H. R. 5213
One Hundred Eighth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE SECOND SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,
the twentieth day of January, two thousand and four
An Act
To expand research information regarding multidisciplinary research projects and
epidemiological studies.
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 ‘‘Research Review Act of 2004’’.
SEC. 2. MULTI-DISCIPLINARY RESEARCH TEAM AND CONSORTIA
REPORT.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Health and Human Services
(referred to in this Act as the ‘‘Secretary’’), in coordination with
the Director of the National Institutes of Health, shall prepare
a report outlining the methods by which the Roadmap for Medical
Research, an initiative of such Institutes, has advanced the use
of multidisciplinary research teams and consortia of research
institutions to advance treatments, develop new therapies, and
collaborate on clinical trials, including with respect to spinal cord
injury and paralysis research.
(b) REPORT.—Not later than February 1, 2005, the Secretary
shall submit the report under subsection (a) to the Committee
on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and
to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of
the Senate.
SEC. 3. EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY REPORT.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting through the Director
of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall prepare
a report outlining the epidemiological studies currently under way
at such Centers, future planned studies, the criteria involved in
determining what epidemiological studies to conduct, defer, or sus-
pend, and the scope of those studies, including with respect to
the inflammatory bowel disease epidemiological study. The report
shall include a description of the activities the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention undertakes to establish partnerships with
research and patient advocacy communities to expand epidemiolog-
ical studies.
(b) REPORT.—Not later than May 1, 2005, the Secretary shall
submit the report under subsection (a) to the Committee on Energy
and Commerce of the House of Representatives and to the Com-
mittee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate.
H. R. 5213—2
SEC. 4. STUDY BY GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE ON MEDI-
CARE AND MEDICAID COVERAGE STANDARDS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the United States
shall conduct a study on the coverage standards that, under the
programs under titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act
(commonly known as Medicare and Medicaid, respectively), apply
to patients with inflammatory bowel disease for the following thera-
pies:
(1) Parenteral nutrition.
(2) Enteral nutrition formula.
(3) Medically necessary food products.
(4) Ostomy supplies.
(5) Therapies approved by the Food and Drug Administra-
tion for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
(b) CONTENT.—The study under subsection (a) shall take into
account the appropriate outpatient or home health care delivery
settings.
(c) REPORT.—Not later than six months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to
the Congress a report describing the findings of the study under
subsection (a).
SEC. 5. STUDY BY GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE INVOLVING
DISABILITY INSURANCE.
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the United States
shall conduct a study of the problems patients encounter when
applying for disability insurance benefits under title II of the Social
Security Act. The study shall include recommendations for
improving the application process for patients with inflammatory
bowel disease.
(b) REPORT.—Not later than six months after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to
the Congress a report describing the findings of the study under
subsection (a).
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.