Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 120.djvu/3448

 PUBLIC LAW 109–461—DEC. 22, 2006

120 STAT. 3417

diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases affecting the central nervous system, including multiple sclerosis. ‘‘(B) The ability to attract the participation of scientists who are capable of ingenuity and creativity in health-care research efforts. ‘‘(C) An advisory committee composed of veterans and appropriate health-care and research representatives of the Department health-care facility and of the affiliated school or schools to advise the directors of such facility and such center on policy matters pertaining to the activities of the center during the period of the operation of such center. ‘‘(D) The capability to conduct effectively evaluations of the activities of such center. ‘‘(E) The capability to coordinate (as part of an integrated national system) education, clinical, and research activities within all facilities with such centers. ‘‘(F) The capability to jointly develop a consortium of providers with interest in treating multiple sclerosis at facilities without such centers in order to ensure better access to stateof-the-art diagnosis, care, and education for autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system throughout the health-care system of the Department. ‘‘(G) The capability to develop a national repository in the health-care system of the Department for the collection of data on health services delivered to veterans seeking care for autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system. ‘‘(d) PEER REVIEW PANEL.—(1) The Under Secretary for Health shall establish a panel to assess the scientific and clinical merit of proposals that are submitted to the Secretary for the establishment of centers under this section. ‘‘(2)(A) The membership of the panel shall consist of experts in autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system. ‘‘(B) Members of the panel shall serve for a period of no longer than two years, except as specified in subparagraph (C). ‘‘(C) Of the members first appointed to the panel, one half shall be appointed for a period of three years and one half shall be appointed for a period of two years, as designated by the Under Secretary at the time of appointment. ‘‘(3) The panel shall review each proposal submitted to the panel by the Under Secretary and shall submit its views on the relative scientific and clinical merit of each such proposal to the Under Secretary. ‘‘(4) The panel shall not be subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act. ‘‘(e) PRIORITY OF FUNDING.—Before providing funds for the operation of a center designated under subsection (a) at a Department health-care facility other than at a facility designated pursuant to subsection (b)(2), the Secretary shall ensure that each multiple sclerosis center at a facility designated pursuant to subsection (b)(2) is receiving adequate funding to enable that center to function effectively in the areas of multiple sclerosis research, education, and clinical activities. ‘‘(f) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for the support of the research and education activities of the centers established pursuant to subsection (a). The Under Secretary for Health shall allocate to such centers from other funds appropriated generally

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