Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 117.djvu/2460

 PUBLIC LAW 108–173—DEC. 8, 2003

117 STAT. 2441

(iii) provide a basis for estimating the fiscal and coverage impact of Federal or State program and policy changes. (b) RECOMMENDATIONS.— (1) DISCLAIMER.—In carrying out this section, the Director shall— (A) not mandate national standards of clinical practice or quality health care standards; and (B) include in any recommendations resulting from projects funded and published by the Director, a corresponding reference to the prohibition described in subparagraph (A). (2) REQUIREMENT FOR IMPLEMENTATION.—Research, evaluation, and communication activities performed pursuant to this section shall reflect the principle that clinicians and patients should have the best available evidence upon which to make choices in health care items and services, in providers, and in health care delivery systems, recognizing that patient subpopulations and patient and physician preferences may vary. (3) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to provide the Director with authority to mandate a national standard or require a specific approach to quality measurement and reporting. (c) RESEARCH WITH RESPECT TO DISSEMINATION.—The Secretary, acting through the Director, may conduct or support research with respect to improving methods of disseminating information in accordance with subsection (a)(3)(C). (d) LIMITATION ON CMS.—The Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services may not use data obtained in accordance with this section to withhold coverage of a prescription drug. (e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2004, and such sums as may be necessary for each fiscal year thereafter. SEC. 1014. HEALTH CARE THAT WORKS FOR ALL AMERICANS: CITIZENS HEALTH CARE WORKING GROUP.

42 USC 299 note.

(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: (1) In order to improve the health care system, the American public must engage in an informed national public debate to make choices about the services they want covered, what health care coverage they want, and how they are willing to pay for coverage. (2) More than a trillion dollars annually is spent on the health care system, yet— (A) 41,000,000 Americans are uninsured; (B) insured individuals do not always have access to essential, effective services to improve and maintain their health; and (C) employers, who cover over 170,000,000 Americans, find providing coverage increasingly difficult because of rising costs and double digit premium increases. (3) Despite increases in medical care spending that are greater than the rate of inflation, population growth, and Gross Domestic Product growth, there has not been a commensurate improvement in our health status as a nation.

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