Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997
PL 105-12 (H.R.1003), enacted 04/30/1997

PUBLIC LAW 105-12—APR. 30, 1997 
111 STAT. 23 
Public Law 105-12 
105th Congress 
An Act 
Apr. 30, 1997 
[H.R. 1003] 
Assisted Suicide 
Funding 
Restriction Act of 
1997. 
42 use 14401 
note. 
42USC14401. 
To clarify Federal law with respect to restricting the use of Federal iunds in 
support of assisted suicide. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—^This Act may be cited as the "Assisted 
Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997". 
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents of this Act 
is as follows: 
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 
Sec. 2. Findings and purpose. 
Sec. 3. Restriction on use of Federal funds under health care programs. 
Sec. 4. Restriction on use of Federal funds under certain grant programs imder the 
Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act. 
Sec. 5. Restriction on use of Federal funds by advocacy programs. 
Sec. 6. Restriction on use of other Federal funds. 
Sec. 7. Clarification witii respect to advance directives. 
Sec. 8. Application to District of Columbia. 
Sec. 9. Conforming amendments. 
Sec. 10. Relation to other laws. 
Sec. 11. Effective date. 
^ 
Sec. 12. Suicide prevention (including assisted suicide). 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. 
(a) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following: 
(1) The Federal Government provides financial support for 
the provision of and payment for health care services, as well 
as for advocacy activities to protect the rights of individuals. 
(2) Assisteid suicide, euthanasia, and mercy killing have 
been criminal offenses throughout the United States and, under 
current law, it would be unlawful to-provide services in support 
of such illegal activities. 
(3) Because of recent legal developments, it may become 
lawful in areas of the United States to furnish services in 
support of such activities. 
(4) Congress is not providing Federal financial assistance 
in support of assisted suicide, euthanasia, and mercy killing 
and intends that Federal funds not be used to promote such 
activities. 
(b) PURPOSE.—^It is the principal purpose of this Act to continue 
current Federal p>olicy by providing explicitly that Federsd funds 
may not be used to pay for items and services (including assistance) 
the purpose of which is to cause (or assist in causing) the suicide, 
euthanasia, or mercy killing of any individual. 
SEC. 3. RESTRICTION ON USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS UNDER HEALTH 
42 USC 14402. 
CARE PROGRAMS. 
(a) RESTRICTION ON FEDERAL FUNDING OF HEALTH 
CARE 
SERVICES.—Subject to subsection (b), no funds appropriated by 
Congress for the purpose of paying (directly or indirectly) for the 
provision of health care services may be used— 
• 
(1) to provide any health care item or service furnished 
for the purpose of causing, or for the purpose of assisting 
in causing, the death of any individual, such as by assisted 
suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing; 
I l l STAT. 24 
PUBLIC LAW 105-12—APR. 30, 1997 
(2) to pay (directly, through payment of Federal financial 
participation or other matching pajanent, or otherwise) for such 
an item or service, including payment of expenses relating 
to such an item or service; or 
(3) to pay (in whole or in part) for health benefit coverage 
that includes any coverage of such an item or service or of 
any expenses relating to such an item or service. 
(b) CONSTRUCTION AND TREATMENT OF CERTAIN SERVICES.— 
Nothing in subsection (a), or in any other provision of this Act 
(or in any amendment made by this Act), shall be construed to 
apply to or to affect any limitation relating to— 
(1) the withholding or withdrawing of medical treatment 
or medical care; 
(2) the withholding or withdrawing of nutrition or 
hydration; 
(3) abortion; or 
(4) the use of an item, good, benefit, or service furnished 
for the purpose of alleviating pain or discomfort, even if such 
use may increase the risk of death, so long as such item, 
good, benefit, or service is not also furnished for the purpose 
of causing, or the purpose of assisting in causing, death, for 
any reason. 
(c) LIMITATION ON FEDERAL FACILITIES AND EMPLOYEES.— 
Subject to subsection (b), with respect to health care items and 
services furnished— 
(1) by or in a health care facility owned or operated by 
the Federal government, or 
(2) by any physician or other individual employed by the 
Federal government to provide health care services within the 
scope of the physician's or individual's employment, 
no such item or service may be furnished for the purpose of causing, 
or for the purpose of assisting in causing, the death of any individ-
ual, such as by assisted suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing. 
(d) LIST OF PROGRAMS TO WHICH RESTRICTIONS APPLY.— 
(1) FEDERAL HEALTH CARE FUNDING PROGRAMS.—Subsection 
(a) applies to funds appropriated under or to carry out the 
following: 
(A) MEDICARE PROGRAM.—Title XVIII of the Social 
Security Act. 
(B) MEDICAID PROGRAM.—Title XIX of the Social 
Security Act. 
(C) TITLE XX SOCIAL SERVICES BLOCK GRANT.—Title 
XX of the Social Security Act. 
(D) MATERNAL AND CHILD 
HEALTH 
BLOCK GRANT 
PROGRAM.—Title V of the Social Security Act. 
(E) PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT.—The Public Health 
Service Act. 
(F) 
INDIAN HEALTH CARE IMPROVEMENT ACT.—The 
Indian Health Care Improvement Act. 
(G) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFITS PROGRAM.— 
Chapter 89 of title 5, United States Code. 
(H) 
MILITARY 
HEALTH 
CARE 
SYSTEM 
(INCLUDING 
TRICARE AND CHAMPUS PROGRAMS).—Chapter 55 of title 10, 
United States Code. 
(I) VETERANS MEDICAL CARE.—Chapter 17 of title 38, 
United States Code. 
(J) HEALTH SERVICES FOR PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS.— 
Section 5(e) of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2504(e)). 
(K) MEDICAL SERVICES FOR FEDERAL PRISONERS.— 
Section 4005(a) of title 18, United States Code. 
(2) FEDERAL FACILITIES AND PERSONNEL.—^The provisions 
of subsection (c) apply to facilities and personnel of the 
following: 
(A) MILITARY HEALTH CARE SYSTEM.—^The Department 
of Defense operating under chapter 55 of title 10, United 
States Code. 
•*^Jf-
PUBLIC LAW 105-12—APR. 30, 1997 
111 STAT. 25 
(B) VETERANS MEDICAL CARE.—The Veterans Health 
Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
(C) PUBLIC 
HEALTH 
SERVICE.—The Public 
Health 
Service. 
(3) No^fEXCLUS^VE LIST.—Nothing in this subsection shall 
be construed as limiting the application of subsection (a) to 
the programs specified in paragraph (1) or the application of 
subsection (c) to the facilities and personnel specified in para-
graph (2). 
SEC. 4. RESTRICTION ON USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS UNDER CERTAIN 
42 USC 14403. 
GRANT 
PROGRAMS 
UNDER 
THE DEVELOPMENTAL 
DISABILITIES ASSISTANCE AND BILL OF RIGHTS ACT. 
Subject to section 3(b) (relating to construction and treatment 
of certain services), no fiinds appropriated by Congress to carry 
out part B, D, or E of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance 
and Bill of Rights Act may be used to support or fund any program 
or service which has a purpose of assisting in procuring any item, 
benefit, or service furnished for the purpose of causing, or the 
purpose of assisting in causing, the death of any individual, such 
as by assisted suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing. 
SEC. 6. RESTRICTION ON USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS BY ADVOCACY 
42 USC 14404. 
PROGRAMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to section 3(b) (relating to construc-
tion and treatment of certsdn services), no funds appropriated by 
Congress may be used to assist in, to support, or to fund any 
activity or service which has a purpose of assisting in, or to bring 
suit or provide any other form of legal assistance for the purpose 
of— 
(1) securing or funding any item, benefit, program, or 
service fiimished for the purpose of causing, or the purpose 
of assisting in causing, the suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing 
of any individual; 
(2) compelling any person, institution, governmental entity 
to provide or fund any item, benefit, program, or service for 
such purpose; or 
(3) asserting or advocating a legal right to cause, or to 
assist in causing, the suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing 
of any individual. 
(b) LIST OF PROGRAMS TO WHICH RESTRICTIONS APPLY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subsection (a) applies to funds appro-
priated under or to carry out the following: 
(A) PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY SYSTEMS UNDER THE 
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ASSISTANCE AND BILL OF 
RIGHTS ACT.—^Psirt C of the Developmental Disabilities 
Assistance and Bill of Rights Act. 
(B) PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY SYSTEMS UNDER THE 
PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY FOR MENTALLY ILL INDIVIDUALS 
ACT.—^The Protection and Advocacy for Mentally 1
1
1 Individ-
uals Act of 1986. 
(C) PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY SYSTEMS UNDER THE 
REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973.—Section 509 of the Rehabilita-
tion Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794e). 
(D) 
OMBUDSMAN 
PROGRAMS 
UNDER 
THE OLDER 
AMERICANS ACT OF 1965.—Ombudsman programs under the 
Older Americans Act of 1965. 
(E) LEGAL ASSISTANCE.—^Legal assistance programs 
under the Legal Services Corporation Act. 
(2) NONEXCLUSIVE LIST.—Nothing in this subsection shall 
be construed as limiting the application of subsection (a) to 
the programs specified in paragraph (1). 
SEC 6. 
RESTRICTION 
ON 
USE 
OF 
OTHER 
FEDERAL 
FUNDS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to section 3(b) (relating to construc-
tion and treatment of certain services) and subsection (b) of this 
section, no funds appropriated by the Congress shall be used to 
provide, procure, furnish, or fund any item, good, benefit, activity. 
42 use 14405. 
Ill STAT. 26 
PUBLIC LAW 105-12—APR. 30, 1997 
or service, furnished or performed for the purpose of causing, or 
assisting in causing, the suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing of 
any individual. 
(b) NONDUPLICATION.—Subsection (a) shall not apply to funds 
to which section 3, 4, or 5 applies, except that subsection (a), 
rather than aedSion 3, shall apply to funds appropriated to carry 
out title 10, United States Code (other than chapter 55), title 
18, United States Code (other than section 4005(a)), and chapter 
37 of title 28, United States Code. 
42 use 14406. 
SEC. 7. CLARIFICATION WITH RESPECT TO ADVANCE DIRECTIVES. 
Subject to section 3(b) (relating to construction and treatment 
of certain services), sections 1866(f) and 1902(w) of the Social 
Security Act shall not be construed— 
(1) to require any provider or organization, or any employee 
of such a provider or organization, to inform or counsel any 
individual regarding any right to obtain an item or service 
furnished for the purpose of causing, or the purpose of assisting 
in causing, the death of the individual, such as by assisted 
suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing; or 
(2) to apply to or to affect any requirement with respect 
to a portion of an advance directive that directs the purposeful 
causing of, or the purposeful assisting in causing, the death 
of any individual, such as by assisted suicide, euthanasia, or 
mercy killing. 
42 use 14407.. 
SEC. 8. APPUCATION TO DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 
For purposes of this Act, the term "funds appropriated by 
Congress" includes funds appropriated to the District of Columbia 
pursuant to an authorization of appropriations under title V ,of 
the District of Columbia Self-Govemment and Governmental 
Reorganization Act and the term "Federsd government" includes 
the government of the District of Columbia. 
SEC. 9. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS. 
(a) MEDICARE PROGRAM.— 
(1) FUNDING.—Section 1862(a) of the Social Security Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1395y(a)) is amended— 
(A) by striking "or" at the end of paragraph (14); 
(B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph 
(15) and inserting "; or"; and 
(C) by inserting after paragraph (15) the following 
new paragraph: 
"(16) in the case in which funds may not be used for 
such items and services under the Assisted Suicide Funding 
Restriction Act of 1997.". 
(2) ADVANCE DIRECTIVES.—Section 1866(f) of such Act (42 
U.S.C. 1395cc(f)) is amended by adding at the end the following 
new paragraph: 
"(4) For construction relating to this subsection, see section 
7 of the Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997 (relating 
to clarification respecting assisted suicide, euthanasia, and mercy 
killing).". 
(b) MEDICAID PROGRAM.— 
(1) FUNDING.—Section 1903(i) of the Social Security Act 
(42 U.S.C. 1396b(i)) is amended— 
(A) by striking "or" at the end of paragraph (14); 
(B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph 
(15) and inserting "; or"; and 
(C) by inserting after paragraph (15) the following 
new paragraph: 
"(16) with respect to any amount expended for which funds 
may not be used under the Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction 
Act of 1997.". 
(2) ADVANCE DIRECTIVES.—Section 1902(w) of such Act (42 
U.S.C. 1396a(w)) is amended by adding at the end the following 
new paragraph: 
PUBLIC LAW 105-12—APR. 30, 1997 
111 STAT. 27 
"(5) For construction relating to this subsection, see section 
7 of the Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997 (relating 
to clarification respecting assisted suicide, euthanasia, and mercy 
killing).". 
(c) TITLE XX BLOCK GRAITT PROGRAM.—Section 2005(a) of the 
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397d(a)) is amended— 
(1) by striking "or" at the end of paragraph (8); 
(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (9) 
and inserting "; or"; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
"(10) in a manner inconsistent with the Assisted Suicide 
Funding Restriction Act of 1997.". 
(d) MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM.— 
Section 501(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 701(a)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following: 
"Funds appropriated under this section may only be used in a 
manner consistent with the Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction 
Act of 1997.". 
(e) PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE AcT.^Title II of the PubUc Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 201 et seq.) is amended by adding at the 
end thereof the following new section: 
"SEC. 246. RESTRICTION ON USE OF FUNDS FOR ASSISTED SUICIDE, 42 USC 238o. 
EUTHANASIA, AND MERCY KILLING. 
"Appropriations for carrying out the purposes of this Act shall 
not be used in a manner inconsistent with the Assisted Suicide 
Funding Restriction Act of 1997.". 
(f) INDIAN HEALTH CARE IMPROVEMENT ACT.—Title II of the 
Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1621 et seq.) 
is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 
"LIMITATION ON USE OF FUNDS 
"SEC. 225. Amounts appropriated to carry out this title may 25 USC I62ix. 
not be used in a manner inconsistent with the Assisted Suicide 
Funding Restriction Act of 1997.". 
(g) FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEALTH BENEFIT PROGRAM.—Section 
8902 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at 
the end the following: 
"(o) A contract may not be made or a plan approved which 
includes coverage for any benefit, item, or service for which funds 
may not be used under the Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction 
Act of 1997.". 
(h) MILITARY HEALTH CARE PROGRAM.—Section 1073 of title 
10, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following: "This chapter shall be administered consistent with 
the Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997.". 
(i) VETERANS' MEDICAL CARE PROGRAM.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Subchapter I of chapter 17 of title 38, 
United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
following new section: 
''§1707. Restriction on use of funds for assisted suicide, 
euthanasia, or mercy killing 
"Funds appropriated to carry out this chapter may not be 
used for purposes that are inconsistent with the Assisted Suicide 
Funding Restriction Act of 1997.". 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the 
beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the 
item relating to section 1706 the following new item: 
"1707. Restriction on use of funds for assisted suicide, euthanasia, or mercy killing.". 
(j) HEALTH CARE PROVIDED FOR PEACE CORPS VOLUNTEERS.— 
Section 5(e) of the Peace Corps Act (22 U.S.C. 2504(e)) is amended 
by adding at the end the following: "Health care may not be provided 
under this subsection in a manner inconsistent with the Assisted 
Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997.". 
Ill STAT. 28 
PUBLIC LAW 105-12—APR. 30, 1997 
(k) 
MEDICAL SERVICES FOR FEDERAL PRISONERS.—Section 
4005(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting 
"and to the extent consistent with the Assisted Suicide Funding 
Restriction Act of 1997" after "Upon request of the Attorney 
General". 
* 
(1) DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND BILL OF RIGHTS ACT.— 
(1) STATE PLANS REGARDING DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES 
COUNCILS.—Section 122(c)(5)(A) of the Developmental Disabil-
ities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (42 U.S.C. 6022(c)(5XA)) 
is amended— 
(A) in clause (vi), by striking "and" after the semicolon 
at the end; 
(B) in clause (vii), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting "; and"; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following clause: 
*(viii) such funds will be used consistent with 
section 4 of the Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction 
Act of 1997.". 
(2) 
LEGAL 
ACTIONS 
BY PROTECTION 
AND ADVOCACY 
SYSTEMS.—Section 142(h) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 6042(h)) is 
amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
"(3) LIMITATION.—^The systems may only use assistance 
provided under this chapter consistent with section 5 of the 
Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997.". 
(3) UNIVERSITY AFFILIATED PROGRAMS.—Section 152(b)(5) 
of such Act (42 U.S.C. 6062(b)(5)) is amended by adding at 
the end the following: "Such grants shall not be used in a 
manner inconsistent with section 4 of the Assisted Suicide 
Funding Restriction Act of 1997.". 
(4) GRANTS OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE.—Section 162(c) of 
such Act (42 U.S.C. 6082(c)) is amended— 
(A) by striking "and" at the end of psiragraph (4); 
(B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph 
(5) and inserting "; and"; and 
(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
"(6) the applicant provides assurances that the grant will 
not be used in a manner inconsistent with section 4 of the 
Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997.". 
(m) PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY FOR MENTALLY I I I INDIVIDUALS 
ACT OF 1986.—Section 105(a) of the Protection and Advocacy for 
Mentally 1
1
1 Individuals Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. 10805(a)) is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (8), by striking "and" at the end; 
(2) in paragraph (9), by striking the period and inserting 
"; and"; and 
(3) by adding at the end thereof the following new para-
graph: 
"(10) not use allotments provided to a system in a manner 
inconsistent with section 5 of the Assisted Suicide Funding 
Restriction Act of 1997.". 
(n) 
PROTECTION 
AND ADVOCACY 
SYSTEMS 
UNDER THE 
REHABILITATION ACT OF 1973.—Section 509(f) of the Rehabilitation 
Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794e(f)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (6), by striking "and" after the semicolon 
at the end; 
(2) in paragraph (7), by striking the period at the end 
and inserting "; and"; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following paragraph: 
"(8) not use allotments provided under this section in a 
manner inconsistent with section 5 of the Assisted Suicide 
Funding Restriction Act of 1997.". 
(o) LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM.—Section 1007(b) of the Legal 
Services Corporation Act (42 U.S.C. 2996ftb)) is amended— 
(1) by striking "or" at the end of paragraph (9); 
(2) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (10) 
and inserting "; or"; and 
(3) by adding after paragraph (10) the following: 
PUBLIC LAW 105-12—APR. 30, 1997 
111 STAT. 29 
42 use 14401 
note. 
42 use 14408. 
42 use 14401 
note. 
"(11) to provide legal assistance in a manner inconsistent 
with the Assisted Suicide Funding Restriction Act of 1997.". 
(p) CoNSTRueriON ON CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.—The fact 
that a law is not amended under this section shall not be construed 
as indicating that the provisions of this Act do not apply to such 
a law. 
SEC. 10. RELATION TO OTHER LAWS. 
The provisions of this Act supersede other Federal laws (includ-
ing laws enacted after the date of the enactment of this Act) 
except to the extent such laws specifically supersede the provisions 
of this Act. 
SEC. 11. EFFECTIVE DATE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— The provisions of this Act (and the amend-
ments made by this Act) take effect upon its enactment and apply, 
subject to subsection (b), to Federal payments made pursuant to 
obligations incurred aifter the date of the enactment of this Act 
for items and services provided on or after such date. 
(b) APPLICATION TO CONTRACTS.—Such provisions shall apply 
with respect to contracts entered into, renewed, or extended after 
the date of the enactment of this Act and shall sdso apply to 
a contract entered into before such date to the extent permitted 
under such contract. 
SEC. 12. SUICIDE PREVENTION (INCLUDING ASSISTED SUICIDE). 
(a) PURPOSE.—^The purpose of this section is to reduce the 42 use 295 note. 
rate of suicide (including assisted suicide) among persons with 
disabilities or terminal or chronic illness by furthering knowledge 
and practice of pain management, depression identincation and 
treatment, and issues related to palliative care and suicide preven-
tion. 
(b) RESEARCH AND DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.—-Section 781 of 
the PubUc Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and 
(2) by insertmg after subsection (d) the following new 
subsection: 
"(e) RESEARCH AND DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS ON SUICIDE 
PREVENTION (INCLUDING ASSISTED SUICIDE).— 
"(1) RESEARCH.—^The Secretary may make grants to and 
enter into contracts with public and private entities for conduct-
ing research intended to reduce the rate of suicide (including 
assisted suicide) among persons with disabiUties or terminm 
or chronic illness. The Secretary shsdl give preference to 
research that aims— 
"(A) to assess the quality of care received by patients 
with disabilities- or terminal or chronic illness by measuring 
and reporting specific outcomes; 
"(B) to compare coordinated health care (which may 
include coordinated rehabilitation services, symptom con-
trol, psychological support, and community-based support 
services) to traditional health care delivery systems; or 
"(C) to advance 
biomedical 
knowledge of pain 
management. 
"(2) TRAINING.—^The Secretary may make grants and enter 
into contracts to assist public and private entities, schools, 
academic health science centers, and hospitals in meeting the 
costs of projects intended to reduce the rate of suicide (including 
assisted suicide) among persons with disabilities or terminsd 
or chronic illness. The Secretary shall give preference to 
qualified projects that will— 
(A) train health care practitioners in pain manage-
ment, depression identification and treatment, and issues 
related to palliative care and suicide prevention; 
"(B) train the faculty of health professions schools in 
pain management, depression identification and treatment, 
and 
issues 
related to palliative 
care and suicide 
prevention; or 
Ill STAT. 30 
PUBLIC LAW 105-12—APR. 30, 1997 
"(C) develop and implement curricula regarding disabil-
ity issues, including living with disabilities, living with 
chronic or terminal illness, attendant and personm care, 
assistive technology, emd social support services. 
"(3) DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.—The Secretary may make 
grants to and enter into contracts with public and nonprofit 
private entities for the purpose of conducting demonstration 
projects that will— 
"(A) 
reduce 
restrictions 
on 
access 
to 
hospice 
programs; or 
"(B) fund home health care services, community living 
arrangements, and attendant care services. 
"(4) PALLIATIVE MEDICINE.—The Secretary shall emphasize 
palliative medicine among its funding and research priorities.". 
42 u s e 295 note. 
(c) REPORT BY GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE.—Not later t h a n 
1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller 
General of the United States shall submit to the Congress a report 
providing an assessment of programs under subsection (e) of section 
781 of the Public Health Service Act (as added by subsection (b) 
of this section) to conduct research, provide training, and develop 
curricula and of the curricula offered and used by schools of medi-
cine and osteopathic medicine in pain management, depression 
identification and treatment, and issues related to psdliative care 
and suicide prevention. The purpose of the assessment shall be 
to determine the extent to which such programs have furthered 
knowledge and practice of pain management, depression identifica-
tion and treatment, and issues related to palliative care and suicide 
prevention. 
Approved April 30, 1997. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 1003: 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 105-46, Pt. 1 (Comm. on Commerce). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 143 (1997): 
Apr. 10, considered and passed House. 
Apr. 16, considered and passed Senate. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 33 (1997): 
Apr. 30, Presidential statement.