113 STAT. 1660
PUBLIC LAW 106-129—DEC. 6, 1999
primary care research focuses on the first contact when illness
or health concerns arise, the diagnosis, treatment or referral
to specialty care, preventive care, and the relationship between
the clinician and the patient in the context of the family and
community.
"(2) RESEARCH.—In carrying out this section, the Center
shall conduct and support research concerning—
"(A) the nature and characteristics of primary care
practice;
"(B) the management of commonly occurring clinical
problems;
"(C) the management of undifferentiated clinical problems; and
"(D) the continuity and coordination of health services.
42 USC 299b-5.
" SEC. 916. HEALTH CARE PRACTICE AND TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION.
"(a) IN GENERAL.— The Director shall promote innovation in
evidence-based health care practices and technologies by—
"(1) conducting and supporting research on the development, diffusion, and use of health care technology;
"(2) developing, evaluating, and disseminating methodologies for assessments of health care practices and technologies;
"(3) conducting intramural and supporting extramural
assessments of existing and new health care practices and
technologies;
"(4) promoting education and training and providing technical assistance in the use of health care practice and technology assessment methodologies and results; and
"(5) working with the National Library of Medicine and
the public and private sector to develop an electronic clearinghouse of currently available assessments and those in progress.
"(b) SPECIFICATION OF PROCESS. —
Deadline.
"(1) IN GENERAL. —Not later than December 31, 2000, the
Publication.
Director shall develop and publish a description of the methods
used by the Agency and its contractors for health care practice
and technology assessment.
"(2) CONSULTATIONS.— In carrying out this subsection, the
Director shall cooperate and consult with the Assistant Secretary for Health, the Administrator of the Health Care
Financing Administration, the Director of the National
Institutes of Health, the Commissioner of Food and Drugs,
and the heads of any other interested Federal department
or agency, and shall seek input, where appropriate, from professional societies and other private and public entities.
"(3) METHODOLOGY.—The Director shall, in developing the
methods used under paragraph (1), consider—
"(A) safety, efficacy, and effectiveness;
"(B) legal, social, and ethical implications;
"(C) costs, benefits, and cost-effectiveness;
"(D) comparisons to alternate health care practices and
technologies; and
"(E) requirements of Food and Drug Administration
approval to avoid duplication.
"(c) SPECIFIC ASSESSMENTS.—
"(1) IN GENERAL.—The Director shall conduct or support
specific assessments of health care technologies and practices.
�
