HR 1727
10-15-07, House Agreed to Bill by Voice Vote
Referred to Senate Committee
on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions
110th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 1727
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
October 16, 2007
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education,
Labor, and Pensions
AN ACT
To enhance and further research into paralysis and to improve rehabilitation
and the quality of life for persons living with paralysis and other physical
disabilities, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United
States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the `Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act'.
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
TITLE I--PARALYSIS RESEARCH
Sec. 101. Activities of the National Institutes of Health with respect to
research on paralysis.
TITLE II--PARALYSIS REHABILITATION RESEARCH AND CARE
Sec. 201. Activities of the National Institutes of Health with respect to
research with implications for enhancing daily function for persons with
paralysis.
TITLE III--IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PERSONS WITH PARALYSIS AND OTHER
PHYSICAL DISABILITIES
Sec. 301. Programs to improve quality of life for persons with paralysis
and other physical disabilities.
TITLE I--PARALYSIS RESEARCH
SEC. 101. ACTIVITIES OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH WITH RESPECT TO
RESEARCH ON PARALYSIS.
(a) Coordination- The Director of the National Institutes of Health (referred
to in this Act as the `Director'), pursuant to the general authority of the
Director, may develop mechanisms to coordinate the paralysis research and
rehabilitation activities of the Institutes and Centers of the National Institutes
of Health in order to further advance such activities and avoid duplication
of activities.
(b) Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Research Consortia-
(1) IN GENERAL- The Director may make awards of grants to public or private
entities to pay all or part of the cost of planning, establishing, improving,
and providing basic operating support for consortia in paralysis research.
The Director shall designate each consortium funded through such grants
as a Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Research Consortium.
(2) RESEARCH- Each consortium under paragraph (1)--
(A) may conduct basic, translational, and clinical paralysis research;
(B) may focus on advancing treatments and developing therapies in paralysis
research;
(C) may focus on one or more forms of paralysis that result from central
nervous system trauma or stroke;
(D) may facilitate and enhance the dissemination of clinical and scientific
findings; and
(E) may replicate the findings of consortia members or other researchers
for scientific and translational purposes.
(3) COORDINATION OF CONSORTIA; REPORTS- The Director may, as appropriate,
provide for the coordination of information among consortia under paragraph
(1) and ensure regular communication among members of the consortia, and
may require the periodic preparation of reports on the activities of the
consortia and the submission of the reports to the Director.
(4) ORGANIZATION OF CONSORTIA- Each consortium under paragraph (1) may use
the facilities of a single lead institution, or be formed from several cooperating
institutions, meeting such requirements as may be prescribed by the Director.
(c) Public Input- The Director may provide for a mechanism to educate and
disseminate information on the existing and planned programs and research
activities of the National Institutes of Health with respect to paralysis
and through which the Director can receive comments from the public regarding
such programs and activities.
TITLE II--PARALYSIS REHABILITATION RESEARCH AND CARE
SEC. 201. ACTIVITIES OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH WITH RESPECT TO
RESEARCH WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR ENHANCING DAILY FUNCTION FOR PERSONS WITH PARALYSIS.
(a) In General- The Director, pursuant to the general authority of the Director,
may make awards of grants to public or private entities to pay all or part
of the costs of planning, establishing, improving, and providing basic operating
support to multicenter networks of clinical sites that will collaborate to
design clinical rehabilitation intervention protocols and measures of outcomes
on one or more forms of paralysis that result from central nervous system
trauma, disorders, or stroke, or any combination of such conditions.
(b) Research- A multicenter network of clinical sites funded through this
section may--
(1) focus on areas of key scientific concern, including--
(A) improving functional mobility;
(B) promoting behavioral adaptation to functional losses, especially to
prevent secondary complications;
(C) assessing the efficacy and outcomes of medical rehabilitation therapies
and practices and assisting technologies;
(D) developing improved assistive technology to improve function and independence;
and
(E) understanding whole body system responses to physical impairments,
disabilities, and societal and functional limitations; and
(2) replicate the findings of network members or other researchers for scientific
and translation purposes.
(c) Coordination of Clinical Trials Networks; Reports- The Director may, as
appropriate, provide for the coordination of information among networks funded
through this section and ensure regular communication among members of the
networks, and may require the periodic preparation of reports on the activities
of the networks and submission of reports to the Director.
TITLE III--IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PERSONS WITH PARALYSIS AND OTHER
PHYSICAL DISABILITIES
SEC. 301. PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PERSONS WITH PARALYSIS
AND OTHER PHYSICAL DISABILITIES.
(a) In General- The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this title
referred to as the `Secretary') may study the unique health challenges associated
with paralysis and other physical disabilities and carry out projects and
interventions to improve the quality of life and long-term health status of
persons with paralysis and other physical disabilities. The Secretary may
carry out such projects directly and through awards of grants or contracts.
(b) Certain Activities- Activities under subsection (a) may include--
(1) the development of a national paralysis and physical disability quality
of life action plan, to promote health and wellness in order to enhance
full participation, independent living, self-sufficiency, and equality of
opportunity in partnership with voluntary health agencies focused on paralysis
and other physical disabilities, to be carried out in coordination with
the State-based Disability and Health Program of the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention;
(2) support for programs to disseminate information involving care and rehabilitation
options and quality of life grant programs supportive of community-based
programs and support systems for persons with paralysis and other physical
disabilities;
(3) in collaboration with other centers and national voluntary health agencies,
the establishment of a population-based database that may be used for longitudinal
and other research on paralysis and other disabling conditions; and
(4) the replication and translation of best practices and the sharing of
information across States, as well as the development of comprehensive,
unique, and innovative programs, services, and demonstrations within existing
State-based disability and health programs of the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention which are designed to support and advance quality of life
programs for persons living with paralysis and other physical disabilities
focusing on--
(B) promoting proper nutrition, increasing physical activity, and reducing
tobacco use;
(C) education and awareness programs for health care providers;
(D) prevention of secondary complications;
(E) home- and community-based interventions;
(F) coordinating services and removing barriers that prevent full participation
and integration into the community; and
(G) recognizing the unique needs of underserved populations.
(c) Grants- The Secretary may award grants in accordance with the following:
(1) To State and local health and disability agencies for the purpose of--
(A) establishing a population-based database that may be used for longitudinal
and other research on paralysis and other disabling conditions;
(B) developing comprehensive paralysis and other physical disability action
plans and activities focused on the items listed in subsection (b)(4);
(C) assisting State-based programs in establishing and implementing partnerships
and collaborations that maximize the input and support of people with
paralysis and other physical disabilities and their constituent organizations;
(D) coordinating paralysis and physical disability activities with existing
State-based disability and health programs;
(E) providing education and training opportunities and programs for health
professionals and allied caregivers; and
(F) developing, testing, evaluating, and replicating effective intervention
programs to maintain or improve health and quality of life.
(2) To private health and disability organizations for the purpose of--
(A) disseminating information to the public;
(B) improving access to services for persons living with paralysis and
other physical disabilities and their caregivers;
(C) testing model intervention programs to improve health and quality
of life; and
(D) coordinating existing services with State-based disability and health
programs.
(d) Coordination of Activities- The Secretary shall ensure that activities
under this section are coordinated as appropriate by the agencies of the Department
of Health and Human Services.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations- For the purpose of carrying out this
section, there is authorized to be appropriated $25,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2008 through 2011.
Passed the House of Representatives October 15, 2007.
Attest:
LORRAINE C. MILLER,
Clerk.
END
