113 STAT. 1654 PUBLIC LAW 106-129—DEC. 6, 1999 "(D) the costs and utilization of, and access to health care; "(E) the ways in which health care services are organized, delivered, and financed and the interaction and impact of these factors on the quality of patient care; "(F) methods for measuring quality and strategies for improving quality; and "(G) ways in which patients, consumers, purchasers, and practitioners acquire new information about best practices and health benefits, the determinants and impact of their use of this information; "(2) the synthesis and dissemination of available scientific evidence for use by patients, consumers, practitioners, providers, purchasers, policy makers, and educators; and "(3) initiatives to advance private and public efforts to improve health care quality. " (c) REQUIREMENTS WITH RESPECT TO RURAL AND INNER-CITY AREAS AND PRIORITY POPULATIONS. — " (1) RESEARCH, EVALUATIONS AND DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.— In can:ying out this title, the Director shall conduct and support research and evaluations, and support demonstration projects, with respect to— "(A) the delivery of health care in inner-city areas, and in rural areas (including frontier areas); and "(B) health care for priority populations, which shall include— "(i) low-income groups; "(ii) minority groups; "(iii) women; "(iv) children; "(v) the elderly; and "(vi) individuals with special health care needs, including individuals with disabilities and individuals who need chronic care or end-of-life health care. " (2) PROCESS TO ENSURE APPROPRIATE RESEARCH.— The Director shall establish a process to ensure that the requirements of paragraph (1) are reflected in the overall portfolio of research conducted and supported by the Agency. Establishment. "(3) OFFICE OF PRIORITY POPULATIONS.— The Director shall establish an Office of Priority Populations to assist in carrying out the requirements of paragraph (1). 42 USC 299a. "SEC. 902. GENERAL AUTHORITIES. "(a) IN GENERAL.— In carrying out section 901(b), the Director shall conduct and support research, evaluations, and training, support demonstration projects, research networks, and multidisciplinary centers, provide technical assistance, and disseminate information on health care and on systems for the delivery of such care, including activities with respect to— "(1) the quality, effectiveness, efficiency, appropriateness and value of health care services; "(2) quality measurement and improvement; "(3) the outcomes, cost, cost-effectiveness, and use of health care services and access to such services; "(4) clinical practice, including primary care and practiceoriented research; "(5) health care technologies, facilities, and equipment;
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