Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 117.djvu/2191

 117 STAT. 2172

PUBLIC LAW 108–173—DEC. 8, 2003 information on the content and prescribed use of pharmaceutical medicines available in a usable format for blind and visually-impaired individuals. (2) REPORT.— (A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress on the study required under paragraph (1). (B) CONTENTS OF REPORT.—The report required under paragraph (1) shall include recommendations for the implementation of usable formats for making prescription pharmaceutical information available to blind and visuallyimpaired individuals and an estimate of the costs associated with the implementation of each format.

Deadline.

42 USC 1395w–104 note.

SEC. 108. GRANTS TO PHYSICIANS TO IMPLEMENT ELECTRONIC PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAMS.

(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary is authorized to make grants to physicians for the purpose of assisting such physicians to implement electronic prescription drug programs that comply with the standards promulgated or modified under section 1860D–4(e) of the Social Security Act, as inserted by section 101(a). (b) AWARDING OF GRANTS.— (1) APPLICATION.—No grant may be made under this section except pursuant to a grant application that is submitted and approved in a time, manner, and form specified by the Secretary. (2) CONSIDERATIONS AND PREFERENCES.—In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall— (A) give special consideration to physicians who serve a disproportionate number of medicare patients; and (B) give preference to physicians who serve a rural or underserved area. (3) LIMITATION ON GRANTS.—Only 1 grant may be awarded under this section with respect to any physician or group practice of physicians. (c) TERMS AND CONDITIONS.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Grants under this section shall be made under such terms and conditions as the Secretary specifies consistent with this section. (2) USE OF GRANT FUNDS.—Funds provided under grants under this section may be used for any of the following: (A) For purchasing, leasing, and installing computer software and hardware, including handheld computer technologies. (B) Making upgrades and other improvements to existing computer software and hardware to enable e-prescribing. (C) Providing education and training to eligible physician staff on the use of technology to implement the electronic transmission of prescription and patient information. (3) PROVISION OF INFORMATION.—As a condition for the awarding of a grant under this section, an applicant shall provide to the Secretary such information as the Secretary may require in order to— (A) evaluate the project for which the grant is made; and

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