Women and Alcohol Research Equity Act of 1996

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Women and Alcohol Research Equity 
Act of 1996''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    The Congress finds as follows with respect to the United States:
            (1) One of every 4 alcoholics receiving treatment is a 
        woman.
            (2) In fiscal year 1995, the National Institute on Alcohol 
        Abuse and Alcoholism had a total research budget of 
        $191,186,000, and $43,997,080 of the budget (approximately 23 
        percent) was available for research on alcohol abuse and 
        alcoholism among women. There are selected areas where alcohol 
        contributes to a more rapid and severe development of disease 
        in women than in men, and research on women exclusively in 
        these areas is important.
            (3) According to data collected during the years 1980 
        through 1993 (in the survey known as the National Drug and 
        Alcoholism Treatment Unit Survey), women represent 
        approximately 30 percent of the clients presenting for alcohol 
        problems in traditional public treatment facilities. A recent 
        study has shown that women are more likely than men to use 
        nontraditional health care systems for alcohol-related 
        problems. No data exists to count women in nontraditional 
        treatment settings; therefore, it is not possible to know 
        whether women are overrepresented or underrepresented in all 
        treatment settings in proportion to their numbers (30 percent).
            (4) Alcohol use by pregnant women is the leading known 
        cause of mental retardation in newborns. Fetal alcohol syndrome 
        (FAS), which is marked by dysfunction of the central nervous 
        system and by prenatal and postnatal growth deficiency and 
        facial malformations, strikes 1 to 3 out of every 1,000 
        newborns, or 3,600 to 10,000 babies a year, depending upon the 
        national birth-rate. The incidence of less severe fetal alcohol 
        effects (FAE) is at least 3 times that of fetal alcohol 
        syndrome. For Black Americans, the risk of FAS remains about 
        sevenfold higher than for whites, even after adjustment for the 
        frequency of maternal alcohol intake, occurrence of chronic 
        alcohol problems, and parity. Among Native Americans, the 
        incidence of FAS varies among different cultures; some are 
        similar to the overall U.S. population, while a much higher 
        prevalence is reported for others. Research is also needed on 
        the male contribution to birth abnormalities related to 
        alcohol.
            (5) Most treatment programs do not provide child care or 
        adequate alternatives for women entering treatment.
            (6) The death rate of female alcoholics is 50 to 100 
        percent higher than for male alcoholics. Proportionately more 
        alcoholic women die of cirrhosis of the liver than do alcoholic 
        men. Additionally, the combined effects of estrogen and alcohol 
        may impact not only liver damage but osteoporosis as well.
            (7) The interval between onset of drinking-related problems 
        and entry into treatment appears to be shorter for women than 
        for men. Further, studies of women alcoholics in treatment 
        suggest that they often experience greater physiological 
        impairment earlier in their drinking careers, despite having 
        consumed less alcohol than men. These findings suggest that the 
        development of consequences associated with heavy drinking may 
        be accelerated or ``telescoped'' in women.
            (8) Women become intoxicated faster than men. This may be 
        due to a different enzyme and hormonal activity in women than 
        in women.
            (9) Chronic, heavy drinking contributes to menstrual 
        disorders, fertility problems, and premature menopause.
            (10) Alcohol use may be associated with an increased risk 
        of breast cancer. Research indicates that the incidence of 
        breast cancer increases when a woman consumes 1 ounce or more 
        of absolute alcohol daily.
            (11) The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 
        has identified areas for future research on alcohol abuse and 
        alcoholism among women. As a result of stimulating research 
        applications during the years 1993 through 1995, such 
        Institute's portfolio on women and children has increased by 
        $17,997,000, or more than 69 percent, over the fiscal year 1992 
        base of $26,000,000.

SEC. 3. PROVISIONS REGARDING INCREASE IN AMOUNT OF FUNDS EXPENDED FOR 
              RESEARCH ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM AMONG WOMEN.

    Section 464H(d) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
285n(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following paragraph:
            ``(3) Women's health.--
                    ``(A) For fiscal year 1997, of the first 
                $191,186,000 appropriated under paragraph (1), the 
                Director of the Institute shall obligate not less than 
                $43,997,080 for the purpose of carrying out under this 
                subpart projects of research on alcohol abuse and 
                alcoholism among women.
                    ``(B) In addition to the authorization of 
                appropriations established in paragraph (1), there are 
                authorized to be appropriated for carrying out the 
                purpose specified in subparagraph (A) $25,000,000 for 
                fiscal year 1997, and such sums as may be necessary for 
                each of the fiscal years 1998 and 1999.''.

Summary: Women and Alcohol Research Equity Act of 1996 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require that $44 million of the first $191 million appropriated to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism be obligated for research on alcohol abuse and alcoholism among women. Authorizes appropriations for such research regarding women.