
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: 42USC287c-21]

 
                 TITLE 42--THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
 
                    CHAPTER 6A--PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
 
              SUBCHAPTER III--NATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTES
 
                      Part E--Other Agencies of NIH
 
  subpart 5--national center for complementary and alternative medicine
 
Sec. 287c-21. Purpose of Center


(a) In general

    The general purposes of the National Center for Complementary and 
Alternative Medicine (in this subpart referred to as the ``Center'') are 
the conduct and support of basic and applied research (including both 
intramural and extramural research), research training, the 
dissemination of health information, and other programs with respect to 
identifying, investigating, and validating complementary and alternative 
treatment, diagnostic and prevention modalities, disciplines and 
systems. The Center shall be headed by a director, who shall be 
appointed by the Secretary. The Director of the Center shall report 
directly to the Director of NIH.

(b) Advisory council

    The Secretary shall establish an advisory council for the Center in 
accordance with section 284a of this title, except that at least half of 
the members of the advisory council who are not ex officio members shall 
include practitioners licensed in one or more of the major systems with 
which the Center is concerned, and at least 3 individuals representing 
the interests of individual consumers of complementary and alternative 
medicine.

(c) Complement to conventional medicine

    In carrying out subsection (a) of this section, the Director of the 
Center shall, as appropriate, study the integration of alternative 
treatment, diagnostic and prevention systems, modalities, and 
disciplines with the practice of conventional medicine as a complement 
to such medicine and into health care delivery systems in the United 
States.

(d) Appropriate scientific expertise and coordination with institutes 
        and Federal agencies

    The Director of the Center, after consultation with the advisory 
council for the Center and the division of research grants, shall ensure 
that scientists with appropriate expertise in research on complementary 
and alternative medicine are incorporated into the review, oversight, 
and management processes of all research projects and other activities 
funded by the Center. In carrying out this subsection, the Director of 
the Center, as necessary, may establish review groups with appropriate 
scientific expertise. The Director of the Center shall coordinate 
efforts with other Institutes and Federal agencies to ensure appropriate 
scientific input and management.

(e) Evaluation of various disciplines and systems

    In carrying out subsection (a) of this section, the Director of the 
Center shall identify and evaluate alternative and complementary medical 
treatment, diagnostic and prevention modalities in each of the 
disciplines and systems with which the Center is concerned, including 
each discipline and system in which accreditation, national 
certification, or a State license is available.

(f) Ensuring high quality, rigorous scientific review

    In order to ensure high quality, rigorous scientific review of 
complementary and alternative, diagnostic and prevention modalities, 
disciplines and systems, the Director of the Center shall conduct or 
support the following activities:
        (1) Outcomes research and investigations.
        (2) Epidemiological studies.
        (3) Health services research.
        (4) Basic science research.
        (5) Clinical trials.
        (6) Other appropriate research and investigational activities.

The Director of NIH, in coordination with the Director of the Center, 
shall designate specific personnel in each Institute to serve as full-
time liaisons with the Center in facilitating appropriate coordination 
and scientific input.

(g) Data system; information clearinghouse

                           (1) Data system

        The Director of the Center shall establish a bibliographic 
    system for the collection, storage, and retrieval of worldwide 
    research relating to complementary and alternative treatment, 
    diagnostic and prevention modalities, disciplines and systems. Such 
    a system shall be regularly updated and publicly accessible.

                          (2) Clearinghouse

        The Director of the Center shall establish an information 
    clearinghouse to facilitate and enhance, through the effective 
    dissemination of information, knowledge and understanding of 
    alternative medical treatment, diagnostic and prevention practices 
    by health professionals, patients, industry, and the public.

(h) Research centers

    The Director of the Center, after consultation with the advisory 
council for the Center, shall provide support for the development and 
operation of multipurpose centers to conduct research and other 
activities described in subsection (a) of this section with respect to 
complementary and alternative treatment, diagnostic and prevention 
modalities, disciplines and systems. The provision of support for the 
development and operation of such centers shall include accredited 
complementary and alternative medicine research and education 
facilities.

(i) Availability of resources

    After consultation with the Director of the Center, the Director of 
NIH shall ensure that resources of the National Institutes of Health, 
including laboratory and clinical facilities, fellowships (including 
research training fellowship and junior and senior clinical 
fellowships), and other resources are sufficiently available to enable 
the Center to appropriately and effectively carry out its duties as 
described in subsection (a) of this section. The Director of NIH, in 
coordination with the Director of the Center, shall designate specific 
personnel in each Institute to serve as full-time liaisons with the 
Center in facilitating appropriate coordination and scientific input.

(j) Availability of appropriations

    Amounts appropriated to carry out this section for fiscal year 1999 
are available for obligation through September 30, 2001. Amounts 
appropriated to carry out this section for fiscal year 2000 are 
available for obligation through September 30, 2001.

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title IV, Sec. 485D, as added Pub. L. 105-277, 
div. A, Sec. 101(f) [title VI, Sec. 601(2)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 
2681-337, 2681-387.)


                    Termination of Advisory Councils

    Advisory councils established after Jan. 5, 1973, to terminate not 
later than the expiration of the 2-year period beginning on the date of 
their establishment, unless, in the case of a council established by the 
President or an officer of the Federal Government, such council is 
renewed by appropriate action prior to the expiration of such 2-year 
period, or in the case of a council established by Congress, its 
duration is otherwise provided by law. See sections 3(2) and 14 of Pub. 
L. 92-463, Oct. 6, 1972, 86 Stat. 770, 776, set out in the Appendix to 
Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.
    Pub. L. 93-641, Sec. 6, Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2275, set out as a 
note under section 217a of this title, provided that an advisory 
committee established pursuant to the Public Health Service Act shall 
terminate at such time as may be specifically prescribed by an Act of 
Congress enacted after Jan. 4, 1975.

    Ex. Ord. No. 13147. White House Commission on Complementary and 
                       Alternative Medicine Policy

    Ex. Ord. No. 13147, Mar. 7, 2000, 65 F.R. 13233, provided:
    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and 
the laws of the United States of America, including the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. App.), and in order to establish the 
White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy, 
it is hereby ordered as follows:
    Section 1. Establishment. There is established in the Department of 
Health and Human Services (Department) the White House Commission on 
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy (Commission). The 
Commission shall be composed of not more than 15 members appointed by 
the President from knowledgeable representatives in health care practice 
and complementary and alternative medicine. The President shall 
designate a Chair from among the members of the Commission. The 
Secretary of Health and Human Services (Secretary) shall appoint an 
Executive Director for the Commission.
    Sec. 2. Functions. The Commission shall provide a report, through 
the Secretary, to the President on legislative and administrative 
recommendations for assuring that public policy maximizes the benefits 
to Americans of complementary and alternative medicine. The 
recommendations shall address the following:
    (a) the education and training of health care practitioners in 
complementary and alternative medicine;
    (b) coordinated research to increase knowledge about complementary 
and alternative medicine practices and products;
    (c) the provision to health care professionals of reliable and 
useful information about complementary and alternative medicine that can 
be made readily accessible and understandable to the general public; and
    (d) guidance for appropriate access to and delivery of complementary 
and alternative medicine.
    Sec. 3. Administration. (a) To the extent permitted by law, the 
heads of executive departments and agencies shall provide the 
Commission, upon request, with such information and assistance as it may 
require for the purpose of carrying out its functions.
    (b) Each member of the Commission shall receive compensation at a 
rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate specified for 
Level IV of the Executive Schedule (5 U.S.C. 5315) for each day during 
which the member is engaged in the performance of the duties of the 
Commission. While away from their homes or regular places of business in 
the performance of the duties of the Commission, members shall be 
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as 
authorized by law for persons serving intermittently in Government 
service (5 U.S.C. 5701-5707).
    (c) The Department shall provide the Commission with funding and 
with administrative services, facilities, staff, and other support 
services necessary for the performance of the Commission's functions.
    (d) In accordance with guidelines issued by the Administrator of 
General Services, the Secretary shall perform the functions of the 
President under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. 
App.), with respect to the Commission, except that of reporting to the 
Congress.
    (e) The Commission shall terminate 2 years from the date of this 
order unless extended by the President prior to such date.
                                                     William J. Clinton.
