pilot program. As a result, the new definition limits the use of helpers, rather than reflecting actual industry practice of helper use. The Committee strongly urges the Department to reexamine these proposed regulations with a view toward reflecting industry practice and seeking further study on this issue.
The Committee is concerned with a December 3, 1997 Opinion Letter issued by the Employment Standards Administration regarding section 3(o) of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The Committee understands that this letter abruptly reversed the Department's long-standing interpretation of section 3(o) and did so without addressing the issue of retroactivity or the impact on collective bargaining agreements. The Committee urges the Department of Labor to clarify this letter with regard to retroactivity and to clearly state that the letter was not intended to adversely affect existing collective bargaining agreements or to be used in private litigation.
Given the dynamics of today's workplace, it is important for the Department of Labor to provide up to date compliance assistance for employers. The Committee believes that the Wage and Hour Division should examine its policy concerning meal and break times with respect to the Fair Labor Standards Act and issue clear guidance in this area. The Committee expects the Department to conduct this examination and report back to the Committee by December 31.
SPECIAL BENEFITS
The bill includes $79,000,000, the same as the budget request and a decrease of $100,000,000 below the fiscal year 1999 appropriation. This appropriation primarily provides benefits under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA). The payments are required by law.
The total amount to be available in fiscal year 2000 for FECA payments, including anticipated reimbursements from Federal agencies of $1,923,000,000, is just over $2,000,000,000, a decrease of $23,100,000 below the fiscal year 1999 comparable level.
The Committee recommends continuation of appropriation language to provide authority to deposit into the Special Benefits account those funds that the Postal Service, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and other entities are required to pay to cover their `fair share' of the costs of administering the claims filed by their employees under FECA. The Committee also recommends approval of appropriation language to provide that $21,849,000 of the funds transferred from the `fair share' agencies to pay the costs of administration will be available to the Secretary of Labor to finance capital improvements relating to upgrading and enhancing the Federal Employees' Compensation program computer system hardware and software and to finance staff costs related to the FECA periodic roll management project. The remaining balance of the administrative costs paid by the `fair share' agencies will revert to Treasury as miscellaneous receipts.
BLACK LUNG DISABILITY TRUST FUND
The bill includes authority to obligate $1,013,266,000 from the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund in fiscal year 2000. This is a decrease of $7,734,000 below the fiscal year 1999 level and $734,000 below the budget request.
The total amount available for fiscal year 2000 will provide $430,506,000 for benefit payments, and $49,404,000 and $356,000 for administrative expenses for the Departments of Labor and Treasury, respectively. Also included is $533,000,000 for interest payments on advances from the general fund of the Treasury. In fiscal year 1999, comparable obligations for benefit payments are estimated to be $453,275,000, while administrative expenses for the Departments of Labor and Treasury respectively are $50,919,000 and $356,000. Interest payments on advances are estimated at $516,000,000 for fiscal year 1999.
The Trust Fund pays all black lung compensation/medical and survivor benefit expenses when no responsible mine operator can be assigned liability for such benefits, or when coal mine employment ceased prior to 1970, as well as all administrative costs which are incurred in administering the benefits program and operating the Trust Fund.
It is estimated that 63,200 people will be receiving black lung benefits financed from the Trust Fund in fiscal year 2000. This compares with an estimated 67,000 receiving benefits in fiscal year 1999.
The basic financing for the Trust Fund comes from a coal excise tax for underground and surface-mined coal. Additional funds come from reimbursement payments from mine operators for benefit payments made by the Trust Fund before the mine operator is found liable, and advances from the general fund, estimated at $356,000,000 in fiscal year 2000. The advances to the Fund assure availability of necessary funds when liabilities may exceed other income. The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987 continues the current tax structure until 2014.
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
The bill includes $337,408,000 for this agency. This is a reduction of $50,374,000 below the budget request and $16,967,000 below the fiscal year 1999 level. This agency is responsible for enforcing the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 in the Nation's workplaces.
The Committee has reduced OSHA's budget about 5 percent overall below last year, but it has reallocated funding within the total to place more emphasis on compliance assistance, in particular for State on-site consultation grants. Federal enforcement funding has been reduced by 8 percent below last year, while compliance assistance overall has been increased by 2 percent. The Committee has provided $88,670,000 for compliance assistance, an increase of $2,057,000 over the fiscal year 1999 amount. Compliance assistance activities include on-site consultation programs by designated State agencies for which the bill includes $43,000,000, an increase of $2,057,000, or 5 percent. The remaining compliance assistance activities have been frozen. These activities include the following: conducting general outreach activities and providing technical assistance at the request of employers; training and education grants; fostering and promoting voluntary protection programs that give recognition and assistance to employers who establish exemplary occupational safety and health programs; and the OSHA training institute. Residential construction should be one of the priorities for the training and education grants. The agency should continue the dual strategy of enforcement targeted to the most hazardous industries and employers and expand partnerships and compliance assistance activities to assist employers and workers in meeting their obligations to ensure workplace safety and health.
The Committee believes that the agency can expand its efforts in partnering with employers in establishing voluntary safety and health programs. Specifically, the Committee expects OSHA's directorate for Federal/State operations to utilize $2,000,000 from compliance assistance funds to implement a two-year pilot project to partner with employers in the development and implementation of safety and health programs. OSHA should utilize existing programs, such as the state consultation program, the Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP), the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) and the existing Safety and Health Program Management guidelines.
Under this pilot project, the agency should collect data related to: the cost of development and implementation of safety and health programs; reduction in injury and illness rates; comparison of workers' compensation rates prior and after implementation; conflicts with the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA); and other benefits and costs associated with implementing such programs. The agency shall report its initial findings to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions not later than June 1, 2000.
Finally, the Committee believes this type of educational effort represents a better approach than a possible regulation. Therefore, OSHA should give time to adequately consider the positive effects of this project before moving forward with a new regulation. In addition, it should consider offering participating businesses certain incentives such as relief from random inspection.
With respect to the Government Performance and Results Act, the Committee notes that the agency's annual performance plan indicates that measurement systems and baseline data are not currently available for some of its performance goals. This concerns the Committee, and it urges the agency to take all necessary steps to correct the deficiencies. The performance plan needs to show the specific, measurable improvements that are expected to occur with respect to all measures as a result of proposed funding levels.
The Committee is disappointed with OSHA's April, 1999 decision to issue a technical information bulletin on potential natural rubber latex allergy. The bulletin was issued notwithstanding unresolved questions concerning the bulletin's apparent contradiction of the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control's Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee and the Food and Drug Administration's work on the labeling and regulation of medical devices containing latex. The Committee believes that the technical bulletin creates a significant risk of regulatory confusion and is a matter that should have been handled through more formal procedures that afford notice and comment protections to affected parties. The Committee recognizes that technical information bulletins are intended by OSHA to be advisory in nature and informational in content, and that a failure to implement a specific recommendation in a technical information bulletin is not in itself a violation of the General Duty Clause of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The Committee directs that OSHA not use funds provided in this Act to issue any citation under the General Duty Clause that relies on this technical information bulletin.
The Committee recognizes that accidental injuries from contaminated needles and other sharp medical objects that potentially carry bloodborne illnesses such as AIDS and hepatitis jeopardize the well-being of our nation's healthcare workers. An estimated 590,000 needlestick injuries occur each year. The Committee commends OSHA for its plans to promulgate revised rules designed to reduce the number of needlestick injuries that reflect the newer safer technologies now available. While significant advances have been made, the Committee is concerned that any compliance directive or new standard may not allow or encourage the use of other appropriate technologies as they become available. Therefore, the Committee urges OSHA to ensure that the use of all FDA-approved devices which reduce the risk of needlestick injury is allowed, whether or not such safety feature is integrated into the needle or other sharp medical object.
The Committee supports OSHA's efforts to expand the Voluntary Protection Program and other voluntary cooperative programs. The Committee is pleased with OSHA's efforts in placing high priority on the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) and other voluntary cooperative programs. The agency's work in expanding participation in the programs, and promoting prompt review and processing of applications is noteworthy. In FY 2000 the Committee expects OSHA to continue to place priority on the VPP, making an effort to ensure significant growth in participation by sites covered under Federal OSHA jurisdiction. Cooperative voluntary programs, especially the VPP, are important to employers' ability to assure worker safety.
Elsewhere in this bill, the Committee has provided $450,000 for a contract to allow the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a full study of the proposed tuberculosis standard and report back to the Congress. The Committee strongly urges OSHA not to proceed further with this new standard until the NAS study has been completed and submitted to the Congress.
The Committee is aware of concerns with recommendations by the Metalworking Fluids Standards Advisory Committee, established by the Department, with respect to metalworking fluids exposure levels. The Committee expects the Department to carefully consider peer-reviewed scientific research and examine the technical feasibility and economic consequences of its recommendations before proceeding in this area. The Committee understands that as part of the rulemaking process, the Department held a series of meetings with industry and other interested parties to develop its technical analyses. A risk assessment and an economic feasibility analysis to the three-digit SIC code should be completed on the impact of reduced exposure levels on employees of non-automotive manufacturing companies. The Committee expects the Department to make these analyses available for public review prior to issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking. Prior to issuance of any proposed rule or standard, the Department shall provide the Committee with a summary of the comments submitted to the Department on the proposal and the Department's response to the comments received. The Committee believes that the Department should not propose any new or amended rules or standards for metalworking fluids until completion of these analyses.
The Committee has set aside $100,000 in OSHA compliance assistance funds to be awarded to a qualified non-profit educational foundation to train licensed employers in an Internet-based OSHA expert compliance assistance system. This system uses an online interview to create compliance profiles for each facility and generate comprehensive `to-do' lists to manage compliance--customized for each facility, and kept current over the Internet. In addition, the system would use the Internet to automatically download, index, view and print Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) files. Once tagged, MSDS's would be monitored and user files would be automatically updated via the Internet.
The Committee has included language carried in the bill since 1976 in one instance and 1979 in the other that restricts the use of funds for certain purposes. First, the bill includes language that effectively exempts farms employing 10 or fewer people from the provisions of the Act except those farms having a temporary labor camp. Second, the bill includes language exempting businesses employing 10 or fewer in industry classifications having a lost workday injury rate less than the national average from general schedule safety inspections.
MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
The bill includes $211,165,000 for this agency. This is $17,208,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 1999 level after adjusting for the one-time funding in 1999 of Y2K activities. This agency enforces the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act in underground and surface coal and metal and non-metal mines.
The Committee wishes to commend the agency and the affected industries for working together effectively, as requested in last year's appropriations cycle, to revise the miner training regulations with respect to the companies engaged in the mining of sand, gravel, surface stone, surface clay, colloidal phosphate and surface limestone. The proposed regulations are currently under review by the Office of Management and Budget and are scheduled to be issued in final form by September 30. In order to ensure that there is a transition period after the regulations are finally issued, the Committee has decided to continue language in the bill prohibiting the use of funds to carry out the training provisions of the Act with respect to these industries until June 1, 2000. The Committee hopes and intends that the agency and the affected industry groups will continue to work together cooperatively to see that there is an appropriate transition period during which the affected industries can become familiar with the new regulations and can see that they are smoothly implemented. If sufficient progress has been achieved by the time the conference committee meets on this bill, every consideration will be given to dropping the prohibition entirely.
The Committee believes that the promulgation of a proposed rule on diesel exhaust should be informed by the ongoing NCI/NIOSH study of Lung Cancer and Diesel Exhaust among Non-Metal Miners. The Committee believes that this rule would be strengthened by the development and use of testing methods that more accurately identify actual toxic properties and exposure effects associated with diesel exhaust and notes that research presently being undertaken could lead to substantial improvements in current testing devices and analytical methods used to measure actual exposure.
The Committee is concerned about the possible ramifications of a rulemaking on the use of conveyor belts in underground coal mines. A number of questions have been raised concerning this proposed rule, including concerns about the validity of the testing on which the rule is based and concerns about the amount of time that has elapsed since the rule was originally proposed. The Committee directs MSHA, before the agency issues a final rule on conveyor belts, to carefully examine the record, conduct additional research that may be required to address any significant concerns that have been raised, and to be very sure that any final rule does not have the unintended consequence of creating additional hazards in coal mines.
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
The total funding recommended by the Committee for the Bureau of Labor Statistics is $394,697,000. This is a reduction of $26,222,000 below the budget request and is a freeze at the 1999 level after adjusting for the planned reduction in funds for the Consumer Price Index revision. The bill includes $340,551,000 in general funds for this account and authority to spend $54,146,000 from the Employment Security Administration Account of the Unemployment Trust Fund. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is the principal fact-finding agency in the Federal Government in the broad field of labor economics. Its principal surveys include the Consumer Price Index and the monthly unemployment series.
The Committee has approved $6,986,000, the full amount requested by the Administration, for the completion of the Consumer Price Index revision. This revision is critical to the Nation's economy and to the Federal budget.
DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
The bill includes $191,131,000 for Departmental Management activities. This is $66,523,000 below the budget request and is a freeze at the 1999 level after accounting for one-time funding in 1999 for Y2K activities and other one-time funding requirements related primarily to the Clinger-Cohen Act. The bill includes $190,832,000 in general funds for this account along with authority to transfer $299,000 from the Employment Security Administration account of the Unemployment Trust Fund. In addition, an amount of $20,422,000 is available by transfer from the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund. This is $722,000 less than the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 1999 level.
The Departmental Management appropriation finances staff responsible for formulating and overseeing the implementation of Departmental policy and management activities. In addition, this appropriation includes a variety of operating programs and activities that are not involved in Departmental Management functions, but for which other salaries and expenses appropriations are not suitable.
The Committee commends the Department for again achieving a clean audit under the terms of the Government Management Reform Act of 1994. An audited financial statement is like a `scorecard' that reflects a department's progress in achieving the significant financial management reforms required by the CFO Act, and in providing effective stewardship and management of government funds.
The bill includes $30,000,000 in the Bureau of International Labor Affairs for the purpose of providing funding to the ILO to support the International Program for the Elimination of Child Labor. This is the same as 1999 and the same amount requested by the President. Given the extremely tight budget constraints under which it is operating this year, the Committee was forced to make difficult choices. Funding is simply not available for the requested increases of $35,400,000 for international core labor standards and bilateral labor agreements. In addition, the Committee believes the Department did not make a strong case for appropriating these funds either in the hearings or in the budget justifications.
The Committee urges the Women's Bureau to continue to support effective organizations that provide technical assistance and training on displaced homemaker programming.
The Committee is encouraged by agency interest in intradepartmental coordination of programs within the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. The Committee continues to be concerned that the Departments have no forum in place for continuous interdepartmental collaboration. The Working Group on Comprehensive Early Childhood Family Centers, headed by the Department of Education, recommended that the Departments create such a forum, and this has yet to occur. Therefore, the Committee urges the Departments to institutionalize interdisciplinary collaboration at all levels, and requests a progress report on steps taken to accomplish such departmental collaboration and program coordination no later than March of 2000.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR VETERANS EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING
The bill includes $182,719,000 to be expended from the Employment Security Administration Account of the Unemployment Trust Fund. This is the same as the 1999 appropriation and a reduction of $2,894,000 from the budget request.
For State grants, the bill provides $80,040,000 for the Disabled Veterans Outreach program. This amount is sufficient to finance about 1,440 State staff. The bill also provides $77,078,000 for the Local Veterans Employment Representative program. This amount is sufficient to finance about 1,300 State staff.
For Federal administration, the bill provides $25,601,000, a freeze at the 1999 level. This includes $2,000,000 to operate the National Veterans Training Institute, the same amount requested by the Administration as a separate line item. Attendees at the Institute are primarily State employees who provide employment services to veterans. The Committee believes that the Department of Defense and other Federal agencies should pay the full cost of training for their employees that is provided by the NVTI.
OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
The bill includes $47,500,000 for the Office of Inspector General. This is a reduction of $7,678,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 1999 level after adjusting for one-time 1999 funding for Y2K activities. This includes $43,852,000 in general funds for this account along with authority to transfer $3,648,000 from the Employment Security Administration account of the Unemployment Trust Fund. In addition, an amount of $306,000 is available by transfer from the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund.
The Office of the Inspector General was created by law to protect the integrity of Departmental programs as well as the welfare of beneficiaries served by those programs. Through a program of audits, investigations, inspections, and program evaluations, the OIG attempts to reduce the incidence of fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, and to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness throughout the Department.
The Committee believes that all of the Inspectors General need to do a better job of accounting for and tracking the savings that they claim to generate by their efforts. More attention must be paid to how much money is actually collected each year and paid back to the Federal government. The Committee directs the Inspector General to continue to report to the Committee on:
- (1) the actual payments, as a result of fines, restitutions or forfeitures, made to the United States Government as a result of his activities; and
- (2) how `funds put to better use' were used; this report must identify funds made available for use by management and the programs, projects, and activities that were increased as a result of these funds.
The Committee continues to be concerned by the inability of the Inspector General to obtain the necessary data from the Department of Justice to inform the Committee about the amounts of money that are being recovered. The Inspector General must continue to take all necessary steps to address this shortcoming. The Committee will expect an update on this at next year's hearing.
TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES
The bill includes $4,204,395,000 for health resources and services programs. This is $87,637,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level for these activities and $63,312,000 above the Administration request.
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) supports programs which provide health services to disadvantaged, medically underserved, and special populations; improve infant mortality rates; direct the education, supply, and distribution of a wide range of health professionals; and provide technical assistance regarding the utilization of health resources and facilities.
Community health centers
The Committee provides $985,000,000 for community health centers, which is $60,294,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $40,000,000 above the Administration request.
The Committee repeats bill language from previous years limiting the amount of funds available for the payment of claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act to $5,000,000. Without such language, the Department of Justice could tap the community health centers line item for $30,000,000 for claims payment, which is far in excess of historical levels.
Community health centers provide preventive and primary health care services to over 10 million individuals, many of whom are uninsured or Medicaid beneficiaries, in 3,500 medically underserved communities. The number of uninsured Americans continues to grow at a rate of 100,000 per month and is expected to exceed 50 million by 2002. These Centers are a direct and cost-effective response to this growing national concern. In addition, health centers serve as an important program in reducing health disparities in minority populations. Of the 10 million individuals served by community health centers, over two-thirds are individuals of a racial or ethnic minority group.
The Committee is pleased with the expeditious manner in which HRSA has distributed a substantial portion of the additional resources provided to the program in fiscal year 1999 and with the use of a funding methodology that targeted these funds to Centers with the highest burden of uninsured patients. The Committee encourages HRSA to give priority to stabilizing the existing health center safety net and expansion of existing health centers to serve the neediest communities without access to primary and preventive care when distributing additional funding. In providing services to new communities, HRSA should first determine if the expansion of an existing health center through the development of a new site is feasible in order to build upon the expertise of centers that currently provide service to underserved populations. In targeting communities for establishment or expansion of a health center, preference should be given to communities where health centers are part of or are leading the development of an integrated delivery system.
The Committee understands the difficulties with which the loan guarantee program established under section 330(d) of the Public Health Service Act is being implemented and requests the Secretary to study and report to the Committee, by March 31, 2000, on the feasibility of a pool approach to allow HRSA to directly guarantee plan surplus/reserves rather than indirectly through guarantees to non-Federal lenders.
The Committee recognizes HRSA for focusing its efforts on health services delivery to those most in need through the community health centers program. The Committee is pleased with the success of the school-based health centers funded under the Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities initiative. Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities currently serves children and adolescents by working in areas with the greatest need to target young people who are at risk for poor health because they are homeless, members of minority populations, or from low-income families. The Committee urges HRSA to expand the `community school' model developed under the Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities initiative to other sites who will replicate the model.
The Committee recognizes that asthma is a growing problem nationwide, particularly among ethnic and racial minorities and the underserved. The Committee encourages HRSA, through its community health centers program, to enhance its efforts aimed at reducing the incidence of asthma in these populations.
The Committee notes the high prevalence of Hepatitis C in the low-income communities served by community health centers and encourages the Centers to train their medical personnel on the risks and treatment protocols for Hepatitis C and to provide culturally appropriate educational materials for their clientele.
National Health Service Corps: Field placements
The Committee provides $38,244,000 for field placement activities, which is $1,012,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $1,247,000 above the Administration request. These funds are used to support the activities of National Health Service Corps (NHSC) obligors and volunteers in the field, including travel and transportation costs of assignees, training and education, recruitment of volunteers, and retention activities. Salary costs of most new assignees are paid by the employing entity.
The Committee is concerned about the availability of behavioral and mental health services under National Health Service Corps programs. The Committee commends HRSA for initiating partnerships with six States to increase the number of sites employing mental health professionals and has provided an additional $1,000,000 to build on this initiative nationwide. This demonstration program should increase the number of behavioral and mental health professionals in underserved urban and rural areas, with particular attention focused on mental health needs in farming communities.
National Health Service Corps: Recruitment
The Committee provides $78,166,000 for recruitment activities, which is $25,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and the same as the Administration request. The program awards scholarships to health professions students and assists graduates in repaying their student loans. In return for every year of support, these students are obligated to provide a year of service in health professional shortage areas usually located in inner cities or rural areas, with a two-year minimum obligation. The Committee reiterates its intent that funds provided be used to support multi-year, rather than single-year commitments.
The Committee is pleased with the progress NHSC has made in increasing dental participation in the loan repayment programs, but remains concerned that more could be done to meet the oral health needs of underserved populations, especially in rural and border areas. HRSA should be prepared to testify at the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing on what steps are being taken to reach these populations, including the feasibility of reactivating the scholarship program and developing educational partnerships with dental schools. HRSA should also be prepared to testify on how NHSC plans to work with dental education institutions, dental organizations, and State and local dental health officials to determine dental site readiness and designation.
Health professions
The Committee provides $301,986,000 for all health professions training programs, which is $70,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $50,292,000 above the Administration request. The Bureau of Health Professions provides both policy leadership and support for health professions workforce enhancement and educational infrastructure development. The Committee continues to support health professions training and urges continued funding for all of the programs within the new configuration of health professions training. The Committee also urges, as a general policy, that funding for specific programs within the new configuration should not be disproportionately reduced.
Centers of excellence
The Committee provides $25,642,000 for centers of excellence, which is $8,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $7,500,000 below the Administration request. The program is designed to strengthen the national capacity to educate underrepresented minority (URM) students in the health professions by offering special support to those institutions which train a significant number of URM individuals, including African-Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans. Funds are used for the recruitment and retention of students and faculty, information resources and curricula, faculty and student research, and the development of plans to achieve institutional improvements.
The Committee is pleased that HRSA has re-focused the minority centers of excellence program on providing support to historically minority health professions institutions.
Health careers opportunity program
The Committee provides $27,799,000 for the health careers opportunity program, which is $9,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $7,500,000 below the Administration request. This program provides grants and contracts to eligible health professions schools for identifying, recruiting, and selecting individuals from the various racial and ethnic populations who are from disadvantaged backgrounds for education and training in a health profession and facilitating their entry into, retention and completion of their education at a health professions school.
The Committee is pleased that HRSA has given priority consideration for health careers opportunities program (H-COP) grants to minority health professions institutions and recommends that grant review committees have proportionate representation from these institutions.
Loan repayments and fellowships regarding faculty positions
The Committee provides $1,100,000 for loan repayments and fellowships regarding faculty positions, which is the same as both the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and the Administration request. The program provides for the repayment of educational loans of individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who are health professions students or graduates, and who have agreed to serve for not less than two years as a faculty member of an eligible health professions school. The school matches the Federal contribution toward loan repayment. The program also supports fellowships for URM faculty members.
Scholarships for disadvantaged students
The Committee provides $38,099,000 for scholarships for disadvantaged students, which is $12,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $867,000 below the Administration request. The program provides grants to eligible health professions and nursing schools to provide scholarships to eligible individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, including students who are members of racial and ethnic minority groups. By statute, not less than 16 percent of the funds must go to schools of nursing. The Committee continues to intend that all health professions disciplines made eligible by statute be able to participate in the program.
The Committee is supportive of the program's role in improving the health status of minority and disadvantaged citizens by increasing available opportunities for those individuals seeking a health professions career. Minority providers are more likely to serve in underserved areas. The program has recognized the contribution of historically minority health professions schools and has supported those institutions which have made a contribution to increasing the number of minorities in health professions careers.
Training in primary care medicine and dentistry
The Committee provides $79,934,000 for training in primary care medicine and dentistry, which is the same as the fiscal year 1999 comparable level. The Administration did not request funding for this program. The program is comprised of four elements: (1) family medicine programs; (2) general internal medicine and general pediatrics (GIM/GP) training; (3) physician assistants (PA) training; and (4) general or pediatric dentistry training. Family medicine grants and contracts promote the predoctoral training of medical students, support family medicine residency programs and their trainees, train physicians who plan to teach in family medicine programs, and assist in establishing or improving family medicine academic administrative units. GIM/GP grants and contracts are to plan and operate residency programs and to provide financial assistance for residents, meet the costs of training programs for physicians who plan to teach in GIM/GP, as well as to support the faculty trainees, and develop programs to support predoctoral activities. PA training grants and contracts are to plan, develop, and operate or maintain programs for the training of PAs and for the training of individuals who will teach in programs to provide such training. General or pediatric dentistry training grants and contracts are to meet the costs of planning, developing, or operating programs and to provide financial assistance to residents in such programs.
The Committee is concerned that there are not enough pediatric dentists being trained to address the growing demand for pediatric oral health care services, especially among low-income children. The Committee urges HRSA to enhance funding for pediatric dentistry training programs to meet the dental needs of children covered by Medicaid and CHIP.
The Committee encourages HRSA to expand training of health care providers in practice and providers in-training to improve the detection, diagnosis, treatment, and management of chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome patients.
Area health education centers
The Committee provides $29,561,000 for area health education centers (AHEC), which is $983,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $974,000 above the Administration request. The program links university health science centers with community health service delivery systems to provide community-based training sites for students, faculty, and practitioners. The program supports two types of projects: (1) basic/core AHEC cooperative agreement projects to plan and implement new and developing programs; and (2) model programs to extend AHEC cooperative agreement projects, with not less than 50 percent of the project costs supported by non-Federal contributions in cash.
Health education and training centers
The Committee provides $3,889,000 for health education and training centers, which is $125,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $124,000 above the Administration request. The program funds schools of medicine and osteopathy to conduct training and education programs for health professions students to improve the access, diversity, and quality of health personnel along the border between the United States and Mexico, in the State of Florida, and in other urban and rural areas with populations with serious unmet health care needs. The program also provides educational support to health professionals, including nursing, practicing in the area.
Allied health and other disciplines
The Committee provides $6,722,000 for allied health and other disciplines, which is $371,000 below the fiscal year 1999 comparable level. The Administration did not request funding for this program. The program is comprised of three elements: (1) allied health special projects; (2) podiatric primary care residency training; and (3) chiropractic demonstration projects. Allied health special projects assist entities in meeting the costs associated with expanding or establishing programs that will increase the number of individuals trained in allied health professions. Activities included are those that: (1) expand enrollments; (2) provide rapid transition and career advancement training programs; (3) establish community-based training programs; (4) expand or establish interdisciplinary training programs, demonstration centers, and clinical training sites in medically underserved or rural communities; (5) provide traineeships to students; and (6) plan, develop, and operate or maintain graduate programs in behavioral and mental health practice. Podiatric primary care residency training grants and contracts are for planning and implementing projects in residency programs and providing traineeships to residents who plan to specialize in primary care. Chiropractic demonstration grants and contracts are to carry out demonstration projects in which chiropractors and physicians collaborate to identify and provide effective treatment of spinal and lower-back conditions.
The Committee continues to encourage HRSA to give priority consideration to those projects for schools training allied health professionals experiencing shortages, such as medical technologists and cytotechnologists.
Geriatric programs
The Committee provides $9,206,000 for geriatric programs, which is $491,000 below the fiscal year 1999 comparable level. The Administration did not request funding for this program. The program provides grants and contracts to eligible entities to: (1) establish geriatric education centers to provide training for health care professionals who provide treatment and for training and retraining of faculty who teach geriatrics; (2) provide support for geriatric training projects to train physicians, dentists, and behavioral and mental health professionals who plan to teach geriatrics; and (3) establish a program to provide Geriatric Academic Career Awards to eligible individuals to promote the career development of such individuals as academic geriatricians.
The number of aged Americans is expected to double by the year 2030 making the care of the aging an important priority. The Committee encourages HRSA to support programs to examine the delivery of aging-related health services including the best practices in long-term care, clinical drug trials, palliative and end-of-life care, and economic issues related to aging. The Committee also encourages HRSA to provide a focus on the challenge of health care delivery for the aging population in rural areas, such as West Texas.
The aging of our population also highlights the need for increased emphasis on geriatric training in medical schools so that all physicians, no matter what their specialty, are better prepared to provide the most appropriate care for their elderly patients. The Committee requests that HRSA explore ways the Federal government and the private sector can form partnerships to enhance the training required for physicians to become academic geriatricians and promote geriatric programs for all medical students and be prepared to update the Committee on this issue at the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing.
Quentin N. Burdick program for rural interdisciplinary training
The Committee provides $4,314,000 for the Quentin N. Burdick program for rural interdisciplinary training program, which is $230,000 below the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $231,000 below the Administration request. The program provides grants and contracts to entities for the purpose of funding interdisciplinary training projects that are designed to train, recruit, and retain teams of interdisciplinary professionals to work in underserved areas.
Health professions workforce information and analysis
The Committee provides $714,000 for health professions workforce information and analysis, which is the same as both the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and the Administration request. The program provides grants and contracts to eligible entities to provide for the collection and analysis of targeted information, research on high priority workforce questions, the development of a non-Federal analytic and research infrastructure, and the conduct of program evaluation and assessment.
Public health, preventive medicine and dental public health programs
The Committee provides $8,294,000 for public health, preventive medicine and dental public health programs, which is $3,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level. The Administration did not request funding for this program. The program is comprised of three elements: (1) public health training centers; (2) public health traineeships; and (3) preventive medicine and dental public health residencies. Grants or contracts for the operation of public health training centers are awarded to an accredited school of public health, or another public or nonprofit private institution accredited for the provision of graduate or specialized training in public health, that plans, develops, operates, and evaluates projects that are in furtherance of the goals for the year 2000 in the areas of preventive medicine, health promotion and disease prevention, or improving access to and quality of health services in medically underserved communities. Public health traineeship grants provide graduate or specialized public health training to individuals in the fields of epidemiology, environmental health, biostatistics, toxicology, nutrition, and maternal and child health. Preventive medicine and dental public health residency grants and contracts assist schools in developing new residency training programs or improving existing programs and in providing financial assistance to residency trainees.
Health administration programs
The Committee provides $1,136,000 for health administration programs, which is $1,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level. The Administration did not request funding for this program. These programs provide grants to eligible entities with an accredited program in health administration, hospital administration, or health policy analysis and planning to provide traineeships to students and assist accredited health administration programs in the development or improvement of programs to prepare students for employment with public or nonprofit private agencies. Priority in awarding of traineeships is given to students who demonstrate a commitment to employment with public or non-profit entities in the fields with respect to which the traineeships are awarded.
Children's hospitals graduate medical education program
The Committee does not provide funding for the children's hospitals graduate medical education program. The Administration requested $40,000,000 for this program. Currently, children's teaching hospitals that have a separate Medicare provider number receive a small amount of funding from Medicare for graduate medical education (GME) training. The Committee is sympathetic to the need to provide a more adequate level of support for GME training at children's hospitals, but does not have the discretionary resources to begin funding a mandatory program that is expected to grow to over $200 million in the future. The Committee believes this is an issue that needs to be addressed within the context of Medicare reform.
Advanced education nursing
The Committee provides $50,598,000 for advanced education nursing, which is $17,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and the same as the Administration request. The program provides grants and contracts to eligible entities to meet the costs of: (1) projects that support the enhancement of advanced nursing education and practice; and (2) traineeships for individuals in advanced nursing education programs. The program prepares nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, nurse educators, nurse administrators, public health nurses or other nurse specialists for advanced practice roles. The type of advanced education programs include master's and doctoral degree programs, combined registered nurse/master's programs, post-nursing master's certificate programs, or in the case of certificate nurse midwifery programs, those in existence on November 12, 1998.
Nursing workforce diversity
The Committee provides $4,010,000 for nursing workforce diversity, which is $1,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and the same as the Administration request. The program provides grants and contracts to schools of nursing and other eligible entities to meet the costs of special projects to increase nursing education opportunities for individuals who are from disadvantaged backgrounds, including racial and ethnic minorities, by providing student scholarships or stipends, pre-entry preparation, and retention activities. The program also contributes to the basic preparation of disadvantaged and minority nurses for leadership positions within the nursing and health care community.
Basic nurse education and practice
The Committee provides $10,968,000 for basic nurse education and practice, which is $3,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and the same as the Administration request. The program provides grants and contracts to schools of nursing and other eligible entities for projects to strengthen capacity for basic nurse education and practice by strengthening programs that provide basic nurse education through establishing or expanding nursing practice arrangements in non-institutional settings; providing care for underserved populations and other high-risk groups, such as the elderly, individuals with HIV/AIDS, substance abusers, the homeless, and victims of domestic violence; providing managed care, quality improvement, and other skills needed to practice in existing and emerging health care systems; develop cultural competencies among nurses; expand the enrollment in baccalaureate programs; promote career mobility and cross training or specialty training among diverse population groups; and providing education in informatics, including distance learning methodologies or other priority areas.
Hansen's disease services
The Committee provides $18,670,000 to support the operation of the Gillis W. Long Hansen's Disease Center in Carville, Louisiana, research in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and the regional ambulatory care program for Hansen's disease patients. This is $2,993,000 below the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $1,388,000 above the Administration request. The Gillis W. Long Center operates as a research and treatment center for persons with Hansen's disease (leprosy). The Federal government is required to provide care for anyone presenting themselves at the facility for care of Hansen's disease. The facility is expected to begin fiscal year 2000 with an inpatient census of approximately 75 patients. The regional ambulatory care program provides secondary and tertiary care in support of direct care at the Center and regionalized care of patients on an outpatient basis. It is expected to serve 3,000 patients in 11 locations.
Maternal and child health block grant
The Committee provides $800,000,000 for the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Block Grant, which is $105,223,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $105,000,000 above the Administration request. The MCH block grant provides funds to States to meet a broad range of enhanced and wraparound health services, including personal health services; general, population-wide health services, such as screening; family support services; and integrated systems of care. About 17 million women, infants, children, adolescents and children with special health care needs will be served in fiscal year 2000. The authorizing statute provides that, up to a funding level of $600,000,000, 85 percent of the funds are distributed to the States, with 15 percent of the funds set-aside by the Secretary for special projects of regional and national significance (SPRANS). When the appropriation exceeds $600,000,000, 12.75 percent of the amount over $600,000,000 is directed to the Community Integrated Service Systems set-aside program. The remaining 87.25 percent is distributed by the same 85/15 percent allocation as in the basic block grant formula.
In addition, the Committee provides $95,000,000 more for SPRANS activities than would otherwise be the case under the statutory formula, of which $90,000,000 is to continue the Healthy Start program and $5,000,000 is to continue the traumatic brain injury health services demonstration projects initiated in fiscal year 1997 under this authority. The Committee anticipates phasing out the Healthy Start program over the next three years. The Committee expects HRSA to work with States and Healthy Start project recipients to begin incorporating those activities that are proven successful and can be replicated into the mission of the block grant and eliminating those activities that do not meet performance goals. The Committee requests HRSA to submit a plan to complete this phase out by fiscal year 2002 no later than January 31, 2000.
The Committee is concerned that HRSA has not provided the report requested in the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999 regarding the Section 340B drug pricing program. The Secretary was requested to submit the report within six months of October 19, 1999. The Secretary is directed to provide the Committee with an explanation of why this report is late no later than October 31, 1999. The Committee continues to believe that hemophilia treatment centers (HTCs) should not be required to distribute clotting factor as a condition of their MCH block grant. The Committee also remains concerned that some HTCs that distribute clotting factor may be excessively marking-up the cost of the factor to patients and public and private insurers.
The Committee urges the Maternal and Child Health Bureau to work closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in addressing long-term issues related to improving care for persons with hemophilia and other bleeding and clotting disorders through the hemophilia treatment center network.
The Committee commends the Bureau for the recently established Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) program support center and encourages the Bureau to continue research and data collection related to SIDS.
Healthy Start
The Committee has included funding for this program under the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Block Grant. The Administration requested $105,000,000 for this initiative, the same as the fiscal year 1999 comparable level. Healthy Start began as a five-year demonstration program in 1991 to reduce infant mortality in 22 urban and rural communities. It has never been authorized as a separate program and continues operating under section 301 of the Public Health Service Act demonstration authority. The Committee notes that other Federal programs, such as the MCH block grant, the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), and Medicaid, have the goal of reducing infant mortality as one of its missions. The Committee believes that the Healthy Start demonstrations are duplicative of these programs. The Committee has provided the MCH block grant with $90,000,000, within the SPRANS account, to continue all ongoing projects in fiscal year 2000. The Committee anticipates phasing out the Healthy Start program over the next three years and incorporating those activities that have been proven successful and can be replicated into the mission of the block grant and eliminating those activities that do not meet performance goals.
Newborn and infant hearing screening
The Committee provides $2,500,000 to begin implementation of Title VI of this bill, authorizing a new program to assist States in developing newborn and infant hearing screening programs on a voluntary basis. The Administration requested $4,000,000 under general authority of the Public Health Service Act.
Organ transplantation
The Committee provides $10,000,000 for organ transplantation activities, which is $3,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and the same as the Administration request. The program supports a scientific registry of organ transplant recipients; the National Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, which matches organ donors with potential recipients; and grants and contracts with public and private non-profit organizations to promote and improve organ donations.
The Committee believes that increasing the supply of organs available from voluntary donations is a high public health priority. Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) have a lead responsibility to increase organ donation. The Committee encourages HRSA work with OPOs to accelerate nationwide its efforts to increase the rate of donations.
Health teaching facilities interest subsidies
The Committee provides $150,000 for health teaching facilities interest subsidies, which is the same as both the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and the Administration request. The program continues support of interest subsidies and loan guarantees for three loans for construction of health professions teaching facilities under a now discontinued Public Health Service Act authority. The remaining Federal commitment on these loans will expire in the year 2004.
Bone marrow program
The Committee provides $18,000,000 for the bone marrow program, which is $6,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and the same as the Administration request. In addition to funding from HRSA in fiscal year 2000, the National Marrow Donor Program is expected to receive $19,000,000 from the U.S. Navy. Funds are used for donor medical costs, donor centers, tissue typing, research, minority recruitment, and program administration. The registry is run by contract.
Rural outreach grants
The Committee provides $38,892,000 for rural outreach grants, which is $12,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level. The Administration proposed to transfer $7,496,000 to create the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth. The program supports projects that provide health services to rural populations not currently receiving them and that enhance access to existing services.
The Committee commends HRSA's commitment to telehealth demonstrations to serve as national models for the efficient delivery of health care services to rural, underserved, and hard to reach populations such as those in prison and in the custody and care of other public institutions. Many rural hospitals use some form of telehealth technology and the most common uses of telehealth are diagnostic consultations, medical information transmissions, and management of chronic conditions. Behavioral and mental health consultation are also a frequently used telehealth activity. The Committee encourages HRSA to demonstrate cost effective models to reach prison and other public institution populations with behavioral and mental health services that combine delivery of service with advanced training of health care professionals.
Rural health research
The Committee provides $11,713,000 for rural health research, which is $4,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level. The Administration proposed to transfer $5,628,000 to create the office for the Advancement of Telehealth. The activity supports several rural health research centers and the Office for Rural Health Policy's advisory committee.
Office for the Advancement of Telehealth
The Committee does not provide separate funding for the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth. Funding for the activities of this office are provided within the rural outreach grants program and the rural health research program.
Emergency medical services for children
The Committee provides $17,000,000 for emergency medical services for children, which is $2,005,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $2,000,000 above the Administration request. The program supports demonstration grants for the delivery of emergency medical services to acutely ill and seriously injured children.
Traumatic brain injury program
The Committee has included $5,000,000 for traumatic brain injury activities under the MCH block grant, SPRANS funding, which is the same as the fiscal year 1999 comparable level. The Administration requested $5,000,000 as a separate account.
Trauma/emergency medical services
Due to fiscal constraints, the Committee does not provide funding for the trauma/emergency medical services program. The Administration requested $1,000,000 for this new program.
Poison control centers
Due to fiscal constraints, the Committee does not provide funding for poison control centers. The Administration requested $1,500,000 for this new program.
Black lung clinics
The Committee provides $5,000,000 for black lung clinics, which is $2,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and the same as the Administration request. The program supports 14 grantees which treat a declining population of coal miners with respiratory and pulmonary impairments. The clinics presently receive more than one-third of their funding from other sources, such as Medicaid and Medicare. Of the 14 grantees, three actually receive community health center funding as well as black lung grants.
Nurse loan repayment for shortage area service
The Committee provides $2,279,000 for nurse loan repayment for shortage area service, which is $1,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and the same as the Administration request. This program offers student loan repayment to nurses in exchange for an agreement to serve not less than two years in an Indian Health Service health center, Native Hawaiian health center, public hospital, community or migrant health center, or rural health clinic.
Payment to Hawaii for treatment of Hansen's disease
The Committee provides $2,045,000 for the treatment of persons with Hansen's Disease in the State of Hawaii, which is $1,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and the same as the Administration request. The program, which provides a partial matching payment to the State of Hawaii, dates to the period of Father Damien's facility for sufferers of Hansen's disease (leprosy). That facility now has only 45 residents who live there by choice, and the grounds have been converted to a historical site. Most patients diagnosed with Hansen's disease in Hawaii are now treated in the same manner as new patients on the mainland; their care is handled on an out-patient basis, with the program paying for about 5,500 outpatient visits per year.
Ryan White AIDS programs
The Committee provides $1,519,000,000 for Ryan White AIDS programs, which is $108,149,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $8,500,000 above the Administration request. The Committee recognizes that each Part of the Ryan White CARE Act provides services, which enable individuals to adhere to HIV drug treatments and access needed medical care.
The Committee urges HRSA to include Indian Health Service (IHS) programs in the definition of Federal facility for purposes of allowing Ryan White CARE Act grantees to subcontract with IHS for appropriate HIV-related health and social services to American Indians and Native Alaskans.
The Committee is concerned with the growing number of HIV/AIDS reported cases in the Hispanic community, the African-American community, the Native-American community and other affected ethnic and minority populations. To address this growing epidemic, the Committee urges HRSA to provide funding for initiatives to address the needs of these communities.
The Committee encourages Federal HIV/AIDS services and prevention funds be responsive to the demographic trends of the epidemic.
Emergency assistance
The Committee provides $525,000,000 for the Part A, emergency assistance program, which is $19,961,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $3,800,000 above the Administration request. These funds provide grants to metropolitan areas with very high numbers of AIDS cases for outpatient and ambulatory health and social support services. Half of the amount appropriated is allocated by formula and half is allocated to eligible areas demonstrating additional need through a competitive grant process.
The Committee is concerned that the health improvements and reductions in deaths in individuals living with HIV/AIDS are not being realized by all affected Americans regardless of race, ethnicity, socio-economic status, gender, and age. Recent national improvements in access to combination therapies require that the essential medical and supportive services provided by Part A be bolstered in order to promote and sustain participation in health care services. The Committee urges that the targeted initiatives to reduce the disparity in health outcomes and utilization of existing services between populations remain a high priority for all funded localities, particularly Part A communities serving the majority of people with AIDS in the country.
Comprehensive care programs
The Committee provides $785,000,000 for Part B, comprehensive care programs, which is $47,235,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $2,000,000 above the Administration request. The funds provided support formula grants to States for the operation of HIV service delivery consortia in the localities most heavily affected, for the provision of home and community-based care, for continuation of health insurance coverage for infected persons, and for purchase of therapeutic drugs.
The Committee continues to be encouraged by the success of new drugs and combination therapies for HIV and AIDS, whose purchase is principally financed under Part B, and has included bill language identifying $500,000,000 specifically for the purchase of AIDS drugs. The fiscal year 1999 bill designated $461,000,000 for this purpose.
The Committee encourages HRSA to allow States to redirect a reasonable portion of earmarked ADAP funds, as determined in collaboration with the States, to such services that enhance the ability of eligible people living with HIV and AIDS to access, adhere to and monitor their progress in taking HIV-related pharmaceuticals. Such services can include coverage of medical care, laboratory tests, services to enhance patient adherence to pharmaceuticals, and social services directly related to access to medical care and adherence to pharmaceuticals, especially among underserved populations, including racial and ethnic minorities.
Early intervention program
The Committee provides $132,000,000 for Part C, the early intervention program, which is $37,730,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $1,700,000 above the Administration request. Funds are used for discretionary grants to migrant and community health centers, health care for the homeless grantees, family planning grantees, hemophilia centers, and other private non-profit entities that provide comprehensive primary care services to populations with or at risk for HIV disease. The grantees provide testing, risk reduction counseling, transmission prevention, and clinical care; case management, outreach, and eligibility assistance are optional services. Approximately 95,000 HIV positive persons or persons at high risk for HIV infection are expected to be served in fiscal year 2000.
The Committee is concerned about the continuing disparities in access to treatment and care in Native American, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Other Pacific Islander communities and urges HRSA to use Part C planning grants to build the HIV primary care capacity of indigenous organizations serving these populations. HRSA is also urged to provide technical assistance and training activities to indigenous, community-based and tribal organizations to increase the participation of these populations in Ryan White CARE Act planning councils and to develop and disseminate culturally and linguistically appropriate materials, education, and training on HIV/AIDS treatments for consumers and health care providers.
The Committee encourages HRSA to expand eligible applicants for planning grants to include public or private non-profit community-based organizations not providing primary care, but with identified relationships with primary care providers and institutions.
Pediatric demonstrations
The Committee provides $49,000,000 for Part D, pediatric AIDS demonstrations, which is $3,015,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $1,000,000 above the Administration request. The program supports demonstration grants to foster collaboration between clinical research institutions and primary community-based medical and social service providers for the target population of HIV-infected children, pregnant women and their families. The projects are intended to increase access to comprehensive care, as well as voluntary participation in NIH and other clinical trials.
AIDS dental services
The Committee provides $8,000,000 for AIDS dental services, which is $202,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and the same as the Administration request. The program provides grants to dental schools and postdoctoral dental education programs to assist with the cost of providing unreimbursed oral health care to patients with human immunodeficiency virus disease. Dental students and residents participating in this program receive extensive training in the understanding and management of the oral health care needs of people living with HIV/AIDS.
The Committee recognizes the importance of oral health care providers in the diagnosis of HIV and in treatment of the painful and debilitating oral manifestations of this disease. The Committee supports this program as it improves access to oral health services for low-income and uninsured people living with HIV and AIDS by providing partial reimbursement to dental education institutions for delivering uncompensated care.
Education and training centers
The Committee provides $20,000,000 for AIDS education and training centers, which is $6,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and the same as the Administration request. The centers train health care personnel who care for AIDS patients and develop model education programs.
Family planning
The Committee provides $215,000,000 for the family planning program, which is $68,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and the $24,952,000 below the Administration request. The program provides grants to public and private non-profit agencies to support projects which provide a range of family planning and reproductive services, as well as screening for ancillary health problems such as hypertension and diabetes. The program also supports training for providers, an information and education program, and a research program which focuses on family planning service delivery improvements. During fiscal year 2000, an estimated 6.0 million clients are expected to be served.
The bill repeats language from the 1999 appropriations bill making clear that these funds shall not be expended for abortions, that all pregnancy counseling shall be nondirective, and that these funds shall not be used to promote public opposition to or support of any legislative proposal or candidate for public office.
Health care facilities
The Committee has not included funding for health care facilities. A total of $65,345,000 was provided for this purpose in fiscal year 1999; no funding was included in the Administration request. This expired authority provides funds to public and private nonprofit entities for construction or modernization of outpatient medical facilities. This activity has not been funded by the Committee on a regular annual basis.
Buildings and facilities
The Committee provides $250,000 for buildings and facilities, which is the same as both the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and the Administration request. These funds are used to finance the repair and upkeep of buildings at the Gillis W. Long Hansen's Disease Center at Carville, Louisiana.
Rural hospital flexibility grants
The Committee provides $25,000,000 for rural hospital flexibility grants, which is $8,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and the same as the Administration request. The program provides grants to States to help them improve access to health care services in rural communities by: (1) developing and implementing a State rural health plan; (2) assisting small, at risk rural hospitals that wish to convert to Critical Access Hospitals and receive cost-based payments from Medicare; and (3) supporting these hospitals and the communities they serve in developing networks of care that meet the requirements of the law and integrate Critical Access Hospitals with emergency services and other sources of health care in the communities.
National practitioner data bank
The Committee does not provide funding for the national practitioner data bank for fiscal year 2000, which is the same as both the fiscal year 1999 action on appropriations and the Administration request. The Committee recommendation and the Administration request assume that the data bank will be self-supporting, with collections of $16,000,000 in user fees. The national data bank receives, stores, and disseminates information on paid medical malpractice judgments and settlements, sanctions taken by Boards of Medical Examiners, losses of membership in professional societies, and certain professional review actions taken by health care entities. Insurance companies, State licensure boards and authorities, and other health care entities and professional societies are required to report information to the data bank within 30 days of each action. The coverage of the data bank includes dentists and physicians, and, with respect to malpractice settlements and judgments, other categories of licensed health professionals. Hospitals are required to search the data bank when a health care provider applies for employment and once every two years thereafter. State licensing boards, other health care entities, licensing authorities, and professional societies also have access to the data bank. Traditional bill language is included to ensure that user fees are collected to cover the full costs of the data bank operations.
Healthcare integrity and protection data bank
The Committee does not provide funding for the healthcare integrity and protection data bank (HIPDB) for fiscal year 2000. HIPDB receives, stores, and disseminates information on final adverse actions taken against health care providers, suppliers, and practitioners. This information is collected from and made available to Government agencies and health plans. In addition, disclosure of the information is made available, upon request, to health care providers, suppliers, and practitioners who wish to self-query.
Program management
The Committee provides $115,500,000 for the cost of Federal staff and related activities to coordinate, direct, and manage the programs of the Health Resources and Services Administration. This amount is $3,462,000 below the fiscal year 1999 comparable level, when adjusted for one-time emergency funding for Y2K activities, and $6,163,000 below the Administration request.
The Committee is concerned that the Department has not developed adequate measures of the quality of health care services, the maintenance or improvement in health status and cost, and other administrative measures that are called for by the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA). These measures need to be developed in consultation with the Committee and be consistent with both indicators used for other Federal health service programs and standards of health quality in the non-Federal health care sector. In addition, all demonstration projects should include data to prove the effectiveness of the project as well as data on who is using the project results and what outcomes they are achieving. The Committee expects the Administrator to provide a detailed summary of its GPRA activities at the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing.
The Committee is aware of reports that there is a shortage of pharmacists in the U.S., especially in rural areas. The Committee encourages HRSA to work with the affected professionals to determine the extent and nature of the shortage and be prepared to provide the Committee with an update at the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing.
MEDICAL FACILITIES GUARANTEE AND LOAN FUND
FEDERAL INTEREST SUBSIDIES FOR MEDICAL FACILITIES
The Committee provides $1,000,000 for the Medical Facilities Guarantee and Loan Fund, which is the same as both the fiscal year 1999 level and the Administration request. Appropriations are used to pay interest subsidies on loans made or guaranteed prior to fiscal year 1977 for hospital construction. The bill includes language, as in prior years, which prohibits commitments for new loans or loan guarantees in fiscal year 2000.
HEALTH EDUCATION ASSISTANCE LOANS PROGRAM
The Health Education Assistance Loans (HEAL) program insured loans provided by non-Federal lenders to students in health professions schools. Under the accounting rules established in the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990, one account is maintained to pay the obligations arising from loans guaranteed prior to fiscal year 1992. A second account pays obligations and collects income from premiums on loans guaranteed in fiscal year 1992 and beyond. Each annual cohort of loans is independently tracked in this account. The authority for this program expired in fiscal year 1999. Fiscal year 1998 was the last year in which loans were obligated to previous borrowers under the HEAL authority.
The Committee provides $31,500,000 to liquidate obligations from loans guaranteed prior to 1992, which is $5,500,000 below the fiscal year 1999 level and the same as the Administration request.
The Committee provides $3,688,000 for HEAL program management, which is $1,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and the same as the Administration request.
NATIONAL VACCINE INJURY COMPENSATION PROGRAM
The Committee makes available the release of $63,000,000 from the Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund in fiscal year 2000, which is the same as both the fiscal year 1999 level and the Administration request.
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program provides a system of compensation for individuals with vaccine-associated injuries or deaths. Funds for claims from vaccines administered on or after October 1, 1988 are generated by a per-dose excise tax on the sale of selected prescribed vaccines. Revenues raised by this tax are maintained in a Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund.
Trust funds made available in the bill will support the liability costs of vaccines administered after September 30, 1988. They will also support the $3,000,000 in costs incurred by the agency in the operation of the program, which is the same as both the fiscal year 1999 level and the Administration request.
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
DISEASE CONTROL, RESEARCH AND TRAINING
The Committee provides $2,810,476,000 for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), when adjusted for the transfers from the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund, which is $44,399,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1999 level and $162,964,000 below the Administration request. The CDC assists State and local health authorities and other health-related organizations to control and reduce disease and other health problems.
The Committee remains concerned about the manner in which administrative expenditures at CDC are summarized and reported to the Committee. The Committee commends CDC for its efforts to address these concerns and expects CDC to continue to display the administrative amounts associated with programmatic activities in all accompanying tables and budget documents. Administrative activities encompass all non-extramural activities with the exception of program support services, centrally managed services, buildings and facilities, and the Office of the Director. The Committee intends that designated amounts for administrative activities are ceilings. CDC may allocate administrative funds for extramural program activities according to its judgment.
The Committee considers the table accompanying this report to be determinative of the CDC budget. Funds should be apportioned and allocated consistent with the table, and any changes in funding are subject to the normal notification procedures.
The Committee is concerned that the Department has not developed adequate measures of the quality of health care services, the maintenance or improvement in health status and cost, and other administrative measures that are called for by the Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA). These measures need to be developed in consultation with the Committee and be consistent with both indicators used for other Federal health service programs and standards of health quality in the non-Federal health care sector. In addition, all demonstration projects, such as health disparities demonstrations, should include data to prove the effectiveness of the project as well as data on who is using the project results and what outcomes they are achieving. The Committee expects the Director to provide a detailed summary of its GPRA activities at the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing.
Preventive health services block grant
The Committee provides $152,247,000 for the preventive health services block grant, which is $2,247,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1999 level and $32,247,000 above the Administration request. This program provides grants to States for a wide range of public and preventive health activities. The authorizing statute designates the first $7,000,000 appropriated for the block grant for rape services and prevention.
Prevention centers
The Committee provides $17,500,000 for prevention centers, which is $4,000,000 above both the comparable fiscal year 1999 level and the Administration request. This program awards grants to academic institutions for centers that conduct applied research to promote disease prevention and better health.
Prevention research promotes healthy behaviors, expands screening for detection of diseases treatable in early stages, offers education on making wise health choices, and encourages community action for programs, policies, and practices that can reduce disease risks. The Committee provides increased funding for prevention research centers to expand community-based interventions further into communities and allow wider access to lifesaving research and interventions.
Childhood immunization
The Committee provides $421,477,000 for childhood immunization. In addition, the Committee provides $20,000,000 in the Public Health and Social Service Emergency Fund for polio eradication making the total amount available for childhood immunization $441,477,000, which is $8,000,000 below the comparable fiscal year 1999 level and $84,690,000 below the Administration request. In addition, the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program funded through the Medicaid program is expected to provide $545,043,000 in vaccine purchases and distribution support in fiscal year 2000, a decrease of $21,235,000 below the comparable fiscal year 1999 level and the same as the Administration request. The Committee notes that there are other Federal programs that provide immunization access to children, including the new Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and the community health centers program.
Immunization project grants are awarded to States and local agencies for planning, developing, and conducting childhood immunization programs including enhancement of the vaccine delivery infrastructure. The CDC directly maintains a stockpile of vaccines, supports consolidated purchase of vaccines for State and local health agencies, and conducts surveillance, investigations, and research into the safety and efficacy of new and presently used vaccines.
The bill includes a provision from the fiscal year 1999 Appropriations Act authorizing the CDC to transfer funds available from the sale of surplus vaccine from the vaccine stockpile to other activities within the jurisdiction of CDC.
While the Hepatitis B vaccination has been available nationwide for several years, only 16 States currently have laws requiring HBV vaccinations as a requirement for middle school admission. The Committee encourages CDC to work with physicians, nurses, public health care providers, and others to increase the rate of compliance with the HBV vaccination program.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recently recommended an increased effort to reach children for Hepatitis A virus immunizations in 11 States where the rate of Hepatitis A exceeds 20 cases per 100,000 of population. The Committee urges CDC to work with State and local health departments in these States.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
The Committee provides $657,036,000 for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) activities, which is $36,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1999 level and $44,360,000 below the Administration request. The HIV programs support HIV research, surveillance, epidemiologic and laboratory studies, and prevention activities. The CDC provides funds to State and local health departments to develop and implement integrated community prevention plans.
In implementing targeted HIV/AIDS prevention activities for minority communities, the Committee urges CDC to fund HIV prevention activities, technical assistance, and training activities by indigenous, community-based and tribal organizations with a history of providing services to the Native American, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Other Pacific Islander communities. The Committee also urges CDC to include these populations for research activities on behavioral risks for HIV and community-based prevention programs. Finally, CDC is urged to improve the collection, analysis, and dissemination of HIV and AIDS surveillance and other epidemiological data regarding these populations.
The Committee supports the comprehensive review of HIV/AIDS programming currently underway at CDC. CDC is encouraged to involve representatives of HIV-affected groups and HIV prevention scientists in this review.
A preventive vaccine is the best hope for controlling the HIV epidemic, especially in developing countries where 95 percent of the world's HIV-infected individuals live. The Committee encourages CDC to work collaboratively with the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative in pursuing promising vaccine approaches to prevent AIDS.
The Committee encourages CDC to consider increased support of minority community-based organizations and minority regional and national organizations, including education, technical assistance, capacity building, and community development to more fully target minorities in HIV prevention efforts.
The Committee is concerned about the increasing number of inmates in Federal correctional facilities with HIV/AIDS, particularly women of color and encourages CDC to collaborate with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the Health Resources and Services Administration, the White House Office on AIDS Policy, and other entities of jurisdiction, to ensure that the prevention, treatment, and management of HIV/AIDS in correctional facilities is a high priority and that the care rendered meets current medical standards for AIDS cases.
The Committee is concerned with the growing number of HIV/AIDS reported cases in the Hispanic community, the African-American community, the Native-American community and other affected ethnic and minority populations. To address this growing epidemic, the Committee urges CDC to provide funding for initiatives to address the needs of these communities.
The Committee encourages Federal HIV/AIDS services and prevention funds be responsive to the demographic trends of the epidemic.
Tuberculosis
The Committee provides $121,962,000 for the tuberculosis (TB) program, which is $2,000,000 above both the comparable fiscal year 1999 level and the Administration request. In addition to funding provided in this line item, CDC AIDS activities support HIV-related tuberculosis control efforts. The tuberculosis program provides grants to States and large cities for a broad range of tuberculosis control activities. In addition, the CDC supports State and local laboratories and conducts research, epidemiological investigations, and education and training seminars.
Communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis, do not recognize international borders. A recent report by the United States Agency for International Development on cross-border TB highlights the special burdens of controlling TB within the U.S. border States, particularly California and Texas where incidence rates are well above national averages. The Committee urges CDC to intensify its efforts in border States vulnerable to an influx of TB-infected individuals, such as the Tijuana-San Diego-Los Angeles corridor where the number of TB cases is increasing. In addition, the Committee urges CDC to continue to work with domestic and international partners to maintain strong prevention and control programs. CDC is encouraged to support the development of new treatments whenever possible, particularly in the area of vaccines. The Committee also commends CDC's proposal to include emerging infectious diseases in its National Electronic Disease Surveillance Network Initiative.
Sexually transmitted diseases
The Committee provides $129,097,000 for the sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) program, which is $5,344,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1999 level and $1,552,000 below the Administration request. This program awards grants to State and local health departments and other nonprofit entities to support a wide variety of public health activities to prevent and treat STDs. The CDC directly conducts special investigations, surveillance and epidemiologic research.
Abstinence education is an effective method in preventing pregnancy and reducing sexually transmitted diseases. The Committee encourages CDC to enhance its efforts to provide grants to organizations specializing in abstinence training, in the standardization of abstinence training, and in research to identify the particular messages that work best on targeted audiences.
Although syphilis rates are decreasing in some areas, there continues to be an increase in the transmission of syphilis in certain parts of the country. Individuals with this disease are three times as likely to contract AIDS and women with AIDS are likely to pass these diseases onto their children. CDC has been successful in substantially reducing the transmission of syphilis and AIDS through education and intensive work and the Committee urges CDC to enhance its efforts to eliminate syphilis.
Chronic and environmental disease prevention
The Committee provides $315,511,000 for chronic and environmental disease prevention. In addition, the Committee provides $5,000,000 in the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund for the environmental health laboratory making the total amount available for chronic and environmental disease prevention, $21,122,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1999 level and $5,432,000 below the Administration request. The chronic and environmental disease program supports a wide variety of chronic and environmental disease research and prevention activities.
Americans make approximately 500 million dental visits per year. Much of the health and economic burden associated with oral diseases and conditions could be prevented. The Committee urges CDC to further enhance its oral health activities. These activities should target efforts with public and private partners to implement proven prevention programs to reduce dental decay and the health burden from oral cancer, gum disease, and related health conditions with links to oral health such as diabetes and heart disease and to expand community fluoridation, targeted sealant programs, and oral health surveillance.
In May of 1999, the Inspector General released her audit of costs charged to the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) Program. The Committee was outraged to learn through this audit that, of $22.7 million charged to the CFS program during fiscal years 1995 through 1998, $8.8 million was incurred for non CFS-related activities and the applicability of an additional $4.1 million of indirect costs could not be determined. As a result of these inappropriate charges, CDC officials provided untrue information to Congress.
The Committee regards this as a matter of the gravest concern. The Committee understands that the CDC is undertaking a series of actions to redress this situation, including, but not limited to: restoration to the CFS program of misspent funds; placement of the Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases on probationary status; separate apportionment of CFS funds for the Office of Management and Budget; mandatory training of staff with budget and accounting responsibilities; establishment of an internal review capacity to regularly assess fiscal policies, procedures, practices and controls; and development and implementation of a new system for allocation of CDC-wide indirect program support costs. The Committee supports full implementation of each of these actions and expects to be kept regularly informed of the CDC's progress on these matters, including the status of contracts to develop long-overdue systems to appropriately identify and allocate indirect costs incurred within Centers, Institutes and Offices and the nature and extent of the probationary sanctions ultimately imposed upon the Division of Viral and Rickettsial Diseases. With respect to the restoration of misspent funds, the Committee directs the CDC to include not only the $8.8 million spent on other activities, but also the $4.1 million in indirect costs in its four year restoration plan.
Finally, the Committee notes the Director's commitment to reinvigorate the CDC's efforts to better understand CFS and its effects on sufferers by establishing a long-term research and program agenda with in-depth advice from the research and advocacy community. The Committee has confidence in the Director's ability to make good on this commitment and to work to build the necessary bonds of trust and cooperation between the agency and the public.
Hereditary hemochromatosis is one of the most common genetic disorders. The Committee commends CDC's efforts to address hemochromatosis and other iron-related disorders and encourages CDC to enhance the scope and support of its activities in this regard.
The Committee notes the work of CDC, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and the Health Resources and Services Administration in developing a model guideline for a death scene protocol for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). The Committee encourages CDC to implement projects to demonstrate the effectiveness of the protocol in a variety of locales throughout the Nation.
Neural tube defects (NTD), such as spina bifida, are among the most serious, common, and preventable birth defects that occur in the United States. Up to 70 percent of NTDs can be prevented by consuming 400 micrograms of folic acid everyday, beginning before pregnancy. Unfortunately, not enough women of childbearing age are getting the message about the need for adequate folic acid intake prior to conception. The Committee encourages CDC to enhance its efforts with public and private organizations in launching the National Folic Acid Campaign. The Committee also encourages CDC to enhance State and local activities to educate women about this highly effective prevention strategy. The Director is requested to be prepared to testify on the status of this initiative at the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing.
Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer for both men and women in the U.S. and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Despite the availability of screening tests, only 37 percent of colorectal cancers are diagnosed while the disease is still in a localized stage. The Committee commends the leadership of CDC's National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable in promoting the availability and advisability of screening to both health care providers and the general public. The Committee encourages CDC to expand its partnerships with State health departments, professional and patient organizations, and private industry to combat this disease.
The Committee encourages CDC to expand its support into the potential of environmental factors associated with lymphoma and encourages continued and expanded collaborative research efforts with the National Institutes of Health.
Diabetes remains a leading cause of early death and disability. There currently are 16 million Americans with diabetes and the incidence of diabetes is projected to increase. Obesity and lack of physical activity continue to place adults at greater risk of diabetes. The recent Diabetes Research Working Group report highlighted areas where additional diabetes research and prevention efforts are needed. The Committee encourages CDC to enhance funding for diabetes prevention activities as well as the comprehensive diabetes grant program.
The Committee is encouraged by CDC's work with State and national health organizations to develop an integrated and comprehensive national cardiovascular disease program. The Committee understands that, to date, eight States have received funding to develop programs for prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases and encourages CDC to expand these activities to additional States.
The Committee notes the importance of rehabilitative information in improving outcomes among persons with limb loss and the role of the National Limb Loss Information Center in addressing this need. The Committee supports the ongoing efforts of the Center and encourages CDC to continue support of this initiative.
Birth defects are the leading cause of infant mortality in the United States. CDC funds eight Centers for Birth Defects Research and Prevention, which identify cases for inclusion in the National Birth Defect Prevention Study. The Centers also work with State health officials to expand and improve State birth defect surveillance systems and conduct other epidemiological studies. The Committee encourages CDC to expand this program and collect information that would allow for the study of genetic and environmental causes of birth defects to provide information for developing effective prevention programs as well as help establish the systems needed to track birth defects.
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is the leading cause of mental retardation. FAS is completely preventable, yet more than 2,000 infants are born each year with FAS in the United States. The Committee encourages CDC to enhance its FAS surveillance programs and preconceptional intervention projects that target high risk women.
The Committee urges CDC to coordinate food recall activities with the Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Agriculture. The Committee requests CDC to submit a report, by March 1, 2000, which provides a detailed outline of the steps taken before, during, and after there is a recall of an adulterated or misbranded meat, poultry, or other food product. The report should highlight the responsibilities of each agency, the type of communications that occur between agencies and the company involved, and the time allotted for each step in the process.
The Committee encourages CDC to continue to implement the National Arthritis Action Plan. This plan provides assistance to States, supports prevention research and surveillance activities, and mitigates the effects of the disease through targeted interventions using voluntary health organizations experienced in addressing the needs of the arthritis population. Further, the Committee supports the efforts of CDC to collaborate with the Arthritis Foundation in the implementation of the plan at the national and local levels.
The Committee remains concerned about the high incidence of prostate cancer and its disproportionate impact on minorities. The Committee urges CDC to expand its prostate cancer awareness and outreach program with special attention to minority and underserved populations and other populations which are at high-risk and bear a disproportionate burden of disease through collaborations with public and non-profit cancer education organizations. The Committee requests that the Director be prepared to testify on this issue at the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing.
CDC testified to the alarming increase in obesity in the U.S. population. Obesity is increasing most rapidly among young children, raising concern about their long-term health and quality of life. The Committee agrees this is an important public health issue because of its correlation with a wide range of debilitating and chronic health conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis, and cancer. The Committee urges CDC to continue work on obesity as a national public health priority.
Epilepsy affects over 2.5 million people in the U.S., one-third of whom are children. The Committee urges CDC to enhance its efforts related to epilepsy with a focus on expanding disease surveillance, increasing public awareness activities, public and provider education, prevention research, and the stigma associated with this disorder. The Committee also urges CDC to work with a National voluntary health agency to implement these initiatives.
The Committee is encouraged by the collaboration being developed between CDC and the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research to assess the elements of epilepsy care as they relate to clinical outcomes. It is anticipated that this effort will benefit persons with epilepsy by furthering the optimal medical goal of eliminating seizures while preventing side effects.
Asthma is a growing national problem with about 14 million Americans affected by the disease. The Committee urges CDC to assess the usefulness of creating a national asthma registry and other approaches for improving surveillance of asthma, including methods for tracking self-reported causes of asthmatic symptoms, and report back to the Committee in the agency's fiscal year 2001 budget justification. The Committee also urges CDC to expand its outreach aimed at increasing public awareness of asthma control and prevention strategies, particularly among at risk minority populations in underserved communities.
The Committee has included a separate title, Title VI, authorizing grants to States on a voluntary basis for a three-year period to aid in setting up newborn and infant hearing screening programs. CDC will provide technical assistance for data management and applied research.
The Committee is supportive of CDC's effort to promote and strengthen public/private partnerships in disease prevention, chronic disease management, and patient provider education. The Committee encourages CDC to work collaboratively with public and non-profit local health plans that serve Medicaid beneficiaries through a network of community and private care providers.
Breast and cervical cancer screening
The Committee provides $161,071,000 for the breast and cervical cancer screening program, which is $2,000,000 above both the comparable fiscal year 1999 level and the Administration request. The breast and cervical cancer screening program supports screening, education, and follow-up services for low-income women, training for health care providers, quality assurance activities, national technical assistance and support, surveillance and program evaluation.
The Committee is aware of and supports the WISEWOMAN screening demonstration program. This program uses the framework of CDC's National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program to screen women for heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, lack of physical activity, and obesity. The Committee encourages CDC to increase the number of States participating in the WISEWOMAN program.
The Committee encourages CDC to enhance its efforts to tie the infrastructure of screening programs with that of States, tribes, and community health organizations' cancer prevention and treatment programs to build capacities to translate and deliver Federal cancer research, control, prevention and education, and prevention trials to local communities through public/private partnerships.
While an effective screening tool has not yet been developed to detect ovarian cancer, early detection is the key to improving outcomes in women diagnosed with this form of gynecological cancer. The Committee supports the development of a comprehensive response to ovarian cancer, including population studies and epidemiological research on ovarian cancer using statewide cancer registries and implementation of public education efforts. The Committee encourages CDC to coordinate its efforts with those of the National Cancer Institute, the HHS Office of Women's Health, and the ovarian cancer patient community in the development and implementation of an ovarian cancer public health education program.
Infectious diseases
The Committee provides $145,610,000 for the infectious diseases program. In addition, the Committee provides $20,000,000 for infectious disease-related bioterrorism activities in the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund for a total program level of $165,610,000, which is $27,974,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1999 level and $16,316,000 below the Administration request. The program supports national surveillance of infectious diseases, the development of new or improved prevention and control methods and techniques, the acceleration of the general application of accepted prevention technologies, and strengthening of the capability to respond to outbreaks of new and re-emerging infectious diseases.
The Committee is aware of a growing concern to the public health of the U.S. population in the form of antimicrobial resistance to the current U.S. inventory of antibiotics. This resistance is due in part to the inappropriate use of these products, both through subtherapeutic use and in improper prescribing patterns. The Committee is also aware that CDC, FDA, and NIH are co-hosting a meeting on `Development of a Public Health Action Plan to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance'. As such, the Committee requests that CDC, in conjunction with FDA, NIH, and other interested governmental agencies, prepare the Action Plan to include an examination of the prescribing patterns and use of antimicrobial products in humans. Of particular interest to the Committee is whether current prescribing and use patterns for classes of antimicrobial therapeutics have reduced their effectiveness and whether the exposure of older antibiotics to resistant strains of organisms is encouraging further resistance. CDC is requested to submit the Action Plan to the Committee and the public 12 months after the date of enactment of this bill.
The Committee commends CDC's collaborative efforts with the National Hemophilia Foundation to reduce hospitalization and morbidity among persons with hemophilia through its chronic disease management and patient outreach activities. The Committee encourages CDC to enhance support for the prevention of the complications of hemophilia and other bleeding and clotting disorders, including von Willibrand and other women's bleeding disorders. The agency should also strengthen its collaboration with FDA in monitoring and investigating any possible contamination of blood and blood products.
The Committee is concerned with the future availability of sufficiently trained personnel within the hemophilia treatment center network and requests CDC to submit a report by March 31, 2000 on recommended strategies needed for maintaining high quality care for bleeding and clotting disorders.
The Committee is pleased that the targeted lookback initiative to reach individuals who may have been infected with the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) through blood transfusions has been initiated back to 1988 and extended to recipients from donors tested positive for HCV since May of 1990. The Committee urges CDC to study the feasibility of extending this initiative to individuals who received blood and blood products from HCV positive donors prior to 1988. The Committee also encourages CDC to consider a comprehensive nationwide public health Hepatitis C education campaign regarding the risks of Hepatitis C beyond the transfusion population, including educating primary care physicians and supporting a nationwide HCV information referral, counseling, and support network.
Like tuberculosis, infectious diseases do not recognize international borders and, with increased commerce and travel across U.S. borders, this poses a major public health problem. In addition, the growing prevalence of infectious bacterial conditions that are resistant to antibiotics raises a number of difficult public health issues. CDC is urged to place a particular focus on preventing infectious disease in high migration areas, such as the Tijuana-San Diego-Los Angeles corridor.
Many of the estimated four million Americans infected with HCV are not aware they are infected. The Secretary of HHS and the Surgeon General have been implementing a plan to identify infected individuals and as more of them become aware they are infected, it is important to have a model care system in place that can be replicated across the country to treat these individuals. The Committee urges CDC, in conjunction with other Federal agencies, to enhance its efforts to develop such a model system of care. This model system should be developed in an area where a significant number of HCV patients are being evaluated and treated and where the program can become self-sustaining and have the greatest capacity to serve as a model for use in other areas of the country.
The Committee is concerned about the incidence of the 80 primary immune deficiency diseases. While 500,000 cases have been diagnosed, many more cases remain undiagnosed and misdiagnosed. Early intervention and effective treatment can save pain, suffering, and millions of dollars in health care costs associated with treating these diseases. The Committee urges CDC to enhance its commitment to the education and awareness campaign established by NICHHD, NIAID, and the Jeffrey Modell Foundation.
Patients differ in their use of blood or blood products, depending upon their disease. For example, Cooley's anemia patients rely on blood and not blood products. It is not uncommon for Cooley's anemia patients to receive 30 to 35 transfusions per year. The Committee encourages CDC to recognize these differences when implementing its improved blood safety plans and work with the Cooley's Anemia Foundation to establish a system for monitoring the safety of the blood supply.
The Committee is concerned by reports that cases of Lyme disease is under-reported and urges CDC to consider re-evaluating current surveillance criteria used to track cases of the disease and continue its work to assist States to more accurately evaluate and assess the prevalence and incidence of the disease.
The Department has identified health care issues among prison inmates and high rates of several forms of hepatitis as an area deserving more attention. A number of State correctional agencies are discovering that the rate of hepatitis C infection among incoming inmates is alarmingly high. For example, 41 percent of California and 33 percent of Texas incoming inmates were infected with the hepatitis C virus. As about 80 percent of all inmates in the U.S. will leave prison and return to the community, addressing the health of the prison population becomes important to protecting the health of the public at large. The Committee urges CDC to enhance efforts in this area and work with States to address this issue.
Lead poisoning prevention
The Committee provides $38,248,000 for the lead poisoning prevention program, which is $43,000 above both the comparable fiscal year 1999 level and the Administration request. The program provides grants to States and communities for screening, surveillance, epidemiology, education, laboratory activities and development of better lead screening devices.
A recent GAO report estimated that more than 400,000 children eligible for Federal health care programs have undetected harmful levels of lead in their blood. Last year, the Committee learned that the Food and Drug Administration had given final approval to a portable, easy to use lead screening device developed with the support and participation of CDC. The Committee continues to believe that this device holds great promise for increasing childhood screening rates in underserved communities in the U.S. and throughout the world.
Injury control
The Committee provides $57,581,000 for the injury control program, which is the same as the comparable fiscal year 1999 level and $12,917,000 below the Administration request. The injury control program supports intramural research, injury control research centers, extramural research grants, and technical assistance to State and local health departments.
The bill retains a limitation included in previous Appropriation Acts to prohibit the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control from engaging in any activities to advocate or promote gun control. The Committee does not believe that CDC should advocate or promote policies to advance gun control initiatives, or discourage responsible private gun ownership. The Committee expects research on gun violence to be objective and grants to be awarded through an impartial peer review process.
The Committee is aware that the Institute of Medicine has recommended that a uniform trauma surveillance data system be created and encourages CDC to consider establishing such a system within available resources.
The Committee encourages CDC to adopt the recommendations contained in the recent Institute of Medicine report titled, `The Burden of Injury.' CDC is urged to assist States in developing comprehensive injury programs, provide States and other injury partners with the necessary information on the implementation of a program in specific injury areas, and support investigator-initiated research, injury control research centers, and formal training of injury researchers.
Residential fires remain the fourth leading cause of unintentional injury and death in the United States. The Committee commends CDC for its efforts to prevent such injuries and deaths. The Center has funded fire-related injury prevention programs in 19 States, including Mississippi and many other Southeastern States where residential fire death rates are the highest. The Committee encourages CDC to continue support for programs which include multiple strategies for and comprehensive approaches to preventing fire-related injuries and deaths.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
The Committee provides $200,000,000 for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which is the same as the comparable fiscal year 1999 level and $11,849,000 below the Administration request. NIOSH conducts applied research, develops criteria for occupational safety and health standards, and provides technical services to government, labor and industry, including training for the prevention of work-related diseases and injuries. This appropriation supports surveillance, health hazard evaluations, intramural and extramural research, instrument and methods development, dissemination, and training grants.
The Committee encourages CDC, in conjunction with the National Cancer Institute, to enhance the ongoing study of Lung Cancer and Diesel Exhaust among Non-Metal Miners in order to accelerate development of more accurate testing devices and analytical methods used to measure actual exposure.
The Committee notes that a NIOSH funded study estimates that the annual economic burden of occupational illness and injury is comparable to cancer at $171 billion. The Committee is encouraged that this Institute is using the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) to invest research funds where they will do the most good both for reducing this financial burden and for protecting the health and safety of U.S. workers. The Committee continues to be pleased with NIOSH progress on implementing NORA with the responsiveness of the plan for addressing the health and safety needs of workers in the rapidly changing workplace. The Committee urges NIOSH to continue its efforts to co-sponsor NORA extramural research with the NIH and other Federal agencies.
Epidemic services
The Committee provides $85,916,000 for epidemic services, which is the same as the comparable fiscal year 1999 level and $868,000 above the Administration request. The objectives of the program include the prevention and control of epidemics, the maintenance of surveillance systems, the training of public health epidemiologists, and the operation of the quarantine program. The program supports the Epidemic Intelligence Service program, the publication of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, and a variety of infant and minority health programs.
More than six million American women become pregnant in the U.S. each year. Studies have shown that for every 100,000 deliveries, approximately 20 women will die from complications. In addition, about one in five women who deliver each year will experience serious complications before they start labor and one in four will experience complications during labor, including bleeding, high blood pressure, or infection. Women who experience physical violence during pregnancy also is a concern. The Committee encourages CDC to enhance its activities related to safe motherhood, including research on risk factors, prevention strategies, and the role of the family, health care providers, and the community in safe maternal outcomes. CDC is also encouraged to examine the higher rates of maternal mortality among minority populations.
Office of the Director
The Committee provides $31,136,000 for the activities of the Office of the Director, which is the same as the comparable fiscal year 1999 level and $814,000 above the Administration request. The Committee intends this amount to be a ceiling. The Director may transfer these funds to non-administrative, programmatic activities at his discretion. This line item includes amounts previously identified in the report for program management activities.
One of the major goals of the Department of Health and Human Services is to improve the health of the American population. The Committee believes that, if we are to have a positive impact on the future health of the American population, we must change the behaviors of our children and young adults. Therefore, we must reach them at an early age with important health messages, such as tobacco prevention, sexually transmitted diseases, nutrition and exercise, and underage drinking. The Committee also believes that media is an effective way to reach this population with these and other messages, but to be most effective, media ads must run at times when children and young adults are watching and listening. The Committee is concerned that most public service announcements are put on the air at times when children are either not at home or are asleep. In developing this plan, the Committee expects CDC to consult and coordinate with other government agencies that have public education efforts currently underway or have particular expertise in at-risk behaviors. The Committee understands that CDC has limited experience with purchasing media time, but believes that this is an area worth investment. CDC is requested to submit a plan for such a public campaign no later than January 31, 2000. The Committee also expects CDC to take the necessary steps to begin its implementation, on a pilot basis, prior to the full plan's completion.
The Committee is pleased with CDC's commitment to improving the health status of minority and disadvantaged individuals and urges the agency to support an innovative program involving the coordination of preventive health care with substance abuse treatment and HIV/AIDS care.
National Center for Health Statistics
The Committee provides a total of $94,573,000 for the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), which is $9,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1999 level and $15,000,000 below the Administration request. Of this amount, $71,793,000 is derived from the one percent evaluation set-aside. The Center is responsible for collecting, interpreting, and disseminating data on the health status of the U.S. population and the use of health services. NCHS surveys include the National Vital Statistics System, the National Health Interview Survey, the National Survey of Family Growth, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and the National Health Care Survey.
Each agency in the Public Health Service (PHS) is tapped one percent and the funds are used by the Secretary for other purposes, including funding a portion of the Center. The Administration proposed to increase this set-aside from one percent to one and a half percent and fund a significant portion of the Center's increased request from this tap, thereby shifting funding from one PHS program, such as community health centers to another. The Committee did not approve this request.
It is estimated that one million people in the U.S. suffer from Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Recent advancements in treatment for these diseases and the increased risk that IBD patients have for developing colorectal cancer highlight the need for enhanced epidemiological research in this area. The Committee encourages CDC to work to further understand the prevalence of these diseases through appropriate epidemiological and surveillance activities.
More than 80 primary immune deficiency diseases have been identified to date. Primary immune deficiency patients require regular infusions of immune globulin intravenous, which has been in severe shortage in the U.S. for over 18 months, to bolster their immune system. The Committee encourages CDC to initiate an epidemiological study of the primary immune deficient population to further understand the prevalence of these diseases and the difficulties that patients encounter in receiving treatment.
Diabetes is known to cause the onset of other diseases such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, and kidney disease, yet it is not listed as an underlying cause of death on death certificates. The Committee encourages CDC to work with the States to find a way to better identify and report underlying or contributing causes of death on death certificates.
The Committee commends CDC for its efforts to collect and assess data on autism incidence and prevalence in Brick Township, New Jersey as well as metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia and encourages CDC to enhance its epidemiological activities beyond these initial areas.
Buildings and facilities
The Committee provides $40,000,000 for buildings and facilities, which is $22,200,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1999 level and $200,000 above the Administration request. This line item supports ongoing maintenance projects, as well as safety repairs and equipment purchases.
Prevention research
The Committee provides $15,000,000 for the prevention research program, which is $5,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1999 level and the same as the Administration request. This program supports extramural research programs.
Health disparities demonstration
The Committee provides $10,000,000 for the health disparities demonstration program, which is $3,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1999 level and $25,000,000 below the Administration request. This program supports community-based demonstrations of prevention and service delivery interventions with the goal of eliminating health disparities among racial and ethnic populations and to improve the health status at the community level. The Committee is concerned that there are no specific GPRA goals and measurement data accompanying these demonstrations.
Crime bill activities
The Committee provides $51,000,000 for crime bill activities, which is $16,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1999 level and the same as the Administration request.
The Committee encourages CDC to enhance services by providing more assistance to women in existing and underserved locations, develop an evaluation research program and continue to translate promising practices, and monitor violence against women by improving the quality of data at national and State levels. The Committee also encourages CDC to support efforts to change social norms by working with key national partners to reach children and adolescents, build on existing efforts to reach business groups, corporations, and worker organizations to develop policies and educational materials regarding violence against women prevention and services, and conduct research on behavioral change to help understand the specific social norms that support violence against women.
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
The Committee provides $16,964,547,000, when adjusted for transfers from the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund for bioterrorism activities, for the 24 appropriations, which together fund the programs of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). These include appropriations for the 18 research Institutes, the National Center for Research Resources, the John E. Fogarty International Center, the National Library of Medicine, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, the Office of the Director, and Buildings and Facilities. The total in the bill is $1,351,077,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $1,031,761,000 above the Administration request. This funding level provides a 9.1 percent increase for the research components of NIH. Programs funded in this account are not authorized for fiscal year 2000.
Committee Priorities.--The Committee views NIH as one of its very highest priorities and has made difficult resource allocation decisions throughout the bill to provide what it believes is the necessary funding level for NIH. NIH is the world's leading biomedical research institution; its investments in research save lives and reduce health care costs while creating jobs and economic growth in a global economy. This research has produced major advances in the treatment of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and mental illness that have helped thousands of American families. NIH research has spawned the biotechnology revolution, whose products are projected to grow into a $50 billion industry by the turn of the century. The U.S.'s ability to translate scientific discoveries into new product development has resulted in its lead over Europe and Japan in pharmaceutical and biotechnology patents. While the Committee is firm in its commitment to budget restraints, it believes that funding of biomedical research is an important investment in the future health and economic well-being of our nation.
Balance in the Research Portfolio.--The Committee believes that NIH should distribute funding on the basis of scientific opportunity. As a result, the Committee has allocated the Institute appropriations consistent with the distribution recommended by NIH and reflecting the Director's judgment of scientific opportunity. If NIH believes that adjustments to this allocation are necessary as the fiscal year 2000 appropriations bill moves through the legislative cycle, the Committee would be pleased to consider them in later action on the bill.
To enhance NIH's flexibility to allocate funding based on scientific opportunity, the Committee has attempted to minimize the amount of direction provided in the report accompanying the bill. For example, there are no directives to fund particular research mechanisms, such as centers or requests for applications, or specific amounts of funding for particular diseases.
In stating that scientific opportunity should be the basis for allocating research funding, the Committee understands that other factors also are relevant to NIH's decisions, including such considerations as the infectious nature of a disease, the number of cases and deaths associated with a particular disease, the Federal and other costs of treating a disease, the years of productive life lost due to a particular disease, and the estimated proximity to research breakthroughs. The Committee does not presume to judge which criteria should take precedence or carry the greatest weight in individual funding decisions, but urges NIH to consider the full array of relevant criteria as it constructs its research portfolio.
AIDS Funding.--Consistent with the philosophy outlined above, the Committee has again chosen not to earmark a specific dollar amount for AIDS research. The Committee understands that it would be NIH's intent to allocate AIDS funding consistent with the Director's recommendations. The Committee understands that this allocation may change before the beginning of the fiscal year.
The Committee intends that the funds allocated for AIDS should be spent in a manner fully consistent with the AIDS research plan developed by the Office of AIDS Research (OAR) and expects the Director of NIH to use the full authority of his office to ensure that this occurs. The Committee has provided the Director of OAR, jointly with the Director of NIH, transfer authority to reallocate up to three percent of funds designated for AIDS research among Institutes, subject to normal reprogramming procedures. The Committee encourages NIH to use this authority whenever it believes that an adjustment in the allocation of AIDS funding between Institutes is appropriate to achieve scientific objectives or to facilitate promising research efforts.
The Committee continues to support OAR, its leadership, and its coordinated budget planning process and expects the individual institutes, centers and divisions to fully cooperate with OAR's work. The Committee has provided funding for the OAR within the Office of the Director and intends that the OAR will maintain its current structure and responsibilities, including the allocation of an emergency discretionary fund.
Government Performance and Results Act.--The Committee recognizes that the development of programmatic indicators for NIH under the Government Performance and Results Act is one of the most difficult conceptual and methodological problems in the Act's implementation. NIH should continue to work with the National Academy of Sciences and the other science agencies to develop a better conceptual and theoretical framework for such measures. The Committee believes that NIH should begin to implement the Act where it can. Measures of administrative efficiency and effectiveness can and should be adopted and tracked. Similarly, indicators of the ability of systems to support the research enterprise exist, and should be included. Presentation of these measures, including goals for improvements, baselines and reporting systems are an initial step. Information presented with the President's budget should include improvements in these indicators resulting from proposed funding levels. In addition, the Committee will expect the Director to include a report in the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing on the progress toward indicators relating directly to research and the translation of basic research findings to medical and other applications.
Circular A-110.--The Committee commends the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on its efforts in developing revisions to Circular A-110 to comply with a provision in the fiscal year 1999 Omnibus Appropriations Act. The Committee is aware of the concerns expressed by the research community and urges OMB to give full and careful consideration to the concerns of the biomedical research community when drafting the final revision. The Committee believes that Federally-funded scientific data used to make public policy should be made available to the public. The Committee also believes that clear and defined guidelines are needed relating to issues such as the protection of the identity of research subjects and the terms and conditions for release of the data.
NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
The Committee provides $3,163,727,000, when adjusted for the transfer from the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund for bioterrorism activities, for the National Cancer Institute (NCI), which is $261,352,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $190,808,000 above the Administration request.
Mission.--The NCI conducts and supports basic and applied cancer research in early detection, diagnosis, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. NCI provides training support for research scientists, clinicians and educators, and maintains a national network of cancer centers, clinical cooperative groups, and community clinical oncology programs, along with cancer prevention and control initiatives and outreach programs to rapidly translate basic research findings into clinical practice.
Cancer Coordination.--The Committee encourages NCI to continue its leadership role as coordinator of the National Cancer Program. As the facilitator of the Nation's fight against cancer, the Committee encourages NCI to continue to work in collaboration with private and voluntary sector organizations, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and other Federal agencies to address the coordination challenges outlined in the National Cancer Advisory Board's report entitled `Cancer at a Crossroads'.
Cancer Demographics.--The Committee is concerned by cancer incidence projections relative to the aging of the population. Based on current incidence rates, new cases of cancer and cancer deaths are estimated to increase by 29 percent and 25 percent, respectively, by 2010. The Committee looks forward to hearing from the Director of the Institute at the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing on what steps should be considered in order to address the changing demographics of cancer in this country.
Cervical Cancer and Human Papillomavirus.--The Committee is encouraged by the research progress that has been achieved in the development of a vaccine for the human papilloma virus (HPV) and in treatment for advanced stage cervical cancer. The need to coordinate this research both nationally and internationally should be recognized. The Committee urges NCI to initiate a strategic planning process to review, coordinate, and expand all aspects of cervical cancer research and enhance efforts to expand access to the Pap test for all women. The Committee also encourages NCI to continue its collaboration with the NIAID in sponsoring basic and clinical research on HPV diagnosis and prevention as a risk for cervical cancer.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine- Estimates are that more than 50 percent of cancer patients include some form of complementary and alternative medicine in their treatment regime over the course of their disease. The Committee encourages NCI to coordinate its research efforts with the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Endometrial Cancer- While the number of new cases of endometrial cancer remained constant over the last decade, the number of deaths per year from endometrial cancer has more than doubled. Given this two-fold increase, the Committee urges NCI to use all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including holding a workshop to examine research opportunities to identify molecular determinants and markers for this type of cancer.
Gastrointestinal Cancers- Gastrointestinal cancers include colorectal cancer, lower esophageal and upper stomach cancers, pancreatic cancer, liver/intrahepatic bile duct cancer, and gallbladder and other biliary cancers. The Committee urges NCI to enhance its efforts in these areas with particular focus on the genetic aspects of gastrointestinal cancer, diagnostic tests for genetic abnormalities and prevention, and environmental factors relating to the development of this disease. The Committee also urges NCI to enhance its efforts in the development and treatment of Barrett's syndrome, a precursor to lower esophageal and upper stomach cancer, in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Head and Neck Carcinoma--Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma continues to be the most common from of head and neck cancer. The Committee encourages NCI to enhance research on the mechanisms of tumor-induced immunosuppression through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including specialized projects of oncology research excellence.
Hepatitis C- The Committee commends NCI for participating in the trans-Institute request for applications for Hepatitis C research and urges enhanced research in this area consistent with the recommendations made by the Hepatitis C Consensus Development Conference.
Lymphoma- Despite strides made in other forms of cancer, the rate of incidence of lymphoma is increasing. Lymphoma is the second fastest growing cancer by rate of incidence. The Committee encourages NCI to enhance lymphoma research, promote new innovative research models based on collaborative methods to maximize current lymphoma research conducted at NCI, collaborate research efforts with NIEHS to explore environmental factors as causes of lymphoma, and collaborate research efforts with CDC. The Committee also encourages NCI to consider exploring research in currently incurable lymphomas such as low-grade and aggressive incurable lymphomas.
Marine Mammals Research- The Committee notes the unusually low incidence of cancer in sharks, skates, and rays and encourages basic research through the study of the immune system of these marine animals and the examination of bioactive molecules from shark, skate, and ray cells and tissues that have the potential to inhibit disease processes in humans.
Multiple Myeloma- Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable cancer of the plasma cells of the bone marrow. MM affects approximately 50,000 Americans annually and the five-year survival rate has only increased from 24 percent to 28 percent from 1974 to 1983 respectively. The Committee urges NCI to use all available mechanisms, as appropriate, to: review its MM research portfolio and both enhance its support of promising research and encourage new investigators into the field; convene an NIH-sponsored Consensus Conference to determine the state of MM research, promising opportunities, and make recommendations to NCI for further research; and integrate epidemiological and occupational health research and data gathering activities relevant to MM to learn more about the molecular pathogenesis of the disease and its suspected agents. The Committee also encourages the Institute to enhance research on the skeletal complications of malignancy.
Neurofibromatosis- Enormous advances continue to be made in research on neurofibromatosis (NF) since the discovery of the NF1 and NF2 gene, including recent discoveries that NF's suppression of Ras is involved with learning disabilities and heart disease in addition to cancer. The Committee encourages NCI to strengthen its NF research portfolio through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including the further development of animal models, natural history studies, and therapeutic experimentation and clinical trials. The Committee urges NCI to continue to coordinate its efforts with other Institutes engaged in NF research and be prepared to report on the status of the NF research program at its fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing.
Nutrition Science- Continuing research to determine the precise role of nutrients in the development or prevention of particular forms of cancer is important. The Committee encourages NCI to use all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including small scale clinical trials emphasizing collaboration between clinical research and molecular genetics, to determine the effects of specific dietary behavior on cancer for patients at risk and establishing biomarkers for these conditions.
Ovarian Cancer- While early detection improves the chances that ovarian cancer can be treated successfully, this type of cancer rarely produces symptoms that would alert women, but rather produces symptoms that are mistaken for other ailments or illnesses. As a result, almost 70 percent of women with ovarian cancer are not diagnosed until the disease is in the advanced stage. The five-year survival rate for these women is 28 percent. The Committee is pleased by the progress that has been made in defining a strategic plan for ovarian cancer, particularly with the creation of a SPORE and encourages NCI to move forward with its implementation. The Committee requests that the Director of the Institute be prepared to give a progress report at the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing.
Pancreatic Cancer- Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths for men and women in the United States. Typically not diagnosed until it has reached advanced stages when treatment options are limited and largely ineffective, the five-year survival rate for people with pancreatic cancer is only four percent. The Committee requests NCI to submit a report, by January 31, 2000, which details the Institute's plan to enhance its support for pancreatic cancer research and education efforts.
Primary Immune Deficiency Diseases- The Committee is pleased to learn that NCI will participate in a symposium, in conjunction with the Office of Rare Diseases, NICHHD, NIAID, and NHGRI, to investigate the relationship between primary immune deficiency diseases and cancer with the goal of identifying areas of scientific research that can be enhanced through appropriate funding mechanisms. The symposium will bring together leading national and international experts in cancer, pediatrics, immunology, and genetics. The Committee looks forward to reviewing the report of the symposium prior to the fiscal year 2000 appropriations hearing. The Committee also supports NCI's interest in the creation of a trans-Institute intramural clinic for the diagnosis of immune deficient patients.
Prostate Cancer- Cancer of the prostate is the most commonly diagnosed nonskin cancer in America. If detected early, it can be treated successfully with no negative impact on the cancer survivor's quality of life. However, existing forms of detection are insufficient, and available treatments frequently result in erectile dysfunction, urinary problems, or other disorders and disruptions that do negatively impact the patients quality of life. The Committee urges NCI to place an increased priority on research through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including clinical trials, that will result in earlier, more reliable detection methods and more effective and less disfiguring treatment regimes.
The Committee commends NCI and other NIH Institute Directors for the five-year investment strategy for prostate cancer research and encourages its implementation.
Tobacco- Tobacco remains one of the leading risk factors in developing cancer. The Committee is pleased that NCI is continuing to support research aimed at preventing and controlling tobacco use and urges the Institute to continue these efforts.
Urological Cancers- The Committee commends the new initiatives proposed for prostate cancer and urges the Institute to develop a plan to expand its research for other urologic cancers, such as kidney and bladder cancer, to take advantage of new knowledge that has been acquired about cancer diagnosis and treatment.
NATIONAL HEART, LUNG, AND BLOOD INSTITUTE
The Committee provides $1,937,404,000 for the Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), which is $154,827,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $111,555,000 above the Administration request.
Mission- The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute provides leadership for a national research program in diseases of the heart, blood vessels, lungs, and blood, in transfusion medicine, and in sleep disorders through support of basic, clinical, and population-based and health education research. The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) was transferred from the Office of the Director to NHLBI. WHI is a large cross-Institute initiative to study prevention of conditions responsible for deaths, disability and frailty in older women--breast and colorectal cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis. There are three components of the study: a randomized clinical trial; an observational study; and a community prevention study. The clinical trial is being conducted at 40 centers with 46,000 women participating. It is scheduled for completion in 2004.
Advanced Non-Surgical Imaging Technology for Heart Disease and Stroke- Scientists recently described preliminary findings on how magnetic resonance imaging can detect unstable plaque obstructions in blood vessels. If this technology proves effective, it may provide a new way to diagnose people at high risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke and to start treatment to stabilize the obstruction or reduce chances that a blood clot will form if a plaque ruptures. Other areas of cardiology could also benefit from this technology such as guiding local injections for angiogenesis, tracking and delivering modified cells in the blood vessel system, and performing biopsies. The Committee encourages NHLBI to expand research on advanced imaging technology.
Angiogenesis- Angiogenesis is a genetically engineered therapy that stimulates growth of new heart blood vessels from existing ones. In the next century, millions of Americans with heart disease may be routinely treated using this procedure to help restore blood flow to hearts of people whose arteries are obstructed by fat-laden plaque. It has the potential to become an adjunct or an alternative to other therapies for heart disease, including surgical procedures, such as heart bypass surgery or angioplasty. The Committee encourages NHLBI to support research on designing approaches to translate knowledge of angiogenesis for use in preclinical studies and clinical applications.
Aneurysm- The Committee notes from the NHLBI Director's testimony that the Institute is increasing its research efforts in the area of aneurysms. An aneurysm in the brain can result in a debilitating stroke and an aneurysm in the abdomen can result in rapid bleeding and death. Aneurysms are rarely detected until a catastrophic health event occurs in the victim. NHLBI is encouraged to continue its focus on this condition, particularly on early detection and, in coordination with other NIH Institutes, more effective treatments.
Asthma- The Committee is pleased with the early efforts of the Asthma Clinical Network to determine the effectiveness of asthma drugs and to identify better asthma management practices. During its first four years, the Network has completed and published two clinical trials of medication usage in patients with mild and moderate asthma. Two ongoing studies are evaluating the effects of asthma medications in altering clinical outcomes and airway inflammation in moderate and severe asthma patients. Another study to establish doses of different inhaled corticosteroids is expected to be complete in the near future.
The Committee was pleased to learn that the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) has published updated asthma management guidelines in the 1997 Expert Panel Report 2: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma and that NAEPP is working with national and local organizations to increase their use. The NAEPP has prepared a summary of asthma self-management approaches and published it for use by local asthma coalitions in programs for patients. Professionals will be encouraged to use the materials to support patient education efforts.
The Committee commends NAEPP for its leadership in helping to educate physicians, asthma patients, their families, and the general public regarding asthma and its management. The Committee urges NAEPP to enhance the role its Advisory Committee plays in helping to coordinate asthma education throughout the United States. The Committee also encourages NHLBI to continue to expand the role NAEPP takes in stimulating partnerships among local asthma coalitions to implement asthma education activities at the community level.
The Committee recognizes the strong commitment of the NHLBI to research asthma in minority populations and is pleased at recent efforts by the Institute to extend its educational programs for these populations. In particular, the Committee has learned that NHLBI plans to modify existing educational materials on asthma management to include documents, audiovisual materials, and information packages for general dissemination and for target groups of patients, families, and health care providers at the community level based on sociodemographic and cultural considerations.
Little is known about the optimal treatment for asthma in infants and young children. Many questions remain unanswered, such as what is the most effective dose and type of medication for different types of asthma and whether early therapy can prevent asthma from becoming more severe or even eliminate it as a child gets older. The Committee urges NHLBI to use the research amassed through the Pediatric Asthma Clinical Research Network to provide clearer choices for childhood asthma therapy, to encourage the development and dissemination of new therapies, and to identify optimum asthma management strategies for children.
Cardiovascular Diseases.--Cardiovascular diseases remain America's number one killer and a major cause of disability. Nearly 60 million Americans of all ages suffer from cardiovascular diseases. The Committee supports an intensive research program on cardiovascular diseases at NHLBI and urges the Institute to place a high priority on such research by supporting existing heart and stroke-related research and investing in promising heart and stroke-related research initiatives.
Cardiovascular Diseases in Women.--The clinical course of cardiovascular disease is different in men than in women and current diagnostic capabilities are less accurate in women than in men and are largely unrecognized by women and their physicians. The Committee encourages NHLBI to expand research on cardiovascular diseases in women, through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including studies to develop safe, efficient, and cost-effective diagnostic approaches for women and to create informational and educational programs for female patients and health care providers on heart disease and stroke risk factors as authorized in Public Law 105-340, the Women's Health Research and Prevention Amendment of 1998.
Congestive Heart Failure.--Congestive heart failure affects about 4.6 million Americans and is the leading cause of hospitalization for Americans age 65 and older. More research is needed to understand how and why congestive heart failure occurs and how it can be treated and prevented. The Committee encourages NHLBI to expand its study of congestive heart failure to promising areas of treatment such as mechanical assist devices, animal hearts for transplant and transplantation of healthy heart cells, and the role of programmed cell death in the development of congestive heart failure. The Committee also urges NHLBI to enhance research on cardiomyopathy, a heart muscle disease afflicting about 50,000 Americans who are also prone to congestive heart failure and sudden cardiac death. Recent progress in identifying the specific genetic malformations responsible for familial cardiomyopathy opens the door to new understanding of the mechanisms of this disease.
Cooley's Anemia.--The Committee is pleased with the progress that NHLBI has made with regard to the creation of the Thalassemia Clinical Research Network that will facilitate research into Cooley's anemia. The Committee understands that a Request for Applications has been issued with the intention to establish the Network during fiscal year 2000. The Institute should keep the Committee informed as to the development of this network.
Diabetes.--One of the major complications of diabetes is an increased risk of suffering a heart attack and stroke. The Committee encourages NHLBI to support research focusing on further understanding, preventing, and curbing the microvascular and macrovascular complications in people with diabetes. The Committee is concerned with the rate of coronary artery disease in women with Type 1 diabetes and urges an increased research focus in this area.
Gene Therapy Translation.--Gene therapy has the potential to revolutionize the practice of medicine in the next century. The leap from basic studies to practical application will require carefully designed clinical studies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of gene therapy in humans. The Committee urges NHLBI to pursue an integrated program of basic and clinical studies in gene therapy to enable the rapid translation of new findings into medical practice.
Genomic Applications.--The Committee notes that NHLBI is initiating a new program in genomic applications for heart, lung, and blood diseases that will use data and technologies emerging from the Human Genome Project. The program will relate biological functions to specific variations of the genome. The Committee urges the Institute to use this project as a springboard for new research, to make resources available that are difficult or too expensive to develop in most individual laboratories, and to accelerate the development of new and better ways to diagnose, manage, prevent, and treat heart, lung, and blood diseases.
Hemophilia.--The Committee has received the comprehensive hemophilia and blood safety research plan requested from the NIH Director and commends NHLBI in coordinating the development of this plan with NIAID, NHGRI, and NIDDK. The Committee understands that NHLBI, in collaboration with other Institutes, will be implementing the research actions specified in the report, including expanded efforts in the areas of hemophilia gene therapy, hepatitis C treatment, and research to improve blood safety and the treatment of the complications of bleeding and clotting disorders. The Committee requests that the Director of the Institute be prepared to testify at the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing on the status of these efforts, including the funding levels provided for each area of research.
Langerhans' Cell Histiocytosis.--The Committee supports the efforts of NHLBI to establish an on-going intramural research program to conduct basic research on Langerhans' Cell Histiocytosis. The Committee encourages the Institute to pursue further research in this area and keep the Committee informed as to the progress of this research.
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis--Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) is a progressive and often fatal lung disease that predominately affects women of child bearing age. Currently, there is no effective treatment for LAM patients, and little research is being conducted on the disease. The Committee encourages NHLBI to use all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including a Request for Applications for LAM proposals, to stimulate a broad range of research on this disease such as establishing an animal model and/or immortalized cell line from LAM patients to facilitate laboratory studies on the pathogenesis of LAM and as a future source of DNA for genetic studies.
Neurofibromatosis.--Advances continue to be made in research on neurofibromatosis (NF). Recent studies have documented the involvement of NF1 in valve formation which may open up a new area for future research in congenital heart disease. Understanding how NF1 deficiency leads to heart disease may help to unravel the molecular pathways affected in genetic and environmental caused of heart disease. The Committee encourages NHLBI to enhance its NF research activities, coordinate its efforts with other Institutes engaged in NF research, and be prepared to report on its research at the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing.
Primary Pulmonary Hypertension.--Primary Pulmonary Hypertension (PPH) is a rare, progressive, and fatal disease affecting predominantly women of all races and ages. This disease involves deadly deterioration of the heart and lungs and treatment is often exorbitantly expensive. The Committee urges NHLBI to actively pursue research in this area and to take the necessary steps to ensure the submission of high quality proposals and qualified experts in the field to evaluate these proposals.
Sleep Disorders.--The Committee urges the Institute to enhance its support for sleep disorders research to address the neurobiology of sleep and the pathophysiology of disorders affecting sleep and assess therapies for treating patients afflicted with sleep disorders through all available mechanisms, as appropriate. In addition, the Committee recognizes the work of the Institute's National Center on Sleep Disorders Research in educating adolescents, their parents and educators about the importance of sleep and its impact in school performance and driving and encourages further efforts in this area.
Stroke.--The Committee recognizes the advances made recently in the treatment of stroke with medicines such as TpA, a treatment developed and tested through research supported by NHLBI. While stroke victims once were expected to never improve, early detection and rapid treatment of stroke today can often result in little to no loss of brain function. Increased awareness of the symptoms of stroke as a brain attack requires a rapid and appropriate medical response. The Committee encourages NHLBI to develop a research, public health and public education strategy to combat this disease.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DENTAL AND CRANIOFACIAL RESEARCH
The Committee provides $257,349,000 for the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), when adjusted for the transfer from the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund for bioterrorism activities, which is $19,031,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $13,243,000 above the Administration request.
Mission.--The NIDCR conducts and supports research and research training to improve craniofacial, oral and dental health. The Institute's programs reflect the genetic, behavioral and environmental factors that result in complex human disease and are clustered into the following areas: inherited disorders; infection and immunity; oral, pharyngeal and laryngeal cancers; chronic and disabling conditions such as bone and joint diseases and chronic pain; behavioral science, epidemiology and health promotion; and tissue engineering and biomimetics research to improve diagnostics and tissue repair and regeneration.
Bone Diseases.--Osteoporosis and related bone diseases affect millions of Americans. The Committee encourages the Institute to enhance its research on osteoporosis, Paget's disease of bone, fibrous dysplasia, dentinogenesis imperfecta, and other bone diseases with a special emphasis on further research on bone morphogenetic proteins and cartilage-derived morphogenetic proteins, which is directed to the therapeutic regeneration of bone and joint tissues.
Early Childhood Caries.--The Committee is aware of the findings of the Early Childhood Caries Conference that dental caries is of epidemic proportions in many low socioeconomic preschool children in the United States. The Committee urges NIDCR to expand its research on this problem and, to the extent possible, collaborate with the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research to identify effective means of preventing and treating early childhood caries.
Oral Health.--Recent research is showing that good oral health is a link to the control and prevention of many diseases, including heart disease and diabetes. Much of the health and economic burden associated with oral diseases and conditions could be prevented. In light of these facts, the Committee urges NIDCR to enhance its oral health research efforts.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES AND DIGESTIVE AND KIDNEY DISEASES
The Committee provides $1,087,455,000 for the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), which is $90,607,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $66,386,000 above the Administration request.
Mission.--The NIDDK supports research in three major disease categories: diabetes, endocrinology, and metabolic diseases; digestive diseases and nutrition; and kidney, urologic, and hematologic diseases. The NIDDK supports a coordinated program of fundamental and clinical research and demonstration projects relating to the causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases within these categories. The Institute also supports efforts to transfer the knowledge gained from its research program to health professionals, patients, and the general public.
Bladder Diseases.--Diseases of the bladder afflict more than 35 million Americans. One half of all women will experience incontinence at some point in their lives. Serious and painful diseases such as interstitial cystitis and bladder cancer cause significant human suffering and mortality. The Committee urges NIDDK to enhance its research efforts on bladder disease through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including requests for applications and multicenter research initiatives. The Director should be prepared to testify on the status of its bladder research activities at the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing.
Bone Diseases.--Osteoporosis, Paget's disease of bone, osteogenesis imperfecta, multiple myeloma, and other bone diseases collectively strike over 30 million Americans causing pain, disability, loss of independence, and even death. The Committee encourages the Institute to enhance its basic biomedical research and training related to bone diseases.
Cooley's Anemia.--The Committee has long supported research in the area of Cooley's anemia. Due to the numerous red blood cell transfusions that patients receive, iron accumulates in the major organs, particularly the heart and liver. The effective removal of this iron by chelating drugs requires an accurate assessment of iron levels in the patient. Accuracy is impeded by the lack of a high quality, non-invasive test to measure iron levels. In addition, compliance with treatment regimens could be enhanced by the development of a safe and effective iron chelator drug that can be taken orally rather than infused. The Committee is pleased that NIDDK, in collaboration with NHLBI, has issued a Request for Applications for both basic and clinical research in areas related to understanding the biological consequences of iron overload and improving methods of therapy leading to removal of excess iron. The Committee looks forward to learning of the progress made in this field during the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing.
Chronic Renal Disease.--Early identification of those at-risk for or who have chronic renal disease is essential in the effort to stem the growth of the population with end stage renal disease. The Committee encourages NIDDK to enhance its efforts in this area, through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including working with national renal organizations to develop epidemiological studies of patients who are at-risk for or who have this disease as well as working with national kidney organizations on a national education campaign for providers and the public.
Diabetes.--Diabetes remains a leading cause of early death and disability and affects approximately 16 million Americans. The Committee is encouraged by the opportunities identified in the Diabetes Research Working Group report and urges NIDDK to implement the recommendations of the report as soon as possible with particular emphasis on research that focuses on Type 1, or juvenile diabetes. The Committee encourages the Institute to focus increased efforts into areas of diabetes research that could lead to a cure in the short term, such as beta cell replacement and supply, as well as other avenues to normalize blood glucose.
Raising the awareness of diabetes and its risk factors is an important step to improving the lives of all individuals affected by this chronic disease. Obesity, a family history of diabetes, and being an African American, Hispanic, or Native American are some of the factors that increase the risk for diabetes. Early detection and treatment of the disease can prolong life and save billions in health care costs. The Committee urges NIDDK to continue to expand promising research to improve early detection and treatment of diabetes and to eventually find a cure for the disease.
Digestive Diseases- Diseases of the digestive system continue to affect more than one-half of all Americans at some time in their lives. Serious disorders such as colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and viral hepatitis take a significant toll in terms of human suffering, mortality, and economic burden. The Digestive Disease Centers program has been successful in addressing a wide range of disorders that result in tremendous human suffering and economic costs. The Committee encourages NIDDK to enhance its research in this area. The Committee also encourages NIDDK to strike an appropriate balance between conducting basic studies on digestive diseases and bringing those research findings to the bedside in the form of improved patient care.
End Stage Renal Disease.--Approximately 360,000 individuals in the U.S. suffer from end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and need dialysis or a kidney transplant to survive. There is increasing evidence that the progression of renal failure can be slowed under certain circumstances and that chronic kidney disease at all levels of progression may benefit from therapeutic interventions. The Committee encourages NIDDK to initiate a process of translating science to practice by fostering consensus as to the interventions which could prevent or delay ESRD and the patients who could benefit from such interventions.
Endoscopic Research- The Committee notes that NIDDK sponsored a joint workshop last year with the gastroenterology community to review three areas of endoscopic practice judged to have a need for further research: Barrett's esophagus, colon surveillance for neoplasia, and chronic pancreatic disease. The Committee encourages NIDDK to develop a plan to address the findings of the workshop.
Hepatitis C.--The Committee commends NIDDK for its leadership in providing for a trans-Institute request for proposals to address several research opportunities regarding Hepatitis C. The Committee understands that a contract has been awarded to study the natural history of Hepatitis C and the long-term consequences of various therapies. The Committee urges the Institute to continue to support research focused on ancillary studies to support this research as well as additional research on disease complications and issues of special populations with Hepatitis C, such as minority and indigent populations, the uninsured, incarcerated individuals, and those infected with HIV.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease.--The Committee is encouraged by recent discoveries related to Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). These extremely complex disorders represent the major cause of morbidity and mortality from intestinal illness. The Committee encourages NIDDK to give priority consideration to investigation into the cellular, molecular, and genetic structure of IBD, identification of the genes that determine susceptibility or resistance to IBD in various patient subgroups, and coordination and integration of basic investigations designed to clarify mechanisms of action and disease pathogenesis into clinical trials, as described in the recent research agenda developed by the scientific community entitled `Challenges in Inflammatory Bowel Disease'.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome.--The Committee remains concerned about the increasing frequency of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a chronic complex of disorders that malign the digestive system. These common dysfunctions strike people from all walks of life and result in tremendous human suffering and disability. The Committee encourages NIDDK to provide adequate funding for IBS functional bowel disorders research through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including education/scientific symposiums.
Interstitial Cystitis.--The Committee is pleased with the efforts NIDDK has taken to expand research into a basic understanding of normal bladder function and encourages the Institute to translate this research into meaningful studies related to the pathogenesis and treatment of interstitial cystitis (IC). NIDDK is also encouraged to pursue an epidemiology study of IC that includes scientifically valid statistics of the incidence of the disease, the demographics, occurrence in minority populations, and health care costs.
Liver Disease.--The Committee commends the leadership of NIDDK in preparing the Liver and Biliary Disease strategic plan. The most common cause of acute liver failure is the reaction to various prescription and over-the-counter drugs. The Committee urges NIDDK to enhance its liver disease research on the toxicity of drugs as well as pediatric liver disease and liver disease caused by exposure to iron through all available mechanisms, as appropriate.
Nutrition Sciences.--Diet and nutrients are factors in the prevention of many diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and birth defects. NIH and the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of the Department of Agriculture both have a role in nutrition research. It is clear that there is a need to more fully integrate basic and clinical nutrition science and the work of both agencies. NIDDK is urged to coordinate with ARS regarding its recent research on diabetes and its nutritional prevention and mitigation as well as examining cellular glucose metabolism and the factors that influence that metabolism, especially the influence of chromium-containing compounds on glucose receptors.
Obesity constitutes a major national health problem involving diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, and other disorders. The Committee supports efforts by NIDDK to find effective clinical interventions for the management of obesity and its research regarding the influence of nutrients on inflammatory and immune responses in critical care patients.
Pediatric Kidney Disease.--In last year's report, the Committee called attention to the alarming number of children and adolescents suffering from kidney disease, many of whom are minorities. In calling for enhanced research emphasis on this vulnerable segment of our population, the Committee noted that chronic kidney failure among young people results in particularly severe consequences. Normal growth and development are impaired, and many scientists believe that chronic kidney failure has a profound effect on the developing brain, often causing learning disabilities and mental retardation. The Committee recently received a report from NIDDK outlining a set of goals reflecting the needs and opportunities in pediatric nephrology research. The Committee concurs with NIDDK's plans to pursue those goals, particularly those focusing on diseases that injure the kidney in childhood and eventually lead to devastating illness in adulthood, such as diabetes and hypertension and encourages the Institute to enhance its efforts in these areas.
Polycystic Kidney Disease.--The Committee is pleased with the recent Request for Applications for proposed new multidisciplinary research centers targeting Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). The Committee understands that there is growing evidence from the scientific community that the opportunity for dramatic progress toward a cure for PKD is within as few as five years given the right research investment. The Committee urges the Institute to give serious consideration to implementing the Strategic Planning Workshop Report on PKD and develop a research program that will ultimately lead to a cure for this life threatening genetic disease that affects more than 600,000 Americans.
Urological Diseases.--The Committee continues to encourage NIDDK to enhance its research on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of urological diseases. Urological diseases have a significant impact on men and women in this country and the Institute is encouraged to enhance its research efforts in this area.
Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) affects more than 12 million men over the age of 50. The Committee urges NIDDK to increase its research into prostate growth factors and related issues toward the goal of improved diagnostic and treatment tools for BPH as well as prostate cancer and prostatitis.
The Committee is pleased that NIDDK responded to the request for a women's urological health initiative by hosting a conference to identify research issues and needs. The Committee is concerned with the need for further progress and urges the Institute to implement the conference recommendations. The Director of the Institute should be prepared to testify on the progress of this initiative at the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing.
The Committee remains concerned by the absence of research support for several critical areas of urology including male infertility and impotence, congenital anomalies of the genitourinary tract, and kidney stone disease and encourages the Institute to consult with the urologic scientific community to define research needs and priorites in this area as well as recommendations for new programmatic activities.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE
The Committee provides $979,281,000 for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), which is $80,162,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $58,311,000 above the Administration request.
Mission.--The NINDS supports and conducts basic and clinical neurological research and research training to increase understanding of the brain and improve the prevention and treatment of neurological and neuromuscular disorders. The NINDS mission encompasses over 600 disorders, including stroke; head and spinal cord injury; epilepsy; multiple sclerosis; and neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease.
Alzheimer's Disease.--The Committee is pleased that NINDS continues to regard Alzheimer's disease as one of its top research priorities. Today, an estimated four million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's disease and given the rate at which the population is aging, as many as 14 million will fall victim to the disease in the coming decades. The Committee encourages NINDS to continue its close collaboration with NIA and NIMH and to expand its research into the basic mechanisms of the disease, identifying risk factors and striving to determine how its progression can be slowed or stopped altogether.
Batten's Disease.--The Committee is pleased with the progress that has been made with regards to both the infantile and juvenile forms of Batten's Disease, specifically that the genes for the late infantile form have been found and that the research is focusing on developing a model to impact the disease. The Committee encourages NINDS to continue to focus on Batten's Disease research and to take advantage of promising opportunities in this area.
Diabetes.--The Committee encourages NINDS to expand its research into further understanding, preventing, and curing the complications of diabetes. In particular, NINDS is encouraged to enhance research on the impact of hypoglycemia on the brain in individuals taking insulin as well as diabetic neuropathy, which can lead to severe pain and amputation.
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.--Duchenne muscular dystrophy remains the most common childhood form of muscular dystrophy. The Committee is encouraged that NINDS, NIAMS, and other Institutes are continuing to pursue an understanding of this progressive, heritable disease. In particular, the Committee is aware of the recent Program Announcement issued to encourage new applications on the `Pathogenesis and Therapy of the Muscular Dystrophies.' The Committee looks forward to learning about new research opportunities as a result of this effort during the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing as well as information on possible breakthroughs from the overall scientific enterprise.
Dystonia.--The Committee is pleased with the extramural research initiatives that NINDS has conducted in dystonia specific research. The Committee continues to encourage NINDS to work with the dystonia community, particularly in the study of the DYT1 gene for early on-set dystonia. The Committee is also pleased that NINDS will be supporting an epidemiological study on dystonia and encourages NINDS to explore the opportunities for increased professional and public awareness of the disease.
Epilepsy.--The Committee encourages NINDS to expand its research efforts in the prevention, treatment, and eventual cure of epilepsy. The Committee urges the Institute to develop research plans and goals for the anti-epileptic drug development program. The Committee also urges NINDS to expand its support for intractable or uncontrolled epilepsy. The Committee is interested in the ongoing progress being made in understanding the critical issues impacting women with epilepsy, in particular, the relationship between seizures and women's hormonal cycles and reproductive function. Of further note, the elderly represent a growing segment of the population with epilepsy and the Committee urges NINDS to explore the mechanisms and factors that affect the development of seizures in older Americans. The Director should be prepared to testify on its efforts to advance these areas of research at the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing.
Facioscapulohumeral Disease.--The Committee is concerned that NIH has not responded to a previous request to develop a plan for enhancing NIH research into facioscapulohumeral (FSH) disease. The Committee urges NIH to convene a research planning conference and establish a comprehensive portfolio into the causes, prevention, and treatment of FSH disease through all available mechanisms, as appropriate. The Director is requested to be prepared to testify on the status of this initiative at the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing.
Friedreich's Ataxia.--The Committee is pleased with the innovative approaches being demonstrated by NINDS in regard to pediatric neurodegenerative disorders. The Institute is to be commended for the leadership role it took in co-hosting an international scientific workshop on Friedreich's ataxia earlier this year with a patient advocacy group and for its efforts to follow up on the workshop results, including a new program announcement on pediatric neurodegenerative disorders. The Committee urges NINDS to continue its work toward finding a treatment for this incurable disease.
Learning Disabilities.--The Committee commends NINDS for its efforts to explore the neurological aspects of learning disabilities and encourages the Institute to continue to coordinate with other Institutes working on related activities.
Leukodystrophies.--Leukodystrophies are genetically determined progressive disorders that affect the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves and result in death the first few years of life. Bone marrow and cord blood transplantations are possible treatments, which give hope to children diagnosed early in life, but more research is needed. The Committee urges NINDS to enhance it efforts in this area through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including collaborating with other organizations in order to increase the awareness of these diseases.
Mucolipidosis (ML) 4.--It is hoped that recent advances linking ML 4, a rare genetic metabolic disease, to a segment of chromosome 19p13 will facilitate further and more targeted research into identifying the defect and treatment options. The Committee encourages NINDS to enhance research in this area through all available mechanisms, as appropriate.
Neurodegenerative Disorders.--The Committee is encouraged by the level of emphasis placed on neurodegenerative disorders research within NINDS and across NIH. The Committee continues to support research investigating the role of neurotransmitters in neurodegenerative disorders.
Neurofibromatosis.--Recent advances in Neurofibromatosis (NF) research have linked NF to cancer, brain tumors, learning disabilities, and heart disease. The Committee encourages NINDS to strengthen its NF basic and clinical research portfolio through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including clinical trials. The Committee urges the Institute to continue to coordinate its efforts with other Institutes engaged in NF research and be prepared to report on the status of the NF research portfolio at its fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing.
Parkinson's Disease.--The Committee is encouraged by continuing discoveries in the cause, pathophysiology, and treatment of Parkinson's disease and continues to urge NINDS to enhance its efforts in the development of effective therapies for this devastating disorder. Several recent findings demonstrate a strong scientific foundation for a major new initiative in Parkinson's-focused research. The Committee is pleased that the Institute has funded three of the ten authorized Morris K. Udall Research Centers and urges the Institute to use all available mechanisms, as appropriate, to further implement the 1997 Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Research Act.
Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.--The Committee is supportive of research on progressive supranuclear palsy and urges NINDS to use all available mechanisms, as appropriate, to enhance research on this disease, including the testing of neurotropic factors that delay disease progression.
Rett Syndrome.--The Committee continues to be concerned about Rett syndrome, a crippling brain disorder that strikes baby girls after early normal development. Recent research has narrowed the gene research to a specific area on the X chromosome (Xq28). It is hoped that in the near future the exact location will be identified allowing for a prenatal test, a biological marker, and potential treatment for girls who already suffer from the disease. Other neurochemical studies have revealed dramatic alterations in specific neurotransmitters, alterations which may provide promising treatment avenues. It is important that NINDS and NICHHD keep momentum with these new discoveries, which may soon lead to knowledge of the cause, treatment, and cure. Research in this area also holds promise for progress in other disorders such as autism, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The Committee urges the Institute to continue to support further research on the causes of, biological markers for, and treatment and cure for Rett syndrome.
Spina Bifida.--Research has shown that many cases of spina bifida can be avoided through the use of folic acid supplements in women of childbearing age, but less than 30 percent of women of childbearing age take folic acid supplements as a preventative measure. The Committee urges NINDS, NICHHD, and NIDDK to use all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including a consensus conference, to evaluate the existing scientific data regarding spina bifida, develop a plan that prioritizes research identifying early intervention strategies and treatment protocols that address the conditions affecting persons with spina bifida, and make recommendations regarding the effective translation of existing prevention initiatives into clinical practice.
Spinal Cord Injury.--Approximately 450,000 people live with spinal cord injuries in the United States with about 12,000 new cases every year, the majority of which are males between the ages of 16 to 30. NINDS leads the Federal government's research mission to overcome paralysis and supports an extensive program of basic and clinical studies on the biomedical aspects of spinal cord injury. The Committee encourages NINDS to apply the latest advances in biomedical research to further accelerate the search for a cure, including the study of trauma to the brain and central nervous system.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy.--The Committee recognizes the personal hardship, emotional distress, and economic costs resulting from the diseases known as Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type I, II, and III. The Committee is encouraged by the recent breakthrough in understanding the role that is played by the SMA protein in normal motor neurons. It is important that NINDS keep momentum with this new discovery that may lead to knowledge of effective therapies and ultimately a cure. The Committee encourages NINDS to utilize all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including Requests for Applications and extended funding of selected investigators in the field to discover the biological pathway in which the SMN protein is involved. The Committee also encourages the Institute to explore areas of promising research identified in the 1999 Families of SMA International Workshop.
Stroke.--Stroke remains the third leading cause of death, a leading cause of permanent disability, and a major contributor of late-life dementia. Opportunities to improve prevention and to treat stroke in progress have never been greater. The Committee encourages NINDS and NIH to support an intensive stroke research program. The Committee also encourages NINDS to expand its stroke education program and to initiate and continue innovative approaches to improve stroke diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES
The Committee provides $1,714,705,000, when adjusted for the transfer from the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund for bioterrorism activities, for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which is $138,601,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $100,255,000 above the Administration request.
Mission.--The NIAID supports and conducts basic and clinical research and research training programs in infectious diseases caused by, or associated with, disorders of the immune system. NIAID supported research includes research on acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), asthma and allergies, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases, tropical diseases, and emerging microbes. The goals of NIAID research are to better understand disease pathogenesis, to improve drugs to treat diseases, and to develop new and improved vaccines to prevent disease, many of which significantly affect public health.
Asthma.--The Committee notes that the number of asthma patients and asthma-related deaths have increased dramatically in the past decade. Morbidity and mortality among minority populations continue to be disproportionately high. The prevalence of asthma is 24 percent higher in African American children than in white children. Inner city residents suffer disproportionately from asthma. The Committee urges NIAID to strengthen research in this area.
The Committee recognizes the leadership role the Institute has played in the Inner City Asthma Study. Results of the study have shown that home-based interventions coupled with a counselor-based intervention program has lead to a reduction in asthma symptoms for children with severe asthma. Interventions studied in the Inner City Asthma Study led to an additional six weeks of symptom free days for children. The Committee commends the Institute for their research into these community-based intervention strategies for treating and managing asthma.
Autoimmune Diseases.--The Committee encourages the development of the Autoimmune Centers of Excellence. These Centers should enhance the care of patients with autoimmune diseases. Early and proper diagnosis of these diseases increases treatment effectiveness and reduces related morbidity, mortality, and health care costs.
Bone Marrow Transplantation.--While the risk associated with bone marrow transplantation are always substantial, the risks for transplant from blood-related donors with partial match antigens and from unrelated donors with well matched antigens is exceptionally high. For many patients, transplant represents their best and often only hope for survival. The Committee urges NIAID to enhance research toward the prevention and treatment of Graft v. Host Disease (GVHD) and toward the improvement of the diagnostic tools for GVHD including both invasive and non-invasive methods for diagnosis and monitoring the course of GVHD.
Diabetes.--The Committee understands that NIAID has begun a major research project aimed at better understanding, and eventually curing, autoimmune diseases. The Committee is pleased with this initiative and remains particularly interested in the impact that this research may have in the cure of Type 1 diabetes. The Committee urges NIAID to enhance research focused on perfecting methods of transplanting insulin-producing islet cells through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including immune modulation and clinical trials.
Hemophilia.--The Committee notes the significant role of NIAID in the NIH Director's report to the Committee on NIH's hemophilia research plan. The Committee urges NIAID, through its on-going relationship with the national hemophilia leadership, to continue its work to address the needs of persons with hemophilia who are infected with HIV and hepatitis C.
Hepatitis C Virus.--The Committee commends NIAID for participating in the trans-Institute request for applications for Hepatitis C and urges enhanced research in this area consistent with the recommendations made by the Hepatitis C Consensus Development Conference.
HIV/AIDS.--HIV/AIDS is rapidly spreading throughout the world. The Committee urges NIAID and NIH to pursue strategies to accelerate the development and clinical testing of promising HIV vaccine products.
HIV and Women.--The rate of HIV infection in women is rapidly rising and AIDS is the leading cause of death in minority women. The Committee encourages NIAID to make HIV-related prevention, treatment, and care needs of women, particularly minority women, a top priority. The Institute is also encouraged to continue its collaboration with NICHHD, particularly on the development and utilization of female-controlled barrier methods for HIV prevention.
Human Papilloma Virus and Cervical Cancer.--The Committee is encouraged by the research progress that has been achieved in the development of a vaccine for the human papilloma virus (HPV) and in the treatment for advanced stage cervical cancer. It is estimated that more than 90 percent of cervical cancer cases result from sexually transmitted HPV. The Committee urges NIAID to continue its collaboration with NCI in sponsoring basic and clinical research on HPV diagnosis and prevention, including possible vaccines and, as applicable, develop screening techniques.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease.--The Committee continues to note with interest a scientific research agenda entitled `Challenges in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)' that identifies linkages between the immune system and IBD. The Committee encourages NIAID to support research focused on the immunology of IBD as well as the interaction of genetics and environmental factors in the development of the disease.
Lyme Disease.--Lyme disease is the nation's leading tick-borne illness. It affects many systems of the body and can require expensive, long-term treatment in some patients unless they are diagnosed and treated early. The Committee encourages NIAID, in collaboration with other relevant Institutes, to enhance research in the area of development of sensitive, specific, and reproducible tests for the diagnosis of Lyme disease.
Malaria.--The Committee remains concerned about the global growth rate of malaria and the growing incidence of malaria outbreaks in the United States. Malaria results in two to three million deaths every year. The Committee urges NIAID to make malaria research and vaccine development one of its highest priorities. The Committee also encourages NIAID to continue pursuing collaborations with other public and private sector partners and international organizations to leverage resources in the global effort to eliminate this disease.
Multiple Vaccines in Humans.--There is increasing concern about the effect of multiple vaccines in humans. The Committee encourages NIAID, in coordination with NICHHD, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Food and Drug Administration, to support research into multiple vaccine interactions.
Peanut Allergy.--It is estimated that one to two percent of the general population suffers from a food allergy. While individuals who experience food allergies as children often outgrow them, that is not generally the case with products such as peanuts, which tend to be lifelong. The Committee urges NIAID to enhance research efforts toward a vaccine for people suffering with peanut allergy.
Primary Immune Deficiency Diseases.--The Committee recognizes the quality of research that has been funded by NIAID into this class of 80 related diseases, both individually and collaboratively. The Committee continues to believe that the Centers of Excellence in Immunology remain an ideal vehicle for further research and hopes that they will involve existing research centers as the quickest means of promoting this effort. The Committee urges NIAID to use all available mechanisms, as appropriate, to take the necessary steps to address the estimated 500,000 currently undiagnosed or misdiagnosed cases including participation in an education and awareness campaign with NICHHD, CDC, and the Jeffrey Modell Foundation. In addition, the Committee commends NIAID for the expansion of its primary immune deficiencies clinical research registry and encourages the Institute to enhance its research portfolio with respect to these devastating diseases.
Vaccine Development.--The Committee notes the important strides made by NIAID and NIH over the years in the development of new vaccines and encourages the continued interaction with the private sector to advance research and development of new vaccines. The Committee also recognizes the key role that organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) play in the development of vaccines. In this regard, the Committee encourages NIAID and NIH to continue its efforts at building effective partnerships and collaborations with the WHO and other international health organizations.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES
The Committee provides $1,298,551,000 for the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), which is $100,954,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $71,853,000 above the Administration request.
Mission.--The NIGMS supports research and research training in the basic biomedical sciences. Institute grantees, working in such fields as cell biology, biophysics, genetics, developmental biology, pharmacology, physiology, and biological chemistry, study normal biological processes to better understand what goes wrong when disease occurs. In this way, NIGMS supports the new knowledge, theories, and technologies that can then be applied to the disease-targeted studies supported by other NIH components. NIGMS-supported basic research advances also find applications in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. The Institute's training programs help provide the scientists needed by industry and academia and have a special focus on increasing the number of minority scientists through programs such as Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) and Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS). The Committee urges NIGMS to continue to support these training programs.
Behavioral Research and Training.--There is a range of basic behavioral research and training that the Institute could support, such as the fundamentals relationships between the brain and behavior, basic cognitive processes such as motivation, learning, and information processing, and the connections between mental processes and health. The Committee encourages NIGMS to support basic behavioral research and training and to consult with the behavioral science research community and other Institutes to identify priority research and training areas.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
The Committee provides $817,470,000, when adjusted for the transfer from the Public Health and Social Service Emergency fund for bioterrorism activities, for the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHHD), which is $64,064,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $45,757,000 above the Administration request.
Mission.--The NICHHD conducts and supports laboratory and clinical research on the reproductive, developmental, and behavioral processes that determine and maintain the health and well-being of children, adults, families and populations. In addition, research in medical rehabilitation is supported.
Children's Research and Development.--The Committee is concerned that fragmentation in children's research and development exists across Federal agencies and that this fragmentation is contributing to a lack of priorities and an underlying scientific framework that would allow research-based knowledge affecting children and youth to accumulate in a manner that characterizes research in other areas. The Committee urges NICHHD to develop a strategic plan for children's research and development through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including contracting with a Federally-funded research and development center with expertise in science and technology policy. This plan should be conducted in coordination with all relevant Federal agencies, such as NIH, the National Science Foundation, and the Department of Education as well as leading members of the scientific community. It should include, but not be limited to, an assessment of how children's research can be moved toward a more scientific model, an evaluation of ongoing and future longitudinal data collections and potential for coordination and expansion, and identifying mechanisms for establishing priorities and coordination for children's research across Federal agencies. The Committee requests a status report of this initiative no later than May 31, 2000. In addition, the Committee urges NICHHD to begin taking the necessary steps in fiscal year 2000 to achieve a more coordinated and focused children's research and development program.
Chromosome 18.--The Committee commends the Institute for its efforts over the past year to encourage new scientific work into molecular, genetic, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of chromosomal abnormalities. The Committee continues to urge NICHHD to seek ways to expand and intensify such research, especially studies involving the syndromes of chromosome 18.
Contraceptive Research and Development.--For more than three decades, NICHHD has been a world leader in the research and development of new contraceptive drugs and devices which are safe, effective, easy to use, and inexpensive. The Committee recognizes and supports NICHHD's contribution in this area, particularly in its efforts to develop microbicides that would offer protection against both STDs and pregnancy.
Demographic Research.--The Committee continues to place a high priority on research that provides policy-makers with accurate information on population trends and problems. NICHHD is urged to continue its support for demographic research on such issues as fatherhood, early childbearing, health disparities, welfare-to-work transitions, and the causes and impact of migration within and across our borders. The Institute is also urged to assure the adequacy of training and infrastructure needed to sustain innovative demographic research in the decades to come.
Diabetes.--The Committee is concerned about the high incidence of Type 1 diabetes in children. Enhanced research in this area is needed. The Committee requests that the Director be prepared to testify at the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing on the steps the Institute is taking to increase its support in this area.
E. coli:0157.--NICHHD research has lead to the development and testing of a vaccine for the deadly foodborne bacterium E. coli:0157. The Committee understands that the Institute is now seeking to determine whether the vaccine is best administered to livestock or to children and others who are most vulnerable to catastrophic food poisoning caused by the bacterium. The Committee urges NICHHD to continue this research.
Fragile X.--Fragile X is the most common inherited cause of mental retardation. Most children with Fragile X require a lifetime of special care at immense expense and comprise a homogenous study population for advancing the understanding of these disorders. The Committee encourages NICHHD to enhance its research efforts on Fragile X.
Learning Disabilities.--The Committee is pleased that NICHHD continues to place a high priority on learning disabilities research. The efforts to address the special needs of children affected by a learning disability and improve literacy are showing promising results. The Committee encourages NICHHD to continue to focus on reading disability and mathematics development research and continue to take the lead in coordinating this research effort with the other Institutes working on related activities.
Maternal-Fetal Medicine.--The Committee encourages NICHHD to enhance its efforts to promote collaboration with centers of excellence in maternal-fetal medicine that are not currently participating in cooperative agreements with the Institute and support initiatives to ensure that obstetricians obtain adequate subspecialty training in maternal-fetal medicine. The Committee also encourages NICHHD to enhance research efforts into such areas as prematurity, pre-eclampsia, amniotic fluid embolism, post-partum hemorrhage, and pelvic floor disorders.
National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research- The Center is responsible for basic and clinical research dealing with the causes of physical disability and medical rehabilitation interventions to reduce disability and improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities. The Committee supports the programs being developed at NCMRR for Centers of Excellence and a clinical research network to serve as a resource for experiments with new medical rehabilitation interventions. The Institute is encouraged to implement recommendations of the brain injury consensus conference and establish a pediatric trauma initiative.
National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health- NICHHD is the lead agency on one of the largest and most informative studies ever developed on adolescent behavior, the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, which was authorized by Congress in 1993. The study has already begun to yield invaluable information on family, schools, and communities' effects on the behaviors of teenagers and its impact on their health. The next phase of the study represents an opportunity to build on these findings as these young people reach adulthood. The Committee encourages NICHHD to continue this study.
Neurofibromatosis- Learning disabilities occur with high frequency in children with Neurofibromatosis (NF). NF1 provides an opportunity to uncover a molecular basis for cognitive impairment and identify a marker for brain dysfunction. Research in understanding the cognitive deficits of NF1 patients possesses broad application to learning disabilities in the general population. NICHHD is encouraged to enhance its NF research portfolio, coordinate its efforts with other Institutes engaged in NF research, and be prepared to report on the status of its NF research at its fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing.
Osteogenesis Imperfecta.--The Committee encourages NICHHD to enhance its research on Osteogenesis Imperfecta through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, with special emphasis into the mapping of gene markers associated with the disease and animal models as well as rehabilitation techniques.
Preterm Labor.--Preterm births result in costly neonatal intensive care and long-term health complications and account for approximately 75 percent of newborn deaths that are not related to birth defects. The Committee urges the Institute to enhance efforts through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including Request for Applications, to identify risk factors and genetic disposition to premature labor to better diagnose, prevent, and advise women of health risks regarding premature labor.
Primary Immune Deficiency Diseases.--The Committee is pleased with the comprehensive approach that NICHHD has employed in its efforts to address this class of 80 diseases. Its peer-reviewed research collaborations with non-profit organizations have been successful. The Committee is also aware of the leadership role NICHHD has taken with regard to the establishment of a national education and awareness campaign in partnership with NIAID, CDC, and the Jeffrey Modell Foundation. The Committee encourages NICHHD to continue and expand its commitment to and support for this collaboration.
Reading Disabilities.--The Committee has followed with interest the progress of the National Reading Panel and its success in developing rigorous methodological criteria that will be used to evaluate the quality of the research relevant to instructional reading practices that are used in the classrooms. The Committee looks forward to the Panel's final report and to its use in helping teachers, school administrators, and educational policymakers identify those reading instructional approaches and strategies that are most effective and based upon the best scientific research.
The Committee is pleased with the productive collaboration between NICHHD, the Office of Educational Research, Statistics, and Improvement (OERI) within the Department of Education, NIFL, and NRC in developing the necessary programmatic, funding, and peer-review procedures that will ensure that the goals and objectives of the Reading Excellence Act are realized and that both children and teachers will benefit from the joint commitment of these agencies to selecting those applications that are characterized by the highest quality of scientifically-based research.
The Committee commends NICHHD for developing the Spanish-to-English Reading initiative and as well as the collaboration with OERI to conduct this extremely important project in the most effective manner. The Committee urges NICHHD and OERI to pursue research so that scientific evidence can be obtained that will inform the development and application of instructional approaches and strategies to prevent and remediate reading and writing difficulties among children whose first language is Spanish. The Committee is pleased with the progress being made in developing rigorous peer-review practices for the evaluation of research applications relevant to academic development, instruction, teacher preparation, and school reform efforts. The Committee also commends NICHHD for its collaborative efforts in working with the National Science Foundation and the Department of Education in the development of the Interagency Educational Research Initiative.
The Committee is pleased with the scientific progress and contributions that have been made by NICHHD through its research efforts to understand how children learn to read, why some children have difficulties learning to read, and to identify the most effective instructional approaches and strategies that help children read at maximum levels at different phases of reading development. The Committee also is pleased with the progress made in developing and applying systematic training programs for teachers engaged in reading instruction with children in kindergarten and elementary classrooms in several locations, including Washington, D.C. As part of the NICHHD early reading intervention research program underway in Washington, D.C., teacher training efforts have been highly productive in helping teachers select and apply reading instructional approaches and strategies that are most effective with children at-risk for reading failure.
Rett Syndrome.--The Committee continues to be concerned about Rett syndrome, a crippling brain disorder that strikes baby girls after early normal development. Recent research has narrowed the gene research to a specific area on the X chromosome (Xq28). It is hoped that in the near future the exact location will be identified allowing for a prenatal test, a biological marker, and potential treatment for girls who already suffer from the disease. Other neurochemical studies have revealed dramatic alterations in specific neurotransmitters, alterations of which may provide promising treatment avenues. It is important that NICHHD and NINDS keep momentum with these new discoveries, which may soon lead to knowledge of the cause, treatment, and cure. Research in this area also holds promise for progress in other disorders such as autism, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. The Committee urges the Institute to continue to support further research on the causes of, biological markers for, and treatment and cure for Rett syndrome.
Spina Bifida.--Research has shown that many cases of spina bifida can be avoided through the use of folic acid supplements in women of childbearing age, but less than 30 percent of women of childbearing age take folic acid supplements as a preventative measure. The Committee urges NICHHD to take the lead along with NINDS and NIDDK to use all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including a consensus conference, to evaluate the existing scientific data regarding spina bifida, develop a plan that prioritizes research identifying early intervention strategies and treatment protocols that address the conditions affecting persons with spina bifida, and make recommendations regarding the effective translation of existing prevention initiatives into clinical practice.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.--The Committee is pleased with NICHHD's continued efforts to extend the reach of its extremely successful `Back to Sleep' campaign to underserved populations and daycare providers. The Committee also commends NICHHD's attempts to further progress in SIDS research by initiating a third SIDS five-year research plan. This third five-year plan will continue the efforts of the past two five-year plans which have been responsible for many of the research breakthroughs in the effort to reduce SIDS cases in the United States.
Women's Health Research.--There are many areas of women's health that need further attention such as the long-term consequences women experience related to child bearing, including incontinence, uterine and rectal prolapse, and other disabling conditions. The Committee encourages NICHHD to enhance research toward women's health care throughout the life-span.
Women's Reproductive Health Research Career Development Centers.--The Committee commends NICHHD for providing grants to establish 12 Women's Reproductive Health Research Career Development Centers within ob-gyn departments at various universities and hospitals. At these Centers, newly trained ob-gyn clinicians are provided training and support to assist them in pursuing research careers to address problems in women's obstetric and gynecologic health. NICHHD is encouraged to expand the Centers program.
NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE
The Committee provides $428,594,000 for the National Eye Institute (NEI), which is $31,698,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $22,055,000 above the Administration request.
Mission.--The NEI conducts and supports basic and clinical research, research training, and other programs with respect to blinding eye diseases, visual disorders, mechanisms of visual function, preservation of sight, and the special health problems and needs of individuals who are visually-impaired or blind. In addition, the NEI is responsible for the dissemination of information, specifically public and professional education programs aimed at the prevention of blindness.
Age-related Macular Degeneration.--Age-related macular degeneration is the most common form of irreversible blindness for persons over age 65. Studies of carotenoid lutein, found in green leafy vegetables and sold as a dietary supplement, suggest that diet may play a role in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration. The Committee encourages NEI to study all factors, including diet and nutrition, in the search for treatments and a cure for this disease.
Autoimmune Disease Research.--Little is known about the factors that determine susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. Associated eye diseases and conditions affect so many Americans. The Committee is pleased that NEI is a participant with NIAID and other Institutes in the autoimmune disease research initiative.
Diabetes.--NEI is the lead NIH Institute focusing on curing and preventing diabetic retinopathy, a condition that often leads to blindness. The Committee encourages NEI to continue its efforts in this area and to explore new strategies to alleviate suffering from this condition.
Learning Disabilities.--The Committee commends NEI for its efforts to explore the visual aspects of learning disabilities and encourages the Institute to continue to coordinate with other Institutes working on related activities.
Low Vision.--As the size of the elderly population in this country increases so will the number of people with age-related eye diseases such as low vision. The Committee encourages NEI to consider extending the National Eye Health Education Program to include activities related to low vision and its rehabilitation.
Neuroscience.--The Institute supports research on the development of the nervous system, nerve rescue and regeneration, and on the development of advanced non-invasive methods, such as functional magnetic resonance imaging, to study visual processing in the brain. The Committee looks forward to hearing more about this exciting research.
Retinal Degenerative Diseases.--The social and economic impact of retinal degenerative diseases, including retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration, is extensive. Age-related macular degeneration will become an even greater public health problem as the baby-boomers age. The Committee supports the Institute's decision to make retinal degeneration one of its top research priorities.
Vision Research.--The collaboration of scientists from different disciplines on specific disease problems can hasten new treatment approaches as evidenced from the successes in cancer and AIDS disease fields. The Committee encourages NEI to use all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including a task force, to explore ways of exploiting new advances in molecular biology, genetics, immunology, cell biology, and other disciplines to accelerate the effort to find new cures for blinding diseases. The Committee requests that the Director of the Institute be prepared to provide a status report at the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES
The Committee provides $421,109,000 for the National Institute of Environmental Health Science (NIEHS), when adjusted for the transfer from the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund for bioterrorism activities, which is $32,632,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $23,197,000 above the Administration request.
Mission.--The NIEHS mission is to reduce the burden of environmentally related illness and dysfunction by understanding how environmental exposures affect health, how individuals differ in their susceptibility to these effects, and how these susceptibilities change over time. This mission is achieved through multidisciplinary biomedical research programs, prevention and intervention efforts, and communication strategies that encompass training, education, technology transfer, and community outreach.
Asthma.--The Committee recognizes the collaborative effort between NIEHS and NIAID lead to the identification of cockroach allergens as a cause of asthma attacks in inner city children with asthma. The Committee urges NIEHS and NIAID to continue this excellent example of cooperation through the prevention/intervention phase of the project designed to reduce exposure to these allergens. The study will determine how reducing exposures to cockroaches, dust mites, and animal dander will decrease morbidity associated with this chronic inflammatory disease.
There has been an increased recognition in the scientific and public health communities that minority and disadvantaged populations are disproportionately exposed to a variety of health hazards including air pollution. Its relationship to asthma and other pulmonary disorders is beginning to be documented. The Committee encourages NIEHS to continue research in this area.
Children's Health.--The Committee is pleased to learn that NIEHS, in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is supporting eight children's health centers focused on environmental aspects of asthma and other respiratory diseases. The Committee encourages NIEHS and EPA to support additional centers with a focus on disease endpoints in children.
Diabetes.--Many researchers believe that Type 1 diabetes is caused by a combination of several factors, including an unknown environmental factor. The Committee urges NIEHS to support research that focuses on the identification of environmental components which could trigger the onset of diabetes in individuals who are genetically susceptible to the disease.
Endocrine Disruptors.--Endocrine disruptors are compounds in the environment, which may have an effect on thyroid and reproductive function and development. Research to determine the nature and extent to which this is a human problem and whether fish neurons can be used as bioassay for the endocrine disruptors is needed. The Committee urges NIEHS to continue to support research in this area.
Health Disparities Outcomes.--Many of the populations disproportionately exposed to the impact of environmental factors are minority and disadvantaged groups. This exposure manifests itself into a variety of health problems such as asthma. The environmental justice programs of the NIEHS serve as models in addressing this issue. The Committee urges the Institute to continue this program and encourages the Institute to work closely with minority communities and organizations to enhance the participation of special populations in biomedical research.
Lymphoma.--Lymphoma is the second fastest growing cancer by rate of incidence. The Committee encourages NIEHS to collaborate its research efforts with NCI to better understand environmental factors that may contribute to the cause of the disease and expand overall knowledge of the disease.
National Occupational Research Agenda.--The Committee is pleased with the progress made to date by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) on implementing the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA). The Committee urges NIEHS to work with NIOSH in relevant NORA priority areas such as Indoor Environment, Fertility and Pregnancy Abnormalities, Hearing Loss, Mixed Exposures, Emerging Technologies, Cancer Research Methods, Exposure Assessment Methods, Risk Assessment Methods, and Special Populations at Risk.
NTP Report on Carcinogens.--The Report on Carcinogens lists all chemicals known to be a human carcinogen and makes no distinction between types of chemicals. Tamoxifen, a prescription drug used to treat breast cancer patients, is a carcinogen that has been recommended for listing in the next report. Tamoxifen has recently been approved as a preventive measure in women who are susceptible to breast cancer, but don't actually have the disease, making it the first carcinogen to be prescribed for use by healthy women. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recommended that pharmaceutical agents be listed separately from non-pharmaceutical chemicals in the National Toxicology Program Report on Carcinogens. The Committee recognizes the increasingly complex nature of exposure to prescription pharmaceuticals that may have carcinogenic side effects and urges NIEHS to give careful consideration to FDA's recommendation when preparing the 9th and future editions of this report.
Parkinson's Disease.--There is a growing body of evidence linking Parkinson's to environmental exposure. The Committee is pleased that NIEHS is funding investigation of Parkinson's risk factors, including epidemiological studies of exposure to heavy metals and pesticides. The Committee urges the Institute to enhance its research on the cause, pathogenesis, and treatments of the disease, in coordination with other relevant Institutes. The Committee requests that the Director be prepared to testify on the Institutes Parkinson's research agenda at the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing.
Population-based Studies.--The Committee recognizes the importance of the development of environmental cohorts to help understand disease risks as a function of environmental exposures and gender and encourages the Institute to pursue this approach in the study of diseases, such as breast cancer.
Research Priority Setting.--One mechanism that the Institute has used to seek public input in setting its research agenda has been the use of regional town hall meetings. The Committee is pleased to learn that NIEHS has recently invited public input and advice about environmental health problems of concern to the American people in four such meetings. The Committee encourages NIEHS to work with minority communities and organizations to enhance the participation of special populations in setting the research agenda.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING
The Committee provides $651,665,000 for the National Institute on Aging (NIA), which is $51,529,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $36,948,000 above the Administration request.
Mission.--The NIA conducts biomedical, behavioral, and social research related to the aging process to prevent disease and other problems of the aged, and to maintain the health and independence of older Americans.
Alzheimer's Disease.--An estimated four million Americans now suffer with Alzheimer's disease and by the time the baby boomer generation reaches the age of greatest risk, as many as 14 million persons could be afflicted. the disease has a significant impact on the Nation's health care system, which will only be exacerbated as the population ages. There is compelling evidence indicating that Alzheimer's actually begins to attack brain cells years before the first symptoms of the disease appear. By that time, however, it is too late to halt or reverse the damage. In response to this new evidence and the Committee's support for research in this area, NIA recently announced the start-up of a three-year, multi-site clinical trial to test the usefulness of two therapeutic agents to slow or stop the progression of mild cognitive impairment to the disease. The Committee is pleased by this action and encourages the Institute to work with NINDS and NIMH to expand its total investment in Alzheimer's research.
Bone Diseases.--The Committee urges NIA to enhance its research on osteoporosis, osteogenesis imperfecta, and related bone diseases. As the population ages, the cost of acute and long-term care for these diseases will escalate. The Committee encourages the Institute to work with NIAMS to expand research on these diseases. The Committee also encourages NIA to enhance research of these diseases in non-Caucasian women and all men.
Cardiovascular Aging Research.--Heart attack, congestive heart failure, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases remain the number one killer of older men and women and a main cause of disability. Of the Americans who die from cardiovascular diseases, about half are age 65 or older. The Committee encourages the Institute to support both innovative intramural and extramural cardiovascular disease research programs.
Demographic Research.--The Committee commends NIA for building and sustaining high quality data infrastructures needed to examine the changing patterns of old age, disease, and disability. Implications of such data are critical in understanding the health and well-being of the elderly and their families. The Demography of Aging Centers are playing an important role in analyzing health disparities among the elderly which persist despite general improvements. The Committee looks forward to the induction of the oldest baby-boomers into the ongoing Health and Retirement Study.
Diabetes.--Diabetes is the leading cause of chronic illness that is common in the elderly and is the cause of serious health complications, including blindness, kidney failure, amputation, heart disease, and stroke. The Committee encourages NIA to work with other Institutes to jointly support research on the cure and prevention of the complications of diabetes.
National Occupational Research Agenda.--The Committee is pleased with the progress made to date by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) on implementing the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA). The Committee urges NIA to work with NIOSH in relevant NORA priority areas such as Special Populations at Risk, Hearing Loss, Low Back Disorders, Traumatic Injuries, Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Upper Extremities, and Organization of Work.
Parkinson's Disease.--Parkinson's disease continues to exact a costly toll on the Nation, both in human and financial terms. With the average age of diagnosis at 57 years, the demographic surge known as the baby boomers will vastly increase this problem. The Committee is encouraged, however, by the continued discoveries in the cause, pathophysiology, and treatment of the disease and by the growing opportunities for collaboration with Alzheimer's disease. Given the age-related impact and the potential for development of more effective treatments, the Committee urges the Institute to use all available mechanisms, as appropriate, to further implement the 1997 Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Research Act.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ARTHRITIS AND MUSCULOSKELETAL AND SKIN DISEASES
The Committee provides $333,378,000 for the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), which is $26,094,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $18,628,000 above the Administration request.
Mission.--The NIAMS conducts and supports basic and clinical research and research training, and the dissemination of health information on the more than 100 forms of arthritis; osteoporosis and other bone diseases; muscle biology and muscle diseases; orthopaedic disorders, such as back pain and sports injuries; and numerous skin diseases.
Alopecia Areata.--NIAMS has cosponsored three International Research Workshops on alopecia areata, presenting research which has been both government and Foundation funded. The Committee commends NIAMS for its cooperative and innovative private/public initiatives in seeking a cure for this disease. NIAMS is encouraged to enhance its role in seeking a cure through tested research strategies and partnerships with the private sector. The Director of the Institute should be prepared to testify on this effort during the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing.
Bone Diseases.--Over 30 million Americans suffer from some form of bone disease. The Committee encourages NIAMS to enhance its research on diseases such as osteoporosis, Paget's disease, osteogenesis imperfecta, multiple myeloma, and other bone diseases with a special emphasis on the role that proteins such as Cbfa-1 and parathyroid hormones and bisphosphonates play in the growth and development of bone; on research and development of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMS) which offer promise in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and related bone diseases; and on the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis as it relates to non-Caucasian women and all men. The Committee also encourages the Institute to follow-up on research opportunities arising out of the 1999 NIH workshop on Osteogenesis Imperfecta.
Connective Tissue Biopolymer Research.--The Committee encourages NIAMS to pursue research on designing and developing new methods to use polymers in connective tissue repair, replacement, and regeneration. The Institute is also encouraged to undertake training activities to ensure a viable workforce in the emerging field of polymer material tissue engineering.
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.--Duchenne muscular dystrophy remains the most common childhood form of muscular dystrophy. The Committee is encouraged that NIAMS, NINDS, and other Institutes are continuing to pursue an understanding of this progressive, heritable disease. In particular, the Committee is aware of the recent Program Announcement issued to encourage new applications on the `Pathogenesis and Therapy of the Muscular Dystrophies.' The Committee looks forward to learning about new research opportunities as a result of this effort during the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing as well as information on possible breakthroughs from the overall scientific enterprise.
Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.--Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a group of heritable disorders of connective tissue that has been misunderstood and under-diagnosed by the medical community. It is believed that research on EDS would not only assist with development of diagnostic tools and treatment, but would also benefit the understanding of other connective tissue related diseases as well as arthritis, premature membrane rupture, premature births, and wound healing in the elderly. The Committee urges NIAMS and NIH to enhance research on EDS through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, to increase healthcare provider and public education on the disease, to facilitate accurate diagnosis and treatment, and develop standards of care and treatment protocols.
Facioscapulohumeral Disease.--The Committee is concerned that NIH has not responded to a previous request to develop a plan for enhancing NIH research into facioscapulohumeral (FSH) disease. The Committee urges NIH to convene a research planning conference and establish a comprehensive portfolio into the causes, prevention, and treatment of FSH disease through all available mechanisms, as appropriate. The Director of the Institute is requested to be prepared to testify on the status of this initiative at the fiscal year 2001 approprations hearing.
Fibromyalgia.--Fibromyalgia is a clinically diagnosed disorder which is poorly understood and difficult to treat. It is a syndrome of debilitating, chronic, widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and other associated disorders. The Committee encourages NIAMS to enhance research to further understand this disease through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including centers for multiple disciplinary research.
Ichthyosis.--The Committee is pleased with the NIAMS intramural research program's study of ichthyosis and encourages the Institute to continue this research and enhance research of the genetic components of all of the ichthyoses.
Heritable Disorders of Connective Tissue.--The Committee acknowledges NIAMS for its support of research on heritable disorders of connective tissue and for its sponsorship of two conferences held on this body of disorders in 1990 and 1995. These disorders are difficult to diagnose, they are incurable connective tissue syndromes, and they affect more than a million Americans. The Committee encourages NIAMS to enhance efforts in this area through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, to understand the molecular and clinical burden of these disorders, to understand the interaction between the molecular genetic defect and the body systems, to be able to predict manifestations of disease before they occur, and to develop effective therapies that will improve the quality of life for people affected by the disorders.
Lupus.--Lupus is an autoimmune disease that mainly affects women of child-bearing age, can lead to severe organ injury, and the treatment is often as devastating as the disease. African-American women are three times more likely to have lupus than Caucasian women. The Committee is encouraged by recent NIAMS research success in identifying genes and mechanisms which lead to the onset of lupus and urges enhanced research to continue this work. Gaining understanding of the factors associated with the high prevalence of lupus in women and minorities and developing new and innovative treatments while protecting the poor and the uninsured from financial devastation are important priorities for the Committee.
Osteoarthritis.--Early diagnosis of a disease is important to prevent or reduce long-term disability. For many diseases, such as osteoarthritis, early diagnosis is hampered due to insufficient knowledge of the early stages of the disease. Osteoarthritis, which can completely destroy the joints of the hips and knees, affects over 20 million Americans, most often the elderly. With the number of aged Americans expected to double over the next 20 years, the Committee encourages the Institute to make osteoarthritis research a priority.
Recent advances in biomedical research have raised the possibility of regenerating articular cartilage and perhaps preventing this disease in weight-bearing joints. The Committee urges NIAMS to enhance research into understanding the spectrum of cellular/biological processes that occur in and around the joint, in addition to joint biomechanics, and joint disease pathology and progression. The Committee also encourages the Institute to strengthen research efforts to restore proper joint function through tissue engineering and regeneration, surgery, drug therapy, gene therapy, and other modalities.
Osteogenesis Imperfecta.--Osteogenesis Imperfecta (IO) is a genetic bone disorder characterized by fragile bones that break very easily and affects 20,000 to 50,000 people in the United States. Through private and public support, research into treatment for this disorder is resulting in the possibility of significant breakthroughs in clinical and basic research. The Committee commends the Institute for holding a conference on Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) in collaboration with the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation and the Children's Brittle Bone Foundation and urges the Institute to carefully review the results of the conference and expand and promote its support of research on OI accordingly.
Osteoporosis Education.--A task force convened by the Office of Public Health and Science on Women's Health, in conjunction with the National Osteoporosis Foundation, has determined that a public campaign is needed. The first phase of this campaign was initiated in 1999 and is focused on adolescent girls, ages 9 to 18. A second phase focusing on women age 45 to 64 was also recommended. The Committee encourages NIAMS to assist in carrying out this phase of the public education campaign.
Scoliosis.--The Committee urges NIAMS, in coordination with other Institutes, to enhance research relevant to scoliosis toward the objectives of identifying genetic markers, developing prenatal and childhood detection testing, and developing genetic therapies to prevent the disease.
Skin Diseases.--The Committee has learned of the efforts by the skin diseases researchers and patient advocacy organizations to develop a comprehensive analysis of research opportunities and a research plan for future progress in finding cures and improving care for patients with these diseases. The Committee commends this initiative and encourages NIAMS to publicize and support widespread use of this material.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
The Committee provides $251,218,000 for the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), which is $19,671,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $14,047,000 above the Administration request.
Mission.--The NIDCD funds and conducts research in human communication. Included in its program areas are research and research training in the normal and disordered mechanisms of hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech and language. The Institute addresses special biomedical and behavioral problems associated with people who have communication impairments or disorders. In addition, the NIDCD is actively involved in health promotion and disease prevention, dissemination of research results, and supports efforts to create devices that substitute for lost and impaired sensory and communication functions.
Dysphonia.--The Committee continues to be pleased with NIDCD's research into spasmodic dysphonia, a voice disorder which makes speech difficult due to uncontrolled voice and pitch breaks. The Committee encourages NIDCD to enhance its dysphonia research portfolio.
Dystonia.--The Committee is pleased with the extramural research initiatives that NIDCD has conducted in dystonia specific research. The Committee continues to encourage NIDCD to work with the dystonia community, particularly in the study of the DYT1 gene for early on-set dystonia. The Committee is also pleased that NIDCD will be supporting an epidemiological study on dystonia and encourages the Institute to explore the opportunities for increased professional and public awareness of the disease.
Genetics.--The Committee is encouraged by NIDCD's research into the genetics of hearing impairment and other communication disorders and believes that a high priority should be placed on support of collaborative research to identify, characterize, and understand the function of all genes affecting the auditory and vestibular system as well as research into methods to use gene therapy to prevent or treat hearing loss.
Hair Cell Regeneration.--The Committee encourages NIDCD to enhance research in developmental biology related to inner ear hair cell regeneration, including the mechanisms of hair cell growth and activation, and cell differentiation into hair cells and supporting cells.
Learning Disabilities.--The Committee is pleased the NIDCD continues to support research activities focused on speech processing and on the development of expressive and receptive language. The Committee encourages the Institute to continue its efforts in this area and continue to coordinate with other Institutes working on related activities.
National Multipurpose Research and Training Centers.--The Committee understands NIDCD is proposing to discontinue the National Multipurpose Research and Training Centers program after the current awards expire. The Committee requests that the Institute provide a full justification for this decision to the Committee as soon as possible, but no later than October 31, 1999.
Neurofibromatosis.--NF2 accounts for approximately five percent of genetic forms of deafness and, unlike other genetic forms of deafness, NF2 associated deafness is potential preventable or curable if tumor growth is halted before damage has been done to the adjacent nerve. The Committee encourages NIDCD to enhance its research in this area, through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including the use of conditional mutant mice. The Committee requests that the Director of the Institute be prepared to report on the status of NF research at the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing.
Otitis Media.--The Committee urges NIDCD to enhance research of otitis media investigations, especially continued development of a vaccine for otitis media in children.
Patient-Oriented Clinical Research- The Committee is pleased that NIH is committed to reinvigorating clinical research and recognizes that translating research into improved human health is dependent upon a healthy clinical research enterprise. The Committee encourages NIDCD to continue its support of patient-oriented clinical research by clinician-scientists, including physician-scientists, particularly the clinical trial cooperative group program.
Stuttering- Stuttering exists across all cultures, races, and socioeconomic classes and affects about three million Americans. Genetics and neuroimaging are two areas of research which hold promise to understand the causes and features of stuttering as well as the development of much needed therapies. The Committee encourages NIDCD to enhance research on stuttering through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including a consensus conference.
Therapies for Inner Ear Disease.--The Committee encourages NIDCD to enhance its research to study the efficacy of local therapies for the treatment of inner ear diseases, such as Menieres disease, sudden hearing loss, and tinnitus.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NURSING RESEARCH
The Committee provides $76,204,000 for the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), which is $6,173,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $4,474,000 above the Administration request.
Mission.--The NINR supports and conducts scientific research and research training to reduce the burden of illness and disability; improve health-related quality of life; and establish better approaches to promote health and prevent disease.
Diabetes.--Until a cure is found, careful blood-glucose control in individuals with diabetes can help prevent the onset of complications from the disease. However, such control is, at best, difficult to obtain, especially in children. The Committee encourages NINR to support research that focuses on new strategies to assist diabetics, particularly children, to cope and live with the disease.
Pressure Ulcers.--The Committee encourages NINR to advance the clinical evaluation of pressure ulcer prevention technology developed through the SBIR program.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM
The Committee provides $279,901,000 for the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), which is $20,699,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $14,404,000 above the Administration request.
Mission.--The NIAAA supports research to generate new knowledge to answer crucial questions about why people drink; why some individuals are vulnerable to alcohol dependence or alcohol-related diseases and others are not; the relationship of genetic and environmental factors involved in alcoholism; the mechanisms whereby alcohol produces its disabling effects, including organ damage; how to prevent alcohol misuse and associated damage and how alcoholism treatment can be improved. NIAAA addresses these questions through a program of biomedical, behavioral, and epidemiologic research on alcoholism, alcohol abuse, and related problems. This program includes various areas of special emphasis such as medications development, fetal alcohol syndrome, genetics, and moderate drinking.
Alcohol Liver Disease.--Alcohol liver disease (ALD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in this country and developing effective interventions for this disease is important. The Committee is pleased by the NIAAA funded research on ALD, such as the role of cytokines in the inflammatory response, and encourages the Institute to enhance its research on treatment.
Dietary Recommendations for Alcoholics.--Almost 14 million American adults meet the medical criteria for a diagnosis of alcohol abuse or alcoholism at a significant cost to society. There is much that is unknown in the treatment of those with an alcohol problem. For example, at present alcoholics in treatment receive conflicting dietary guidance. Some treatment programs encourage sweets as a way to stave off the craving for alcohol while others advocate a diet void in sweets in order to prevent sugar-induced mood swings. The Committee encourages NIAAA to pursue research in this area.
Domestic Violence.--The abuse of alcohol too often correlates with domestic violence. While domestic violence is the culmination of a complex set of interactions in the environment of the abuser, NIAAA is pursuing research that would identify the impact of alcohol on the brain and behavior of the abuser. In this way, an agent or a behavior modification that may counteract these effects may be identified thus preventing domestic violence from occurring. The Committee commends NIAAA for pursuing this line of research and encourages its continuation.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.--Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is a leading preventable cause of mental retardation and birth defects in the United States. The Committee is pleased with the new Request for Applications on prevention of FAS and encourages NIAAA to enhance research on the prevention of drinking during pregnancy and on effective treatments for children who have been exposed to alcohol during gestation. The Committee also commends NIAAA for its leadership in chairing the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (ICCFAS). The Committee encourages NIAAA to consider developing a National Clearinghouse on Alcohol-Related Birth Defects to serve as a national resource to educate the public about the dangers of drinking alcohol during pregnancy using science-based prevention and education strategies.
Genetics- The NIAAA funded Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism has discovered areas of the genome that are potentially related to alcoholism. The Committee is aware that data from this study will be released to the scientific community soon and encourages access to and continuing analysis of the data by the broader scientific community.
Hepatitis C- Alcohol consumption by patients infected with Hepatitis C virus markedly increases liver damage and worsens the prognosis of the disease. Nearly four million Americans are infected with Hepatitis C virus, which causes an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 deaths per year. The Committee commends NIAAA for working with other NIH Institutes to cosponsor a symposium and is pleased by the new Request for Applications that focuses specifically on alcohol and Hepatitis C. The Committee urges further research and collaboration on this significant topic.
Medications Development- The Committee commends NIAAA's new initiative to develop medications based on the developing understanding of the neuroscience of alcohol. The development of medications and their testing in clinical trials are important for expanding treatment options in combating this disease. The Committee encourages NIAAA to continue research on methods for delivering drugs across the blood-brain barrier and on medications that target specific receptor subunits in the brain.
Moderate Drinking- The Committee is pleased that NIAAA has expanded its studies on the benefits and risks of moderate drinking. In addition to currently funded research on the health effects of alcohol on atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, cerebrovascular diseases, women's health, and those taking medications, the Committee encourages NIAAA to expand its investigations to include research into alcohol's effect on insulin metabolism, as well as the role of organic components in beverages, including antioxidant effects of phenolic compounds, on overall health.
Neuroscience- Neuroscience research funded by NIAAA continues to play an important role in determining the biological basis of alcohol-related behaviors. The Committee recognizes the Institute's extensive neuroscience portfolio and supports continued research in areas such as neural circuitry, the action of alcohol on cell membranes and receptors, and the mechanism of craving, reward and reinforcement. The Committee anticipates the development of new medications for treatment of alcoholism and related disorders that will follow this research.
Research to Practice Forums- The Committee commends NIAAA for co-sponsoring the Research to Practice Forum with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the New York State Office on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, the Association of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Programs of New York State, and the American Society of Addiction Medicine, which focused on bridging the gap between researchers and practitioners and translating scientific research into clinical applications. The Committee encourages NIAAA to support the implementation and evaluation of research-based services within the alcohol treatment system.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE
The Committee provides $656,551,000 for the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), which is $48,572,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $33,800,000 above the Administration request.
Mission- NIDA-supported science addresses questions about drug abuse and addiction, which range from its causes and consequences to its prevention and treatment. NIDA research explores how drugs of abuse affect the brain and behavior and develops effective prevention and treatment strategies; the Institute works to ensure the transfer of scientific data to policy makers, practitioners, and the public.
Centers for Drug Abuse Research and Treatment- The Committee commends NIDA for its strategy of developing and establishing centers for drug abuse research and treatment around the country. Consideration should be given to locating one or more centers in areas where drug trafficking, the production of illegal drugs such as methamphetamine, and drug abuse is more prevalent.
Children and Adolescents- Recognizing the devastating impact of drug addiction on children and youth, the Committee is pleased that NIDA has developed a children and adolescent research initiative. The Committee urges NIDA to work with other NIH Institutes to expand its research portfolio into areas of co-occurring mental disorders, developmental consequences, prenatal exposure, genetic vulnerability, and environmental protective and risk factors. This type of research offers hope of improved prevention of initial drug use and prevention of the health consequences of addiction.
Clinical Trials- The Committee is pleased with NIDA's continuing progress in developing behavioral and pharmacological drug abuse treatments and supports NIDA's new treatment initiative to establish a National Drug Abuse Treatment Clinical Trials Network designed to test the efficacy of promising pharmacological and behavioral treatments through large-scale clinical trials. The Committee is also pleased with NIDA's leadership in forging strong partnerships with treatment researchers and community-based treatment providers as a means of assuring that effective new treatments will be tested in real-life settings and incorporated into ongoing community-based drug treatment programs.
Genetic Vulnerability- Genetics and the environment are two factors that influence drug abuse and addiction. The relationship between the two is complex, requiring continued research in areas of behavioral genetics, psychiatric and epidemiological genetics, molecular genetics, and population genetics. The Committee encourages NIDA to expand its development of research for improving prevention and treatment interventions in this area.
Hepatitis C- The Committee commends NIDA for participating in the trans-Institute request for applications for Hepatitis C and urges enhanced research in this area consistent with the recommendations made by the Hepatitis C Consensus Development Conference.
Medications Development- The Committee encourages NIDA to study the development of anti-addiction medications to clarify the neurological and behavioral benefits of the use of various pharmacological agents and to continue to develop an understanding of how physicians can best utilize these medications. NIDA is also encouraged to expand its support for research to develop medications that are specifically geared to the needs of varied populations as well as research on treatment approaches for application to poly-drug addiction.
Neuroscience- Basic neuroscience provides a foundation for NIDA's research portfolio. The Committee urges NIDA to continue efforts to develop new areas of research in neuroscience and commends NIDA's support for continued research and dissemination of information to the public on the neurobiology of drug addiction to specific drugs of abuse.
Nicotine Research- The Committee recognizes that the health consequences of nicotine addiction are substantial to adults, children, and adolescents and applauds the gains NIDA has made in supporting research that has yielded effective replacement therapies and behavioral interventions. The Committee encourages NIDA to continue to develop research on the prevention, behavioral, and pharmacological treatment of nicotine addiction. The Committee also supports NIDA's ongoing research in the basic sciences, behavioral and medical treatments, and epidemiology of nicotine use and abuse.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
The Committee provides $930,436,000 for the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), which is $75,226,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $54,443,000 above the Administration request.
Mission- The NIMH is responsible for research activities that seek to improve diagnosis, treatments, and overall quality of care for persons with mental illnesses. Disorders of high priority to NIMH include schizophrenia, depression and manic depressive illness, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders and other mental and behavioral disorders that occur across the lifespan; these include childhood mental disorders such as autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; eating disorders; Alzheimer's disease; and other illnesses. NIMH supports and conducts fundamental research in neuroscience, genetics, and behavioral science. In addition to laboratory and controlled clinical studies, the NIMH supports research on the mental health needs of special populations and health services research.
Alzheimer's Disease- NIMH's expanding neuroscience and behavioral research portfolios continue to play an instrumental role in advancing science's understanding of Alzheimer's disease. It was NIMH supported researchers who found that a particular gene product, APO E-4, is associated with increased behavioral disturbances in Alzheimer's disease. The Institute is urged to continue its close collaboration with NIA and NINDS and to enhance its investment in research on Alzheimer's disease.
Depression- The Committee urges NIMH to enhance research that will help explain depression, including the search for genes through which susceptibility is inherited, environmental risk factors that may interact with genetic factors, and biological changes in the brain associated with this disorder. The Committee commends NIMH's emphasis on funding clinical research to develop new ways to treat children and adolescents for depression and to adequately test the effectiveness of adult medications being routinely prescribed for children. The Committee also supports NIMH's commitment to assess different treatments and therapies for treatment-resistant depression.
Gambling Addiction- The National Gambling Impact Study Commission recently issued its final report, which includes recommendations for additional support of investigator-initiated peer-reviewed research that would lead to a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms involved in pathological gambling behavior. The Committee is aware that NIMH has issued a program announcement to encourage research grant applications in this area. The Committee encourages NIMH to continue to express this interest in funding such high quality research, especially in the areas identified by the Commission, and to consider including other relevant Institutes through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including reissuing the program announcement and supplementing existing research grants. The Committee is pleased to learn that NIMH will award a grant for the first treatment intervention study of pathological gambling, and urges the Institute to consider encouraging additional applications for treatment outcome studies.
Learning Disabilities- The Committee commends NIMH for its efforts to explore the neurological and behavioral aspects of learning disabilities and encourages the Institute to continue to coordinate with other Institutes working on related activities.
Manic-depressive Illness- Manic-depressive illness, also known as bipolar disorder, is a brain disorder involving episodes of serious mania and depression. This illness usually begins in adolescence or early adulthood and continues throughout life. It is often not recognized as a mental illness and people who have it may suffer needlessly for years or even decades. The Committee commends NIMH for moving forward with its current research plan for manic depression and urges the Institute to expand its research for new treatments through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including clinical trials.
Schizophrenia- Schizophrenia is the most severely disabling mental disorder in terms of functional impairment and while there have been some significant advances in the 1990s, much remains to be learned about this disease. Scientists still do not understand what causes this illness and treatments are largely palliatives, not cures. The Committee urges NIMH to continue basic and clinical research opportunities that will advance both the understanding and treatment of this most disabling of mental illnesses.
NATIONAL HUMAN GENOME RESEARCH INSTITUTE
The Committee provides $308,012,000 for the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), which is $38,926,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $32,390,000 above the Administration request.
Mission.--The NHGRI coordinates extramural research and research training for the NIH component of the Human Genome Project, an effort to determine the location and sequence of the estimated 100,000 genes which constitute the human genome. The Division of Extramural Research supports research in genetic and physical mapping, DNA sequencing and technology development, database management and analysis, and studies of the ethical, legal, and social implications of human genome research. The Division of Intramural Research focuses on applying the tools and technologies of the Human Genome Project to understanding the genetic basis of disease and developing DNA-based diagnostics and gene therapies.
Avian Genomics.--The Committee encourages NHGRI to enhance research in the area of avian genomics that could possibly complement and enhance the ongoing human genome project through all available mechanisms, as appropriate.
Learning Disabilities.--The Committee commends NHGRI for its efforts to explore the genetic aspects of learning disabilities and encourages the Institute to continue to coordinate with other Institutes working on related activities.
NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESEARCH RESOURCES
The Committee provides $642,311,000 for the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), when adjusted for the transfer from the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund for bioterrorism activities, which is $87,668,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $74,192,000 above the Administration request.
Mission.--The NCRR develops and supports critical research technologies and shared resources that underpin biomedical research. The NCRR programs develop a variety of research resources; provide resources for complex biotechnologies, clinical research and specialized primate research; develop research capacity in minority institutions; and enhance the science education of pre-college students and the general public. The Committee places a special emphasis on programs such as the Research Centers in Minority Institutions and urges their continued support at levels commensurate with the importance of their mission.
Animal Research Facilities.--The Committee encourages NCRR to work with minority health professions schools to upgrade their animal research facilities in an effort to assist them in complying with Federal laws and regulations and receive accreditation by the appropriate scientific accreditation organization.
Class B Animal Dealers.--The Committee recognizes the inherent difficulties in enforcing the regulations and standards of the Animal Welfare Act with respect to USDA-licensed Class B dealers who supply dogs and cats for research purposes. The Committee understands that NIH has a prohibition on the use of dogs or cats obtained from Class B dealers in intramural research, but not in extramural research. The Committee encourages NIH to extend this prohibition to extramural research grants, as appropriate, and requests that NCRR be prepared to testify at the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing.
Cystic Fibrosis.--The Committee understands that NCRR is supporting a gene therapy monitoring center. This type of a center is important to effectively and efficiently translate research progress from the laboratory to the clinical area in genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis. The Committee commends NCRR for its support to realize this objective.
Extramural Facilities.--The Committee has included bill language identifying $30,000,000 in extramural biomedical facility renovation and construction, which is the same as both the fiscal year 1999 level and the Administration request. These funds are to be awarded competitively, consistent with the requirements of section 481A of the Public Health Service Act, which allocates 25 percent of the total funding to institutions of emerging excellence. The Committee commends NCRR for taking a more proactive role in fulfilling this requirement.
General Clinical Research Centers.--The Committee urges NCRR to enhance its support of General Clinical Research Centers, through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, in such areas as the training of clinical investigators, implementing the newly established guidelines for Informatics, providing support for Centers to conduct pilot studies, and enhancing patient access to clinical research. The Committee also urges NCRR to continue progress toward funding of Centers at Advisory Council at approved levels.
Institutional Development Awards- The Institutional Development Awards (IDeA) program provides capacity building assistance for biomedical research efforts in States which have not previously participated fully in the research programs of the NIH. The Committee provides $40,000,000 for this program to enhance NCRR's efforts in this area so that States can more fully exploit the opportunities to develop a competitive biomedical research base.
Medical Isotopes.--Medical isotopes hold the promise for new treatments for diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and arthritis. The Committee encourages NIH to enhance research in this area through all available mechanisms, as appropriate. The Committee also encourages NIH to work with the Department of Energy to enhance the availability, reliability, and variety of domestically-produced isotopes.
MRI Technology.--The Committee encourages NCRR to use all available mechanisms, as appropriate, to support functional MRI technology development that reflects the current state of clinical practice using a magnet strength in common clinical use and can be applied to the largest possible general population of patients in the field of neuroscience.
Primate Centers.--The Committee is pleased with the addition of an eighth Regional Primate Research Center during fiscal year 1999. The Center will complement existing Centers by providing expertise in primate genetics and chronic disease research and by strengthening the current programs capabilities in infectious disease research. The Committee urges NCRR to enhance its funding support for this Center.
Science Education Program.--The Committee commends NCRR for its efforts in science education, particularly for supporting science education programs which enhance the interest of K-12 students in science and increases the science knowledge of the general public. The Committee supports increased funding for the Center's Science Education Program and urges NCRR to use a portion of its increase to strengthen or establish exhibits related to science and health-related research in the nation's science centers and museums. The science centers and museums will complement existing programs to provide additional venues for augmenting the scientific awareness and interest in medical research by broad cross-sections of the public.
JOHN E. FOGARTY INTERNATIONAL CENTER
The Committee provides $40,440,000 for the Fogarty International Center (FIC), when adjusted for the transfer from the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund for bioterrorism activities, which is $5,025,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $4,166,000 above the Administration request.
Mission- The FIC was established to improve the health of the people of the United States and other nations through international cooperation in the biomedical sciences. In support of this mission, the FIC pursues the following four goals: mobilize international research efforts against global health threats; advance science through international cooperation; develop human resources to meet global research challenges; and provide leadership in international science policy and research strategies.
Tuberculosis- The Committee recognizes the growing importance of international research surveillance programs with respect to infectious diseases such as tuberculosis (TB). The Committee is pleased by the Center's research collaboration with international organizations and governments on multi-drug resistant TB and encourages the Center to continue these studies.
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE
The Committee provides $202,027,000 for the National Library of Medicine (NLM), which is $20,718,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $16,373,000 above the Administration request.
Mission- The National Library of Medicine collects, organizes, disseminates, and preserves biomedical literature in all forms, regardless of country of origin, language, or historical period. The Library's collection is widely available; it may be consulted at the NLM facility on the NIH campus; items may be requested on interlibrary loan; and the extensive NLM bibliographic databases may be searched online by health professionals around the world. NLM has a program of outreach to acquaint health professions with available NLM services. The Library also is mandated to conduct research into biomedical communications and biotechnology; to award grants in support of health science libraries and medical informatics research and training; and to create specialized information services in such areas as health services research, environmental health, AIDS, hazardous substances, and toxicology.
Capacity- The Committee heard testimony regarding the limits of the Library's physical capacity and that by 2003 the Library will have run out of space for its collection. The Committee is pleased that NLM has begun to examine its space situation and requests that the Director be prepared to give a status report on how it will address this problem at the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing.
Next Generation Internet and Telemedicine- The Committee commends NLM's numerous telemedicine sites and the positive impact that these programs are having on the delivery of health care in underserved communities. The Committee encourages the Library to continue the expansion of its research and development of telemedicine efforts and the Next Generation Internet. The Committee also encourages NLM to improve access to and quality of cost-effective interactive telemedicine systems in the areas of pediatric health care for patients in medically underserved rural and Native American areas.
Outreach- The Committee continues to note the success of the MEDLINE database and the new MEDLINEplus initiative and encourages NLM to continue its outreach activities aimed at educating health care professionals and the general public about the Library's products and services, in coordination with medical librarians and other health information specialists.
NATIONAL CENTER FOR COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
The Committee provides $68,000,000 for the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), which is $18,000,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $17,832,000 above the Administration request.
Mission- The Center was established to stimulate, develop, and support rigorous and relevant research of high quality and open, objective inquiry into the safety and effectiveness of complementary and alternative medicine practices in order to provide the American public with reliable information about these practices.
Integrative Medicine Fellowships.--The Committee urges the Center to give priority consideration to funding post-graduate fellowships that train physicians in integrative medicine, that support research on strategies for implementing the teaching of integrative medicine in education curricula, and that support efforts to design medical school curricula on integrative medicine.
Safety and Effectiveness.--Surveys have shown that between 30 and 40 percent of the U.S. population use health care services for practices classified as complimentary and alternative medicine and visits to alternative practitioners have increased almost 50 percent since 1990. The Committee believes that research into the safety and effectiveness of complimentary and alternative medicine practices is necessary, especially given the increased number of individuals who are turning to complimentary and alternative medicine practices. The Committee also believes that this research should focus on and encourage the integration of effective complimentary and alternative practices into traditional medicine.
Traditional Medicine- The World Health Organization estimates that over 80 percent of the world's population relies on traditional medicine as its primary source of medical care. The Committee encourages NCCAM, in coordination with NICHHD and FIC, to develop programs to build bridges between traditional practitioners around the world and western medicine in order to improve medical care to mothers and children the world.
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
The Committee provides $270,383,000 for the Office of the Director (OD), which is $13,921,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $7,674,000 above the Administration request. The bill includes language proposed by the Administration and included in the 1998 appropriations bill authorizing the collection of third party payments for the cost of clinical services.
Mission- The Office of the Director provides leadership to the NIH research enterprise and coordinates and directs initiatives which cross-cut the NIH. The OD is responsible for the development and management of intramural and extramural research and research training policy, the review of program quality and effectiveness, the coordination of selected NIH-wide program activities, and the administration of centralized support activities essential to operations of the NIH.
Minority Health Initiative- The Minority Health Initiative (MHI) is a coordinated set of programs designed to address the health needs of minorities across the lifespan and to expand the participation of minorities in all phases of biomedical and biobehavioral research. The MHI comprises a portfolio of multi-year research projects as collaborative efforts with NIH Institutes, centers and divisions (ICDs) as well as new components developed to confront emerging and unaddressed health research areas.
Office of Research on Minority Health- The Office of Research on Minority Health (ORMH) serves as the coordinating office for minority health research and research training activities at NIH. Through partnerships with the ICDs, and other federal agencies and outside organizations, the ORMH strives to improve the health status of all minorities and increase the numbers of minority scientists. The ORMH provides supplemental support to ICD projects, develops programs to increase minority participation in clinical trials, and initiates and develops programs to increase the competitiveness of grant applications submitted by minority researchers.
The Committee urges ORMH to increase the number of Native American, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islander principal investigators funded, through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, to conduct HIV behavioral research targeting the links between sexual behaviors, substance abuse, and HIV infection among the same populations. This research should be designed to build a culturally competent community knowledge base and activities to expand and strengthen population-based research to more effectively target at-risk persons, address community norms and support the adoption of HIV risk reduction behaviors, and sustain behavioral change among high risk populations.
The Committee encourages Federal HIV/AIDS services and prevention funds be responsive to the demographic trends of the epidemic.
The Committee commends ORMH for participating in the trans-Institute request for applications for Hepatitis C and urges enhanced research in this area consistent with the recommendations made by the Hepatitis C Consensus Development Conference.
Office of Research on Women's Health- The Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH) works in collaboration with the ICDs of the NIH to promote and foster efforts to address gaps in knowledge related to women's health through the enhancement and expansion of funded research and/or the initiation of new investigative studies. The ORWH is responsible for ensuring the inclusion of women in clinical research funded by the ICDs, including the development of a computerized tracking system and the implementation of new guidelines on such inclusion. This Office is also involved in promoting programs to increase the number of women in biomedical science, and in the development of women's health as a focus of medical/scientific research.
Office of AIDS Research- The Office of AIDS Research (OAR) is responsible for coordination of the scientific, budgetary, legislative, and policy elements of the NIH AIDS research program. The OAR develops a comprehensive plan for NIH AIDS-related research activities which is updated annually. The plan is the basis for the President's budget distribution of AIDS-related funds to the Institutes, centers and divisions within NIH. The Committee expects the Director of NIH to use this plan and the budget developed by OAR to guide his decisions on the allocation of AIDS funding among the Institutes. The Director of NIH also should use the full authority of his office to ensure that the ICDs spend their AIDS research dollars in a manner consistent with the plan. In addition, the OAR allocates an emergency AIDS discretionary fund to support research that was not anticipated when budget allocations were made.
The Committee has included the same general provisions in bill language that was contained in the 1999 appropriations bill. This language permits the Director of OAR, jointly with the Director of NIH, to transfer between ICDs up to three percent of the funding determined by NIH to be related to AIDS research. This authority could be exercised throughout the fiscal year subject to normal reprogramming procedures, and is intended to give NIH flexibility to adjust the AIDS allocations among Institutes if research opportunities and needs should change. The Committee also repeats language from last year's bill making the research funds identified by NIH as being AIDS related available to the OAR account for transfer to the Institutes. This provision permits the flow of funds through the OAR in the spirit of the authorization legislation without requiring the Congress to earmark a specific dollar amount for AIDS research.
The Committee is supportive of the efforts of the NIH to create extramural, multidisciplinary HIV/AIDS Research Centers and understands that there has been substantial scientific benefit from these Centers, particularly in the effort to prevent new HIV infections, the care for people living with HIV disease, and the advancement of basic biomedical research efforts. The Committee encourages NIH to enhance its support for these Centers.
The Committee encourages Federal HIV/AIDS services and prevention funds be responsive to the demographic trends of the epidemic.
The Committee commends the OD for participating in the trans-Institute request for applications for Hepatitis C and urges enhanced research in this area consistent with the recommendations made by the Hepatitis C Consensus Development Conference.
Office of Dietary Supplements- The Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) was established in recognition that dietary supplements can have an important impact on the prevention and management of disease and on the maintenance of health. ODS is charged with promoting, conducting, and coordinating scientific research within NIH relating to dietary supplements.
Diabetes affects over 16 million Americans and is a major contributor to heart disease, strokes, liver diseases, and kidney disorders. As previously stated, there is evidence that chromium supplementation may play an effective role in mitigating the effects or reversing the disease. The Committee urges the Director to examine the effectiveness and efficacy of this treatment modality in collaboration with the United States Department of Agriculture. The Committee further urges ODS to use all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including research grants and clinical trial protocols. Research should include representatives from ethnic and minority populations, including Native Americans, and should be coordinated with a University affiliated College of Public Health experienced in working with these populations.
Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research- The Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) provides leadership and direction for the development of a trans-NIH plan to increase the scope of and support for behavioral and social science research and in defining an overall strategy for the integration of these disciplines across NIH Institutes and centers; develops initiatives to stimulate research in the behavioral and social sciences arena and integrate a biobehavioral perspective across the research areas of NIH; and promotes studies to evaluate the contributions of behavioral, social and lifestyle determinants in the development, course, treatment, and prevention of illness and related public health problems.
Office of Rare Disease Research- The Office of Rare Disease Research (ORDR) was established in recognition of the need to provide a focal point of attention and coordination at NIH for research on rare diseases. ORDR works with Federal and non-Federal national and international organizations concerned with rare disease research and orphan products development; develops a centralized database on rare diseases research; and stimulates rare diseases research by supporting scientific workshops and symposia to identify research opportunities.
Autism.--There is little information on the prevalence of autism and other pervasive developmental disabilities in the United States. There have never been any national prevalence studies in the United States and recent studies in other countries suggest that the prevalence of classic autism alone may be substantially higher than previously estimated. The rapid advancements in biomedical science suggest that effective treatments and a cure for autism are attainable if: there is appropriate coordination of the efforts of the various Institutes involved in biomedical research on autism and autism spectrum disorders; there is an increased understanding of autism and autism spectrum disorders by the scientific and medical communities involved in autism research and treatment; and sufficient resources are allocated to research. The Committee encourages NICHHD, NIMH, NINDS, and NIDCD to continue to work together to aggressively pursue research opportunities and make finding a cure for autism a high priority for NIH.
The Committee commends NIH for its commitment to researching the genetic susceptibility of developing children to autism spectrum disorders as well as possible environmental triggers. The Committee understands there are community concerns about what role immunologic factors play in the development of autism. NIH is encouraged to enhance research in the area of possible links between certain gastrointestinal conditions and autism.
Bioinformatics.--The biomedical community is increasingly taking advantage of the power of computing, both to manage and analyze data and to model biological processes. The Committee urges the Director to enhance efforts in this area to give biomedical researchers optimal use of information technology and develop cross-disciplinary skills in biology, computation, and mathematics. Any initiative in this area should take into account the contributions that other agencies' programs have made, particularly that of the Partnerships for Advanced Computational Infrastructure program.
Cancer in Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved.--The Committee continues to be concerned about the disproportionately high incidence and/or mortality rates of many cancers in ethnic minorities, rural poor, and other medically underserved populations. The Committee encourages the NIH to develop a strategic plan to address the recommendations in the January 1999 Institute of Medicine study on this issue. The Committee also encourages the NIH to enhance funding for population, behavioral, socio-cultural, communications, and community-based research; recruiting and training efforts to attract more candidates from ethnic minority and medically underserved populations in all areas of cancer research; cancer data collection and management; and dissemination of research results. In addition, greater coordination efforts with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Cancer Registry program and other public and private sector cancer data collection programs should be pursued.
Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome.--The Committee urges the Director to enhance efforts to focus on promising areas of Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) research, such as efforts to define the etiology and pathophysiology of the illness and identify diagnostic markers. The Committee urges NIH to use all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including program announcements, to study all facets of pediatric CFIDS. The Committee also urges NIH to improve its communication across Institutes in order to better coordinate CFIDS research and outreach to public and private scientists with the goal of stimulating research interest and encouraging investigators to bring their research interests to bear in the field. Finally, the Committee urges NIH officials to identify appropriate NIH advisory committees for CFIDS representation and ensure appointment of qualified persons thereon.
Clinical Investigators- The Committee is concerned about the number of physician-scientists leaving biomedical research careers and the continuing decline in the number of first time applicants to the NIH. The Committee recognizes NIH for its initial efforts to address the training and career development of clinical investigators and urges the Director to continue these efforts through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including increasing the number of Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Awards, Mid-Career Investigator Patient-Oriented Research Awards, support for the Clinical Research Curriculum Award, and re-establishing the Director's Advisory Panel on Clinical Research.
Cost of Illness Report.--The Committee requests NIH to combine and update two previously requested reports entitled, `HHS and National Costs for 13 Diseases and Conditions' and `Disease-Specific Estimates of Direct and Indirect Costs of Illness and NIH Support'. The Committee requests this consolidated report by January 31, 2000.
Diabetes.--Diabetes remains a leading cause of early death and disability. Because diabetes impacts so many different parts of the body, the Committee views it as an area of cross-cutting among several NIH Institutes. The Committee urges the Director to take the lead role in overseeing implementation of the recommendations of Diabetes Research Working Group report among the many Institutes with an interest and role in diabetes research. The Committee also urges NIH to place a high priority on research to cure Type 1, or juvenile diabetes, which generally is diagnosed in children and young adults and is the most severe form of the disease. The Committee requests the Director be prepared to provide the Committee with a status report on the progress of diabetes research and specifically Type 1 diabetes at the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing.
Gene Therapy.--The Committee notes the advances that have been made in gene therapy research and the potential this research has in treating patients with minimally, non-invasive procedures. NIH is urged to expand its research efforts in this area to capitalize on recent advancements being made, especially with therapeutic angiogenesis and myocardial gene therapy.
Hepatitis C.--NIH sponsored a Hepatitis C Consensus Development Conference in May 1997. The Committee requests the Director to submit a status report of actions that have taken place to date and those planned for the future, across all Institutes and Centers, to meet the recommendations of the conference. The Committee requests the report by January 31, 2000.
International Collaborations.--The Committee is aware of the promising biomedical research being conducted at international research facilities, such as the Weizmann Institute in Israel, and encourages NIH to collaborate, whenever possible, with this Institute and other international organizations conducting biomedical research.
Liver and Biliary Diseases.--The Liver and Biliary Diseases Strategic Plan submitted in March, 1998 outlined research opportunities to prevent, treat, and cure liver disease. The Committee requests that the Director be prepared to provide an update on the progress made to date in implementing the plan at the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing.
Microbicide Research.--The Committee encourages the Director to work with the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop an integrated and coordinated strategy for microbicide research and development which provides clear lines of responsibility and builds on the strengths of NIH Institutes, including NIAID, NICHHD, and OAR as well as other relevant agencies such as USAID and CDC. The Committee also encourages NIH and the Secretary to promote product development in this area through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including Small Business Innovative Research grants.
Minority Programs.--The Committee has provided adequate funding for the continuation of a variety of competitive programs at NIH that emphasize improving the health status of disadvantaged populations, including racial and ethnic minorities. The Committee places a special emphasis on the Minority Access to Research Careers, the Minority Biomedical Research Support, the Research Centers in Minority Institutions, and the Office of Research on Minority Health programs, and expects these programs to continue to be supported at a level commensurate with their importance.
National Occupational Research Agenda.--The Committee is pleased about the progress made to date by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) on implementing the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA). The Committee urges NIH to work with NIOSH in relevant NORA priority areas such as Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Fertility and Pregnancy Abnormalities, Special Populations at Risk, Organizations of Work, Infectious Diseases, Allergic and Irritant Dermatitis, Indoor Environment, Mixed Exposures, Exposure Assessment Methods, Low Back Disorders, Traumatic Injuries, Hearing Loss, Cancer Research Methods, and Risk Assessment Methods.
National Research Service Awards.--The National Academy of Sciences report on National Research Service Awards recommended that the number of awards for research training in nursing, oral health, health services, and behavioral science be increased. The Committee encourages NIH to develop a plan to comply with this recommendation. The Committee also encourages NIH to develop a plan for encouraging all Institutes to establish training programs for young behavioral science investigators similar to programs at NIMH, NIDA, and NIAAA.
Nutrition Science.--Nutrition science and obesity research continue to be priorities for the Committee. The Committee is encouraged by the collaboration between the NCRR and its general clinical research centers in clinical nutrition research in order to link the advances in molecular genetics with clinical research in nutrition, but believes that more could be done to integrate basic science and clinical sciences through training programs which permit nutritional scholars to develop training in molecular genetics and clinical science.
Pediatric Research.--The Committee believes that it is of critical importance for NIH to conduct and support research into the causes, opportunities for prevention, and more effective treatments and cures for the illnesses that are the principal causes of death and disability among infants and children. The Committee urges the Director to strengthen and expand research in this area. The Committee also urges the Director to ensure that the priorities of each of the Institutes in this area are recognized and appropriately pursued and to ensure that these activities are appropriately coordinated. NIH is encouraged to further investigate the differences between children and adults in the causes, mechanisms, and treatments of diseases, in order to identify the unique features of the diseases as they occur in children. In addition, the Committee encourages NIH to further investigate the impacts of therapeutic treatments on pediatric patients and focus on research to expand our knowledge regarding the unique impact of therapeutic agents on children as compared to adults. The Committee requests the Director to report to the Committee on the status of this initiative, by Institute, no later than January 31, 2000.
Population-based Prevention Research.--The Committee believes that NIH should place a greater emphasis on population-based research strategies targeted at precluding the development of disease or postponing its symptomatic onset through changes in personal habits and factors in the social and physical environment. Such research should be directed toward developing population-based interventions to minimize disease and injury, promote health and establish policy and cost-effective management systems to address public health threats. The Committee requests the Director be prepared to testify on population-based prevention research at the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing.
Reducing Regulatory Burden- The Committee has urged NIH in past reports to address the growing problem of duplicative and wasteful regulation of researchers and research institutions. The Committee commends NIH's leadership in creating a series of panels to define specific areas where Federal regulation should be reformed and in publishing the panel's work in a report entitled, `NIH Initiative to Reduce Regulatory Burden'. The Committee doesn't believe that NIH's work in this area should end with this report and urges NIH to continue this initiative and adopt the report suggestion to establish an advisory committee or identify a group of advisors from the research community to be advisory to the overall effort. NIH is further requested to advise the Committee about non-NIH regulations that should be reformed.
Spinal Cord Regeneration.--Advances in biomedical research in the area of spinal cord regeneration is showing promise. The Committee encourages the Director, in conjunction with the appropriate Institutes, to use all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including a consensus conference, to evaluate the current status and future direction of research in this area as well as identifying opportunities for public/private partnerships. The Committee requests the Director be prepared to testify on the status of this research at the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing.
Urological Cancers.--The Committee remains concerned about the degree of coordination of urologic research across the various Institutes. While the Committee commends the creation of a special emphasis panel to review urology grant applications, NIH is encouraged to consider further steps to strengthen this research program. The Director should be prepared to testify at the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing on what further steps have been taken to improve coordination of urology research.
BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
The Committee provides $108,376,000 for buildings and facilities, which is $89,080,000 below the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and the same as the Administration request. In addition, $40,000,000 was provided as an advance appropriation in the fiscal year 1999 appropriations bill as the final year of funding for the clinical research center.
Mission.--The Buildings and Facilities appropriation provides for the design, construction, improvement, and major repair of clinical, laboratory, and office buildings and supporting facilities essential to the mission of the National Institutes of Health. The funds in this appropriation support the 77 buildings on the main NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland; the Animal Center in Poolesville, Maryland; the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences facility in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina; and other smaller facilities throughout the United States.
Essential Safety and Health Improvement.--This account supports continued essential safety and health improvements to maintain the clinical center; the continuation of the campus infrastructure modernization program as well as programs for power plant safety, asbestos abatement, fire protection and life safety, the elimination of barriers to persons with disabilities, safety and reliability upgrades at the Rocky Mountain Laboratory, and indoor air quality improvement.
Repairs and Improvements.--Support is also provided for the continuing program of repairs and improvements required to maintain existing buildings and facilities.
SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
The Committee provides a program level of $2,413,731,000 for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which is $73,582,000 below the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $212,774,000 below the Administration request. Many programs funded in this account are not authorized for fiscal year 2000. The Committee did not provide an advance appropriation of $100,000,000 as proposed by the Administration.
SAMHSA is responsible for supporting mental health, alcoholism, and other drug abuse prevention and treatment services nationwide through discretionary knowledge development and applied research grants and formula block grants to the States. The agency consists of three principal centers: the Center for Mental Health Services, the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, and the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. The Office of the Administrator is responsible for overall agency management.
Center for Mental Health Services
The Committee provides at total of $519,808,000 for the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), which is $7,532,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $68,929,000 below the Administration request.
Knowledge development and application
The Committee provides $85,851,000 for the mental health knowledge development and application (KDA) program, which is $10,788,000 below the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $12,113,000 below the Administration request. The program includes multi-state studies and other knowledge development activities that identify the most effective service delivery practices, knowledge synthesis activities that translate program findings into useful products for the field, and knowledge application projects that support adoption of exemplary service approaches throughout the country.
The Committee provides for the continuation of all ongoing projects, including those related to improving mental health services for children with emotional and behavioral disorders who are at-risk of violent behavior.
The Committee recognizes the role that the Minority Fellowship program plays in training mental health professionals to provide services to individuals who would otherwise go untreated and urges SAMHSA to enhance its efforts in this program through its three Centers.
Mental health performance partnerships
The Committee provides $300,000,000 for mental health performance partnership grants, which is $11,277,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $58,816,000 below the Administration request. The performance partnerships provide funds to States to support mental health prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation services. Funds are allocated according to statutory formula among the States that have submitted approved annual plans. The Committee notes that the mental health performance partnerships grant funding represents less than 2 percent of total State mental health funding and less than 5 percent of State community-based mental health services.
The Committee has modified bill language that was included in the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999 to ensure that States do not receives less than they did in fiscal year 1998.
Children's mental health
The Committee provides $83,000,000 for the grant program for comprehensive community mental health services for children with serious emotional disturbance, which is $5,026,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $5,000,000 above the Administration request. Funding for this program supports grants and technical assistance for community-based services for children and adolescents up to age 22 with serious emotional, behavioral, or mental disorders. The program assists States and local jurisdictions in developing integrated systems of community care. Each individual served receives an individual service plan developed with the participation of the family and the child. Grantees are required to provide increasing levels of matching funds over the five-year grant period.
Grants to states for the homeless (PATH)
The Committee provides $28,000,000 for the grants to States for the homeless (PATH) program, which is $2,009,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $3,000,000 below the Administration request. PATH grants to States provide assistance to individuals suffering from severe mental illness and/or substance abuse disorders and who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. Grants may be used for outreach, screening and diagnostic treatment services, rehabilitation services, community mental health services, alcohol or drug treatment services, training, case management services, supportive and supervisory services in residential settings, and a limited set of housing services.
Protection and advocacy
The Committee provides $22,957,000 for the protection and advocacy program, which is $8,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and the same as the Administration request. This funding is distributed to States according to a formula-based on population and income to assist State-designated independent advocates to provide legal assistance to mentally ill individuals during their residence in State-operated facilities and for 90 days following their discharge.
Recent media reports have documented the fact that needless deaths and serious injuries have resulted from the misuse of restraints and seclusion in facilities serving people with developmental disabilities and mental illness. The true extent of the problem is unclear due to a lack of reporting requirements. The Committee encourages SAMHSA to work with States to provide for appropriate investigations and corrective action regarding the misuse of restraints and seclusion.
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
The Committee provides a total of $1,721,613,000 for the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), which is $33,650,000 below the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $120,255,000 below the Administration request.
Knowledge development and application
The Committee provides $136,613,000 for the substance abuse treatment knowledge development and application (KDA) program, which is $34,158,000 below the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $90,255,000 below the Administration request. The program supports activities of developing and field testing new treatment models in order to facilitate the provision of quality treatment services and service delivery. These activities are undertaken in actual service settings rather than laboratories and results are disseminated to State agencies and community treatment providers. The goal is to promote continuous, positive treatment service delivery change for those people who use and abuse alcohol and drugs. The Committee provides for the continuation of all ongoing projects.
Substance abuse performance partnerships
The Committee provides $1,585,000,000 for the substance abuse performance partnership grants, which is $508,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $30,000,000 below the Administration request. The substance abuse performance partnerships provide funds to States to support alcohol and drug abuse prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation services. Funds are allocated among the States according to a statutory formula. State applications including comprehensive State plans must be approved annually by SAMHSA as a condition of receiving funds.
The Committee has modified bill language that was included in the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999 to distribute the block grant funding to the States the same way it was distributed in fiscal year 1999.
The Committee commends SAMHSA's proposed revision to the block grant application for fiscal year 2000 to permit States to voluntarily report on selected treatment and prevention performance measures. The collection of data on the unduplicated number of persons served with block grant funds, client perceptions and attitudes regarding substance abuse and substance abuse treatment, and changes in client behavior during and following treatment will provide States and local governments with invaluable information that will improve and enhance their ability to map and respond to the substance abuse problem in their communities.
The Committee requests SAMHSA to prepare and submit a report, by January 31, 2000, which details actions needed, including any legislative requirements, to assure that entities receiving substance abuse block grant funding use a portion of the funds for developing and expanding services targeted to the needs and life circumstances of the homeless population.
Center for Substance Abuse Prevention
The Committee provides a total of $118,910,000 for the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, which is $44,246,000 below the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $19,090,000 below the Administration request. The Committee does not provide funding for high-risk youth grants.
Knowledge development and application
The Committee provides $118,910,000 for the substance abuse prevention knowledge development and application (KDA) program, which is $37,249,000 below the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $12,090,000 below the Administration request. The program identifies effective approaches in preventing substance abuse and implements its primary mission in bridging the gap between research and practice. The Committee provides for the continuation of all ongoing projects.
Program management
The Committee provides $53,400,000 for program management activities, which is $3,218,000 below the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $4,500,000 below the Administration request. The appropriation provides funding to coordinate, direct, and manage the agency's programs. Funds are used for salaries, benefits, space, supplies, equipment, travel and overhead.
The Committee commends SAMHSA for issuing a policy memorandum clarifying that States may use funds from the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant and the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant to provide integrated treatment for individuals with co-occurring substance abuse and mental health disorders. The Committee encourages SAMHSA to provide technical assistance to the States to assist them in implementing this policy.
The Committee is aware of a proposal developed by a coalition of four Florida communities to provide integrated mental health and substance abuse services to troubled and at-risk children and youth, and their families. Building upon successful juvenile justice programs, this effort responds directly to nationwide concerns about youth violence, substance abuse, declining levels of service availability, and the inability of some communities to respond to the needs of their youth in a coordinated manner. The Committee encourages SAMHSA to give this proposal full and fair consideration.
The Committee encourages SAMHSA to develop and strengthen substance abuse treatment and prevention programs for Native Americans, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders to include an HIV component. Programs should also be strengthened through the development of increased linkages between HIV/AIDS programs and Native Americans, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islander substance abuse treatment programs.
The Committee urges SAMHSA to enhance funding in all programs for cultural competency education and training of health care providers and culturally and linguistically appropriate outreach and services to local minority communities, including Asian American communities.
The Committee encourages SAMHSA to study and develop public health interventions related to improving the health and health care of underserved, impoverished, and high-risk children, teens, adults, and the elderly living in public housing. These interventions should focus on education for health promotion and identification of illness at early stages, specialized mental health and substance abuse services, and enhance the mental health and substance abuse assessment and treatment practices of community health care and social service providers.
A study recently released by the National Gambling Impact Study Commission found that there are an estimated 15.4 million Americans who are either problem or pathological gamblers and that over half are adolescents. In order to understand the expanding dimensions of the problem nationwide, gambling prevalence studies need to be conducted. The Committee urges SAMHSA to identify appropriate methods of gathering information in order to track gambling addiction prevalence rates, gambling behaviors, and related factors, including adding gambling components to the Survey of Mental Health Organizations, General Hospital Psychiatric Services, and Managed Behavioral Health Care Organizations. The Committee requests SAMHSA to provide a report by January 31, 2000.
The Committee is concerned with the growing number of HIV/AIDS reported cases in the Hispanic community, the African-American community, the Native-American community and other affected ethnic and minority populations. To address this growing epidemic, the Committee urges SAMHSA to provide funding for initiatives to address the needs of these communities.
The Committee encourages Federal HIV/AIDS services and prevention funds be responsive to the demographic trends of the epidemic.
The Committee urges that no portion of the funding for the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse should be drawn from the five percent set-aside in the mental health block grant.
AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE POLICY AND RESEARCH
HEALTH CARE POLICY AND RESEARCH
The Committee provides a total of $175,050,000 for the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR), which is $4,027,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level, adjusted for one-time costs related to Y2K emergency funding, and $31,205,000 below the Administration request. Included in this amount is $104,403,000 in general funds and $70,647,000 in one percent evaluation funding. Each agency in the Public Health Service (PHS) is tapped one percent and the funds are used by the Secretary for other purposes, including funding a portion of AHCPR. The Administration proposed to increase this set-aside from one percent to one and half percent and fund a significant portion of the agency's increased request from this tap, thereby shifting funding from one PHS program, such as community health centers to another. The Committee did not approve this request. Programs funded in this account are not authorized for fiscal year 2000.
The mission of the Agency is to generate and disseminate information that improves the delivery of health care. Its research goals are to determine what works best in clinical practice; improve the cost-effective use of health care resources; help consumers make more informed choices; and measure and improve the quality of care. The Committee is supportive of high quality, peer-reviewed research and supports appropriate funding for investigator-initiated research within the funding levels provided.
For Research on Health Costs, Quality, and Outcomes, the Committee provides $144,909,000, which is $4,027,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $23,005,000 below the Administration request. The Research on Health Costs, Quality, and Outcomes program identifies the most effective and efficient approaches to organize, deliver, finance, and reimburse health care services; determines how the structure of the delivery system, financial incentives, market forces, and better information affects the use, quality, and cost of health services; and facilitates the translation of research findings for providers, patients/consumers, plans, purchasers, and policymakers. It also funds research that determines what works best in medical care by increasing the cost effectiveness and appropriateness of clinical practice; supports the development of tools to measure and evaluate health outcomes, quality of care, and consumer satisfaction with health care system performance; and facilitates the translation of information into practical uses through the development and dissemination of research databases.
For Health Insurance and Expenditure Surveys, the Committee provides $27,800,000, which is the same as the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $8,200,000 below the Administration request. The entire amount provided is derived through the one percent evaluation set-aside. The Health Insurance and Expenditure Surveys provide timely national estimates of health care use and expenditures, private and public health insurance coverage, and the availability, costs, and scope of private health insurance benefits. This activity also provides analysis of changes in behavior as a result of market forces or policy changes on health care use, expenditures, and insurance coverage; develops cost/savings estimates of proposed changes in policy; and identifies the impact of changes in policy for subgroups of the population. These objectives are accomplished through the fielding of the Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys (MEPS), an interrelated series of surveys that replaced the National Medical Expenditure Survey (NMES).
For program support, the Committee provides $2,341,000, which is the same as both the fiscal year 1999 level, adjusted for one-time costs related to Y2K emergency funding, and the Administration request. This activity supports the overall direction and management of the agency.
The Committee encourages AHCPR to collaborate with the Health Resources and Services Administration on trauma outcomes research, including research on the delivery and financing of acute care services and rehabilitation.
Given the economic burden to society of treating oral diseases and the findings of the Early Childhood Caries Conference that dental caries is of epidemic proportions in many low socioeconomic preschool children in the United States, the Committee urges AHCPR to enhance its investment in dental health services research.
The Committee encourages the agency to collaborate with the Health Care Financing Administration on conducting an optical memory card demonstration project, which uses a decentralized database to address the need for portable medical information.
The Committee encourages the agency to initiate an evidence-based review of Parkinson's disease and related neurological conditions for developing criteria and outcome measures for treatment of these conditions.
HEALTH CARE FINANCING ADMINISTRATION
GRANTS TO STATES FOR MEDICAID
The bill provides $86,087,393,000 for the Federal share of current law State Medicaid costs, which is $11,366,849,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and the same as the Administration request. This amount does not include $28,733,605,000, which was advance funded in the fiscal year 1999 appropriation. In addition, the bill provides an advance appropriation of $30,589,003,000 for program costs in the first quarter of fiscal year 2001. The bill also includes indefinite budget authority for unanticipated costs in fiscal year 2000.
Federal Medicaid grants reimburse States for 50 to 83 percent (depending on per capita income) of their expenditures in providing health care for individuals whose income and resources fall below specified levels. Subject to certain minimum requirements, States have broad authority within the law to set eligibility, coverage, and payment levels. It is estimated that 33.8 million low-income individuals will receive health care services in 2000 under the Medicaid program. State costs of administering the program are matched at rates that generally range from 50 to 90 percent, depending upon the type of cost. Total funding for Medicaid includes $545,043,000 for the entitlement Vaccines for Children program. These funds, which are transferred to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for administration, support the costs of immunization for children who are on Medicaid, uninsured or underinsured and receiving immunizations at Federally qualified health centers or rural health clinics. Indefinite authority is provided by statute for the Vaccines for Children program in the event that the current estimate is inadequate.
The Committee is pleased with HCFA's legislative proposal to provide demonstration grants to States, through the Medicaid program, to test innovative asthma disease management techniques for children enrolled in Medicaid.
PAYMENTS TO HEALTH CARE TRUST FUNDS
The bill includes $69,289,100,000 for the Payments to the Health Care Trust Funds account, which is $6,466,100,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and the same as the Administration request.
This entitlement account includes the general fund subsidy to the Medicare Part B trust fund as well as other reimbursements to the Part A trust fund for benefits and related administrative costs which have not been financed by payroll taxes or premium contributions. The amount provided includes $129,100,000 for program management administrative expenditures, which is the fiscal year 2000 estimate of the general fund share of HCFA program management expenses. This general fund share will be transferred to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund to reimburse for the funds drawn down in fiscal year 2000 from the trust fund to finance program management.
The bill limits the amount HCFA can collect and spend for the Medicare+Choice program to $15,000,000, which is $80,000,000 below the fiscal year 1999 level and $85,000,000 below the Administration request. The goal in implementing the Medicare+Choice beneficiary education campaign was to provide seniors with all the information they need about the new choices available to them in the program. Despite the collection of $190,000,000 in user fees over the last two years to implement the program, only a small percentage of seniors have been reached. There is growing concern that HCFA's costs far exceeded the cost of providing the same function or service in the private sector. The Committee directs HCFA to undertake a complete review of the education campaign and provide the Committee a full accounting of money spent and an evaluation of the value, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness of the activities conducted to date as well as a detailed plan for the future.
The Committee understands that HCFA is undertaking an aggressive review of mental health care providers who have billed Medicare for partial hospitalization services. The Committee urges HCFA to reexamine its implementation of this policy with an eye toward taking steps to reduce the burden of this review on traditional, non-profit community mental health centers and any negative impact that it is having on their ability to serve the Medicare population and to ensure compliance with Social Security Act provisions on partial hospitalization. The Committee requests a status report of this reexamination by January 31, 2000.
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
The bill makes available $1,752,050,000 in trust funds for Federal administration of the Medicare and Medicaid programs, which is $390,785,000 below the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $264,077,000 below the Administration request.
Research, demonstration, and evaluation
The bill provides $50,000,000 for research, demonstration and evaluation, which is the same as the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $5,000,000 below the Administration request. These funds support a variety of studies and demonstrations in such areas as monitoring and evaluating health system performance; improving health care financing and delivery mechanisms; modernization of the Medicare program; the needs of vulnerable populations in the areas of health care access, delivery systems, and financing; and information to improve consumer choice and health status.
The Committee urges HCFA to investigate the feasibility of utilizing a commercially available claims auditing service for Medicare Part A for the detection of fraudulent claims. This program should be tested in a large Medicare market with a diverse group of providers including both community and teaching hospitals. Furthermore, the contractor should have experience working with the Medicaid program as well as extensive experience working with commercial insurers in the State.
The Committee understands there is a degree of variability in skilled nursing certification and compliance surveys between and, sometimes, within States. While an Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR) process can serve as the venue for the provider to air a disagreement with the surveyor's findings, it is not always an objective process. Therefore, the Committee urges HCFA to conduct a pilot study in at least three States utilizing an independent body to perform the IDR process in order to ascertain if an independent IDR process facilitates resolution of differences.
The Committee urges HCFA to conduct a demonstration project using optical memory card technology that uses a decentralized database to address the need for portable medical information for Medicare and Medicaid patients.
It is estimated that more than 400,000 children eligible for Federal health care programs have undetected harmful levels of lead in their blood. The Committee understands that HCFA recently revised its Medicaid screening and reimbursement policy for childhood lead poisoning testing. The Committee urges HCFA to monitor the impact of these policy changes and to take every appropriate step to ensure that screening rates among children enrolled in Medicaid are substantially increased. The Committee also encourages HCFA to consider the development of new screening technologies that have the potential to significantly increase screening rates when evaluating its reimbursement policy.
Pessaries offer a treatment alternative to surgery for elderly women suffering from uterine prolapse. Medicare reimbursement for pessaries are below the actual cost physicians and other health providers must incur to furnish these prosthetic devices to Medicare beneficiaries. The Committee urges HCFA to review the Medicare reimbursement level for pessaries and report their findings to the Committee no later than January 31, 2000.
HCFA is encouraged to conduct a demonstration to evaluate the use of managed health care principles in the delivery of traditional and alternative long-term care services. The demonstration should permit the discharge of patients to medically appropriate least restrictive settings if implemented at the request of the patient and such discharge will have a positive effect on the health treatment regime of the patient. Outcomes should be measured by life span and length of time patient is not in a nursing home or acute care setting and such other determinants as established by the agency.
In last year's report, the Committee encouraged HCFA to conduct a survey to determine which states are funding Program for Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) services and develop a model on how States can successfully integrate PACT into managed care programs. The Committee understands that this has not yet been done and reiterates its request for HCFA to undertake such a study.
The Committee encourages HCFA to continue funding the Medicare Community Nursing Organization Demonstration projects in fiscal year 2000. These projects operate in four States to test the efficacy of nursing organizations at providing managed care for Medicare home care and non-physician services.
The Committee is aware of a unique skilled nursing facility treatment program operated by Mercy Medical in Baldwin and Mobile Counties, Alabama, and is concerned that it faces serious financial hardships which could alter its ability to continue this comprehensive level of care. The Committee encourages HCFA to designate a demonstration project for Mercy Medical taking into consideration its unique treatment regimen.
The Committee urges HCFA to conduct a demonstration project utilizing national minority aging organizations to improve older minorities' participation in, and understanding of, Medicare and Medicaid.
Medicare contractors
The bill includes $1,176,950,000 to support Medicare claims processing contracts, which is $88,131,000 below the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $190,103,000 below the Administration request. In addition, the bill includes language limiting the amount from the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Account to carry out the Medicare Integrity Program to $560,000,000, which is the same as the fiscal year 1999 level.
Medicare contractors are responsible for paying Medicare providers promptly and accurately. In addition to processing claims, contractors also identify and recover Medicare overpayments, as well as review claims for questionable utilization patterns and medical necessity. Contractors also provide information and technical support both to providers and beneficiaries regarding the administration of the Medicare program. In 2000, contractors are expected to process 925 million claims.
State survey and certification
The bill includes $106,000,000 for State inspection of facilities serving Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, which is $69,000,000 below the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $163,347,000 below the Administration request.
Survey and certification activities ensure that institutions and agencies providing care to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries meet Federal health, safety and program standards. On-site surveys are conducted by State survey agencies, with a pool of Federal surveyors performing random monitoring surveys. Over 30,000 facilities are expected to be reviewed in 2000.
Federal administration
The bill includes $421,084,000 to support Federal administrative activities related to the Medicare and Medicaid programs, which is $36,700,000 below the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $100,119,000 below the Administration request.
The Medicare, Medicaid, and Children's Health Insurance programs ensure the health care security of over 70 million beneficiaries. The Federal Administration costs budget provides funds for the staff and operations of HCFA to administer these programs.
Federal law does not allow Federal Medicaid funding for services provided to individuals aged 22 through 64 if they live in an Institution of Mental Diseases (IMD). The Committee understands that while HCFA guidelines identify the criteria to be used to determine if a facility is an IMD, it's the States responsibility to establish the assessment methods used to determine a patient's health status. The Committee further understands that the lack of specific HCFA criteria to assess patient health status creates significant uncertainties for the states in making these determinations. The Committee therefore urges HCFA to work closely with States, such as Illinois, to develop a standardized set of measurement tools using existing data that could be used to assess a patient's health, thereby reducing the fluctuation in the number of designated IMDs within a State per year and providing more funding stability. The Committee also urges HCFA to withhold from undertaking reviews of facility IMD status or from imposing disallowances, penalties or sanctions related to IMD status until such standardized measurement tools have been developed.
The Committee is concerned that HCFA's proposed regulation regarding Medicare coverage of diabetes self-management education and training services will impose burdensome personnel requirements on community retail pharmacies seeking to qualify to provide this training, including those pharmacies currently providing these services through private health plans. The Committee urges HCFA to review its proposed regulations to eliminate any requirement that may hinder beneficiary access to appropriate diabetes self-management education and training services through community retail pharmacies. The Committee also requests that the Administrator be prepared to testify at the fiscal year 2001 appropriations hearing on the steps that have been taken to promote access to these services in a variety of settings, including those provided by State licensed health care professionals or nationally certified nutrition or diabetes educators as well as community retail pharmacies.
HCFA is charged with administering the Medicare program, which is relied upon by millions of American citizens. As with any program of this size and magnitude, it is extremely important to have the trust of the people being served. There is some concern that issues surrounding resolution of the Y2K problem, implementing the BBA, and aggressively combating program fraud and abuse have greatly reduced the image of HCFA as a compassionate and effective agency. The Committee urges HCFA to improve its image through better management practices and clear communication of its policies to beneficiaries and providers.
The Committee believes that increasing the supply of organs available from voluntary donations is a high public health priority. Organ Procurement Organizations (OPOs) have a lead responsibility to increase organ donation. The Committee is concerned that the performance evaluation and recertification process for OPOs, which evaluates performance on the basis of population-based donation rates and does not adjust for the potential for organ donation, may hinder the goal of increased donations. The Committee understands that the industry is examining alternative performance measures. HCFA is encouraged to work with and support the industry with this endeavor. HCFA is also encouraged to use existing authority to extend OPO certification period and place a moratorium on its current recertification process until such time as an acceptable alternative performance evaluation and recertification process has been adopted.
Recent media reports have documented the fact that needless deaths and serious injuries have resulted from the misuse of restraints and seclusion in facilities serving people with developmental disabilities and mental illness. The true extent of the problem is unclear due to a lack of reporting requirements. The Committee urges HCFA to develop and issue standards, applicable to all facilities that receive either Medicaid or Medicare funding, on the appropriate use of restraints and seclusion. These standards should address issues such as the criteria to be met for use of restraints and seclusion, training requirements and contingency plans for facility staff, and reporting requirements.
The Committee is pleased that HCFA has revoked its non-coverage policy for pancreas transplantations. However, for more patients to benefit from this decision, HCFA is encouraged to address the issues of segmented and split pancreas transplantations and claims processing instructions to reflect the cost of the procedure.
The Committee understands that HCFA has begun efforts to review and update the reimbursement rate for the cost of copying medical records requested by Peer Review Organizations in their audits of Medicare claims. The Committee supports HCFA's efforts to ensure that these rates better reflect current costs required to provide these services.
The Committee is concerned that there is a lack of senior technical personnel to manage the modernization of the Medicare information system and urges the Administrator to evaluate staffing resources to address this issue.
ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
PAYMENTS TO STATES FOR CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT AND FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS
The Committee recommends $650,000,000 in advance funding for the first quarter of fiscal year 2001 to ensure timely payments for the child support enforcement program, the same as the request. No appropriation is required for fiscal year 2000 because the account has sufficient unobligated balances to maintain the program. The bill continues to provide estimated funding of $38,000,000 for Payments to Territories, the same as the comparable amount for fiscal year 1999 and the budget estimate. The bill provides $1,000,000 for the repatriation program, the same as the request and the comparable amount provided for fiscal year 1999.
LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE
The Committee recommends an advance appropriation of $1,100,000,000 for the fiscal year 2001 for the low-income home energy assistance program (LIHEAP), the same as the budget request and the same as the appropriation for fiscal year 2000 that was enacted in last year's appropriations act. The bill also provides $300,000,000 as requested for LIHEAP for fiscal year 2000 subject to Presidential submission to Congress of a budget request designating the amount of the request as an emergency for the purposes of the Budget Act. In addition, the bill includes language that declares the regular fiscal year 2000 appropriation for LIHEAP of $1,100,000,000 to be an emergency under the Budget Act.
The LIHEAP program provides assistance to low income households to help pay the costs of home energy. Funds are provided through grants to States, Indian Tribes and territories, and are used for summer cooling and winter heating/crisis assistance programs.
REFUGEE AND ENTRANT ASSISTANCE
The bill provides $423,500,000 for refugee assistance programs, a reduction of $7,000,000 from the President's request and an increase of $8,632,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1999 amount after adjusting for a one-time emergency appropriation for Kosovo refugees in 1999. In addition, the bill provides the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) the authority to carry over unexpended funds from the fiscal year 1998 and 1999 appropriations to reimburse the cost of services provided in fiscal years 1999, 2000 and 2001. It is estimated that approximately $20,000,000 will be available in FY 2000 from carryover funds, and the Committee intends that these funds be used under social services to increase educational support to schools with a significant proportion of refugee children and for the development of alternative cash assistance programs that involve case management approaches to improve resettlement outcomes. Such support should include intensive English language training and cultural assimilation programs.
Transitional and medical services
The bill provides $221,000,000 for transitional and medical services, about the same as the fiscal year 1999 amount and the request. The bill continues the policy of providing eight months of assistance to new arrivals. The transitional and medical services program provides funding for the State-administered cash and medical assistance program that assists refugees who are not categorically eligible for AFDC or Medicaid, the unaccompanied minors program that reimburses States for the cost of foster care, and the voluntary agency grant program in which participating national refugee resettlement agencies provide resettlement assistance with a combination of Federal and matched funds.
Social services
The bill provides $140,000,000 for social services, about the same as the fiscal year 1999 appropriation and $7,990,000 below the budget request. Funds are distributed by formula as well as through the discretionary grant making process for special projects. The Committee agrees that $19,000,000 is available for assistance to serve communities affected by the Cuban and Haitian entrants and refugees whose arrivals in recent years have increased. The Committee has set aside $26,000,000 for increased support to communities with large concentrations of refugees whose cultural differences make assimilation especially difficult justifying a more intense level and longer duration of Federal assistance. Finally, the Committee has set aside $14,000,000 to address the needs of refugees and communities impacted by recent changes in Federal assistance programs relating to welfare reform. The Committee urges ORR to assist refugees at risk of losing, or who have lost, benefits including SSI, TANF and Medicaid, in obtaining citizenship.
Preventive health
The bill includes $5,000,000 for preventive health services, about the same as the fiscal year 1999 appropriation and the request. These funds are awarded to the States to ensure adequate health assessment activities for refugees.
Targeted assistance
The bill provides $50,000,000 for the targeted assistance program, about the same as the fiscal year 1999 amount and the request. These grants provide assistance to areas with high concentrations of refugees.
Victims of torture
The bill includes $7,500,000 for this newly-authorized activity to provide a comprehensive program of support for domestic centers and programs for victims of torture. The Committee expects that funds appropriated to assist victims of foreign governmental torture will be distributed to non-governmental organizations specifically established to assist victims of torture. This assistance should be limited to rehabilitation and social services for victims of torture and to support training of resettlement and health care workers on how to assist torture victims.
CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
The bill includes no advance appropriation for the Child Care and Development Block Grant program for fiscal year 2001. Funds for fiscal year 2000 were already appropriated in last year's appropriations act in the amount of $1,182,672,000. The Committee does not believe it is necessary to provide an appropriation for 2001 at this time. That funding decision can be made next year.
The Child Care and Development Block Grant program was originally enacted in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 to increase the availability, affordability and quality of child care by providing funds to States, Territories and Indian Tribes for child care services for low-income families. In the 1996 Welfare Reform Act, the block grant was reauthorized through 2002. In addition, that Act contains additional mandatory appropriations for child care in the amounts of $2.367 billion for fiscal year 2001 and increasing amounts for each year through 2002.
The Committee is concerned that the Department has not identified specific, measurable performance standards consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for the Child Care Block Grant. The Committee believes that it is essential for the Department to develop specific, measurable outcomes for this program. Such data should include meaningful baseline data and specific, measurable improvements that are expected to occur as a result of proposed increased funding.
SOCIAL SERVICES BLOCK GRANT
The bill provides $1,909,000,000 for the social services block grant (SSBG), the same as the fiscal year 1999 appropriation and $471,000,000 below the President's request. The bill includes language that reduces the statutory limit on appropriations to the amount provided. Because of the severe budgetary constraints this year, the Committee believes it is necessary to freeze this program. The Committee is also aware that under existing law the appropriation for this block grant may not exceed $1,700,000,000 beginning in fiscal year 2001. In addition, the bill includes language proposed by the Administration to reduce the percentage of TANF funds that States may transfer to the social services block grant from 10 percent to 4.25 percent.
SSBGs are designed to encourage States to furnish a variety of social services to needy individuals to prevent and reduce dependency, help individuals achieve and maintain self-sufficiency, prevent or reduce inappropriate institutional care, secure admission or referral for institutional care when other forms of care are not appropriate, and prevent neglect, abuse and exploitation of children and adults.
Funds are distributed to the territories in the same ratio such funds were allocated in fiscal year 1981. The remainder of the appropriation is distributed to the States and the District of Columbia according to population.
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SERVICES PROGRAMS
The bill includes $6,219,216,000, an increase of $81,011,000 over the fiscal year 1999 amount and $487,237,000 under the budget request. This includes amounts provided under the Violent Crime Trust Fund, as well as a rescission of $21,000,000 from permanent appropriations. This account finances a number of programs aimed at enhancing the well-being of the Nation's children and families, particularly those who are disadvantaged or troubled.
Head Start
The bill includes $4,760,000,000 for the Head Start program for fiscal year 2000, an increase of $101,483,000 over the fiscal year 1999 amount and a reduction of $507,000,000 from the budget request. The Committee notes that this program has been increased by $3.2 billion from fiscal year 1990 to fiscal year 2000, or 206 percent. Of the total amount made available for Head Start, $3,360,000,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2000 and $1,400,000,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2001 for obligation on October 1, 2000.
The Committee applauds the Department's inclusion of seasonal farmworker children within the Migrant Head Start program. However, the Committee is concerned that funding for the Migrant Head Start program has not kept pace with other elements of Head Start and has kept children of farmworkers from gaining access to Head Start services. While fifty percent of children eligible for the regular Head Start program receive services, only about ten percent of children of farmworkers are served by Migrant Head Start. The Committee recommends that assistance for migrant and seasonal farmworker children be increased above the FY 1999 level.
The Committee is concerned with recent reports of mismanagement within the Migrant Head Start program, including disregard for grantee concerns and late payments to grantees. The Committee urges the Department to address these concerns.
The Committee is concerned that the Department has not identified specific baseline data for a number of Head Start performance standards consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act. Despite the fact that the program is over 30 years old, rigorous evaluation of it has been minimal. The Committee believes the Department should establish and maintain a rigorous evaluation component for Head Start. We need to have hard evidence that the program is doing what it is supposed to be doing. The Committee believes that it is essential for the Department to develop meaningful achievement measures for this program. Such data must include valid baseline data and specific, measurable improvements that are expected to occur as a result of proposed increased funding.
Head Start provides comprehensive development services for children and their families. Intended for preschoolers from low-income families, the program seeks to foster the development of children and enable them to deal more effectively with both their present environment and later responsibilities in school and community life. Head Start programs emphasize cognitive and language development, emotional development, physical and mental health, and parent involvement to enable each child to develop and function at his or her highest potential. At least ten percent of enrollment opportunities in each State are made available to handicapped children.
Grants to carry out Head Start programs are awarded to public and private non-profit agencies. Grantees must contribute 20 percent of the total cost of the program; this is usually an in-kind contribution. The Head Start Act does not include a formula for the allotment of funds to local grantees; however, it does require that 87 percent of the appropriation be distributed among States based on a statutory formula. In addition, grants, cooperative agreements and contracts are awarded in the areas of research, demonstration, technical assistance and evaluation from the remaining 13 percent.
A collaborative partnership between Job Corps and Head Start allows both programs to maximize the use of limited resources to serve their target populations and to reach geographic and demographic areas not currently being served by existing programs. The Committee believes there is a need for locating Head Start programs on Job Corps campuses to help more low-income single parents and their children. The Committee recognizes the Administration on Children and Families' efforts to collaborate with the Department of Labor's programs, such as Job Corps, and to develop cost-effective partnerships furthering the mission of both programs as requested in last year's report. The Committee urges the Department to work with Job Corps to select campuses with available space for construction or rehabilitation of child care centers and with a need for child care services in areas where a qualified Head Start program is available and willing to participate.
The Committee urges the Head Start Bureau to work with other federal agencies to support the expansion, evaluation, and technical support of public/private partnerships, an initiative aimed at strengthening families and communities in their efforts to reduce the negative effect of substance abuse and use on the development of young children.
The Committee applauds the expansion of the Early Head Start program that serves children under age three and their families, and urges the Secretary to ensure the best possible management of this expanding program so that its rapid growth does not undermine its quality or effectiveness. Last October, authorizing legislation was passed that required the Department to hire a full-time Early Head Start Director to oversee the 0-3 program, including the training and technical assistance provided by the regional offices to individual Early Head Start programs. The Committee understands that the Department has not yet hired that individual, and urges the Department to bring on board a highly qualified manager with experience in Early Head Start to oversee these important services.
The Committee notes that accelerating efforts to encourage welfare recipients to enter the workforce can be expected to generate increasing demand for full day child care options. The Committee requests that the Administration consider and be prepared to testify on the extent to which full day child care is a need for Head Start program participants and the extent to which the Head Start program can respond to that need.
Runaway and homeless youth
The bill includes $58,602,000 for runaway and homeless youth activities, about the same as the amount available for fiscal year 1999 and $5,000,000 less than the budget request. The basic program, for which the bill includes $43,653,000, the same as the fiscal year 1999 amount, is intended to help address the needs of runaway and homeless youth and their families through support of activities sponsored by State and local governments and private nonprofit agencies.
Grants are used to develop and strengthen community-based facilities which are outside the law enforcement structure and the juvenile justice system. The Runaway and Homeless Youth Act mandates that funds for this program be allocated to each State on the basis of its youth population under 18 years of age in proportion to the national total. Runaway youth programs have been very successful in reuniting runaway children with their families and preventing runaways which, in turn, decreases the number of high school dropouts, incidents of juvenile drug abuse, crime and incarceration.
The Committee has provided $14,949,000 for the transitional living program for homeless youth, the same as the fiscal year 1999 amount. The program was created to serve those young people who cannot return home. Funds are used to provide appropriate shelter and services for up to 18 months for youths ages 16-20 who have no safe available living arrangements. Services are designed to help youth move towards self-sufficient and independent living, and to prevent long-term dependency on social services. In addition to shelter, such services may include education, vocational training, basic life skills, interpersonal skills building, and mental and physical health care. Grants are available to public and private programs.
Child abuse
For child abuse prevention and treatment, the Committee recommends $35,170,000, the same as the fiscal year 1999 level and about the same as the budget request. The total amount recommended includes $21,020,000 for State grants and $14,150,000 for discretionary projects; these amounts are the same as the fiscal year 1999 amounts. The child abuse programs attempt to improve and increase activities at all levels of government which identify, prevent, and treat child abuse and neglect through State grants, technical assistance, research, demonstration, and service improvement.
Abandoned infants assistance
The Committee recommends $12,255,000 for the Abandoned Infants Assistance Act, about the same as the fiscal year 1999 appropriation and the budget request. The purpose of this program is to provide financial support to public and non-profit private entities to develop, implement, and operate demonstration projects that will prevent the abandonment of infants and young children; identify and address their needs, especially those infected with HIV; assist such children to reside with their natural families or in foster care, as appropriate; provide respite care for families and caregivers; and recruit and train caregivers. Grantees must establish a care plan and case review system for each child.
Child welfare services
The bill includes $291,900,000 for child welfare services, the same as the fiscal year 1999 amount and $89,000 below the budget request. This program authorized by title IV-B of the Social Security Act provides grants to States to assist public welfare agencies establish, extend, and strengthen child welfare services in order to enable children to remain in their homes under the care of their parents, or, where that is not possible, to provide alternative permanent homes for them.
The bill includes $7,000,000 for child welfare training, the same as the fiscal year 1999 amount and the budget request. The Committee recognizes the need for trained, skilled and qualified child welfare protection personnel. This program provides teaching and traineeship grants to schools of social work to train social workers in the specialty of child welfare. The Committee strongly encourages the schools of social work to provide in-service training to those public child welfare staff not eligible for the graduate IV-E program.
Adoption opportunities
The Committee recommends $27,500,000 for adoption opportunities, an increase of $137,000 over the budget request and an increase of $2,508,000 over the fiscal year 1999 amount. The Adoption Opportunities Program provides funding specifically targeted to improving the adoption of children with special needs and minority children and for providing for innovative services that support families involved in adoption. The Committee believes that the activities funded by this program should provide the direction, leadership, and innovation which are needed to achieve the goals and reforms of the Adoption and Safe Families Act.
Toward that end, the Committee intends that funds available for Adoption Opportunities be broadly directed toward supporting innovative strategies which can improve practices and establish model procedures for organizations and agencies serving children and families in every State, including: model services that demonstrate reasonable efforts to place children for adoption; public education on the adoption of children with special needs; the development of models for the removal of geographic barriers to adoption; recruiting adoptive parents; post-adoption services to families; and the increased use of electronic exchange systems to facilitate adoptive placements.
Adoption incentives
The bill includes $20,000,000 for the adoption incentives program, the same as the budget request and the same as the 1999 level. This program was authorized in the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997. These funds are used to pay bonuses to States that increase their number of adoptions; the goal is to double the number of children adopted or permanently placed out of public child welfare systems by 2002. This should make adoption a higher priority at the State level. The Committee understands that adoptions are occurring at a higher rate than previously anticipated. The Committee will consider providing additional funding for this activity in conference with the Senate.
Social services and income maintenance research
The bill includes $27,000,000 for social services and income maintenance research, the same as the fiscal year 1999 amount and the budget request. These funds support research, demonstration, evaluation and dissemination activities. Areas covered include such things as welfare reform, child care, and child welfare.
The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Act (TANF) affords states more flexibility in the design of programs aimed at promoting work over welfare. At the same time, TANF assigns states greater responsibility for meeting complex information systems and federal reporting requirements. To assist in this effort, ACF last year called on the state information technology consortium to identify information systems issues confronting states and to determine best practices for resolving those issues. The next phase of this effort will enable states to discern which best practices are appropriate for their particular needs. States will then work with the consortium to implement those practices. The Committee encourages continuation of this effort at the current level of support.
Community-based resource centers
The bill includes $32,835,000 for this program; the fiscal year 1999 amount was the same. The President's budget requested $32,835,000 for fiscal year 2000. According to the Department, the purpose of the program is `to assist each State in developing and operating a network of community-based, prevention-focused family resource and support programs that coordinate resources among a broad range of human service organizations * * *'.
The Committee finds that respite services for caregivers of individuals with disabilities are critical components of comprehensive family support and longterm care services that can prevent costly institutional placements. The Committee supports continuation of a national resource center to provide technical assistance, evaluation, and networking for these vital respite and crisis services.
Developmental disabilities
For programs authorized by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance Act, the Committee recommends $115,012,000, a reduction of $4,182,000 from the amount available for fiscal year 1999 and $4,220,000 below the budget request. The total includes $64,800,000 for allotments to the States to fund State Councils, about the same as fiscal year 1999. These Councils engage in such activities as planning, policy analysis, demonstrations, training, outreach, interagency coordination, and public education. They do not provide direct services to the developmentally-disabled population.
In addition, $27,710,000 will be available to the States to be used for operating an advocacy program to protect the rights of the developmentally disabled. This is an increase of $1,000,000 over the fiscal year 1999 level. The Committee recognizes that the protection and advocacy system is in need of additional resources to develop projects to monitor community care for people with developmental disabilities, given the inadequacy of current state monitoring systems and the great potential for abuse and neglect in these placements. Accordingly, the Committee intends that the $1,000,000 increase in appropriations for the protection and advocacy system be used by the protection and advocacy program for persons with developmental disabilities to fund start-up community monitoring projects by the system.
The Committee recognizes that a large number of persons eligible under the TANF program have disabilities and that many may be unable to comply with state requirements relating to participation in the workforce. Thus, these individuals may lose their benefits unless accommodations in the workplace, alternative work arrangements, and specialized supports and services are provided. The Committee believes that the protection and advocacy system may be able to provide the benefits counseling and workplace advocacy assistance necessary to minimize the potentially significant hardships that could be imposed on persons with disabilities. Accordingly, the Committee urges the Administration for Children and Families to develop a plan to provide, through the protection and advocacy system, such services for persons with disabilities who are eligible for TANF benefits.
The bill includes $5,042,000 for special discretionary projects for training, technical assistance and demonstration. This is a reduction of $5,205,000 from the fiscal year 1999 funding level and $5,208,000 below the budget request.
The Committee approves a total of $17,460,000 for grants to university affiliated facilities and satellite centers to support the cost of administering and operating demonstration facilities and interdisciplinary training programs. This is the same as the fiscal year 1999 level and the budget request. These are discretionary grants to public and private non-profit agencies affiliated with a university. These grants provide basic operational and administrative core support for these agencies. In addition, these funds support interdisciplinary training, community services, technical assistance to State agencies and information dissemination.
Native American programs
The bill includes $34,933,000, about the same as the fiscal year 1999 level and the same as the amount requested in the budget. The Administration for Native Americans assists Indian Tribes and Native American organizations in planning and implementing their own long-term strategies for social and economic development. In promoting social and economic self-sufficiency, this organization provides financial assistance through direct grants for individual projects, training and technical assistance, and research and demonstration programs.
Community services
The bill includes $568,555,000 for Community Services activities, which is $5,169,000 above the fiscal year 1999 level and $48,555,000 over the budget request.
State block grant
For the State Block Grant, the bill includes $510,000,000, which is an increase of $10,000,000 over the President's request and $10,159,000 over the fiscal year 1999 level. This program provides grants to States for services to meet employment, housing, nutrition, energy, emergency services, and health needs of low-income people. By law, 90% of these funds are passed directly through to local community action agencies which have previously received block grant funds. The Committee is convinced that this program provides the kind of flexibility at the local level necessary to assist people who are in temporary need of government assistance to get back on their feet.
The 1998 reauthorization of the Community Services Block Grant included a change which makes family literacy services an allowable activity in the use of CSBG funds. In order to fulfill the intent of the law, the Committee urges the Department to seek the assistance of a national organization with a record of providing effective services to family literacy providers to assist community action agencies seeking to implement family literacy services.
Community economic development/rural facilities
The bill includes $30,055,000 for community economic development grants, which is the same as the fiscal year 1999 level. The President proposed not to fund this. These activities provide assistance to private, locally-initiated community development corporations which sponsor enterprises providing employment, training and business development opportunities for low-income residents in poor communities. In certain instances, projects which have been awarded funding may not be able to go forward because of changed circumstances. The Secretary may approve the use of the funds for another project sponsored by the same community development corporation if the project meets the requirements of the law and the goals and objectives of the original project for which the grant was made. The bill also includes $3,500,000 for rural community facilities, the same as the fiscal year 1999 level. The President proposed no funding for this. These grants are provided to multi-state, private nonprofit organizations to provide training and technical assistance to small, rural communities in meeting their community facilities needs. The Committee believes that these two activities could not be done by local community action agencies.
National youth sports program
The bill includes $15,000,000 for the National Youth Sports Program, which is the same as the fiscal year 1999 level. The President proposed no funding for this program. These funds are made available to a private, non-profit organization to provide recreational activities for low-income youth, primarily in the summer months. College and university athletic facilities are employed in the program. The Committee is aware of the many ways in which this program has had a positive impact on low-income youth. In addition to giving students a chance to spend time on a college campus, the program also provides them with math and science instruction, drug and substance abuse programs, and health and nutrition services. The Committee encourages the program to continue its outstanding work in these areas and to provide direction to youth on educational and career opportunities and violence prevention.
Community food and nutrition
The bill provides no funding for the Community Food and Nutrition program, which was funded at $4,999,000 in fiscal year 1999. There is no budget request for it. The program does not provide any direct feeding services. It provides grants to public and private agencies to coordinate existing food assistance programs, to identify sponsors of child nutrition programs and attempt to initiate new programs and to do advocacy work at the State and local levels. These are activities that could just as easily and probably more appropriately be funded by the States and local governments.
Violent Crime Trust Fund
The bill includes $105,000,000 for programs funded from the Violent Crime Trust Fund. That is about the same as the amount for fiscal year 1999 and $13,500,000 below the request. Included is $15,000,000 for a program which is designed to reduce the sexual abuse of runaway youth. The fiscal year 1999 amount was about the same. The Committee recommends $88,800,000 for family violence prevention and services and battered women's shelters, which is about the same as the fiscal year 1999 level. This program is designed to assist States in efforts to prevent family violence and to provide immediate shelter and related assistance for victims of family violence and their dependents, and to provide for technical assistance and training relating to family violence programs to State and local public agencies (including law enforcement agencies), nonprofit private organizations, and persons seeking such assistance. The bill also includes $1,200,000 to continue funding the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
Program direction
The Committee has approved $144,454,000 for program direction expenses of the Administration for Children and Families, the same as the fiscal year 1999 level and $6,114,000 below the budget request.
FAMILY PRESERVATION AND SUPPORT
The Committee recommends $295,000,000 for the family preservation and support account, an increase of $20,000,000 over the fiscal year 1999 appropriation and the same as the budget request. This capped entitlement program provides grants to States to develop and expand child welfare services including family preservation, family reunification, and community-based family support services for families at-risk or in crisis.
PAYMENTS TO STATES FOR FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION ASSISTANCE
The bill provides $4,307,300,000 for payments to States for foster care and adoption assistance, that in combination with $1,355,000,000 in advance fiscal year 2000 appropriations provided in the fiscal year 1999 Appropriations Act, makes available $5,662,300,000 for foster care and adoption activities, a reduction of $5,000,000 from the budget request and $543,300,000 above the fiscal year 1999 amount. The reduction from the request is accounted for by the fact that $5,000,000 of the request is based upon proposed legislation which has not been enacted. The bill also includes an advance appropriation of $1,538,000,000 for the first quarter of fiscal year 2001 to ensure timely completion of first quarter grant awards.
Of the total appropriation, including the advance appropriation from the prior year, the bill provides $4,537,200,000 for the foster care program to provide maintenance payments to States on behalf of children who must live outside their homes, the same as the request and $554,500,000 above the fiscal year 1999 amount.
Within the total appropriation, including the advance appropriation from the prior year, the bill provides $1,020,100,000 for adoption assistance, the same as the budget request and an increase of $151,300,000 above the fiscal year 1999 appropriation. This program provides training for parents and State administrative staff as well as payments on behalf of categorically eligible children considered difficult to adopt. This annually appropriated entitlement is designed to provide alternatives to long, inappropriate stays in foster care by developing permanent placements with families.
Within the total appropriation for this account, the bill provides $105,000,000 for the independent living program, an increase of $35,000,000 over the fiscal year 1999 appropriation and the same as the budget request. The program is designed to assist foster children age 16 or older to make successful transitions to independence. Funds assist children to earn high school diplomas, receive vocational training, and obtain training in daily living skills. Funds are awarded to States on the basis of the number of children on behalf of whom Federal foster care payments are received.
ADMINISTRATION ON AGING
AGING SERVICES PROGRAMS
For programs administered by the Administration on Aging, the Committee recommends a total of $881,976,000, which is about the same as the fiscal year 1999 level and $166,079,000 below the budget request. This account finances all programs under the Older Americans Act in this bill, with the exception of the Community Services Employment Program under title V, which is administered by the Department of Labor. The Committee notes that the older Americans programs again this year lack an authorization for appropriations.
The Committee has not recommended funding for two new initiatives requested in the budget totaling $129,000,000. These are a new national family caregiver support program and a program of health disparities interventions. These are proposals that have never been authorized by law. The Committee believes that they should be acted upon by the authorizing committees of jurisdiction prior to any appropriations being made for them.
The Committee is disappointed that the Department has not identified better and more ambitious performance standards for the Older Americans Act programs consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act. The Committee believes that it is essential for the Department to develop more meaningful outcomes measures for these programs.
Supportive services and centers
The Committee has included $310,192,000 for supportive services and centers. The amount provided is $10,000,000 over the fiscal year 1999 level and about the same as the budget request. This includes funding for in-home services for frail elderly persons who are at risk of losing their self-sufficiency due to physical or mental impairments. The budget request proposes to fund this under supportive services and centers in FY 2000 rather than as a separate line item, and the Committee concurs.
Funds for supportive services and centers are awarded to each State with an approved State plan. The formula under title III of the Older Americans Act mandates that no State be allotted less than the total amount allotted to it in fiscal year 1987. The statute also requires that additional funds be distributed on the basis of each State's proportionate share of the total age 60 and over population, with no State receiving less than one-half of one percent of the funds awarded. The funds contained in the bill will support coordinated, comprehensive service delivery systems at the local level.
The States have the ability under the basic law to transfer up to 20% of funds appropriated between the senior centers program and the nutrition programs; this allows the State to concentrate its resources in the program it deems most critical. Many States do transfer funds into this program from the congregate meals program.
Ombudsman/elder abuse
The bill includes $12,181,000 for the State long-term care ombudsman activities, the elder abuse prevention program, State elder rights and outreach and counseling authorized by title VII of the Older Americans Act. The amount provided is the same as the fiscal year 1999 level and the budget request. This program provides the assistance needed by vulnerable older Americans to protect themselves from abuse and exploitation, to exercise control over their environment, and to locate the resources they need for care and daily living.
Preventive health
The bill includes $16,123,000 for preventive health services authorized under part F of title III of the Act. This is the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 1999 funding level. These funds are awarded to States by formula to allow States and communities the flexibility to meet the health promotion and disease prevention needs of older people.
Nutrition programs
For congregate nutrition services, the Committee includes $374,258,000, the same as the fiscal year 1999 level and about the same as the budget request. For home-delivered nutrition services, the Committee provides $112,000,000, the same as the fiscal year 1999 level and $35,000,000 below the budget request. The Committee agrees that the home-delivered meals program is an effective and valuable program for homebound older Americans. However, given the extremely tight budget constraints under which the Committee is operating this year, it was simply not possible to provide the increased funding for this program. These programs are intended to address some of the difficulties confronting older individuals, namely nutrition deficiencies due to inadequate income, lack of adequate facilities to prepare food, and social isolation. The States have the ability under the basic law to transfer up to 20% of funds appropriated between the senior centers program and the nutrition programs; this allows the State to concentrate its resources in the program it deems most critical.
The nutrition programs also collect substantial sums each year in voluntary contributions from participants; private sector funds are also contributed. Volunteers also make a significant contribution to these programs.
Grants to Indian tribes
The bill provides $18,457,000 for grants to Indian tribes. This is the same as the fiscal year 1999 amount and the budget request. Funds under this program are awarded to tribal organizations to be used to promote opportunities for older Indians, to secure and maintain independence and self-sufficiency, and to provide transportation, nutrition, health screening and other services to help meet the needs of this population.
Research, training and special projects
The bill provides $18,000,000 for research, training and special projects under title IV of the Older Americans Act, the same as the fiscal year 1999 funding level and the President's request. Funds under this program are used to support education and training activities for personnel working in the field of aging and to finance research, development, and demonstration projects.
The Committee urges the Secretary to provide $3,000,000 for social research into Alzheimer's disease care options, best practices and other Alzheimer's research priorities that include research into cause, cure and care, as well as respite care, assisted living, the impact of intervention by social service agencies on victims, and related needs. The Committee recommends this research utilize and give discretion to Area Agencies on Aging and their non-profit divisions in municipalities with aged populations (over the age of 60) of over 1 million, with preference given to the largest population. The Committee also recommends that unique partnerships to effect this research be considered by the selected Area Agency on Aging. A comprehensive `single point of entry' system for informational services on Alzheimer's care, cure and cause will also be established as a demonstration project, offering case assistance and case management, as needed. Alzheimer's disease afflicts 10 percent of Americans over the age of 65, and as many as 47 percent of Americans over the age of 85, and has no effective treatment or cure.
The Committee recommendation includes sufficient funds for the pension information and counseling demonstration program, authorized under Title IV of the Older Americans Act, to continue the existing demonstration projects, technical assistance and training projects, and any new model projects that were created in other regions of the country during fiscal year 1999. Pension counseling projects provide information, advice, and assistance to workers and retirees about pension plans, and pursuing claims when pension problems arise. Also included are funds for a study to examine the feasibility of implementing a financing mechanism that would allow the pension-counseling program to become self-sustaining.
The Committee is aware of the special needs and problems facing senior citizens who desire to remain in their homes to increasingly advanced ages. With appropriate housing modifications, seniors and disabled citizens can live at home comfortably and safely for many years, thus averting confinement to a nursing home and lessening the costs of our health care delivery systems. The Committee urges the Administration on Aging, in collaboration with nongovernmental organizations, to develop a national seniors' housing center, which will develop innovative approaches for the lifestyles of older Americans.
Alzheimer's demonstration grants
The Committee provides $5,970,000 for Alzheimer's demonstration grants, which is the same as the fiscal year 1999 level and the budget request. The program provides grants to States to help them plan and establish programs to provide health care services to individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Funds are used for respite care and supportive services, clearinghouses, training, and administrative costs for State offices. By law, States are required to match the Federal funding--45 percent of the cost of the program by the third year of the grant.
Program administration
The bill includes $14,795,000 for program administration expenses of the Administration on Aging. This is $2,035,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 1999 amount after accounting for the one-time appropriation for Y2K activities in 1999. This activity provides administrative and management support for all Older Americans Act programs administered by the Department. No funding is provided for the Federal Council on Aging.
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
GENERAL DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT
The bill includes $227,787,000 for general departmental management, an increase of $28,445,000 over the fiscal year 1999 amount and $10,375,000 over the budget request. Included in this amount is authority to spend $5,851,000 from the Medicare trust funds. Of the total amount made available, $177,787,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2000 and $50,000,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2001 for obligation on October 1, 2000.
This appropriation supports those activities that are associated with the Secretary's roles as policy officer and general manager of the Department. The Office of the Secretary also implements Administration and Congressional directives, and provides assistance, direction and coordination to the headquarters, regions and field organizations of the Department. These activities have been basically frozen at the FY 1999 level after accounting for the one-time funding in 1999 for Y2K activities. This account also supports several small health activities that are centrally administered.
The Committee has not recommended funding for a new $25,000,000 initiative requested in the budget to address the question of health care access for the uninsured. This proposal has never been authorized by law. The Committee believes that it should be acted upon by the authorizing committees of jurisdiction prior to any appropriation being made for it.
Each of the departments under the Committee's jurisdiction is statutorily required to have audited financial statements covering all the department's accounts and activities. Congress enacted this requirement in the Government Management Reform Act of 1994 after having observed the benefits of the pilot program of audited financial statements that had been required by the Chief Financial Officers (CFO) Act of 1990. An audited financial statement is like a `scorecard' that reflects a department's progress in achieving the significant financial management reforms required by the CFO Act, and in providing effective stewardship and management of government funds. Accordingly, the Committee expects the Department to work vigorously towards obtaining a clean opinion on its financial statements. The transfer and reprogramming authority the Committee has granted provides substantial flexibility to the Department and is particularly valuable during periods of increasing fiscal constraints. However, the Committee questions the extent to which agencies can properly exercise such authority and accurately account for affected funds if they have not made substantial progress towards achieving the CFO Act's financial management reforms. Accordingly, in subsequent years, the Committee will consider the Department's progress in making such reforms and in obtaining a clean opinion on its financial statements when scrutinizing requests for current appropriations and in deciding whether to continue, expand or limit transfer and reprogramming authority.
The Committee has provided $450,000 for a National Academy of Sciences study of OSHA's proposed rule relating to occupational exposure to tuberculosis. The study should address the following questions:
- 1. Are health care workers at a greater risk of infection, disease, and mortality due to tuberculosis than the general community within which they reside? If so, what is the excess risk due to occupational exposure?
- 2. Can the occupationally acquired risk be quantified for different work environments, different job classifications, etc., as a result of implementation of the 1994 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for the prevention of tuberculosis transmission at the worksite or the implementation of specific parts of the CDC guidelines?
- 3. What effect will the implementation of OSHA's proposed tuberculosis standard have in minimizing or eliminating the risk of infection, disease, and mortality due to tuberculosis?
The Committee encourages the Secretary to allocate necessary funds to maintain the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Coordinating Committee (CFSCC). The Committee supports the use of this body to coordinate and expand CFIDS research across the Public Health Service. The Committee expects the CFSCC to create a yearly action plan and to focus attention on the four priority areas: expanding research on CFS; augmenting health care provider education; improving access to SSA regarding disability benefits; and executing the CFSCC's charter to provide coordination and ensure accountability of the agencies' CFS programs.
The Committee instructs the Department and the agencies represented on the CFSCC to take a leadership role in informing health care professionals and the general public about CFS, focusing on the prevalent and serious nature of CFS. The Committee directs the Secretary and the Surgeon General to undertake a prominent educational campaign to inform the public that CFS is a serious and disabling illness.
In light of the Inspector General's finding of misspent CFS funds at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Committee directs the Secretary to ensure that all of the agencies' CFS research programs are effective and ambitious and that the accounts of CFS research activity and spending reported to Congress are thorough and accurate.
The Committee is pleased with the work of the Department's Advisory Committee on Blood Safety and Availability. Persons with primary immune deficiency disorders represent a significant population dependent on blood products to maintain their health. As opportunities to do so permit, the Committee continues to encourage the Department to appoint a representative to the committee who has expertise in primary immune deficiency diseases.
The Committee urges the Department to continue to consider the establishment of an Office of Reserve Coordination for the PHS Commissioned Corps in order to make better use of the inactive reserve of the Corps. The Department should be prepared to discuss progress made on this matter in connection with next year's budget.
The Committee is encouraged by agency interest in intradepartmental coordination of programs within the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. The Committee continues to be concerned that the Departments have no forum in place for continuous interdepartmental collaboration. The Working Group on Comprehensive Early Childhood Family Centers, headed by the Department of Education, recommended that the Departments create such a forum, and this has yet to occur. Therefore, the Committee urges the Departments to institutionalize interdisciplinary collaboration at all levels, and requests a progress report on steps taken to accomplish such departmental collaboration and program coordination no later than March of 2000.
It is essential that states and the federal government work together to ensure that welfare reform efforts are successful, when providing essential social services to those in need. However, the Committee is concerned that states may be using federal financial resources provided as a result of welfare reform to supplant state funds for social service and entitlement programs. Since federal funds were to be provided on a short term basis, the Committee is concerned that the states have not prepared for future social service needs, including the needs of the disabled community and the profoundly disabled. At the same time, the Committee is aware that many states have developed new programs which are not related to the provision of social services. The Committee requests the General Accounting Office to examine the actions of the states and their efforts to contribute existing state resources to social service programs and to report its findings to this Committee, six months after enactment.
The Committee bill includes funds to address the HIV/AIDS needs of racial and ethnic minority communities. These funds are to be available to address prevention, treatment and research needs of minority communities that are impacted by HIV/AIDS, and should complement existing and previously planned targeted HIV/AIDS minority activities. In allocating these funds, consideration should be given to the specific Native American, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander populations at highest risk for HIV/AIDS as well as ensuring culturally appropriate and linguistically accessible programs and services, especially for urban and rural populations, immigrants and refugees, and populations that are either geographically concentrated or geographically isolated.
The Committee is concerned with the growing number of HIV/AIDS reported cases in the Hispanic community, the African-American community, the Native-American community and other affected ethnic and minority populations. To address this growing epidemic, the Committee urges the Secretary to provide funding for initiatives to address the needs of these communities. The Committee also urges the Secretary to include these ethnic and racial communities as eligible applicants for existing programs under the HIV/AIDS initiative.
The Committee encourages Federal HIV/AIDS services and prevention funds be responsive to the demographic trends of the epidemic.
The Committee requests that the Secretary examine and report on mechanisms to develop a more efficient and seamless medical and social service delivery system for persons with HIV and AIDS through the blending of entitlement and discretionary federal funds; specifically, Medicaid, Medicare, and Ryan White CARE Act funds. The Committee recommends that the Department explore opportunities to develop and implement, through existing authority, demonstration projects to examine the integration of federally funded medical and social service programs. The Committee requests that a full report be completed no later than six months after the beginning of the fiscal year and include policy, legislative and programmatic issues and analyses necessary for full assessment of implementing such a demonstration.
The Committee recognizes that there is a clear public health need for HIV and STD prevention technologies that women can control, and tremendous scientific opportunity in the field of microbicides. The Committee strongly believes microbicide research and development should be a high priority area within the Department of Health and Human Services.
The Committee directs the Secretary to provide a report to the Committee within 120 days of enactment of the fiscal 2000 appropriations bill on the overall annual federal investment in microbicide research, including lists of projects devoted specifically to microbicide product development and testing, as well as initiatives serving multiple purposes. In addition, the Committee directs the Secretary, in conjunction with the Director of the National Institutes of Health, to develop and provide the Committee with an integrated, coordinated strategy directed toward microbicide research and development, which provides clear lines of responsibility and builds on the strengths of appropriate NIH Institutes and Offices, including NIAID, NICHD, and the OAR. In developing this strategy, the Secretary and the Director should consult with other relevant agencies, such as the US Agency for International Development and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Committee further directs the Secretary to provide a report to the Committee within 120 days on progress toward this initiative. The Committee encourages the Secretary and the Director to use all available resources, including Small Business Innovation Research grants, to promote product development in this area.
The 1998 reauthorization of the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) included a change which makes family literacy services an allowable activity in the use of CSBG funds. In order to fulfill the intent of the law, the Committee urges the Department of Health and Human Services to seek the assistance of a national organization with a record of providing effective services to family literacy providers to assist community action agencies seeking to implement family literacy services.
The Committee has provided adequate funding for the continuation and growth of a variety of competitive programs throughout the Public Health Service that emphasize improving the health status of disadvantaged populations, including racial and ethnic minorities. The need for strong support and continued emphasis on these programs is embodied in the mission of the Department of Health and Human Services.
The Committee understands that there are many qualified minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses, and small businesses that design and place advertising and advertising campaigns, that can assist the Department in its efforts using print and electronic media. The Committee believes these firms can provide valuable new insights and expertise and expects the Department to increase its use of these qualified businesses.
Indirect Costs- The Committee requests the Secretary to provide a report on indirect costs. The report should include a list of all grantees, including schools and non-profit organizations, the amount of grant funds they received, and what percentage was for overhead costs. It should also discuss regional differences and provide an average amount of money for their entire budget that goes to indirect costs. This information should be provided to the Committee electronically in XLS or DBF format.
Adolescent family life
The bill provides $67,700,000 for the adolescent family life abstinence counseling program, an increase of $58,500,000 over the President's request and $50,000,000 over the fiscal year 1999 appropriation. This program is designed to promote activities to delay premature sexual activity and promote abstinence.
Delaying sexual activity by even a few years has demonstrated dramatic results in reducing the incidence of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and unwanted pregnancy.
The Committee intends for the $50,000,000 increase in Title XX of the Public Health Service Act funding to be used for grants to organizations that clearly and consistently focus on abstinence as the clearly preferred and primary method of preventing STDs and unwanted pregnancy. [Abstinence shall have the same meaning as defined in Public Law 104-193, Title IX, section 912.]
Grants to these organizations should focus on developing a national certification program for abstinence trainers, training persons as abstinence instructors, and on providing actual presentations to youth at vulnerable ages (Grades 7 through 12). The Department will hold competition for these grants during the regular cycle in FY 2000, and issue these grants at the beginning of FY 2001.
Physical fitness and sports
The bill includes no funding for the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. The fiscal year 1999 appropriation was $1,005,000 and the request for fiscal year 2000 was roughly the same. While the Committee believes the Council has provided some valuable service to the country, some of its activities are widely duplicated throughout the economy and could and should be provided with non-federal support.
The Council has sought to improve the level of physical fitness nationwide through professional consultation, technical assistance, and public information which is provided to school systems, government agencies, employee organizations, private business and industry, and professional organizations.
Minority health
The bill includes $30,000,000 for the Office of Minority Health, an increase of $2,000,000 over the President's budget request and $6,000,000 below the fiscal year 1999 appropriation.
According to the budget request, the Office of Minority Health works with Public Health Service agencies and other agencies of the Department in a `catalytic, coordinative, advocacy and policy development role' to establish goals and coordinate other activities in the Department regarding disease prevention, health promotion, service delivery and research relating to disadvantaged and minority individuals; concludes interagency agreements to stimulate and undertake innovative projects; supports research, demonstration, and evaluation projects; and coordinates efforts to promote minority health programs and policies in the voluntary and corporate sectors.
The Committee is pleased that the Office of Minority Health has taken a leadership role in conducting and coordinating a study on managed care and historically minority health professions schools, and encourages continued support.
The Committee is aware of the ongoing demonstration project at a historically black medical school that focuses on integrating health delivery systems in an underserved community. The Committee encourages the Department to consider sustaining the project through the Office of Minority Health and other operating divisions.
The Committee is concerned about a recent cardiac catheterization study with respect to ethnic biases in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease. The Committee has provided funds to the Office of Minority Health for a one-time, Institute of Medicine study of the prevalence and impact of ethnic bias in medicine. The Committee expects IOM to work closely with ethnic medical organizations to develop the parameters of the study.
The Committee urges the continued funding of HIV/AIDS prevention activities by the Office of Minority Health through its Minority Community Coalition Demonstration Grants program and its Bilingual/Bicultural Demonstration Grants program.
The Committee urges the Department to make sufficient funds available to support the establishment of at least one multi-State minority HIV/AIDS technical assistance and resource center. The funds should be made available to a minority organization that has experience in (1) providing technical and capacity-building assistance to minority organizations; (2) developing educational materials for states, community-based organizations and healthcare providers; and (3) working on issues related to minority women and other populations disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS.
Sufficient funding is included to support the implementation of a perinatal HIV/AIDS educational, testing and outreach demonstration, targeting providers and the minority women of childbearing age they serve.
Office on Women's Health
The bill includes $15,495,000 for the Office on Women's Health, which is the same as the fiscal year 1999 funding level and $2,027,000 less than the Administration request. The Committee notes that each of the Public Health Service agencies under its jurisdiction supports an office or program which focuses on women's health. The Office on Women's Health advises the Secretary and provides Department-wide coordination of programs focusing specifically on women's health.
Emergency preparedness
The Committee has elected to provide all funding for emergency preparedness, including bioterrorism activities, in the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund rather than providing a portion of it in this account as proposed in the budget.
OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
The bill includes $29,000,000 for the Office of the Inspector General, which is the same as the fiscal year 1999 level, after adjusting for one-time funding in 1999 for Y2K activities, and a reduction of $2,500,000 from the budget request. A large permanent appropriation for this office is contained in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. Total funds provided between this bill and the permanent appropriation would be $129,000,000 in FY 2000. The bill includes language limiting the permanent appropriation to the fiscal year 1999 funding level.
The Office of the Inspector General was created by law to protect the integrity of Departmental programs as well as the health and welfare of beneficiaries served by those programs. Through a comprehensive program of audits, investigations, inspections and program evaluations, the OIG attempts to reduce the incidence of fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement, and to promote economy, efficiency and effectiveness throughout the Department.
The Committee instructs the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services to provide the Committee with semi-annual reports on the actual deficit reduction impact of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. The Committee has made this request in the past and has received some reports from the IG. However, the reports have been sporadic.
The Committee believes that all of the Inspectors General need to do a better job of accounting for and tracking the savings that they claim to generate by their efforts. More attention must be paid to how much money is actually collected each year and paid back to the Federal government. The Committee directs the Inspector General to continue to report to the Committee on:
- (1) the actual payments, as a result of fines, restitutions or forfeitures, made to the United States Government as a result of her activities; and
- (2) how `funds put to better use' were used; this report must identify funds made available for use by management and the programs, projects, and activities that were increased as a result of these funds.
OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS
The bill includes $20,652,000, the same as the fiscal year 1999 level and $1,507,000 less than the budget request. This includes authority to transfer $3,314,000 from the Medicare trust funds.
The Office for Civil Rights is responsible for enforcing civil rights statutes that prohibit discrimination in health and human services programs. OCR implements the civil rights laws through a compliance program designed to generate voluntary compliance among all HHS recipients.
POLICY RESEARCH
The bill includes $14,000,000, about the same as the amount available in fiscal year 1999 and the same as the budget request. The Policy Research account, authorized by section 1110 of the Social Security Act, is the Department's principal source of policy-relevant data and research on the income sources of low-income populations; the impact, effectiveness, and distribution of benefits under existing and proposed programs; and other issues that cut across agency lines.
RETIREMENT PAY AND MEDICAL BENEFITS FOR COMMISSIONED OFFICERS
The Committee provides an estimated $214,905,000 for retirement pay and medical benefits for commissioned officers, which is $13,270,000 above the fiscal year 1999 level and the same as the Administration request. This activity provides mandatory payments to Public Health Service commissioned officers who have retired for age, disability, or specified period of service. This appropriation also provides for the cost of medical care in non-Public Health Service facilities to dependents of the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and for payments to the Social Security trust funds for the costs to them for granting credits for military service.
PUBLIC HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES EMERGENCY FUND
The Committee provides an emergency allocation of $391,833,000 for the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund, which is $168,411,000 above the fiscal year 1999 comparable level and $5,811,000 above the Administration request. The Administration did not request this funding as an emergency.
The amount provided includes $138,000,000 for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the following activities: $1,000,000 to enhance technical capabilities to identify certain biological agents; $2,000,000 to assist States in developing emergency preparedness plans; $2,000,000 for public health training centers; $2,000,000 to discover, develop, and transition anti-infective agents to combat emerging diseases; $2,000,000 to expand epidemiological intelligence service; $5,000,000 to develop rapid toxic screening; $5,000,000 for the environmental health laboratory; $7,000,000 to strengthen State and local epidemiological and surveillance capacity; $8,400,000 to better identify potential biological and chemical terrorism agents; $9,000,000 to develop new sources and methods for surveillance; $9,600,000 for regional labs for measuring chemical exposures and for regional labs for detecting and measuring biological and chemical agents; $20,000,000 for infectious diseases; $20,000,000 for polio eradication activities; $28,000,000 to establish a national health alert network; and $17,000,000 for a pharmaceutical and vaccine stockpile.
The amount provided includes $29,233,000 for the National Institutes of Health for bioterrorism activities to be distributed as follows: $250,000 for the Fogarty International Center; $310,000 for the National Cancer Institute; $1,327,000 for the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research; $1,500,000 for the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; $2,100,000 for the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences; $3,060,000 for the National Center for Research Resources; and $20,686,000 for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
The amount provided also includes $20,000,000 for the Health Resources and Services Administration for the Ricky Ray Hemophilia Relief Fund Act; $24,600,000 for the Office of Emergency Preparedness and $30,000,000 for the Office of the Secretary for bioterrorism activities; and $150,000,000 for Y2K activities at the Health Care Financing Administration.
The Committee encourages Federal HIV/AIDS services and prevention funds be responsive to the demographic trends of the epidemic.
TITLE III--DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
The bill includes a total of $33,320,697,000 for programs in the Department of Education. Overall, the bill provides an increase in Elementary and Secondary Education programs of $47,254,000 above last year. However, there are many education programs funded elsewhere in the bill. The following chart indicates the major funding sources for education in the bill.
EDUCATION FUNDING
[Dollars in millions]
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FY 1999 FY 2000 (Committee action) FY 2000, above (+) or below (-) FY 1999
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Discretionary:
Department of Education $33,517 $33,321 -$196
Head Start 4,659 4,760 101
NIH Training Grants 819 892 73
Health Professions Training 302 302
Total Discretionary 39,297 39,264 -33
Mandatory:
Department of Education 2,304 2,339 35
Medicare direct/indirect costs of medical education 7,660 7,850 190
Total Mandatory 9,964 10,189 225
`Off budget' spending:
Direct loan obligations 16,232 16,155 -77
Federal Family Education Loans 23,577 25,006 1,429
Total `Off budget' 39,809 41,161 1,352
Total education spending 89,070 90,615 1,545
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EDUCATION REFORM
The bill includes $800,100,000 for Education Reform programs. This amount is $1,146,900,000 less than the Administration's fiscal year 2000 budget request and $714,000,000 less than the 1999 amount. This appropriation account includes Goals 2000 under the Goals 2000: Educate America Act, School-to-Work under the School-To-Work Opportunities Act, technology programs under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and 21st Century Schools under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The bill accepts the Administration's proposal for transferring the 21st Century Schools program from the Education, Research, Statistics and Improvement account to the Education Reform account.
Goals 2000: Educate America Act: State and local education systematic improvement grants
The bill does not include funding for programs authorized by title III of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act. This amount is $461,000,000 below the budget request and the fiscal year 1999 appropriation level for this activity. The Goals 2000 programs are due to expire at the end of fiscal year 2000. Consistent with the Teacher Empowerment Act, the Committee has consolidated funding for this program under a new line item, subject to the Teacher Empowerment Act's enactment into law.
Goals 2000: Educate America Act: parental assistance
The bill does not include funding for parental assistance under Goals 2000. This amount is $30,000,000 below both the request level and the fiscal year 1999 appropriation. The Goals 2000 programs are due to expire at the end of fiscal year 2000. Consistent with the Teacher Empowerment Act, the Committee has consolidated funding for this program under a new line item, subject to the Teacher Empowerment Act's enactment into law.
School-to-work opportunities
The bill does not include funding for State grants and local partnerships under the School-to-Work Opportunities Act. This is $55,000,000 below the budget request and $125,000,000 below the fiscal year 1999 level. The recommended funding level reflects the phase-out of the program as States assume full responsibility for institutionalizing their school-to-work systems, as outlined in the School-to-Work Opportunities Act.
Education technology
The bill includes $500,100,000 for Education Technology. This amount is $300,900,000 below the Administration's fiscal year 2000 request and $198,000,000 below the fiscal year 1999 appropriation. Included in this account are the technology literacy challenge fund, technology innovation challenge grants, regional technology in education consortia, teacher training in technology, community-based technology centers, and technology leadership activities. Three demonstration programs (star schools, ready to learn TV, and telecommunications demonstration projects for mathematics) are also included in this account.
The Committee remains concerned by the rapid increase in funding in these programs in addition to funding provided in other programs of the Department of Education. The Committee expects that the Department will continue to abide by, and supply the data required by, the conference report on P.L. 104-208. In addition, the Committee expects the Department to continue providing such data for all programs funded in this account under the heading `Education Technology' and for funding made available through the `E-Rate' program as part of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-104) in their annual operating plan.
In the report on H.R. 2264 (H. Rpt. 105-205) the Committee directed the Department to provide it with an `overall plan for education technology, including all funds for technology available from the Department and giving recognition to other funds and funding discounts available under the Telecommunications Act.' It has been almost two years since the Committee requested this plan and it has yet to appear. It is difficult for the Committee to understand how such large sums can be requested and spent without any clear understanding as to the amounts of federal funding involved and any clear policy as to the role of federal funding vis-a-vis on-going local funding in increasing the use of technology in the classroom. The Committee directs the Department to provide the Committee with this plan by December 1, 1999.
Education technology: technology literacy challenge fund
The Committee recommends $425,000,000 for the technology literacy challenge fund, the same as the fiscal year 1999 level and $25,000,000 below the President's request. The fund assists States in integrating technology into curriculum. The goal of this program is to assure that students become technologically literate and possess the academic, communications and critical thinking skills essential for success in the information age.
Each State receives a share of funding based on its share of funds under part A of title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Funds are distributed to local education agencies on the basis of competitive sub-grants. States receive funding on the basis of a State plan describing its long-term strategies for financing technology education in the State, involving the private sector and assisting school districts with the greatest needs.
The Committee believes that, while the Department has made some progress toward developing measurable student achievement standards consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for the technology literacy challenge fund, more work remains in specifying goals and baseline data for this program. For example, the Department should develop data on the percentage of students who are currently computer-proficient and how that figure will increase as a result of proposed funding increases.
Education technology: technology innovation challenge grants
The Committee recommends $115,100,000 for technology innovation challenge grants, $5,100,000 above the President's request and the same as the fiscal year 1999 level.
The technology innovation challenge grants program is designed to support partnerships among educators, business, and industry, and other community organizations to develop innovative applications of technology and plans for fully integrating technology into schools. The program provided 80 new and continuing competitive grants in fiscal year 1999 to consortia that include at least one local educational agency with a high percentage or number of children living in poverty.
In past years, the Committee has funded initiatives to improve student mathematics and reading skills through the use of in-class technology. The Committee encourages the Secretary to continue to place high priority on providing schools, particularly those located in inner cities and rural areas, the resources to integrate effective technology for mathematics and reading in their classrooms.
The Committee believes that, while the Department has made some progress toward developing measurable student achievement standards consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for the technology innovation challenge grants, more work remains in specifying goals and baseline data for this program. For example, the Department should develop data on the percentage of students who are currently computer-proficient and how that figure will increase as a result of proposed funding increases.
Education technology: regional technology in education consortia
The Committee recommends no funding for regional technology in education consortia, $10,000,000 below both the President's request and the fiscal year 1999 level. The regional technology in education consortia supports 6 regional programs of information and resource dissemination, professional development, and technical assistance. The Committee is disappointed with the lack of baseline data and outcome-based performance indicators for this program. The Committee notes that the budget request for fiscal year 2000 will support only new awards; all existing awards under this program will be concluded with fiscal year 1999 funds. Given the limited Federal discretionary budget, and the fact that this program has come to the end of a funding cycle and will expire at the end of fiscal year 2000, the Committee has chosen to focus its resources on higher priority programs in this bill.
Education technology: national activities
The Committee recommends $10,000,000 for existing education technology national activities. These include teacher training in technology, community based technology, and technology leadership activities. The Committee does not recommend funding for two new initiatives requested by the Administration in this account: Middle school teacher training and software development initiative. The President requested $35,000,000 for these new activities.
Teacher training in technology
The Committee recommends no funding for teacher training in technology, which is $75,000,000 below both the President's request and the fiscal year 1999 funding level. Given the limited Federal discretionary budget, the Committee has chosen to focus its resources on higher priority programs in this bill. The Committee notes that the bill provides support for many other teacher training programs, including $1,800,000,000 for the new Teacher Empowerment Act.
Community-based technology centers
The Committee recommends $10,000,000 for community-based technology centers, which is the same as fiscal year 1999 and $55,000,000 below the President's request.
This program provides access to technology and other services for disadvantaged students and adults unable to purchase computers for use at home.
The Department has not identified specific, measurable standards consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for the community-based technology centers program. The Committee encourages the Department to develop indicators that will track how many disadvantaged students and adults receive technology access through this program that would not otherwise have access to computer services. The Department should also track how the computer skills of persons served under this program improve and compare with those of more affluent classmates. The Committee does not believe that additional funding for this program is warranted until GPRA standards are in place.
Technology leadership activities
The Committee recommends no funding for technology leadership activities, which is $2,000,000 below fiscal year 1999 and the President's request. According to the Administration, funds under this program will be used to disseminate the results of technology program evaluations, to prepare a framework for ongoing evaluations, and to provide leadership and assistance to schools in applying for and using the discounts of the Universal Service Fund.
Although the Administration states in the budget justification for this program that the activities funded under this program are coordinated with other agencies and programs such as the E-rate, the Department of Commerce's Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Program and the National Science Foundation, the Department has not provided specific strategies for coordinating with these other agencies. The Committee expects the Department to coordinate with other agencies as part of its day-to-day operations. Therefore, given the limited Federal discretionary budget, the Committee has chosen to focus its resources on higher priority programs in this bill and notes that the Department has the ability to carry out technology leadership activities through regular program administration funds.
Middle school teacher training
The Committee recommends no funding for the middle school teacher training initiative, which is the same level as in fiscal year 1999 and $30,000,000 below the President's request. The Committee notes that funds provided under the new $1,800,000,000 Teacher Empowerment Act, the Title VI block grant, the technology literacy challenge fund program, and the technology innovation challenge grant program are available for school districts to use to assist middle school teachers in using technology in the classroom.
The Administration's budget justification states that the purpose of this program is to enable middle school students to become `technologically literate,' with funds going to States that agree to establish technology literacy as a requirement for middle school graduation. However, the Administration has not included any performance measures describing how many students would be served by the program, how `technologically literate' would be defined for the purpose of this program, how many students are currently technologically literate, and how many would become technologically literate by participating in this program.
Considering the broad range of existing programs that the Committee has chosen to fund that can be used to support technology and professional development in technology in middle schools, the Committee does not recommend funding for this new, separate program.
Software development initiative
The Committee recommends no funding for the software development initiative, which is the same level as in fiscal year 1999 and $5,000,000 below the President's request. The Administration has not provided clear objectives or performance measures for this program.
According to the Educational Software Institute, there are over 8,000 different educational software programs, ranging from preschool to high school in all subject areas, currently available to schools. For example, there are over 400 different mathematics software packages designed for middle school students. There are over 250 science software programs designed for high school level coursework, and over 200 reading software programs targeted at elementary school students. Dozens of new programs come into the market each month. The Committee does not believe that there is a clear need for federal involvement in this area and therefore recommends no funding for this program.
Educational technology: star schools
The Committee recommends no funding for the star schools program, $45,000,000 below both the budget request and the fiscal year 1999 amount. Given the limited Federal discretionary budget, the Committee has chosen to focus its resources on higher priority programs in this bill.
Educational technology: ready to learn television
The bill includes no funding for ready to learn television, $7,000,000 less than the budget request and $11,000,000 less than the 1999 amount. Program objectives include the development and distribution of educational and instructional video programming for preschool and elementary school children and their parents.
The Committee notes that of the $25,000,000 in funding appropriated for this program since fiscal year 1997, only $3,000,000 have been outlayed to date. Until funds from the past three fiscal years are drawn down, the Committee is unwilling to recommend a new appropriation for this program.
Telecommunications demonstration projects for mathematics
The Committee recommends no funding for this demonstration program. This amount is $5,000,000 below the fiscal year 1999 amount and $2,000,000 below the budget request. The Committee notes that of the $8,070,000 appropriated for this program since fiscal year 1997, only $1,446,000 have been outlayed to date. Until funds from the past three fiscal years are drawn down, the Committee is unwilling to recommend a new appropriation for this program.
21st century community learning centers
The bill provides $300,000,000 for 21st century community learning centers, $300,000,000 below the budget request and $100,000,000 above the fiscal year 1999 level.
The 21st Century Community Learning Centers program supports grants to rural and inner-city public elementary or secondary schools, or consortia of such schools, to enable them to plan, implement, or expand projects that benefit the educational, health, social service, cultural, and recreational needs of a rural or inner-city community. Assistance must be equitably distributed among the States, among urban and rural areas of the United States, and among urban and rural areas of a State. Grants must be made for at least $35,000, and priority must be given to applications offering a broad selection of services that address the needs of the community. Each grantee must provide at least four services listed in the authorizing legislation. These include: literacy education programs; children's day care services; summer and weekend school programs in conjunction with recreation programs; expanded library service hours to serve community needs; telecommunications and technology education programs for individuals of all ages; parenting skills education programs; employment counseling, training, and placement; services for individuals who leave school before graduating from secondary school, regardless of the age of such individual; and services for individuals with disabilities.
The Committee provides funding to the 21st Century Community Learning Centers for after-school activities. These funds are to supplement, not supplant, existing programs which are being offered by nonprofit organizations in communities of need.
The Committee encourages the Secretary to ensure that funds provided under this program and utilized for after-school arts activities do not supplant other resources devoted to existing music and arts education programs as part of a regular school curriculum.
The Committee is pleased with the progress the Department has made in developing measurable indicators for the 21st Century Learning Centers program. The Committee encourages the Department to continue to develop indicators that specifically measure how participating in the program will help improve academics for at-risk students, promote healthier attitudes toward school and improve community involvement.
EDUCATION FOR THE DISADVANTAGED
The bill includes $8,417,897,000 for the disadvantaged programs. This amount is $326,023,000 less that the administration's fiscal year 2000 budget request and $9,000,000 below the fiscal year 1999 appropriation. This appropriation account includes compensatory education programs authorized under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
Grants to local educational agencies
Of the amounts provided for Title I programs, $6,574,000,000 is available for basic grants to local education agencies and state administration. This is the same as the amount for the 1999-2000 school year and $434,000,000 above the request. Funding for concentration grants, which targets funds to local education agencies in counties with high levels of disadvantaged children, is $1,158,397,000, the same as last year and $58,397,000 above the request level. The Committee has not provided funds under targeted grants. The administration requested $756,020,000 for targeted grants.
Of the total of $7,732,397,000 made available for school year 2000-2001 for grants to LEAs, $1,524,134,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2000 for obligation after July 1, 2000 and $6,204,763,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2001 for obligation on, or after, October 1, 2000. A remaining $3,500,000 for title I evaluations is made available for obligation on October 1, 1999.
Financial assistance flows to school districts by formula, based in part on the number of school-aged children from low-income families. Within districts, local school officials target funds on school attendance areas with the greatest number or percentage of children from poor families. Local school districts develop and implement their own programs to meet the needs of disadvantaged students. About 14,000 local school districts participate in the program, which served an estimated 6.2 to 6.5 million pupils in 1995.
Funds under this account will also be used to pay the Federal share of State administrative costs for title I programs. The maximum State administration grant is equal to one percent of title I local educational agency plus State agency grants to the State, or $400,000, whichever is greater. These funds are included in the grants to local educational agencies account, rather than being a separate line item.
The Committee believes that the Department has made good progress in developing measurable standards for improvement in student academic achievement consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for education for the disadvantaged. However, the Committee believes that more work needs to be done in terms of defining specific, numerical goals for the programs relating to academic achievement, developing baseline data and providing specific improvements that are to be achieved with any increased funding above those improvements that would be expected without additional funding.
The Committee notes that the Administration's budget request rejects the `100 percent hold harmless' legislative rider for the Title I program. The Committee bill does not include this provision either. The Committee believes that such legislative riders unfairly penalize schools and states that educate a growing number of disadvantaged children. The Committee strongly concurs with the following statement of the Department of Education submitted for the record as part of the fiscal year 2000 budget hearings:
The hold harmless [included in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 appropriations acts] prevented retargeting from taking effect with the use of new poverty data. We strongly believe that special [hold-harmless] appropriations language should not be included [in the fiscal year 2000 appropriations bill], since the authorizing statute for Title I already provides a hold-harmless for Title I Basic Grants in an amount equal to between 85 and 95 percent of each district's prior year Title I allocation, depending on the district poverty level. Inserting a 100 percent hold-harmless prevents funds from flowing to districts that are gaining poor children, as documented by the updated data. But the whole purpose of using updated data is to reflect, in the allocations, these population shifts. A basic principle in targeting should be to drive funds to where the poor children are, not to where they were a decade ago.
The Committee is also deeply concerned about the Department's application of the Title I hold harmless provision to other education programs that use the Title I formula to determine funding levels. The Committee notes that some States are losing as much as $3,000,000 they would have otherwise received under the Eisenhower Professional Development, Safe and Drug Free Schools State Grants, Even Start family literacy, and Class Size Reduction programs due to this decision.
Demonstrations of comprehensive school reform
The bill includes $120,000,000 for demonstrations of comprehensive school reform; this is $30,000,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 1999 level. The Committee expects that the Department will continue to follow the directives in the Conference Report accompanying the fiscal year 1998 bill (House Report 105-390) and in the conference report accompanying the fiscal year 1999 bill (House Report 105-825). The Committee provides these funds to continue the wide-scale application of effective approaches to comprehensive school reform in title I schools.
The Committee expects the Department to provide specific, numerical baseline data as well as specific, measurable goals for this program in the fiscal year 2001 budget request.
Capital expenses for private school students
The Committee recommends no funding for capital expenses grants for private schools. This amount is the same as the Administration's request and $24,000,000 below the fiscal year 1999 amount.
Capital expenses grants were authorized to pay some of the additional costs of providing title I services to children who attend nonpublic schools. A 1985 U.S. Supreme Court decision, Aguilar v. Felton, determined that public school teachers or other employees could not be sent to sectarian nonpublic schools for the purpose of providing title I services. The capital expenses grants were used for rental of classroom space in neutral sites (i.e., locations other than private or public schools), rental of mobile vans used for title I instruction, or transportation of nonpublic pupils to public schools or neutral sites.
The United States Supreme Court recently reconsidered, and reversed, its decision in the Aguilar case and both the President's request and the Committee's recommendation implement a policy of discontinuing this program. The Committee notes that school districts may continue to reserve funds from their annual Title I allocations to cover extra expenses involved in providing services to private-school students.
Even Start
The Committee provides $150,000,000 for Even Start, $15,000,000 above last year and $5,000,000 above the request. Even Start provides demonstration grants for model programs of joint education of disadvantaged children, aged 1-7 years, who live in title I target school attendance areas, plus their parents who are eligible to be served under the Adult Education Act. These parents are not in school, are above the State's compulsory school attendance age limit, and have not earned a high school diploma (or equivalent). At appropriations levels above $50,000,000, Even Start funds are allocated to the States in proportion to title I LEA grants.
The Committee believes that the Department has made good progress in developing specific, outcome-based performance indicators for the Even Start program. The Committee encourages the Department to continue to develop specific goals that will measure improvements realized by both parent and child participants in Even Start.
The Committee notes that funding under the Reading Excellence Act ($10,000,000) and the Adult Education Act state grants program ($365,000,000) can also be used to support and expand family literacy activities.
State agency programs: migrant
The bill includes $354,689,000 for the migrant education program, $25,311,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 1999 appropriation. This program supports formula grants to State agencies for the support of special educational and related services to children of migratory agricultural workers and fishermen. The purpose of this program is to provide supplementary academic education, remedial or compensatory instruction, English for limited English proficient students, testing, plus guidance and counseling.
The Committee believes that the Department must continue to work on developing specific, numerical standards for improvement in student academic achievement consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for the State agency program for migrants. The Committee believes that the indicators developed thus far do not contain the specific, numerical baseline data or expected improvement resulting from the funding request needed to adequately meet the requirements of GPRA.
State agency programs: neglected and delinquent
For the State agency program for neglected and delinquent children, the bill includes $40,311,000; this level is $1,689,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 1999 appropriation. This formula grant program provides services to participants in institutions for juvenile delinquents, adult correctional institutions, or institutions for the neglected.
The Committee believes that the Department must continue to work on developing specific, numerical standards for improvement in student academic achievement consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for the State agency program for neglected and delinquent youth. The Committee believes that the indicators developed thus far do not contain the specific, numerical baseline data or expected improvement resulting from the funding request needed to adequately meet the requirements of GPRA.
Evaluation
The Committee provides $7,500,000 for evaluation, the same as the 1999 appropriation and $1,400,000 below the budget request. Title I evaluation supports large scale national evaluations that examine how title I is contributing to improved student performance at the State, local education agency, and school levels. It also supports short-term studies that document promising models and other activities to help States and local education agencies implement requirements in the title I statute.
The Committee believes that the Department should allocate resources for evaluations such that sufficient funding is provided to assure the implementation of the changes in GPRA measures discussed above.
Migrant education, high school equivalency program
The bill includes $9,000,000 for the high school equivalency program. This amount is the same as the fiscal year 1999 amount and $6,000,000 below the request. The high school equivalency program recruits migrant students aged 16 and over and provides academic and support services to help those students obtain a high school equivalency certificate and subsequently to gain employment or admission to a postsecondary institution or training program.
College assistance migrant programs
The bill includes $4,000,000 for the college assistance migrant programs. This amount is the same as the fiscal year 1999 amount and $3,000,000 below the request. The college assistance migrant program (CAMP) provides tutoring and counseling services to first-year, undergraduate migrant students and assists those students in obtaining student financial aid for their remaining undergraduate years.
IMPACT AID
The bill provides $907,200,000 for Federal impact aid programs in fiscal year 2000, an increase of $43,200,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation and $171,200,000 above the President's request. This account supports payments to school districts affected by Federal activities and is authorized under title VIII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
While military deployments and poverty on Indian reservations continue, the Committee is perplexed as to why the Administration continues to recommend cuts in the Impact Aid program. Impact Aid represents a federal responsibility to local schools educating children whose families are connected with the military or who live on Indian land. Therefore, the Committee bill does not adopt the President's proposal to amend the authorizing statute to reduce the number of school districts receiving payments and to reduce the number of children on behalf of whom payments are made. The Committee regards impact aid as an obligation of the Federal Government and has included funds sufficient to adequately reimburse school districts impacted by Federal activities. The Committee notes that the President proposes to substantially increase funding for general Federal assistance to school districts at the same time he proposes to dramatically reduce impact aid payments to some of the neediest school districts.
The Committee is aware that significant delays occurred in the Department's payment of Impact Aid in fiscal year 1999. These delays cost some of the nation's poorest schools substantial interest payments and other unanticipated costs. The Committee expects that fiscal year 2000 payments in the Impact Aid program will be made in a timely fashion.
The Committee encourages the Department to improve its performance indicator relating to the consultation between school districts and the Indian community such that all title IX coordinators in school districts receiving impact aid will report that the districts solicit input from the Indian community on strategies for increasing the achievement of Indian children.
Basic support payments
The bill includes $737,200,000 for basic support payments to local educational agencies, an increase of $33,200,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation and $53,200,000 above the President's request. Basic support payments compensate school districts for lost tax revenue and are made on behalf of Federally-connected children such as children of members of the uniformed services who live on Federal property.
Payments for children with disabilities
The Committee recommends $50,000,000 for payments on behalf of Federally-connected children with disabilities, an increase of $10,000,000 above the President's request and the same as the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation. These payments compensate school districts for the increased costs of serving Federally-connected children with disabilities.
Payments for heavily impacted districts
The bill includes $76,000,000 for payments to heavily impacted districts, an increase of $6,000,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1999 level and $76,000,000 above the President's request. These payments assist especially heavily impacted school districts to raise their per-pupil spending to levels comparable to other school districts in their States.
The bill also includes a legislative provision included in fiscal year 1999 that changes the method by which payments made under this section are allocated to provide supplemental payments for federally connected students only. The Committee understands that this provision has resulted in greater budget stability for school districts that are heavily impacted by the presence of federally connected children. Four months after the passage of the fiscal year 1999 appropriations bill, all heavily impacted school districts had received 70% of their payments, compared to the previous year in which only half the schools had received 50% of their payments a full year after the fiscal year 1998 appropriations bill was completed.
The Committee opposes the Administration's proposal to significantly expand the Military Housing Privatization Initiative and applauds the decision to scale back the initiative. The Committee is concerned that in some privatization projects, the property itself is privatized, causing serious implications for the affected school districts' ability to receive funding under the Impact Aid program. The loss of Impact Aid support could have a devastating effect on school revenues and, ultimately, on the quality of education for the children of military personnel. Thus, the Committee strongly urges the Administration to clarify that military housing privatization proposals will have no effect on Impact Aid payments to local school districts, even if land is privatized.
Facilities maintenance
The Committee recommends $5,000,000 for facilities maintenance, the same as both the fiscal year 1999 amount and the budget request. These capital payments are authorized for maintenance of certain facilities owned by the Department of Education.
Construction
The Committee recommends $7,000,000 for the construction program, the same as the fiscal year 1999 appropriation and the request. This program provides formula grants to eligible locally owned school districts for building and renovating school facilities.
Payments for Federal property
The bill provides $32,000,000 for payments related to Federal property, an increase of $32,000,000 above the President's request and $4,000,000 above the fiscal year 1999 appropriation. The Committee does not concur in the President's proposal to terminate assistance to all 223 school districts currently receiving assistance under this program. Funds are awarded to school districts to compensate for lost tax revenue as the result of Federal acquisition of real property since 1938.
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS
The bill includes $3,115,188,000 for school improvement programs. This amount is $392,654,000 more than the Administration's budget request and $304,054,000 more than the fiscal year 1999 appropriation. This appropriation account includes programs authorized under titles IV, V, VI, IX, X, and XIII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act; title VII of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act; and title IV-A of the Civil Rights Act.
Professional development and program innovation: Eisenhower professional development State grants
The Committee provides no funding for the Eisenhower professional development state grants, $335,000,000 below both the budget request and the fiscal year 1999 level. This program provides funds to state educational agencies, local educational agencies, state agencies for higher education, institutions of higher education and qualified non-profit organizations to support sustained and intensive high-quality professional development for educators in the core academic subjects.
Consistent with the Teacher Empowerment Act, the Committee has consolidated funding for this program under a new line item, subject to the Teacher Empowerment Act's enactment into law.
Professional development and program innovation: Innovative Education Program Strategies State Grants. (The title VI education block grant)
The Committee recommends $385,000,000 for State grants under Innovative Education Program Strategies, $10,000,000 above the fiscal year 1999 level and $385,000,000 above the request. The Committee strongly supports this program, which provides funding, without bureaucratic strings, to State and local educational agencies that can be used for:
- (1) obtaining technology and training in technology related to the implementation of school based reform;
- (2) acquiring and using educational materials;
- (3) educational reform projects such as `effective schools' and magnet schools;
- (4) improving educational services for disadvantaged students;
- (5) combating illiteracy among children and adults;
- (6) addressing the educational needs of gifted and talented children;
- (7) implementing school reform activities consistent with Goals 2000; and
- (8) implementing school improvement and parental involvement activities under ESEA Title I.
Out of the total of $385,000,000 made available for school year 2000-2001, $97,000,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2000 for obligation after July 1, 2000 and $288,000,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2001 for obligation on, or after, October 1, 2000.
Class-size reduction
The Committee recommends no funding for the Class Size Reduction program, $1,200,000,000 below fiscal year 1999 and $1,400,000,000 below the President's request. Consistent with the Teacher Empowerment Act, the Committee has consolidated funding for this program under a new line item, subject to the Teacher Empowerment Act's enactment into law.
The Committee also notes that a recent study of the California class-size reduction initiative has produced mixed results. One disturbing finding is that skilled and experienced teachers are moving from poor and urban areas to teach in more affluent suburban districts, leaving more uncredentialed teachers in schools with the most disadvantaged children. Given the limited Federal discretionary budget, the Committee has chosen to focus its resources on higher priority programs that have been proven effective in improving educational opportunities for students facing the greatest challenges.
Teacher Empowerment Act
The Committee recommends $1,800,000,000 for the Teacher Empowerment Act, subject to authorization. This funding level is $1,800,000,000 above both fiscal year 1999 and the budget request. Out of the total of $1,800,000,000 made available for school year 2000-2001, $450,000,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2000 for obligation after July 1, 2000 and $1,350,000,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2001 for obligation on, or after, October 1, 2000. The Teacher Empowerment Act consolidates and streamlines multiple teacher training programs and provides States and local schools additional flexibility in how to use these funds in exchange for increased accountability to parents and taxpayers.
The Teacher Empowerment Act strikes a balance between hiring more teachers to reduce class size, and recruiting, retaining and retraining quality teachers. It also empowers teachers to choose the training that best meets their classroom needs and encourages states and localities to implement innovative strategies such as tenure reform, merit-based performance plans, alternative routes to certification and differential and bonus pay for teachers. Ninety-five percent of funds would go directly to the local level.
Safe and drug-free schools and communities
The Committee recommends $566,000,000 for the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act. This funding level is $25,000,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 1999 level.
The Committee believes that the Department must continue to identify specific, measurable standards consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for safe and drug free schools and Communities. After two years of Committee interest, several years of program existence and six years since the passage of GPRA, it is essential for the Department to be able to report on the decline in substance abuse or the precursors of substance abuse and the reduction of violence resulting from this program. National programs should report on the usefulness of the information and technical assistance provided and the degree to which programs and techniques demonstrated in national programs are adopted at the State and local levels and are effective in reducing substance abuse and violence. Systems should be developed to assure that there is annual data on the success of programs, and baseline data should continue to be refined. Specific, measurable changes that are expected to occur as a result of proposed funding levels should be included in the President's budget request.
Safe and drug-free schools and communities: State grants
The Committee bill includes $441,000,000 for the State grants program of the safe and drug-free schools and communities act. This level is $2,000,000 above the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 1999 level. The program supports State formula grants for comprehensive, integrated approaches to drug and violence prevention. Local educational agencies must use their funds to implement a drug and violence prevention program for students and employees.
The Committee continues to be concerned about the general lack of evidence of the effectiveness of the Safe and Drug Free Schools Program. The Committee believes that the Department should focus on disseminating drug and violence prevention programs that have been rigorously evaluated and found to be promising or exemplary to more school districts.
Safe and drug-free schools and communities: national programs
For the national programs under the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, the bill provides $90,000,000 which is the same as both the fiscal year 1999 amount and the budget request. Under this program, the Secretary of Education administers a variety of activities to prevent the illegal use of drugs and violence among, and promote safety and discipline for, students at all educational levels, preschool through postsecondary.
The Committee encourages the Department to work with private groups in its efforts to combat school violence.
The Committee remains concerned that, after two years of Committee interest and six years since the passage of GPRA, the Department has not identified specific, measurable standards consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for activities funded under the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act national programs. The Committee believes that it is essential for the Department to develop specific, measurable standards for the effectiveness of national programs as well as developmental and dissemination activities, and postsecondary prevention programs. These measures should focus on (1) the effectiveness of the various funded programs and (2) the degree to which they are being integrated into broader substance abuse and violence prevention strategies sponsored by the Department of Education, other federal departments, State or local governments or other non-governmental agencies. Such data should include baseline data on the substance abuse and violence as well as the transfer of programmatic innovations and specific, measurable changes that are expected to occur as a result of the proposed funding levels.
Safe and drug free schools and communities: coordinator initiative
The Committee recommends $35,000,000 for the safe and drug free schools and communities coordinator initiative, the same as the fiscal year 1999 funding level and $15,000,000 below the President's request.
This initiative funds discretionary grants for LEAs to recruit, hire, and train drug prevention and school safety program coordinators in middle schools with significant drug and school safety problems.
The Committee is disappointed that the only performance indicator the Department has identified for this program is the number of coordinators who have received training. The Department has provided no indicators on the expected impact of the program on reduced student drug use and school violence. The Committee is unwilling to appropriate a significant increase for a new program in the absence of such information. Given the demonstrated interest of the Committee in numerical goals focusing on the achievement of programmatic goals, such limited effort by the Department is particularly disturbing.
Safe and drug free schools and communities: Project SERV
The Committee recommends no funding for the proposed new initiative, Project SERV (School Emergency Response to Violence). The Administration requested $12,000,000 for this program. The Administration proposed this initiative to provide resources to school districts that experience a major crisis.
This program is not authorized. The Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Act is scheduled for reauthorization this year and it is in this context that the Administration's proposal should be considered. More importantly, the Administration has provided the Committee with no specific, measurable indicators consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for this program.
Inexpensive book distribution (reading is fundamental)
The bill provides $18,000,000 for the inexpensive book distribution program. This is the same as both the fiscal year 1999 appropriation and the President's request. This program makes an award to Reading is Fundamental, Inc., to buy inexpensive books, offer them through local community programs to children from low-income families, and motivate children to read. Federal funds provide for up to 75 percent of the costs of the books. This program annually provides an estimated 7.6 million books to 2.4 million children nationwide.
The Committee expects the Department to provide specific, measurable goals for the inexpensive book distribution program in the fiscal year 2001 budget request. The Committee encourages the Department to include measures that focus on how participation in this program increases student reading achievement.
Arts in education
The bill provides $10,500,000 for the arts in education program. This is the same as both the budget request and the fiscal year 1999 appropriation. This program supports arts programs in elementary and secondary education and supports demonstration programs for the involvement of disabled persons in the arts.
The Committee expects the Department to provide specific, measurable goals for the arts in education program in the fiscal year 2001 budget request. The Committee encourages the Department to include measures that focus on how participation in the arts programs supported by this funding help members of at-risk groups to learn to high standards.
Magnet schools assistance
The bill includes $104,000,000 for the magnet schools assistance program, $10,000,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 1999 level. The magnet schools assistance program awards competitive grants to local educational agencies for use in establishing or operating magnet schools that are part of a desegregation plan approved by a court or by the Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights. A magnet school is defined by the statute as `a school or education center that offers a special curriculum capable of attracting substantial numbers of students of different racial backgrounds.' A funding priority is given to local educational agencies that have not participated during the most recent funding cycle.
While the Department has made progress in developing objective, measurable standards for achieving the desegregation goals of the programs, the Committee remains concerned that, after two years of Committee interest and six years since the passage of GPRA, the Department has not developed adequate baseline data or specific goals for student academic achievement and reduction in minority isolation. The Committee encourages the Department to provide such data in the fiscal year 2001 budget request.
Education for homeless children and youth
For the education of homeless children and youth program, authorized by section 722 of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, the Committee recommends $28,800,000. This level is $2,900,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 1999 appropriation. Grants are allocated to States in proportion to the total that each State receives under the title I program. For local grants, at least 50 percent must be used for direct services to homeless children and youth, including tutoring or remedial or other educational services.
The Committee is concerned that, after two years of Committee interest and six years since the passage of GPRA, the Department has not identified specific numerical performance goals consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for education for homeless children and youth. The Committee encourages the Department to develop specific numerical goals for this program, and expects these goals to focus on program effectiveness, techniques learned in this program that can be adopted in other programs dealing with homeless children, and the success of those techniques in broader programs.
Women's educational equity
The bill includes $3,000,000 for Women's Educational Equity, the same as the fiscal year 1999 and the request level. This program supports projects, technical assistance and dissemination activities to promote educational equity for girls and women including those who suffer multiple discrimination based on gender and race, ethnicity, national origin, disability, or age. It also provides funds to help educational agencies and institutions meet the requirements of title IX of the education amendments of 1972.
The Committee remains concerned that the Department has not identified specific, measurable student achievement standards consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for Women's Educational Equity. The Committee believes that it is essential for the Department to focus its primary, if not exclusive, efforts on the development of baseline data and indicators of specific, measurable student academic achievement for this program and the ability to integrate successful techniques developed in this program into other federally funded and other education programs.
Training and advisory services
The bill includes $7,334,000 for training and advisory services authorized by title IV-A of the Civil Rights Act. This amount is the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 1999 amount. Title IV-A authorizes technical assistance and training services for local educational agencies to address problems associated with desegregation on the basis of race, sex, or national origin. Competitive awards are made to civil rights units within State educational agencies and to regional desegregation assistance centers. The Department awards 3-year grants to regional equity assistance centers (EACs) (formerly known as desegregation assistance centers or DACs) located in each of the 10 Department of Education regions. The EACs provide services to school districts upon request. Typical activities include disseminating information on successful education practices and legal requirements related to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, sex, and national origin in educational programs; training designed to develop educators' skills in specific areas, such as the identification of race and sex bias in instructional materials; increasing the skills of educational personnel in dealing with race-based confrontations such as hate crimes; and providing technical assistance in the identification and selection of appropriate educational programs to meet the needs of limited English proficient students.
The Committee remains concerned that, after two years of Committee interest and six years since the passage of GPRA, the Department has not identified specific, measurable standards consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for training and advisory services. The Department must develop specific, measurable indicators of the degree to which local education agencies and teachers are accessing training and technical assistance services, the degree to which these new techniques are integrated into school or classroom practices and the degree to which the techniques are successful in addressing `problems associated with desegregation.' Such data should include baseline data on the problems and specific, measurable improvements that are expected to occur as a result of proposed funding levels.
Ellender fellowships/Close-Up
The bill provides $1,500,000 for Ellender fellowships, the same as the fiscal year 1999 level and $1,500,000 above the budget request. The Ellender fellowship program makes an award to the Close-Up Foundation of Washington, D.C. This organization provides fellowships to students from low income families and their teachers to enable them to participate with other students and teachers for a week of seminars on government and meetings with representatives of the three branches of the Federal government.
The Committee remains concerned that, after two years of Committee interest and six years since the passage of GPRA, the Department has not identified specific, measurable standards consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for the Ellender Fellowship program. The Department needs to focus on setting specific, numerical goals for the program and developing baseline data for each goal.
Education for Native Hawaiians
The Committee recommends $20,000,000 for education for Native Hawaiians, the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 1999 amount. A number of programs limited to Native Hawaiians are supported with these funds, including a model curriculum project, family-based education centers, postsecondary education fellowships, gifted and talented education projects, and special education projects for disabled pupils.
The Committee remains concerned that, after two years of Committee interest and six years since the passage of GPRA, the Department has not identified specific, measurable student achievement standards consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for the education for native Hawaiians program. The Committee believes that it is essential for the Department to develop broader indicators of effectiveness addressing native Hawaiian students' performance on national tests, high school graduation rates, postsecondary school attendance, over-representation in special education and substance abuse problems identified in the Department's justification of its budget. Such data should include baseline data relating to these and other disparities facing Native Hawaiians and specific, measurable improvements that are expected to occur as a result of proposed funding levels.
Alaska Native education equity
The Committee recommends $10,000,000 for the Alaska Native education equity program, the same as both the President's request and the fiscal year 1999 amount. These funds are used to develop supplemental educational programs to benefit Alaska Natives.
The Committee is concerned that the Department has not identified specific, measurable student achievement standards consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for the Alaska Native education equity program. The Committee believes that it is essential for the Department to develop broader indicators of effectiveness addressing the performance of Alaska Native students on test scores, high school graduation rates, and numbers of students performing at grade level as identified in the Department's justification of its budget. Such indicators should include baseline data relating to these and other disparities facing Alaska Natives and specific, measurable improvements that are expected to occur as a result of proposed funding levels.
Charter schools
The Committee recommends $130,000,000 for support of charter schools, the same as the budget request and $30,000,000 above the fiscal year 1999 amount. Charter schools are developed and administered by individuals or groups of individuals, which may include teachers, administrators, and parents. These groups enter into charters for operation of their schools, which must be granted exemptions from State and local rules that limit flexibility in school operation and management. Under this program, grants are made to State educational agencies in States that have charter school laws; the State educational agencies will in turn make sub-grants to authorized public chartering agencies in partnerships with developers of charter schools.
The Committee believes that the Department has made good progress in developing specific, measurable indicators for the charter schools program. However, work still needs to be done in terms of tracking the academic improvement of children who attend charter schools, as well as indicators relating to avoiding the `creaming' of high-achieving students from regular public schools.
Technical assistance for improving ESEA programs: comprehensive regional assistance centers
The Committee recommends $27,054,000 for comprehensive regional assistance centers, $4,946,000 below the budget request and $946,000 below the fiscal year 1999 amount. This program supports the consolidation of 7 former technical assistance programs that funded 48 technical assistance centers into a program of 15 comprehensive regional technical assistance centers for improving ESEA programs. The Committee instructs the Department to continue the policy of informing it of any directives or funding earmarks that would require the Centers to carry out work not directly in response to local or State requests for assistance.
The Committee believes that, after two years of Committee interest and six years since the passage of GPRA, the Department needs to do more work in developing specific performance indicators for this program. Specifically, the Department needs to develop a system of tracking the extent to which the assistance provided by the centers helps in local reform efforts and improves student achievement outcomes. The Committee believes the Department should also set higher goals for customer satisfaction than has been presented in the fiscal year 1999 performance plan. For example, the Committee believes that the Department should seek to increase customer satisfaction with the usefulness of technical assistance above the stated goal of 65%, particularly since the baseline for this indicator was 64% in 1998.
Advanced placement test fee program
The Committee recommends $4,000,000 for advanced placement fees. This recommendation is $16,000,000 below the President's request and the same as the fiscal year 1999 amount. The advanced placement test fee program awards grants to States to enable them to cover part or all of the cost of advanced placement test fees of low-income students who are enrolled in advanced placement classes and plan to take the advanced placement test. Under the 1998 reauthorization, this program will also support competitive grants to states for programs that encourage greater participation by low-income students in advanced placement courses.
The Committee is disappointed to learn that the Department's delayed payment schedule to the states has effectively made this a forward-funded program. The Committee expects that the Department will make fiscal year 2000 advanced placement fee program allocations and payments within 90 days of the date of enactment, rather than eight or more months into the federal fiscal year.
READING EXCELLENCE ACT
The Committee recommends $200,000,000, $60,000,000 below the fiscal year 1999 funding level and $86,000,000 below the President's request.
The Reading Excellence Act supports competitive, 3-year grants to state educational agencies that have established a state reading and literacy partnership. States that receive funding will make 2-year subgrants, called `local reading improvement grants,' on a competitive basis to LEAs that have at least one school in Title I school improvement status, or have the highest or second highest percentage of poverty or number of poor children in the state. School districts use the funds to provide professional development for teachers, operate tutoring programs and provide family literacy services. States must also award at least one `tutorial assistance grant' to LEAs most in need of help. The Act also requires $10,000,000 of the appropriation to be reserved for the Even Start program.
The Committee is pleased with the productive collaboration between NICHD, OERI, the National Institute for Literacy and the National Research Council in developing the necessary programmatic, funding and peer review procedures that will ensure that the goals and objectives of the Reading Excellence Act are realized and that both children and teachers will benefit from the joint commitment of these agencies to selecting those applications that are characterized by the highest quality of scientifically-based research.
The Committee expects the Department to continue to develop specific, measurable baseline data and performance indicators for this program. Specifically, the Committee expects the Department to report on how this program has improved student reading abilities and improved the instructional practices of teachers and other instructional staff.
INDIAN EDUCATION
The bill includes $66,000,000 for Indian education. This amount is the same as the fiscal year 1999 appropriation and $11,000,000 below the budget request. This account supports programs authorized by part A of Title IX of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and section 215 of the Department of Education Organization Act. When combined with funds provided in the Interior Appropriations bill, federal support for Indian education totals over $500,000,000.
Grants to local education agencies
The bill provides $62,000,000 for grants to local education agencies, the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 1999 amount. This program provides assistance through formula grants to school districts and schools supported or operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Nearly 90 percent of funds go to public school districts that are not affiliated with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The purpose of this program is to reform elementary and secondary school programs that serve Indian students, including preschool children. Grantees must develop a comprehensive plan and assure that the programs they carry out will help Indian students reach the same challenging standards that apply to all students. This program supplements the regular school program to help Indian children sharpen their academic skills, bolster their self-confidence, and participate in enrichment activities that would otherwise be unavailable.
The Department has made progress in setting performance goals for student achievement in the Indian education programs. The Committee encourages the Department to continue to refine the baseline data and indicators for the grants to local educational agencies programs that relate specifically to the cultural enrichment components of these programs.
Special programs for Indian children
The Committee recommends $3,265,000 for special programs for Indian children, the same as fiscal year 1999 and $10,000,000 below the budget request. These programs make competitive awards to improve the quality of education for Indian students.
National activities
The bill provides $735,000 for national activities, the same as fiscal year 1999 and $1,000,000 below the budget request. Funds under this authority support research, evaluation and data collection to provide information on the status of education for the Indian population and on the effectiveness of Indian education programs.
BILINGUAL AND IMMIGRANT EDUCATION
The bill includes $380,000,000 for bilingual and immigrant education programs. This amount is $35,000,000 below the Administration's fiscal year 2000 budget request and the same as the fiscal year 1999 appropriation. This account supports programs authorized by parts A, B, and C of title VII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
Bilingual education: instructional services
The bill provides $160,000,000 for instructional services, $10,000,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 1999 amount. Instructional Services programs assist local educational agencies (LEAs) in implementing programs for limited English proficient (LEP) students.
There are four types of grants, primarily to LEAs, for instructional services to limited English proficient students:
- Three-year Program Development and Implementation Grants for school districts to develop and implement new programs for LEP students;
- Two-year Program Enhancement Grants to enhance or expand existing programs for LEP students;
- Five-year Comprehensive School Grants for school-wide programs for LEP students that reform, restructure, and upgrade all relevant programs and operations within an individual school; and
- Five-year Systemwide Improvement Grants for district-wide projects for LEP students to improve, reform, and upgrade relevant programs and operations within an entire LEA.
Funding for projects that primarily instruct in English and emphasize the rapid transition to regular classes (`special alternative instruction projects'), is limited to 25 percent of the appropriation.
The Committee believes that the Department must focus its Government Performance and Results Act indicators on the speed of transition to regular classes by limited English proficient students and the levels of academic achievement of these students while still in bilingual classes and after the transition to regular classes. The Department has not yet implemented the Committee's recommendation that they focus on limited English proficient students moving rapidly to regular classes and achieving at levels that equal or exceed that of English speakers in challenging classes meeting high academic standards.
The Committee also believes that the Department, after having administered the bilingual education program for 30 years, should be able to provide baseline data on the average time needed for LEP students to transition to regular classes and their academic achievement after transition. The Committee expects the Department to include such information in its fiscal year 2001 budget justification.
Bilingual education: support services
The bill provides $14,000,000 for support services. This amount is the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 1999 amount. This program provides discretionary grants and contracts in four specific areas: research and evaluation; dissemination of effective instructional models; data collection and technical assistance; and a national clearinghouse to support the collection, analysis, and dissemination of information about programs for limited-English proficient students.
The Committee continues to be disappointed with the indicators presented by the Department in its budget justification for this program. It is essential for the Department to develop specific, measurable indicators of the degree to which local education agencies and teachers are accessing training and technical assistance services, the degree to which these new techniques are integrated into school or classroom practices and the degree to which the techniques are successful in improving the rapid transition to regular classes by limited English proficient students and how these techniques have improved the success of students that have made the transition to regular classes. Current indicators stating that an `increasing percentage of local project directors will express satisfaction with Federal assistance' and that the number of inquiries to the national clearinghouse will increase are insufficient. The Committee expects the Department to provide specific, numerical goals and baseline data for this program in its fiscal year 2001 budget justification.
Bilingual education: professional development
The bill provides $50,000,000 for professional development services. This amount is $25,000,000 below the President's request and the same as the fiscal year 1999 level.
The purpose of professional development grants is to increase the pool of trained teachers and strengthen the skills of teachers providing instruction to limited English proficient students. Funds are available to support the training and retraining of bilingual education teachers and teacher's aides, graduate fellowships related to fields of bilingual education, and grants to institutions of higher education to improve bilingual teacher training programs.
The Department has made good progress in developing specific, measurable standards consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for bilingual education professional development. Specifically, the Department has developed indicators relating to the number of teachers placed each year and the percentage of teachers trained who are actually placed in an instructional setting with LEP students, along with specific baseline data and goals. The Committee also encourages the Department to develop indicators relating to the graduate program and the impact of training graduate students on the expansion of capacity of institutions to train bilingual teachers.
Immigrant education
The bill includes $150,000,000 for immigrant education, the same as both the budget request and the fiscal year 1999 level.
The Immigrant Education program provides Federal assistance to local educational agencies (LEAs) that have large numbers of recently arrived immigrant students. LEAs then uses those funds to enhance instruction for immigrant children and youth or for the costs of basic instructional services directly attributable to the presence of immigrant children. Eligible LEAs are those that enroll at least 500 recent immigrant students or where those students represent at least 3 percent of the total enrollment. Immigrant students may be counted only if they have been enrolled in U.S. schools for less than three complete academic years.
The Department makes grants to State educational agencies, which then make subgrants to eligible LEAs within the State. A 1991 GAO study found that most LEAs use their Immigrant Education funds to provide special instruction to limited English proficient students.
The Department has included measures required under the Government Performance and Results Act relating to the amount of immigrant education funds going directly to the classroom. However, in this program, as in most others, the Committee feels that indicators of academic achievement must be developed. Baselines and annual reporting systems need to be developed and projections of improvements in various program indicators as a result of proposed funding levels need to be included in the President's budget.
Foreign language assistance
The bill provides $6,000,000 for the foreign language assistance program, the same as both the request and fiscal year 1999 amount. This program provides competitive grants to State educational agencies (SEAs) and local educational agencies (LEAs) to increase the quantity and improve the quality of instruction in foreign languages deemed critical to the economic and security interests of the United States. Under this program, 3 year grants are awarded to SEAs to promote systemic improvement of foreign language instruction and to LEAs to support model programs of instruction that exhibit the capability for continuing beyond the 3 year grant period. LEA grants may include a professional development component. At least three-quarters of the appropriation must be used for the expansion of foreign language education in the elementary grades.
The Department has included measures required under the Government Performance and Results Act relating to the improvement in foreign language fluency and the continuation of foreign language in the curriculum after the period of federal funding ceases. However, in addition to the identification of goals, baselines and annual reporting systems need to be developed and projections of improvements in various program indicators as a result of proposed funding levels need to be included in the President's budget.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
The bill includes $5,833,146,000 for programs for children with disabilities authorized under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This funding level is $383,250,000 above the Administration's fiscal year 2000 budget request and $500,000,000 above the fiscal year 1999 appropriation.
State Grants: State grants for special education
The bill provides $4,810,700,000 for grants to States, which is $496,700,000 above the budget request and $500,000,000 above the fiscal year 1999 level. This program provides formula grants to assist the States in meeting the excess costs of providing special education and related services to children with disabilities. In order to be eligible for funds, States must make free appropriate public education available to all children with disabilities. Funds are currently distributed based on the number of children with disabilities to whom the States provide a free appropriate education. Under Section 613 of the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act Amendments of 1997 (P.L. 105-17), when funding for State grants reached $4,100,000,000, the local education agency maintenance of effort requirements are reduced by 20% of the increase over the prior year.
The Committee notes that a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in the case of Cedar Rapids Community School District v. Garret F., which determined that school districts must provide all-day nursing services to disabled students, has the potential for dramatically increasing the costs of providing special education services. The Committee recognizes that special education is already one of the largest and fastest growing expenses facing local school districts. Therefore, the Committee does not concur with the Administration's recommendation that this program receive no funding increase in fiscal year 2000. Under the Committee's recommended funding level, the federal contribution to the cost of educating children with disabilities is expected to reach 12 percent.
The Committee has accepted the Department's recommendation to advance fund a portion of this program. Out of the total of $4,810,700,000 made available for school year 2000-2001, $1,202,700,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2000 for obligation after July 1, 2000 and $3,608,000,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2001 for obligation on, or after, October 1, 2000.
The Committee believes that the Department has made good progress in developing specific, measurable standards of academic achievement and postsecondary attendance or employment consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for special education State grants. The Committee encourages the Department to continue to refine baseline data and performance goals for this program.
State grants: Preschool grants
The bill provides $373,985,000 for preschool grants, the same as the fiscal year 1999 level and $28,450,000 below the budget request. This program provides grants to States on the basis of their proportionate share of the total number of children in the 3 through 5 age range. These funds are provided in order to assist States to make a free appropriate education available to all children with disabilities in the 3 through 5 age range.
The Committee believes that while the Department has proposed several worthwhile indicators of programmatic success, it must continue work on specific numerical goals consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for special education preschool grants. The Department must also continue to develop baseline data for these indicators.
State Grants: Grants for infants and families
The bill provides $370,000,000 for grants for infants and families, the same as fiscal year 1999 and $20,000,000 below the budget request. This formula grant assists States in developing and implementing statewide systems of coordinated, comprehensive, multidisciplinary, interagency programs to make available early intervention services to all children with disabilities, aged birth through 2, and their families.
The Committee is pleased that the Department has proposed several worthwhile indicators of programmatic success consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for special education grants for infants and families. The Department has provided specific, numerical goals and baseline data for most of the indicators presented. The Committee encourages the Department to continue to refine the baseline data and revise performance goals as necessary.
IDEA National Program: State improvement
The bill includes $35,200,000 for State improvement, which is $10,000,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 1999 appropriation. This program supports competitive grants to State educational agencies to assist them, in partnership with parents, teachers, institutions of higher education, interest groups, and others, to improve results for children with disabilities by reforming and improving their educational, early intervention, and transitional service systems. Among these systems are those for professional development, technical assistance, and dissemination of knowledge about best practices. Awards are based on State improvement plans developed by the States.
The Department has made progress in developing performance indicators for this program. The Committee encourages the Department to continue to work on indicators which assess the degree to which local education agencies and teachers are accessing training and technical assistance services, the degree to which these new techniques are integrated into school or classroom practices and the degree to which the techniques are successful in improving the academic achievement and successful transition to postsecondary education and employment.
IDEA National Program: Research and innovation
The bill includes $64,508,000 for research and innovation, the same as both the budget request and the fiscal year 1999 appropriation. This program supports competitive awards to produce and advance the use of knowledge to improve services and results for children with disabilities. The program focuses on producing new knowledge, integrating research and practice and improving the use of knowledge.
The Committee also believes that the Department has not identified appropriate specific, measurable standards consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for special education national programs-research and innovation. The Department must develop specific, measurable indicators which measure the utility of the research and demonstration programs supported within this account. Measures should relate to the degree to which research and demonstration programs are translated into change and improvement in programs serving individuals with disabilities. Such data should include baseline data and measurable improvements that are expected to occur as a result of proposed funding levels.
The Committee commends the Department for its consistent efforts to support and conduct work on behalf of individuals with learning disabilities. The Committee encourages the Department to continue to fund research and intervention studies that are of the highest scientific quality and which can lead to dissemination and program replication that produce measurable positive improvements in student learning. The Committee also encourages the Office of Special Education Programs to coordinate efforts within the Department of Education, NIH, NSF and other federal agencies working on related activities.
The Committee continues to be concerned about unmet needs among children with disabilities in rural areas and the lack of adequate support in these areas for parents, school personnel, child care staff and health providers to make effective use of and expand local resources. The Committee encourages the Secretary to consider funding programs in fiscal year 2000 that address this concern and to include such issues in the GPRA standards for this program.
IDEA National Program: Technical assistance and dissemination
The bill includes $44,556,000 for technical assistance and dissemination. This funding level is the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 1999 appropriation. This program provides technical assistance and information through competitive awards that support institutes, regional resource centers, clearinghouses, and efforts to build State and local capacity to make systemic changes and improve results for children with disabilities.
The Committee is also concerned that the Department has not identified specific, measurable output standards consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for the IDEA national programs-technical assistance and dissemination. These standards should include an assessment of the value of the assistance and information, increases in use by former non-users and the degree to which assistance and information is translated to successful changes in classroom activities or other activities directly related to the students and their achievements. Such indicators should include baseline data and specific, measurable improvements that are expected to occur as a result of proposed increased funding.
IDEA National Program: Personnel preparation
The bill includes $82,139,000 for personnel preparation, which is the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 1999 appropriation. This program supports competitive awards to help address State-identified needs for qualified personnel to work with children with disabilities, and to ensure that those personnel have the skills and knowledge they need to serve those children. Awards focus on addressing the need for personnel to serve low incidence populations and high incidence populations, leadership personnel, and projects of national significance.
The Department has made progress on developing indicators for this program. However, the Committee remains concerned that more work must be done that demonstrates how this program is improving the quality and number of teachers for individuals with disabilities. Such data should include information on the increase in the preparation of teachers, the numbers of teachers and percentage of teachers trained who actually teach disabled children. Information on how the program is increasing the ability of institutions of higher education to assure that increasing numbers of teachers are entering the field is also critical. Baseline data on these indicators and specific, measurable changes that are expected to occur as a result of proposed funding levels should be included in the future.
IDEA National Program: Parent information centers
The bill includes $18,535,000 for parent information centers which is the same as the fiscal year 1999 level and $4,000,000 below the budget request. This program makes awards to parent organizations to support parent training and information centers, including community parent resource centers. These centers provide training and information to meet the needs of parents of children with disabilities living in the areas served by the centers, particularly underserved parents and parents of children who may be inappropriately identified. Technical assistance is also provided under this program for developing, assisting and coordinating centers receiving assistance under this program.
While the Department has identified some worthwhile indicators for this program, it has still not provided baseline data or specific goals for these indicators. The Committee expects such information to be included in the fiscal year 2001 budget justification.
IDEA National Program: Technology and media services
The bill includes $33,523,000 for technology and media services, which is $500,000 above the fiscal year 1999 appropriation and $1,000,000 below the budget request. This program makes competitive awards to support the development, demonstration, and use of technology and educational media activities of educational value to children with disabilities.
The bill includes $7,000,000 for the recording for the blind and dyslexic program, an increase of $500,000 over the amount appropriated for 1999 and $1,000,000 more than the amount requested by the President. These funds support continued production and circulation of recorded textbooks, increased outreach activities to print disabled students and their teachers, and accelerated use of digital technology.
The Committee recognizes the importance of very small businesses in increasing the quality and cost-effectiveness of the television captioning program. As this program transitions into a mandatory program under the Telecommunications Act, the Committee urges the Department to give full and fair consideration to the applications of very small businesses.
The Committee believes the Department needs to develop specific, measurable performance indicators for this program. The Committee believes that the single performance indicator presented in the budget justification for this program is not sufficient to meet the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act.
Primary education intervention
The Committee does not recommend funding for the primary education initiative proposed by the Administration for funding at $50,000,000. This initiative was not funded in the fiscal year 1999 appropriation.
The Committee believes that it has already been established that some children are in special education solely because of reading difficulties or behavioral problems. In fact, in response to questions submitted for the record as part of the fiscal year 2000 budget hearing, the Department stated that: `Research has also shown that some early childhood intervention programs can significantly reduce the prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems in young children.'
The Committee does not believe that new demonstration projects need to be funded to reiterate these findings; however, the Committee agrees that if children are taught how to read properly or receive intervention to change their behavioral patterns at an early age, they may not end up in special education. Therefore, the Committee encourages the Department to disseminate, through its research and national activities programs in OSERS, OERI and OESE, information on effective practices in teaching young children to read and effective practices in preventing and intervening in children's behavioral problems. The Committee also expects the Department to focus on this issue as part of its GPRA standards for special education programs.
REHABILITATION SERVICES AND DISABILITY RESEARCH
The bill includes $2,687,150,000 for rehabilitation services and disability research. This amount is $29,964,000 below the budget request and $34,566,000 above the fiscal year 1999 appropriation. The programs in this account are authorized by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Helen Keller National Center Act, and the Assistive Technology Act of 1998. The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 redesignated all programs in this account, with the exception of vocational rehabilitation state grants, as discretionary funding. All funding for programs under this account were previously considered mandatory, except for assistive technology.
Vocational rehabilitation grants to States
For vocational rehabilitation State grants, the bill includes $2,338,977,000, $34,566,000 above fiscal year 1999 and the same as the budget request. This program supports basic vocational rehabilitation services through formula grants to the States. These grants support a wide range of services designed to help persons with physical and mental disabilities prepare for and engage in gainful employment to the extent of their capabilities. Emphasis is placed on providing vocational rehabilitation services to persons with the most severe disabilities.
The Department has made good progress in developing specific, numerical indicators, along with baseline data, for the vocational rehabilitation State grants program. However, the Committee believes the Department should continue to work with the vocational rehabilitation community to discuss strategies to improve program outcomes above the goals currently stated in the budget justification. For example, the Committee expects that the State grants program could significantly increase the percentage of persons served who obtain employment above the current baseline level of 61% in future years.
Client assistance
The bill includes $10,928,000 for the client assistance program, the same as both the budget request and the fiscal year 1999 amount. A client assistance program is required in each State as a condition of receipt of a basic State grant. State formula grants are used to help persons with disabilities overcome problems with the service delivery system and improve their understanding of services available to them under the Rehabilitation Act.
While the Department has identified some worthwhile indicators for this program, the Committee believes it should continue to work on developing baseline information and specific, numerical goals for this program.
Training
For training personnel to provide rehabilitation services to persons with disabilities, the bill includes $39,629,000, $2,000,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 1999 amount. The program supports long-term and short-term training, in-service personnel training, and training of interpreters for deaf persons. Projects in a broad array of disciplines are funded to ensure that skilled personnel are available to serve the vocational needs of persons with disabilities.
The Committee believes that the Department must continue to develop information on the efficacy of the training programs funded under this account. Indicators should include the number of students supported and the number of these students who go into direct service to individuals with disabilities or who are training additional service providers. It is also important to provide information on the degree to which skill training to upgrade existing providers of service is, in fact, assisting in providing better, more up-to-date service to the disabled. The Committee also believes the Department should develop indicators which focus on the degree to which students trained through the program are retained as professionals within the vocational rehabilitation system over time.
Demonstration and training programs
The bill includes $13,942,000 for demonstration and training programs, $1,000,000 below the fiscal year 1999 level and $3,000,000 below the budget request. These programs authorize discretionary awards on a competitive basis to public and private organizations to support demonstrations, direct services, and related activities for persons with severe disabilities.
The Department needs to continue to work on developing specific, numerical goals and baseline data for this program. Current performance indicators do not include baseline data or specific goals.
Migratory workers
For programs serving migratory workers, the bill provides $2,350,000, which is the same as both the fiscal year 1999 amount and the budget request. This program provides discretionary grants to make comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services available to migrant or seasonal farmworkers with vocational disabilities. Projects emphasize outreach activities, specialized bilingual rehabilitation counseling, and coordination of vocational rehabilitation services with services from other sources.
The Committee concurs with the Department's emphasis on the accessibility of disability services for qualified individuals with disabilities and their employment and income after receiving vocational rehabilitation services. The Department should move as expeditiously as possible to developing baseline data and annual reporting systems. Each year's annual budget justification should include the expected improvements that will occur as a result of proposed funding levels.
Recreational programs
For recreational programs, the bill provides $2,596,000, the same as both the fiscal year 1999 amount and the budget request. This program provides individuals with recreation and related activities to aid in their employment, mobility, independence, socialization, and community integration. Discretionary grants are made on a competitive basis to States, public agencies, and nonprofit private organizations, including institutions of higher education.
The Committee believes that the performance indicators relating to the continuation of programs after the period of federal funding ceases are particularly important. However, as the Department has indicated in its budget justification, the program is also supposed to improve the employability of individuals with disabilities. Programmatic indicators relating to this objective should be developed and in all cases, baseline data, and annual reporting systems should be developed. Specific information on the improvement in outcomes expected as a result of requested funding levels should be included in the Department's budget justification. The Committee also encourages the Department to revise its goals to increase the level of services, rather than simply maintain them over time.
Protection and advocacy of individual rights
For protection and advocacy for persons with severe disabilities, the bill provides $11,894,000, $1,000,000 above both the fiscal year 1999 amount and the budget request. Grants are awarded to entities that have the authority to pursue legal, administrative, and other appropriate remedies needed to protect and advocate the rights of persons with severe disabilities.
The Department should continue to develop specific, numerical performance indicators for this program that include baseline data and specific goals. The Committee encourages the Department to continue to involve disability advocacy groups in the development and refinement of these indicators.
Projects with industry
For projects with industry, the bill provides $22,071,000, the same as both the fiscal year 1999 amount and the budget request. This program is the primary Federal vehicle for promoting greater participation of business and industry in the rehabilitation process. The program provides training and experience in realistic work settings to persons with disabilities to prepare them for employment in the competitive labor market. Awards are made to a variety of agencies and organizations, including business and industrial corporations, rehabilitation facilities, labor organizations, trade associations, and foundations.
The Committee is pleased that the Department has developed performance indicators that focus specifically on employment, wages and job retention for participants of projects with industry. The Department should continue to develop baseline data and systems to provide annual data on the progress of the program in meeting its performance goals. Information should also be provided on how funding levels proposed will increase performance.
Supported employment State grants
For supported employment State grants, the bill includes $38,152,000, which is the same as the fiscal year 1999 amount and the budget request. These formula grants assist States in developing collaborative programs with public agencies and nonprofit agencies for training and post-employment services leading to supported employment. In supported employment programs, persons with severe disabilities are given special supervision and assistance to enable them to perform a job.
The Committee is pleased with the indicator presented in the budget justification relating to the percentage of individuals who obtain a job. The Committee encourages the Department to continue to pursue data collection with respect to the program's focus on the most severely disabled individuals and their employment and income achievements. In addition, the Department must begin to rectify the lack of information it has identified and provide the Committee with baseline data, develop systems to provide annual data on progress toward program objectives and submit information on improvements in performance to be expected as a result of proposed funding levels.
Independent living: State grants
For State grants for independent living, the bill includes $22,296,000. This amount is the same as both the fiscal year 1999 amount and the budget request. This program supports formula grants to the States to provide services designed to meet the current and future needs of persons whose disabilities are so severe that they do not presently have the potential for employment, but who may benefit from services to enable them to live and function independently.
Independent living: centers
For centers for independent living, the bill provides $46,109,000, which is the same as the fiscal year 1999 amount, and $4,777,000 below the budget request. Discretionary grants support a network of consumer-controlled, nonresidential, community-based private nonprofit centers that provide a wide range of services to help persons with severe disabilities live more independently in family and community settings. Centers provide information and referral services, independent living skills training, peer counseling, and individual and systems advocacy. Discretionary grants are made to State vocational rehabilitation agencies or other public agencies or private nonprofit organizations.
Independent living: services for older blind persons
For independent living services for older blind individuals, the bill provides $11,169,000. This amount is the same as the fiscal year 1999 amount and $223,000 below the budget request. Discretionary grants support services for persons 55 years old or over whose severe visual impairment makes gainful employment extremely difficult to obtain, but for whom independent living goals are feasible.
The Department has provided a consolidated set of objectives for these three independent living programs. The Committee is supportive of these objectives in that they focus on the quality of life of individuals with severe disabilities. The Committee is pleased that the Department has provided baseline data for most of these indicators. The Committee encourages the Department to continue to refine the indicators and goals for the independent living programs. The annual budget justification should include information on the improvements in programmatic indicators to be expected as a result of proposed funding levels.
Program improvement
For program improvement activities, the bill provides $1,900,000, which is the same as the fiscal year 1999 level and the budget request. The program: (1) provides technical assistance and consultative services to public and non-profit private agencies and organizations; (2) provides short-term training and technical instruction; (3) conducts special demonstrations; (4) collects, prepares, publishes and disseminates educational or informational materials, and; (5) carries out monitoring and conducts evaluations.
The Committee believes that the Department must identify specific, measurable standards consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for program improvement. Unfortunately, the budget justification accompanying the President's fiscal year 2000 budget request indicates that performance indicators for this activity have not been established. After two years of Committee interest and six years after the passage of GPRA, the Committee believes that it is essential that standards be developed relating to the degree to which practices identified and technical assistance provided by the program are actually adopted and prove successful in improving the employment status, income and quality of life of individuals with disabilities. Such data should include baseline indicators on the adoption of new practices and techniques and specific, measurable changes that are expected to occur as a result of proposed increased funding.
Evaluation
The bill includes $1,587,000 for program evaluation, the same as the fiscal year 1999 amount and the budget request. These funds are used to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of individual programs authorized under the Rehabilitation Act. Contracts are awarded on an annual basis for studies to be conducted by persons not immediately involved in the administration of the programs authorized by the Act.
Helen Keller National Center
For the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults, the bill includes $8,550,000, which is the same as the fiscal year 1999 amount and the budget request. These funds are used for the operation of the national center for intensive services for deaf-blind individuals and their families at Sands Point, New York and a network of 10 regional offices for referral and counseling. In addition to support for the national and regional staff, the Helen Keller Center provides seed money to State and private nonprofit affiliate agencies to assist them in initiating programs for deaf-blind persons.
The Department has provided the Committee with several objectives, along with baseline data, for this program consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act. They relate to developing self-sufficiency, enabling family members to provide and obtain services and system improvement. While there is substantial information on accomplishments, there is little information yet on projected improvements as a result of funding proposed in the request. The Department should provide this information in future submissions. The Committee also encourages the Department to revise its goals significantly above current baselines.
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
The bill includes $81,000,000 for the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, $9,964,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 1999 amount. The Institute supports research, demonstration and training activities that are designed to maximize the employment and integration into society of individuals with disabilities of all ages.
The Committee encourages NIDRR to strongly consider supporting research on neurofibromatosis and its connection to learning disabilities as well as to pseudoarthrosis through various funding mechanisms, such as Field-Initiated Research Grants.
The Committee is pleased that the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research has recognized chronic fatigue syndrome as an unmet area of research and encourages NIDRR to actively solicit chronic fatigue syndrome-related research proposals.
The Committee believes that the Department has put forward goals that focus on the utility of the research and effectiveness of information dissemination. The Committee encourages the Department to continue to develop baseline data, as well as specific numerical goals, for this program.
Assistive technology
For assistive technology activities, the bill provides $34,000,000, $11,000,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 1999 amount. Technology assistance activities are authorized under the Assistive Technology Act of 1998, which was reauthorized in 1994. This program provides discretionary grants to the States to assist them in developing statewide programs to facilitate the provision of devices for, and services to, persons with disabilities.
While the Department has included output-oriented indicators in its fiscal year 2000 budget justification, the Committee does not believe these are consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act. The Committee believes the Department should work on specific measurements as to how these new or innovative techniques have contributed to improved academic achievement, employment, earnings, or lifestyles of disabled persons. Such data should include baseline data and specific, measurable changes that are expected to occur as a result of proposed increased funding.
SPECIAL INSTITUTIONS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
AMERICAN PRINTING HOUSE FOR THE BLIND
The bill provides $9,000,000 for the American Printing House for the Blind, an increase of $339,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation and $27,000 above the President's request. This appropriation subsidizes the production of educational materials for legally blind persons enrolled in pre-college programs. The Printing House, which is chartered by the State of Kentucky, manufactures and maintains an inventory of special materials that is distributed free of charge to schools and States based on the number of blind students in each State. The Printing House also conducts research and field activities to inform educators about the availability of materials and how to use them.
The Committee is aware that one of the primary goals of the American Printing House for the Blind is to ensure that quality accessible textbooks are available to blind and visually impaired students at the same time that sighted students receive print copies. However, there are three obstacles which impede this process: there is no standard format used by publishers in providing electronic files of textbooks and some titles use multiple publication codes; there is no software to translate graphs, charts, scientific formulas and other pictorial presentations; and copyright permissions must be obtained from publishers prior to reproduction of textbooks in larger type format. Each of these obstacles have resulted in additional time and effort of Printing House staff, as well as delay in processing publications.
The Committee supports the continuation of the cooperative effort initiated at the Printing House's Annual Meeting in October 1998 and recommends that the American Printing House for the Blind hold a meeting with the Association of American Publishers, the National Council on Disabilities, the National Federation for the Blind, American Council of the Blind, American Foundation for the Blind and other relevant organizations to identify strategies to resolve these obstacles and provide accessible textbooks to blind and visually impaired students in a timely manner.
NATIONAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF
The bill provides $48,151,000 for the National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID), an increase of $2,651,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1999 amount and $226,000 above the request. The bill allows the NTID to transfer a portion of its appropriation to the endowment at its discretion. The Committee directs the NTID to report to it within 15 days of executing such a transfer.
The bill includes $2,651,000 to remain available until expended for construction on dormitory renovations. This is based upon the Department's estimate that NTID would raise 15 percent of the cost of this project through private fundraising efforts. The Committee notes that NTID raised concerns in its budget hearings about the feasibility of raising these funds. The Committee will closely monitor NTID's fundraising efforts and will re-evaluate the assumption that NTID pay 15 percent of the renovation costs at a later time.
The Committee continues to emphasize the importance of student retention and improving the institutional graduation rate at NTID. The Committee also encourages NTID and the Department to revise performance goals relating to enrollment and graduation rates so they are significantly above current baselines.
The NTID was established by Congress in 1965 to provide a residential facility for postsecondary technical training and education for deaf persons with the purpose of promoting the employment of deaf individuals. The Institute also conducts applied research and provides training in various aspects of deafness. The Secretary of Education administers these activities through a contract with the Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, New York.
GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY
The bill provides $85,980,000 for Gallaudet University, an increase of $2,500,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation and $860,000 above the budget request. The bill includes a provision that allows Gallaudet to transfer a portion of its appropriation to the endowment at its discretion. The Committee directs Gallaudet to report to it within 15 days of executing such a transfer.
The bill includes $2,500,000 to remain available until expended for renovation of facilities at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf, as described in the President's budget justification.
Gallaudet is a private, non-profit educational institution Federally-chartered in 1864 providing elementary, secondary, undergraduate, and continuing education for deaf persons. In addition, the University offers graduate programs in fields related to deafness for deaf and hearing students, conducts various deafness research, and provides public service programs for deaf persons.
The Committee continues to emphasize the importance of student retention and improving the institutional graduation rate at Gallaudet. The Committee also encourages Gallaudet and the Department to revise performance goals relating to enrollment and graduation rates so they are significantly above current baselines.
VOCATIONAL AND ADULT EDUCATION
The bill includes $1,582,247,000 for vocational and adult education programs. This amount is $168,003,000 below the budget request and $26,277,000 below the fiscal year 1999 appropriation. This appropriation account includes vocational education programs originally authorized by the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act and recently reauthorized in 1998. The account also includes adult education programs originally authorized by the Adult Education Act and recently reauthorized in 1998 under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.
Vocational education basic grants
The bill includes $1,080,650,000 for basic grants to States under the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act, which is the same as both the fiscal year 1999 amount and the budget request. Out of the total of $1,080,650,000 made available for school year 2000-2001, $308,650,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2000 for obligation after July 1, 2000 and $772,000,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2001 for obligation on, or after, October 1, 2000. State grants support a variety of vocational education programs developed in accordance with the State plan. The Act concentrates federal resources on institutions with high concentrations of low-income students. The populations assisted by Basic Grants range from secondary students in pre-vocational courses to adults who need retraining to adapt to changing technological and labor markets.
The Department has made good progress in developing performance indicators consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act. The Committee encourages the Department to continue to refine indicators and provide specific numerical goals for the vocational education programs.
Tech-prep
The bill includes $106,000,000 for tech-prep, which is the same as fiscal year 1999 and $5,000,000 below the budget request. This appropriation includes activities under title II of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act. The tech-prep education program provides planning and demonstration grants to consortia of local educational agencies and postsecondary institutions to develop and operate model technical education programs. These programs begin in high school and provide students with the mathematical, science, communications and technological skills needed to enter a 2-year associate degree or 2-year certificate program in a given occupational field, and to make a successful transition into further postsecondary education or begin their careers. The purpose of tech-prep is to develop structural links between secondary and postsecondary institutions that integrate academic and vocational education and better prepare students to make the transition from school to careers.
Tribally controlled postsecondary vocational institutions
The bill includes $4,100,000 for grants for tribally controlled postsecondary vocational institutions, the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 1999 amount. This program provides grants for the operation and improvement of training programs to ensure continuation and expansion of vocational training opportunities for Indian youth.
The Committee believes the Department needs to develop specific, measurable performance indicators relating to this program. The Department must identify specific program goals and baseline data relating to degree completion, employment and continuing education. The Committee expects the Department to work with the tribal community in developing these indicators.
National programs
For national programs, the Committee provides $13,497,000, which is the same as the fiscal year 1999 amount and $4,003,000 below the President's fiscal year 2000 request. This authority supports the conduct and dissemination of research in vocational education, and includes support for the National Center for Research in Vocational Education, and other discretionary research.
The Department has begun to develop performance indicators for national programs. The Committee encourages the Department to continue to work on baseline data and indicators that focus on the degree to which research produced under this account is translated into educational practices in the classroom and the improvements in achievement resulting from the adoption of these practices.
State programs for adult education
For state grants, the Committee recommends $365,000,000, which is the same as the fiscal year 1999 amount, and $103,000,000 below the budget request. Out of the total of $365,000,000 made available for school year 2000-2001, $92,000,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2000 for obligation after July 1, 2000 and $273,000,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2001 for obligation on, or after, October 1, 2000. State formula grants support programs to enable all adults to acquire basic literacy skills, to enable those who so desire to complete a secondary education, and to make available to adults the means to become more employable, productive, and responsible citizens.
Grants are provided on a formula basis to States under the new Adult Education and Family Literacy Act. The formula provides an initial allotment of $250,000 for each state and $100,000 to each outlying area, with additional allotments distributed on the basis of population aged 16 and over who are without a high school diploma or equivalent who are not enrolled in secondary school.
States may use 12.5% of their allotments for state leadership activities and may use an additional 5% or $65,000 for state administration. States and localities must give priority to adult education and literacy activities that are built on a strong foundation of research on effective practices and that effectively employ technology. Funds are provided on a forward-funded basis.
The Committee notes that over 40 percent of new adult education entrants are seeking English as-a-second language (ESL) services and that ESL accounts for 51 percent of all adults receiving adult education services and 76 percent of the hours of instruction received. The Committee expects that the funds provided in this program will be used by states with large concentrations of students who seek English language proficiency training to meet the needs of those individuals.
The Committee is very pleased with indicators of effectiveness, baseline data and goals to be achieved set forth by the Department pursuant to the Government Performance and Results Act for adult education State grants.
National Programs--National Leadership Activities
The Committee provides $7,000,000 for national leadership activities. This amount is $7,000,000 below fiscal year 1999 and $94,000,000 below the President's request.
Through applied research, development, dissemination, evaluation, and program improvement activities, this program assists State efforts to improve the quality of adult education. The funds support such projects as evaluations on the status and effectiveness of adult education programs, national and international adult literacy surveys, and technical assistance on using technology to improve instruction and administration that show promise of contributing to the improvement and expansion of adult education.
The Committee has not included $70,000,000 for the new `Common Ground Partnership Initiative' proposed by the Administration. The Committee believes that the proposed initiative would result in unnecessary duplication, paperwork, and cost for states and localities that already operate successful ESL programs. The Committee expects that funds provided under the state grant program will be used by states with large concentrations of students who seek English language proficiency training to meet the needs of those individuals. In response to questions submitted for the record as part of the fiscal year 2000 budget hearing, the Department stated that:
States can and do undertake ESL for immigrants with their [adult education] State grants * * * States that do not target specific amounts of Federal or State grant funds for this type of service usually do not have the concentration of foreign born persons seeking English language and citizenship instruction.
The Department has also stated that States spend about one-third of their adult education grant funds for English-as-a-second language programs. If the percentage of state spending on ESL programs remains constant next year, over $122,000,000 will be spent on ESL activities in fiscal year 2000 under the Committee's recommendations.
The Committee notes that $4,000,000 in fiscal year 1999 funds are being used by the Department to support a discretionary competition to identify best practices in teaching ESL/citizenship programs. The Committee believes it is best to wait for the results of this demonstration program before committing the substantial funding requested for this new initiative by the Administration.
National Institute for Literacy
For the National Institute for Literacy, the bill provides $6,000,000, which is the same as both the fiscal year 1999 amount and the budget request. The Institute supports research and development projects, tracks progress made toward national literacy goals, supports research fellowships, disseminates information through a national clearinghouse, and coordinates literacy information data from national and State sources.
The Department has identified several worthwhile performance indicators for this program. However, the Committee believes the Department needs to continue to work with the National Institute for Literacy to develop specific baseline data, numerical goals and measurable standards relating to the utility of information and technical assistance provided and the degree to which such information and assistance has improved the teaching of literacy. Such data should include baseline data on the transfer of programmatic innovations and specific, measurable changes that are expected to occur as a result of proposed increased funding.
State grants for incarcerated youth offenders
The Committee recommends no funding for state grants for incarcerated youth offenders, $12,000,000 below the budget request and $16,723,000 below the fiscal year 1999 amount. Given the limited Federal discretionary budget, the Committee has chosen to focus its resources on higher priority programs in this bill.
STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
The bill provides $9,259,000,000 for student financial assistance programs, a decrease of $89,000,000 from the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation and an increase of $76,000,000 above the President's budget request.
The Committee urges the Department to expand its outreach activities to inform the general public regarding the cost of college and the many Federal loans and awards available to students, especially low-income and first-generation students.
Pell grants
The bill increases the maximum Pell Grant to $3,275, an increase of $25 above the President's request and $150 above the comparable fiscal year 1999 amount, providing the highest maximum grant ever awarded. This raise in the maximum grant will increase the number of students who qualify for Pell Grants to 3,886,000.
The bill provides $7,620,000,000 in new budget authority for the Pell Grant program, an increase of $157,000,000 over the President's request and $84,000,000 below the comparable fiscal year 1999 amount. Out of the total of $7,620,000,000 made available for school year 2000-2001, $5,334,000,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2000 for obligation after July 1, 2000 and $2,286,000,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2001 for obligation on, or after, October 1, 2000. The Committee considers this program to be among the highest priorities under its jurisdiction and has limited funds for other lower priority programs elsewhere in the bill in order to increase the maximum Pell Grant. Pell Grants provide portable education vouchers to postsecondary students who may use them at any of over 6,000 eligible schools.
The bill includes a provision, enacted in each of the last five annual Appropriations Acts, requiring the Department to adjust grant awards at the time of publication of the payment schedule. Awards for 2000-2001 would be adjusted downward if the estimates of the budget authority necessary to support a $3,275 maximum grant have increased substantially.
GPRA Measures
The Committee is encouraged by the Office of Student Financial Aid's focus on the development of performance measures. The Office should use these measures as the primary management tool for resource allocation and the evaluation of programs and individuals. The Committee is very concerned that the Office has not consulted with it, and other Committees of Congress, on the definition of performance measures, baseline development and the development and implementation of regular progress reports to Congress. The Office of Student Financial Aid is directed to establish a regular consultative process with the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the analogous Committees in the Senate. The Committee also instructs the Office regularly to brief the Congress on how these tools are being used to manage the Student Financial Assistance programs, how such data is used to establish program and individual performance goals, how actual performance is measured against these goals and the kinds of incentives, both positive and negative, that are in place to assure the achievement of overall goals.
The Committee concurs with the Secretary's proposal to provide a single set of performance measures. However, it believes that, in addition to various measures of timeliness, accuracy and student satisfaction, the Secretary should include measures relating to the successful completion of degrees or certificates by students assisted through the various student financial aid programs.
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
The bill provides $629,000,000 for federal supplemental educational opportunity grants, $10,000,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation and $2,000,000 below the request. The bill declares $10,000,000 of the total to be emergency funding under the Budget Act and allows the Secretary of Education to waive statutory and regulatory requirements for this program for students that live in, work in, or attend school in areas affected by Hurricane Floyd and the subsequent flooding that occurred in August and September 1999. The SEOG program provides grants through postsecondary institutions to qualified students who demonstrate exceptional financial need. Institutions have broad flexibility within the eligibility criteria for awarding these grants with the exception that priority must be given to Pell Grant recipients.
Work-study
The bill provides $880,000,000 for the work-study program, an increase of $10,000,000 over the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation and $54,000,000 below the budget request. Funding for this program is provided through institutions to students who work part-time to meet the cost of education. Institutions receive funding according to a statutory formula and may allocate it for job location and job development centers.
Perkins loans capital contributions
The Committee bill provides $100,000,000 in funding for new capital contributions to Federal Perkins revolving loan funds, the same as the budget request and the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation.
Perkins loans cancellations
The bill provides $30,000,000 for Federal Perkins loans cancellations, the same as the budget request and the comparable fiscal year 1999 amount. The Federal Government reimburses institutional Perkins revolving loan funds for loan cancellations permitted under Federal law. Loans may be canceled when the borrower pursues a career in one of 12 statutorily-designated professions including corrections, medical technical work, and peace corps or VISTA service.
Leveraging educational assistance partnership
The bill does not provide funding for the leveraging educational assistance partnership (LEAP) program. The fiscal year 1999 Appropriations Act provided $25,000,000 for this program and the President requested $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2000. The Higher Education Amendments of 1998 reauthorized the state student incentive grant (SSIG) program as the new leveraging educational assistance partnership (LEAP) program. LEAP provides dollar-for-dollar matching funds to States as an incentive for providing need-based grant and work study assistance to eligible postsecondary students. Federally supported grants and job earnings are limited to $5,000 per award year for full-time students. By law, each State's allocation is based on its relative share of the total national population of students eligible to participate in the programs, except that no state is to receive less than it received in 1979, when the appropriation was $76,750,000. If LEAP amounts are below this level, each State is allocated an amount proportional to the amount of funds it received in 1979. If a State does not use all of its allocation, the excess funds are distributed to other States in the same proportion as the original distribution. States must, at a minimum, match LEAP grants dollar for dollar with State funds provided through direct State appropriations for this purpose.
FEDERAL FAMILY EDUCATION LOAN PROGRAM
The bill provides $46,482,000 for administration of the federal family education loan (FFEL) program, the same as fiscal year 1999 and a decrease of $1,518,000 below the budget request. This discretionary administrative funding is provided in the FFEL appropriation account rather than under the Department's Salaries and Expenses account pursuant to a requirement of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990. These funds support Federal administrative activities including processing payments and claims, reducing loan default costs, and program monitoring. FFEL loans are financed with private capital and reinsured by the Federal Government against borrower default, death, disability and bankruptcy. Federal costs include payments for such insurance claims as well as support for borrower interest benefits. FFEL loans have supported over $150,000,000,000 in loans to student and parent borrowers since their inception. This account includes discretionary Federal administrative costs only. Additional amounts for new FFEL subsidies and mandatory administrative expenses for fiscal year 2000 are provided under permanent legislative authority.
HIGHER EDUCATION
The bill provides $1,151,786,000 for higher education programs, a decrease of $140,837,000 below the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation and $427,420,000 below the budget request.
Strengthening institutions
The bill provides $60,250,000 for the strengthening institutions program, $1,325,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 1999 level. This program provides general operating subsidies to institutions with low average educational and general expenditures per student and significant percentages of low-income students. Awards may be used for faculty and academic program development, management, joint use of libraries and laboratories, acquisition of equipment, and student services.
The Committee encourages the Department to continue to develop specific numerical goals for this program.
Hispanic serving institutions
The bill provides $28,000,000 for the Hispanic serving institutions (HSI) program, the same as the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation and $14,250,000 below the budget request.
The HSI program provides operating subsidies to schools that serve at least 25 percent Hispanic students of whom at least half are low-income, first-generation students and at least a quarter of whom are either low-income or first-generation students.
The Committee expects the Department to continue to develop specific numerical goals for this program. Specifically, the Committee expects the Department to focus on performance indicators related to student persistence, academic skills, endowment building, technology, institutional stability and program quality.
Strengthening historically black colleges and universities
The bill provides $136,000,000 for strengthening historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), the same as the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation and $12,750,000 below the budget request.
This program provides operating subsidies to accredited, legally authorized HBCUs established prior to 1964 whose principal mission is the education of Black Americans. Funds may be used to support both programs and management and are distributed through a formula grant based on the enrollment of Pell Grant recipients, number of graduates, and the number of graduates entering graduate or professional schools in which Blacks are underrepresented. The minimum grant is $500,000.
The Committee expects the Department to continue to develop specific numerical goals for this program. Specifically, the Committee expects the Department to focus on performance indicators related to student persistence, academic skills, endowment building, technology, institutional stability and program quality.
Strengthening historically black graduate institutions
The bill provides $30,000,000 for the strengthening of historically black graduate institutions program, the same as the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation and $2,000,000 below the budget request.
The program provides 5-year grants to the following 18 post-secondary institutions that are specified in section 326(e)(1) of the Higher Education Act: Morehouse School of Medicine, Meharry Medical School, Charles R. Drew Postgraduate Medical School, Clark-Atlanta University, Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine, Xavier University School of Pharmacy, Southern University School of Law, Texas Southern University Schools of Law and Pharmacy, Florida A&M University School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Carolina Central University School of Law, Morgan State University qualified graduate program, Hampton University qualified graduate program, Alabama A&M qualified graduate program, University of Maryland Eastern Shore qualified graduate program, Jackson State qualified graduate program, Norfolk State University, and Tennessee State University. Of the amount appropriated, the first $26,600,000 is used to make grants to the first 16 institutions listed above. Any amount appropriated in excess of $26,600,000 but less than $28,600,000 is used to make grants to Norfolk State University and Tennessee State University and any remaining appropriation is made available to each of the 18 institutions based on a formula. Awards may be used for building endowments as well as the same purposes for which the strengthening HBCU grants may be used.
The Committee expects the Department to continue to develop specific numerical goals for this program. Specifically, the Committee expects the Department to focus on performance indicators related to student persistence, academic skills, endowment building, technology, institutional stability and program quality.
Strengthening Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions
The Committee recommends $3,000,000 for strengthening Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions, the same as both the fiscal year 1999 level and the budget request. This is a new program that was authorized in the Higher Education Act Amendments of 1998. The Committee encourages the Department to continue to develop specific numerical goals for this program.
Strengthening tribally controlled colleges and universities
The Committee recommends $3,000,000 for the strengthening tribally controlled colleges and universities program, $3,000,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 1999 level. This is a new program that was authorized in the Higher Education Act Amendments of 1998. The Committee encourages the Department to continue to develop specific numerical goals for this program.
Fund for the improvement of postsecondary education
The Committee recommends $22,500,000 for the fund for the improvement of postsecondary education (FIPSE), $5,000,000 below the budget request and $27,500,000 below the comparable fiscal year 1999 amount. FIPSE awards grants and contracts to a variety of postsecondary institutions and other organizations to improve the quality and delivery of postsecondary education.
The globalization phenomenon is increasingly changing the world and its constituent entities in powerful and as yet not fully understood ways. The Nation's well-being depends on its ability to comprehend the nature of these international forces and to develop responses that will sustain and promote U.S. interests and values. The Committee strongly urges the Department to enhance its efforts to provide research and educational development in the area of globalization and its implications for U.S. interests, and to make the information gleaned rapidly available to the Nation's teachers for use in the classroom through innovative uses of the Internet. In particular, the Committee supports efforts to provide research and training on the international aspects of trade, commerce, technological development and trends affected by global change.
The Department has developed a number of performance indicators for the FIPSE program. The Committee encourages the Department to develop specific numerical goals and baseline data for this program.
Minority science and engineering improvement
The bill provides $7,500,000 for the minority science improvement program (MSIP), the same as the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation and $1,000,000 below the budget request.
The MSIP program awards grants to improve mathematics, science, and engineering programs at institutions serving primarily minority students and to increase the number of minority students who pursue advanced degrees and careers in those fields. The Committee encourages the Department to develop specific numerical goals and baseline data for this program.
International education and foreign languages studies
Domestic programs
The bill provides $62,000,000 for the domestic activities of the international education and foreign languages studies programs, an increase of $2,000,000 over the fiscal year 1999 appropriation and $680,000 above the budget request. The program assists graduate and undergraduate foreign language and area studies programs and students at institutions of postsecondary education. Programs include national resource centers, foreign language and area studies fellowships, undergraduate international studies and foreign language programs, international research and studies projects, business and international education projects, international business education centers, language resource centers, and American overseas research centers. In general, the Secretary has discretion to allocate funding among these various activities.
The Department has developed some performance indicators for this program; however, the Committee believes more work needs to be done in developing specific, numeric goals and baseline data for these programs.
Overseas programs
The bill provides $6,536,000 for the overseas programs in international education and foreign language studies authorized under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, popularly known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The appropriation is $144,000 below the budget request and the same as the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation. Funding for these programs supports group projects abroad, faculty research abroad, special bilateral projects, and doctoral research abroad.
The Department has developed some performance indicators for this program; however, the Committee believes more work needs to be done in developing specific, numeric goals and baseline data for these programs.
Institute for International Public Policy
The bill provides $1,000,000 for the Institute for International Public Policy, $22,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 1999 appropriation. This program provides a grant to the United Negro College Fund to operate the Institute through sub-grantees chosen among minority serving institutions.
The Department has developed some performance indicators for this program; however, the Committee believes more work needs to be done in developing specific, numeric goals and baseline data for these programs.
Urban community service
The bill does not provide funding for the urban community service program, nor does the budget request funding for it. The comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation was $4,637,000. The fiscal year 1999 Omnibus Appropriations Bill stated that fiscal year 1999 funding would `complete the grant cycle for non-competing project continuations. No further funding will be provided for the Urban Community Service program.'
Interest subsidy grants
The bill provides $12,000,000 for interest subsidy grants authorized under section 702 of the Higher Education Act, the same amount requested in the budget and $1,000,000 below the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation. This program provides loan subsidies to higher education institutions for facilities acquisition, construction and renovation loans taken prior to 1974. All loans will terminate by the fiscal year 2013. The authority to initiate new loan subsidy commitments was repealed in the 1992 amendments to the Higher Education Act. Interest subsidies provide institutions the difference between the interest they pay on commercially-obtained loans and 3 percent of the loan balance. The bill provides funding sufficient to meet the Federal Government's commitments on the 241 loans expected to be in repayment status in fiscal year 2000.
TRIO
The bill provides $660,000,000 for the six TRIO programs, an increase of $30,000,000 above the President's request and $60,000,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation. The Committee notes that funding for the TRIO programs has increased by $187,000,000, or 40 percent, since fiscal year 1995.
The TRIO programs provide a variety of outreach and support services to encourage low-income, potential first-generation college students to enter and complete college. Discretionary grants of up to four or five years are awarded competitively to institutions of higher education and other agencies. At least two-thirds of the eligible participants in TRIO must be low-income, first-generation college students.
The Department has identified several worthwhile performance indicators for the TRIO programs and has provided some baseline data. However, the budget request did not present any specific, numerical goals for the program. The Committee expects this information to be included in the fiscal year 2001 budget request.
GEAR UP
The Committee recommends no funding for the GEAR UP program, $120,000,000 below the fiscal year 1999 appropriation and $240,000,000 below the budget request. This is a new program authorized in the Higher Education Act Amendments of 1998 which essentially duplicates the services provided in the TRIO programs. The Committee notes that this is the first year of operation for the GEAR UP program. Given the limited resources available to the Committee, the Committee believes that funds are better invested in established programs such as TRIO until more data is available on the results of the initial GEAR UP projects.
Byrd scholarships
The Committee recommends no funding for the Byrd scholarships program, $39,859,000 below the budget request and $39,288,000 below the fiscal year 1999 appropriation. The Byrd scholarship program provides formula grants to States to award four-year, $1,500 scholarships to students who demonstrate academic excellence in high school. The program was initiated as a one-year scholarship program and was later expanded to a four-year program.
The Department has not identified performance objectives and indicators consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for this program. The Department's sole indicator for the program is that states will award all scholarship funds. Given the absence of performance indicators relating to college entry and completion for participants, the Committee was unable to fund this program under current budget constraints.
Javits fellowships and graduate assistance in areas of national need program
The Committee recommends $31,000,000 for the Javits fellowships and the graduate assistance in areas of national need (GAANN) program, a decrease of $10,000,000 below the budget request and the same as the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation.
Under the Javits program, institutions receive Federal support to make fellowship awards of up to $14,400 to students pursuing doctoral study in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. The GAANN program awards grants to institutions of higher education to provide fellowships of up to five years and $14,400 to economically disadvantaged students who have demonstrated academic excellence and who are pursuing graduate education in designated areas of national need.
The Department has developed a number of worthwhile indicators for this program. However, work still needs to be done in terms of developing baseline data and specific, numerical goals for the program. The Committee expects this information to be included in the fiscal year 2001 budget request.
Learning anytime anywhere
The Committee recommends no funding for learning anytime anywhere partnerships, which is $10,000,000 below the fiscal year 1999 appropriation and $20,000,000 below the budget request. This is a new program authorized in the Higher Education Act Amendments of 1998. The Department has not developed performance indicators for this program that are consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act. One performance indicator the Department is using for this program is that the number of grants will equal the Department's estimates. This type of indicator is not acceptable. Given the absence of outcome based indicators or goals that focus on how the program is helping workers gain training or education above the levels that would be expected in the absence of the program, the Committee has chosen to focus its resources on higher priority programs in this bill.
Teacher quality enhancement grants
The Committee recommends $75,000,000 for teacher quality enhancement grants, which is $40,000,000 below the budget request and $2,212,000 below the fiscal year 1999 appropriation. This program was authorized in the Higher Education Act Amendments of 1998. Teacher quality enhancement grants have three components: state grants, partnership grants and recruitment grants. By statute, state and partnership grants each receive 45 percent of the appropriation, and recruitment grants receive 10 percent.
Under the state grant component, states apply to receive up to three years of funding to improve the quality of their teaching force through promoting reform activities such as teacher licensing and certification, accountability for high quality teacher preparation and professional development and recruiting teachers for high-need schools. States must match 50 percent of the federal award.
Under the partnership component, partnerships apply to receive a five-year grant to strengthen the capacity of K-12 educators in designing and implementing effective teacher education programs, and by increasing collaboration among these practitioners and departments of arts and sciences and schools of education at institutions of higher education. Partnerships must match 25 percent of the federal grant in the first year, 35 percent in the second year, and 50 percent for the remaining years.
The recruitment component supports the efforts to reduce shortages of qualified teachers in high-need school districts. States or partnerships may apply to receive these grants.
The Committee rejects the Administration's proposal to rewrite the statutory formula allocating funds among the three grant components.
The Department has begun to develop indicators for this program. The Committee encourages the Department to develop indicators that focus on program outcomes, such as decreased teacher attrition rates, increased percentages of teachers who are prepared to teach to high standards, decreased qualified-teacher shortages and increased student academic achievement in states participating in the program. The Committee expects this information, including baseline data and specific, numerical goals for the program, to be included in the fiscal year 2001 budget request.
Child care access means parents in school
The Committee recommends $5,000,000 for child care access means parents in school program, which is the same as both the budget request and the fiscal year 1999 appropriation. This program was authorized in the Higher Education Act Amendments of 1998.
Under this program, institutions may receive discretionary grants of up to four years to support or establish a campus-based childcare program primarily serving the needs of low-income students enrolled at the institution. Priority is given to childcare programs that leverage significant local or institutional resources and utilize a sliding fee scale. Grants can only be used to supplement childcare services or start new programs.
The Committee is concerned that the only performance measure developed by the Department for this program is an increase in the number of children served. The Committee believes that the purpose of this program is to encourage participation of low-income students in the postsecondary education system. As such, the Committee encourages the Department to develop indicators that track how many low-income parents are attending school because of this program who would not otherwise be able to attend.
Demonstration projects to ensure quality higher education for students with disabilities
The Committee recommends $5,000,000 for demonstration projects to ensure quality higher education for students with disabilities, the same as both the budget request and the fiscal year 1999 level. This program was authorized under the Higher Education Act Amendments of 1998.
This program provides discretionary grants for three years to support model demonstration projects that provide technical assistance and professional development activities for faculty and administrators in institutions of higher education in order to provide students with disabilities a high-quality postsecondary education.
The Department has begun to develop indicators for this program. The Committee urges the Department to focus upon outcome oriented indicators that demonstrate how this program is improving access to higher education for students with disabilities above the levels that would be expected in the absence of the program. Indicators should also be developed to track how the models developed under this program are disseminated nationwide and how technical assistance in training faculty to meet the needs of students with disabilities improves.
Web based education commission
The bill provides no funding for the web based education commission. The Administration did not request funding for this program; a one-time appropriation of $450,000 was made in fiscal year 1999. The Commission will conduct a study to assess the educational software available in retail markets for secondary and postsecondary students. The Commission will be terminated 90 days after its report is submitted.
Underground Railroad Program
The Committee recommends no funding for the underground railroad program, which is $1,750,000 below both the budget request and the fiscal year 1999 appropriation. The underground railroad program is a grant to a non-profit institution to research, display, interpret and collect artifacts relating to the history of the underground railroad. The only performance indicator the Department has developed for this program is that funds be provided in a timely manner and be used in accordance with the authorizing statute. Because of the limited resources available to it this year, the Committee has chosen to fund programs that provide direct services to low-income students.
Preparing for college
The Committee does not recommend funding for the proposed preparing for college program, for which the Administration requested $15,000,000. The Administration requested funding to provide information on preparation for college to middle and high school students, especially those from low-income areas.
This program is not authorized. The Committee notes that TRIO upward bound, talent search and educational opportunity centers programs are specifically designed to target low-income middle and high school students to tell them the importance of a higher education, the kinds of courses needed to succeed in college, and how to access student financial aid. The Committee is not willing to fund an unauthorized program that would duplicate these existing efforts.
College completion challenge grants
The Committee does not recommend funding for the proposed preparing for college program, for which the Administration requested $35,000,000. The Administration requested funding to provide discretionary grants to institutions of higher education to help increase the retention of students who are at risk of dropping out.
This program is not authorized. The Committee notes that the TRIO student support services program is specifically designed to increase the college retention and graduation rate of low-income students. The Committee is not willing to fund an unauthorized program that would duplicate these existing efforts.
GPRA data/HEA program evaluation
The Committee recommends $4,000,000 for program evaluation and development of data required under the Government Performance and Results Act for Higher Education programs administered by the Department. This is the same as the budget request and $4,000,000 above the fiscal year 1999 appropriation.
The Committee understands that for many higher education programs, baseline and performance indicator data is sparse, nonexistent or difficult to collect. Funding under this activity will support the Department in developing high-quality data as required under the Government Performance and Results Act. The Committee also expects funds to be used to conduct evaluations of higher education programs, particularly new programs such as teacher quality enhancement grants. The Committee believes these evaluations should focus particularly on the impact the programs are making on student academic achievement.
HOWARD UNIVERSITY
The bill provides $219,444,000 for Howard University, the same as the President's request and $4,955,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation. Howard University is a `Research I' university located in the District of Columbia. Direct appropriations for Howard University are authorized by 20 U.S.C. 123, originally enacted in 1867.
The bill includes a provision that allows the University to dedicate a portion of its appropriation to the endowment at its discretion. The Committee directs that Howard notify the Congress of any transfer from the regular appropriation to the endowment at least 15 days prior to execution of the transfer. The budget request earmarks a minimum of $3,530,000 for the endowment. The Committee has adopted this recommendation.
Howard University provides undergraduate liberal arts, graduate and professional instruction to 11,000 students from all 50 States. Masters degrees are offered in over 55 fields and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in 26 fields. The Committee notes that according to Howard University, the direct appropriation represents 47% of University revenue.
The Committee continues to emphasize the importance of student retention and improving the institutional graduation rate at Howard University. The Committee also encourages Howard and the Department to continue to develop performance goals, especially relating to student retention and graduation rates.
COLLEGE HOUSING AND ACADEMIC FACILITIES LOANS PROGRAM
The bill provides $698,000 for the Federal administration of the college housing and academic facilities loan (CHAFL) program, the Higher Educational Facilities Loans program and the College Housing Loans program, $39,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 1999 appropriation.
HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CAPITAL AND FINANCING PROGRAM
Federal administration
The bill provides $96,000 for the administration of the historically black college and university capital financing program authorized under part B of title VII of the Higher Education Act, the same as the fiscal year 1999 appropriation and $111,000 below the President's request. The program is intended to make capital available for repair and renovation of facilities at historically black colleges and universities. In exceptional circumstances, capital provided under the program can be used for construction or acquisition of facilities.
Bond subsidies
Under the HBCU capital program, a private, for-profit `designated bonding authority' issues construction bonds to raise capital for loans to historically black colleges and universities for construction projects. The Department provides insurance for these bonds, guaranteeing full payment of principal and interest to bond holders. Federally insured bonds and unpaid interest are limited by statute to $357,000,000. The letter of credit limitation establishes the total amount of bonds which can be issued by the designated bonding authority. The credit limitation must be explicitly stated in an appropriation act according to the authorizing legislation.
EDUCATION RESEARCH, STATISTICS, AND IMPROVEMENT
The bill includes $390,867,000 for education research, statistics, and improvement programs. This amount is $149,415,000 less than the budget request, and $66,000,000 below the fiscal year 1999 level. This account supports education research authorized under the Educational Research, Development, Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994; title VI of P.L. 103-27; the National Center for Education Statistics and the National Assessment of Educational Progress authorized by the National Education Statistics Act of 1994, title VI of P.L. 103-382; and titles II, X, and XIII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
While the Department has made some progress, the Committee believes that work still remains in developing specific, measurable standards for quality of the research or data and the degree to which the research and data are employed in the improvement or innovation in teaching methodologies. There should also be specific measurements as to how these new or innovative techniques have contributed to improved student academic achievement. Such data should include baseline data on the academic improvements and transfer of programmatic innovations and specific, measurable changes that are expected to occur as a result of proposed funding levels.
The Committee expects the Department to comply with a directive in the fiscal year 1999 House Report (105-635) to provide the Committee with an overall research, demonstration, dissemination, technical assistance and evaluation plan by March 31, 2000. This plan should include the Departmental priorities for these activities, coordination mechanisms that are, or will be, in place for the activities, and the single official responsible for the quality and relevance of each of these activities. The plan should provide assurance that Government Performance and Results Act programmatic indicators have been developed and focus on the quality, utility and acceptance of the information or techniques developed. Finally, the plan should indicate how the research and other activities funded by OERI are coordinated with other research institutions such as NIH.
Research
This bill includes $83,567,000 for educational research, $49,715,000 below the budget request and $1,000,000 above the fiscal year 1999 amount. The Office of Educational Research and Improvement conducts research and development activities, which are authorized under the Educational Research, Development, Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994, title IX of P.L. 103-227. The 1994 Act established a National Educational Research Policy and Priorities Board within the Office of Educational Research and Improvement, and authorized five national research institutes for the following subject areas: (1) student achievement, curriculum, and assessment; (2) education of at-risk students; (3) educational governance, finance, policymaking, and management; (4) early childhood development and education; and (5) postsecondary education, libraries, and lifelong learning. The Assistant Secretary is authorized to support activities to increase the participation of minority researchers and institutions as well as research and development centers, in order to support the objectives of the national research institutes.
The Committee is impressed with the important developments reported from the Department of Education, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the National Science Foundation on how children learn, and is eager to have this information brought to the attention of educators, policymakers and parents. Noting the fact that the Department of Education is already collaborating with NICHD and NSF, the Committee urges the Secretary to work with the Directors of NICHD and NSF to coordinate an interagency panel to assess the current status of research-based knowledge on reading instructional practices for students who are English language learners; mathematics curriculum and instruction; science curriculum and instruction; school and classroom management; and educational technology uses and applications. The panel shall adopt rules of evidence consistent with those adopted by the National Reading Panel. The panel shall report its findings to the Secretaries of Education and Health and Human Services, the Director of the National Science Foundation, and the House and Senate Appropriations and relevant authorizing committees. The report shall indicate the readiness for the results of this research in classroom application and, if appropriate, a strategy for rapidly disseminating this information to facilitate effective instruction and management in schools.
The Committee has followed with interest the progress of the National Reading Panel and its success in developing the rigorous methodological criteria that will be used to evaluate the quality of the research relevant to instructional reading practices that are employed in our Nation's classrooms. The Committee looks forward to the panel's final report and to its use in helping teachers, school administrators, and educational policymakers identify those reading instructional approaches and strategies that are most effective and based upon the best scientific research. The Committee is pleased with the coordinated efforts of the Department of Education and the National Institute on Child Health and Human Development on this project.
The Committee commends OERI for its collaboration with the National Institute on Child Health and Human Development to conduct the Spanish-to-English Reading initiative in the most effective manner. The Committee urges NICHD and OERI to pursue this research so that scientific evidence can be obtained that will inform the development and application of instructional approaches and strategies to prevent and remediate reading and writing difficulties among children whose first language is Spanish. The Committee also is pleased with the progress being made by NICHD and OERI in developing rigorous peer-review practices for the evaluation or research application relevant to academic development instruction, teacher preparation, and school reform efforts.
The Committee is impressed by the recommendations of the National Research Council (NRC) for new strategies to improve the effectiveness and impact of educational research, particularly its call for new large-scale and sharply defined program of education research, demonstration and evaluation. The NRC report recommends a research program focused on three fundamental issues in education:
- How can advances in research on human cognition, development, and learning be incorporated into educational practice and effective teaching methods and materials?
- How can student engagement in the learning process and motivation to achieve in school be increased?
- How can schools and school districts be transported into organizations that have the capacity to continuously improve their practices?
These findings mirror those of the President's Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology and others calling for more scientifically rigorous, empirical research to find out what education practices actually work in classrooms.
The Committee notes the activities of the recent Interagency Education Research Initiative between the Office of Education Research and Improvement in the Department of Education, National Science Foundation, and NICHD focused on school readiness, learning core subjects in the early grades, and teacher training. The Committee understands that the goal of this joint initiative is to begin supporting the type of large-scale, interdisciplinary, and scientifically rigorous research recommended by the NRC in a manner that builds on the research expertise and portfolios of each agency.
The Committee encourages the three agencies to continue this research collaboration, with funding contributed by each agency. The Committee directs the OERI, in consultation with the NSF and NICHD, to develop a 5-year plan for an expanded research program of large-scale, systematic experimentation and demonstration focused on strategic education issues and has included $1 million for this purpose. This 5-year plan shall be developed in collaboration with the National Research Council and shall identify the highest priority research studies needed to improve teaching and learning in the classroom and shall be grounded in the concerns of education practitioners and policymakers. The Committee directs that this 5-year plan be submitted to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations no later than May 31, 2000.
The Committee is aware of a growing body of research strongly associating the formal study of music with the development of spatial reasoning skills in young children, which is required in mathematics, physics, engineering, architecture and any task requiring an understanding of how objects fit together. To the extent possible, the Committee encourages the Department to pursue further study in this area, with the goal of informing citizens, students, music educators and local school districts, so that they may consider the future of their own music education programs with the benefit of peer-reviewed research.
The Committee recognizes the difficulty in developing outcome-oriented performance measures for research programs. The Department has begun to develop measures for the national education research institutes. The Committee encourages the Department to continue to refine these indicators, as well as to provide baseline data and specific, numerical goals for research programs in the fiscal year 2001 budget request.
Regional educational laboratories
The Committee has included $61,000,000 for the regional educational laboratories. This amount is $4,000,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 1999 level.
The Committee reiterates its intent, expressed in the Conference Report on the fiscal year 1996 bill (House Report 104-537) that all work of the Regional Education Laboratories be based on the priorities established by their regional governing boards.
The Committee is also concerned that the Department has not identified specific, measurable output standards consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for the regional educational laboratories. These standards should include an assessment of the value of the assistance and information, increases in use by former non-users and the degree to which assistance and information is translated to successful changes in classroom activities or other activities directly related to the students and their achievements. Such indicators should include baseline data and specific, measurable improvements that are expected to occur as a result of proposed funding levels.
Statistics
This bill includes $68,000,000 for the activities of the National Center for Education Statistics, exclusive of the National Assessment of Educational Progress. This amount is $9,500,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 1999 amount. Statistics activities are authorized under the National Education Statistics Act of 1994, title VI of P.L. 103-382. The Center collects, analyzes, and reports statistics on all levels of education in the United States. Activities are carried out directly and through grants and contracts. Major publications include `The Condition of Education' and `Digest of Education Statistics.' Other products include projections of enrollments, teacher supply and demand, and educational expenditures. Technical assistance to state and local education agencies and postsecondary institutions is provided. International comparisons are authorized.
The Committee recognizes the difficulty in developing outcome-oriented performance measures for statistics programs. The Department has begun to develop measures for the National Center on Education Statistics. The Committee encourages the Department to continue to refine these indicators, as well as the baseline data and specific, numerical goals in the fiscal year 2001 budget request.
Assessment
This bill includes $40,000,000 for the National Assessment of Educational Progress, the same as the fiscal year 1999 amount, and $4,500,000 below the budget request. The Assessment is authorized under section 411 of the National Education Statistics Act of 1994, and is the only nationally representative survey of educational ability and achievement of American students. The primary goal of the Assessment is to determine and report the status and trends of the knowledge and skills of students, subject by subject. Subject areas assessed in the past have included reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies, as well as citizenship, literature, art, and music. The Assessment is operated by contractors through competitive awards made by the National Center for Education Statistics; a National Assessment Governing Board formulates the policy guidelines for the program. Within the amounts provided, $4,000,000 is for the National Assessment Governing Board.
The Committee recognizes the difficulty in developing outcome-oriented performance measures for assessment programs. The Department has begun to develop measures for this activity. The Committee encourages the Department to continue to refine these indicators as well as baseline data and specific, numerical goals in the fiscal year 2001 budget request.
Fund for the improvement of education
The bill includes $76,000,000 for the fund for the improvement of education, which is $63,500,000 below the budget request and $63,000,000 below the fiscal year 1999 amount. The fund for the improvement of education has a broad portfolio of activities related to the national education goals and systemic education reform. Under the fund, the Secretary of Education supports activities that identify and disseminate innovative educational approaches.
The Committee has not provided funding for any new activities identified in the President's budget request. Given the limited Federal discretionary budget, the Committee has chosen to focus its resources on higher priority programs in this bill.
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Program Fiscal year 1999 Fiscal year 2000 request Amount provided
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Voluntary National Tests $2,000,000 $16,000,000
Schools as Centers of Community 10,000,000
Worksite schools 10,000,000
Troops to Teachers 18,000,000
Writing Initiative 4,000,000
Joint Initiative to Track Discrimination 500,000
National Constitution Center 5,000,000
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The Committee notes that the fiscal year 1999 conference report included a permanent amendment to the General Education Provisions Act which permitted the National Assessment Governing Board to proceed with very limited test development activities, but specifically prohibited any pilot testing, field testing, administration or distribution of individualized national tests that are not specifically and explicitly provided for in authorizing legislation enacted into law. The Committee notes that, at the present time, there is no specific and explicit authority in Federal law for individualized national tests. Such testing is thus prohibited and the Committee has therefore provided no funding for national testing activities in the fiscal year 2000.
The Committee remains concerned that major initiatives are being established within the fund for the improvement of education with no Congressional involvement. It is particularly concerned that these major initiatives are not being disclosed in the Congressional justifications submitted by the Department as part of the President's budget submission. In addition, the Committee is concerned that funding levels displayed in the justifications and other submissions to the Committee during the consideration of the President's request are unilaterally changed by the Department without notification of the Committee.
The Committee therefore continues the policy of last year which directs the Department to treat these changes as reprogrammings and to employ the usual reprogramming rules, for any significant change in funding for programs or activities within FIE from the levels provided to the Committee during the appropriations process. The Committee also directs the Department to consider any new activities, not mandated by Congress, to be reprogrammings and to follow the usual reprogramming rules prior to any public notification or obligation of funds for these new activities. The Committee further directs the Department to provide a complete and final listing of activities within FIE in the annual operating plan required by this bill.
The Committee has included funding for Comprehensive School Reform in this account. The Committee expects that the Department will continue to follow the directives in the Conference Report accompanying the fiscal year 1999 bill (House Report 105-390) and in the Conference Report accompanying the fiscal year 1999 bill (House Report 105-825).
The bill provides sufficient funding to expand the activities of the National Student/Parent Mock Election to state coordinators in fiscal year 2000.
The Committee is impressed with vision screening programs operating for children in inner-city schools in five states. These programs provide refractions by eye doctors and supply prescription glasses to students in economically distressed schools systems. The simple and low cost act of providing glasses can improve the educational performance of children who have been severely hindered because of their inability to see properly. The Committee encourages the expansion of vision-screening programs in additional locations.
The Committee notes that high school dropout prevention is one of the nation's primary public policy goals, and that innovative methods of decreasing dropout rates, such as providing in-class communication to students on the benefits of completing a high school education and the difficulties created by failing to do so, should be encouraged.
The Committee notes that recruitment efforts for the Nation's armed services have benefited from communications that fairly present the opportunities of such service to American high school students in partnership with in-class educational program providers.
The Committee is interested and concerned about how perinatal risks, child health conditions and community environment affect readiness for learning skills such as reading, and encourages the Department of Education to further its efforts in examining these issues. The Committee encourages the Department of Education to support projects which examine direct intervention with infants and preschool children to ensure learning readiness.
The Committee is concerned about violence which has invaded our schools. While individual schools have developed school safety programs, more research should be conducted to determine the best way to prevent, control and react to school-based violence. The Committee urges the Department of Education and the Department of Justice to develop model programs in this area involving university-based units, local school systems, and local law enforcement.
The Committee is aware that Congress has provided substantial direct funding for technology-assisted education and is concerned that oversight and assessment need to be a departmental priority to properly address how these funds can best be used. Accordingly, the Committee would be supportive of efforts by the Department of Education's Office of Educational Research and Improvement to work with accredited universities or university systems to develop assessments for new technology-assisted education programs.
The Department has not developed performance indicators consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for the FIE program. The Committee expects the Department to provide specific, measurable performance indicators for the various initiatives funded under FIE, including baseline data and numerical goals in the fiscal year 2001 budget request.
International education exchange
The Committee includes $7,000,000 for the international education exchange program which is the same as both the President's request and the fiscal year 1999 amount. International education exchange is authorized under title VI of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act. The International Education Exchange program provides support for education exchange activities in civics and government education and economic education between the United States and eligible countries in Central and Eastern Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and any country that was formerly a republic of the Soviet Union. Grantees provide for the exchange of ideas and experiences among educators and leaders through seminars on the basic principles of U.S. constitutional democracy and economics, and through visits to school systems, institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations which are conducting exemplary programs in civics and economic education.
The program is designed and implemented in collaboration with the United States Information Agency, which is charged with ensuring that the assistance provided is not duplicative of other efforts. The authorizing statute requires that 50 percent of the funds be reserved for activities in civics and government education activities, and 50 percent for economic education.
The Department has begun to develop performance indicators for this program. The Committee encourages the Department to continue to develop indicators that focus on program outcomes, baseline data and specific, numerical goals for the program in the fiscal year 2001 budget request.
Civic education
This bill includes $5,500,000 for the civic education program, $4,000,000 below the budget request and $2,000,000 below the fiscal year 1999 level. The Civic Education program funds the Center for Civic Education to educate students about the history and principles of the Constitution of the United States and foster civic competence and responsibility. This purpose is accomplished primarily through the Center's program `We the People . . . The Citizen and the Constitution.' In addition to a course of instruction made available to public and private elementary and secondary schools, the program provides, at local request, simulated congressional hearings, and sponsors a national competition of such hearings for secondary school students. `We the People' is made available in all 435 Congressional districts. Funds may also be used for training teachers about the Constitution and the political system of the United States, and to provide instruction for middle school students on the roles of State and local governments in the Federal system established by the Constitution.
The Department has begun to develop performance indicators for this program. The Committee expects the Department to continue to develop indicators that focus on program outcomes, baseline data and specific, numerical goals for the program in the fiscal year 2001 budget request.
Eisenhower professional development national activities
This bill includes $23,300,000 for the Eisenhower professional development national activities, which is $6,700,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 1999 amount. This program supports activities of national significance contributing to the development and implementation of high-quality professional development in the core subject areas. Examples of authorized activities include: providing seed money to agencies and organizations to develop their capacity to provide professional development; supporting professional development with strong academic and pedagogical content for teams of teachers and other educators from individual schools; encouraging the development of professional networks to allow for interaction among teachers of the core academic subjects; encouraging development of models for recruiting and retaining new, highly qualified teachers; promoting the transferability of certification; and disseminating information about emerging academic standards and related professional development.
Support for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS), which has implemented a voluntary system of challenging professional certification for teachers, is specifically authorized. Funding is also authorized for the National Clearinghouse for Mathematics and Science Education. Evaluation of activities carried out under both the Federal and State Eisenhower programs is also authorized.
The Committee encourages the Department to work with States to develop innovative ways of encouraging teachers to participate in continuing professional development activities through a variety of federal, state and local programs, including programs that recognize their high performance, such as the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
The Department has begun to develop performance indicators for this program. However, the Committee believes more work needs to be done in developing specific, measurable indicators of the effectiveness of professional development activities in this account including the degree to which training and certification results in better student achievement. The Committee is also interested in performance indicators which compare the number and percentages of teachers in Title I schools who achieve certification from NBPTS versus teachers in non-Title I schools who achieve such certification. The Department should also include indicators on the degree to which the dissemination activities are serving the needs of users, attracting new users and are providing information that changes the techniques and curricula in the classroom resulting in better student outcomes. Such data should include baseline data and specific, measurable changes that are expected to occur as a result of proposed funding levels.
Eisenhower regional mathematics and science education consortia
This bill includes $15,000,000 for the Eisenhower regional mathematics and science education consortia, $2,500,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 1999 amount. Regional mathematics and science education consortia (at least one in each of the ten regions served by the regional educational laboratories) disseminate exemplary mathematics and science instructional materials and provide technical assistance in the use of improved teaching methods and assessment tools. Awards are for up to 5 years. Matching is required, with the Federal share set at 80 percent and at least 10 percent of the 20 percent non-Federal share required to come from sources other than State or local government. Eligible recipients--State and local educational agencies, elementary or secondary schools, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, regional educational laboratories, or combinations of these entities--must demonstrate their expertise in mathematics and science education. Each recipient must establish a regional board, representative of participating organizations, to oversee administration of the project and establish program priorities.
The Department has begun to develop performance indicators for this program. However, the Committee believes more work needs to be done in developing specific, measurable indicators on the degree to which practices identified and technical assistance provided by the Consortia are actually adopted and prove successful in improving academic achievement. The Department should also include indicators on the degree to which the dissemination activities are serving the needs of users, attracting new users and are providing information that changes the techniques and curricula in the classroom resulting in better student outcomes. Such data should include baseline data and specific, measurable changes that are expected to occur as a result of proposed funding levels.
Javits gifted and talented education
This bill includes $6,500,000 for the Jacob K. Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Act, the same as both the budget request and the fiscal year 1999 amount. The purpose of this program is to build nationwide capability to meet the special educational needs of gifted and talented students. The program functions through support for research, demonstration projects, teacher training, and other activities. Competitive grants are awarded to State and local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, and other public and private agencies and organizations. Not more than 30 percent of available funds may be used for research, evaluation, and the collection and analysis of information related to program purposes. These funds include support for a National Center for Research and Development in the Education of Gifted and Talented Children and Youth.
Priority must be given to projects identifying and serving gifted and talented students who may not be identified and served through traditional assessment methods, and to those developing or improving the capacity of schools in an entire State or region of the Nation to identify and serve gifted and talented students. At least half of the applications approved for funding each year must address the priority of serving students not identified through traditional means.
The Department has begun to develop performance indicators for this program. However, the Committee believes more work needs to be done in developing specific, measurable indicators relating to the development of teaching techniques for the gifted and talented and identifying such students who would not normally be identified by traditional assessment methods. Indicators should also be developed to demonstrate the degree to which such developmental activity is actually integrated into existing and new gifted and talented programs and specific goals for improved academic achievement of students. Such data should include baseline indicators as well as measurable changes that are expected to occur as a result of proposed funding.
National writing project
The bill provides $5,000,000 for the National Writing Project, $5,000,000 below the budget request and $2,000,000 below the fiscal year 1999 level. Funds are provided to the National Writing Project (NWP), a nonprofit educational organization that supports teacher training programs in the effective teaching of writing, and supports classroom-level research on teaching writing that documents effectiveness in terms of student performance. To provide these services, the National Writing Project contracts with numerous institutions of higher education and nonprofit education providers to operate small ($40,000 or less) teacher training programs. Federal funds support 50 percent of the costs of these programs, and recipients must contribute an equal amount. A National Advisory Board provides advice and support and reviews the Project's programs and activities.
The Department has begun to develop performance indicators for this program. However, the Committee believes more work needs to be done in developing specific, measurable indicators relating to the development of teaching techniques for the gifted and talented and identifying such students who would not normally be identified by traditional assessment methods. Indicators should also be developed relating to the degree to which practices identified and technical assistance provided by the project are actually adopted and prove successful in improving academic achievement. Such data should include baseline indicators on the adoption of new practices and techniques and improved student academic achievement above that expected to occur in the absence of the program.
DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT
The bill includes $459,242,000 for departmental management (salaries and expenses) at the Department of Education. This amount is $2,521,000 below the fiscal year 1999 appropriation and $34,020,000 less than the Administration's 2000 budget request. These activities are authorized by the Department of Education Organization Act, P.L. 96-88, and include costs associated with the management and operations of the Department as well as separate costs associated with the Office for Civil Rights and the Office of the Inspector General.
The Committee compliments the Department for implementation of its Grant Administration and Payment System (GAPS), which enables the Department to identify and track separately the actual rate of budget outlays at the program level and provides an opportunity for improving budget outlay estimates. However, the Committee remains concerned that the Department's Office of Budget Service is only using this system for technology grants, and may therefore be mis-estimating outlays in other program areas. The Committee therefore directs the Office of Budget Service to utilize GAPS to systematically monitor program outlay data and use this information to adjust spendout rates at the account level to reflect actual program-level data.
The Committee is pleased with the emphasis the Department's senior management team has placed on complying with the Government Performance and Results Act. The Committee expects the Department to continue to develop and refine GPRA measures for all programs, focusing particularly on student achievement outcomes.
The Committee also believes that GPRA will not be successful until the Department manages itself based on programmatic performance and outcomes. These measures should become the primary management tool for resource allocation and the evaluation of program and individual performance. The Committee expects that the Department will be prepared to testify during the fiscal year 2001 cycle on how programmatic performance and outcome measures are being established and implemented as an integral part of management. Such testimony should include:
- How outcome measures and programmatic performance goals are being established for individual offices and how they are held accountable for the achievement of these goals;
- How such data is used as part of the Department's overall personnel system; and
- How actual performance is measured against these goals and the kinds of incentives, both positive and negative, that are in place to assure the achievement of overall goals.
Program administration
The bill includes $362,000,000 for program administration. This amount is the same as the fiscal year 1999 appropriation and $24,000,000 below the budget request. These funds support the staff and other costs of administering programs and activities at the Department. Items include personnel compensation and health, retirement and other benefits as well as travel, rent, telephones, utilities, postage fees, data processing, printing, equipment, supplies, technology training, consultants and other contractual services.
The Department is instructed to continue to provide information on revenues resulting from the actions of the inspector general as required in last year's House report.
Office for Civil Rights
The bill includes $66,000,000 for the salaries and expenses of the Office for Civil Rights. This amount is the same as the fiscal year 1999 appropriation and $7,262,000 below the budget request. This Office is responsible for enforcing laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, and age in all programs and institutions that receive funds from the Department. These laws extend to 50 State educational agencies, 16,000 local educational agencies, 110,000 institutions of higher education, as well as to proprietary schools, State rehabilitation agencies, libraries, and other institutions receiving Federal funds.
Office of the Inspector General
The bill includes $31,242,000 for the Office of the Inspector General. This amount is the same as the fiscal year 1999 appropriation and $2,758,000 below the budget request. This Office has authority to inquire into all program and administrative activities of the Departments as well as into related activities of grant and contract recipients. It conducts audits and investigations to determine compliance with applicable laws and regulations, to check alleged fraud and abuse, efficiency of operations, and effectiveness of results.
The Committee expects the Inspector General to continue reporting to the Committee on actual collections, offsets and funds put to better use as a result of the Office's actions and investigations as required by the fiscal year 1999 House report (105-635) and as agreed upon by the Committee and the Office of the Inspector General.
General Provisions
The bill includes an amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 which would allow local projects to continue to participate in the Title I Even Start Family Literacy programs after eight years. Current law limits local projects to eight years of federal funding and gradually reduces the federal share of funding on an annual basis, down to 50 percent in the eighth year. This amendment reduces the federal share for the 9th and succeeding years to 35 percent. In addition, the amendment adds additional accountability provisions requiring States to monitor the progress of grantees to insure they are meeting state performance standards and allowing States to refuse additional funding to projects which are not meeting the program objectives and state performance standards.
The bill includes a technical amendment to the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1999.
The bill includes an amendment which freezes administrative spending on the William D. Ford Direct Student Loan program at the fiscal year 1999 level, consistent with other salaries and expenses accounts in this bill.
TITLE IV--RELATED AGENCIES
ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME
The bill provides authority to expend $68,295,000 from the Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund for operations and capital activities at the United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home and the United States Naval Home, a decrease of $2,450,000 below the comparable fiscal year 1999 authority and the same as the budget request.
Operations
The bill provides authority to expend $55,599,000 from the Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund for operations of the United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home and the United States Naval Home, an increase of $571,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1999 authority and the same as the budget request.
Capital outlay
The bill provides authority to expend $12,696,000 from the Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund for capital activities at the Soldiers' and Airmen's Home and the United States Naval Home, a decrease of $3,021,000 below the comparable fiscal year 1999 authority and the same as the budget request. The Committee supports the capital proposal submitted by the AFRH, the largest component of which is construction of a health care facility and repair of hurricane damage at the United States Naval Home.
CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
DOMESTIC VOLUNTEER SERVICE PROGRAMS
The bill provides $274,959,000 for the Domestic Volunteer Service Programs that are administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The recommended amount is $1,880,000 below the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation and $24,573,000 below the budget request. Appropriations for these programs are not authorized in law for fiscal year 2000. Funding for the Americorps program that is also administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service is provided in the VA/HUD and Independent Agencies appropriations bill.
The Committee directs the Corporation not to reduce funding for traditional VISTA and senior volunteer programs below the amounts allocated for fiscal year 1999. In addition, the Committee directs the Corporation not to reduce the number of traditional VISTAs or senior volunteers below fiscal year 1999 levels.
VISTA
The bill provides $73,000,000 for the Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program, the same as fiscal year 1999 and $8,000,000 below the budget request. The VISTA program supports individuals who recruit volunteers and organize community volunteer activities but who do not provide direct volunteer services.
National Senior Volunteer Corps
The bill provides a total of $172,830,000 for the National Senior Volunteer Corps, $1,080,000 below fiscal year 1999 and $12,202,000 below the budget request.
The bill provides $93,256,000 for the Foster Grandparents program, the same as fiscal year 1999 and $1,744,000 below the budget request. This program provides volunteer service opportunities for low-income people aged 60 and over.
The bill provides $36,573,000 for the Senior Companion program, the same as the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation and $2,458,000 below the budget request. The program provides project grants to private, non-profit organizations and State and local public agencies to offer volunteer service opportunities to low-income individuals aged 60 and over. These volunteers assist older adults with physical, mental or emotional impairments that put them at risk for institutionalization.
The bill provides $43,001,000 for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), the same as the fiscal year 1999 appropriation and $3,000,000 below the budget request. This program provides part-time volunteer service opportunities for low-income individuals aged 55 and over to recruit volunteers and organize volunteer activities relating to a variety of social needs.
The Committee does not recommend funding for the senior demonstration program. The request includes $5,000,000 for this purpose. The Committee continues to express serious concern that demonstration programs pay non-taxable, non-income stipends to people who do not meet the income guidelines established by Congress for other senior service programs. The Committee notes that providing these stipends to individuals who are wealthier than the statutory thresholds denies other eligible seniors who have greater financial need the opportunity to serve.
The Domestic Volunteer Service Act, which provides authority for the senior service programs, expired in 1996. The Committee understands that the authorizing committees of jurisdiction are currently considering changes to this law. The Committee believes that funding for demonstration programs that do not comply with current program income guidelines should be curtailed pending this reauthorization. The Committee will consider funding for demonstration activities at such time as these activities are reauthorized.
Program administration
The bill provides $29,129,000 for program administration, the same as the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation and $4,371,000 below the budget request.
The Committee recognizes that the Corporation for National and Community Service has experienced tremendous financial problems during the past several fiscal years. The Committee is pleased that the Corporation has taken steps to remedy this situation, including the implementation of a financial management system and hiring a chief financial officer.
CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING
The bill provides $340,000,000 in advance funding for fiscal year 2002 for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the same as the comparable appropriation for fiscal year 2001 and $10,000,000 below the budget request. Appropriations for the CPB are not authorized in law for fiscal year 2002.
The Committee remains extremely concerned and disappointed by recent reports that public broadcasting stations have traded or sold their donor lists to political organizations. The Committee is pleased that CPB has issued new grant criteria for public television stations which prohibits such exchanges in the future.
The bill also includes $10,000,000 in fiscal year 2000 funding for CPB digital conversion activities, if such activities are authorized in law by September 30, 2000. Digital activities are currently unauthorized.
FEDERAL MEDIATION AND CONCILIATION SERVICE
The bill provides $34,620,000 for the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), the same as fiscal year 1999 and a decrease of $2,214,000 below the budget request. The Committee commends the Service on implementation of its strategic plan to improve long-term efficiency and reduce administrative overhead.
The FMCS attempts to prevent and minimize labor-management disputes having a significant impact on interstate commerce or national defense, except in the railroad and airline industries. The agency convenes boards of inquiry appointed by the President in emergency disputes and conducts dispute mediation, preventive mediation, and arbitration. In addition, the Service offers alternative dispute resolution services and training to other Federal agencies to reduce litigation costs and speed Federal administrative proceedings.
The bill also includes provisions first enacted in the fiscal year 1996 Appropriations Act granting the agency the authority to accept gifts and to charge fees for certain services.
FEDERAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION
The bill provides $6,060,000 for the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, the same as fiscal year 1999 and $99,000 below the budget request. The Commission is responsible for reviewing the enforcement activities of the Secretary of Labor under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act. The Commission's administrative law judges hear and decide cases initiated by the Secretary of Labor, mine operators, or miners. The five-member Commission hears appeals from administrative law judge decisions, rules on petitions for discretionary review, and may direct, of its own initiative, review of cases that present unusual questions of law.
INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES
The Committee recommends $149,500,000 for the Institute of Museum and Library Services, $16,675,000 below the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation and $5,000,000 below the budget request. The Institute makes state formula grants for library services and discretionary national grants for joint library and museum projects.
The Committee does not recommend funding the $5,000,000 National Digital Library initiative for the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Digitization projects are already funded under the National Leadership Grants for Libraries program. The Committee believes that more quality Internet access should be available in public and school libraries before this initiative is funded.
MEDICARE PAYMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION
The Committee recommends $7,015,000 for the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, the same as the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation and the budget request. The Commission advises Congress on matters of physician and hospital reimbursement under the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
NATIONAL COMMISSION ON LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION SCIENCE
The bill provides $1,000,000 for the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science, the same as the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation and $300,000 below the budget request. The Commission advises the President and Congress on national policy in the library and information fields, developing overall plans for meeting national library and information needs, and coordinating activities at the Federal, State and local levels. Pursuant to the 1996 reauthorization of Federal library programs, the Commission advises the Institute on Museum and Library Services regarding implementation of the new library legislation.
NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY
The bill provides $2,344,000 for the National Council on Disability (NCD), the same as fiscal year 1999 and a decrease of $56,000 below the budget request. The Council monitors implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act and makes recommendations to the President, the Congress, the Rehabilitation Services Administration, and the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research on public policy issues of concern to individuals with disabilities.
The Committee continues to encourage NCD to augment its appropriation with other sources of Federal and non-Federal revenues including grants and contracts.
NATIONAL EDUCATION GOALS PANEL
The bill provides $2,100,000 for the National Education Goals Panel (NEGP), the same as fiscal year 1999 and $150,000 below the budget request. The NEGP was established in 1990 following the National Education Summit held in September 1989. The Panel reports on National and State progress toward achieving the National education goals, works with states to develop high academic standards and assessments, identifies promising and effective practices at the local level, assists states and communities with their progress reports, and helps build a bipartisan consensus for education improvement.
NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
The bill provides $174,661,000 for the National Labor Relations Board, $9,790,000 below fiscal year 1999 and $35,532,000 below the budget request.
The NLRB receives, investigates, and prosecutes unfair labor practice charges filed by businesses, labor unions, and individuals. It also schedules and conducts representation elections. The five-member Board considers cases in which administrative law judge decisions are appealed.
The Committee understands that various proposals to restructure or close certain regional or subregional offices have been under consideration for some time. The Committee encourages the Board to continue these discussions and to come to a decision soon in an effort to streamline the processing of cases.
NATIONAL MEDIATION BOARD
The bill provides $8,400,000 for the National Mediation Board (NMB), the same as the fiscal year 1999 level and $700,000 below the budget request. The NMB mediates labor disputes between employees and railroad and airline carriers subject to the Railway Labor Act. The Board also resolves representation disputes involving labor organizations seeking to represent railroad or airline employees.
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION
The bill provides $8,100,000 for the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC), the same as the fiscal year 1999 level and $400,000 below the budget request. The Commission adjudicates contested citations issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) against employers for violations of safety and health standards. The Commission's administrative law judges settle and decide cases at the initial level of review. The agency's three appointed Commissioners also review cases, issue rulings on complicated issues, and may direct review of any decision by an administrative law judge.
RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD
DUAL BENEFITS ACCOUNT
The bill provides $175,000,000 for dual benefits, the same as the request and a reduction of $14,000,000 below the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation. These funds are used to pay dual benefits to those retirees receiving both railroad retirement and social security benefits. The bill includes a provision permitting a portion of these funds to be derived from income tax receipts on dual benefits as authorized by law. The Railroad Retirement Board estimates that approximately $10,000,000 may be derived in this manner.
FEDERAL PAYMENT TO THE RAILROAD RETIREMENT ACCOUNT
The bill provides $150,000 for the interest earned on unnegotiated checks, the same as the budget request and the comparable amount provided for fiscal year 1999.
LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATION
The bill provides a consolidated limitation of $90,000,000 on the expenditure of railroad retirement and railroad unemployment trust funds for administrative expenses of the Railroad Retirement Board, $3,500,000 above the budget request and the same as the comparable fiscal year 1999 limitation. The bill includes a provision from the fiscal year 1999 Appropriations Act prohibiting the transfer of resources formerly identified in a Memorandum of Understanding from the RRB to the Inspector General.
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) administers comprehensive retirement-survivor and unemployment-sickness insurance benefit programs for railroad workers and their families. This account limits the amount of funds in the railroad retirement and railroad unemployment insurance trust funds that may be used by the RRB for administrative expenses.
The Committee is pleased with the management of the Board and reiterates its interest in quickly and comprehensively implementing the Government Performance and Results Act.
LIMITATION ON THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
The bill provides authority to expend $5,400,000 from the railroad retirement and railroad unemployment insurance trust funds for the Office of Inspector General, the same as the budget request and $200,000 below the comparable fiscal year 1999 limitation. This account provides funding for the Inspector General to conduct and supervise audits and investigations of programs and operations of the Board.
The Committee expects the Inspector General to continue reporting to the Committee on actual collections, offsets and funds put to better use as a result of the Office's actions and investigations as required by the fiscal year 1999 House report (105-635) and as agreed upon by the Committee and the Office of the Inspector General.
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
PAYMENTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUNDS
The bill provides $20,764,000 for mandatory payments necessary to compensate the Old Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) and Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Funds for special payments to certain uninsured persons (for which no payroll tax is received), costs incurred for administration of pension reform activities and interest lost on the value of benefit checks issued but not negotiated. This amount is the same as the budget request and $1,075,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation. This appropriation restores the trust funds to the position they would have been in had they not borne these costs properly charged to the general funds. The amount provided includes $364,000 for the cost of special payments to a declining population of uninsured persons who were at least 72 years of age in 1968 and attained retirement age before they could accumulate sufficient wage credits to qualify for benefits under the normal retirement formulas. This account also includes $3,400,000 for reimbursements to the trust funds for administrative costs incurred in providing private pension plan information to individuals and $17,000,000 to reimburse the trust funds for the value of the interest for benefit checks issued but not negotiated.
SPECIAL BENEFITS FOR DISABLED COAL MINERS
The bill provides $524,638,000 for special benefits for disabled coal miners, the same as the budget request and $22,165,000 below the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation. This amount does not include $124,000,000 in advance funding provided in this bill for the first quarter of fiscal year 2001, but does include $141,000,000 in advance funding for fiscal year 2000 which was provided in the fiscal year 1999 Appropriations Act. The appropriation provides cash benefits to miners who are disabled because of black lung disease and to widows and children of such miners. The Social Security Administration was responsible for taking, processing, and paying claims for miners' benefits filed from December 30, 1969 through June 30, 1973. Since that time, SSA has continued to take claims but forwards most to the Department of Labor for adjudication and payment. The SSA will continue to be responsible for paying benefits and maintaining the beneficiary roll for the lifetime of all persons who filed during its jurisdiction. During fiscal year 2000, SSA expects to provide benefits to 97,000 miners, widows, and dependents who will receive a basic benefit rate of $488.00.
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM
The bill provides $21,474,000,000 for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, not including $9,550,000,000 in fiscal year 2000 funding provided in the fiscal year 1999 Appropriations Act and not including $9,890,000,000 in advance funding provided in the bill for the first quarter of fiscal year 2001. The appropriation is $89,000,000 below the budget request and $321,000,000 below the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation. These funds are used to pay Federal cash benefits to approximately 6,355,000 aged, blind, and disabled persons with little or no income. The maximum monthly Federal benefit in fiscal year 2000 is expected to be $512 for an individual and $769 for an eligible couple. In addition to Federal benefits, the SSA administers a program of supplementary State benefits for those States that choose to participate. The funds are also used to reimburse the trust funds for the administrative costs of the program. The SSI appropriation includes $64,000,000 for beneficiary services, an increase of $3,000,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation and the same as the budget request. This funding reimburses State vocational rehabilitation services agencies for successful rehabilitation of SSI recipients.
Within the appropriation for SSI, the Committee provides $24,000,000 for research and demonstration activities conducted under section 1110 of the Social Security Act, the same as the request. The bill provides an additional $200,000,000 to process continuing disability reviews (CDRs) related to the SSI caseload as authorized by P.L. 104-121, the same as the budget request and an increase of $23,000,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation.
LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
The bill provides a limitation on administrative expenses for the Social Security Administration (SSA) of $5,996,000,000 to be funded from the Social Security and Medicare trust funds, the same as the comparable fiscal year 1999 limitation and a decrease of $206,000,000 below the budget request. The bill provides that not less than $1,800,000 within the limitation on administration shall be available for the Social Security Advisory Board, the same as the budget request and $200,000 more than the comparable fiscal year 1999 amount.
The Committee has noted in previous reports that victims of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome face substantial obstacles in applying for Social Security Disability Insurance. The Committee is pleased that SSA has issued a ruling clarifying the proper adjudication of CFS disability claims. Given the long history of difficulty in obtaining benefits by CFS sufferers, the Committee urges SSA to undertake an aggressive training program to assure that the new ruling is understood and implemented in considering claims by CFS sufferers. The Committee also supports the formation of an active CFIDS advisory committee within SSA. Finally, the Committee encourages SSA to continue its review of the obstacles to benefits for persons with CFIDS, to assess the impact of the new ruling and to keep medical information updated throughout all levels of the application and review process.
User fees
In addition to other amounts provided in the bill, the Committee recommends an additional limitation of $80,000,000 for administrative activities funded from user fees that were authorized in the fiscal year 1999 Appropriations Act. This is the same as the request and an increase of $5,000,000 over the comparable fiscal year 1999 amount.
Continuing disability reviews
The bill provides an additional $405,000,000 for continuing disability reviews (CDRs) above the base amount of $200,000,000 provided in the regular limitation on administration. This amount rep-resents an increase of $50,000,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation and is the same as the budget request. The Committee has provided this funding with the expectation that processing of additional CDRs will reduce trust fund liabilities far in excess of the cost of such processing.
Automation funding
The bill makes $100,000,000 available for necessary expenses, which was previously available for automation.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
The bill provides $12,000,000 for the Office of the Inspector General, the same as the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation and a decrease of $3,000,000 below the budget request. The bill also provides authority to expend $44,000,000 from the Social Security trust funds for activities conducted by the Inspector General, the same as the comparable fiscal year 1999 appropriation and a decrease of $7,000,000 below the budget request.
UNITED STATES INSTITUTE OF PEACE
The bill provides $12,160,000 for the United States Institute of Peace, the same as fiscal year 1999 and $840,000 below the budget request. The Institute was created in 1984 to provide education and training, basic and applied research, and information services to promote conflict resolution.
TITLE VI
NEWBORN AND INFANT HEARING SCREENING AND INTERVENTION
The Committee agrees that there is a need for States to have the ability and assistance to set up newborn infant hearing screening programs on a voluntary basis to help ensure that infants are exposed in infancy to the best communications modalities possible for each child. Children who are identified with hearing loss later in childhood risk developmental, social, and academic delays. Scientific data from the University of Colorado now shows that children tested for hearing loss by age three months and given intensive intervention by the first six months can develop communications skills on par with their normal hearing counterparts.
The Committee has included bill language authorizing grants to States on a voluntary basis for a three-year period to aid in setting up newborn infant hearing screening programs. This language authorizes funding for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the implementation of these programs and provides that State programs shall work with participants to ensure that all children are given options for care to include, but not be limited to medical, audiologic, rehabilitative, education, and community service programs.
The Committee has provided $2,500,000 to HRSA and $2,500,000 to CDC to begin implementing this new program. HRSA is encouraged to support statewide newborn and infant hearing screening, evaluation, and intervention programs and services and CDC is encouraged to provide technical assistance for data management and applied research. In addition, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders is encouraged to enhance research on the efficacy of new screening techniques and technology for newborn infants.
TITLE IX
EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT
The Committee directs the General Accounting Office to conduct a study of the impact on EITC recipients with respect to a disbursement over 12 months versus the current one-time, lump sum payment.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REPORT REQUIREMENTS
The following items are included in accordance with various requirements of the Rules of the House of Representatives:
CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY
Clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives states that:
Each report of a committee on a public bill or public joint resolution shall contain the following: (1) A statement citing the specific powers granted to Congress in the Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or joint resolution.
The Committee on Appropriations bases its authority to report this legislation on Clause 7 of Section 9 of Article I of the Constitution of the United States of America which states:
No money shall be drawn from the Treasury but in consequence of Appropriations made by law * * *.
Appropriations contained in this Act are made pursuant to this specific power granted by the Constitution.
COMPARISON WITH BUDGET RESOLUTION
Clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives requires an explanation of compliance with section 308(a)(1)(A) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-344), as amended, which requires that the report accompanying a bill providing new budget authority contain a statement detailing how the authority compares with the report submitted under section 302 of the Act for the most recently agreed to concurrent resolution on the budget for the fiscal year. This information follows:
[In millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------
Sec. 302(b) This bill
Budget authority Outlays Budget authority Outlays
----------------------------------------------------------------
Discretionary 73,028 75,108 77,035 75,908
Mandatory 233,459 233,644 233,459 233,644
Total 306,487 308,752 310,494 309,552
----------------------------------------------------------------
In accordance with the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-344), as amended, the following information was provided to the Committee by the Congressional Budget Office:
FIVE-YEAR PROJECTIONS
In compliance with section 308(a)(1)(B) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-344), as amended, the following table contains five-year projections associated with the budget authority provided in the accompanying bill:
| [In millions of dollars] | |
| Budget authority in the bill | 254,339 |
| Outlays: | |
| 2000 | 202,956 |
| 2001 | 85,703 |
| 2002 | 14,739 |
| 2003 | 2,016 |
| 2004 | 646 |
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
In accordance with section 308(a)(1)(C) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-344), as amended, the financial assistance to State and local governments is as follows:
| [In millions of dollars] | |
| Budget authority | 25,017 |
| Fiscal year 2000 outlays resulting therefrom | 9,529 |
TRANSFER OF FUNDS
Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2), rule XIII of the House of Representatives, the following table is submitted describing the transfers of funds provided in the accompanying bill.
The table shows, by Department and agency, the appropriations affected by such transfers.
APPROPRIATION TRANSFERS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account to which transfer is to be made Amount Account from which transfer is to be made Amount
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Department of Labor: Employment Standards Administration: U.S. Postal Service:
Special Benefits ( 1 ) Postal Service fund ( 1 )
Salaries and expenses $28,676,000 Black lung disability trust fund $28,676,000
Departmental management:
Salaries and expenses 20,422,000 Black lung disability trust fund 20,422,000
Office of Inspector General 306,000 Black lung disability trust fund 306,000
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RESCISSIONS
Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2), rule XIII of the House of Representatives, the following table is submitted describing the rescissions recommended in the accompanying bill.
RESCISSIONS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL
| Department of Health and Human Services: Children and Families Services Programs | $21,000,000. |
COMPLIANCE WITH RULE XIII, CL. 3 (RAMSEYER RULE)
In compliance with clause 3 of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in roman):
ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT OF 1965
* * * * * * *
PART I--ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY PROGRAMS
* * * * * * *
TITLE I--HELPING DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN MEET HIGH STANDARDS
* * * * * * *
PART B--EVEN START FAMILY LITERACY PROGRAMS
* * * * * * *
SEC. 1204. USES OF FUNDS.
- (a) * * *
- (b) FEDERAL SHARE LIMITATION-
- (1) IN GENERAL- (A) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the Federal share under this part may not exceed--
- (i) 90 percent of the total cost of the program in the first year that such program receives assistance under this part or its predecessor authority;
- (ii) 80 percent in the second such year;
- (iii) 70 percent in the third such year;
- (iv) 60 percent in the fourth such year; [Struck out->]
[ and ][<-Struck out]- [Struck out->]
[ (v) 50 percent in any subsequent such year. ][<-Struck out]- (v) 50 percent in the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth such years; and
- (vi) 35 percent in any subsequent such year.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 1208. AWARD OF SUBGRANTS.
- (a) * * *
- (b) DURATION-
- (1) * * *
* * * * * * *
- [Struck out->]
[ (3) CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY- In awarding subgrant funds to continue a program under this part for the second, third, or fourth year, the State educational agency shall evaluate the program based on the indicators of program quality developed by the State under section 1210. Such evaluation shall take place after the conclusion of the startup period, if any. ][<-Struck out]- [Struck out->]
[ (4) INSUFFICIENT PROGRESS- The State educational agency may refuse to award subgrant funds if such agency finds that the eligible entity has not sufficiently improved the performance of the program, as evaluated based on the indicators of program quality developed by the State under section 1210, after-- ][<-Struck out]- [Struck out->]
[ (A) providing technical assistance to the eligible entity; and ][<-Struck out]- [Struck out->]
[ (B) affording the eligible entity notice and an opportunity for a hearing. ][<-Struck out]- (3) CONTINUING ELIGIBILITY- In awarding subgrant funds to continue a program under this part after the first year, the State educational agency shall review the progress of each eligible entity in meeting the objectives of the program and State performance indicators.
- (4) INSUFFICIENT PROGRESS- The State educational agency may refuse to award subgrant funds in a subsequent fiscal year if such agency finds that the eligible entity is not meeting State performance indicators and continues to fail to demonstrate that it is achieving substantial success in meeting the performance standards, after--
- (A) providing technical assistance to the eligible entity; and
- (B) affording the eligible entity notice and an opportunity for a hearing.
- (5) GRANT RENEWAL- (A) An eligible entity that has previously received a subgrant under this part may reapply under this part for additional subgrants. [Struck out->]
[ An eligible recipient may receive funds under this part for a period not to exceed eight years. ][<-Struck out]* * * * * * *
-
TITLE III OF THE DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1999
* * * * * * *
EDUCATION RESEARCH, STATISTICS, AND IMPROVEMENT
- For carrying out activities authorized by the Educational Research, Development, Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994, including part E; the National Education Statistics Act of 1994; section 2102 of title II, and parts A, B, I, and K and section 10601 of title X, and part C of title XIII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, as amended, and title VI of Public Law 103-227, $664,867,000: Provided, That $25,000,000 shall be available to demonstrate effective approaches to comprehensive school reform to be allocated and expended in accordance with the instructions relating to this activity in the statement of managers on the conference report accompanying Public Law 105-78 and in the statement of the managers on the conference report accompanying this Act: Provided further, That the funds made available for comprehensive school reform shall become available on July 1, 1999, and remain available through September 30, 2000, and in carrying out this initiative, the Secretary and the States shall support only approaches that show the most promise of enabling children to meet challenging State content standards and challenging State student performance standards based on reliable research and effective practices, and include an emphasis on basic academics and parental involvement: Provided further, That $16,000,000 of the funds made available for title X, part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, shall be carried out consistent with the subject areas outlined in the House and Senate reports and the statement of the managers, and should be administered in a manner consistent with current departmental practices and policies: Provided further, That, in addition to the $6,000,000 for Title VI of Public Law 103-227 and notwithstanding the provisions of section 601(c)(1)(C) of that Act, $1,000,000 shall be available to the Center for Civic Education to conduct a civic education program with Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and, consistent with the civics and government activities authorized in section 601(c)(3) of Public Law 103-227, to provide civic education assistance to democracies in developing countries. The term `developing countries' shall have the same meaning as the term `developing country' in the Education for the Deaf Act: Provided further, That of the amount provided for part A of title X of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, $2,000,000 shall be for a demonstration of full service community school sites in Charles County, Maryland, Westchester County, New York, Cranston, Rhode Island, and Skagit County, Washington; $2,000,000 shall be awarded to First Book for literacy programs; $1,750,000 shall be awarded to the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania for teaching of science education using the arts; $350,000 shall be awarded to the School of Education at the University of Montana and the Montana Board of Crime Control for community-based initiatives to promote non-violent behavior in schools; $1,000,000 shall be awarded to the NetDay organization to assist schools in connecting K-12 classrooms to the Internet; $1,000,000 shall be awarded to the National Museum of Women in the Arts; $1,000,000 shall be awarded to Youth Friends of Kansas City to improve attendance and academic performance; $750,000 shall be awarded to the Thornberry Center for Youth and Families, Kansas City, Missouri to assist at-risk children; $400,000 shall be for Bay Shore, New York for Literacy Education and Assessment Partnerships; $1,150,000 shall be awarded to provide technology assistance and for operation of a math/science learning center in Perry County, Kentucky; $100,000 shall be for Presidio School District, Texas for library equipment and materials; $1,200,000 shall be for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Consortium for Higher Education; $1,000,000 shall be for the Dowling College Global Learning Center [Struck out->]
[ at the former LaSalle Academy ][<-Struck out] in New York for a master teacher training and education center; $10,000,000 for continuing a demonstration of public school facilities repair and construction to the Iowa Department of Education; and $1,000,000 shall be awarded to the Hechkscher Museum of Art, Long Island, New York for incorporating arts into education curriculum: Provided further, That of the amount provided for part I of title X of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, $500,000 shall be for after school programs for the Chippewa Falls Area United School System, Wisconsin; $400,000 shall be for after-school programs for the Wausau School System, Wisconsin; $350,000 shall be for the New Rochelle School System, New York, after-school programs; $100,000 shall be for the New York Hall of Science, Queens, New York, after-school program; $25,000 shall be for Louisville Central Community Centers Youth Education Program to support after-school programming; $25,000 shall be for Canaan's Community Development Corporation in Louisville, Kentucky for the Village Learning Center after-school program; $300,000 shall be for the Bay Shore Community Learning Wellness and Fitness Center for Drug Free Lifestyles in Bay Shore, New York; $2,500,000 shall be for an after school anti-drug pilot program in the Chicago Public Schools; and $400,000 shall be for the Green Bay, Wisconsin Public School System after school program: Provided further, That $10,000,000 of the funds provided for the national education research institutes shall be allocated notwithstanding section 931(c)(2)(B) of Public Law 103-227.* * * * * * *
-
SECTION 458 OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION ACT OF 1965
SEC. 458. FUNDS FOR ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES.
- (a) ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES-
- (1) IN GENERAL- Each fiscal year there shall be available to the Secretary, from funds not otherwise appropriated, funds to be obligated for--
- (A) administrative costs under this part and part B, including the costs of the direct student loan programs under this part; and
- (B) account maintenance fees payable to guaranty agencies under part B and calculated in accordance with subsections (b) and (c),
- not to exceed (from such funds not otherwise appropriated) $617,000,000 in fiscal year 1999, [Struck out->]
[ $735,000,000 ][<-Struck out] $617,000,000 in fiscal year 2000, $770,000,000 in fiscal year 2001, $780,000,000 in fiscal year 2002, and $795,000,000 in fiscal year 2003.-
TITLE XIX OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT
TITLE XIX--BLOCK GRANTS
* * * * * * *
PART B--BLOCK GRANTS REGARDING MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Subpart I--Block Grants for Community Mental Health Services
* * * * * * *
SEC. 1918. DETERMINATION OF AMOUNT OF ALLOTMENT.
- (a) * * *
- [Struck out->]
[ (b) MINIMUM ALLOTMENTS FOR STATES- ][<-Struck out]- [Struck out->]
[ (1) IN GENERAL- With respect to fiscal year 1999, the amount of the allotment of a State under section 1911 shall not be less than the amount the State received under section 1911 for fiscal year 1998. ][<-Struck out]- (b) MINIMUM ALLOTMENTS FOR STATES- With respect to fiscal year 2000, the amount of the allotment of a State under section 1911 shall not be less than the amount the State received under section 1911 for fiscal year 1998.
* * * * * * *
Subpart II--Block Grants for Prevention and Treatment of Substance Abuse
* * * * * * *
SEC. 1933. DETERMINATION OF AMOUNT OF ALLOTMENT.
- (a) * * *
- [Struck out->]
[ (b) MINIMUM ALLOTMENTS FOR STATES- ][<-Struck out]- [Struck out->]
[ (1) IN GENERAL- With respect to fiscal year 1999, the amount of the allotment of a State under section 1921 shall not be less than the amount the State received under section 1921 for fiscal year 1998 increased by 30.65 percent of the percentage by which the amount allotted to the States for fiscal year 1999 exceeds the amount allotted to the States for fiscal year 1998. ][<-Struck out]- [Struck out->]
[ (2) LIMITATION- ][<-Struck out]- [Struck out->]
[ (A) IN GENERAL- Except as provided in subparagraph (B), a State shall not receive an allotment under section 1921 for fiscal year 1999 in an amount that is less than an amount equal to 0.375 percent of the amount appropriated under section 1935(a) for such fiscal year. ][<-Struck out]- [Struck out->]
[ (B) EXCEPTION- In applying subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall ensure that no State receives an increase in its allotment under section 1921 for fiscal year 1999 (as compared to the amount allotted to the State in the fiscal year 1998) that is in excess of an amount equal to 300 percent of the percentage by which the amount appropriated under section 1935(a) for fiscal year 1999 exceeds the amount appropriated for the prior fiscal year. ][<-Struck out]- [Struck out->]
[ (3) Only for the purposes of calculating minimum allotments under this subsection, any reference to the amount appropriated under section 1935(a) for fiscal year 1998, allotments to States under section 21 and any references to amounts received by States in fiscal year 1998 shall include amounts appropriated or received under the amendments made by section 105 of the Contract with America Advancement Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-121). ][<-Struck out]- (b) MINIMUM ALLOTMENTS FOR STATES- Each State's allotment for fiscal year 2000 for programs under this subpart shall be equal to such State's allotment for such programs for fiscal year 1999.
* * * * * * *
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SECTION 14 OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS ACT
SEC. 14. (a) * * *
* * * * * * *
[Struck out->][ (c)(1) The Board, in its discretion, may, by rule of decision or by published rules adopted pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act, decline to assert jurisdiction over any labor dispute involving any class or category of employers, where, in the opinion of the Board, the effect of such labor dispute on commerce is not sufficiently substantial to warrant the exercise of its jurisdiction: Provided, That the Board shall not decline to assert jurisdiction over any labor dispute over which it would assert jurisdiction under the standards prevailing upon August 1, 1959. ][<-Struck out]
(c)(1)(A) MANDATORY JURISDICTION- The Board shall assert jurisdiction over any labor dispute involving any class or category of employers over which it would assert jurisdiction under the standards prevailing on August 1, 1959, with the financial threshold amounts adjusted for inflation under subparagraph (B).
(B) INFLATION ADJUSTMENTS- The Board, beginning on October 1, 1999, and not less often than every 5 years thereafter, shall adjust each of the financial threshold amounts referred to in subparagraph (a) for inflation, using as the base period the later of (i) the most recent calendar quarter ending before the financial threshold amount was established, or (ii) the calendar quarter ending June 30, 1959. The inflation adjustments shall be determined using changes in the Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers published by the Department of Labor and shall be rounded to the nearest $10,000. The Board shall prescribe any regulations necessary for making the inflation adjustments.
* * * * * * *
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986
* * * * * * *
Subtitle C--Employment Taxes
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 25--GENERAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT TAXES
* * * * * * *
SEC. 3507. ADVANCE PAYMENT OF EARNED INCOME CREDIT.
- (a) * * *
* * * * * * *
- (g) TERMINATION-
- (1) IN GENERAL- This section shall not apply after September 30, 1999.
- (2) EXCEPTION FOR CERTIFICATES IN EFFECT- Paragraph (1) shall not apply to earned income eligibility certificates in effect on September 30, 1999, and to renewals of such certificates which are so in effect.
* * * * * * *
Subtitle F--Procedure and Administration
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 65--ABATEMENTS, CREDITS, AND REFUNDS
* * * * * * *
Subchapter A--Procedure in General
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SEC. 6402. AUTHORITY TO MAKE CREDITS OR REFUNDS.
- (a) GENERAL RULE- In the case of any overpayment, the Secretary, within the applicable period of limitations, may credit the amount of such overpayment, including any interest allowed thereon, against any liability in respect of an internal revenue tax on the part of the person who made the overpayment and shall, subject to subsections [Struck out->]
[ (c) and (e) ][<-Struck out] (c), (d), and (l), refund any balance to such person.* * * * * * *
- (l) INSTALLMENT PAYMENTS OF EARNED INCOME CREDIT REFUNDS-
- (1) IN GENERAL- Earned income credit refunds shall be paid in 12 substantially equal installments with--
- (A) the first installment payable without regard to this subsection,
- (B) the second installment payable not later than the 90th day after the first installment is paid, and
- (C) the remaining installments payable at monthly intervals over the 10 months following the month in which the second installment is paid.
- (2) EARNED INCOME CREDIT REFUNDS- For purposes of this subsection, the term `earned income credit refund' means, with respect to any taxable year, the lesser of--
- (A) the credit allowed by section 32 for such year (determined without regard to section 32(n)), or
- (B) the overpayment for such year determined after the reductions under subsections (c), (d), and (e) and without regard to the credit under section 31.
- (3) EXCEPTION IF EARNED INCOME CREDIT REFUND IS $600 OR LESS- Paragraph (1) shall not apply to any earned income credit refund which does not exceed $600 for the taxable year.
- (4) INTEREST- Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, interest shall not be allowed or paid on--
- (A) any earned income credit refund payable in installments under this subsection, or
- (B) any such installment under this subsection which is paid within 45 days after the due date for the payment of such installment.
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SECTION 455 OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION ACT OF 1965
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SEC. 455. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF LOANS.
- (a) * * *
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- (c) LOAN FEE- [Struck out->]
[ The Secretary shall ][<-Struck out] Notwithstanding subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall charge the borrower of a loan made under this part an origination fee of 4.0 percent of the principal amount of loan. For purposes of subsection (a)(1), this subsection is one of many provisions of this part that specifies a term, condition, or benefit of a loan under this part that is different than the terms, conditions, and benefits of loans made to borrowers under sections 428, 428B, and 428H of this title.* * * * * * *
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SECTION 203 OF THE NATIONAL HOUSING ACT
SEC. 203. (a) * * *
* * * * * * *
(c)(1) * * *
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, each mortgage secured by a 1- to 4-family dwelling and executed on or after October 1, 1994, that is an obligation of the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund or of the General Insurance Fund pursuant to subsection (v), shall be subject to the following requirements:
- (A) The Secretary shall establish and collect, at the time of insurance, a single premium payment in an amount not exceeding 2.25 percent of the amount of the original insured principal obligation of the mortgage. In the case of a mortgage for which the mortgagor is a first-time homebuyer who completes a program of counseling with respect to the responsibilities and financial management involved in homeownership that is approved by the Secretary, the premium payment under this subparagraph shall not exceed 2.0 percent of the amount of the original insured principal obligation of the mortgage. Upon payment in full of the principal obligation of a mortgage prior to the maturity date of the mortgage, the Secretary shall refund all of the unearned premium charges paid on the mortgage pursuant to this subparagraph. Notwithstanding any other provision of this section or section 205, in the case of a mortgage executed after the date of the enactment of this sentence, the entire premium charge collected pursuant to this subparagraph shall be considered to be earned by the Secretary at the time of insurance, and no portion of the premium charge collected may be refunded to the mortgagor as unearned.
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CHANGES IN APPLICATION OF EXISTING LAW
Pursuant to clause 3, rule XIII of the House of Representatives, the following statements are submitted describing the effect of provisions in the accompanying bill which may directly or indirectly change the application of existing law.
In some instances the bill includes appropriations for certain ongoing programs which are not yet authorized for fiscal year 2000.
The bill provides that appropriations shall remain available for more than one year for some programs for which the basic authorizing legislation does not presently authorize such extended availability.
In various places in the bill, the Committee has earmarked funds within appropriation accounts in order to fund specific sections of a law. Whether these actions constitute a change in the application of existing law is subject to individual interpretation, but the Committee felt that this fact should be mentioned.
In several instances, the bill provides advance appropriations for fiscal year 2001 for programs for which such advances are not authorized by law.
TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
Language prohibiting the use of funds from any other appropriation to provide meal services at or for Job Corps centers.
STATE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OPERATIONS
Language allowing the use of funds for amortization payments to States which had independent retirement plans in their State employment service agencies prior to 1980.
Language allowing the Labor Department to withhold from State allotments funds available for penalty mail under the Wagner-Peyser Act.
Language providing that funds in this Act for one-stop career centers may be used for contracts, grants or agreements with non-State entities.
Language providing that funds in this Act may be used by the States for integrated Employment Service and Unemployment Insurance automation efforts.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS ADMINISTRATION
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Language authorizing the Secretary of Labor to accept and spend all sums of money ordered to be paid to the Secretary, in accordance with the terms of a Consent Judgment in U.S. District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands.
Language authorizing the Secretary of Labor to collect user fees for processing certain applications and issuing certain certificates and registrations under the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act.
SPECIAL BENEFITS
Language providing funds may be used under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act in which the Secretary of Labor may reimburse an employer, who is not the employer at the time of injury, for portions of the salary of a reemployed, disabled beneficiary.
Language allowing the Secretary of Labor to transfer certain administrative funds from the Postal Service fund and certain other government corporations and agencies related to the administration of the Federal Employees' Compensation Act.
Language allowing the Secretary of Labor to require any person filing a claim for benefits under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act or the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act to provide such identifying information as the Secretary may require, including a Social Security number.
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Language establishing a maximum amount available for grants to States under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which grants shall be no less than 50 percent of the costs of State programs required to be incurred under plans approved by the Secretary under section 18 of the Act.
Language authorizing the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to retain and spend up to $750,000 of training institute course tuition fees for training and education grants.
Language allowing the Secretary of Labor to collect and retain fees for services provided to Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories.
MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Language allowing the Mine Safety and Health Administration to collect up to $750,000 at the National Mine Health and Safety Academy for room, board, tuition, and the sale of training materials, otherwise authorized by law to be collected, to be available for mine safety and health education and training activities, notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302.
Language allowing the Mine Safety and Health Administration to purchase and bestow certificates and trophies in connection with mine rescue and first-aid work; to accept land, buildings, equipment, and other contributions from public and private sources; to prosecute projects in cooperation with other agencies, Federal, State, or private; and to promote health and safety education and training in the mining community through cooperative programs with States, industry, and safety associations.
Language allowing the Secretary of Labor to use any funds available to the Department to provide for the costs of mine rescue and survival operations in the event of major disasters.
DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Language providing that no funds made available by this Act may be used by the Solicitor of Labor to participate in a review in any United States court of appeals of any decision made by the Benefits Review Board under section 21 of the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act where such participation is precluded by the decision of the Supreme Court in Director, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs v. Newport News Shipbuilding, 115 S. Ct.1278 (1995), notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in Rule 15 of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Language providing that any decision under the Longshore Act pending before the Benefits Review Board for more than one year shall be considered affirmed by the Board and shall be considered the final order of the Board.
TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES
Language providing that the Division of Federal Occupational Health may utilize personal services contracting in certain instances.
Language providing that $25,000,000 from general revenues, notwithstanding section 1820(j) of the Social Security Act, shall be available for carrying out the Medicare rural hospital flexibility grants program under section 1820 of such Act.
Language providing that in addition to fees authorized by section 427(b) of the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 1986, fees shall be collected for the full disclosure of information under the Act sufficient to recover the full costs of operating the National Practitioner Data Bank, and shall remain available until expended to carry out that Act.
Language providing that all pregnancy counseling under the family planning program shall be nondirective.
Language identifying a specific amount for maternal and child health SPRANS activities, notwithstanding current law.
CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION
Language permitting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to insure official motor vehicles in foreign countries.
Language providing that collections from user fees may be credited to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention appropriation.
Language making amounts under section 241 of the Public Health Service Act available to carry out the National Center for Health Statistics surveys.
Language allowing the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to redirect certain funds appropriated under Public Law 101-502.
NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE
Language providing that the National Library of Medicine may enter into certain personal services contracts.
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
Language providing that the National Institutes of Health is authorized to collect third party payments for the cost of the clinical services that are incurred in NIH research facilities and that such payments shall be credited to the NIH Management Fund and shall remain available for one fiscal year after they are deposited.
Language providing the Director of NIH authority to transfer funds between appropriation accounts in this or any other Act.
Language permitting funds to be transferred from the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health to the National Institutes of Health, notwithstanding current law.
AGENCY FOR HEALTH CARE POLICY AND RESEARCH
Language is included to permit the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research to retain and expend amounts received from Freedom of Information Act fees, reimbursable and interagency agreements and the sale of data tapes.
HEALTH CARE FINANCING ADMINISTRATION
GRANTS TO STATES FOR MEDICAID
A provision that in the administration of title XIX of the Social Security Act, payments to a state for any quarter may be made with respect to a State plan or plan amendment in effect during any such quarter, if submitted in, or prior to, such quarter and approved in that or any such subsequent quarter.
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
A provision that all funds collected in accordance with section 353 of the Public Health Service Act, together with such sums as may be collected from authorized user fees, administrative fees collected relative to Medicare overpayment recovery activities, and the sale of data, shall be available for expenditure by the Health Care Financing Administration.
Language allowing fees charged in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 9701 to be credited to the Health Care Financing Administration administrative account.
Language limiting the amount of funds available from the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Account of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund.
ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
PAYMENTS TO STATES FOR CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT AND FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS
Language providing that the sum of the amounts available to a State with respect to expenditures under title IV-A of the Social Security Act in fiscal year 1997 under this appropriation and under such title IV-A as amended by the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 shall not exceed the limitations under section 116(b) of such Act.
LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE
Language declaring the fiscal year 2000 funds appropriated in P.L. 105-277 an emergency requirement under the Budget Act and requiring that such funds be allocated by the statutory formula.
REFUGEE AND ENTRANT ASSISTANCE
Language providing that funds appropriated pursuant to section 414(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act for fiscal years 1998 and 1999 shall be available for the costs of assistance provided and other activities through September 30, 2001.
SOCIAL SERVICES BLOCK GRANT
Language providing that notwithstanding section 2003(c) of the Social Security Act, the amount specified for allocation under such section for fiscal year 2000 shall be $1,909,000,000.
Language specifying that notwithstanding subparagraph (B) of section 404(d)(2) of the Social Security Act, the applicable percent specified under such subparagraph for a State for fiscal year 2000 shall be 4.25 percent.
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SERVICES PROGRAMS
Language providing that unexpended Community Services Block Grant funds may be carried over to the next fiscal year by local grantees.
ADMINISTRATION ON AGING
AGING SERVICES PROGRAMS
Language providing that State administrative costs under title III of the Older Americans Act shall not be reduced more than 5 percent below the amount that was available to each State in fiscal year 1995.
Language providing that in considering grant applications for nutrition services for elder Indian recipients, the Assistant Secretary for Aging shall provide maximum flexibility to applicants who seek to take into account subsistence, local customs, and other characteristics that are appropriate to the unique cultural, regional, and geographic needs of the American Indian, Alaska and Hawaiian Native communities to be served.
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
Language limiting the amount of funds available from the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Account of the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund.
TITLE III--DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
EDUCATION REFORM
Language setting aside up to one-half of one percent of certain technology funds for the outlying areas to be distributed by the Secretary; and language stating that if a State does not apply for a grant under section 3132 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Secretary shall use the State's share for grants directly to local educational agencies in that State that apply directly for the funds.
EDUCATION FOR THE DISADVANTAGED
The bill includes language providing that funds may be used by the Department of Education to obtain certain data from the Census Bureau.
Language providing that certain amounts shall be reserved for section 1308 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
Language providing that funds shall be available to demonstrate effective approaches to comprehensive school reform to be allocated and expended in accordance with the instructions relating to this activity in the statement of the managers on the conference reports accompanying Public Law 105-78 and Public Law 105-277 and that in carrying out this initiative, the Secretary and the States shall support only approaches that show the most promise of enabling children served by title I to meet challenging State content standards and challenging State student performance standards based on reliable research and effective practices, and include an emphasis on basic academics and parental involvement.
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS
Language providing that certain funding will be available for the Teacher Empowerment Act, if such legislation is enacted.
BILINGUAL AND IMMIGRANT EDUCATION
Language is included waiving section 7103(b) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.
The bill includes language providing that immigrant education funds may be allocated by States for competitive grants to local school districts.
NATIONAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF
GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY
The bill includes language providing that the National Technical Institute for the Deaf and Gallaudet University may use funds for their endowment programs at their discretion.
STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
The bill includes language providing that the maximum Pell grant a student may receive in the 2000-2001 academic year shall be $3,275.
The bill includes language providing that notwithstanding section 401(g) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, if the Secretary determines, prior to publication of the payment schedule for award year 2000-2001, that the funds included within this appropriation for Pell Grant awards for award year 2000-2001, and any funds available from the FY 1999 appropriation for Pell Grant awards, are insufficient to satisfy fully all such awards for which students are eligible, as calculated under section 401(b) of the Act, the amount paid for each such award shall be reduced by either a fixed or variable percentage, or by a fixed dollar amount, as determined in accordance with a schedule of reductions established by the Secretary for this purpose.
The bill includes language providing funds under Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants specifically for individuals who suffered financial harm from the hurricanes, and the flooding associated with the hurricanes, that struck the eastern United States in August and September 1999 and allowing the Secretary of Education to waive or modify any statutory or regulatory provision applicable to such program; and that notwithstanding the Higher Education Act, allocations from such additional funds shall not be taken into account in determining institutional allocations in future years.
HIGHER EDUCATION
The bill includes language providing that funds provided herein for carrying out part A, subpart 2 of title VII of the Higher Education Act of 1965 shall be available to fund awards for academic year 2000-2001 for fellowships under part A, subpart 1 of title VII of said Act, under the terms and conditions of part A, subpart 1.
HOWARD UNIVERSITY
The bill includes language providing that Howard University shall use not less than $3,530,000 for the endowment program pursuant to the Howard University Endowment Act.
EDUCATION RESEARCH, STATISTICS, AND IMPROVEMENT
The bill includes language providing that a certain amount shall be available to demonstrate effective approaches to comprehensive school reform to be allocated and expended in accordance with the instructions relating to this activity in the statement of managers on the conference reports accompanying Public Law 105-78 and Public Law 105-277 and that in carrying out this initiative, the Secretary and the States shall support only approaches that show the most promise of enabling children to meet challenging State content standards and challenging State student performance standards based on reliable research and effective practices, and include an emphasis on basic academics and parental involvement.
Language providing that $10,000,000 of the funds provided for the national education research institutes shall be allocated notwithstanding section 931(c)(2)(B) of Public Law 103-227.
TITLE IV--RELATED AGENCIES
ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME
Language providing that notwithstanding any other provision of law, a single contract or related contracts for development and construction, to include construction of a long-term care facility at the United States Naval Home, may be employed which collectively include the full scope of the project and providing that the solicitation and contract shall contain the clause `availability of funds' found at 48 CFR 52.232-18 and 252.232-7007, Limitation of Government Obligations.
CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING
Language providing that $10,000,000 shall be for digitalization, only if specifically authorized by subsequent legislation enacted by September 30, 2000.
FEDERAL MEDIATION AND CONCILIATION SERVICE
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
The bill includes language specifying that notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302, fees charged by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, up to full-cost recovery, for special training activities and for arbitration services shall be credited to and merged with its administrative account, and shall remain available until expended; that fees for arbitration services shall be available only for education, training, and professional development of the agency workforce; and that the Director of the Service is authorized to accept on behalf of the United States gifts of services and real, personal, or other property in the aid of any projects or functions within the Director's jurisdiction.
NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
The bill includes a provision requiring that appropriations to the NLRB shall not be available to organize or assist in organizing agricultural laborers or used in connection with investigations, hearings, directives, or orders concerning bargaining units composed of agricultural laborers as referred to in section 2(3) of the Act of July 5, 1935 (29 U.S.C. 152), and as amended by the Labor-Management Relations Act, 1947, as amended, and as defined in section 3(f) of the Act of June 25, 1938 (29 U.S.C. 203), and including in said definition employees engaged in the maintenance and operation of ditches, canals, reservoirs, and waterways, when maintained or operated on a mutual non-profit basis and at least 95 per centum of the water stored or supplied thereby is used for farming purposes.
NATIONAL MEDIATION BOARD
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Language providing that funds remaining unobligated at the end of the year that are not needed for emergency boards shall remain available for other statutory purposes for an additional year.
RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD
DUAL BENEFITS PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
The bill includes language providing that the total amount provided for railroad retirement dual benefits shall be credited to the Dual Benefits Payments Account in 12 approximately equal amounts on the first day of each month in the fiscal year.
LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATION
The bill includes language providing that the Railroad Retirement Board shall determine the allocation of its administrative budget between the railroad retirement accounts and the railroad unemployment insurance administration fund.
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Language providing that unobligated balances at the end of fiscal year 2000 shall remain available until expended for the agency's computing network, including related equipment and non-payroll administrative expenses associated solely with this network; language authorizing the use of up to $10,000 for official reception and representation expenses; and language providing that reimbursement to the trust funds under this heading for expenditures for official time for employees of the Social Security Administration pursuant to section 7131 of title 5, United States Code, and for facilities or support services for labor organizations pursuant to policies, regulations, or procedures referred to in section 7135(b) of such title shall be made by the Secretary of the Treasury, with interest, from amounts in the general fund not otherwise appropriated, as soon as possible after such expenditures are made.
Language providing that unobligated balances at the end of fiscal year 1999, not to exceed $50,000,000, shall be available notwithstanding a provision in Public Law 105-277; and language providing that funds previously made available under this heading for a state-of-the-art computing network, not to exceed $100,000,000, shall be available for necessary expenses under this heading, subject to the same terms and conditions.
Language providing that funds may be derived from administration fees collected pursuant to section 1616(d) of the Social Security Act or section 212(b)(3) of Public Law 93-66 and that, to the extent that the amounts collected pursuant to such sections in fiscal year 2000 exceed $80,000,000, the amounts shall be available in fiscal year 2001 only to the extent provided in advance in appropriations Acts.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
Language permitting the transfer of a certain amount of funds into this account from the SSA administrative account provided that the Appropriations Committees are promptly notified.
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sections 102, 201, 202, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 301, 302, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 501, 504, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 513 and 514 of the bill are general provisions, most of which have been carried in previous appropriations acts, which place limitations on the use of funds in the bill or authorize or require certain activities, and which might, under some circumstances, be construed as changing the application of existing law.
Title VI of the bill authorizes additional activities pertaining to early detection, diagnosis, and interventions for newborns and infants with hearing loss.
Title VII of the bill is the Child Protection Act of 1999 that requires any school or library receiving federal funds for the purchase of computers or computer related equipment to install an obscenity and child pornography filter on any computer to which minors have access.
Title VIII of the bill is a provision that effectively requires the NLRB to update for inflation the economic thresholds the agency uses to determine whether or not it has jurisdiction over a complaint. These thresholds have not been updated for inflation since the 1950s.
Title IX of the bill includes language amending Internal Revenue Code to require that Earned Income Tax Credit payments be paid on a monthly basis rather than in a lump sum annual payment. It also includes an amendment to the Higher Education Act concerning student loan origination fees and an amendment to the National Housing Act concerning the premium rebate for FHA home mortgages.
DEFINITION OF PROGRAM, PROJECT, AND ACTIVITY
During fiscal year 2000 for purposes of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Public Law 99-177), as amended, the following information provides the definition of the term `program, project, and activity' for departments and agencies under the jurisdiction of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee. The term `program, project, and activity' shall include the most specific level of budget items identified in the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2000, the accompanying House and Senate Committee reports, the conference report and accompanying joint explanatory statement of the managers of the committee of conference.
APPROPRIATIONS NOT AUTHORIZED BY LAW
Pursuant to clause 3 of rule XIII of the House of Representatives, the following table lists the appropriations in the accompanying bill which are not authorized by law:
TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
- Employment and Training Administration:
- National Skill Standards Board
- Homeless veterans
- Community Service Employment for Older Americans
- Trade Adjustment Assistance/NAFTA Transitional Adjustment Assistance
- Work Opportunity Tax Credit
- Welfare-to-Work Tax Credit
TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
- Health Resources and Services Administration:
- Organ Transplantation
- Health Teaching Facilities Interest Subsidies
- Family Planning
- Vaccine Injury Compensation Program: HRSA Administration
- Centers for Disease Control:
- Preventive Health Services Block Grant
- Sexually-transmitted diseases
- Injury control
National Institutes of Health (except National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Fogarty Center, Office of the Director and Buildings and Facilities)
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration:
- Mental Health Performance Partnership
- Children's Mental Health
- Grants to States for the Homeless
- Protection and Advocacy
- Substance Abuse Performance Partnership
- Agency for Health Care Policy and Research: Health Care Policy and Research
- Administration for Children and Families:
- Runaway and Homeless Youth
- Runaway Youth--Transitional Living
- Developmental Disabilities Program
- Native American Programs
- Administration on Aging: Aging Services Programs
- Office of the Secretary:
- Adolescent Family Life
TITLE III--DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
- School Improvement Programs:
- Teacher Empowerment Act
- Education Research, Statistics, and Improvement:
- National Assessment
- National Assessment Governing Board
TITLE IV--RELATED AGENCIES
- Corporation for National and Community Service: Domestic Volunteer Service Programs, Operating Expenses
- Corporation for Public Broadcasting:
- FY 2002 regular appropriation
- Digitalization program
FULL COMMITTEE VOTES
Pursuant to the provisions of clause 3(a)(1)(b) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives, the results of each rollcall vote on an amendment or on the motion to report, together with the names of those voting for and those voting against, are printed below:
ROLLCALL NO. 1
Date: September 30, 1999.
Measure: Labor, HHS, and Education Appropriations Bill, FY 2000.
Motion by: Ms. Pelosi.
Description of Motion: To strike a provision prohibiting the use of funds to implement a Department of Labor rule, `Procedure for Predetermination of Wage Rates' (64 Fed. Reg. 17441 et. seq.) relating to Davis-Bacon helpers.
Results: Rejected 29 yeas to 31 nays.
| Members Voting Yea | Members Voting Nay |
| Mr. Boyd | Mr. Aderholt |
| Mr. Cramer | Mr. Blunt |
| Ms. DeLauro | Mr. Bonilla |
| Mr. Dicks | Mr. Callahan |
| Mr. Dixon | Mr. Cunningham |
| Mr. Edwards | Mr. DeLay |
| Mr. Farr | Mr. Dickey |
| Mr. Forbes | Mr. Frelinghuysen |
| Mr. Hinchey | Ms. Granger |
| Mr. Hoyer | Mr. Hobson |
| Mr. Jackson | Mr. Istook |
| Ms. Kaptur | Mr. Kingston |
| Ms. Kilpatrick | Mr. Knollenberg |
| Mrs. Lowey | Mr. Kolbe |
| Mrs. Meek | Mr. Latham |
| Mr. Mollohan | Mr. Lewis |
| Mr. Moran | Mr. Miller |
| Mr. Murtha | Mr. Nethercutt |
| Mr. Obey | Mrs. Northup |
| Mr. Olver | Mr. Packard |
| Mr. Pastor | Mr. Peterson |
| Ms. Pelosi | Mr. Porter |
| Mr. Price | Mr. Rogers |
| Mr. Regula | Mr. Skeen |
| Ms. Roybal-Allard | Mr. Sununu |
| Mr. Sabo | Mr. Taylor |
| Mr. Serrano | Mr. Tiahrt |
| Mr. Visclosky | Mr. Wamp |
| Mr. Walsh | Mr. Wicker |
| Mr. Wolf | |
| Mr. Young |
FULL COMMITTEE VOTES
Pursuant to the provisions of clause 3(a)(1)(b) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives, the results of each rollcall vote on an amendment or on the motion to report, together with the names of those voting for and those voting against, are printed below:
ROLLCALL NO. 2
Date: September 30, 1999.
Measure: Labor, HHS, and Education Appropriations Bill, FY 2000.
Motion by: Ms. DeLauro.
Description of Motion: To strike a provision prohibiting the use of funds to implement a Department of Labor rule revising 29 CFR 2520 and 2560 relating to ERISA `Patient Protection' provisions.
Results: Rejected 27 yeas to 32 nays.
| Members Voting Yea | Members Voting Nay |
| Mr. Boyd | Mr. Aderholt |
| Mr. Cramer | Mr. Bonilla |
| Ms. DeLauro | Mr. Callahan |
| Mr. Dicks | Mr. Cunningham |
| Mr. Dixon | Mr. DeLay |
| Mr. Edwards | Mr. Dickey |
| Mr. Farr | Mrs. Emerson |
| Mr. Forbes | Mr. Frelinghuysen |
| Mr. Hinchey | Ms. Granger |
| Mr. Hoyer | Mr. Hobson |
| Mr. Jackson | Mr. Istook |
| Ms. Kaptur | Mr. Kingston |
| Ms. Kilpatrick | Mr. Knollenberg |
| Mrs. Lowey | Mr. Kolbe |
| Mrs. Meek | Mr. Lathan |
| Mr. Mollohan | Mr. Lewis |
| Mr. Moran | Mr. Miller |
| Mr. Murtha | Mr. Nethercutt |
| Mr. Obey | Mrs. Northup |
| Mr. Olver | Mr. Packard |
| Mr. Pastor | Mr. Peterson |
| Ms. Pelosi | Mr. Porter |
| Mr. Price | Mr. Regula |
| Ms. Roybal-Allard | Mr. Rogers |
| Mr. Sabo | Mr. Skeen |
| Mr. Serrano | Mr. Sununu |
| Mr. Visclosky | Mr. Taylor |
| Mr. Walsh | |
| Mr. Wamp | |
| Mr. Wicker | |
| Mr. Wolf | |
| Mr. Young |
FULL COMMITTEE VOTES
Pursuant to the provisions of clause 3(a)(1)(b) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives, the results of each rollcall vote on an amendment or on the motion to report, together with the names of those voting for and those voting against, are printed below:
ROLLCALL NO. 3
Date: September 30, 1999.
Measure: Labor, HHS, and Education Appropriations Bill, FY 2000.
Motion by: Mrs. Lowey.
Description of Motion: To amend the Public Health Service Act, ERISA, and the Internal Revenue Code to require health insurance plans to allow women direct access to their obstetrician or gynecologist without having to receive a referral from any other primary care provider or plan.
Results: Rejected 28 yeas to 32 nays.
| Members Voting Yea | Members Voting Nay |
| Mr. Cramer | Mr. Aderholt |
| Ms. DeLauro | Mr. Blunt |
| Mr. Dicks | Mr. Bonilla |
| Mr. Dixon | Mr. Boyd |
| Mr. Edwards | Mr. Callahan |
| Mrs. Emerson | Mr. Cunningham |
| Mr. Farr | Mr. DeLay |
| Mr. Forbes | Mr. Dickey |
| Mr. Hinchey | Mr. Frelinghuysen |
| Mr. Hoyer | Ms. Granger |
| Mr. Jackson | Mr. Hobson |
| Ms. Kaptur | Mr. Istook |
| Ms. Kilpatrick | Mr. Kingston |
| Mrs. Lowey | Mr. Knollenberg |
| Mrs. Meek | Mr. Kolbe |
| Mr. Mollohan | Mr. Latham |
| Mr. Moran | Mr. Lewis |
| Mr. Murtha | Mr. Miller |
| Mr. Obey | Mrs. Northrop |
| Mr. Olver | Mr. Packard |
| Mr. Pastor | Mr. Peterson |
| Ms. Pelosi | Mr. Porter |
| Mr. Price | Mr. Regula |
| Ms. Roybal-Allard | Mr. Rogers |
| Mr. Sabo | Mr. Skeen |
| Mr. Serrano | Mr. Sununu |
| Mr. Visclosky | Mr. Taylor |
| Mr. Wolf | Mr. Tiahrt |
| Mr. Walsh | |
| Mr. Wamp | |
| Mr. Wicker | |
| Mr. Young |
FULL COMMITTEE VOTES
Pursuant to the provisions of clause 3(a)(1)(b) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives, the results of each rollcall vote on an amendment or on the motion to report, together with the names of those voting for and those voting against, are printed below:
ROLLCALL NO. 4
Date: September 30, 1999.
Measure: Labor, HHS, and Education Appropriations Bill, FY 2000.
Motion by: Mr. Obey.
Description of Motion: To amend the DeLay amendment by changing the matter inserted to be a provision to require the payment of tax refunds on a monthly basis for taxpayers receiving more than a $5,000 refund from capital gains.
Results: Rejected 27 yeas to 32 nays.
| Members Voting Yea | Members Voting Nay |
| Mr. Boyd | Mr. Blunt |
| Mr. Cramer | Mr. Bonilla |
| Ms. DeLauro | Mr. Callahan |
| Mr. Dicks | Mr. Cunningham |
| Mr. Dixon | Mr. DeLay |
| Mr. Edwards | Mr. Dickey |
| Mr. Farr | Mrs. Emerson |
| Mr. Forbes | Mr. Frelinghuysen |
| Mr. Hinchey | Ms. Granger |
| Mr. Hoyer | Mr. Hobson |
| Mr. Jackson | Mr. Istook |
| Ms. Kaptur | Mr. Knollenberg |
| Ms. Kilpatrick | Mr. Kolbe |
| Mrs. Lowey | Mr. Latham |
| Mrs. Meek | Mr. Lewis |
| Mr. Mollohan | Mr. Miller |
| Mr. Moran | Mr. Nethercutt |
| Mr. Murtha | Mrs. Northup |
| Mr. Obey | Mr. Packard |
| Mr. Olver | Mr. Peterson |
| Mr. Pastor | Mr. Porter |
| Ms. Pelosi | Mr. Regula |
| Mr. Price | Mr. Rogers |
| Ms. Roybal-Allard | Mr. Skeen |
| Mr. Sabo | Mr. Sununu |
| Mr. Serrano | Mr. Taylor |
| Mr. Visclosky | Mr. Tiahrt |
| Mr. Walsh | |
| Mr. Wamp | |
| Mr. Wicker | |
| Mr. Wolf | |
| Mr. Young |
FULL COMMITTEE VOTES
Pursuant to the provisions of clause 3(a)(1)(b) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives, the results of each rollcall vote on an amendment or on the motion to report, together with the names of those voting for and those voting against, are printed below:
ROLLCALL NO. 5
Date: September 30, 1999.
Measure: Labor, HHS, and Education Appropriations Bill, FY 2000.
Motion by: Mr. DeLay.
Description of Motion: To strike a provision to delay payments to States under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and to insert in lieu thereof a provision to require that payments under the Earned Income Tax Credit be made on a monthly, rather than yearly basis; to require the Secretary of Education to follow current law requiring the collection of a four percent origination fee on direct student loans; and, to prohibit certain refunds for federal mortgage insurance.
Results: Adopted 33 yeas to 27 nays.
| Members Voting Yea | Members Voting Nay |
| Mr. Blunt | Mr. Boyd |
| Mr. Bonilla | Mr. Cramer |
| Mr. Callahan | Ms. DeLauro |
| Mr. Cunningham | Mr. Dicks |
| Mr. DeLay | Mr. Dixon |
| Mr. Dickey | Mr. Edwards |
| Mrs. Emerson | Mr. Farr |
| Mr. Frelinghuysen | Mr. Forbes |
| Ms. Granger | Mr. Hinchey |
| Mr. Hobson | Mr. Hoyer |
| Mr. Istook | Mr. Jackson |
| Mr. Kingston | Ms. Kaptur |
| Mr. Knollenberg | Ms. Kilpatrick |
| Mr. Kolbe | Mrs. Lowey |
| Mr. Latham | Mrs. Meek |
| Mr. Lewis | Mr. Mollohan |
| Mr. Miller | Mr. Moran |
| Mr. Nethercutt | Mr. Murtha |
| Mrs. Northup | Mr. Obey |
| Mr. Packard | Mr. Olver |
| Mr. Peterson | Mr. Pastor |
| Mr. Porter | Ms. Pelosi |
| Mr. Regula | Mr. Price |
| Mr. Rogers | Ms. Roybal-Allard |
| Mr. Skeen | Mr. Sabo |
| Mr. Sununu | Mr. Serrano |
| Mr. Taylor | Mr. Visclosky |
| Mr. Tiahrt | |
| Mr. Walsh | |
| Mr. Wamp | |
| Mr. Wicker | |
| Mr. Wolf | |
| Mr. Young |
FULL COMMITTEE VOTES
Pursuant to the provisions of clause 3(a)(1)(b) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives, the results of each rollcall vote on an amendment or on the motion to report, together with the names of those voting for and those voting against, are printed below:
ROLLCALL NO. 6
Date: September 30, 1999.
Measure: Labor, HHS, and Education Appropriations Bill, FY 2000.
Motion by: Mr. Regula.
Description of Motion: To report the bill, the authorize the Chairman to seek a rule for consideration of the bill, and to authorize the Chairman to move that the House disagree to the amendments of the Senate and agree to a conference requested by the Senate.
Results: Adopted 34 yeas to 26 nays.
| Members Voting Yea | Members Voting Nay |
| Mr. Blunt | Mr. Boyd |
| Mr. Bonilla | Mr. Cramer |
| Mr. Callahan | Ms. DeLauro |
| Mr. Cunningham | Mr. Dicks |
| Mr. DeLay | Mr. Dixon |
| Mr. Dickey | Mr. Edwards |
| Mrs. Emerson | Mr. Farr |
| Mr. Frelinghuysen | Mr. Forbes |
| Ms. Granger | Mr. Hinchey |
| Mr. Hobson | Mr. Hoyer |
| Mr. Istook | Mr. Jackson |
| Mr. Kingston | Ms. Kaptur |
| Mr. Knollenberg | Ms. Kilpatrick |
| Mr. Kolbe | Mrs. Lowey |
| Mr. Latham | Mrs. Meek |
| Mr. Lewis | Mr. Mollohan |
| Mr. Miller | Mr. Moran |
| Mr. Nethercutt | Mr. Murtha |
| Mrs. Northup | Mr. Obey |
| Mr. Packard | Mr. Olver |
| Mr. Peterson | Mr. Pastor |
| Mr. Porter | Ms. Pelosi |
| Mr. Price | Ms. Roybal-Allard |
| Mr. Regula | Mr. Sabo |
| Mr. Rogers | Mr. Serrano |
| Mr. Skeen | Mr. Visclosky |
| Mr. Sununu | |
| Mr. Taylor | |
| Mr. Tiahrt | |
| Mr. Walsh | |
| Mr. Wamp | |
| Mr. Wicker | |
| Mr. Wolf | |
| Mr. Young |
DISSENTING VIEWS
This bill affects so many aspects of American life that we often plunge into the details without thinking about the bigger picture. Therefore, at the outset, it is worth thinking about the context in which we are considering this legislation.
Our nation is not only the most dominant nation in the world but many experts believe that it is more dominant than any nation at any time in history. That dominance is not limited to any single dimension of human endeavor. It is as true of our military capability as of our economy and it is true culturally and technologically as well. American ships sail every sea and American planes can strike any target. Our currency is the foundation of the world economy and our films, plays, music and literature fill the theatres and airwaves of cities and villages around the world. Our technology drives innovation in manufacturing, transportation and medicine on every continent and in every society.
We are not only strong but we are growing stronger. Despite the fact that economists label us as a developed nation our share of world income is actually growing. Chairman Greenspan says that we have entered a new economic era driven by technological advances ranging from semiconductors to gene-splicing and the American people have never been more prosperous. The fiscal condition of their government has never been stronger. During the fiscal year just ended, we have paid down $115 billion on our public debt which has dropped from more than 50% of GDP in the early 1990s to only a little more than 40% today. In the coming fiscal year we will make an even bigger payment on that debt, and debt as a share of GDP will drop to under 38%, a decline of nearly two percentage points in a single year. We will add about $150 billion to our Social Security reserves, far more than we added during the entire eight years of the Reagan administration.
As a nation we really face only one major threat-our own failure to invest in ourselves. And if there was ever any evidence that that threat was real, it is this legislation that the Majority on the Committee has approved on a party line vote. It is extreme. It is out of touch with the American people. It is out of line with reality.
On a program level comparison, the House Labor HHS appropriations bill is almost $4 billion or 4% below the President's Budget request. It is about $5 billion or 6% below the funding level contained in the bill currently under consideration in the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate. Excluding the National Institutes of Health, which received a $1.3 billion increase in the bill, the remaining programs in the bill are in the aggregate cut close to $1 billion below current year levels. There are 45 major programs cut below 1999 or eliminated entirely in the bill that total almost $2 billion in cuts. But the most disturbing aspect of this bill is specific programs and activities that were singled out for cuts.
At a time when the number of students in our schools is increasing, when more of our students come from households with limited educational attainment, when private industry is drawing more of our teachers from the classroom with offers of higher pay, when our economy is starved for workers with technological skills we have a bill that cuts education below last year's spending level. This bill cuts $2.9 billion from education programs requested by the President and is in total $1.4 billion below his request when Committee increases are factored in. The bill is not only out of line with the request of a Democratic President, it is even more out of line with the education spending levels proposed by a Republican Senate. We are cutting Safe and Drug Free schools. We are cutting after school programs. We are cutting compensatory education for low income students. We are cutting reading programs. We are cutting programs to improve teacher quality. We are cutting funds to reduce school class sizes. We are cutting Head Start by half a billion dollars below the request.
But the damage done by this legislation is not confined to education. A modern economy is one that ensures that its workers are protected and cared for. We invest too much in them to treat them other wise. But this bill cuts worker protection programs at OSHA and NLRB by 5% below last year's level in real dollar terms--undermining efforts to protect health and safety in the workplace and to ensure worker bargaining rights.
With a booming economy offering job opportunities to people who have never before been in the labor force and with welfare rolls shrinking and with employers scouring the labor market for qualified workers, this bill is cutting job training funds by $700 million dollars below last year. According to a survey of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, 86% of cities suffer shortages of technology workers, 73% suffer shortages of health workers, and 72% lack enough construction workers to fill available jobs. While the President's budget proposal looks forward and addresses these national needs, the Majority has gone the other direction in this bill.
And it isn't just children, young adults seeking job training or average workers who are ignored by this bill. It is our senior citizens as well. This bill cuts funds requested for the meals
on wheels program targeted at the growing number of elderly shut-ins that currently are not getting that assistance. It eliminates a new initiative aimed at protecting our disabled elderly from abuse in nursing homes. It eliminates the family caregiver support program that would help seniors remain in their own homes and out of nursing homes as long as possible.
Gimmicks used to hide the true cost of this bill
All of these cuts are occurring in the midst of mindless and sterile debate over accounting technicalities so arcane that most Members themselves don't understand them. And rather than clarifying these questions so that the public and the Congress itself can understand them, this bill does everything possible to confuse the issues. This is an $90 billion bill pretending to be a $73 billion bill. It pushes about $20 billion in spending forward into another fiscal year and creates a giant hole to impede future investments in education and health research. It declares as an emergency the entire $1.1 billion Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program that has been in existence since 1975, and that the Committee last year proposed to eliminate. It directs the Congressional Budget Office to artificially lower the outlay scoring of the bill by $857 million.
Despite these massive accounting gimmicks, the bill as reported by the subcommittee was $8.9 billion over its 302(b) allocation for outlays, counting the emergency spending.
In order to bring the bill under its outlay allocation before it was reported by the full Appropriations Committee, an amendment offered by House Majority Whip Tom DeLay was adopted on a party line vote. The amendment delays payment of Earned Income Tax Credits to most of the 20 million working low income and poor families that now receive them.
The Washington Post called the amendment a `gimmick with a cost.' A married couple with two children in which both parents worked full time at the minimum wage during 1999 would earn $21,424 during the year and would be eligible for an earned income tax credit of about $1,928 after they had filed their 1999 tax return documenting that income. The DeLay amendment would reduce their first check from $1,928 to $160. After 90 days they would get a second check for $160 and then each month after that they would get a $160 check until they had received the full $1,928. The purpose of the amendment is to push about 30% of the EITC payments that would occur otherwise occur in fiscal 2000 off until fiscal 2001, reducing outlays in the fiscal 2000 by $8.75 billion. While the proposal would create a serious cash shortfall for millions of working families, it would not affect the public debt over the long term. As the Post editorial pointed out: `But what is worst about the idea is that, in the end, it serves no real-world governmental purpose. The timing change--the moving of some of these payments into the next fiscal year--is a gimmick in the service of a phony budget position whose only purpose is political show.'
This proposal, which was rejected by Senate Republicans even before it was offered in the House Appropriations Committee, was also rejected by the leading GOP presidential candidate
George W. Bush on the day of the mark-up. Bush commented: `I don't think they ought to balance their budget on the backs of the poor.'
All of this maneuvering appears to be aimed at trying to strengthen the implausible argument that the House is producing Appropriations bills that do not cause federal spending excluding Social Security payments to exceed the federal revenue estimates excluding Social Security taxes. Congressional Budget Office projections indicate that such a feat would require the federal government to run a surplus of $146 billion using the more traditional unified budget definition of fiscal balance.
CBO analysis of House-passed Appropriation bills shows that the GOP has lost that argument whether tax credits to the working poor are postponed or not. In a letter to House Budget Committee Ranking Member, John Spratt dated October 4, 1999, the Director of CBO indicates that spending in the 13 Appropriation bills will cause a $16 billion deficit even if the DeLay amendment is retained. That figure assumes that House and Senate conferences on the remaining bills remain very close to House-passed levels. This would require the conferences to reject virtually all of the increases proposed by the Senate for agencies and programs such as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Science Foundation, Low Income Housing, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, The National Institutes of Standards and Technology, The National Institutes of Health, Compensatory Education, Safe and Drug Free Schools, Head Start, Student Financial Assistance, Job Training and Worker Protection. If conferees agree to split the difference on these programs it is likely to add several billion more to total appropriations. It also requires the House to reject additional supplemental appropriations--some of which have already been promised by House leaders. These include funds to facilitate the Wye River agreement, additional money for anti-drug activities in Colombia, additional disaster assistance funds to cover the full costs of Hurricane Floyd and the costs of other possible disasters, and additional funds to support U.S. troops in Kosovo. Finally, it assumes that there will be no passage of a tax extender package or a `Medicare give back' package or that such legislation will be fully offset.
In 1995, Republican leaders said strict adherence to CBO scoring was so important that it was worth shutting the government down in order to insist on it. Now they are blatantly ignoring their own scorekeeper's estimates, and mindlessly repeating a public myth that they are not using surplus Social Security receipts to finance general government expenditures. The numbers are undeniable.
This accounting fraud is bad enough, but to add insult to injury, if the Majority is going to tell CBO how to count, then why not tell them to count in a way that doesn't force the withholding of EITC payments from working class families struggling to make ends meet? If the Majority is going to cook the books, don't cook them in a way that drives policy decisions aimed at hurting working people.
This is as bad a bill as this Committee has ever produced. It should not be passed by the House. The President has issued an unequivocal statement that he would veto this bill.
Attached to these Dissenting Views are:
- --A table listing key Administration education requests that are cut in the bill
- --A table listing programs that are eliminated or cut in the bill below 1999 levels
- --A copy of the President's statement on the bill
- --A letter from the OMB Director stating the Administration's views on this bill.
More specific information about objectionable funding cuts and riders is summarized in the attached Appendix.
OSHA State tables and State tables showing cuts in selected programs on a state-by-state basis are included following the Appendix.
APPENDIX--ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON CUTS IN THE BILL
EDUCATION
The Committee bill provides $33.3 billion for the Department of Education, a cut of $1.4 billion (-4%) below the President's 2000 request and $196 million (-1%) below the 1999 level on a school-year basis. Despite the fact that schools will have more children to educate in the 2000-2001 school year, this bill provides them with fewer federal resources than was provided last year for the current school year.
The Committee bill cuts $2.9 billion from the President's priority education requests (after increases not requested by the President are taken into account).
As we head into the 21st century, our nation faces a daunting challenge of reforming our education system so that our students are well prepared for the global, information age. Our communities are overwhelmed by powerful dynamics that are reshaping public education--rising enrollments, more disadvantaged and culturally diverse students, teacher shortages, rapidly changing technology, inadequate and unsafe facilities, and violent incidents on school property that threaten students and school personnel.
This year, we have more young people in public schools than ever before--a record 47.2 million students, 17% more than 10 years ago. Next year, another 289,000 students will be enrolled and continued record enrollments are expected each year through the year 2006.
We can invest the necessary resources for the education of these students if we have the will to do so. Our nation is the most prosperous, most productive country in the world. Yet, instead of taking a step forward by providing the federal resources needed to provide these children with an education equal to the best in the world, this bill takes a giant leap backward by cutting the existing federal funding commitment to education.
The bill denies 42,000 children a `Head Start' in life
Head Start
Research has shown consistently that Head Start helps low-income children get ready and stay ready for school, improves parenting, and helps parents get on the road to economic and social self sufficiency. There are over 2 million low-income children under the age of 5 who are eligible for Head Start, but the program currently provides services to only 835,000 children, 40% of those who are eligible. The President's request of $5.3 billion would provide a Head Start experience to an additional 42,000 children (including 7,000 children ages 0 to 3) and their families as part of the Administration's commitment to enrolling 1 million children in Head Start by 2002.
The Committee cuts the President's Head Start $5.3 billion request by $507 million or 10%. The bill provides insufficient funding to continue with Head Start quality improvements--staff development and training, staffing increases, promoting language skills and literacy of children--agreed upon as an important element in the bipartisan reauthorization of the Head Start Act only last year. Based on the quality improvements made to date, Head Start has decreased staff turnover to under 10%, far below annual rates of 30-40% experience in child care. Over the last 6 years, the proportion of teachers with credentials has grown by 9%, helping Head Start meet the statutory requirement that 50% of all its teachers have at least an associate degree in early childhood education or a related field by 2003.
In addition, the bill delays the availability of $1.4 billion of Head Start funds until fiscal year 2001. Under this provision, Head Start grantees would not have access to these funds until after October 1, 2000. This delay would necessitate making less than the standard 12 month awards to nearly all of the over 1,500 Head Start grantees, thereby disrupting the continuity of these programs and drawing attention away from their prime mission of serving disadvantaged children and families and focusing them instead on budget and accounting matters.
The bill repeals last year's bipartisan plan to hire 100,000 teachers and cuts teacher quality funding
Class size reduction/teacher quality
Last year, Congress agreed on a bipartisan basis to enact the President's plan to reduce our nation's class sizes by hiring 100,000 new teachers over the next 7 years. The President's initiative is based on research that clearly documents that gains in student academic achievement occur when class sizes are reduced. Project STAR (Student-Teacher Achievement Ratio), a four-year longitudinal study begun in 1985 in Tennessee, is the largest, longest-lasting, most controlled study to date on class size. Results from Project STAR show that children in smaller classes did better than students in larger classes in math and reading, every year and in every grade. Follow-up studies confirm that small classes have a lasting impact on student achievement even in the absence of additional teacher training. Further, the greatest gains were achieved by lower-achieving, minority, poor, and inner-city children. Small classes allow teachers to spend more time on instruction and less on classroom management. Students in small classes receive more individualized attention. Teachers are better able to identify students with learning problems, provide remediation within the class, and reduce the potential need to refer students to special education.
The bill repeals last year's bipartisan agreement to dedicate funding solely for Class Size Reduction, jeopardizing the President's goal of helping schools to hire 100,000 new teachers. The Committee bill eliminates a total of $2.2 billion in funding requested for Class Size Reduction, Goals 2000 and the Eisenhower Teacher Training Program and shifts $1.8 billion of these funds into the Teacher Empowerment Act, subject to authorization.
Not only does the bill cut the President's combined request for the Class Size Reduction, Goals 2000 (state grants) and Eisenhower Teacher Training programs by $396 million, it also cuts the funding level proposed by the House Committee on Education and Workforce for the teacher training/class size block grant program by $200 million or 10%. The Teacher Empowerment Act is a new teacher training/class size block grant program that has passed the House, but not the Senate, and has not been enacted into law. Should the Teacher Empowerment Act fail to become law, assistance to schools would be cut not by $200 million, but by $2.0 billion below the 1999 level for the programs combined into the block grant.
Teacher Quality Enhancement Grant Program
We face an unprecedented need for high quality teaching at a time when we also face potential shortfalls in supply. Our teachers will have to bring new knowledge and skills to the classroom, but a growing share of our teachers will be inexperienced and without the necessary disciplinary preparation in the fields they teach unless we heavily invest now in better preparation for new teachers. We must recruit and hire an estimated 2.2 million teachers over the next ten years to handle these significant enrollment increases, replace an aging teaching workforce, and respond to chronic attrition among new teachers, among whom up to 50% leave teaching within 5 years in some districts.
This bill cuts the Teacher Quality Enhancement Grant Program which invests in increasing the number of highly qualified teachers entering teaching. The bill cuts $40 million from the President's request of $115 million, and cuts the program $2 million below the current level of $77 million.
For the first round of competition, a total of 364 grant proposals were submitted in the three program areas, but funding was sufficient only to make 77 awards. According to the Department of Education, at least 70 unfunded proposals would be of sufficient quality to make a contribution to solving these important national problems.
This reduction means that eleven new State Grants will not be funded. The state grants are intended to improve the quality of preparation for every teacher in a state, resulting in student achievement gains for all students in that state. Additionally, twelve new Partnership Grants and five new recruitment grants will be not be funded, denying support for about 3,000 fewer newly-trained teachers.
Troops To Teachers
The bill denies $18 million in new funding requested by the Administration for the Troops To Teachers initiative in the Department of Education. This initiative would help meet the need for 2.2 million new teachers in the next decade by building on a successful model developed by the Department of Defense to recruit and prepare qualified retired military personnel as teachers.
The Bill Cuts Increases Requested for School Violence Prevention and After School Programs
We have traditionally thought of our schools as safe havens for our children. The violent shootings in Littleton, Colorado; Atlanta, Georgia; West Paducah, Kentucky; Pearl, Mississippi; Jonesboro, Arkansas; Springfield, Oregon; and Edinboro, Pennsylvania have forced us to reassess the true safety of our schools. Ten percent of all public schools experience one or more serious violent crimes such as rape, suicide, robbery, and fights with weapons, and half of all public schools report at least one crime incident that was reported to law enforcement.
Our efforts to improve public education are seriously undermined when students, educators and parents are threatened by violence in and around their schools Fear of violence in school cafeterias, libraries, and classrooms deeply affects a student's ability to learn. We know that the best way to address violence in our schools to prevent violence before it occurs. Curbing school violence is a complicated problem, but it is not unsolvable if we give schools the tools and resources they need.
Safe and Drug Free Schools
Yet, the bill freezes funding for the Safe and Drug Free Schools Program at $566 million, a reduction of $25 million below the President's request of $591 million. Although the Safe and Drug Free Schools (SDF) program is the primary federal program available to help schools combat drugs and violence in schools, it provides most school districts with only $6-8 per student or about $7,000 per school district--not nearly enough to mount the comprehensive prevention strategies that research suggests is most effective. The bill denies the President's initiative to target a portion of SDF funds to help school districts with the most severe problems mount comprehensive solutions to school violence and drugs. A 1996 evaluation of school-based drug prevention programs found that most school programs fall far short of the comprehensive approaches that research has found to be most effective in preventing alcohol and drug use among youth. A major barrier has been lack of adequate funding. School districts have requested approximately $1 billion in school safety assistance under the interagency Safe Schools/Healthy Students school violence prevention initiative, yet in 1999 the Department of Education had funding sufficient to support only about 10% of these applications.
The bill also denies the President's request to expand the SDF Middle School Coordinator Initiative from $35 million to $50 million. The goal of this initiative, begun in 1999, is to reach 6,500 middle schools--about half of all middle schools. The initiative provides a strong focus on school violence and drug prevention when students first begin experimenting with drugs and disruptive behavior. In 1999, 900 middle school coordinators were funded, reaching approximately 4,500 schools. Under the President's request, an additional 400 school coordinators would be hired serving about 2,000 schools. The funds requested but denied by the
Committee would have reached an additional 2 million middle school students.
21st Century Learning Centers
One in every five violent crimes committed by juveniles occur between the hours of 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. when many youths have little or nothing to do. Yet, this bill cuts $300 million or 50% from the President's request of $600 million for the 21st Century Learning Centers, a program that provides supervised education and recreational activities to some of the 15 million school children who would otherwise return to an empty home after school. Demand for school-based after school programs outstrips supply at a rate of about 2 to 1. In 1999, the Department of Education once again had a tremendous response to this program, but was able to fund fewer than 10% of the more than 2,000 applications it received. By failing to provide the additional $300 million requested, the bill denies 700 school districts an opportunity to provide not just a safe place for their students, but an opportunity to enrich their lives with computer skills, the arts, drama, music, community service, and basic skill training. Under the Committee recommendation, 3,300 fewer after school centers would be funded and 850,000 fewer children would be served than requested by the President.
The bill cuts additional funds requested for diverse and disadvantaged students
Our schools must be prepared to teach a student population with increasing ethnic and cultural diversity. Increasingly, America's students will come to school with different levels of readiness and progress at different rates due to the variety of ethnic, social, economic influences that impact their lives. In 1995, 67% of U.S. school age children were white; 15% were black, 13% were Hispanic, and 5% were other minorities. By 2000, nearly half of all students will be minorities and rapid growth in the number of Asian, Hispanic and African-American children is expected to continue through 2020 and beyond. The Committee bill fails to invest adequately in these children.
Title 1
The Title 1 program is the cornerstone of the federal government's effort to ensure that educational opportunities for children are not limited by their social and economic circumstances. Nearly 14,000 of the nation's 15,000 local school systems participate in the Title 1 program and about 12 million children are served in Title 1 schoolwide and targeted assistance programs. A recent expansion of schoolwide programs in high poverty schools has allowed more children to benefit, but the per pupil allocation of Title 1 funds has fallen from $946 per child in 1994 to about $650 in 1999. The Congressional Research Services has estimated that $25 billion would be needed to fully fund the program. Rather than reaching more eligible Title 1 children and fully funding the federal per child allocation, this bill instead freezes Title I grants to school districts at the 1999 level of $7.73 billion. This is a cut of $264 million or 3% below the President's $8.0 billion request. The additional funding denied in the bill would have helped school districts to hire an additional 7,500 teachers to teach reading and math to an additional 400,000 disadvantaged children.
Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration Program
The Committee bill cuts $30 million or 20% from the President's request for $150 million in Title 1 funds for the Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration Program. The CSRD Program helps approximately 2,200 schools to implement research-based and effective reform models that provide a blueprint for schoolwide change, integrating instructional improvement, professional development, and parental involvement strategies. The bill provides only a freeze level of $120 million in Title 1 and $25 million in FIE funding for CSRD. At this level, the bill would preclude an estimated 500 Title 1 schools from receiving CSRD `seed' grants to implement comprehensive, research-based reforms.
Reading Excellence Act
Just last year, Congress passed on a bi-partisan basis the Reading Excellence Act to help all children read independently and well by the end of the 3rd grade, and to improve the preparation of teachers in reading instruction. The Committee cuts this initiative by $86 million or 30% from the President's $286 million request and $60 million below 1999, denying 330,000 children services needed to improve their reading skills.
Bilingual Education
The Bilingual Education Program helps school districts teach approximately 3.4 million students--about 6% of total school enrollments--who have difficulty speaking English. This number has grown by 57% between 1990 and 1997 and will continue to grow as the number of Hispanic children entering school increases. Despite this growth, the Committee bill freezes funding for Bilingual Education at $224 million, denying an extra $10 million to aid approximately 70 school districts facing growing enrollments of LEP students but have little experience in serving these students. The bill also denies an additional $25 million to provide bilingual training opportunities to an additional 2,000 teachers in 2000.
The bill fails to invest in education technology
In recent years, the strain on school facilities that are old, outmoded and teeming with students has been joined by another key element--technology. We are now living in a more demanding, high stakes environment where the ability to interact with technology, and work with others using technology, is essential. Everywhere we look, technology is changing the way we work and live. Everywhere, that is, except in our schools. In an information age, we still have factory era schools. In classrooms that should be modern communications centers for learning, the basic method of instruction continues to be the blackboard and chalk.
One 1 in 5 teachers in our schools report that they are not well prepared to integrate technology in the classroom. Classroom teachers hold the key to the effective use of technology to improve learning. But, if teachers don't understand how to employ technology effectively to promote student learning, millions of dollars being invested in educational technology will be wasted.
Moreover, the majority of American classrooms, where learning actually takes place, are not even wired for telephones, much less local area networks and Internet on-ramps. This is particularly true in low-income communities. In 1998, only 39% of classrooms in poor schools were connected to the Internet, compared with 62% of classrooms in wealthy schools. More often than not, children in low-income families not only lack access to advanced technology in their schools, they also do not have the opportunity to develop computer and technology skills at home compared with their more advantaged peers. In 1997, only 13% of families with household income between $10,000-$15,000 had computers, while 61% of families with household income between $50,000-$74,000 had computers. Yet, the Committee bill cuts technology programs that help to close this `digital divide'.
Education Technology Programs
The Committee bill funds education technology programs at a total of $500 million, a cut of $301 million or 38% below the President's request and $198 million or 28% below current levels:
The Committee bill terminates five important technology initiatives:
--Teacher Training in Technology, funded at $75 million in 1999, prepares new teachers to use technology effectively in the classroom.
--STAR Schools, funded at $45 million in 1999, uses distance learning technology to improve instruction in rural or geographically remote schools.
--Regional Technology Consortia, funded at $10 million in 1999, promote the effective use of technology for teaching and learning. Six centers would no longer be funded.
--Ready-to-Learn TV, funded at $11 million in 1999, provides quality programming to over 37 million children.
--PBS MATHLINE, funded at $5 million in 1999, provides professional development to teachers across the country.
The Committee bill also denies schools additional funding requested by the President to make technology an integral part of every classroom and community. Programs underfunded or not funded in the bill include:
--The Technology Literacy Challenge Fund is funded at $375 million, a cut of $75 million or 17% below the President's request of $450 million, and a cut of $50 million below the 1999 level of $425 million. The bill will deny additional funding to approximately 200 school districts to purchase hardware and software.
--Community-based Technology Centers are frozen at $10 million, a cut of 85% below the President's request of $65 million. Under the request, disadvantaged adults and students in 260 high-poverty communities would be denied new access to modern computers and computer training.
--Middle School Teacher Training is a new initiative requested by the President to support the training of teacher technology leaders in 4,700 middle schools. The Committee bill denies the $30 million requested for the first year of a three-year effort to target teacher technology training in all 14,000 public middle schools.
--Software Development is a new $5 million initiative to support competitive grants to encourage the development of high-quality educational software and websites by middle and high school students in partnership with university faculty and other experts in the field. Projects would focus on math, science or reading in year one, and social studies, humanities or the arts, in the following two years. The Committee bill provides no funding for the new initiative.
The bill cuts needed R&D investments to improve educational practice
Education research, development and dissemination
The bill provides $145 million for educational research, development and the dissemination, a cut of $54 million or 27% below the request. Together, these programs help to provide specific evidence-based guidance to parents, educators, and policymakers that can lead to dramatic improvements in the effectiveness of the educational system and can help children meet challenging educational standards.
Under the Committee recommendation, the Department of Education will not be able to make its planned contribution of $25 million and continue its support for the Interagency Education Research Initiative--Technology-Enhanced Teaching and Learning to Improve Achievement in Reading and Mathematics. This initiative was begun in FY 1999 with funding from the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, and the Education Department. Without the requested increase, the program would not be able to build a knowledge base that could lead to significant improvements in school readiness, math and reading instruction, and teacher preparation in math, reading, and science.
Additional studies that would not be conducted under the bill include:
--Comprehensive studies of effective reading instruction for children whose first language is Spanish. Without the requested funding, ED would be unable to build the necessary knowledge base that could improve the literacy of these students.
--Although many adult literacy programs are available, the average progress which adults make in reading comprehension in these programs is minimal. The Committee mark would prohibit support of research that is necessary for helping middle and high school students and young adults learn to read and write.
--Studies to develop, and integrate into classrooms, the software and resources needed to make the new technologies part of everyday teaching.
Education statistics
The bill provides $68 million for education statistics, a cut of $ 9.5 million or 12% below the request. The bill cuts out new funding needed to improve data collection activities on higher education enrollment, completion, salaries, finance, libraries and staff. Moreover, additional studies, mandated by the Higher Education Act, related to the cost of higher education may have to be deferred under the Committee bill. For example,
--$2 million is needed to conduct a national study of tuition and fees, faculty salaries and factors associated with the identified expenditures.
--Another $1 million is needed for the dissemination of information to parents and students that would allow them to make informed decisions based on the costs for typical full-time undergraduate study.
--Another $1 million would be used to develop a higher education `market basket' that identifies the items that comprise the costs of higher education.
The bill fails to invest sufficiently in a highly skilled workforce
One of the greatest economic challenges facing America in the 21st century will be to support the highly-skilled workforce necessary to thrive in an increasingly complex and technology-driven workplace. The importance of postsecondary education in meeting this challenge should not be understated. In terms of earning power, there is a vast difference between those with college degrees and those without. In 1997, the median annual income for adult men and women with college degrees (full-time workers 25 years and older) was 56 and 60 percent more, respectively, than that of men and women with only high school diplomas. Further, the unemployment rate for adults with high school diplomas is twice that of adults with bachelor's degrees or higher. There is no doubt that American workers who have difficulty adapting to the demands of a changing workplace will continue to experience a falling standard of living.
Student financial aid
The President's FY 2000 request provides nearly $9.2 billion for the Student Financial Assistance (SFA) account, which yields an estimated $10.9 billion in available aid to students. The SFA account includes five programs (Pell Grants, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, Federal Work-Study, Perkins Loan, and Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnerships) designed to work together to provide the financial support necessary to ensure access to postsecondary education for all Americans. No single program can succeed in funding education for needy students; only through the combination of grant, work-study, and loan aid can this goal be met. The variety of aid programs provides the flexibility to fund the various levels of need demonstrated by eligible students.
Pell grants
The Pell Grant program is the cornerstone of federal student financial aid, providing aid to nearly 3.8 million needy students in FY 1999. Pell Grants are targeted to the neediest students. Approximately 90 percent of Pell Grants assistance goes to students from families with annual incomes below $30,000 and 41 percent goes to students from families with incomes below $12,000.
Unfortunately, the increases in the maximum Pell Grant award have not kept pace with the growing cost of postsecondary education. According to the College Board, between the 1988-89 and 1998-99 academic years, the average cost of attending a public university rose 75 percent. Costs at private schools during the same period increased 81 percent. This significant increase in college costs has reduced the relative value of the Pell Grant. In 1976, the maximum Pell Grant of $1,400 covered 72 percent of the $1,935 average cost (i.e. tuition, fees, room and board) at a public, four-year school. In 1998, the maximum Pell Grant of $3,000 covered only 39 percent of the $7,769 average cost at a public, four-year school.
While the bill does increase the maximum Pell grant by $150 to $3,275, it is far short of the $400 increase which the House set as a goal under a Republican sponsored resolution H. Con. Res. 88 which passed the House May 4, 1999 by a vote of 397-13. To fully fund the $400 increase in Pell grants would require another $776 million.
College work-study
Federal Work-Study provides financial assistance to needy students through part-time employment opportunities. Federal contributions require a one-third institutional match. The Committee bill provides $880 million for the Work-Study program. This level is $10 million
higher than the FY 1999 level, but $54 million below the President's FY 2000 request of $934 million. The number of Work-Study awards funded under the FY 2000 bill would increase to 941,000 from 930,000 in FY 1999; but they would still be 59,000 less than the corresponding increase provided by the President's request to reach 1 million students.
Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnerships (LEAP)
LEAP leverages State support of need-based aid. Federal contributions require a minimum dollar-for-dollar match. This bill eliminates funding in FY 2000, which would cut 83,000 student awards. The President requested $25 million for this program. By statute, a minimum federal contribution triggers state maintenance of effort requirements. The total elimination of federal funding in this bill negates this provision and potentially allows for the total elimination of the state need-based aid.
GEAR UP
In 1994, only 49 percent of low-income students attended a postsecondary institution within two years of high school. Of these students, only 19 percent attended a 4-year college, in contrast with 70 percent of high-income students. The GEAR UP program is designed to help these students. By starting disadvantaged middle school students on an academic path, it raises their educational expectations through early college preparation and awareness activities, and gives them the skills and encouragement they need to successfully pursue a college education.
The bill eliminates the GEAR UP program which was funded at $120 million in FY 1999, and for which the President requested $240 million for FY 2000. The bill would deny 572,000 low-income middle and high school students sustained, comprehensive support services including: counseling, tutoring, mentoring, parental involvement, after-school and summer activities, access to rigorous core courses needed for college, information about financial aid, and campus visits.
Interest in GEAR UP last year far exceeded available funding. Only 1 out of 4 Partnership applications could be funded, and only half of the State applications. The Committee's action will:
--Eliminate state grants to 21 States that provide college scholarships to establish the link between good preparation and the ability to get a postsecondary education. States that pioneered the concept, such as Indiana, Washington, Maryland, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Vermont, and Rhode Island would lose their grants, along with large population states such as California, Texas, and New York.
--Eliminate grants to 164 partnerships of schools, colleges, and communities that serve entire grades of students and encourage systemic reform in school curriculum, including 23 grants in California, 11 in Florida, 8 in Illinois, 11 in New York, 10 in Oklahoma, and 15 in Texas, and 86 other partnership grants in 31 other States, Puerto Rico, Guam and Micronesia.
--Sacrifice the dollar-for-dollar match that is being provided by Partnerships and States. Partners in the 164 Partnership grants include not only schools and colleges, but more than 1,000 organizations, such as the YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, Salvation Army, libraries, local chambers of commerce, and individual companies such as Wal-Mart, Unisys, Hewlett-Packard, and Bell Atlantic.
College Completion Challenge Grant Program
Students from low-income families are significantly more likely to leave a 4-year institution of higher education without a baccalaureate degree than are students from families with higher incomes. Only 44 percent of students from low-income families who were enrolled full time during their first year of college completed a baccalaureate degree within five years. This completion rate is 24 percentage points lower than the 68 percent completion rate among students from upper-income families. A recent report by the National Center for Education Statistics, Stopouts or Stayouts? Undergraduates Who Leave College in Their First Year, concludes that there are a number of factors significantly associated with students dropping out of a four-year college or university. These factors include:
--having a low to failing cumulative grade point average (under 2.0);
--delaying entry into postsecondary education after graduating from high school;
--being less engaged with their academic program;
--working full time while enrolled; and
--being a first-generation college student.
For these reasons, the Administration proposed $35 million for a new College Completion Challenge Grants (CCCG) program. This proposal would allow institutions of higher education to help mitigate those factors most significantly associated with the failure to complete baccalaureate degree programs. The proposed CCCG program would help to eliminate the discrepancy that currently exists in baccalaureate degree attainment rates between students of low- and high-income families by supporting the specific activities that research has shown to improve student retention for students at risk of leaving a 4-year institution without a baccalaureate degree. The Committee bill, however, denies the funding for this new initiative.
Preparing for College
The Committee bill also denies $15 million requested for the Preparing for College initiative aimed at educating students, their parents, and adults who want to return to school, on the many steps necessary to attend college. These funds would have supported public service announcements, videos with teacher guides about planning for college and a toolkit on college awareness including training on the use of the toolkit for schools and community organizations. These funds also would have supported a college awareness clearinghouse and a Think College web site.
Scholarships/fellowships
In the last 10 years, grant aid has continued to decline in relation to student loans. During the 1997-98 school year, grants comprised only 39 percent of student aid, with loans comprising most of the remainder. Nearly 40 percent of all undergraduates are required to take out loans to finance their college education.
The bill eliminates the Byrd Scholarhips program that helps high achieving students to reduce or eliminate their loan burden by providing immediate, tangible resources to help them enter and complete college. The Administration requested $39.9 million to continue to provide scholarships to more than 26,500 students.
The House bill provides only $31 million for GAANN and Javits Fellowships, $10 million less than the Administration's FY 2000 request, and would deny hundreds of high achieving graduate students the financial support necessary to successfully complete graduate programs. GAANN and Javits Fellowships provide merit-based graduate assistance to students, including those who are under-represented, to study in areas of national need and to pursue doctoral degrees in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.
Hispanic serving institutions
Although Hispanics are America's fastest growing ethnic group, they are still underserved in higher education. There are approximately 193 institutions eligible for support under the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions program. Even with the funds requested, the Department would be able to serve a total of only 102 HSIs, approximately half of those eligible. The funding level proposed in this bill would enable the Department to serve far fewer HSIs. Many Hispanic-serving institutions are under-equipped and under-staffed and lack sufficient resources to maintain modern research facilities, or offer high-tech learning or working environments. These institutions serve a large number of other low-income and at-risk students in addition to Hispanics. Consequently, these institutions are unable to look to significant tuition increases to meet the rising cost of educating their students. For many of them, the Federal government is the only major source for the additional funding that is needed to strengthen their programs and their facilities. The $42.3 million requested in the President's FY 2000 budget would increase the level of support for the 39 existing grantees by an average of $92,000, and would support 63 new awards at an average cost of $407,000. With the level of funding in this bill, the Department would be unable to provide either increase in support.
Historically black colleges and universities
One of our pressing national priorities is to increase the number of underrepresented minority and disadvantaged students who enter and successfully complete higher education. In 1995-1996 black, non-Hispanic students earned less than 8 percent of the Bachelor's degrees conferred. To increase the success rate of African-American and other minority students, HBCUs need additional support to provide stronger academic programs and more comprehensive services to the growing number of African-American and other minority students. Furthermore, the lack of diversity at the graduate level is becoming an important national concern. In 1995-1996 black, non-Hispanic students received only 6.4 percent of the Master's and 3.7 percent of the Doctor's degrees conferred. As we work to increase the number of minority students who pursue graduate education, we have to provide sufficient support to ensure that HBGIs (graduate institutions) are prepared to serve these students adequately. This bill provides level funding for both of these programs, which is a cut of $14.8 million below the request for strengthening HBCUs and HBGIs. The Department would therefore be unable to increase support for the 98 HBCUs and the 18 HBGIs beyond the FY 1999 level, not even for inflation. The result would be a decrease in the actual purchasing power.
School-To-Work
The School-to-Work program supports an educational strategy that aims to improve learning by connecting what goes on in the classroom to future careers and to real work situations. The School-to-Work Opportunities Act is administered through a partnership between the Departments of Education and Labor. Every State has access to seed money to design and implement a comprehensive school-to-work system that integrates academic and vocational education, links secondary and postsecondary education, and provides learning opportunities at the work site.
Although the budget request included funding of $110 million to provide a final year of support for the School-to-Work Opportunities Act, the Committee bill prematurely cuts these funds, prematurely ending grants that 25 States and 74 communities were counting on to integrate school-to-work elements into their education reform and workforce development systems.
Adult education
Adults with low literacy skills will find it difficult to succeed in a society that increasingly places a premium on education and skills. More than 44 million adults, or nearly 27 percent of the adult population of the United States, have not earned a high school diploma or its equivalent. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that, in 1999, full-time workers age 25 and over with a bachelor's degree had median weekly earnings of $842, while those with a high school diploma earned $481. Those without a high school diploma averaged only $342.
English literacy instruction is the fastest growing component of adult education. Enrollment in these programs has increased 105 percent over the past ten years, to 1.85 million in 1997. Over 30 percent of recent immigrants do not have a high school diploma or its equivalent. In 1993 the unemployment rate for these immigrants was double the rate of natives, and their
median income was $8,393, compared with $15,876 for natives.
For many disadvantaged adults, local programs that receive Federal Adult Education funds provide the only opportunity for them to complete their high school education and start on the path to postsecondary education, better jobs, and more effective parenting. Between 1990 and 1994, the Adult Education State Grant program enabled 1.5 million adults to receive their high school diplomas or GED credentials.
The 1995 National Household Education Survey revealed that there were three million limited English proficient adults who wanted to participate in ESL classes but were not able to do so. The primary reason for their lack of participation was an insufficient supply of classes.
Lengthy waiting lists are common. In Arizona alone, for example, there are 9,000 adults on the waiting list. In New York City, they use a lottery to determine who `wins' the opportunity to attend English as a Second Language classes. We are literally rationing education to people who are eager pursue it.
This year the President announced as part of his 2000 budget an Adult Literacy Initiative to close America's skills gap and help millions of out-of-school Americans who lack the basic skills to meet their goals as parents, workers, and community members. The Initiative would help the Nation achieve four goals by the year 2005: increasing the number of full-time teachers by 20 percent; doubling the number of instructional hours per student; tripling the number of computer stations available at adult education centers; and more than doubling the child care and counseling services offered by adult education programs.
In support of this Initiative, the President's 2000 budget included:
A $103 million increase (+28 percent) in the Adult Education State Grants program,
$70 million for `Common Ground Partnership' grants to expand immigrant's access to quality English language instruction, linked to practical instruction in civics and life skills;
$23 million to support States in working with private-sector partners to incorporate technology into adult instruction; and
$2 million to mobilize States and communities to develop strategies and measure progress towards improving literacy and lifelong learning, including assessing whether or not individuals have the literacy skills needed for jobs available in that community.
This bill provides only $378 million for the Adult Education Program, cutting out the $197 million requested to provide services to approximately 700,000 adult Americans. The President's new initiatives to help communities support ESL and civics instruction are denied in this bill.
Learning Anytime Anywhere Partnerships
The Committee eliminated the Learning Anytime Anywhere Partnerships program, which the President proposed to increase from $10 million to $20 million. The LAAP program is intended to help postsecondary education institutions make the transition to a new generation of distance education that has been made possible by the explosive growth of the Internet and other new technologies. Instead of relying upon closed networks--such as broadcast satellites--to deliver courses on fixed schedules to students within limited geographic boundaries, postsecondary institutions now have the capacity to reach students regardless of where they are located, at any time of day. These technologies create the potential for students to access learning that is interactive, customized, and self-paced; to more easily merge lifelong learning with the demands of careers and families; and to expand their choice of institutions and programs. In order to create these possibilities for students, postsecondary institutions need to make significant changes in structure and practice, and not merely to put more courses online. Broader partnerships are needed to promote quality, resource sharing and collaboration, innovations in teaching and student support, and other important goals that are essential if all Americans are going to have access to postsecondary education and lifelong learning.
LAAP especially aims to help under-served populations, students in under-served geographic areas and adults needing more flexible training to keep pace with changes in the job market. Of the 29 projects funded in 1999, all address the needs of non-traditional adult learners.
In FY 2000, the President's budget would support a new competition of 27 awards while continuing 29 projects first funded in FY 1999. This bill proposes to eliminate funding for all new and continuing partnership awards--eliminating funding for new innovative efforts as well as denying those first funded in FY 1999 the opportunity to complete their activities.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
The Subcommittee bill provides a program level of $10.1 billion for the Department of Labor, a cut of $1.5 billion (-13%) below the President's 2000 request and $797 million (-7%) below the 1999 level.
TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT
America must close skills gaps and open doors of opportunity for a new economy and a new century. American workers need the training and access to jobs that will allow them to be wage earners for a lifetime. This budget would make deep cuts in programs that help at risk youth and dislocated workers, provide worker protections, and ensure worker safety--and it would undermine America's efforts to move people from welfare to work. Yet the Majority's Committee Report states in several places: `* * * the Committee believes that the economy is sufficiently strong to justify a reduction in this [employment and training] program at this time.' This rationale for the Committee's cuts makes no sense--this is precisely the time that we should
be investing more--not less--in upgrading the skills of the American workforce.
At a time when employers are saying they cannot find skilled workers, the Committee wants to tear down the education and training programs both for young people struggling in poverty and for laid-off workers who don't have the skills to start over. We cannot put at risk the efforts we are making to help low-wage workers get better jobs and to make work pay. Millions of low-wage workers are still struggling to make ends meet. A full-time worker earning the current minimum wage for 50 weeks of work receives only $10,300. $5.15 an hour is not enough to move families from welfare dependency to self-sufficiency. A better paycheck is the first secure step up the ladder of opportunity. Training is the second and third step on the way to the top of the ladder--workers that reach the top will earn rising wages over a lifetime.
With unemployment rates at nearly a thirty-year low, and both productivity and real wages in the economy rising in the economy, why is there a continued need for worker training programs?
Joblessness remains very high for some groups and areas
For instance, unemployment rates among African-Americans remains about 7-9%, which are the comparable rates that whites suffer during serious recessions. Among African American teenagers, the rates still fall in the 20-30% range. While most welfare recipients who have recently left the rolls gain employment at some point, 30-40% are not employed at any given point in time; and roughly a million of those who are still on the rolls face impending time limits and personal barriers (such as low education and work experience, substance abuse problems, etc.) that limit their employability. Finally, double-digit unemployment continues to plague many rural and metropolitan areas, especially in the Southern and Western regions of the country.
Despite low unemployment, the rate of job dislocations in the U.S. economy remains high
Of the 3.3 million dislocated workers every year, 2 million workers need reemployment services to find new jobs and half a million of these need training services to get those new jobs. The rate of displacement is high even though unemployment is low. And workers are more concerned about losing their jobs during this expansion than they were during the 1980s recession.
Despite recent increases, the real wages earned among the less-educated remain well below their levels from 20 years ago
For instance, the real earnings of men with only a high school diploma are almost 20% lower than they were in 1979; those of men without high school diplomas are over 30% lower. These changes reflect the many changes in the structure of our economy (such as new technologies, growing international trade, etc.) that have created a premium for workers with high levels of education or skills.
These facts indicate a strong need for the kinds of training programs that the Department of Labor provides. The adult training programs target many of those who suffer both from periodic unemployment and low real wages. The reemployment services and training programs for dislocated workers are designed to help the many who suffer dislocations every year. The Youth programs including the new Youth Opportunity Grants target disadvantaged youth, particularly in areas of concentrated urban or rural poverty.
But rather that increasing these opportunities as the President proposes, this bill would take the nation in exactly the opposite direction.
The bill provides an appropriation of $4,572 million for Training and Employment Services for FY 2000. This is a reduction of $928 million, or 17%, below the request, and a reduction of $709 million, or 13%, below 1999. Overall, the House mark reduces program participants nearly 432,300, or 20%, below the request, and about 175,000, or 9%, below 1999.
This mark stops in its tracks the vision of the bipartisan Workforce Investment Act enacted last year that is intended to provide access to information and services that all Americans need to find and keep a job to meet the workforce challenges of the global economy.
ELIMINATES THE PRESIDENT'S UNIVERSAL RE-EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVE
The House mark zeros out the President's Universal Re-employment Initiative for a total cut of $491 million below the President's request. This includes:
Cuts training and assistance for 176,600 dislocated workers
The House bill cuts the dislocated worker program by $140 million below 1999, and $335 million below the Request. The House mark means that 176,600 fewer dislocated workers will be served compared to the President--and 46,500 fewer than in FY 1999, reversing increases that Congress has provided over the past three years. This means that from the universe of 3.3 million dislocated workers per year, even fewer will not benefit from services that could shorten the time that they are unemployed and hundreds of employers will also be hindered in their capacity to find the skilled workers they need. The bill rejects the President's goal of providing reemployment services and training to dislocated worker who needs and wants them by 2004.
Eliminates assistance for 241,000 unemployment insurance claimants.
In addition to cuts in the Dislocated Worker program, the mark zeros out the President's $53 million Reemployment Services component which means an estimated 241,000 unemployment insurance claimants will not be able to get the customized re-employment services they need to aid their reentry into the workforce.
Eliminates the President's program to help people with disabilities join the workforce.
The bill eliminates the President's request of $50 million for Workforce Incentive Grants to help people with disabilities link with the Workforce Investment system and find and keep jobs.
Eliminates One-Stop America's Labor Market Information System Enhancement.
The bill rejects the $48 million initiative envisioned by the Workforce Investment Act to open up system access to millions of Americans, through improvements in America's Job Bank, mobile vans for one-stop access to rural areas, a toll-free 1-800 number for the workforce investment system, and improvements in basic labor market information.
Cuts Adult job training for 38,200 adults (10%).
The bill provides only $860 million for adult employment and training services, a reduction of $96 million, or 10%, below the request and 1999 levels. This reduction moves in the opposite direction of the WIA mandate, which is to provide Americans with information and services on a universal basis.
Investments in At-Risk Youth Programs cut by one-third
The House bill cuts $480 million out of the President's request for youth programs.
The bill denies 58,000 of some of the most disadvantaged youth in 25-30 communities a bridge to the opportunities of our strong economy and alternatives to welfare and crime.
The bill eliminates the $250 million Youth Opportunities Initiative, authorized in WIA. Congress provided funds in FY 1999 as the first down payment of a $1 billion, 4 year commitment by the President to increase the long-term employment and educational attainment of youth living in the poorest urban neighborhoods and rural areas. The President and Secretary of Labor launched the Youth Opportunities Movement, focused on engaging the whole community to bridge gaps and break cycles that lead to poverty and despair, as part of the `New Markets' tour in early July.
Cuts summer jobs and year-round training for 60,000 disadvantaged youth
For Youth Activities (the program that combines Summer Jobs and Year-Round Youth), the House bill provides only $901 million, a decrease of $100 million, or 10%, below the request and 1999 levels. This action reduces the estimated number of low income youth for FY 2000 in this program by 60,000, or 9%, below the request, and 95,000 below the number of youth served in FY 1999.
Eliminates drop-out prevention grants that would serve 75,000 disadvantaged
The House bill provides no funding for the Right Track Partnership initiative, a $75 million competitive grant program, which would complement the Safe Schools/Healthy Students program as part of a multi-agency initiative to address youth.
Cuts Unemployment Insurance administrative costs to levels that could delay payments.
The House bill cuts funding for state operations of the unemployment insurance system by $239 million or almost 10% below the request, and $87 million below last year. This includes a reduction of the contingency fund from $196 million to only $75 million. While the national unemployment rate is at a 28 year low, this is not sufficient reason to reduce the appropriation of funds to administer the program. Despite low unemployment rates, the States are expected to take over 18.8 million initial UI claims in FY 2000, and will collect taxes from over 6.7 million subject employers. Administration of State UI programs requires an infrastructure to support the many complex activities necessary to process and pay UI claims and to collect taxes. The UI program is the first level of assistance for dislocated workers and the gateway to other programs such as JTPA Title III retraining assistance or Trade Adjustment Assistance. Maintaining a cadre of experienced staff is vital for the claims-taking function. Local office closures are often devastating to a community, and cuts in administrative support may negatively affect customer service, impacting access to these critical readjustment programs.
Based on mid-session economic assumptions, the need for contingency funds has been reduced to $151,333,000. In order to reduce the current projected contingency estimate of $151 million to $75 million, the Committee must be assuming much lower total unemployment and much lower insured unemployment than is assumed in the mid-session assumptions. The Committee would have to assume that the total unemployment rate is 4.1% instead of the mid-session estimate of 4.45%, the insured unemployment rate is 1.81% instead of the mid-session estimate of 1.93%, and that average weekly insured unemployment will be about 260,000 below current projections. The assumptions implicit in the reduction are not in line with the current economic conditions. Such a total unemployment rate has not been experienced since 1969.
Trade adjustment assistance
The bill reflects a phase-out of the NAFTA-TAA program due to the fact that no action has yet been taken in the authorizing committee to extend both the TAA and NAFTA-TAA
programs. In addition, the funding of the TAA program is insufficient to meet current certification activity. This will result in a shortfall of funds to meet the long-standing bipartisan commitment to provide trade-impacted workers with the tools needed to find and prepare for new jobs. We urge quick action by the authorizing committee to extend both trade programs, and the subsequent addition of NAFTA-TAA funds in the Labor/HHS bill to avoid any disruption in services.
Denies improvements in economic indicators
The House bill cuts $26 million (6 percent) from the President's request for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is responsible for the production of some of the Nation's most sensitive and important economic data series. As a result, BLS will not be able to undertake important improvements to its key employment cost (ECI), producer price (PPI) and productivity measures. Economic statistics produced by BLS are critical for individual financial institutions, borrowers, investors, and policy makers. As the Director of OMB stated in his July 26, 1999 letter to the Appropriations Committee arguing for full funding of the President's request for Federal statistical agencies:
The funds allocated to statistical agencies are a cost-effective investment. Economic data, in particular, are not only key indicators for fiscal and monetary policy; they also underlie Federal, State, and local income projections, investment planning, and business decisions. Statistical programs that fail to keep pace with economic and social changes will misinform private sector decisions and undermine core Federal, State, and local government activities, such as accurate allocation of scarce funds and assessment of the condition of education at all levels. Relatively small investments now to improve the quality of Federal statistics will pay handsome dividends; they will strengthen these crucial elements of our information infrastructure and illuminate the basic analyses underlying critical decisions that affect virtually every aspect of our lives.
WORKER PROTECTION
The vast majority of the American workforce does not belong to a union. They have little recourse if they are treated unfairly by their employer on issues such as the payment of fair wages, health and pension benefits, or workplace hazards that can cause illness or death. With growing pressure of global competition and a rapidly changing economy, employers are constantly looking for ways to cut costs that can often leave workers with the short end of the stick. The worker protection programs at the Department of Labor and the National Labor Relations Board attempt to provide a minimal set of rules that make sure workers are treated fairly. The majority of employers value their employees and have no problem complying with the basic labor rules. However, there are many employers and business associations that are for some reason threatened by these agencies, and they ask their representatives in Congress to stop these protections. In an unfortunate pattern that has been repeated for several years, the Majority has again sided with employers and the big guys, to launch a barrage of attacks on workers' rights through a series of strategic budget cuts and riders to stop or subvert labor rules that govern the workplace.
The House bill and report contain several objectionable language provisions attempting to delay various regulations under development by DOL regulatory agencies. This includes a ban on new regulations that require health plans to give workers quick decisions on medical benefit requests with a fair appeal process; a ban on new regulations that would protect the wages of construction workers; a requirement to conduct a National Academy of Sciences study to delay OSHA's proposed standard to protect millions of health care workers from exposure to tuberculosis; a requirement that there be a 2-year pilot study to collect data on the costs and benefits of OSHA's safety and health programs proposal to delay OSHA from proceeding to issue its regulation; and a continuation until June 1, 2000, of the MSHA training regulation rider that prohibits enforcement of training requirements to protect surface miners from disabling and fatal accidents. The House report also directs the Department to take various additional measures related to the MSHA conveyer belt rule, the OSHA latex glove bulletin, and the black lung regulations.
This bill cuts worker protection programs at the Department of Labor by $148 million or 12% below the President. If NLRB and NIOSH are included, the cut in worker protection programs is $195 million (12%)
By freezing most worker protection agencies at the FY 1999 level, and taking deep cuts in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the House mark would reduce Department of Labor worker protection programs by $148 million from the President's FY 2000 request, or 12%. 1
[Footnote] This will result in a cut of 390 worker protection staff below current levels and 667 staff below the President's request.
[Footnote 1: Figures have been adjusted to reflect the denial of the Alien Labor Certification transfer request.]
Presidential initiatives to expand the Department's efforts to address sweatshops in the garment industry and domestic child labor abuses, to promote equal pay, to expand public education and outreach on pension and health care plans, to address the problems of coal dust in mines, and to provide technical assistance to other countries in an effort to improve working standards around the world are not funded. The impact of operating under such drastically curtailed levels would severely disrupt the programs designed to improve the safety and health of workers and their benefits as well as efforts to assist employers as they seek to comply with workplace laws and regulations. This bill would also undermine efforts to raise global labor standards overseas, thereby leveling the playing field for American workers.
Rider to block new rules that require health plans to provide faster and fairer health claim decisions (section 104 of the bill)
In addition to devastating budget cuts, the Committee adopted the Northup amendment to halt regulations that would protect workers' right to know why they are turned down for health benefits, the right to appeal such decisions, and the right to get a fair answer without delay. These are basic patients' rights that can be strengthened for 120 million working and retired Americans covered by health plans without delay, but the Majority voted twice to stop them. The rider was added in Subcommittee on a party line vote, and the DeLauro amendment to strike the rider in Full Committee was defeated on a party line vote.
These proposed regulations represent a long overdue update of a 20-year-old claims process implemented prior to the wide-spread use of managed care health systems. Under current rules, a plan has 3 months to respond to a request for approval of medical services and can take as long as 5 months if they choose. Under the proposed rules, health care plans would be asked to make such decisions within 15 days, and 72 hours for urgent care claims, certainly not an unreasonable burden in today's high-tech environment. The proposed regulations are in line with most bi-partisan health care reform proposals being advanced in Congress.
In today's health care environment, a patient must typically obtain approval from their health care plan prior to seeing a specialist and receiving the necessary treatment. Imagine a woman who fears she might have breast cancer and wishes to see an oncologist. Under the current rules, her HMO can keep her waiting for approval, then deny her without giving her any detailed rationale. The regulations proposed by the Department of Labor would require the HMO to provide the woman with an explanation, in detail, specifying why she was denied treatment and further explain what recourse she now has to appeal the decision to the health plan. If the appeal involves medical judgment, the plan must consult with an appropriate health care professional--a provision not required under the current rules. These seem like common sense regulations that we should all be able to agree upon.
Consider the true story of a 25-year-old Denver woman in the prime of her life, who discovered she had a disease called ewing sarcoma. At the time of her diagnosis, her physician correctly requested immediate approval for treatment due to the aggressive nature of her disease. But, instead of receiving the immediate care her diagnosis demanded, her medical review was not completed for 95 days! After 95 days, the insurer approved her therapy. However, by this time, she had irreparable damage to all her internal organs and was no longer a good candidate--no longer even eligible--for the therapy she needed. Her prognosis is bleak. Under the Department's regulations, she would have had an answer for urgent care in 72 hours, not 95 days.
The American Medical Association, AARP, thirty state medical societies, numerous health care provider organizations and consumer groups all support the Department's regulation. The AMA says that:
The proposed rule by DOL would protect patients in ERISA group health plans and ensure that physicians, not health plans, make the best medical decisions for patients. * * * the current timelines for claims and appeals are entirely inadequate to ensure that patients receive the care they are entitled to and have paid for in a timely manner.
The Majority has raised the concern that this protection could inflate health care premiums. Even the AMA agrees that opponents of the regulation have used `drastically inflated cost estimates of the proposed rule'. Under the DOL analysis, the combined annual increases related to annual claims and appeals processing would amount to 9 cents per participant annually, and 35 cents in one time start up costs during 2000.
Rider blocks Davis-Bacon Helper regulations (section 103 of the bill)
Two years ago, the Committee directed the Department of Labor to issue helper regulations. The FY 1998 House report says on page 21, `The Committee is concerned about the suspension of the Davis-Bacon `helper' regulation and the lengthy delays in resolving the regulations. The Committee directs the Department to issue final regulations on the use of helpers under the Davis-Bacon Act by December 31, 1997.' Now that the regulations are proposed, the Majority wants to shut them down through the Northup rider that was adopted in Subcommittee on a party line vote, and reaffirmed by the Full Committee when the Pelosi amendment to strike it failed on a near party line vote.
The Department of Labor's regulations simply attempt to implement the Davis-Bacon requirements that contractors cannot undercut competitors on federal contracts by assigning tasks to lower paid `helpers' that are, according to prevailing local standards, usually performed by higher wage workers or apprentices in structured training programs. The proposed regulations would not ban the use of helpers, but simply limit their usage to areas where use of such a job classification is a prevailing practice.
Recent Department of Labor analysis indicate that the majority's conclusion that the proposed regulations will cost taxpayers $600 million dollars a year appear to be based on unfounded and inflated assumptions. Similarly, the Majority argument that implementation of the Department of Labor regulations will impede the entrance of women and minorities into construction jobs appears misguided. In truth the numbers of females and minorities in construction positions has been rising steadily and the failure to implement helper regulations will likely have the detrimental effect of steering women and minorities into low-paying, dead-end positions. Implementation of the proposed rule would finally end twenty years of litigating and rulemaking on this issue.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
The bill cuts OSHA funding 5% overall, with workplace safety enforcement cut 8% below fiscal year 1999 and 14% below the President's request. The bill so underfunds OSHA's budget that it would require a Reduction-in-Force (RIF) eliminating 275 positions, including 175 inspectors, and a furlough of all OSHA employees for 21 days. The bill cuts these funds although workplace hazards remain a problem in many businesses throughout the country, and OSHA has been effective in making these sites safer. Since OSHA was created, fatality rates in manufacturing have declined 67% and in construction by 80%. A study has shown that injuries declined an average of 22% over the next three years in workplaces where OSHA inspected and issued penalties for violations.
Yet each year there are still over 6 million injuries and 6,000 fatalities in workplaces across the country, and an additional 50,000 workers die from occupational diseases. OSHA is legally mandated to conduct inspections in response to employee complaints, and inspects most fatalities and catastrophes. Its resources are already stretched dangerously thin in states under Federal jurisdiction. OSHA has fewer than 1100 inspectors to cover more than 4 million workplaces. Because of its other inspection requirements, OSHA has only enough resources to inspect 3000 of the 12,500 most dangerous non-construction workplaces in the Nation. On average, OSHA can inspect workplaces only once every 109 years, and in some states it is double that estimate. The cut in this bill will mean 7,500 fewer inspections in 2000, and as a result, there are likely to be more workers injured or killed on the job. A state table displaying information on occupational injuries and OSHA inspections is included at the end of these views.
The bill also underfunds the President's request for additional compliance assistance resources for OSHA. In response to requests from Congress and employers, OSHA has in recent years expanded its partnership and cooperative assistance efforts with businesses. But not only does the bill fail to fund the President's request to enhance OSHA's compliance assistance capacity by placing a compliance assistance specialist in each Federal area office, it freezes Federal compliance assistance funds at 1999 levels. Therefore, the bill effectively reduces such assistance to employers, employees, trade associations, labor unions and others who need it.
Studies and pilot projects on OSHA protections--exercises in delay
The combination of proposals to conduct pilot projects, require peer review and require National Academy of Sciences studies before OSHA can issue critically important protections has one common denominator--delay. Opponents of OSHA regulation argue adequate science is necessary. They give virtually no credit to the science that already exists or to reviews that have already been undertaken. Instead, as self-appointed scientific arbiters, they decree that insufficient science exists, and use that declaration to justify delaying important worker protections.
NAS/Ergonomics: First, there was ergonomics. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health evaluated the 600 top studies on the subject. NIOSH's analysis was peer reviewed by an unprecedented 27 experts nationwide. But the naysayers said NIOSH couldn't be trusted. So, they pushed for a $400,000, 6-month effort by the National Academy of Sciences, again analyzing the science that already exists. When they didn't like the results of that study, the naysayers argued for yet another literature review. The new NAS literature review will cost nearly $1 million, will again evaluate the science that already exists, and will take until the spring of 2001 to complete.
NAS/Tuberculosis: Now, the Committee wants the NAS to spend $450,000 of the taxpayers' money to study OSHA's tuberculosis proposal, despite the fact that OSHA recently re-opened its rulemaking record, already had its risk analysis peer reviewed once, and plans to have it peer reviewed again.
Metalworking Fluids: It seems that no process organized by OSHA is good enough for the critics. OSHA convened a 15-member panel of workers, industry representatives and scientists, including physicians and industrial hygienists, which deliberated for two years before recommending in July that OSHA pursue rulemaking to protect workers from potentially harmful metalworking fluids that cause dermal problems, respiratory illness and cancer. Although OSHA has yet to react to the advisory committee recommendation, the appropriations subcommittee lost no time requiring OSHA to jump additional hurdles before it can promulgate a new or amended rule.
Pilot Projects: The final approach is delay by pilot project. The pilot approach is aimed at another rule OSHA has yet to even propose--its rule on safety and health programs. OSHA's opponents want to spend $2 million on a 2-year pilot `study' to try out safety and health programs. But is this a quest for information or another exercise in delay? 32 states already have some form of safety and health program provision in the law. Four states mandate that virtually all employers in the state have a program like the one OSHA plans to propose. During the first 5 years of those programs becoming effective, injury and illness rates in those states fell by 18%, in comparison with national rates. Companies in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program, all of which must operate effective safety and health programs, routinely achieve injury rates as much as 60% below others in their industries. About 1/3 of the companies in the nation already operate a basic safety and health program. There's no question that safety and health programs provide real benefits. The debate is about whether to mandate those programs. Yet, OSHA's opponents say we need a 2-year pilot project to evaluate their effectiveness. Is this science or delay?
International labor standards
The Minority is both disappointed and surprised that the Committee bill provides none of
the additional funds requested to enhance implementation of core labor standards and lift up working conditions in developing countries around the world. Since it was the Majority that decided not to conduct a hearing on the Department's International Programs that would have given the Department an opportunity to present its proposals to the Committee, the Minority thinks the criticism directed at the Department in this report for not making a `strong case' for these programs is misdirected.
The recent financial crisis in Asia highlighted the importance of establishing adequate safety nets and implementing core labor standards in supporting short-term economic reform and long-term economic growth. The Committee action result in developing countries not having safety nets in place when there are economic downturns and contribute to a race to the bottom on labor standards. Without this funding, there will likely be an increase the number of people around the globe who fall below the poverty line, adversely impact progress on human rights, and negatively impact on our interest in the expansion of global trade and investment. On the heels of the unanimous vote by the ILO this summer on the child labor convention, raising the profile of the dialogue on core labor standards, this action would be a severe setback.
Efforts to hold member states accountable for providing basic labor rights: freedom of association, collective bargaining, non-discrimination, and prohibitions on forced and abusive child labor, will be severely compromised. The Department will be unable to respond to numerous requests for technical assistance to countries seeking to implement labor laws and strengthen the institutions responsible for compliance with core labor standards. Enforcement will be severely jeopardized. Social stability and economic growth will be threatened.
National Labor Relations Board
NLRB, an independent agency outside of the Department of Labor, is cut -$35 million (17%) below the President's request, and by -$10 million (-5%) below FY 1999. This size of cut will cause staffing reductions of 134 FTE's below current levels and 256 FTE's below the request which will severely affect the agency's ability to perform its mission. This will undermine the rule of law that has governed the nation's labor relations for 60 years and will force employers and employees to wait even longer for resolution of their cases. This means that when employees are unfairly fired for trying to improve working conditions, they will be out of work without pay for much longer before the NLRB can get them their job back with backpay.
The bill also includes a rider adopted on a party line vote in subcommittee that amends the National Labor Relations Act to exempt workers in many small businesses from the basic labor protections of the Act.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
The bill provides a program level of $38.4 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services, which is $686 million (-2%) below the President's 2000 request--but $2.2 billion (+6%) over the 1999 funding level.
Eliminates the President's initiative for Ensuring Quality and Safety of Nursing Homes
The bill eliminates $35 million requested by HCFA to ensure that 1.6 million elderly and disabled receive quality nursing care. According to GAO, 1 in 4 nursing homes are estimated to have serious deficiencies that harm residents or place them at risk of death or serious injury, and 40% of homes with deficiencies are repeat offenders. The President's initiative would support state enforcement efforts, crack down on repeat offenders, require employee background checks, reduce the incidence of bed sores, dehydration, and malnutrition, and publish nursing home survey results on the Internet.
Eliminates the President's National Family Caregiver Support Program
The Committee fails to provide $125 million requested by the President for a new program supporting the seven million informal caregiver who enable their friends and relatives with long term care needs to remain at home. Over 5 million Americans, 3 to 4 million seniors, remain in their homes because of services provided by caregivers. These services would cost between $45 billion and $75 billion annually if provided by home care aides. The role of the caregiver is difficult. Half are themselves over the age of 65, the majority are women, and one third have full time jobs. The new National Family Caregiver Support Program would provide essential services to approximately 250,000 families caring for older relatives. These services include information on available resources; assistance with locating services; caregiver training, counseling and support; and respite care. The House Committee on Education and Workforce recently authorized the Caregivers Program at the $125 million requested level when it reported out the Older Americans Act. However, funding for the President's initiative should not be held up pending the authorization of the Older Americans Act. States can provide services to family caregivers under existing provisions of Title III-D of the Older Americans Act.
Fails to increase funding for Meals for Seniors
The Committee eliminates the $35 million increase requested by the President for the popular home delivered meals program (Meals on Wheels). The home delivered meals program enables large numbers of older adults to remain in their homes and communities avoiding or delaying costly institutionalization. Recipients typically have incomes below $10,000 per year, live alone and have multiple chronic conditions; 48% have spent time in a hospital or nursing home within the past year. Approximately 500,000 seniors are in need or currently on the waiting list for home delivered meals and are not being served. The President's request of $147 million would increase the number of nutritionally balanced meals served by 23% to an annual total of 146 million.
Head Start
The Committee cuts the President's Head Start request by $507 million or 10%. Additional information on this program was included earlier at the beginning of the Education section of these views.
Eliminates the Administration's proposal to improve health care access for uninsured workers
The Committee eliminates $25 million requested by the President to address the growing number of uninsured Americans. In 1997, 43 million Americans--24.6 million of these are working people--did not have health insurance. Roughly 32 million are adults between the ages of 19 and 64. In 1997, 30% of uninsured adults did not receive needed medical care and 55% postponed needed medical care because they could not afford it. The President's five-year initiative would increase the capacity and effectiveness of the Nation's community health care institutions and providers who serve patients regardless of ability to pay. These funds would enable public and private entities to assist safety-net providers develop and expand integrated systems of care and address service gaps within such integrated systems with a focus on primary care, mental health services and substance abuse services. This proposal could be funded under the existing title III of the Public Health Service Act authorization.
Cuts Social Services Block Grant by $471 million
The Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) provides essential funding to states to help reduce or eliminate such social maladies as government dependence, child abuse, and inappropriate institutional care. SSBG Grants are made directly to the 50 states and territories based on each state's population, and states are fully responsible for determining the use of their funds. Federal funds are available without a matching requirement. Within the specific limitations in the law, each state has the flexibility to determine what services will be provided, who is eligible to receive services, and how funds are distributed among the various services within the state. In addition, up to 10 percent of block grant funds may be transferred to other block grant programs for support of health services, health promotion and disease prevention activities, and low-income home energy assistance. The Committee recommendation cuts this program by $471 million or 20% below the mandatory level requested by the President, and reduces from 10% to 4.25% the amount of TANF funds that can be transferred into this program.
Withholds Family Planning services to an additional 500,000 clients
The Committee eliminates the $25 million increase for Title X family planning services. For many of the 4.5 million individuals currently receiving services at the over 4,600 clinics nationwide, this is the primary or sole point of contact with the health care system. Title X funds support a wide range of preventive reproductive health care beyond contraceptive services, including pelvic and breast examinations, blood pressure checks, Pap smears, and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases. The President's request of $25 million would have provided family planning services to an additional 500,000 clients who are neither Medicaid eligible nor have private insurance.
Potentially Cuts Interagency School Violence Initiative
The Committee fails to provide $12 million of the President's full request for SAMHSA's Mental Health Knowledge Development and Application (KDA), and could severely impact the $40 million School Violence `Safe Schools/Healthy Students' initiative begun by Congress last year. Research indicates that between 1989 and 1995, students felt increasingly unsafe in, and traveling to, school. A 1996 Children's Institute International Poll of American Adolescents found that 47% of all teens felt that their schools were becoming more violent. These perceptions mirror the reality of school violence. During the 1996-97 academic year alone, 21 percent of all public high schools and 19% of all public middle schools reported at least one serious violent crime--such as murder, rape, other types of sexual battery, physical attack with a weapon--to law enforcement agencies. The President's request would ensure that the 50 school districts funded under the `Safe Schools/Healthy Students' initiative begun in FY 1999 receive their second year of funding. This new program is an unprecedented joint effort among the U.S. Departments of Education, Justice, and Health and Human Services to help communities design and implement comprehensive educational, mental health, social services, law enforcement, and juvenile justice services for youth.
Cuts critical expansion of mental health services
Additionally, the bill slashes $59 million, or 16 percent, from the Administration's request for the Mental Health Block Grant program which supports state prevention, treatment and rehabilitation efforts. These cuts will potentially deny 20,000 individuals access to essential stabilizing medication. The Committee also cuts $3 million from the President's request for PATH, a program which aids homeless individuals with mental illness. Every night, approximately 200,000 Americans with major mental illness have nowhere to sleep. By denying the President's request, the Committee is denying the opportunity to reach out to an additional 7,800 homeless individuals and provide them with essential mental health services.
Eliminates treatment for 31,000 substance abuse addicts
The bill cuts $120 million, or 7 percent, from the Administration's $1.8 billion request for substance abuse treatment programs. The Targeted Treatment Expansion program alone is cut $34 million, or 20 percent, below last years funding level and $90 million, or 40 percent, under the Administration's request. The President's request would have doubled funding for this
program, which focuses treatment services to areas of highest need, and would have provided an additional 22,000 treatment slots for addicted individuals. This bill also denies the President's requested $30 million increase in Substance Abuse Treatment Block Grant funds which would have enabled 9,000 additional individuals to receive treatment. Currently nationwide, we have the capacity to serve a mere 37%, or just 2 million, of the 5.3 million Americans who are in severe need of substance abuse treatment.
Recently, the California Drug and Alcohol Treatment Assessment (CALDATA) study found that every $1 spent on substance abuse treatment results in $7 in taxpayer savings--these savings result from reduced health care costs, less crime, an increase in worker productivity, and decreased death expenses. A 1996 National Institute of Justice report supports the CALDATA study by showing that treatment of all addicts in the United States could save more than $150 billion in social costs over the next 15 years, while requiring just $21 billion in treatment costs. Finally, the RAND Corporation, in one of the most comprehensive studies to date, found that at the margin, each dollar spent on demand reduction activities was 7 times more effective at reducing drug consumption than law enforcement activities--RAND also found demand activities to be 11 times more effective than interdiction and 23 times more effective than source country efforts.
Potentially cuts the minority AIDS and substance abuse initiative
The Committee bill is $19 million below the FY 1999 funding level for the Center for Substance Abuse and Prevention. This cut severely threatens the program to provide integrated substance abuse and HIV/AIDS prevention services to African American and Hispanic/Latino youth as well as women and their children. According to the Surgeon General, nearly one half of all new HIV infections are caused either directly (through sharing of ejection equipment) or indirectly (sexual transmission from an individual infected through injection equipment, birth, etc.) through substance abuse. Racial and ethnic minorities are disproportionately effected by substance abuse related HIV infection. Since 1981, roughly 61% of all AIDS cases among women have been attributed to injection drug use, or sex with partners who inject drugs. Further, among the highest health care expenditures associated with substance abuse are those associated with HIV/AIDS.
The President's request would provide $138 million to reduce drug abuse with a focus on youth and minority populations. Prevention activities have played a key role in the dramatic reduction in the number of current drug users from 25 million in 1979 to the 13.9 million that exist today. Demographics point to an impending surge in the number of 12 to 20 year old individuals expected to increase by 21%, or 6.75 million individuals over the next fifteen years. As a result, even if youth drug use rates remain constant, we are likely to face a tremendous increase in the number of individuals needing substance abuse services over this time period. Such trends are alarming, and point to the need for increased funding for prevention activities and not the 47% cut proposed by the majority.
Eliminates $50 million in emergency funds for HIV/AIDS in minority communities
Representing an estimated 12% of the total U.S. population, African Americans make up almost 37% of all AIDS cases reported in this country. In 1998, Hispanics represented 13% of the U.S. population (including residents of Puerto Rico), but accounted for 20% of the total number of new U.S. AIDS cases reported that year (9,650 of 48,269 cases). The AIDS incidence rate among Hispanics in 1998 was 28.1 per 100,000 population, almost 4 times the rate for whites (8.2 per 100,000) but lower than the rate for African Americans (66.4 per 100,000).
Asian Pacific Islander Americans and Native Americans are also at heightened risk for HIV infection and AIDS. All these communities need targeted prevention, support services, and medical care.
The President requested $50 million in the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund to continue the efforts initiated by Congress last year to strengthen programs of prevention and care for minority communities particularly hard hit by HIV/AIDS. This bill eliminates those funds.
25 Communities in approximately 18 States will not implement full programs to reduce health disparities
Racial and ethnic minorities suffer from severe health disparities in many areas. For example, prevalence of diabetes among African-Americans is about 70 percent higher than among whites, and the rate among Hispanics is nearly twice that of whites. Coronary heart disease mortality is about 40 percent higher for African-Americans than for whites. This year, CDC issued planning grants to 32 communities in 18 States to develop demonstration projects to reduce disparities within these communities in one or more of the six priority areas--Infant Mortality, Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening and Management, Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and Child and Adult Immunizations. Without the $25 million increase, these communities will not be able to implement the programs they develop, and CDC will not be able to start the evaluation work needed to enable other communities to adopt approaches that succeed.
Denies immunizations to 500,000 children
Many of the nation's adolescents have not been fully immunized against hepatitis B, chicken pox, measles, mumps and rubella. The President's budget included a $60 million increase to provide vaccines for children who rely on the public health system to stay immunized. The Committee recommendation for vaccine purchase does not provide this needed increase. The denial of the President's budget request of a $60 million increase for childhood vaccines would result in approximately 500,000 children not receiving the full course of immunization for vaccine preventable diseases including measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox and hepatitis B.
The World Health Organization set the end of 2000 as the goal for eradicating polio worldwide. The President's budget request included a $17 million increase to buy polio vaccines for National Immunization Days, and provide needed technical assistance to underdeveloped countries. The Committee's failure to provide the $17 million increase will cause the number of planned National Immunization Days (NIDs) in polio-endemic countries around the world to be limited. This will jeopardize the achievement of global polio eradication by the end of 2000. The longer the delay in achieving eradication, the less likely the target will ever be achieved because countries that have eliminated polio may relax these efforts and be susceptible to reestablishment of polio transmission.
Tobacco
Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death and disease, causing more than 430,000 deaths and costing the U.S. at least $50-$73 billion in medical expenses alone. The Committee bill is at least $10.4 million below the President's request for FY 2000 assuming that the chronic line item increase of $16.6 million is directed to tobacco. These funds are critical in efforts to dissuade the more than 3,000 young people who become regular smokers each day and prevent the premature death of 5 million of today's children. One current survey finding showed that 27 percent of 6th graders were already current users of tobacco products. The full President's budget request of $27 million for tobacco is needed to increase State school-based tobacco prevention programs from 15 to 20, and State health department educational campaigns from 150 to 200.
Occupational health
The annual economic burden of occupational illness and injury is comparable to cancer at $171 billion. Each day, 11,000 workers sustain disabling injuries, 17 die from a workplace injury, and 137 die from work-related diseases. CDC has worked with the public and private sectors to develop the National Occupational Research Agenda that guides CDC's work to reduce these injuries and diseases. The President's budget requested a $12 million increase to help reduce work-related injury and illness.
The Committee recommendation to freeze NIOSH will eliminate almost 50 essential safety research projects on subjects including cancer control, low back disorders, and asthma. The Congress should accelerate research on occupational illness and injury, just as it is rapidly expanding basic biomedical work and the fight against cancer. But caving into anti-worker protection interests, the Committee has frozen NIOSH while it has allocated NIH an additional $1.3 billion over last year. At the level proposed by the Committee, NIOSH would be able to fund just one of every twenty grants it receives (a 5% success rate), and 37 new and competing grant proposals would not be funded, delaying NIOSH's ability to address key national priorities for preventing work-related deaths, injuries and illnesses.
Infectious disease, food safety, and bioterrorism
Each year, 76 million people get sick from foodborne disease, 323,000 are hospitalized, and 5,200 die. If a new flu strain arose next year and started a pandemic, it could kill up to 200,000 people. Four million Americans are already infected with Hepatitis C, and the Nation's public health surveillance system is not up to the task of rapidly detecting and isolating diseases resulting from a bioterrorist attack.
The President's budget included an increase of $44 million under CDC's Infectious Diseases activity, to be coordinated with funding requested through the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund, to improve surveillance and accelerate the Nation's response to outbreaks of disease that are foodborne, the result of a bioterrorist attack, or other emerging infectious diseases.
The bill is $16 million below the President's request for infectious diseases and severely compromises support to State health departments for surveillance and response programs for serious diseases facing our nation. At this level, hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevention and control programs would not be established in states. HCV infection is the most common chronic blood borne infection in the United States. Approximately 4 million Americans are infected with HCV, yet most of them are not aware of their infection and are not clinically ill, because symptoms of hepatitis C-related chronic liver disease may not develop for 10 to 20 years after infection. Chronic liver disease is the tenth leading cause of death among adults in the United States, and it is estimated that 40-60% of chronic liver disease is caused by HCV. HCV-related acute and chronic liver disease causes 8,000-12,000 deaths annually. The medical and work loss costs of HCV-related acute and chronic liver disease are estimated to exceed $700 million annually. Support to for pandemic influenza preparedness would not be available.
In the United States alone, an influenza pandemic would cause an estimated 89,000 to 207,000 deaths; 314,000-734,000 hospitalizations; and the economic impact would range from $71-$167 billion. We are overdue for the next influenza pandemic and the nation remains unprepared. Efforts to implement prevention and control programs for antimicrobial resistance would be curtailed, yet rates of resistance are dramatically increasing and the impact is enormous. Hospital-acquired infections kill 88,000 people annually in the U.S. and cost $4 billion dollars. Finally, CDC's food safety activities could not expand. There are an estimated 76,000,000 cases and nearly 5,000 deaths every year associated with foodborne infections. It is estimated that foodborne illnesses may cost as much as $22 billion a year in health care and related costs.
Reduction in the bioterrorism pharmaceutical stockpile
The impact of the House reduction of the funding for the pharmaceutical stockpile from $52 million to $17 million would result in further delaying the already prolonged process of establishing a sufficient pharmaceutical stockpile. The planned manufacturer-managed
pharmaceutical cache of medicines, supplies and equipment would be drastically reduced or may not occur at all. And, based on current planning, vaccine development and purchase (e.g. smallpox), expected to begin in FY 2000, would not occur.
Eliminates the President's Sub-Saharan Africa AIDS Initiative
The Committee bill eliminates $35 million in CDC funding requested by the President to prevent the spread of AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa. An estimated 22 million adults and 1.2 million children are living with HIV/AIDS in this region, and 4 million new individuals are infected each year. Life expectancy in Zambia alone, where 26% of the adult population is already HIV positive, is expected to drop from 66 to 33 years by 2010. Each day, Africa experiences 5,500 AIDS related funerals, and 83% of all AIDS related deaths since this epidemic started have been in this region. Over the next ten years, an estimated 40 million children will become orphans in Africa due to AIDS. The President's Sub-Saharan Africa Initiative would supplement international efforts to care for those affected by this devastating disease and help prevent the further spread of AIDS. The CDC funds are to be part of a larger $100 million initiative involving USAID and the Department of Defense.
Violence against women
Over 5 million American women experienced domestic or sexual violence in 1996: 4,581,714 women were physically assaulted by their partners and 453,137 were raped. Over 4,200 women were murdered by someone they knew, and half of those murders were committed by intimate partners. The Committee bill is $13 million below the President's budget request. Without this increase, CDC will not be able to expand services to victims of violence and change social norms within the society that encourage this violence.
Health statistics
The Committee recommendation of $94.5 million for NCHS is $15 million short of the level requested by the President. This funding level represents a real setback to efforts to rebuild NCHS, preserve major surveys that provide much of the data we need to shape health policy, and build new health information tools to meet new demands. The increase requested by the President is needed to sustain current NCHS operations, and rebuild surveys that had been endangered by declining resources over the decade.
The bill slashes funding for Medicare and Medicaid program administration by $264 million
These cuts would seriously impede HCFA's ability to administer and manage the baseline Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP programs, let alone simultaneously implement new workloads related to the Balanced Budget Act (BBA), the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), and other desirable and worthwhile initiatives such as the Nursing Home Initiative.
Managing these programs in FY 2000 at reduced funding levels of this magnitude will have damaging and in some cases irreversible effects on the quality and level of basic services expected from beneficiaries and providers of care. Moreover, the proposed reductions would compromise HCFA's highest priorities including nursing home quality and safety; reducing fraud, waste and abuse; and implementation of the HIPAA and the BBA.
In addition, the Committee's limiting the Medicare Integrity Program to FY1999 levels results in a net loss to the Medicare Program. CBO estimated approximately $5 in savings for each $1 spent for the additional $70 million in spending authorized and appropriated in HIPAA for FY 2000. By CBO's calculations, nearly $350 million will be lost to the Trust Funds by the Committee's actions.
Making Medicare less cost effective
Agency for Health Care Policy and Research focuses on identifying the most effective and efficient approach to organize, deliver, finance, and reimburse health services. Making Medicare and Medicaid more cost effective is a major part of AHCPR's work. However, the Committee funds AHCPR at $31 million below the President's request--a level will reduce the number of new research projects by two-thirds. Cutting out this work to make Medicare more cost effective is penny-wise and pound foolish. The Congress also needs to fully fund the request for the Medical Expenditures Panel Survey (MEPS). We should fund the proposed improvements, as well as address increased contractor costs, to make sure that the Congress and other health care decision-makers have the information needed to make sound policy decisions.
National Institutes of Health
Although the Committee recommendation for NIH is a $1.3 billion or 9% increase, the number of new and competing grants is expected to decline from 9,166 in FY 1999 to 8,500 in FY 2000. This is due in part to the NIH decision to provide a 3% increase in the noncompeting grants, and a 5% increase for new and competing grants.
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
The bill includes $6.48 billion for the administrative expenses of the Social Security Administration, which is $225 million below the level requested by the President. Funding SSA at this level will result in a deterioration in public services. SSA would be forced to impose an immediate and complete hiring freeze, leaving 3,000 positions vacant by the end of the year.
That would result in disability applicants waiting almost 5 months, almost twice as long the current processing time, for a decision on their initial claims, and longer waiting times for the millions of individuals who visit district offices.
TITLE IX--EITC, FHA MORTGAGE INSURANCE PREMIUM REFUNDS, DIRECT STUDENT LOANS ORIGINATION FEES
Despite using massive accounting gimmicks, the bill as reported by the subcommittee was $8.9 billion over its 302(b) allocation for outlays, counting the emergency spending. In order to bring the bill under its outlay allocation during Full Committee consideration, the Majority passed the DeLay amendment on a party line vote.
The DeLay amendment postpones almost one-third of the Earned Income Tax Credit payments to low income, working families until FY 2001 (saves $8.75 billion in outlays), increases the origination fees that students pay on direct student loans from 3% to 4% (saves $55 million in outlays), and denies rebates on FHA mortgage insurance premiums to low income and first time homeowners who pay off their mortgages early (saves $158 million in outlays). In the face of opposition from the nation's governors, the DeLay amendment deleted the shift of $3 billion in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families from FY 2000 to FY 2001 that was included in the subcommittee bill.
A substitute amendment was offered by Mr. Obey that would have delayed the tax refunds on preferential treatment of capital gains in excess of $5,000 instead of delaying EITC payments. The Obey amendment was defeated on a party line vote.
Delay of Earned Income Tax Credit payments
The EITC has been strongly supported by President's Reagan, Bush, and Clinton as a way to encourage families to move from welfare to work by making work pay. Social Security taxes and various means-tested benefits create economic disincentives for low income families to work. The EITC offsets these disincentives with a strong incentive to work. About 80% of EITC payments offset the individual income, Social Security and other Federal taxes borne by families receiving the credit. By providing an offset against other Federal taxes paid by these families, the tax credit serves to increase the disposable income of parents who work full-time so that they do not have to raise their children in poverty. The EITC is only available to working families. If you don't work, you don't get the benefit. On 1999 tax returns, the EITC will provide a tax credit averaging $1,610 for nearly 20 million workers and their families. Families with two children can receive a maximum EITC of $3,816 for income between $9,540 and $12,460, and the credit is phased out at $30,580.
The Department of Defense estimates that 128,000 military families are eligible for the EITC.
The Census Bureau reports that an estimated 4.3 million persons were lifted out of poverty by the EITC in 1998, and over half were children under the age of 18.
The EITC removed about 1.1 million African Americans and nearly 1.2 million Hispanics from poverty in 1998.
The DeLay amendment adopted by the Committee would divide the annual lump sum EITC refund payments that exceed $600 into 12 equal monthly installments. After the first installment is paid, the second installment is not paid for 90 days, and then monthly payments resume.
A family of four with both parents working at minimum wage of $5.15 per hour would normally receive a tax refund from the EITC of $1,928 shortly after they file their 1999 income taxes. Instead, under the provision in this bill, they will get a check for $160, wait three months, and then get 11 more checks of $160 each. The payment of interest is specifically prohibited, so this amounts to an interest free loan to the government from the lowest income working families in the country who can least afford it.
The President said, `Let me be clear: I will not sign a bill that turns its back on these hard-working families. Even Republican Presidential candidate and Texas Governor, George W. Bush, denounced this proposal saying, `I don't think they ought to balance their budget on the backs of the poor.'
Elimination of the FHA mortgage insurance premium refunds
This year, the FHA insured nearly 1.3 million loans, the vast majority going to low and moderate income households with an average income of under $42,000. The DeLay amendment would take money directly out of the pockets of these families. The current FHA premium structure for mortgages insured in the Mutual Mortgage Insurance fund requires an upfront premium of 2.25%. If a homeowner pays off his existing FHA-insured mortgage in the first seven years, usually due to a sale or refinancing, he receives a prorated refund of the initial premium. If the borrower again uses FHA-insured financing, the refund can be applied to the new loan to lower that upfront fee.
The Delay Amendment adopted by the Committee would prevent the FHA from refunding any portion of the up-front fee on all future FHA mortgages. This is unfair. Denying refunds to borrowers who prepay their mortgages forces them to pay for risk that the Federal Government will no longer bear. Had this amendment been law last year, it would have negatively impacted the more than 900,000 families that successfully prepaid their mortgages this past year. In monetary terms, the elimination of all FHA prepayment refunds would run as high as $2,138, with the average household standing to lose approximately $1,200. To the typical FHA mortgage household, losing $1,200 would be equivalent to losing 3 percent of their yearly income.
Increase in the origination fee that students pay on direct student loans
The DeLay amendment includes a provision that has the effect of increasing the origination fee on direct student loans from 3% to 4%. This a direct, upfront cost to 1.8 million students who have loans through the direct lending program. For the average student who has a loan balance of about 10,000 at the end of college, this provision will cost him or her an additional $100. The Department of Education asserts that it has the authority to offer direct students loans with the 3% origination fee in order to make the terms of these loans consistent with student loans offered through the Federal Family Education Loan Program.
David Obey.
Steny Hoyer.
Nancy Pelosi.
Nita M. Lowey.
Rosa DeLauro.
Jesse Jackson, Jr.
ADDITIONAL VIEWS OF HON. NITA LOWEY
While this year the Committee did not approve an amendment to allow women direct access to their most often-visited health care providers, their ob-gyn specialists, it continues to be a very important issue of health care access.
The Lowey amendment, rejected in Full Committee consideration of this bill on a vote of 28-32, was similar to one that passed the Committee in 1998 by a vote of 29-25. It would have allowed women enrolled in managed care plans, whether federally or state regulated, to have direct access to their ob-gyn provider for covered obstetric and gynecological care--including follow-up care--without having to receive a referral or prior authorization from their primary care provider of insurance plan. The amendment would have given women the opportunity to receive their ob-gyn care from an array of providers specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, including obstetrician-gynecologists, family physicians, certified nurse midwives, and advance practice nurses. The amendment did not require managed care plans to allow ob-gyns to serve as primary care providers.
Direct access to ob-gyn services has strong bipartisan support. A direct access guarantee is included in the three major pieces of managed care reform legislation under consideration by the House--legislation introduced by Reps. Norwood and Dingell, Coburn and Shadegg, and Boehner--38 states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws or regulations allowing women access to their provider of ob-gyn care in a variety of ways. However, federal legislation is necessary to protect women in states that have not enacted direct access protections and for women in federally-sponsored (EISA) plans. One in three insured families are not protected from access limitations or restrictions. Finally, direct access to ob-gyn care is a protection already in place for enrollees in Medicare, Medicaid and FEHB programs. The President established this protection through Executive Order in 1998.
Americans overwhelmingly support passage of federal legislation requiring health plans to allow a woman to see her ob-gyn without referral. A January 1998 survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Harvard University found that 82% of Americans support a federal law requiring health plans to allow a women to see her ob-gyn without having to get permission or see another doctor first. It is time to act on this protection for American families.
NITA LOWEY.
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