
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: 42USC299b]

 
                 TITLE 42--THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
 
                    CHAPTER 6A--PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
 
       SUBCHAPTER VII--AGENCY FOR HEALTHCARE RESEARCH AND QUALITY
 
                Part B--Health Care Improvement Research
 
Sec. 299b. Health care outcome improvement research


(a) Evidence rating systems

    In collaboration with experts from the public and private sector, 
the Agency shall identify and disseminate methods or systems to assess 
health care research results, particularly methods or systems to rate 
the strength of the scientific evidence underlying health care practice, 
recommendations in the research literature, and technology assessments. 
The Agency shall make methods or systems for evidence rating widely 
available. Agency publications containing health care recommendations 
shall indicate the level of substantiating evidence using such methods 
or systems.

(b) Health care improvement research centers and provider-based research 
        networks

                           (1) In general

        In order to address the full continuum of care and outcomes 
    research, to link research to practice improvement, and to speed the 
    dissemination of research findings to community practice settings, 
    the Agency shall employ research strategies and mechanisms that will 
    link research directly with clinical practice in geographically 
    diverse locations throughout the United States, including--
            (A) health care improvement research centers that combine 
        demonstrated multidisciplinary expertise in outcomes or quality 
        improvement research with linkages to relevant sites of care;
            (B) provider-based research networks, including plan, 
        facility, or delivery system sites of care (especially primary 
        care), that can evaluate outcomes and evaluate and promote 
        quality improvement; and
            (C) other innovative mechanisms or strategies to link 
        research with clinical practice.

                          (2) Requirements

        The Director is authorized to establish the requirements for 
    entities applying for grants under this subsection.

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title IX, Sec. 911, as added Pub. L. 106-129, 
Sec. 2(a), Dec. 6, 1999, 113 Stat. 1656.)


                            Prior Provisions

    A prior section 299b, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title IX, Sec. 911, 
as added Pub. L. 101-239, title VI, Sec. 6103(a), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 
Stat. 2192; amended Pub. L. 102-410, Sec. 5(b), Oct. 13, 1992, 106 Stat. 
2097, related to establishment of Office of the Forum for Quality and 
Effectiveness in Health Care, prior to the general amendment of this 
subchapter by Pub. L. 106-129.
    Another prior section 299b, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title IX, 
Sec. 902, as added Oct. 6, 1965, Pub. L. 89-239, Sec. 2, 79 Stat. 927; 
amended Oct. 15, 1968, Pub. L. 90-574, title I, Sec. 103, 82 Stat. 1005; 
Oct. 30, 1970, Pub. L. 91-515, title I, Secs. 104, 111(b), 84 Stat. 
1299, 1301, defined terms for purposes of this subchapter, prior to 
repeal by Pub. L. 99-117, Sec. 12(d), Oct. 7, 1985, 99 Stat. 495.
