Cooperative Units of Research in Infectious Disease (CURID) of 1994

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; FINDINGS.

    (a) Short Title.--This act may be cited as the Cooperative Units of 
Research in Infectious Disease (CURID) of 1994.
    (b) Findings.--Congress finds that--
            (1) despite the development of modern technology for water 
        purification, food preparation, sterilization and disinfection 
        coupled with the discovery of antibiotics and a limited number 
        of highly effective vaccines, the advent of AIDS, the re-
        emergence of tuberculosis, the emergence of newly infectious 
        agents and a significant increase in food and water borne 
        diseases in recent years pose new threats to the health and 
        well-being of all citizens;
            (2) the era of molecular biology and intensive research 
        efforts in AIDS have produced powerful technology for the rapid 
        and sensitive detection of new infectious agents which have 
        resulted in the development of new concepts of infectious 
        diseases;
            (3) advances in the scientific understanding of the 
        functions of the human body's defense mechanisms and the 
        critical roles of both the patient and the infecting agent's 
        genetic characteristics are rapidly leading to the belief that 
        a number of chronic diseases of humans presently of unknown 
        etiology may be caused by infectious agents;
            (4) chronic illnesses like lung, arthritis and related 
        diseases are increasing at alarming rates and, according to 
        1994 National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, 
        the incidence of arthritis alone is estimated to increase by 57 
        percent and affect 54.9 million people in the United States by 
        the year 2020;
            (5) the economic losses associated with these disabling 
        diseases will continue to cost our society billions of dollars 
        annually if the Federal Government does not invest in essential 
        research initiatives designed to build upon our ability to 
        detect new infectious agents and fully investigate new concepts 
        of the etiology of chronic diseases;
            (6) determining and demonstrating causality of diseases 
        like chronic lung disease, rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatic 
        diseases by an infectious agent could lead to early and 
        accurate diagnosis and treatment of the disease which would 
        dramatically reduce medical costs and morbidity and mortality; 
        and
            (7) addressing the potential role of infectious agents in 
        chronic diseases necessitates a different research approach 
        than currently exists and sustained funding of collaborative 
        research groups.

SEC. 2. SPECIFIC PROVISIONS; ESTABLISHMENT OF COOPERATIVE UNITS OF 
              RESEARCH IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES.

    (a) In General.--Infectious Disease Research and Clinical Units of 
Excellence will be established jointly by the National Institute of 
Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health 
and the National Center for Infectious Diseases of the National Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention.
    (b) Purpose.--These cooperative units will be dedicated to finding 
the cause, prevention and cure of chronic inflammatory diseases of 
suspected infectious etiology and committed to giving priority to 
diseases like arthritis and chronic lung disease which hold the most 
promise for beneficial research results.
    (c) Establishment of Units.--The establishment of the Infectious 
Disease Research and Clinical Units of Excellence shall be based upon 
past research performance of researchers working on specific 
microorganisms.
            (1) The units will be responsible for--
                    (A) evaluation of patient specimens for the 
                presence of infectious agents;
                    (B) characterization of the immune response to 
                these infectious agents; and
                    (C) characterization of the genetic background of 
                patients.
            (2) Personnel to staff these units will be selected based 
        upon the proven track record of individuals who--
                    (A) have demonstrated the capability of using 
                molecular diagnostic techniques for detection of 
                fastitious infectious agents; and
                    (B) possess proven clinical experience.
            (3) The units will provide laboratory support for a network 
        of Clinical Units for patient enrollment and patient 
        management.
            (4) National Center for Infectious Diseases of the National 
        Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will provide the 
        epidemiological and investigative skills for a network of 
        Clinical Units.
            (5) The initial period of grant funding for the units will 
        be up to ten but no less than five years.
    (d) Coordination of Research Program and Development of Strategic 
Research Plan.--The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious 
Diseases shall be the lead agency.
            (1) The Director of the National Institute of Allergy and 
        Infectious Diseases shall be responsible for the establishment 
        of no more than 10 research and clinical units at any given 
        time.
            (2) The designation of research and clinical units shall be 
        carried out in consultation with the Director of the National 
        Center for Infectious Diseases as well as expert extramural 
        scientists.
            (3) The directors of the research and clinical units will 
        be responsible for the development of the research plan.

SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated $25,000,000 for each of the 
fiscal years 1996 through 2006. At the end of this 10 year period, the 
effectiveness of this research approach will be evaluated and the need 
for future funding, if any, will be determined by the National Advisory 
Councils of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases 
and the National Center for Infectious Diseases. The National Advisory 
Councils shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to 
the appropriate authorizing committees of the House and the Senate.

Summary: Cooperative Units of Research in Infectious Disease (CURID) Act of 1994 - Requires Infectious Disease Research and Clinical Units of Excellence to be established jointly by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) of the National Institutes of Health and the National Center for Infectious Diseases of the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Provides that the Units will be dedicated to finding the cause, prevention, and cure of chronic inflammatory diseases of suspected infectious etiology and committed to giving priority to diseases like arthritis and chronic lung disease which hold the most promise for beneficial research results. Requires the establishment of the Units to be based upon past research performance of researchers working on specific microorganisms. Makes the Units responsible for: (1) evaluation of patient specimens for the presence of infectious agents, (2) characterization of the immune response to these infectious agents. And (3) characterization of the genetic background of patients. Sets forth provisions regarding personnel, laboratory support, networking, and the initial period of grant funding. Makes NIAID the lead agency. Apportions responsibility for various aspects of the research program and development of a strategic research plan. Authorizes appropriations.