Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 113 Part 3.djvu/135

 PUBLIC LAW 106-129—DEC. 6, 1999 113 STAT. 1653 Public Law 106-129 106th Congress An Act To amend title IX of the Public Health Service Act to revise and extend the Dec. 6, 1999 Agency for Healthcare Policy and Research. [S. 580] Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. Healthcare R6S6£Li^li dud SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. Quality Act of 1999. This Act may be cited as the "Healthcare Research and Quahty 42 USC 201 note. Act of 1999". SEC. 2. AMENDMENT TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT. (a) IN GENERAL.— Title IX of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 299 et seq.) is amended to read as follows: RESEARCH AND QUALITY "PART A—ESTABLISHMENT AND GENERAL DUTIES •«EC. 901. MISSION AND DUTIES. 42 USC 299. "(a) IN GENERAL.—There is established within the Public Health Service an agency to be known as the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, which shall be headed by a director appointed by the Secretary. The Secretary shall carry out this title acting through the Director. "(b) MISSION. — The purpose of the Agency 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. The Agency 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;
 * TITLE IX—AGENCY FOR HEALTHCARE

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