International Disability and Victims of Warfare and Civil Strife Assistance Act of 2003

Bill: 108-hr-1462
Sponsor: Rep. Lantos, Tom [D-CA-12]
Introduced: 2003-03-27 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Civil War
Communication in medicine
Counseling
Data banks
Disabled
Economic assistance
Education
Elementary and secondary education
Emergency Management
Emergency medicine
Employee training
Epidemiology
Government Operations and Politics
Health
Health education
Health information systems
Health planning
Higher education
Labor and Employment
Land mines
Medical education
Medical research
Medical supplies
Mental health services
Minesweeping
Nongovernmental organizations
Physical therapy
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Prosthesis
Rehabilitation of the disabled
Science, Technology, Communications
Social Welfare
Surgery
Technical assistance
Trauma care
Vocational and technical education
War relief

Summary:
action_date: 2003-03-27
text: 
International Disability and Victims of Warfare and Civil Strife Assistance Act of 2003 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the President to furnish medical, rehabilitation, prosthetic, orthotic, and other specified kinds of assistance to individuals with disabilities, including victims of civil strife and warfare, in foreign countries. Requires such assistance, to the maximum extent feasible, to be provided through nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and, as appropriate, through governments to establish appropriate norms, standards, and policies related to rehabilitation and issues affecting such individuals.
 
Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to: (1) conduct programs in foreign countries related to individuals with disabilities, including victims of landmines and other victims of civil strife and warfare; and (2) provide grants to NGOs to carry out research, prevention, public awareness, and assistance programs in foreign countries related to such individuals. Requires any such programs in foreign countries to be carried out only in coordination with the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and upon approval by the Secretary of State.
 
Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide: (1) advice and expertise on prosthetics, orthotics, physical and psychological rehabilitation and treatment, and disability assistance to other Federal agencies for implementation of assistance programs under this Act; and (2) technical assistance on a reimbursable basis to private voluntary organizations for planning, development, operation, and evaluation of such landmine assistance, research, and prevention programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2003-06-12
text: Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2003-06-12
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2003-03-27
text: Referred to the House Committee on International Relations.
action_date: 2003-03-27
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E614-615)
action_date: 2003-03-27
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2003-03-27
text: Introduced in House