
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 42USC254a]

 
                 TITLE 42--THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
 
                    CHAPTER 6A--PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
 
                SUBCHAPTER II--GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES
 
        Part C--Hospitals, Medical Examinations, and Medical Care
 
Sec. 254a. Sharing of medical care facilities and resources


(a) Definitions

    For purposes of this section--
        (1) the term ``specialized health resources'' means health care 
    resources (whether equipment, space, or personnel) which, because of 
    cost, limited availability, or unusual nature, are either unique in 
    the health care community or are subject to maximum utilization only 
    through mutual use;
        (2) the term ``hospital'', unless otherwise specified, includes 
    (in addition to other hospitals) any Federal hospital.

(b) Statement of purpose; agreements or arrangements; reciprocity; 
        reimbursement; credits

    For the purpose of maintaining or improving the quality of care in 
Public Health Service facilities and to provide a professional 
environment therein which will help to attract and retain highly 
qualified and talented health personnel, to encourage mutually 
beneficial relationships between Public Health Service facilities and 
hospitals and other health facilities in the health care community, and 
to promote the full utilization of hospitals and other health facilities 
and resources, the Secretary may--
        (1) enter into agreements or arrangements with schools of 
    medicine, schools of osteopathic medicine, and with other health 
    professions schools, agencies, or institutions, for such interchange 
    or cooperative use of facilities and services on a reciprocal or 
    reimbursable basis, as will be of benefit to the training or 
    research programs of the participating agencies; and
        (2) enter into agreements or arrangements with hospitals and 
    other health care facilities for the mutual use or the exchange of 
    use of specialized health resources, and providing for reciprocal 
    reimbursement.

Any reimbursement pursuant to any such agreement or arrangement shall be 
based on charges covering the reasonable cost of such utilization, 
including normal depreciation and amortization costs of equipment. Any 
proceeds to the Government under this subsection shall be credited to 
the applicable appropriation of the Public Health Service for the year 
in which such proceeds are received.

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, Sec. 327A, formerly Sec. 328, as 
added Pub. L. 90-174, Sec. 7, Dec. 5, 1967, 81 Stat. 539; renumbered 
Sec. 327A, Pub. L. 95-626, title I, Sec. 113(a)(2), Nov. 10, 1978, 92 
Stat. 3562; amended Pub. L. 100-607, title VI, Sec. 629(a)(1), Nov. 4, 
1988, 102 Stat. 3146.)


                               Amendments

    1988--Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 100-607 inserted ``schools of 
osteopathic medicine,'' after ``schools of medicine,'' and 
``professions'' after ``health''.


  Availability of Appropriations for Expenses of Sharing Medical Care 
                        Facilities and Resources

    Pub. L. 102-394, title II, Sec. 204, Oct. 6, 1992, 106 Stat. 1811, 
provided that: ``Funds advanced to the National Institutes of Health 
Management Fund from appropriations in this Act or subsequent 
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and 
Related Agencies Appropriations Acts shall be available for the expenses 
of sharing medical care facilities and resources pursuant to section 
327A of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 254a].''
    Similar provisions were contained in the following prior 
appropriation acts:
    Pub. L. 102-170, title II, Sec. 204, Nov. 26, 1991, 105 Stat. 1126.
    Pub. L. 101-517, title II, Sec. 204, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 2208.
    Pub. L. 101-166, title II, Sec. 205, Nov. 21, 1989, 103 Stat. 1177.
    Pub. L. 100-202, Sec. 101(h) [title II, Sec. 205], Dec. 22, 1987, 
101 Stat. 1329-256, 1329-274.
    Pub. L. 99-500, Sec. 101(i) [H.R. 5233, title II, Sec. 205], Oct. 
18, 1986, 100 Stat. 1783-287, and Pub. L. 99-591, Sec. 101(i) [H.R. 
5233, title II, Sec. 205], Oct. 30, 1986, 100 Stat. 3341-287.
    Pub. L. 99-178, title II, Sec. 205, Dec. 12, 1985, 99 Stat. 1119.
    Pub. L. 98-619, title II, Sec. 205, Nov. 8, 1984, 98 Stat. 3321.
    Pub. L. 98-139, title II, Sec. 205, Oct. 31, 1983, 97 Stat. 887.
    Pub. L. 97-377, title I, Sec. 101(e)(1) [title II, Sec. 205], Dec. 
21, 1982, 96 Stat. 1878, 1894.
