PUBLIC LAW 104-204—SEPT. 26, 1996 110 STAT. 2943 (b) ADVISORY PANEL. — Establishment. (1) IN GENERAL. —Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Heeilth and Human Services (in this section referred to as the "Secretary") shall establish an advisory panel (referred to in this section as the "advisory panel")— (A) to guide and review methods, procedures, and data collection necessary to conduct the study described in subsection (c) in a manner that is intended to enhance the quality, safety, and effectiveness of health care services provided to mothers and newborns; (B) to develop a consensus among the members of the advisory panel regarding the appropriateness of the specific requirements of this title; and (C) to prepare and submit to the Secretary, as part of the report of the Secretary submitted under subsection (d), a report summarizing the consensus (if any) developed under subparagraph (B) or the reasons for not reaching such a consensus. (2) PARTICIPATION. — (A) DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES.— The Secretary shall ensure that representatives from within the Department of Health and Human Services that have expertise in the area of maternal and child health or in outcomes research are appointed to the advisory panel. (B) REPRESENTATIVES OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR ENTITIES.— (i) IN GENERAL.— The Secretary shall ensure that members of the advisory panel include representatives of public and private sector entities having knowledge or experience in one or more of the following areas: (I) Patient care. (II) Patient education. (III) Quality assurance. (IV) Outcomes research. (V) Consumer issues. (ii) REQUIREMENT. — The panel shall include representatives of each of the following categories: (I) Health care practitioners. (II) Health plans. (III) Hospitals. (IV) Employers. (V) States. (VI) Consumers. (c) STUDIES. — (1) IN GENERAL. — The Secretary shall conduct a study of— (A) the factors affecting the continuum of care with respect to maternal and child health care, including outcomes following childbirth; (B) the factors determining the length of hospital stay following childbirth; (C) the diversity of negative or positive outcomes affecting mothers, infants, and families; (D) the manner in which post natal care has changed over time and the manner in which that care has adapted or related to changes in the length of hospital stay, taking into account— 29-194O-96 -4:QL3Part4
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