Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 98 Part 2.djvu/484

 98 STAT. 1644

Ante, p. 1643.

PUBLIC LAW 98-426—SEPT. 28, 1984

of the proof and evidence necessary for actions under this section and the methods of taking and furnishing such proof and evidence. "(2) Any decision to take action with respect to a physician or health care provider under this section shall be based on specific findings of fact by the Secretary. The Secretary shall provide notice of these findings and an opportunity for a hearing pursuant to section 556 of title 5, United States Code, for a provider who would be affected by a decision under this section. A request for a hearing must be filed with the Secretary within thirty days after notice of the findings is received by the provider making such request. If a hearing is held, the Secretary shall, on the basis of evidence adduced at the hearing, affirm, modify, or reverse the findings of fact and proposed action under this section. "(3) For the purpose of any hearing, investigation, or other proceeding authorized or directed under this section, the provisions of section 9 and 10 (relating to the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers, and documents) of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 49, 50) shall apply to the jurisdiction, powers, and duties of the Secretary or any officer designated by him. "(4) Any physician or health care provider, after any final decision of the Secretary made after a hearing to which he was a party, irrespective of the amount in controversy, may obtain a review of such decision by a civil action commenced within sixty days after the mailing to him of notice of such decision, but the pendency of such review shall not operate as a stay upon the effect of such decision. Such action shall be brought in the court of appeals of the United States for the judicial circuit in which the plaintiff resides or has his principal place of business, or the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. As part of his answer, the Secretary shall file a certified copy of the transcript of the record of the hearing, including all evidence submitted in connection therewith. The findings of fact of the Secretary, if based on substantial evidence in the record as a whole, shall be conclusive.". (e) Section 7 is further amended by adding at the end thereof the following new subsection: "(k)(l) Nothing in this Act prevents an employee whose injury or disability hsis been established under this Act from relying in good faith on treatment by prayer or spiritual means alone, in accordance with the tenets and practice of a recognized church or religious denomination, by an accredited practitioner of such recognized church or religious denomination, and on nursing services rendered in accordance with such tenets and practice, without suffering loss or diminution of the compensation or benefits under this Act. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to except an employee from all physical examinations required by this Act. "(2) If an employee refuses to submit to medical or surgical services solely because, in adherence to the tenets and practice of a recognized church or religious denomination, the employee relies upon prayer or spiritual means alone for healing, such employee shall not be considered to have unreasonably refused medical or surgical treatment under subsection (d).". COMPENSATION FOR DISABILITY

Claims. 33 USC 908.

SEC. 8. (a) Section 8(c)(13) is amended to read as follows: "(13) Loss of hearing:

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