Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 112 Part 1.djvu/89

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PUBLIC LAW 105-174—MAY 1, 1998 112 STAT. 63 (2) establish "Centers of Excellence" for complicated surgical procedures; (3) make timely and complete reports to the National Reports. Practitioner Data Bank and eliminate associated reporting backlogs; (4) assure that Military Health Services System providers are properly licensed and have appropriate credentials; (5) reestablish the Quality Management Report to aid in early identification of compliance problems; (6) improve communications with beneficiaries to provide comprehensive and objective information on the quality of care being provided; (7) strengthen the National Quality Management Program; (8) ensure that all laboratory work meets professional standards; and (9) ensure the accuracy of patient data and information. (d) REPORT. —Not later than six months after the date on which the panel is established, the panel shall submit to the Secretary a report setting forth its findings and conclusions, and the reasons therefor, and such recommendations it deems appropriate. The Secretary shall forward the report of the panel to Congress not later than 15 days after the date on which the Secretary receives it, together with the Secretary's comments on the report. (e) PANEL ADMINISTRATION. —(1) The members of the panel shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized by law for employees of agencies while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the panel, (2) Upon request of the chairperson of the panel, the Secretary of Defense may detail to the panel, on a nonreimbursable basis, personnel of the Department of Defense to assist the panel in carrying out its duties. The Secretary of Defense shall furnish to the panel such administrative and support services as may be requested by the chairman of the panel. (f) PANEL FINANCING. —Of the funds appropriated in Public Law 105-56 for "Research, Development, Test and Evaluation, Navy", $4,700,000 shall be transferred to "Defense Health Program", to be available through fiscal year 1999, only for administrative costs of this panel and for the express purpose of initiating or accelerating any activity identified by the panel that will improve the quality of health care provided by the Military Health Services System. (TRANSFER OF FUNDS) SEC. 6. Of the funds appropriated in Public Law 105-56, under the heading "Chemical Agents and Munitions Destruction, Defense" for Operation and maintenance, $40,000,000 shall be transferred to "Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide". SEC. 7. (a) Congress urges the President to seek concurrence among the members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) on arrangements that set forth— (1) the benchmarks for achieving a sustainable peace process that are detailed in the report accompanying the certification that was made by the President to Congress on March 3, 1998; (2) estimated target dates for achieving the benchmarks; and