[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5295 Introduced in House (IH)]
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116th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5295
To consolidate activities of the Agency for Healthcare Research and
Quality into the National Institutes of Health as the National
Institute for Research on Safety and Quality, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
December 4, 2019
Mr. Meadows introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To consolidate activities of the Agency for Healthcare Research and
Quality into the National Institutes of Health as the National
Institute for Research on Safety and Quality, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National Institute for Research on
Safety and Quality Act''.
SEC. 2. CONSOLIDATING ACTIVITIES OF AGENCY FOR HEALTHCARE RESEARCH AND
QUALITY INTO NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH ON SAFETY
AND QUALITY.
(a) Establishment of Institute.--
(1) Inclusion within nih.--Section 401(b) of the Public
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 281(b)) is amended--
(A) by redesignating paragraph (25) as paragraph
(26); and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (24) the
following:
``(25) National Institute for Research on Safety and
Quality.''.
(2) Increase of cap on number of institutes.--Section
401(d)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
281(d)(1)) is amended by striking ``27'' and inserting ``28''.
(3) Establishment.--Part C of title IV of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 285 et seq.) is amended by adding at the
end the following:
``Subpart 21--National Institute for Research on Safety and Quality
``SEC. 464AA-1. PURPOSE OF INSTITUTE.
``The general purpose of the National Institute for Research on
Safety and Quality (hereafter in this subpart referred to as the
`Institute') is to enhance the quality, appropriateness, and
effectiveness of health services, and access to such services, through
the establishment of a broad base of scientific research and through
the promotion of improvements in clinical and health system practices,
including the prevention of diseases and other health conditions.
``SEC. 464AA-2. PROMOTING HEALTH CARE QUALITY IMPROVEMENT.
``The Director of the Institute shall promote health care quality
improvement by conducting and supporting--
``(1) research that develops and presents scientific
evidence regarding all aspects of health care, including--
``(A) the development and assessment of methods for
enhancing patient participation in their own care and
for facilitating shared patient-physician decision
making;
``(B) the outcomes, effectiveness, and cost-
effectiveness of health care practices, including
preventive measures and long-term care;
``(C) existing and innovative technologies;
``(D) the costs and utilization of, and access to
health care;
``(E) the ways in which health care services are
organized, delivered, and financed and the interaction
and impact of these factors on the quality of patient
care;
``(F) methods for measuring quality and strategies
for improving quality; and
``(G) ways in which patients, consumers,
purchasers, and practitioners acquire new information
about best practices and health benefits, the
determinants and impact of their use of this
information;
``(2) the synthesis and dissemination of available
scientific evidence for use by patients, consumers,
practitioners, providers, purchasers, policy makers, and
educators; and
``(3) initiatives to advance private and public efforts to
improve health care quality.
``SEC. 464AA-3. REQUIREMENTS WITH RESPECT TO RURAL AND INNER-CITY AREAS
AND PRIORITY POPULATIONS.
``(a) Research, Evaluations, and Demonstration Projects.--In
carrying out this subpart, the Director of the Institute shall conduct
and support research and evaluations, and support demonstration
projects, with respect to--
``(1) the delivery of health care in inner-city areas, and
in rural areas (including frontier areas); and
``(2) health care for priority populations, which shall
include--
``(A) low-income groups;
``(B) minority groups;
``(C) women;
``(D) children;
``(E) the elderly; and
``(F) individuals with special health care needs,
including individuals with disabilities and individuals
who need chronic care or end-of-life health care.
``(b) Process To Ensure Appropriate Research.--The Director of the
Institute shall establish a process to ensure that the requirements of
subsection (a) are reflected in the overall portfolio of research
conducted and supported by the Director of National Institutes of
Health.''.
(b) Transfer of Authority.--
(1) In general.--Not later October 1, 2020, the Secretary
of Health and Human Services shall begin to transfer to the
National Institute for Research on Safety and Quality the
authorities (including all budget authorities, available
appropriations, and personnel), duties, obligations, and
related legal and administrative functions prescribed by law or
otherwise granted to the Agency for Healthcare Research and
Quality under title IX of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 299 et seq.). The Secretary shall complete such transfer
not later than October 1, 2021.
(2) Conforming repeal.--Effective on October 1, 2021, title
IX of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 299 et seq.) is
repealed.
(3) References.--Any reference to the Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality in any law, rule, regulation, certificate,
directive, instruction, or other official paper in force on the
date of enactment of this Act shall be considered to refer and
apply to the National Institute for Research on Safety and
Quality.
(4) Authorization of appropriations.--Of the amount
authorized to be appropriated under subparagraph (F) of section
402A(a)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
282(a)(1)) for fiscal year 2020, the Secretary may use
$256,000,000 to carry out this subsection.
(c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall take
effect on October 1, 2019.
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