[House Report 109-515]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
109th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 109-515
======================================================================
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND
RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2007
----------
R E P O R T
of the
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
[TO ACCOMPANY H.R. 5647]
together with
MINORITY AND ADDITIONAL VIEWS
June 20, 2006.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES,
AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2007
109th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 109-515
======================================================================
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND
RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2007
__________
R E P O R T
of the
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
[TO ACCOMPANY H.R. 5647]
together with
MINORITY AND ADDITIONAL VIEWS
June 20, 2006.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_____
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON: 2006
28-324
109th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 109-515
======================================================================
DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND
RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2007
_______
June 20, 2006.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Regula, from the Committee on Appropriations, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
together with
MINORITY AND ADDITIONAL VIEWS
[To accompany H.R. 5647]
The Committee on Appropriations submits the following
report in explanation of the accompanying bill making
appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human
Services (except the Food and Drug Administration and the
Indian Health Service), and Education, Committee for Purchase
from People Who are Blind or Severely Disabled, Corporation for
National and Community Service, Corporation for Public
Broadcasting, Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service,
Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission, Institute of
Museum and Library Services, Medicare Payment Advisory
Commission, National Commission on Libraries and Information
Science, National Council on Disability, National Labor
Relations Board, National Mediation Board, Occupational Safety
and Health Review Commission, Railroad Retirement Board, and
the Social Security Administration for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2007, and for other purposes.
Summary of Estimates and Appropriations
The following table compares on a summary basis the
appropriations including trust funds for fiscal year 2006, the
budget request for fiscal year 2007 and the Committee
recommendation for fiscal year 2007 in the accompanying bill.
2007 LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS BILL
[In millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year-- 2007 committee
--------------------------------- compared to--
---------------------
2006 2007 2007 2006 2007
adjusted budget committee adjusted budget
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Department of Labor...................................... $14,531 $14,080 $14,605 +$74 +$525
Advances............................................. 2,537 2,531 2,481 -56 -50
Department of Health and Human Services.................. 475,252 473,290 475,117 -135 +1,827
Advances............................................. 67,103 69,456 69,456 +2,353 0
Department of Education.................................. 62,962 57,168 58,536 -4,426 +1,368
Advances............................................. 15,034 15,034 15,484 +450 +450
Related Agencies......................................... 48,933 48,897 48,685 -248 -212
Advances............................................. 11,510 16,810 16,810 +5,300 0
Grand Total, current year................................ 601,678 593,435 596,943 -4,735 +3,508
Advances............................................. 96,184 103,831 104,231 +8,047 +400
Current year total using 302(b) scorekeeping............. 601,398 592,485 596,502 -4,896 +4,017
Mandatory............................................ 460,310 454,691 454,572 -5,738 -119
Discretionary........................................ 141,088 137,794 141,930 +842 +4,136
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROGRAM LEVEL DISCRETIONARY
[In millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year-- 2007 committee
--------------------------------- compared to--
---------------------
2006 2007 2007 2006 2007
adjusted budget committee adjusted budget
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Department of Labor...................................... $11,534 $10,983 $11,458 -$76 $475
Department of Health and Human Services.................. 62,698 61,793 63,738 +1,040 +1,945
Department of Education.................................. 55,953 54,331 56,149 +196 +1,818
Related Agencies......................................... 11,346 11,638 11,426 +80 -212
------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal Program Level............................... $141,531 $138,745 $142,771 +$1,240 +$4,026
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
General Summary of the Bill
Funding levels in the fiscal year 2007 appropriation bill
for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services,
Education and Related Agencies reflect the Committee's attempt
to establish priorities within the very stringent limitations.
This year the Committee has made a special effort to increase
funding for programs that help low and moderate income people
and represent a core Federal responsibility. For example,
within the allocation, major increases over 2006 or the Budget
Request for 2007 are being provided for Pell Grants, vocational
education, special education, community health centers and
immunization programs.
Bill total.--Total funding, including offsets, for fiscal
year 2007 in the Departments of Labor, Health and Human
Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Act,
2007 is $596,502,468,000.
Discretionary programs.--For Discretionary accounts for
2007 the bill provides $141,930,000,000, including offsets.
This is $842,180,000 above the fiscal year 2006 comparable
level.
Mandatory programs.--The bill provides $454,572,468,000 for
entitlement programs in fiscal year 2007. This is
$5,737,076,000 below the fiscal year 2006 comparable level.
Funding requirements for entitlement programs are determined by
the basic authorizing statutes. Mandatory programs include
general fund support for the Medicare and Medicaid programs,
Supplemental Security Income, Trade Adjustment Assistance and
Black Lung payments. The following chart indicates the funding
levels for the major mandatory programs in fiscal years 2006
and 2007.
MANDATORY
[Dollars in thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Program Fiscal Year 2006 Fiscal Year 2007 Change
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Department of Labor:
Federal Unemployment Benefits and Allowances....... $966,400 $938,600 -$27,800
Advances to the UI and other trust funds........... 465,000 452,000 -13,000
Special Benefits................................... 237,000 230,000 -7,000
Special Benefits for Disabled Coal Miners.......... 232,250 229,373 -2,877
Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation 96,081 102,307 +6,226
Fund..............................................
Black Lung Disability Trust Fund................... 1,068,000 1,071,000 +3,000
Department of Health and Human Services:
Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund............. 60,972 62,802 +1,830
Medicaid current law benefits...................... 204,166,276 189,499,928 -14,666,348
Medicaid State and local administration............ 9,803,100 9,349,700 -453,400
CMS Vaccines for Children.......................... 1,502,333 2,006,445 +504,112
Medicare Payments to Healthcare Trust Funds........ 178,647,200 197,017,391 +18,370,191
Welfare Payments................................... 39,000 39,300 +300
Child Support Enforcement.......................... 4,079,494 4,076,162 -3,332
Social Services Block Grant........................ 1,700,000 1,700,000 0
Promoting Safe and Stable Families................. 305,000 345,000 +40,000
Payments to States for Foster Care and Adoption.... 4,940,800 5,211,000 +270,200
Medical Benefits for Commissioned Officers......... 328,552 341,694 +13,142
Department of Education:
Vocational Rehabilitation.......................... 2,720,192 2,837,160 +116,968
Pell Grant Shortfall Payoff........................ 4,300,000 0 -4,300,000
Related Agencies:
Payments to Social Security Trust Funds............ 20,470 27,756 +7,286
Supplemental Security Income....................... 37,566,174 37,231,000 -335,174
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comparisons
Unless otherwise specified, the descriptions that follow
highlight the program content and the significant differences
that are occurring in 2007 compared to the 2006 enacted levels
(including the across the board reduction enacted subsequent to
the enactment of the 2006 appropriations acts.) One time
supplementals are not included for purposes of comparison since
as one-time appropriations there is no assumption that funds
would be included in baseline funding for those programs.
Nevertheless, comparisons to other benchmarks can be found in
the table at the back of this report as well as in separately
issued tables or analyses that the Committee may issue in the
future.
Operating Plan
The table at the end of this report also provides further
details concerning the distribution of funds among activities
and sub-activities that are recommended in this Act.
Unless specified otherwise in the bill or this accompanying
report, the amounts included in the budget request shall be the
amounts provided for fiscal year 2007. Within 45 days of
enactment each Department and related Agency funded by this Act
shall submit an operating plan to the Committees on
Appropriations in the House and the Senate for approval. The
operating plan should detail any reprogramming requests which
are based on information obtained since the submission of the
Budget in February 2006 or based on the effects of the amounts
provided in this Act.
Program Assessment Rating Tools (PART)
A general provision is included in this Act to increase the
role of the Congress in the Administration's PART studies,
which have increasingly become the basis for individual budget
requests and legislative proposals that consolidate and reduce
program levels.
Unless specifically exempted, no funds are provided in this
Act to conduct or participate in the conduct of a PART analysis
or study unless the Committees on Appropriations of the House
and Senate have approved of the study, inclusive of the data on
which the analysis will be based, the methodology to be
employed and the relative weight of each of the four factors
that will be assigned to the study in determining a final
score.
E-Gov Initiative (E-Gov)
Language is included as a general provision to this Act
precluding the use or transfer of funds provided in this Act to
implement the Government-wide ``E-Gov Initiative'' unless a
reprogramming request is included in the initial or an amended
operating plan. The Committee has become increasingly concerned
over the failure of this initiative to produce meaningful
results, the huge reported costs of implementation and the
resulting delay or loss of important information technology
investments that were requested and approved by the Congress.
The Committee is also concerned about the large number of
complaints it has received from career program managers who
have been forced to transfer funds, shut down innovative and
creative web sites and delay the development of critical
technology because they have had to conform to inferior Agency-
wide Web sites or transfer funds to the Departmental Chief
Information Officers (CIO) for subsequent transfer to other
Departments or Agencies with lead responsibility for a specific
E-Gov initiatives. The amounts being assessed on program
offices appear to have no relationship to the benefits that are
returned to the assessed programs. Further, claimed savings
associated with the ``E-Gov Initiative'' can not be verified.
Previous attempts by the Committee to ensure that the
initiative would not impede the development of critical
technology and the continuation of valuable, innovative or
creative web sites have been ignored. In fact, new initiatives
have been introduced which means higher assessments on the
programs in the future.
Therefore, concurrent with the submission of any request to
reprogram or transfer funds in this Act for any purpose
relating directly or indirectly to the ``E-Gov Initiative,''
the lead career executive in the program or office being
assessed must submit a certification that: (1) states and
attests to the accuracy of previously estimated savings the
Department assumed to be associated with the ``E-Gov
Initiative'' and (2) certifies that the benefits to the program
or office that would be derived from the proposed transfer
exceed the benefits to the program or office from the use of
funds for the purposes for which funds were originally
appropriated. Failure to submit this certification will
automatically result in a denial of the request.
TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
(INCLUDING RESCISSION)
The Committee recommends $4,966,899,000 for this account,
which provides funding authorized primarily by the Workforce
Investment Act of 1998 (WIA). This is $150,567,000 below the
fiscal year 2006 level ($121,679,000 below the 2006 level
adjusted for the change in Job Corps funding) and $554,494,000
above the budget request.
The Training and Employment Services account is comprised
of programs that enhance the employment and earnings of those
in need of such services, operated through a decentralized
system of skill training and related services. The account is
mostly forward-funded on a July to June cycle, with funds
provided for fiscal year 2007 supporting the effort from July
1, 2007 through June 30, 2008.
The Committee directs that the Department take no action to
amend, through regulatory or other administrative action, the
definition established in 20 CFR 667.220 for functions and
activities under title I of the Workforce Investment Act until
April 1, 2007, until such time as legislation reauthorizing the
Act is enacted or until the Department reaches agreement with
the Workforce and Education and Health, Education, Labor, and
Pension Committees, whichever occurs first. Recent reports of
significant abuses of administrative costs by local Worker
Investment Board has prompted Congress to take immediate action
but also highlights the importance of enacting permanent
legislation.
Based on an analysis of funding cycles, the Committee
established that there remain unexpended balances in many of
the local entities which implement workforce training and
employment activities. A summary of this analysis follows:
STATE FORMULA SPENDING--WIA YOUTH, ADULTS AND DISLOCATED WORKERS PROGRAMS TOTAL--PROGRAM YEARS 2000-2007
[dollars in thousands]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unexpended Total Expended
Program Year Period carry-in New funding available Expenditures (%) Unexpended
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PY 2000.......................... $826,788* $3,194,735 $4,021,524 $2,283,197 56.8 $1,738,327
PY 2001.......................... 1,755,277 3,209,861 4,965,138 3,236,579 65.2 1,728,559
PY 2002.......................... 1,706,193 3,276,241 4,982,434 3,565,273 71.6 1,417,161
PY 2003.......................... 1,405,153 3,013,751 4,418,904 3,221,451 72.9 1,197,453
PY 2004.......................... 1,178,102 3,034,746 4,212,848 3,069,784 72.9 1,143,064
PY 2005.......................... 1,133,865 3,038,371 4,172,237 3,030,105 72.6 1,142,132
PY 2006 (est).................... 1,132,428 2,975,891 4,108,319 2,976,106 72.4 1,132,213
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*$954,392 Updated per Department of Labor accounting system (breakout by program not available).
As a result, prior year balances are being partially
reduced through a rescission of $325,000,000. This analysis
supports the Department's testimony over the past two years
concerning unspent balances. However, unexpended balances have
dropped some and many states are using unspent funds toward
implementing other training programs and initiatives.
Therefore, prior year balances are being partially reduced
through a one time rescission of $325,000,000 instead of the
full amount of anticipated unexpended balances. The Department
is instructed to ensure that reductions are assigned to
entities that have the greatest excess balances, to the maximum
extent possible. Of greatest concern to the Committee is the
lapsing of funds in each of the past five years. Funds not
expended in the allowable time could have been recaptured and
applied to other urgent needs in this or other Titles in this
Act.
Therefore, the Department's central Budget Office is
further directed to establish a methodology using quarterly
reports and end of year audited statements to more intensely
monitor the expenditure of obligations by the State and local
funding recipients and report those findings for the latest
program year, for each formula grant, to the Committees on
Appropriations in the House and Senate. This information should
be included as part of the 2008 congressional budget
submission. In addition, the Department's central budget office
shall provide the Committees with a detailed description of the
funds that have been reallocated between states by the
Secretary and between programs within states for fiscal year
2006.
There is evidence that the ``core'' funded activities of
the Adult, Dislocated and Youth programs overlap with the
similar core activities funded by the Employment Services
account, with both WIA and ES funds often distributed to the
same local entities, and providing the same services. This
diminishes the overall effectiveness of the two programs and
wastes scarce dollars. The Department is instructed to
establish detailed funding criteria for all local entities
receiving funds from both the WIA and Employment Services
accounts that, to the maximum extent possible, ensures that
overlap of core activities is reduced. The Employment Services
Account should be the primary sponsor of core activities and
the WIA account should be the primary source of more intensive
services required by Adult, Dislocated and Youth individuals
that are not able to secure employment through core services.
The Department should incorporate these criteria into each
local entity plan and closely monitor their implementation.
Adult employment and training activities
For adult employment and training activities, the Committee
recommends $854,000,000. This is $10,199,000 below the fiscal
year 2006 level and $142,000,000 above the budget request. Of
the amount recommended $712,000,000 will become available on
October 1, 2007. This program is authorized by the Workforce
Investment Act of 1998. The funds are allocated by formula to
States and further distributed to local workforce investment
boards. Services for adults will be provided through the One-
Stop Centers system and most customers receiving training use
their individual training accounts to determine which programs
and providers fit their needs. The Act authorizes core services
available to all adults with no eligibility requirements, and
intensive services for unemployed individuals who are not able
to find jobs through core services alone.
Dislocated worker employment and training activities
For dislocated worker employment and training activities,
the Committee recommends $1,476,064,000. This is $4,161,000
above the 2006 level and $361,482,000 above the budget request.
Of the amount recommended, $1,060,000,000 will become available
on October 1, 2007. Of the total, $1,193,264,000 is designated
for State formula grants that support core services, intensive
services, training, and supportive services. In addition,
States use these funds for rapid response assistance to help
workers affected by mass layoffs and plant closures.
The Committee recommendation includes $282,800,000 for the
National Reserve, which supports National Emergency Grants to
respond to mass layoffs, plant and/or military base closings,
and natural disasters across the country, which cannot be
otherwise anticipated, as well as technical assistance and
training and demonstration projects.
Although the Committee is not in agreement with the
separate request for a $150,000,000 Community College
Initiative, it is not opposed to the use of community colleges
for workforce training per se. However, the Committee remains
concerned about the role and use of the One-Stop Centers in the
initiative. The Committee does not agree with a shift in
approach to worker training at this time but instead directs
that the Department may use up to $125,000,000 of funds made
available in the National Reserve for competitive grants to
community colleges for dislocated worker training. This repeats
the Committee's recommendation in fiscal year 2006. Again in
2007, the Committee directs that future solicitations for grant
applications for the Community Based Job Training initiative
include One-Stop Career Centers as an eligible applicant and
that all applicants describe the relationship of One-Stop-
Centers in their applications.
Even so, the Committee remains concerned about the use of
initiative grant funding for community college capacity
building instead of training. This is a departure from
traditional Department of Labor grant programs. Therefore, the
Department is instructed to give highest priority to grant
applications that will train workers with skills needed to
operate, maintain, and troubleshoot complex integrated
technologies and to monitor the expenditure of funds for
capacity building and training and report these findings to the
Committees on Appropriations in the House and Senate by March
31, 2007. The Committee further directs the Department to
utilize existing curricula developed by previously funded
initiatives.
Youth employment and training activities
For youth activities, the Committee recommends
$935,500,000. This is $5,000,000 below the fiscal year 2006
level and $95,000,000 above the budget request.
The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 consolidated the
Summer Youth Employment and Training Program and Youth Training
Grants under the Job Training Partnership Act into a single
youth training activity. The funds are allocated by formula to
states and further distributed to local workforce investment
boards in accordance with the Workforce Investment Act of 1988.
For the second straight year the budget request proposes
funding in Labor under proposed legislation. To avoid the
possibility that the Youthbuild program will not receive
funding for fiscal year 2007, the Committee recommendation
requires that within the amount made available for youth
activities up to $50,000,000 may be dedicated toward the
Youthbuild Program, the specific amount to be determined by the
Department, and dependent on when the program is authorized for
transfer from HUD to Labor. However, the provision requires
that all funds shall revert to the Youth formula grant program
if the program is not authorized for transfer by April 1, 2007.
Job Corps
The Job Corps, authorized by the Workforce Investment Act
of 1998, is a nationwide network of residential facilities
chartered by Federal law to provide a comprehensive and
intensive array of training, job placement and support services
to at-risk young adults. The mission of Job Corps is to attract
eligible young adults, teach them the skills they need to
become employable and independent, and place them in meaningful
jobs or further education. Participation in the program is open
to people in the 16 to 24 age range who are unemployed, have
dropped out of school or who are at risk of being involved in
the criminal corrections system.
For Job Corps operations the Committee recommends
$1,465,000,000. This is $8,740,000 above the ``comparable''
enacted level for 2006 and $64,000,000 above the President's
Budget Request. Funds for Job Corps staff that were included in
operations in the fiscal year 2006 are included in ``program
administration'' in the Budget Request and the Committee
recommendation as it has been in every other year. Of the
amount recommended, $591,000,000 will become available on
October 1, 2007.
In addition, the Committee provides $58,000,000 for
construction, compared to $100,000,000 in the request and
$107,920,000 for fiscal year 2006. The Committee did not
include the request to rescind $75,000,000 in construction
funds. However, based on the projected level of funds for
construction and the timeline of construction activities, the
Committee includes $50,000,000 in advanced appropriations
rather than $100,000,000 as requested. Further, the Job Corps
received a $16,000,000 increase in construction funds for the
two facilities impacted by the hurricanes in the most recent
supplemental appropriation. Finally, the previously
appropriated funds are already available for the construction
of two new centers.
The Department is directed to give the highest priority to
the maintenance, repairs and rehabilitation of existing
facilities, prior to the use of funds for new facilities. Every
new facility increases the future demand for funds for
operating expenses in an increasing tight budgetary
environment. Therefore, emphasis should be placed on
rehabilitation and repair of existing facilities.
Furthermore, the Committee supports the effort of the
Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to more fully integrate Job
Corps centers into their local communities and directs that the
Department review the system developed and employed by
Youthbuild America as a model for local education and training
of at risk youth.
After being elevated to the Office of the Secretary in
celebration of its 40th anniversary, in 2007 the Job Corps
program is returned to ETA, which oversees all youth training
activities.
Native Americans
For Native Americans, the Committee recommends $50,000,000.
This is $3,696,000 below the fiscal year 2006 level and
$1,458,000 below the budget request. This program, authorized
by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, is designed to improve
the economic well being of Native Americans (Indians, Eskimos,
Aleuts, and Native Hawaiians) through the provision of
training, work experience, and other employment-related
services and opportunities that are intended to aid the
participants to secure permanent, unsubsidized jobs. The
Department of Labor allocates formula grants to Indian tribes
and other Native American groups whose eligibility for such
grants is established in accordance with Department
regulations.
The Committee directs the Department to require that the
planned use of these funds by Indian tribes or Designated
Tribal Entities be coordinated with and incorporated into the
Indian Economic Development Block Grant plans, funded through
the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Economic
development funds and job training funds should go hand in
hand.
Migrant and seasonal farm workers
The migrant and seasonal farmworkers program, authorized by
the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, is designed to serve
members of economically disadvantaged families whose principal
livelihood is derived from migratory and other forms of
seasonal farm work, or fishing, or logging activities.
Enrollees and their families are provided with employment
training and related services intended to prepare them for
stable, year-round employment within and outside of the
agriculture industry.
For migrant and seasonal farm workers, the Committee
recommends $80,053,000. This is $801,000 above the fiscal year
2006 level and $80,053,000 above the president's budget
request. For the fourth year in a row the budget request did
not include funds for this program, and the program continues
to be rated as one of the least effective in the Department.
The Committee is concerned that the program is not sufficiently
focused on job training. Each year, more than 60% of the
program's participants receive no job training. Further, the
cost per participant has risen to nearly $3,500.
However, the Committee recommendation is unwilling to
terminate the program, as requested, until the Department has
demonstrated that mainstream health and welfare programs, as
well as mainstream job training programs are in place to
provide the combination of services needed to help secure
permanent employment for farm and forestry workers. Therefore,
the Committee is recommending a status quo budget for 2007. As
in prior years, the Act directs that of the amounts made
available, $5,000,000 is targeted for migrant and seasonal
farmworker housing grants.
The Act further directs that not less than 70 percent of
this amount be used for permanent housing grants. Recently the
Committee has become aware that some of the remaining funds
have been allocated to temporary housing. By March 1, 2007 the
Department is to provide a list of temporary housing activities
and should include a list of the grantees, states in which
grantees are located, the uses of funds and the number of
individuals or families served.
NATIONAL COMPETITIVE GRANT PROGRAMS
This activity includes Workforce Investment Act authorized
programs in support of the workforce system including technical
assistance and incentive grants, evaluations, pilots,
demonstrations and research.
Pilots, Demonstrations and Research.--The Committee
recommends $43,361,000 for grants or contracts to conduct
research, pilots or demonstrations that improve techniques or
demonstrate the effectiveness of programs. This is $13,661,000
above the fiscal year 2006 level and $25,661,000 above the 2007
budget request. Of the amount made available in this account, a
total of $25,661,000 is dedicated to specific projects which
are detailed below:
Agudath Israel of America Community Services, Inc.,
Brooklyn, NY, for its Fresh Start job training and
counseling program.................................. $400,000
Alabama Southern Community College, Thomasville, AL, for
its pulp and paper training center.................. 200,000
Arc of Blackstone Valley, Pawtucket, RI, for a workforce
development initiative.............................. 150,000
Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center, Ashland, OH
for the Northeast Central Ohio Bioscience
Consortium's creation of a customized, tiered
training model in the biosciences................... 150,000
Asnuntuck Community College, Enfield, CT to develop a
multi-cluster Manufacturing Technology Center....... 300,000
Automation Alley, Troy, MI to train incumbent and new
workers to construct, manage, and evaluate the
Digital Manufacturing Network....................... 750,000
Bellingham Technical College, Bellingham, WA, for a
Process Technology Workforce Development Project.... 150,000
Bismarck State College, Bismarck, ND, for an
instrumentation and control training program........ 250,000
Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, NJ, for workforce
training programs through its Center for Excellence
in Technology, Telecommunications and Economic
Development......................................... 250,000
Capital Idea, Austin, TX, for a workforce development
project............................................. 185,000
Casper Event Center, Casper, WY for infrastructure
improvements........................................ 100,000
Center for Employment Training, San Jose, CA, for its
Building Trade Jobs for Out-of-School Youth Project. 200,000
Center for Training and Careers, San Jose, CA, for
vocational training services........................ 75,000
Central Maine Community College, Auburn, ME, for a
training program in precision metalworking and
machine tool technology............................. 150,000
Charity Cultural Services Center, San Francisco, CA, for
job training and placement services for new or
recent immigrants................................... 400,000
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center,
Cincinnati, OH for the Project SEARCH job training
for people with disabilities........................ 150,000
City College of San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, for a
health care workforce training initiative through
the Welcome Back Center............................. 200,000
City of Alexandria, VA, for an automobile industry
workforce development and training initiative....... 275,000
City of Las Vegas, NV for a walk-in employment center... 366,000
City of Milwaukee, WI, for a project to train youth in
construction trades................................. 200,000
College of Southern Maryland, La Plata, MD, for its
Partnership for the Advancement of Construction and
Transportation Training Project..................... 250,000
Community Learning Center, Ft. Worth, TX to provide
training for dislocated and incumbent aerospace
workers............................................. 500,000
Community Solutions for Clackamas County, OR, for its
Working for Independence job training and workforce
development program................................. 250,000
Consortium for Worker Education, New York, NY, for
education, job readiness and occupational skills
training services................................... 150,000
Construction Apprenticeship Tech Prep Consortium, North
Kansas City, MO..................................... 50,000
County of Fresno, CA to provide vocational training
services............................................ 200,000
Des Moines Area Community College, IA, for training for
dislocated workers, and for career exploration and
preparation for high school and community college
students............................................ 250,000
East Los Angeles Community Union, Los Angeles, CA, for a
workforce training initiative....................... 500,000
Economic Growth Connection of Westmoreland County,
Greensburg, PA, for workforce development
initiatives......................................... 200,000
Enterprise South Industrial Park (ESIP) Workforce
Training Center, Chattanooga, TN to establish a
state of the art training center.................... 1,300,000
Essex County Community Organization, Lynn, MA, for its
Education Advantage for Manufacturing project....... 250,000
FIB Economic Development Corporation, Inc., Atlanta, GA,
for a youth pre-apprenticeship program.............. 400,000
Fifth Avenue Committee, Brooklyn, NY, for workforce
development services for unemployed or underemployed
individuals......................................... 300,000
Foundation of the Delaware County Chamber Job Readiness
Program, Media, PA to provide workforce development
services............................................ 75,000
Fresno County, CA, for the West Fresno County Vocational
Training Project.................................... 300,000
Frontier Community College, Fairfield, IL to help create
a lineman training program.......................... 100,000
Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, for its
Southeastern Technology Education Program (STEP)
workforce training initiative....................... 400,000
Guam Community College, Barrigada, Guam, for vocational
training programs................................... 250,000
Home of Life Community Development Corporation, Chicago,
IL, for a financial services training and placement
program............................................. 150,000
Indochina Sino-American Community Center, New York, NY,
for its Immigrant Literacy, Technology and
Employment Project.................................. 150,000
Iowa Central Community College, Ft. Dodge, IA for
workforce skills assessment......................... 300,000
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana Center for
Cybersecurity, Columbus, IN to train the existing
and developing workforce............................ 100,000
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, Center for Health
Information Technology, Lafayette, IN, for program
support and student aid............................. 100,000
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, Center for
Orthopedic Manufacturing, Warsaw, IN for training
curriculum.......................................... 200,000
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, Warsaw, IN Center
for Orthopedic Manufacturing to train workers....... 350,000
Ivy Tech Community College, Center for Logistics,
Evansville, IN for Distribution and Transportation
for a technical workforce........................... 200,000
Ivy Tech Community College, Terre Haute, IN for a Center
for Geographical Information Systems................ 500,000
Joint Systems Manufacturing Center, Lima, OH for job
training in manufacturing technologies.............. 200,000
JumpStart, Inc., Cleveland, OH for technical assistance
job training........................................ 200,000
Kalamazoo Valley Community College, Kalamazoo, MI for
training and certification curriculum development... 270,000
Lancaster County Career and Technology Foundation,
Lancaster, PA for the Lancaster County Career and
Technology Center's Collision Repair Technology
program............................................. 100,000
Long Island Teen Challenge, West Babylon, NY for
vocational training program......................... 100,000
Louisiana National Guard, Carville, LA for Job Challenge
Program training and equipment...................... 150,000
Make the Road by Walking, Brooklyn, NY, to establish an
English and Economic Literacy Initiative in the
Bushwick neighborhood............................... 200,000
Marc Center, Mesa, AZ for job training for adults with
disabilities........................................ 200,000
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, North Adams, MA,
for the Northern Tier Healthcare Workforce project.. 75,000
Medina County Office of Workforce Development, Medina,
OH for the Building Careers in the Building Trades
Initiative.......................................... 50,000
Medina County Office of Workforce Development, Medina,
OH, for the Building Careers in Healthcare
Initiative.......................................... 50,000
Medina County Schools Educational Service Center,
Medina, OH for the Workforce Initiative program..... 100,000
Melwood Horticultural Training Center, Upper Marlboro,
MD, for workforce analysis and services to place
individuals with developmental disabilities into
competitive employment.............................. 200,000
Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, Plymouth, MI
for a new market sector training pilot.............. 100,000
Minot State University, Minot, ND, for the Job Corps
Executive Management Program........................ 100,000
Mission Language and Vocational School, San Francisco,
CA, for a training program in health-related
occupations......................................... 400,000
Moberly Area Community College in Moberly, MO for its
Integrated Systems Technology program............... 150,000
Monterey County Workforce Investment Board, CA, for a
study and other activities to better align the local
workforce development system with high-growth
industry sectors.................................... 150,000
National Association of Street Schools Career Pathways
Program, Denver, CO for tools and training designed
to create positive life change for at-risk youth.... 100,000
Northeast Bronx Redevelopment Corporation, Bronx, NY,
for its PROJECT SUCCESS job training initiative..... 75,000
Northern Tier Industry and Education Consortium, Dimock,
PA for regional career awareness and training
programs............................................ 90,000
Oakland Community College, Oakland County, MI to lead a
consortium on emerging sectors in secondary
institutions........................................ 500,000
Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry and Tourism,
Oil City, PA for the Rural Technical Training
Initiative.......................................... 200,000
Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma City, OK to fund a
pilot program for training nurse's aides
specializing in long-term care facilities........... 500,000
Opportunity, Inc., Highland Park, IL to expand the
Secure Document Destruction for Disabled Persons
Division............................................ 250,000
Our Piece of the Pie, Hartford, CT, for education and
employment services for out-of-school youth......... 600,000
Palm Beach Education Commission, West Palm Beach, FL to
initiate a Quality Economic Development, Education,
and Employment (QE\3\) demonstration project........ 100,000
Patrick County Education Foundation, Stuart, VA, for a
workforce development project....................... 100,000
Philadelphia Workforce Development Corporation,
Philadelphia, PA, for establishment of a training
institute........................................... 175,000
Piedmont Virginia Community College, Charlottesville, VA
for the Residential Construction Academy............ 300,000
Precision Manufacturing Institute, Meadville, PA for
training in advanced manufacturing initiatives...... 200,000
Project One, Louisville, KY for the Summer Earnings and
Enrichment program.................................. 100,000
PRONTO of Long Island, Inc., Bayshore, NY, for a
vocational training initiative...................... 100,000
Safer Foundation, Chicago, IL, for training and support
services to ex-offenders............................ 200,000
San Diego Workforce Partnership, Inc., San Diego, CA,
for its Adult Special Population Contracted Training
Program............................................. 250,000
Schoenbaum Family Enrichment Center, Charleston, WV for
the Enterprise Development Initiative............... 255,000
SCLC/Women's Organizational Movement for Equality Now,
Inc., Atlanta, GA, for education, employment and
support services at its Empowerment Training Center. 100,000
Sierra College, Rocklin, CA for Mechatronics workforce
training initiative................................. 200,000
Signature Academy Inc., Chicago, IL, for its Exodus to
Excellence After School Youth Program............... 75,000
South Bay Workforce Investment Board, Hawthorne, CA, for
its Bridge-to-Work program.......................... 335,000
South Valley Worksource Center, Palmdale, CA to increase
business recruitment................................ 380,000
Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO
for equipment and training.......................... 350,000
Southern Queens Park Association, Jamaica, NY, for a
workforce skills training program................... 300,000
Southside Virginia Community College, Alberta, VA for
the Heavy Equipment Training Center project......... 300,000
Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford, OK
to develop new manufacturing entrepreneurs through
the Western Oklahoma Business Commercialization
Center.............................................. 300,000
Three Rivers Community College, Norwich, CT for the
Collegiate Nurse Preceptor program.................. 100,000
Union Mission, Inc., Savannah, GA, for its culinary arts
training program, in collaboration with Savannah
Technical College................................... 100,000
United Mine Workers of America, Fairfax, VA, for the
UMWA Career Center's mine worker training and
reemployment programs............................... 1,000,000
University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne, IN for the
Nursing Workforce Initiative........................ 200,000
University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA for the Business
Forecasting Center.................................. 350,000
Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement,
Weslaco, TX, for a workforce development project.... 180,000
Veteran Community Initiatives, Inc., Johnstown, PA, for
employment services and support programs for
veterans............................................ 400,000
Webster University, Old Post Office Campus, St. Louis,
MO, for workforce development programs.............. 250,000
West Los Angeles College, Culver City, CA, for a craft
and technician training program..................... 350,000
Westside Industrial Retention and Expansion Network
(WIRE-Net), Cleveland, OH, for a manufacturing
workforce development and job placement program..... 300,000
Worker Investment Board of Herkimer, Madison and Oneida
Counties, NY for an aircraft repair training program 125,000
Workforce Resource, Inc., WI, for a regional web-based
clearinghouse....................................... 250,000
York Technical College, Rock Hill, SC, for its
construction trades training program................ 150,00
Technical Assistance.--No funds are provided for the
technical assistance program, as requested. This is $1,980,000
below the fiscal year 2006 level. The development of
performance measurement systems, the provision of quality
services and the promotion of accountability and collaboration
should be a quintessential part of every program's activity
level.
Evaluation.--The Committee recommends $4,921,000 to provide
for the continuing evaluation of programs conducted under the
Workforce Investment Act of 1998, as well as of Federally
funded employment-related activities under other provisions of
law. This is $2,936,000 below the fiscal year 2006 level and
the same as the budget request.
Responsible Reintegration of Youthful Offenders.--The
Committee does not include funding for the Responsible
Reintegration of Youthful Offenders program. The budget did not
request funds for this program. The fiscal year 2006 level is
$49,104,000.
Prisoner Re-entry.--The Committee recommends no further
funding for the Prisoner Re-entry Initiative until Congress has
authorized the program and has established the authorized
program levels. The Committee has funded the program in the
past few years under the authority of a demonstration program.
However, the Committee is concerned that continued funding for
the program under the guise of a demonstration program is
inappropriate, since all of the restrictions normally
associated with the demonstration program would have to be
waived in order for the program to be eligible for funding. It
is now time for the program to be authorized or dropped.
Community Based Job Training Initiative.--The Committee
does not include separate funds for this initiative but
provides that of the amount made available for the Dislocated
Worker National Reserve competitive grant program, up to
$125,000,000 can be made available for the Initiative. This is
the same as provided in 2006.
Rescissions.--The Committee has included language
rescinding $325,000,000 in prior year WIA funds, or if needed
other headings under this title.
The Committee directs the Department of Labor continue to
submit quarterly reports to the House and Senate Appropriations
Committees on the status of H-1B, National Emergency Grants,
and High-Growth Job Training Initiative awards, and awards made
for pilot, demonstration, multi-service, research, and multi-
state projects as directed in House Report 109-337, except that
the Department shall identify all awards made on a sole source
basis and provide the justification, purpose and expected
outcomes for any such awards.
COMMUNITY SERVICE EMPLOYMENT FOR OLDER AMERICANS
The Committee recommends $420,000,000 for community service
employment for older Americans. This is $12,311,000 below the
fiscal year 2006 level and the budget request. The Committee's
recommendation directs the Department to find ways to reduce
the significant overhead costs of the program pending enactment
of the program's reauthorization.
The community service employment for older Americans
program provides grants to public and private nonprofit
organizations that subsidize part-time work in community
service activities for unemployed persons aged 55 and older,
whose family's annual income does not exceed 125 percent of the
poverty level.
The Committee recommends new language requiring the
Secretary of Labor to use a portion of funds to make a grant to
the Forest Service for the Senior Community Service Employment
Program.
FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES
The Committee recommends $938,600,000. This is $27,800,000
below the fiscal year 2006 level and the same as the budget
request.
The Trade Adjustment Assistance Program (TAA) provides
assistance to certified workers adversely affected by imports
and trade with countries covered by the North America Free
Trade Agreement. Funding will continue the implementation of
the TAA program with an emphasis on integrating the program
into the One-Stop System. The Trade Adjustment Assistance
Reform Act of 2002 expanded the eligibility to include
secondary workers and workers whose employers shift production
overseas.
STATE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OPERATIONS
The Committee recommends $3,411,762,000 for this account.
This is $53,605,000 above the fiscal year 2006 level and
$23,955,000 below the budget request. Included in the total
available is $3,349,746,000 authorized to be drawn from the
Employment Security Administration Account of the Unemployment
Trust Fund and $62,016,000 to be provided from the general fund
of the Treasury. The funds in this account are used to provide
administrative grants and assistance to State agencies that
administer Federal and State unemployment compensation laws and
operate the public employment service.
For Unemployment Insurance services, the Committee
recommends $2,650,075,000. This is $142,405,000 above the
fiscal year 2006 level and $100,000 below the budget request.
The total includes $2,640,175,000 for State Operations and
$9,900,000 for National Activities. Included in the amount
provided for State Operations is $40,000,000 for One-Stop
Centers to conduct Unemployment Insurance eligibility
interviews and to enable staff to investigate unemployment
insurance identity theft as requested. However, the original
budget request double counted funds for eligibility reviews.
For the Employment Service, the Committee recommends
$688,769,000, which includes $22,016,000 in general funds
together with an authorization to spend $666,753,000 from the
Employment Security Administration Account of the Unemployment
Trust Fund. This is $27,114,000 below the fiscal year 2006
level and the same as the budget request.
The Committee recommends $32,918,000 for ES national
activities. This is $510,000 below the fiscal year 2006 level
and the same as the budget request.
The Committee recommends $40,000,000 for America's Labor
Market Information System. This is $41,662,000 below the fiscal
year 2006 level and $23,855,000 below the budget request. This
funding supports access for customers in labor market
transactions, and measuring and displaying WIA performance
information. It is important to note that the private sector
continues to increase public, free of charge and universal
access to job information and the States continue to implement
their own electronic job banks. Therefore, this recommendation
agrees with the closing of the America's Jobs Bank. Funds
should be focused in three areas: Base Realignment and Closures
(BRAC), the Workforce Information in Regional Economic
Development (WIRED) and the Workforce One web site.
The Committee concurs with the recommendation to provide no
funds for the Work Incentives Grants program. The 2006 budget
included $19,514,000 for this program to help persons with
disabilities find and retain jobs through the One-Stop Career
Center system mandated by the Workforce Investment Act. Several
years of WIG funding have successively demonstrated approaches
to improve accessibility to One-Stop Center services for new
job seekers with disabilities. One-Stop Centers now incorporate
these best practices into their normal operations.
ADVANCES TO THE UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND AND OTHER FUNDS
The Committee recommends $452,000,000. This is $13,000,000
below the fiscal year 2006 level and the same as the budget
request. The appropriation is available to provide advances to
several accounts for purposes authorized under various Federal
and State unemployment compensation laws and the Black Lung
Disability Trust Fund, whenever balances in such accounts prove
insufficient.
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
General funds in this account provide the Federal staff to
administer employment and training programs under the Workforce
Investment Act of 1998, the Older Americans Act, the Trade Act,
and the National Apprenticeship Act. Trust funds provide for
the Federal administration of employment security functions
under title III of the Social Security Act and the Immigration
and Nationality Act.
The Committee recommends $211,554,000 for fiscal year 2007.
This is $42,131,000 above the fiscal year 2006 level and the
same as the budget request. Most of the increase reflects the
return of the Job Corps staffing cost to this account. Funds
are allocated in accordance with the attached table at the end
of the report. This includes $118,760,000 in general funds and
authority to expend $92,794,000 from the Employment Security
Administration Account of the Unemployment Trust Fund. Of the
amount made available $700,000 is targeted to the transition of
the Youthbuild program if the program transfer is authorized by
April 1, 2007.
WORKERS COMPENSATION PROGRAMS
Employee Benefits Security Administration
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
The bill provides $143,573,000 for the Employee Benefits
Security Administration, $10,023,000 above the fiscal year 2006
level and the same as the budget request.
The Committee recognizes the importance of developing and
implementing a new EFAST2 system and has provided funds in
accordance with the request. Language is also included
requiring that the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation share
in the costs of the new system since they are also a
beneficiary of the system's development. The Department is
directed to provide a schedule for completion within 30 days of
enactment and to report monthly on progress relative to that
schedule to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations.
The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) is
responsible for the enforcement of Title I of the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) in both civil
and criminal areas. This involves ERISA fiduciary and
reporting/disclosure requirements. EBSA is also responsible for
enforcement of sections 8477 and 8478 of the Federal Employees'
Retirement Security Act of 1986. The agency was also given
responsibilities under the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act of 1996.
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
The Corporation's budget for fiscal year 2007 is
$397,644,000, which is $100,666,000 above the fiscal year 2006
level and the same as the budget request.
The Corporation is a wholly owned government corporation
established by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974 (ERISA). The law places it within the Department of Labor
and makes the Secretary of Labor the chairperson of its board
of directors. The Corporation receives its income from
insurance premiums collected from covered pension plans,
collection of employer liabilities imposed by ERISA, and
investment earnings. It is also authorized to borrow up to
$100,000,000 from the United States Treasury. The primary
purpose of the Corporation is to guarantee the payment of
pension plan benefits to participants if covered plans fail or
go out of existence.
The bill includes language permitting obligations in excess
of the amount provided in the bill after approval by the Office
of Management and Budget and the Committee on Appropriations in
the House and Senate. Language is also included to require that
the PBGC share in the costs of the new EFAST2 System being
developed in EBSA, by transferring $7,000,000 to the Employee
Benefits Security Administration.
The Committee has included language that permits workload
driven increases in obligational authority. Although
unanticipated workload increases do occur, the use of
reapportionments authority should not become an excuse for
bypassing the normal budgetary process. The Committee directs
the Department to submit a report to the Committees on
Appropriations in the House and Senate, if administrative
expenses increase by more than 25 percent during fiscal year
2007.
Employment Standards Administration
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
The Committee recommends $418,495,000 for this account.
This is $7,431,000 above the fiscal year 2006 level and
$18,922,000 below the budget request. The bill includes
$416,419,000 in general funds for this account and contains
authority to expend $2,076,000 from the Special Fund
established by the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation
Act. Funds are to be distributed in accordance with the table
at the end of this Report.
The Employment Standards Administration (ESA) is involved
in the administration of numerous laws, including the Fair
Labor Standards Act, the Immigration and Nationality Act, the
Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Workers' Protection Act, the
Davis-Bacon Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Federal
Employees' Compensation Act, the Longshore and Harbor Workers'
Compensation Act, and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act
(black lung). The agency also administers Executive Order 11246
related to affirmative action by Federal contractors and the
Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure Act.
The Committee recognizes the importance of succession
planning and appreciates the effort by the ESA to plan and
train new staff for the future. However, funds were not
provided for the staffing increase in the absence of a
Department-wide succession plan.
The Department is directed to work with the U.S. Department
of Agriculture's Forest Service to implement a Forest Service
data base on H2B forestry workers. The Department of Labor is
instructed, through its Wage and Hour Division, to populate the
data base with violations of wage disbursements. The Department
is further instructed to include as part of its 2008 budget
request, a report about its enforcement efforts on those
companies that have violated employment standards.
SPECIAL BENEFITS
The bill includes $230,000,000. This is $7,000,000 below
the fiscal year 2006 appropriation and the same as the budget
request. This appropriation primarily provides benefits under
the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA). The payments
are required by law. In fiscal year 2007, an estimated 152,000
injured Federal workers or their survivors will file claims;
58,500 will receive long-term wage replacement benefits for
job-related injuries, diseases, or death.
SPECIAL BENEFITS FOR DISABLED COAL MINERS
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $229,373,000
for special benefits for disabled coal miners, as requested.
This is in addition to the $74,000,000 appropriated last year
as an advance for the first quarter of fiscal year 2007. These
funds are used to provide monthly benefits to coal miners
disabled by black lung disease and to their widows and certain
other dependents, as well as to pay related administrative
costs.
The Committee recommends an advance appropriation of
$68,000,000 for the first quarter of fiscal year 2008, the same
as the budget request. These funds will ensure uninterrupted
benefit payments to coal miners, their widows, and dependents.
The Black Lung Consolidation of Administrative
Responsibility Act of 2002 amends the Black Lung Benefits Act
to transfer part B black lung benefits responsibility from the
Commissioner of Social Security to the Secretary of Labor.
ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES, ENERGY EMPLOYEES OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESS
COMPENSATION FUND
The Committee recommends $102,307,000 for the Energy
Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program authorized
by Title XXXVI of the National Defense Authorization Act of
2001. This is $6,226,000 above the fiscal year 2006 level and
the same as the budget request. Funds will be used to
administer the program that provides compensation to employees
or survivors of employees of the Department of Energy (DOE),
its contractors and subcontractors, companies that provided
beryllium to DOE, and atomic weapons employees who suffer from
a radiation-related cancer, beryllium-related disease, or
chronic silicosis as a result of their work in producing or
testing nuclear weapons, and uranium workers covered under the
Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.
The Committee directs the Department to submit a report on
the implementation of the Part E program, including the level
of coordination between the DOL and CDC-NIOSH on the special
Exposure Cohort provisions.
BLACK LUNG DISABILITY TRUST FUND
The Committee recommends such sums as necessary for payment
of benefits and interest on advances. The Committee estimates
that $1,071,000,000 will be required for this account. This is
$3,000,000 above the fiscal year 2006 level and the same as the
Administration estimates.
The Trust Fund pays all black lung compensation/medical and
survivor benefit expenses when no responsible mine operator can
be assigned liability for such benefits, or when coal mine
employment ceased prior to 1970, as well as administrative
costs which are incurred in administering the benefits program
and operating the Trust Fund.
The basic financing for the Trust Fund comes from a coal
excise tax for underground and surface-mines coal. Additional
funds come from reimbursement payments from mine operators for
benefit payments made by the Trust Fund before the mine
operator is found liable. The advances to the Fund assure
availability of necessary funds when liabilities may exceed
other income. The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987
continues the current tax structure until 2014.
The Committee is aware that the fund is more than
$9,000,000,000 in debt from prior year borrowing from the
Treasury and has no hope of keeping current on its interest
payments. The fund is in the impossible position of having to
borrow from the Treasury just to pay its interest that it owes
to the Treasury. The Administration has submitted legislation
to implement a one time restructuring of its debt to the
Treasury, which is now before the Authorizing Committees.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
The Committee recommends $486,051,000 for the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration. This is $13,624,000 above the
fiscal year 2006 level and $2,384,000 above the budget request.
This agency is responsible for enforcing the Occupational
Safety and Health Act of 1970 in the Nation's workplaces. Funds
are to be distributed in accordance with the table at the end
of this report. Included is an increase to fully fund the
development and implementation of the OSHA Information System.
However, the Department is directed to provide quarterly
reports to the Committees on Appropriations in the House and
Senate on the progress of the system's implementation.
The Committee continues last year's direction that OSHA
take no further action to implement regulations requiring the
annual testing of respiratory protection for occupational
exposure to TB. Neither the CDC nor the health industry
endorses the requirements in the OSHA rule.
The Committee is once again disappointed with the lack of
progress on the agency's regulation concerning Employer Payment
for Personal Protective Equipment, the public comment period
for which ended over seven years ago. The Committee is
especially concerned because the rate of worker deaths and
injuries, which has decreased in the last decade for all
American workers, has increased by two percent among Hispanic
workers during 2003 and 2004 because they take on a
disproportionate number of jobs in the nation's most dangerous
professions, including the construction industry. The Committee
expects the Secretary to report to the Committee, within 30
days of the enactment of this Act, the definitive status of
this regulation, the agency's reasons for not issuing the
regulation sooner, and a timetable for its issuance.
Mine Safety and Health Administration
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
The Committee recommends $278,869,000 for this agency. This
is $1,183,000 above the fiscal year 2006 level and $8,967,000
below the budget request. Funds are to be distributed in
accordance with the table at the end of this report. This
agency enforces the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act in
underground and surface coal and metal and non-metal mines. The
requested funding increase was not provided since Congress is
taking immediate actions to enhance the MSHA inspection and
enforcement programs in the 2006 supplemental. The program
received a $25,600,000 increase in the recent emergency
supplemental H.R. 4939 and funds are available for two years.
Hence the requested increase for 2007 is no longer needed.
The Committee is concerned over several reported incidents
where, under the guise of ``rebuilding'', certain equipment
manufacturers have built new machines and removed MSHA Approval
Plates (commonly referred to as ``2G tags'') from scrap
machines, reattached these plates to the new machinery that
they built, and then sold these machines for use in underground
mines. Several of these machines have been involved in
accidents that have resulted in serious injuries. The Committee
directs MSHA to increase emphasis to ensure that all mining
machinery sold by manufacturers and re-builders for use in a
mine is in compliance with the MSHA Approval Plate that is on
the machine. The Committee directs that MSHA report back to the
Committees on Appropriations in the House and Senate
surveillance and enforcement of this misuse of ``2G'' tags by
January 1, 2007.
The Committee commends MSHA for actions on the role of
equipment technology in mine rescue efforts and directs that
the agency work with manufacturers of new oxygen technology to
determine the extent to which the new technology can be applied
to mine safety.
In addition, and in the meantime, the agency is urged to
promote the use of refillable oxygen cylinders and tubing for
mineworker safety.
Bureau of Labor Statistics
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
The total funding recommended by the Committee for the
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is $565,288,000. This is
$28,189,000 above the fiscal year 2006 level and $2,000,000
above the budget request. The Committee recommends $486,262,000
in general funds for this account and authority to spend
$79,026,000 from the Employment Security Administration Account
of the Unemployment Trust Fund. The BLS is the principal fact-
finding agency in the Federal government in the broad field of
labor economics. Its principal surveys include the Consumer
Price Index and the monthly unemployment series. Funds are to
be distributed in accordance with the table at the end of the
Report.
The Committee has provided additional funds to expand the
American Time Use Survey (ATUS). This has become, for example,
one of the most important surveys for determining dietary
patterns and food consumption, an important element in the
Nation's evolving understanding of obesity trends. An increase
of $2,000,000 is provided to conduct a biennial module, improve
the response rates and conduct research on non-response bias.
BLS should conduct a module every other year, with the food use
module conducted every fourth year and other modules on
rotating topics conducted in between.
Office of Disability Employment Policy
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
The Committee recommends $20,319,000 for the Office of
Disability Employment Policy, which is $7,336,000 below the
fiscal year 2006 level and the same as the budget request. The
Office provides policy guidance and leadership to eliminate
employment barriers to people with disabilities.
The Committee is in agreement with the request to suspend
the grant program until the results of the three-year research
and demonstration grants programs has been fully assessed and
resulting policy changes incorporated in new policy directives.
The Committee directs the Secretaries of Labor and HUD and
the Interagency Council on Homelessness (ICH) to develop a
joint plan to increase the access of homeless and disabled
veterans in locations where homeless veterans congregate,
including grantees under the homeless provider grant and per
diem program and the homeless veterans reintegration program,
to facilitate re-employment.
Departmental Management
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
The Committee recommends $236,784,000 for Departmental
Management activities. This is $60,796,000 below the fiscal
year 2006 level and $5,307,000 below the budget request.
Included is $236,462,000 in general funds for this account
along with authority to transfer $322,000 from the Employment
Security Administration Account of the Unemployment Trust Fund.
The Committee has included $28,000,000 for the Information
Technology Crosscut which is the requested amount except for
funds targeted to the Government-wide ``E-Gov Initiative''.
The Departmental Management appropriation finances staff
responsible for formulating and overseeing the implementation
of Departmental policy and management activities. In addition,
this appropriation includes a variety of operating programs and
activities that are not involved in Departmental Management
functions, but for which other salaries and expenses
appropriations are not suitable. The allocation of the funds is
provided in the table accompanying this report.
The Committee agrees with the request to significantly
reduce the role of the International Labor Affairs cooperation
program. Clearly the role of other Agencies, including those at
the Department of State and USAID are greatly increased in the
areas of international labor negotiations. In addition, recent
legislation has refocused the Department's activities on
research, and administering the labor agreements.
The Committee recommends that the Department's strategic
plan for the Women's Bureau include a future use of the Women's
Work program as part of its overall Women's Bureau activities.
The Committee notes however, that the Women's Work program has
been funded for years without an authorization and appears to
have no specific performance measures. It is only fair that
funding in the future should be contingent on the submission
and enactment of authorizing legislation for this program, as
is required for all others.
VETERANS EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING
The Committee recommends $224,440,000 for veteran
employment and training activities. This is $2,349,000 above
the fiscal year 2006 level and $447,000 below the budget
request. Within this amount, $195,177,000 is to be expended
from the Employment Security Administration account of the
Unemployment Trust Fund for the traditional State and Federal
administration of veterans' employment and training activities.
Individuals leaving the military are at high risk of
homelessness due to a lack of job skills transferable to the
civilian sector, disrupted or dissolved family and social
support networks, and other risk factors that preceded their
military service. The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) has
been established to ease the transition of separating service
members to the civilian sector. The Committee instructs the
Secretary of Labor to ensure that a module on homelessness
prevention is added to the TAP curriculum. The module should
include a presentation on risk factors for homelessness, a
self-assessment of risk factors, and contact information for
preventative assistance associated with homelessness.
OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
The Committee recommends $73,761,000 for the Office of the
Inspector General (OIG). This is $2,660,000 above the fiscal
year 2006 level and the same as the budget request. This
includes $68,073,000 in general funds along with the authority
to transfer $5,688,000 from the Employment Security
Administration Account of the Unemployment Trust Fund.
The OIG was created by law to protect the integrity of
Departmental programs as well as the welfare of beneficiaries
served by those programs. Through a program of audits,
investigations, and program evaluations, the OIG attempts to
reduce the incidence of fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement,
and to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness
throughout the Department.
WORKING CAPITAL FUND (WCF)
The Committee includes no direct appropriation for the WCF
for 2007 postponing further development of the core accounting
system, until funds in the pipeline have been expended, the
Department has completed its review and assessment of the
individual program requirements and an in depth discussion of
alternatives to a new core accounting system for the Department
of Labor have been vetted with the Committees on Appropriations
in the House and the Senate. This is $6,168,000 below the 2006
level and $13,954,000 below the budget request.
Administrative Provisions
Sec. 101. The Committee continues and amends a provision to
prohibit the use of Job Corps funding for compensation of an
individual that is not a Federal Employee at a rate in excess
of Executive Level II.
Sec. 102. The Committee repeats and amends a provision to
permit transfers of up to one percent between appropriation
Accounts.
Sec. 103. The Committee continues a prior year prohibition
on the purchase of goods that were in any part produced by
indentured children.
Sec. 104. Requires the Department to report to the
Committees on Appropriations on the projects awarded under the
research and demonstration projects.
Sec. 105. The Committee recommends new language requiring
the Secretary to issue a monthly transit subsidy of not less
than $105 to each of the Department's eligible employees in the
National Capital region.
TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Health Resources and Services Administration
HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES
The Committee includes a program level total of
$7,075,917,000 for health resources and services programs,
which is $487,553,000 above the fiscal year 2006 funding level
for these activities and $742,062,000 above the budget request.
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
supports programs which provide health services to
disadvantaged, medically underserved, and special populations;
decrease infant mortality rates; assist in the education of
health professionals; and provide technical assistance
regarding the utilization of health resources and facilities.
Community health centers
The Committee provides $1,988,000,000 for community health
centers, which is $205,692,000 above the fiscal year 2006
funding level and $25,139,000 above the budget request. These
funds support programs which include community health centers,
migrant health centers, health care for the homeless and public
housing health service grants. In providing this significant
increase to the community health centers program, the Committee
intends that funding will be used to support the development of
over 300 new or expanded medical capacity sites. Within the
total, $25,000,000 also is included to provide base grant
adjustments for existing centers. In addition, the Committee
urges the community health centers program to continue the
initiative designed to help reduce chronic conditions of
obesity, diabetes and heart diseases in the communities they
serve.
The Committee includes bill language similar to previous
years limiting the amount of funds available for the payment of
claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act to $44,550,000, which
is the same as the budget request and the limitation in the
fiscal year 2006 bill.
The Committee does not provide additional funds for loan
guarantee authority for community health centers under section
330(d) of the Public Health Service Act. The Committee notes
that an estimated $72,000,000, of the $160,000,000 appropriated
in fiscal years 1997 and 1998, will be available in the program
after the end of fiscal year 2006 for loan guarantee authority
for guarantees of both loan principal and interest.
The Committee recognizes the importance of increasing the
use of health information technology (IT) at health centers.
Health centers have demonstrated improved access to services
and improved patient outcomes by utilizing electronic patient
registries and other IT tools through their participation in
integrated service delivery networks, the integrated
information and communication technology project, the shared
integrated management information system, and health
disparities collaboratives. Given this success, the Committee
urges HRSA to ensure that health centers have adequate
resources to establish and expand health IT systems in order to
further enhance the delivery of cost-effective, quality health
care services.
The Committee is pleased by the increasing proportion of
National Health Service Corps (NHSC) assignees being placed at
community, migrant, homeless, and public housing health
centers. The Committee encourages HRSA to further expand this
effort to ensure that health centers have access to a
sufficient level of health professionals through the NHSC,
especially given recent efforts to expand the health centers
program.
The Committee believes that adequate funding for the
technical assistance and networking functions available for
health centers, including through the National Association of
Community Health Centers, state and regional primary care
associations, and planning, developmental, and operational
networks, is critical to the successful operation and expansion
of the health centers program. Within amounts provided, the
Committee encourages HRSA to make funds available to continue
technical assistance and networking to existing centers and
support the expansion of these activities to new communities.
The Committee is aware that dental disease
disproportionately affects our Nation's most vulnerable
populations. New ways of bringing oral health care to
underserved populations are needed to address geographic and
other challenges that exist. The Committee encourages HRSA to
explore innovative programs to delivering preventive and
restorative oral health services. Specifically, the Committee
encourages HRSA to work with the dental provider community,
including representatives of the dentists, dental assistants,
dental hygienists, and the African-American and Hispanic dental
communities to explore state and community proposals and
programs that seek to improve access to care in accordance with
state licensing laws.
Free clinics medical malpractice
The Committee provides $10,000 for payments of claims under
the Federal Tort Claims Act to be made available for volunteer
free clinic health care professionals, which is $30,000 less
than the fiscal year 2006 funding level. The budget request did
not include funding for this program. The program extends
Federal Tort Claims Act coverage to health care professional
volunteers in free clinics in order to expand access to health
care services to low-income individuals in medically
underserved areas. According to section 224(o) of the Public
Health Service Act, Section 233(o), a free clinic must apply,
consistent with the provisions applicable to community health
centers, to have each health care professional `deemed' an
employee of the Public Health Service, and therefore eligible
for coverage under the Federal Tort Claims Act.
Radiation exposure screening and education program
The Committee provides $1,917,000 for the radiation
exposure screening and education program, which is the same as
the fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget request. This
program provides grants for the education, prevention, and
early detection of radiogenic cancers and diseases resulting
from exposure to uranium during mining and milling at nuclear
test sites.
National Hansen's disease program
The Committee provides $15,905,000 for the National
Hansen's disease program, which is the same as the fiscal year
2006 funding level and the budget request. This program offers
Hansen's disease treatment to 11 long-term residents who
continue to receive care from the National Hansen's Disease
Center and to others who receive care from grant-supported
outpatient regional clinics. Other former long-term residents
have been offered and elected to receive a living allowance
from the program and now live independently. These programs
provide treatment to about 3,000 of the 6,000 Hansen's disease
sufferers in the continental United States.
National Hansen's disease program--buildings and facilities
The Committee provides $220,000 for National Hansen's
disease buildings and facilities, which is the same as the
fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget request. These
funds are used to finance the repair and upkeep of buildings at
the Gillis W. Long Hansen's Disease Center at Carville,
Louisiana.
Payment to Hawaii for treatment of Hansen's disease
The Committee provides $1,996,000 for the treatment of
persons with Hansen's disease in the State of Hawaii, which is
the same as the fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget
request. The program, which provides a partial matching payment
to the State of Hawaii, dates to the period of Father Damien's
facility for sufferers of Hansen's disease. That facility now
has only 40 residents who live there by choice, and the grounds
have been converted to a historical site. Most patients
diagnosed with Hansen's disease in Hawaii are now treated in
the same manner as new patients on the mainland; their care is
handled on an out-patient basis, with the program paying for
247 active ambulatory Hansen's disease cases.
Black lung clinics
The Committee provides $5,891,000 for black lung clinics,
which is the same as the fiscal year 2006 funding level and the
budget request. The program supports fifteen grantees that
treat a declining population of coal miners with respiratory
and pulmonary impairments. The clinics presently receive just
under one-third of their funding from other sources, such as
Medicaid and Medicare. Of the fifteen grantees, six receive
health center funding as well as black lung grants.
National Health Service Corps: field placements
The Committee provides $42,218,000 for field placements,
which is $1,920,000 above the fiscal year 2006 funding level
and the budget request. These funds are used to support the
activities of National Health Service Corps (NHSC) obligors and
volunteers in the field, including travel and transportation
costs of assignees, training and education, recruitment of
students, residents and clinicians and retention activities.
Salary costs of most new assignees are paid by the employing
entity.
National Health Service Corps: recruitment
The Committee provides $89,310,000 for recruitment
activities, which is $4,080,000 above the fiscal year 2006
funding level and the budget request. The program awards
scholarships to health professions students and assists
graduates in repaying their student loans. In return for every
year of support, these individuals are obligated to provide a
year of service in health professional shortage areas of
greatest need. The minimum obligation is two years.
Health professions
The Committee provides $309,296,000 for all health
professions training programs, which is $14,419,000 above the
fiscal year 2006 funding level and $149,884,000 above the
budget request. The table at the end of the report identifies
how funding is allocated for programs authorized by titles VII
and VIII of the Public Health Service Act. The Committee
rejects the rescission proposal included in the budget request
that would have cancelled unobligated balances available at
institutions of higher education with a student loan revolving
fund.
Centers of excellence
The Committee provides $11,880,000 for centers of
excellence, which is the same as the fiscal year 2006 funding
level. The budget request did not include funding for this
program. The program is designed to strengthen the national
capacity to educate underrepresented minority (URM) students in
the health professions by offering special support to those
institutions which train a significant number of URM
individuals. Funds are used for the recruitment and retention
of students and faculty, information resources and curricula,
faculty and student research, and the development of plans to
achieve institutional improvements.
The Committee is pleased that HRSA has refocused the
minority centers of excellence program on providing support to
historically minority health professions institutions. The
Committee recognizes the important role of this program in
supporting faculty and other academic programs at minority
institutions.
The Committee recognizes that the intent of the Title VII
funding for the centers of excellence (COE) has been to
strengthen the national capacity to train students from
minority groups that are under-represented in these health
professions, thereby building a more diverse health care
workforce, and that budgetary cuts in fiscal year 2006 may not
have been adequately inclusive of grants to the health
professions schools that would reach the Hispanic student
population. Therefore this Committee urges, that within the
Title VII funds appropriated in fiscal year 2007 for the COE
program, one third of the funds should be set aside for
regional Hispanic centers of excellence, to be selected from a
competitive applicant pool, that are located in geographic
areas that have a large medically underserved Hispanic
population, and that would use a regional approach to serve
that area.
Health careers opportunity program
The Committee concurs with the budget request and does not
include funding for the health careers opportunity program. The
fiscal year 2006 funding level for this program is $3,960,000.
Faculty loan repayment
The Committee concurs with the budget request and does not
include funding for the faculty loan repayment program. The
fiscal year 2006 funding level for this program is $1,289,000.
Scholarships for disadvantaged students
The Committee provides $46,657,000 for scholarships for
disadvantaged students, which is the same as the fiscal year
2006 funding level and $36,924,000 above the budget request.
The program provides grants to eligible health professions and
nursing schools to provide scholarships to eligible individuals
from disadvantaged backgrounds, including students who are
members of racial and ethnic minority groups. By statute, not
less than 16 percent of the funds must go to schools of
nursing.
Training in primary care and dentistry
The Committee provides $40,851,000 for training in primary
care and dentistry, which is the same as the fiscal year 2006
funding level. The budget request did not include funding for
this program. The training program is comprised of four
elements: (1) family medicine; (2) general internal medicine
and general pediatrics; (3) physician assistants; and (4)
general and pediatric dentistry.
Area health education centers
The Committee provides $28,681,000 for area health
education centers, which is the same as the fiscal year 2006
funding level. The budget request did not include funding for
this program. The program provides cooperative agreements to
medical and nursing schools to encourage the establishment and
maintenance of community-based training programs in off-campus
rural and underserved areas. Emphasis is also placed on
enhancing the diversity of the health personnel workforce and
improving the practice environment and the quality of care
available in underserved areas.
Allied health and other disciplines
The Committee provides $3,960,000 for allied health and
other disciplines, which is the same as the fiscal year 2006
funding level. The budget request does not include funding for
this program. The program assists eligible entities in meeting
the costs associated with expanding or establishing an allied
health professions program.
The Committee recognizes the importance of the graduate
psychology education program, a competitive and peer reviewed
grant program. Established five years ago, this program has
achieved a 40 percent increase in the rate of students entering
into and staying to practice in underserved areas following
completion. The need for mental health services is significant
and well documented. Through this program, psychology graduate
students are trained along with students from over thirty other
health professions to provide mental and behavioral health care
services to underserved populations, such as older adults,
children, chronically ill persons and victims of abuse or
trauma including returning military personnel. Within the total
for allied health and other disciplines, the Committee includes
$2,000,000 for graduate psychology education.
Geriatric programs
The Committee provides $31,548,000 for geriatric programs,
which is the same as the fiscal year 2005 funding level.
Funding for these programs was not included in either the
fiscal year 2006 appropriation or the fiscal year 2007 budget
request. The geriatric programs are comprised of three
activities: (1) geriatric education centers; (2) the geriatric
training program for physicians, dentists, and behavioral and
mental health professionals; and (3) Geriatric Academic Career
Awards.
Public health, preventive medicine, and dental public
health programs
The Committee concurs with the budget request and does not
include funding for the public health, preventive medicine, and
dental public health programs. The fiscal year 2006 funding
level for this program is $7,920,000.
Advanced education nursing
The Committee provides $57,061,000 for advanced education
nursing, which is the same as the fiscal year 2006 funding
level and the budget request. The program provides grant
support to eligible entities to meet the costs of: (1) projects
that support the enhancement of advanced nursing education and
practice; and (2) traineeships for individuals in advanced
nursing education programs. The program prepares registered
nurses as nurse faculty, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse
specialists, nurse midwives, nurse anesthetists, nurse
administrators, public health nurses and other nurse
specialists for advanced practice roles. Within the allocation,
the Committee encourages HRSA to allocate funding at least at
the fiscal year 2001 level for nurse anesthetist education.
Nurse education, practice and retention
The Committee provides $37,291,000 for nurse education,
practice and retention, which is the same as the fiscal year
2006 funding level and the budget request. The nurse education,
practice and retention program is a broad authority with
targeted purposes under three priority areas--education,
practice and retention--in response to the growing nursing
shortage.
Nursing workforce diversity
The Committee provides $16,107,000 for nursing workforce
diversity, which is the same as the fiscal year 2006 funding
level and the budget request. The program provides grants and
contracts to schools of nursing and other eligible entities to
meet the costs of special projects to increase nursing
education opportunities for individuals who are from
disadvantaged backgrounds, including racial and ethnic
minorities, by providing student scholarships or stipends, pre-
entry preparation, and retention activities. The program also
contributes to the basic preparation of disadvantaged and
minority nurses for leadership positions within the nursing and
health care community.
Loan repayment and scholarship program
The Committee provides $31,055,000 for the nurse loan
repayment and scholarship program, which is the same as the
fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget request. This
program offers student loan repayment to nurses or scholarships
to nursing students in exchange for an agreement to serve not
less than two years at a health care facility with a critical
shortage of nurses.
The Committee recognizes that registered nurses who
participate in the loan repayment and scholarship program repay
their loans and scholarships by working in health care
facilities with a critical shortage of nurses, serving many of
the Nation's underserved populations. The Committee believes
that HRSA should consider allowing graduate educated nurses to
repay their service commitment by working as a nurse faculty in
a school of nursing.
Comprehensive geriatric nurse education
The Committee provides $3,392,000 for comprehensive
geriatric nurse education, which is the same as the fiscal year
2006 funding level and the budget request. The comprehensive
geriatric education program supports grants for (1) providing
training to individuals who will provide geriatric care for the
elderly; (2) develop and disseminate curricula relating to the
treatment of the health care problems of elderly individuals;
(3) train faculty members in geriatrics; or (4) provide
continuing education to individuals who provide geriatric care.
Nursing faculty loan program
The Committee provides $4,773,000 for the nursing faculty
loan program, which is the same as the fiscal year 2006 funding
level and the same as the budget request. The nursing faculty
loan program supports the development of a student loan fund in
schools of nursing to increase the number of qualified nursing
faculty. Students may receive loans up to $30,000 per year for
a maximum of 5 years. The program has a cancellation provision
for up to 85 percent of the loan for recipients working full-
time as nursing faculty for a period of 4 years.
Children's hospitals graduate medical education payment program
The Committee provides $300,000,000 for the children's
hospitals graduate medical education payment program, which is
$3,000,0000 above the fiscal year 2006 funding level and
$201,000,000 above the budget request. The program provides
support for graduate medical education training in children's
teaching hospitals that have a separate Medicare provider
number (``free-standing'' children's hospitals). The funding in
this program is intended to make the level of Federal Graduate
Medical Education support more consistent with other teaching
hospitals, including children's hospitals which share provider
numbers with other teaching hospitals. Payments are determined
by formula, based on a national per-resident amount. Payments
support training of resident physicians as defined by Medicare
in both ambulatory and inpatient settings. The Committee
believes this program is vital to restoring the reimbursement
inequity faced by pediatric hospitals, which provide very high
quality care to children with difficult and expensive
conditions.
National practitioner data bank
The Committee does not provide funding for the national
practitioner data bank for fiscal year 2007, which is the same
as both the fiscal year 2006 appropriations and the budget
request. The Committee recommendation and the budget request
assume that the data bank will be self-supporting, with
collections of $15,700,000 in user fees. The national data bank
receives, stores, and disseminates information on paid medical
malpractice judgments and settlements, sanctions taken by
Boards of Medical Examiners, losses of membership in
professional societies, and certain professional review actions
taken by health care entities. Insurance companies, State
licensure boards and authorities, and other health care
entities and professional societies are required to report
information to the data bank within 30 days of each action. The
coverage of the data bank includes dentists and physicians,
and, with respect to malpractice settlements and judgments,
other categories of licensed health professionals. Hospitals
are required to search the data bank when a health care
provider applies for employment and once every two years
thereafter. State licensing boards, other health care entities,
licensing authorities, and professional societies also have
access to the data bank. Traditional bill language is included
to ensure that user fees are collected to cover the full costs
of the data bank operations.
Health care integrity and protection data bank
The Committee does not provide funding for the health care
integrity and protection data bank (HIPDB) for fiscal year
2007. The Committee recommendation and the budget request
assume that the data bank will be self-supporting, with
collections of $4,000,000 in user fees. HIPDB receives, stores,
and disseminates information on final adverse actions taken
against health care providers, suppliers, and practitioners,
health care related civil judgments and criminal convictions.
This information is collected from and made available to
Government agencies and health plans.
Maternal and child health block grant
The Committee provides $700,000,000 for the maternal and
child health (MCH) block grant, which is $7,000,000 above both
the fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget request.
The MCH block grant provides funds to States to meet a
broad range of basic and enabling health services, including
personal health services; general, population-wide health
services, such as screening; family support services; and
integrated systems of care. The authorizing statute provides
that, up to a funding level of $600,000,000, 85 percent of the
funds are distributed to the States, with 15 percent of the
funds set aside for special projects of regional and national
significance (SPRANS). When the appropriation exceeds
$600,000,000, 12.75 percent of the amount over $600,000,000 is
directed to the Community Integrated Service Systems set-aside
program. The remaining 87.25 percent is distributed by the same
85/15 percent allocation as in the basic block grant formula.
The Committee has included bill language identifying
$117,428,000 for the SPRANS set-aside. Within the total, the
Committee urges HRSA to provide the highest possible funding
level to continue and enhance the Leadership Education in
Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LENDs) programs.
These programs are designed to improve the health status of
infants, children and adolescents with or at risk for
neurodevelopmental and related disabilities and their families.
This is accomplished through the interdisciplinary training of
professionals for leadership roles in the provision of health
and related care, continuing education, technical assistance,
research and consultation. The programs focus on the special
health care needs of children with a wide range of
neurodevelopmental, metabolic and genetic disorders. Additional
funding would help these programs initiate or expand their work
in the area of Down Syndrome, autism, and genetics counseling.
Within the total, $5,000,000 is provided in SPRANS to help
states develop well integrated, quality oral health programs
through grants, cooperative agreements and contracts. The
Committee further encourages HRSA to assist states through
partnerships with national associations and foundations to
focus on state based early interventions to prevent early
childhood caries. As linkages continue to be made between
disease transmissibility and maternal behaviors, and poor birth
outcomes and poor periodontal health, further program attention
is warranted to avoid the need for more costly care.
Within the total, the Committee provides $3,000,000 within
the SPRANS set-aside to continue epilepsy demonstration
programs. These programs are designed to improve access to
health and other services regarding seizures and to encourage
early detection and treatment in children and others residing
in medically underserved and rural areas. Of the amount
provided, the Committee recommends that up to thirty percent be
used to continue to fund the development and testing of a
national public health awareness campaign to increase seizure
recognition and improve access to care among minorities and
underserved populations. The Committee is pleased that HRSA has
partnered with a national organization whose mission is to
improve the lives of children and adults affected by seizure
through research, education, advocacy and service.
In addition, the Committee provides $3,000,000 within the
SPRANS set-aside to continue the newborn screening for
heritable disorders demonstrations begun several years ago.
Newborn screening is used for early identification of infants
affected by certain genetic, metabolic, hormonal or functional
conditions for which there are effective treatment or
intervention. Screening detects disorders in newborns that,
left untreated, can cause death, disability, mental retardation
and other serious illnesses.
The Committee commends HRSA for convening the Secretary's
advisory committee on heritable disorders and genetic diseases
in newborns and children to make national recommendations to
standardize newborn screening programs in the US; and for
funding the regional genetic service and newborn screening
collaboratives to address the maldistribution of genetic
services and resources to bring services closer to local
communities. However, the Committee is aware that wide
disparities continue to exist in the number of conditions
screened for in each state. The Committee believes that parents
and healthcare providers responsible for the care of newborns
should be able to provide the best chance at a healthy start on
life, and therefore, strongly urges HRSA to include as a
requirement for funding a provision that parents be informed in
writing of the availability of additional tests that may not be
required under state law.
The Committee intends that within the total for the SPRANS
set-aside, $1,500,000 will be used to develop model
demonstration programs to develop a national data source by
which States can report State-specific rates and improve the
screening, detection, and treatment of vision problems that
would otherwise result in delayed learning and education in
children. The Committee encourages HRSA to work in partnership
with a national voluntary health organization with expertise in
children's vision screening and established certified vision
screening training programs.
Of the funds appropriated for the SPRANS set-aside, the
Committee includes $4,000,000 to support the continuation and
enhancement of the locally-based newborn screening follow-up
and community-based sickle cell disease outreach and supportive
service initiative.
The Committee reiterates its long-standing support for the
continuation of funding that the MCH block grant has provided
to comprehensive thalassemia treatment centers under the SPRANS
program. The Committee strongly encourages HRSA to continue
this program and to coordinate with the relevant voluntary
organizations.
The Committee urges HRSA to maintain its funding support
through the SPRANS set-aside of the network of hemophilia
treatment centers, which provide comprehensive disease
management services to persons with bleeding and clotting
disorders.
The Committee recognizes the contributions of the
longstanding Provider's Partnership program and encourages HRSA
to continue its funding. The Partnership includes a series of
state-level projects initiated to address female psychosocial
issues through integration of medical care with psychosocial
services. Such partnerships enhance service integration,
minimize demands on individual providers, and facilitate
movement between providers and agencies to create comprehensive
care.
Sickle cell anemia demonstration program
The Committee provides $2,178,000 for the sickle cell
anemia demonstration program, which is the same as the budget
request and the fiscal year 2006 funding level. This program
was created to develop systemic mechanisms for the prevention
and treatment of sickle cell disease.
Traumatic brain injury
The Committee provides $8,910,000 for the traumatic brain
injury (TBI) program. This is the same as the fiscal year 2006
funding level. The budget request did not include funding for
this program. The TBI program funds the development and
implementation of statewide systems to ensure access to care
including prehospital care, emergency department care, hospital
care, rehabilitation, transitional services, rehabilitation,
education and employment, and long-term community support.
Grants also go to State protection and advocacy systems.
Healthy Start
The Committee provides $101,518,000 for Healthy Start,
which is the same as the fiscal year 2006 funding level and the
budget request. Healthy Start provides grants to select
communities with high rates of infant mortality to help them
identify, plan, and implement a diverse range of community-
driven strategies that can successfully reduce disparities in
perinatal health that contribute to the Nation's high infant
mortality rate.
Since 1990, the Maternal and Child Health Bureau has worked
in cooperative agreement to run the National Fetal Infant
Mortality Review (NFIMR) program. NFIMR provides training and
assistance to enhance cooperative partnerships among local
community health professionals, public health officers,
community advocates and consumers to reduce infant mortality.
The goal is to improve local services and resources for women,
infants and families, to remove barriers to care, and to ensure
culturally appropriate, family friendly services. Such efforts
are crucial to understanding and addressing infant health
disparities in communities at highest risk. The Committee
encourages HRSA to continue to use Healthy Start funds to
support the NFIMR project.
Universal newborn hearing screening
The Committee provides $10,000,000 for the universal
newborn hearing screening program, which is $199,000 more than
the fiscal year 2006 funding level. The budget request did not
include funding for this program. The program provides
competitive grants to States for universal newborn hearing
screening by means of physiologic testing prior to hospital
discharge, audiologic evaluation by three months of age, and
entry into a program of early intervention by six months of
age.
Emergency medical services for children
The Committee provides $19,800,000 for the emergency
medical services for children (EMSC) program, which is the same
as the fiscal year 2006 funding level. The budget request did
not include funding for this program. Grants are provided to
States and territories to improve existing emergency medical
services systems and to schools of medicine to develop and
evaluate improved procedures and protocols for treating
children.
Ryan White HIV/AIDS programs
The Committee provides $2,107,713,000 for Ryan White HIV/
AIDS programs, which is $70,000,000 above the fiscal year 2006
funding level and $25,000,000 less than the budget request. The
bill also makes available $25,000,000 in program evaluation
funding under section 241 of the Public Health Service for
special projects of national significance. Within the total
provided, the Committee provides no less than the funds
provided in fiscal year 2006 for Ryan White HIV/AIDS activities
that are targeted to address the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic and
its disproportionate impact upon communities of color,
including African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asian
Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.
The Committee is aware that over 30 percent of HIV-infected
persons in the United States are also chronically infected with
the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Chronic hepatitis C infection may
lead to cirrhosis of the liver and liver cancer, and is the
leading cause of liver transplantation in the U.S. In addition,
chronic hepatitis C disease progresses more rapidly in HIV-
infected persons, and end stage liver disease resulting from
chronic hepatitis C infection is now a leading cause of death
for people with HIV/AIDS. The Committee encourages HRSA to
provide guidance to CARE Act grantees to encourage them to
proactively address HCV care and treatment among their HIV/HCV
co-infected patient populations, and encourages State AIDS
Assistance Programs to provide coverage of therapies approved
by the FDA for the treatment of HCV in HIV/HCV co-infected
patients.
Emergency assistance
The Committee provides $603,993,000 for the Part A,
emergency assistance program, which is the same as the fiscal
year 2006 funding level and the budget request. These funds
provide grants to metropolitan areas with very high numbers of
HIV/AIDS cases for outpatient and ambulatory health and social
support services. Half of the amount appropriated is allocated
by formula and half is allocated to eligible areas
demonstrating additional need through a competitive grant
process.
Comprehensive care programs
The Committee provides $1,190,518,000 for Part B,
comprehensive care programs, which is $70,000,000 above the
fiscal year 2006 funding level and the same as the budget
request. The funds provide formula grants to States for the
operation of HIV service delivery consortia in the localities
most heavily affected, for the provision of home and community-
based care, for continuation of health insurance coverage for
infected persons, and for purchase of therapeutic drugs. The
Committee includes bill language identifying $789,546,000
specifically to support State AIDS Drug Assistance Programs
(ADAP), the same as the fiscal year 2006 funding level and the
budget request.
The Committee is aware of the success HIV therapies have
had on prolonging and enhancing the quality of life for those
infected with HIV/AIDS. As the infected population lives longer
and becomes increasingly resistant to current treatment
regimens, there is a growing need to focus on access to newer
therapies for treatment-experienced or ``later stage''
patients. The Committee encourages HRSA and state ADAPs to
prioritize coverage of treatments for later stage patients so
that there is parity of access to effective treatments for
patients across the HIV disease spectrum.
Early intervention program
The Committee provides $193,622,000 for Part C, the early
intervention services program, which is the same as the fiscal
year 2006 funding level and $25,000,000 less than the budget
request. Funds are used for discretionary grants to community
health centers, family planning agencies, comprehensive
hemophilia diagnostic and treatment centers, Federally-
qualified health centers, county and municipal health
departments and other non-profit community-based programs that
provide comprehensive primary care services to populations with
or at risk for HIV disease. The grantees provide testing, risk
reduction counseling, transmission prevention, oral health,
nutritional and mental health services, and clinical care.
Optional services include case management, outreach, and
eligibility assistance.
Children, youth, women, and families
The Committee provides $71,794,000 for Part D, children,
youth, women, and families programs, which is the same as the
fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget request. HIV-
infected children, youth and women and affected family members
have multiple, complex medical, economic and social service
needs which often require more intensive care coordination,
intensive case management, child and respite care, and direct
service delivery to engage and maintain adolescents and mothers
in care. Funds support innovative and unique strategies and
models to organize, arrange for, and deliver comprehensive
services through integration into ongoing systems of care.
AIDS dental services
The Committee provides $13,086,000 for AIDS dental
services, which is the same as the fiscal year 2006 funding
level and the budget request. The program includes two
components: the dental reimbursement program, which reimburses
dental education programs for non-reimbursed costs incurred in
providing care, and the community-based dental partnership,
which increases access to oral health services and provider
training in community settings.
Education and training centers
The Committee provides $34,700,000 for AIDS education and
training centers (AETCs), which is the same as the fiscal year
2006 funding level and the budget request. The centers train
health care personnel who care for AIDS patients and develop
model education programs.
Organ transplantation
The Committee provides $23,049,000 for organ
transplantation activities, which is the same as the fiscal
year 2006 funding level and the budget request. The program
supports the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients; the
Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network, which matches
organ donors with potential recipients; and grants and
contracts with public and private organizations to promote and
improve organ donation.
The Committee is pleased with the progress of the
transplantation collaborative project to implement best
practices in the various organ procurement organizations and
donor hospitals across the country. This program is credited
with increasing the rate of organ donation by 10.8 percent in
2004 and by an additional 6.6 percent in 2005. The Committee
urges that funding be provided to the next phase of the
transplantation collaborative, which will help increase the
number of organs donated per individual donor. The Committee is
also pleased that HRSA has awarded a grant to reimburse for
travel and subsistence expenses for individuals traveling to
transplantation centers for the purpose of organ donation. The
Committee urges that a careful evaluation process be
encompassed in this effort to learn its impact on the rate of
organ donation and organ evaluation resulting in
transplantation. The Committee notes that there are now twenty
states with first-person consent laws, which when combined with
state registries, have proven to be a powerful factor in
increasing the rate of donation.
The Committee commends HRSA for its leadership in promoting
increased organ and tissue donations across the nation and
encourages the Division of Transplantation to expand its
partnership with the pulmonary hypertension community in this
important area.
National cord blood inventory
The Committee concurs with the budget request and does not
provide additional funding for the national cord blood
inventory program. The fiscal year 2006 appropriation provided
an additional $3,960,000 for this program. The Committee is
very supportive of this program, but notes that from the funds
provided in fiscal years 2004 through 2006, more than
$22,000,000 remains available for obligation. The purpose of
this program is to provide funds to cord blood banks to build
an inventory of the highest quality cord blood units for
transplantation.
Cell transplantation program
The Committee provides $25,162,000 for the cell
transplantation program, which is the same as the fiscal year
2006 funding level and $2,475,000 above the budget request. The
C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program, signed into law
on December 20, 2005, is the successor to the National Bone
Marrow Donor Registry.
Office of pharmacy affairs
The Committee provides $2,970,000 for the office of
pharmacy affairs, the same level as the budget request. The
funding for this new budget request within HRSA will help
resolve identified deficiencies in the 340B drug pricing
program and is intended to make major improvements in program
operations.
The Committee is concerned about barriers to safety net
pharmacies contracting with the Medicare Part D prescription
drug plans and the subsequent impact on low income Medicare
beneficiaries' participation. The Committee urges the office of
pharmacy affairs to work with the Centers for Medicare and
Medicaid Services (CMS) to assess safety net participation in
Part D networks and expand assistance to assure that safety net
pharmacies may participate on fair and relevant terms. The
Committee is aware of legislation that would track and analyze
the expenditures that safety net pharmacies make on behalf of
their low income Medicare patients which do not count towards
beneficiaries' true out-of-pocket expenditures, and supports
the goal of ensuring low-income Medicare beneficiaries have
continued access to prescription drugs through the Medicare
program.
Poison control centers
The Committee provides $23,068,000 for poison control
centers, which is the same as the fiscal year 2006 funding
level and $9,900,000 above the budget request. These funds
support a grant program for poison control centers. In
addition, funds are used to maintain a national toll-free
number and to implement a media campaign to advertise that
number, as well as to support the development of uniform
patient management guidelines and the improvement of data
collection.
Rural outreach grants
The Committee provides $40,000,000 for rural outreach
grants, which is $1,115,000 above the fiscal year 2006 funding
level and $29,635,000 above the budget request. The program
administers grant programs to deliver and improve rural health
care services to the approximately 54,000,000 Americans living
in rural areas.
Rural health research
The Committee provides $9,000,000 for rural health
research, which is $263,000 above the fiscal year 2006 funding
level and the budget request. This activity supports several
rural health research centers and the Secretary's rural health
advisory committee.
Rural hospital flexibility grants
The Committee provides $40,000,000 for rural hospital
flexibility grants, which is $23,538,000 less than the fiscal
year 2006 funding level. The budget request did not include
funding for this program. The program is comprised of two
components: (1) flexibility grants to States to assist small,
at risk rural hospitals that wish to convert to Critical Access
Hospitals and receive cost-based payments from Medicare and (2)
small rural hospital improvement grants that provide modest
amounts to hospitals to assist them in automation and
compliance with confidentiality requirements.
The Committee concurs with the budget request and does not
include funding for the Delta health initiative. The
$25,000,000 that was provided in fiscal year 2006 was intended
to be a one-time project.
Rural and community access to emergency devices
The Committee provides $1,500,000 for the rural access to
emergency devices and the public access defibrillation
demonstration program, which is $15,000 above the fiscal year
2006 funding level. Funding for this program was not included
in the budget request. The program assists both urban and rural
communities in increasing survivability from sudden cardiac
arrest by providing funding for the purchase, placement, and
training in the use of automated external defibrillators
(AEDs).
State offices of rural health
The Committee provides $8,400,000 for State offices of
rural health, which is $259,000 above the fiscal year 2006
funding level and the budget request. The State office of rural
health program creates a focal point for rural health within
each of the fifty States. In each State, the office collects
and disseminates information on rural health, coordinates rural
health resources and activities, provides technical assistance
to rural providers and communities, and helps communities
recruit and retain health professionals.
Denali Commission
The Committee concurs with the budget request and has not
included funding for the Denali Commission. The fiscal year
2006 funding level is $39,283,000.
Family planning
The Committee provides $283,103,000 for the family planning
program, which is the same as the fiscal year 2006 funding
level and the budget request. The program provides grants to
public and private non-profit agencies to support a range of
family planning and reproductive services, as well as related
preventive health services such as patient education and
counseling, breast and cervical cancer examinations, STD and
HIV prevention education, counseling and testing and referral,
and pregnancy diagnosis and counseling. The program also
supports training for providers, an information and education
program, and a research program which focuses on family
planning service delivery improvements.
The bill continues to include language making clear that
these funds shall not be expended for abortions, that all
pregnancy counseling shall be nondirective, and that these
funds shall not be used to promote public opposition to or
support of any legislative proposal or candidate for public
office.
Healthcare-related facilities and other programs
The Committee includes bill language specifying
$248,146,000 for healthcare-related facilities and other
programs. No funding was included in the budget request or in
the fiscal year 2006 appropriation for this activity. This
program provides funds for construction and renovation,
including equipment, of healthcare and other facilities,
directed rural health projects, telehealth grants, health
professions training, and other health-related activities.
These funds are to be used for the following projects and in
the following amounts:
16th Street Community Health Center, Milwaukee, WI for
facilities and equipment............................ $75,000
Access Community Health Network, Chicago, IL for
facilities and equipment............................ 400,000
Adams County Hospital, West Union, OH for facilities and
equipment........................................... 100,000
Adventist HealthCare, Rockville, MD for facilities and
equipment........................................... 200,000
Aims Community College, Greeley, CO for equipment for
career training in the health professions........... 150,000
Akron General Medical Center, Akron, OH for equipment
for an ambulatory medical record system............. 200,000
Alabama Elk River Development Agency, Elkmont, AL for
facilities and equipment for the Limestone Community
Care Medical Clinic................................. 150,000
Alamo Community College, Floresville, TX for facilities
and equipment for nursing education................. 300,000
Albany Medical Center, Albany, NY for facilities and
equipment........................................... 250,000
Alleghany Memorial Hospital, Sparta, NC for an
electronic medical records system................... 200,000
Allegheny Mountains Community Blood Center, State
College, PA for a blood mobile...................... 150,000
Alliance for NanoHealth, Houston, TX for facilities and
equipment........................................... 1,200,000
AltaMed Health Services Corporation, Los Angeles, CA for
facilities and equipment for a clinic in Boyle
Heights............................................. 500,000
AltaMed Health Services Corporation, Los Angeles, CA for
facilities and equipment for a clinic in El Monte... 300,000
American Oncologic Hospital of Fox Chase Cancer Center
in Philadelphia and the University of Maryland
Greenebaum Cancer Center in Baltimore, for
facilities and equipment for the American Russian
Cancer Alliance..................................... 500,000
Amite County Medical Services, Inc., Liberty, MS for
facilities and equipment............................ 400,000
Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold, MD for
facilities and equipment for health professions
education........................................... 500,000
Antietam Healthcare Foundation, Hagerstown, MD for
facilities and equipment............................ 150,000
Arcadia Methodist Hospital, Arcadia, CA for facilities
and equipment....................................... 1,000,000
Arizona Dental Foundation, Scottsdale, AZ to provide
dental services to low-income residents of Arizona.. 100,000
Arnold Palmer Hospital, Orlando, FL for facilities and
equipment........................................... 250,000
Ashland County Oral Health Services, Inc., Ashland, OH
for facilities...................................... 50,000
Aspirus Wausau Hospital, Wausau, WI for facilities and
equipment........................................... 1,200,000
Atchison Hospital, Atchison, KS for equipment........... 150,000
Atlantic Health Systems, Florham Park, NJ for a
universal electronic health records system.......... 1,000,000
AtlantiCare Behavioral Health, Egg Harbor Township, NJ
for facilities and equipment........................ 150,000
Augustana College, Rock Island, IL for facilities and
equipment for its Center for Communicative Disorders 75,000
Aultman Health Foundation, Canton, OH for equipment for
the Aultman Hospice Center.......................... 700,000
Autism Center of Virginia, Richmond, VA for equipment... 275,000
Avera St. Anthony Hospital, O'Neill, NE for electronic
health record interoperability...................... 125,000
Avis Goodwin Community Health Center, Somersworth, NH
for facilities and equipment........................ 300,000
Avista Adventist Hospital, Louisville, CO for an
electronic medical record system.................... 300,000
Backus Children's Hospital at Memorial Health University
Medical Center, Savannah, GA for facilities and
equipment........................................... 100,000
Bacon County Health Services, Alma, GA for facilities
and equipment....................................... 250,000
Bad River Tribe, Odanah, WI for facilities and equipment
for health services................................. 750,000
Baltimore Medical Systems, Baltimore, MD for facilities
and equipment for a new health center in Southeast
Baltimore........................................... 400,000
Baltimore Pediatric HIV Program, Baltimore, MD for
facilities and equipment............................ 300,000
Baptist Child and Family Services, San Antonio, TX for a
Unified Community Response Center concept........... 500,000
Baptist Health Care, Pensacola, FL for facilities and
equipment for the Andrews Institute in Gulf Breeze,
FL.................................................. 650,000
Baptist Health Medical Center, Heber Springs, AR for
facilities and equipment............................ 200,000
Barnert Hospital, Paterson, NJ for facilities and
equipment........................................... 250,000
Barre Family Health Center, Barre, MA for facilities and
equipment........................................... 300,000
Barry University, Miami Shore, FL for facilities and
equipment for the Institute for Community and
Minority Health..................................... 150,000
BayCare Health System, Clearwater, FL for a medical
information system initiative....................... 500,000
Beaufort Memorial Hospital, Beaufort, SC for equipment
for the Keyserling Cancer Center.................... 300,000
Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, MI for facilities and
equipment........................................... 300,000
Becker College, Worcester, MA for nursing education
programs............................................ 100,000
Bellevue Hospital and Bellevue Senior Neighborhood
Corporation, Bellevue, OH for facilities and
equipment........................................... 100,000
Beloit Regional Hospice, Beloit, WI for computerization
of medical records.................................. 100,000
Benedictine Hospital, Kingston, NY for information
technology.......................................... 250,000
Benefis Healthcare, Great Falls, MT for equipment....... 200,000
Berea Health Ministry, Berea, KY for facilities and
equipment........................................... 50,000
Bleckley Memorial Hospital, Cochran, GA for facilities
and equipment....................................... 54,000
Bloomsburg Hospital, Bloomsburg, PA for facilities and
equipment........................................... 250,000
Blount Memorial Hospital, Maryville, TN for equipment
for the Breast Health Center........................ 150,000
Blue Ridge Health System, Inc., Arrington, VA for
telehealth services................................. 75,000
Boone Hospital Center, Columbia, MO for facilities and
equipment for mobile screening...................... 410,000
Boscobel Area Health Care, Boscobel, WI for facilities
and equipment....................................... 455,000
Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA for facilities and
equipment for the J. Joseph Moakley Medical Services
Building............................................ 800,000
Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA for
facilities and equipment for research and treatment
related to amyloidosis.............................. 200,000
Boys and Girls Home of Nebraska, Inc., South Sioux City,
NE for facilities and equipment for the Children's
Residential Treatment Center........................ 250,000
Boys' Village, Smithfield, OH for facilities............ 200,000
Brackenridge Hospital, Austin, TX for facilities and
equipment........................................... 200,000
Bradford Regional Medical Center, Bradford, PA for
equipment........................................... 100,000
Bradley University, Peoria, IL for facilities and
equipment for the Collaborative Health and Education
Center.............................................. 500,000
Brandywine YMCA, Coatesville, PA for therapy/
rehabilitation facilities and equipment............. 50,000
Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership, Langhorne,
PA for the Improving Access to Health Care for Low-
Income Residents of Bucks County project............ 350,000
Buntain School of Nursing, Northwest University,
Kirkland, WA for facilities and equipment........... 185,000
Bureau County Community Health Clinic, Princeton, IL for
facilities and equipment............................ 150,000
Burke Medical Center, Waynesboro, GA for a PACS system
for radiology services.............................. 400,000
Byrd Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL
for the purchase of SELDI and BIOPLEX equipment for
identifying biomarkers.............................. 150,000
California Hospital Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA for
facilities and equipment............................ 800,000
California State University--San Bernardino, San
Bernardino, CA for equipment for the nursing and
health science education program at the Palm Desert
Campus.............................................. 500,000
California State University Channel Islands, Camarillo,
CA for equipment for the Regional Clinical
Simulation Technology Laboratory.................... 240,000
California State University Program for Education and
Research in Biotechnology, San Diego, CA, for
equipment........................................... 150,000
Canonsburg General Hospital, Canonsburg, PA for an
information technology upgrade...................... 200,000
Carbon Medical Service Association, East Carbon, UT for
facilities and equipment............................ 75,000
Cardinal Stritch University, Milwaukee, WI to expand
community-based nursing services in connection with
its nursing education program....................... 90,000
Carilion Health System, Roanoke, VA for equipment for
the Smart Operating Room............................ 300,000
Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC for facilities
and equipment for its Neuromuscular/ALS-MDA Center.. 300,000
Carroll College, Helena, MT for facilities and equipment
for the Department of Nursing Simulated Patient Care
Lab................................................. 230,000
Carroll County Hospital, Carrollton, KY for facilities
and equipment....................................... 500,000
Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH for the
National Center for Regenerative Medicine........... 1,000,000
Catholic Medical Center, Manchester, NH for equipment... 250,000
Cedar Riverside People's Center, Minneapolis, MN for
facilities and equipment and conversion to an
electronic medical records system................... 525,000
Centenary College, Hackettstown, NJ for facilities and
equipment for the Nurse Training Program............ 100,000
Central Carolina Technical College, Sumter, SC for
facilities and equipment for a health sciences
center.............................................. 500,000
Central Virginia Community College, Lynchburg, VA for
dental hygienist development........................ 250,000
Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital Medical Center,
Plattsburgh, NY for facilities and equipment........ 200,000
Charles A. Dean Memorial Hospital, Greenville, ME for
facilities and equipment............................ 250,000
Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los
Angeles, CA for facilities and equipment and faculty
salaries and support................................ 400,000
Charlotte County, Port Charlotte, FL for facilities and
equipment for a Regional Health Services Complex.... 300,000
Cherry Street Health Services, Grand Rapids, MI for
facilities and equipment............................ 350,000
Chester County Hospital, West Chester, PA for facilities
and equipment....................................... 250,000
Chicago Botanic Gardens, Glencoe, IL for facilities and
equipment at the Center for Seed Conservation and
Medicinal Plant Research............................ 400,000
Chicago Family Health Center, Chicago, IL for facilities
and equipment....................................... 375,000
Children's Home of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA for
facilities and equipment............................ 200,000
Children's Hospital and Health System, Wauwatosa, WI for
facilities and equipment............................ 950,000
Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters Health
System, Norfolk, VA for a pediatric outpatient
mobile MRI unit located in Chesapeake, VA........... 100,000
Children's Health Fund, New York, NY for facilities and
equipment for the Dallas Children's Health Project.. 200,000
Children's Hospital & Research Center, Oakland, CA for
an electronic medical records system................ 370,000
Children's Hospital and Health Center, San Diego, CA for
facilities and equipment............................ 150,000
Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center,
Seattle, WA for facilities and equipment for the
Center for Pediatric Bioethics...................... 465,000
Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA for a
pediatric nursing residency program................. 200,000
Children's Hospital of Illinois, Peoria, IL for
facilities and equipment............................ 500,000
Children's Hospital of Orange County, Orange, CA for
health information technology....................... 300,000
Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters Health
System, Norfolk, VA for facilities equipment in the
Princess Anne Pediatric Medical Office Building in
Virginia Beach...................................... 1,000,000
Children's Hospital, Denver, CO for an electronic
medical records system.............................. 300,000
Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA for the development of
the Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics..... 100,000
Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL for a medical
records project..................................... 225,000
Children's National Medical Center, Washington DC for
facilities and equipment............................ 500,000
Children's Specialized Hospital, Mountainside, NJ for
facilities and equipment............................ 300,000
CHOC at Mission, Mission Viejo, CA for Neonatal and
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Patient Monitors...... 400,000
Christian Health Care Center, Wyckoff, NJ for medical
records system upgrades............................. 250,000
CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children's Hospital, San Antonio, TX
for facilities and equipment........................ 350,000
Citizens for Quality Sickle Cell Care, Inc., New
Britain, CT for facilities and equipment............ 100,000
City of Austin, TX for facilities and equipment for
community health centers............................ 185,000
City of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, CT for facilities and
equipment for the Health and Social Service Center.. 200,000
City of Charlotte, NC for facilities and equipment for
the Advanced Local Emergency Response Team (ALERT).. 200,000
City of Dubuque, IA for facilities and equipment for the
development of a federally qualified community
health center....................................... 300,000
City of Gladstone, MO for emergency medical equipment... 136,000
City of Hueytown, AL for facilities and equipment for
the Senior Citizen Center for Health and Wellness... 200,000
City of Pembroke Pines, FL for facilities and equipment
for a medical facility at the Howard C. Forman Human
Services Campus..................................... 150,000
City of Perris, CA for hospital equipment............... 400,000
City of Stockton, CA for facilities and equipment for
the Airport Way Community and Health Center......... 150,000
Clackamas Community College, Oregon City, OR for
facilities and equipment for health professions
training............................................ 485,000
Clarion Healthcare System, Clarion, PA for technology
upgrades............................................ 100,000
Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH for
facilities for the Medical Institutes Pavilion...... 500,000
Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH for equipment. 200,000
Coffeyville Regional Medical Center, Coffeyville, KS for
facilities and equipment............................ 750,000
Coles County Council on Aging, Mattoon, IL for
facilities and equipment for the LifeSpan Senior
Center.............................................. 250,000
College of St. Scholastica, Duluth, MN for a rural
health information technology project............... 600,000
Collier County, FL for facilities and equipment for the
Florida Health Care Center.......................... 100,000
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO for a
combined PET and CT scanner......................... 300,000
Colquitt Regional Medical Center, Moultrie, GA for
facilities and equipment............................ 75,000
Columbia Memorial Hospital, Hudson, NY for facilities
and equipment....................................... 200,000
Columbus Children's Research Institute, Columbus, OH for
facilities and equipment............................ 1,750,000
Community Blood and Tissue Center, Dayton, OH for an
electronic data format.............................. 100,000
Community Dental Care Foundation, Wausau, WI for dental
education and dental services for children.......... 100,000
Community Dental, Albuquerque, NM for facilities and
equipment........................................... 700,000
Community Health Care Services Foundation, East
Greenbush, NY for expansion of telemedicine services 100,000
Community Health Care, Rock Island, IL for facilities
and equipment....................................... 75,000
Community Health Care, Tacoma, WA for facilities and
equipment........................................... 750,000
Community Health Center of the Berkshires, Great
Barrington, MA for facilities and equipment......... 75,000
Community Health Centers of the Rutland Region,
Castleton, VT for facilities and equipment.......... 150,000
Community Health Improvement Center, Decatur, IL for
facilities and equipment............................ 100,000
Community Health Improvement Center, Decatur, IL for
facilities and equipment for the Frances Nelson
Community Health Center............................. 100,000
Community Health Integrated Partnership, Glen Burnie, MD
for an electronic patient record system............. 600,000
Community Hospital and Wellness Centers, Bryan, OH for
equipment and technology............................ 100,000
Community Medical Center, Missoula, MT for the Western
Montana Telehealth Network.......................... 500,000
Community Medical Centers, Stockton, CA for facilities
and equipment for the Gleason House Homeless Medical
Clinic.............................................. 100,000
Community New Start, Inc., Austin, TX for facilities and
equipment........................................... 100,000
Comprehensive Community Action, Cranston, RI for
facilities and equipment for dental care............ 250,000
Connecticut Hospice, Branford, CT for health information
technology and telemedicine equipment............... 330,000
Convergent Knowledge Solutions, LLC, Weston, FL for
rural healthcare delivery in Alaska................. 150,000
Cook Children's Medical Center, Ft. Worth, TX for
equipment........................................... 2,300,000
Cooper Green Hospital, Birmingham, AL for health
information technology.............................. 200,000
Cooperative Education Service Agency No. 11, Turtle
Lake, WI for dental services........................ 350,000
Coos County Family Health Services, Berlin, NH for
facilities and equipment............................ 200,000
Costilla County, San Luis, CO for facilities and
equipment for a county health services facility..... 75,000
County of Peoria, Peoria, IL for facilities and
equipment for the Bel-Wood Nursing Home............. 200,000
County of San Mateo, CA for facilities and equipment for
the San Mateo Medical Center........................ 450,000
Covenant Health System, Lubbock, TX for equipment....... 100,000
Creighton University, Omaha, NE for facilities and
equipment for the Boyne School of Dental Science
building............................................ 250,000
Creighton University, Omaha, NE for facilities and
equipment for the Center for Bioterrorism Response.. 250,000
Crisis Nursery of the Ozarks, Springfield, MO for
equipment........................................... 200,000
Crouse Hospital, Syracuse, NY for an electronic
medication administration system.................... 550,000
Crozer-Keystone Health System, Springfield, PA for
facilities and equipment for the Crozer-Chester
Nathan Speare Regional Burn Treatment Center,
Chester, PA......................................... 250,000
Crumley House Rehabilitation Center, Limestone, TN for
facilities and equipment............................ 100,000
Cumberland Medical Center, Crossville, TN for facilities
and equipment....................................... 350,000
Day Kimball Hospital, Putnam, CT for facilities and
equipment........................................... 200,000
Deborah Heart and Lung Center, Browns Mills, NJ for
facilities and equipment at the Women's
Cardiovascular Wellness Center...................... 100,000
Deckerville Community Hospital, Deckerville, MI for
facilities and equipment............................ 100,000
Defiance Regional Medical Center, Fremont, OH for the
Breast Cancer Detection Technology project.......... 100,000
Delaware Technical and Community College, Dover, DE for
facilities and equipment for the health and sciences
education building at the Stanton Campus............ 250,000
Deschutes County, Bend, OR for the Family Access Network 250,000
Dorminy Medical Center, Fitzgerald, GA for facilities
and equipment....................................... 125,000
Du Bois Regional Medical Center, Du Bois, PA for a
Regional Health Information Organization............ 300,000
DuPage County Convalescent Center, Wheaton, IL for
facilities and equipment............................ 250,000
East Carolina University Metabolic Institute,
Greenville, NC for facilities and equipment......... 250,000
East Jefferson General Hospital, Metaire, LA for an
electronic medical records project.................. 300,000
East Orange General Hospital, East Orange, NJ for
facilities and equipment............................ 175,000
East Pasco Medical Center, Zephyrhills, FL for equipment 250,000
East Tennessee Children's Hospital, Knoxville, TN for a
Picture Archiving and Communications System......... 350,000
Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago, Chicago, IL for
facilities and equipment............................ 100,000
Eastern Connecticut Health Network, Manchester, CT for
facilities and equipment for the Rockville General
Hospital............................................ 200,000
Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL for the
nursing program..................................... 150,000
Eisenhower Medical Center, Rancho Mirage, CA for the
Annenberg Pavilion.................................. 350,000
El Proyecto del Barrio, Arleta, CA for facilities and
equipment........................................... 350,000
Emergency Medicine Learning and Resource Center,
Orlando, FL for facilities and equipment............ 500,000
Emerson Hospital, Concord, MA for facilities and
equipment........................................... 200,000
Endless Mountains Health Systems, Montrose, PA for
facilities and equipment............................ 250,000
Englewood Hospital and Medical Center, Englewood, NJ for
facilities and equipment............................ 275,000
Enterprise Valley Medical Clinic, Enterprise, UT for
facilities and equipment............................ 30,000
Ephrata Community Hospital, Ephrata, PA for facilities
and equipment....................................... 250,000
Erie County Medical Center, Buffalo, NY for a
telemedicine project................................ 100,000
Erie Family Health Center, Chicago, IL for facilities
and equipment....................................... 350,000
Eunice Kennedy Shriver Center, University of
Massachusetts Medical School, Waltham, MA for
facilities and equipment............................ 200,000
Excela Health Frick Hospital, Mount Pleasant, PA for
facilities and equipment............................ 500,000
Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital, Greensburg, PA for
facilities and equipment............................ 250,000
Exempla Good Samaritan Medical Center Foundation,
Lafayette, CO for an electronic medical record
system.............................................. 250,000
Fairfield Medical Center, Lancaster, OH for facilities
and equipment....................................... 250,000
Family Health Center of Southern Oklahoma, Tishomingo,
OK for facilities and equipment..................... 150,000
Family Maternity Center of the Northern Neck,
Kilmarnock, VA for equipment........................ 150,000
Family Medicine Center, Anchorage, AK for the Alaska
Family Practice Residency program................... 300,000
Family Medicine Spokane, Spokane, WA for the Rural
Training Assistance program......................... 150,000
Family Service and Community Mental Health Center,
McHenry, IL for information technology.............. 200,000
Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI for facilities
and equipment....................................... 250,000
Fisher-Titus Medical Center, Norwalk, OH for facilities
and equipment....................................... 100,000
Fleming County Hospital, Flemingsburg, KY to purchase
and implement a PACS/Teleradiology system........... 100,000
Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL for
facilities and equipment for the Center for Caring
to Reduce Health Disparities........................ 300,000
Florida Dialogue on Cancer, University of South Florida,
Tampa, FL for database enhancement.................. 300,000
Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences, Orlando, FL
for facilities and equipment........................ 250,000
Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne, FL for
facilities and equipment for the Autism Treatment
and Research Center................................. 3,000,000
Florida Southern College, Lakeland, FL for equipment for
the Nursing Program Laboratory...................... 300,000
Fort Hudson Health System, Fort Edward, NY for
facilities and equipment............................ 110,000
Foundation for Comprehensive Community Care, West Palm
Beach, FL for facilities and equipment.............. 300,000
Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA for facilities
and equipment....................................... 200,000
Freeman Health System, Joplin, MO for facilities and
equipment for a facility in McDonald County......... 1,000,000
Fremont Memorial Hospital, Fremont, OH for the
electronic health records and equipment project..... 100,000
Friends of the Congressional Glaucoma Caucus Foundation,
Lake Success, NY for facilities and equipment for
the Southwest Texas Eye Care Collaborative.......... 500,000
Fulton County Medical Center, McConnellsburg, PA for
facilities and equipment............................ 300,000
Gardner Family Health Network, San Jose, CA for
facilities and equipment for the Gardner South
County Health Center................................ 225,000
Gaston College, Dallas, NC for equipment for the Health
Education Institute................................. 300,000
Gateway Community Health Center, Laredo, TX for
equipment........................................... 1,000,000
Gateway to Care, Houston, TX for health information
technology initiatives, including training.......... 200,000
Geisinger Health System Wyoming Valley, Wilkes-Barre, PA
for facilities and equipment for the PACE Center in
Nanticoke, PA....................................... 300,000
Geisinger Health System, Danville, PA for equipment..... 500,000
Genesis Healthcare System, Zanesville, OH for facilities
and equipment for mobile intensive care............. 300,000
George Washington University, Washington, DC for the
Cancer Institute.................................... 150,000
Gerber Memorial Health Services, Fremont, MI for
facilities and equipment............................ 200,000
Gibson General Hospital, Princeton, IN for facilities
and equipment....................................... 200,000
Glen Rose Medical Center, Glen Rose, TX for facilities
and equipment....................................... 700,000
Glendale Adventist Medical Center, Glendale, CA for
facilities and equipment............................ 350,000
Goodwill Columbus, Columbus, OH for facilities and
equipment for the Health and Wellness Center........ 200,000
Grady Health System, Atlanta, GA for facilities and
equipment........................................... 550,000
Grandview Hospital, Dayton, OH for facilities and
equipment........................................... 200,000
Graysville, AL for facilities and equipment for the
Senior Citizen Center............................... 25,000
Great Basin College, Elko, NV for facilities and
equipment for the Great Basin Center for Rural
Health Education and Services....................... 300,000
Greater New Bedford Community Health Center, New
Bedford, MA for facilities and equipment............ 400,000
Green River Medical Clinic, Green River, UT for
facilities and equipment............................ 45,000
Greene County Health Care, Snow Hill NC for facilities
and equipment for the James D. Bernstein Community
Healthcare Center in Greenville..................... 250,000
Greene County, MO for medical services provided in the
Greene County Jail through a partnership with the
Jordan Valley Community Health Center............... 330,000
Griffin Hospital, Derby CT for facilities and equipment. 500,000
Grossmont Hospital Foundation, La Mesa, CA for equipment 100,000
Grundy County Health Department, Grundy County, IL for
facilities and equipment for the Senior Citizen
Support Center...................................... 125,000
Guam Memorial Hospital, Tamuning, GU for improvements to
hospital information systems........................ 300,000
Gulf Coast Health Center, Port Arthur, TX for facilities
and equipment for a new community health center in
Beaumont, TX........................................ 200,000
Gulf of Maine Research Institute, Portland, ME for
facilities and equipment for biomedical research.... 250,000
Gundersen Lutheran, Decorah, IA for a remote fetal
monitoring system for patients in rural Northeast
Iowa................................................ 350,000
Habersham County Medical Center, Demorset, GA for
equipment........................................... 200,000
Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, Hackettstown, NJ
for facilities and equipment........................ 250,000
Halifax Regional Health System, South Boston, VA for an
information technology upgrade...................... 300,000
Hamilton Community Health Network, Flint, MI for health
information technology improvements................. 400,000
Harris County Hospital District, Houston, TX for
facilities and equipment for a diabetes care program 250,000
Harris County Hospital District, Houston, TX for
facilities and equipment for cardiac monitoring..... 295,000
Harris County Hospital District, Houston, TX for
facilities and equipment for the Ask Your Nurse
telephone advice and triage system.................. 100,000
Harris County, Katy, TX for facilities and equipment for
the Caring Hearts Seniors Community Center.......... 350,000
Harris Methodist Erath County Hospital, Stephenville, TX
for facilities and equipment........................ 150,000
Harrisburg Area Community College, York, PA for
facilities and equipment for the Health Careers
Center.............................................. 350,000
Harrison Community Hospital, Cadiz, OH for facilities
and equipment....................................... 75,000
Harrison Medical Center, Bremerton, WA for health
information technology.............................. 100,000
Harrison Memorial Hospital, Cynthiana, KY to purchase
and implement a PACS/Teleradiology system........... 200,000
Hatzoloh EMS, Monsey, NY for facilities and equipment... 250,000
HAWC Community Health Center, Reno, NV for facilities
and equipment in Stead, NV.......................... 200,000
Haywood Regional Medical Center, Clyde, NC for
facilities and equipment............................ 400,000
Health Center, Plainfield, VT for rural healthcare
services............................................ 75,000
Health Delivery, Inc., Saginaw, MI for facilities and
equipment........................................... 175,000
HealthCare Connection, Inc., Cincinnati, OH for an
electronic medical and dental records system........ 250,000
HealthHUB, South Royalton, VT, for facilities, equipment
and operating costs for a school-based dental clinic
in Tunbridge, VT.................................... 100,000
HealthNet, Indianapolis, IN for facilities and equipment 250,000
Heartland Community Health Clinic, Peoria, IL for
equipment........................................... 300,000
Hektoen Institute for Medical Research, Chicago, IL for
facilities and equipment for a health clinic........ 350,000
Henderson County Hospital Corporation, Hendersonville,
NC for facilities and equipment at Pardee Hospital.. 500,000
Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI for equipment for
the Manufacturing Principles Applied to Health
(MPATH) initiative in West Bloomfield, MI........... 350,000
Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, Valencia, CA for facilities
and equipment....................................... 1,000,000
Hernando County Health Department, Brooksville, FL for
facilities and equipment............................ 450,000
Herrick Memorial Hospital, Adrian, MI for facilities and
equipment........................................... 350,000
Hi-Desert Memorial Healthcare District, Joshua Tree, CA
for equipment for the Mobile Medical Clinic......... 300,000
Holy Cross Hospital, Silver Spring, MD for facilities
and equipment....................................... 200,000
Holy Family Hospital Telehealth Program, Spokane, WA for
equipment........................................... 100,000
Holy Name Hospital, Teaneck, NJ for facilities and
equipment........................................... 275,000
Home Nursing Agency, Altoona, PA for a telehealth
program............................................. 100,000
Home Sweet Home Ministries, Bloomington, IL for
facilities and equipment for the residential
treatment program................................... 150,000
Homecare Workers Training Center, Los Angeles, CA for
facilities and equipment............................ 150,000
Hood River County, Hood River, OR for facilities and
equipment for the Cascade Locks Integrated Health
Care Facility, Cascade Locks, OR.................... 150,000
Hoots Memorial Hospital, Yadkinville, NC for technology
upgrades............................................ 300,000
Hospice of Knox County, Mt. Vernon, OH for facilities
and equipment....................................... 50,000
Hospice of McDowell County, Inc., Marion, NC for
facilities and equipment............................ 250,000
Hospice of Metro Denver, Denver, CO for the Life Quality
Institute........................................... 100,000
Hospice of North Central Ohio, Ashland, OH for equipment
for the Hospice Inpatient Center.................... 100,000
Hospice of the Western Reserve, Cleveland, OH for
equipment........................................... 225,000
House of Mercy, Des Moines, IA for facilities and
equipment related to substance abuse treatment...... 200,000
Houston Medical Center, Warner Robins, GA for facilities
and equipment....................................... 50,000
Hudson Headwaters Health Network, Glen Falls, NY for
health information system technology equipment for
the Warrensburg Health Center, Warrensburg, NY...... 300,000
Hudson Valley Community College, Troy, NY for the
Weekend Nursing Program............................. 572,000
Hudson Valley Hospital, Courtlandt Manor, NY to
construct a cancer care center...................... 750,000
Hudson-Alpha Institute for Biotechnology, Huntsville, AL
for facilities and equipment for biomedical research 450,000
Humphreys County Memorial Hospital, Belzoni, MS for
facilities and equipment............................ 450,000
Hunterdon Medical Center, Flemington, NJ for equipment.. 200,000
Hunter's Hope Foundation, Orchard Park, NY for equipment
for the Hunter James Kelly Research Institute....... 250,000
Huron Hospital, East Cleveland, OH for facilities....... 500,000
Idaho Alliance of Leaders in Nursing, Boise, ID for the
Idaho Nursing Workforce Center...................... 300,000
Idaho Caring Foundation for Children, Boise, ID for the
Dental Project for Low-income, Uninsured Children... 300,000
Illinois Masonic Medical Center, Chicago, IL for
facilities and equipment............................ 500,000
Illinois Primary Health Care Association, Springfield,
IL for electronic medical records systems........... 300,000
Indiana Regional Medical Center, Indiana, PA for
facilities and equipment............................ 500,000
Indiana University Center for Bone Cancer Research,
Indianapolis, IN for facilities..................... 150,000
Indiana University School of Medicine, Gary, IN for
facilities and equipment for the Northwest Indiana
Health Research Institute........................... 750,000
Inland Behavioral and Health Services, San Bernardino,
CA for facilities and equipment for the Banning
Family Health Center, Banning, CA................... 750,000
INOVA Health System, Falls Church, VA for facilities and
equipment for the Claude Moore Health Education
Center.............................................. 250,000
Institute for Research and Rehabilitation, Houston, TX
for equipment....................................... 200,000
INTEGRIS Health Systems, Oklahoma City, OK for equipment
at rural hospitals.................................. 400,000
Iowa Chronic Care Consortium, Des Moines, IA for the
Improving the Health Status of Rural Iowans through
Prevention health monitoring program................ 150,000
Iroquois Memorial Hospital and Resident Home, Watseka,
IL for facilities and equipment..................... 150,000
Ittawamba Community College, Fulton, MS for facilities
and equipment for the Allied Health Center.......... 500,000
Jackson Community College, Jackson, MI for equipment.... 200,000
Jackson Health System, Miami, FL for a mobile health van 100,000
Jackson Health System, Miami, FL for information
technology infrastructure upgrades.................. 250,000
James D. Bernstein Community Health Center, Greenville,
NC for facilities and equipment..................... 100,000
Jasper Memorial Hospital, Monticello, GA for facilities
and equipment....................................... 50,000
Jefferson Comprehensive Health Center, Fayette, MS for
facilities and equipment............................ 300,000
Jefferson County Health Center, Monticello, FL for
facilities and equipment............................ 150,000
Jefferson Regional Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA for an
electronic medical record initiative................ 100,000
Jersey Shore Hospital, Jersey Shore, PA for technology
upgrades............................................ 200,000
John Muir Health System, Walnut Creek, CA for the
Regional Specialty Examination Network telemedicine
initiative.......................................... 250,000
Johnson Memorial Hospital, Stafford Springs, CT for
facilities and equipment............................ 250,000
Jordan Valley Community Health Center, Springfield, MO
for facilities and equipment........................ 750,000
JPS Health Network, Fort Worth, TX for facilities and
equipment........................................... 750,000
Jupiter Medical Center, Jupiter, FL for equipment....... 500,000
JWCH Institute, Bell Gardens, CA for facilities and
equipment for the Bell Gardens Health Center........ 200,000
Kaweah Delta Health Care District, Visalia, CA for
facilities and equipment for the Kaweah Delta
Community Hospital.................................. 100,000
Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD for facilities
and equipment....................................... 600,000
Kent State University's Ashtabula Campus, Ashtabula, OH
for facilities for the Health and Science Center.... 500,000
Kern Valley Healthcare District, Lake Isabella, CA for
facilities and equipment............................ 250,000
Kings County Hospital Center, Brooklyn, NY for
facilities and equipment............................ 100,000
Kno-Ho-Co-Ashland Community Action Commission,
Coshocton, OH for a dental health protection program
provided through a mobile dental unit............... 75,000
Knox Community Hospital, Mt. Vernon OH for facilities
and equipment....................................... 250,000
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA for
facilities and equipment for the Center for Drug
Information and Research............................ 300,000
Lakeland Community College, Mentor, OH for a Regional
Healthcare Workforce Development Project............ 250,000
Lamoille Community Health Services, Morrisville, VT for
rural healthcare services........................... 75,000
Langlade Memorial Hospital, Antigo, WI for the Rural
Dental Health Project............................... 200,000
Lawrence Hospital Center: Bronxville, NY for facilities
and equipment....................................... 400,000
LBJ Tropical Medical Center, Pago Pago, AS for advanced
training of nurses and other health care staff...... 250,000
Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center, Memphis, TN for
facilities and equipment............................ 300,000
League Against Cancer, Miami, FL for equipment.......... 200,000
Libertae, Inc., Bensalem, PA for facilities and
equipment........................................... 150,000
Liberty County, Bristol, FL for facilities and equipment
for a medical clinic................................ 450,000
Lincoln Community Health Center, Durham, NC for
facilities and equipment............................ 240,000
Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center, Bronx, NY for
facilities and equipment............................ 300,000
Loretto Hospital, Chicago, IL for facilities and
equipment........................................... 100,000
Loretto, Syracuse, NY for facilities and equipment for
their elderly health care and skilled nursing
facilities.......................................... 750,000
Los Angeles Community College District, Los Angeles, CA
for health professions education programs........... 400,000
Los Angeles Orthopaedic Hospital, Los Angeles, CA for
facilities and equipment............................ 750,000
Louisiana Association for the Blind, Shreveport, LA for
facilities and equipment for the Low Vision Center.. 200,000
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
Shreveport, LA for equipment........................ 450,000
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,
Shreveport, LA to support the Health Literacy
Initiative of the Louisiana Interagency Task Force
on Health Literacy.................................. 300,000
Lourdes Health System, Lourdes Medical Center of
Burlington County, Willingsboro, NJ for equipment... 200,000
Lowell Community Health Center, Lowell, MA for
facilities and equipment............................ 150,000
Lower Bucks Hospital, Bristol, PA for facilities and
equipment........................................... 350,000
Loyola University Health System, Maywood, IL for
facilities and equipment............................ 225,000
Madison Center, South Bend, IN for facilities and
equipment for an Attention Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder Clinic..................................... 500,000
Madison County Community Health Center, Anderson, IN for
an electronic medical records system................ 200,000
Madison County Memorial Hospital, Rexburg, ID for
facilities and equipment............................ 400,000
Madison St. Joseph Health Center, Madisonville, TX for
facilities and equipment............................ 165,000
Maine Primary Care Association, Augusta, ME for an
electronic medical record project................... 150,000
Malone College, Canton, OH for facilities and equipment. 700,000
Malone Medical Center, Malone, FL for facilities and
equipment........................................... 50,000
Manchester College, North Manchester, IN for facilities
and equipment for the Health and Physical Recreation
Center.............................................. 1,000,000
Manchester Memorial Hospital, Manchester, CT for
facilities and equipment............................ 150,000
Manchester Memorial Hospital, Manchester, KY for a
telemedicine and telehealth program................. 100,000
Marian Community Hospital, Carbondale, PA for patient
safety technology upgrades.......................... 250,000
Marietta Senior Health Center, Marietta, GA for
facilities and equipment............................ 800,000
Marquette General Hospital, Marquette, MI for facilities
and equipment....................................... 300,000
Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI for dental outreach
services to train healthcare professionals.......... 200,000
Marshalltown Medical and Surgical Center, Marshalltown,
IA for equipment.................................... 320,000
Martinsburg City Hospital, Martinsburg, WV for
electronic medical records technology............... 200,000
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Baton Rouge, LA for
facilities and equipment............................ 100,000
Mary Rutan Hospital, Bellefontaine, OH for facilities
and equipment....................................... 200,000
Mary Scott Nursing Home, Dayton, OH for facilities and
equipment........................................... 350,000
Mason County Health Department, Maysville, KY for
facilities and equipment............................ 500,000
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences,
Boston, MA for telehealth and pharmacy training
programs at its Worcester campus.................... 300,000
Mattawa Community Medical Center, Mattawa, WA for
facilities and equipment............................ 100,000
Maury Regional Hospital, Columbia, TN for facilities and
equipment........................................... 450,000
Mayaguez Medical Center, Mayaguez, PR for equipment..... 200,000
Medina General Hospital, Medina, OH for expansion of its
Emergency Department................................ 1,000,000
Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN for facilities
and equipment....................................... 400,000
Memorial Hermann Healthcare System, Houston, TX for
facilities and equipment............................ 200,000
Mendocino Coast District Hospital, Fort Bragg, CA for
facilities and equipment............................ 200,000
Mendocino Community Health Clinic, Ukiah, California for
facilities and equipment for the Lakeside Health
Center.............................................. 300,000
Mercer County Hospital, Aledo, IL for facilities and
equipment........................................... 100,000
Mercy Hospital, Buffalo, NY for facilities and equipment 300,000
Mercy Hospital, Miami, FL for facilities and equipment.. 350,000
Mercy Jeanette Hospital, Jeanette, PA for patient
monitoring and wireless telecommunications
technology.......................................... 200,000
Mercy Medical Center, Canton, OH for facilities......... 700,000
Mercy Medical Center, Redding, CA for facilities and
equipment........................................... 500,000
Mercy Medical Center, Springfield, MA for facilities and
equipment........................................... 150,000
Mercy Medical Center-North Iowa, Mason City, IA for
electronic medical records upgrades................. 150,000
Mercy Memorial Hospital System, Monroe, MI for
facilities and equipment............................ 350,000
Mescalero Apache Tribe, Mescalero, NM for equipment..... 400,000
Methodist College, Fayetteville, NC for facilities and
equipment for training physician assistants......... 250,000
Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX for equipment........... 400,000
Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX for pharmacy-related
information technology.............................. 300,000
Metroplex Hospital, Killeen, TX for facilities and
equipment........................................... 500,000
MetroWest Medical Center, Framingham, MA for facilities
and equipment....................................... 100,000
Miami Dade College, Miami, FL for facilities and
equipment for a mobile health unit.................. 350,000
Mid Valley Hospital, Peckville, PA for facilities and
equipment........................................... 250,000
Middlesex Community College, Lowell, MA for facilities
and equipment for training nurses and other health
professionals....................................... 250,000
Mid-Hudson Family Health Institute, New Paltz, NY for
electronic medical record systems................... 150,000
Midwestern University, Glendale, AZ for a rural
postgraduate educational program at Sierra Vista
Regional Medical Center............................. 400,000
Miller Children's Hospital, Long Beach, CA for
facilities and equipment............................ 450,000
Mission Community Hospital, Panorama City, CA for
facilities and equipment for its San Fernando
Community Campus for Health and Education........... 100,000
Mission Hospitals, Asheville, NC for facilities and
equipment........................................... 1,250,000
Missouri Delta Medical Center, Sikeston, MO for
equipment........................................... 1,000,000
Mobile Infirmary Health System, Mobile, AL for
facilities and equipment for the North Baldwin
Infirmary........................................... 100,000
Modoc County, Alturas, CA for equipment for the Modoc
Medical Center...................................... 350,000
Monongahela Valley Hospital, Monongahela, PA for
facilities and equipment............................ 500,000
Monroe County Hospital, Forsyth, GA for facilities and
equipment........................................... 45,000
Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, Kilmichael, MS
for facilities and equipment for Kilmichael Hospital 100,000
Montgomery County, Rockville, MD for facilities and
equipment for the Montgomery Cares health care
program............................................. 350,000
Morehead State University, Morehead, KY for rural
outreach............................................ 500,000
Morris Heights Health Center, Bronx, NY for facilities
and equipment....................................... 150,000
Morton Hospital, Taunton, MA for facilities and
equipment........................................... 350,000
Mount Nittany Medical Center, State College, PA for
equipment and technology............................ 300,000
Mount Union College, Alliance, OH for facilities........ 700,000
Mount Vernon Hospital, Mount Vernon, NY for facilities
and equipment....................................... 300,000
Mount Wachusett Community College, Gardner, MA for
facilities and equipment for nursing education...... 650,000
Mountain States Health Alliance, Johnson City, TN for
facilities and equipment for the Children's Hospital
at the Johnson City Medical Center.................. 350,000
Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, Auburn, WA for facilities and
equipment for the Health and Wellness Center........ 100,000
Municipality of Camuy, PR for medical equipment for the
Quebrada Health Center.............................. 125,000
Municipality of Ponce, PR for facilities and equipment
for the Autism Center............................... 225,000
National Rehabilitation Hospital, Washington, DC for
telemedicine and health information technology
initiatives......................................... 500,000
Nebraska Hospital Association, Lincoln, NE for the
Nebraska Statewide Telehealth Network............... 400,000
Nevada State College, Henderson, NV for facilities and
equipment for a School Based Health Center.......... 400,000
Nevada State College, Henderson, NV for the Nursing
Faculty Enhancement Program......................... 500,000
New Hampshire Community Technical College System,
Concord, NH for facilities and equipment for nursing
education programs.................................. 500,000
New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, New
York, NY for health information technology for the
Upper Manhattan Health Initiative................... 350,000
New York-Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY for
telemetry technology................................ 750,000
Newport Hospital, Newport, RI for health care
information technology.............................. 650,000
Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, Niagara Falls, NY
for facilities and equipment........................ 250,000
Nicholas County Hospital, Carlisle, KY for an electronic
medical records system.............................. 300,000
Norman Regional Hospital, Norman, OK for health
information technology equipment and upgrades....... 250,000
North Central Community Medicine Foundation, Rock Hill,
SC for an electronic medical records system in
partnership with Sandhills Medical Foundation....... 100,000
North Dakota State University, College of Pharmacy,
Fargo, ND for a telepharmacy project................ 350,000
North General Hospital, New York, NY for facilities and
equipment........................................... 300,000
North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System, Great
Neck, NY for facilities and equipment for the
Ambulatory Surgery Center........................... 450,000
North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, Great
Neck, NY for facilities and equipment for Zucker
Hillside Hospital................................... 300,000
NorthEast Ohio Neighborhood Health Services, Cleveland,
OH for an electronic health records system.......... 250,000
Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine and
College of Pharmacy, Rootstown, OH for facilities... 500,000
Northeastern Technology Center for Individuals with
Disabilities, Clifton Park, NY for facilities and
equipment........................................... 200,000
Northern Dutchess Hospital, Rhinebeck, NY for health
care information technology......................... 200,000
Northwest Alabama Mental Health Center, Jasper, AL for
facilities and equipment............................ 190,000
Northwest Community Health Care, Pascoag, RI for
facilities and equipment in Foster, RI.............. 300,000
Northwest Health Center, Burillville, RI for facilities
and equipment....................................... 300,000
Northwest Hospital Center, Randallstown, MD for
facilities and equipment............................ 250,000
Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa, ID for facilities
and equipment for a nursing facility................ 300,000
Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL for
facilities and equipment for Prentice Women's
Hospital............................................ 400,000
Norton Healthcare, Louisville, KY for equipment at
Kosair Children's Hospital.......................... 300,000
Norwalk Hospital, Norwalk, CT for facilities and
equipment........................................... 500,000
Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL for
facilities and equipment for the Center for
Collaborative Bio-medical Research.................. 500,000
Nurses for Newborns Foundation, St. Louis, MO for
program support..................................... 350,000
Nurses for Newborns, Nashville, TN for perinatal
services............................................ 150,000
Oakland University School of Nursing, Rochester, MI for
facilities and equipment for the Center for Pre-
Symptom Healthcare and Societal Health Research..... 300,000
Ocean Beach Hospital, Ilwaco, WA for the Western
Washington Rural Health Care Collaborative
telepharmacy program................................ 450,000
Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA for the
Ochsner Pediatric Cancer Survivorship Program....... 100,000
Ohio Hospice and Palliative Care Organization, Columbus,
OH for the End of Life Resource Center.............. 250,000
Ohio State University, Columbus, OH for facilities and
equipment for the Comprehensive Cancer Center....... 700,000
Ohio State University's Ohio Agricultural Research and
Development Center, Wooster, OH for facilities...... 700,000
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK
for facilities and equipment........................ 750,000
Oklahoma State University Network for Telemedicine and
Distance Learning, Tulsa, OK for equipment.......... 200,000
Oklahoma State University, Tulsa, OK for the Center for
Health Science for telemedicine and a distance
learning network to rural hospitals and clinics..... 200,000
Olympic Community Action Programs, Port Townsend, WA for
facilities and equipment for dental care............ 125,000
Open Cities Health Center, St. Paul, MN for facilities
and equipment....................................... 150,000
Orange County, Orlando, FL for Primary Care Access
Network Clinics..................................... 500,000
Oregon Coast Community College, Newport, OR for
facilities and equipment for health professions
education........................................... 100,000
Orrville Hospital Foundation, Dunlap Memorial Hospital,
Orrville, OH for equipment.......................... 250,000
Osceola Medical Center, Osceola, WI for facilities and
equipment........................................... 200,000
Oswego Health, Oswego, NY for an electronic health
records system...................................... 100,000
Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Hospital, Binghamton, NY
for facilities and equipment........................ 350,000
Owens Community College, Toledo, OH for initiatives to
improve nurse education and training, in cooperation
with the Medical University of Ohio Hospital and
other health care institutions...................... 250,000
Pacific Renal Care Foundation, Honolulu, HI for
equipment and telemedicine initiatives related to
chronic kidney disease.............................. 250,000
Palisades Medical Center, North Bergen, NJ for
facilities and equipment............................ 275,000
Palmetto Health, Columbia, SC for facilities and
equipment for its Children's Hospital............... 450,000
Parkland Health Center, Farmington, MO for facilities
and equipment....................................... 300,000
Passavant Area Hospital, Jacksonville, IL for facilities
and equipment....................................... 300,000
Pattie E. Clay Regional Medical Center, Richmond, KY for
facilities and equipment............................ 400,000
Pedia Manor, Inc., Pipersville, PA for facilities and
equipment........................................... 30,000
Pee Dee Healthy Start, Florence, SC for programs to
improve maternal and infant health.................. 150,000
Penn Foundation, Inc., Sellersville, PA for facilities
and equipment....................................... 100,000
People, Inc., Williamsville, NY for electronic health
records............................................. 350,000
Perry Hospital, Perry, GA for facilities and equipment.. 50,000
Person Memorial Hospital, Roxboro, NC for facilities and
equipment........................................... 250,000
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine,
Philadelphia, PA for facilities and equipment for a
laboratory on the Lawrenceville, GA campus.......... 200,000
Piedmont Access to Health Services, Danville, VA for an
electronic medical records system................... 100,000
Piedmont Technical College, Greenwood, SC for equipment. 400,000
Pima Community Access Program, Tucson, AZ for a Regional
Health Information Organization..................... 500,000
Pinelas County Human Services Department, Clearwater, FL
for the mobile medical unit......................... 200,000
Pioneer Center of McHenry County, McHenry, IL for
facilities and equipment for the Senior Residence
Center for Adults with Disabilities................. 200,000
Placer County, Auburn, CA for facilities and equipment
for the Children's Health Center and Emergency
Shelter............................................. 800,000
Portage Community Outreach Center, Portage, MI for
facilities and equipment for the Family Health
Clinic.............................................. 80,000
Portneuf Medical Center, Pocatello, ID for the cardiac
and vascular services center........................ 400,000
Pottstown Area Center, Pottstown, PA for facilities and
equipment........................................... 200,000
Powell County Medical Center, Deer Lodge, MT for
equipment........................................... 150,000
Powell Hospital District, Powell, WY for electronic
information technology.............................. 250,000
PrairieStar Health Center, Hutchinson, KS for facilities
and equipment....................................... 300,000
Prescott Hospice House, Prescott, AZ for facilities and
equipment........................................... 50,000
Preston Memorial Hospital, Kingwood, WV for facilities
and equipment....................................... 330,000
Primary Care Development Corp., New York, NY for a
primary care emergency preparedness initiative...... 200,000
Providence Holy Cross Medical Center, Mission Hills, CA
for facilities and equipment........................ 200,000
PULSE of New York, Wantagh, NY for the reduction of
medical errors through increased patient safety
education........................................... 70,000
Putnam Hospital Center, Carmel, NY for construction of
an oncology center.................................. 400,000
Queens Hospital Center, Jamaica, NY for facilities and
equipment........................................... 250,000
Quincy Valley Medical Center, Quincy, WA for facilities
and equipment....................................... 200,000
Ramapo College, Mahwah, NJ for nursing laboratory
equipment........................................... 200,000
Rapid City Community Health Center, Rapid City, SD for
facilities and equipment............................ 600,000
Reading Hospital School of Nursing, West Reading, PA for
facilities and equipment............................ 373,000
Regional Responses Network, Sterling, CO for facilities
and equipment for the alcohol and substance abuse
detox/residential treatment facility................ 200,000
Regis College,Weston, MA for facilities and equipment
for nursing education............................... 100,000
Ridges Hospital, Burnsville, MN for an ambulatory
electronic medical record system.................... 200,000
Rio Arriba County, Espanola, NM for facilities and
equipment for health services....................... 350,000
Riverside County Regional Medical Center, Moreno Valley,
CA for facilities and equipment..................... 400,000
Riverside Medical Center, Kankakee, IL for equipment.... 150,000
Rocking Horse Children's Health Center, Springfield, OH
for facilities and equipment........................ 400,000
Roseland Christian Health Ministries, Chicago, IL for
facilities and equipment for a health center in
Dolton, IL.......................................... 200,000
Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY for
facilities and equipment for cancer treatment in
collaboration with WCA Hospital in Jamestown, NY.... 450,000
RUSH Initiative, Birmingham, AL for school-based health
care for rural children............................. 350,000
Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL for
facilities and equipment............................ 250,000
Rush-Copley Medical Center, Aurora, IL for facilities
and equipment....................................... 500,000
Rutherford Hospital, Inc., Rutherfordton, NC for
facilities and equipment............................ 250,000
Saint Clare's Hospital, Denville, NJ for facilities and
equipment........................................... 750,000
Saint Xavier University, Chicago, IL for equipment for
the Nursing Skills Laboratory in Orland Park........ 275,000
Samuel U. Rodgers Health Center, Kansas City, MO for
facilities and equipment............................ 350,000
San Joaquin County, French Camp, CA for an electronic
health record system................................ 375,000
Sandoval County, Bernalillo, NM for medical facilities
and equipment....................................... 250,000
Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, Orange, CA for an
intensive care telemedicine and information
technology project.................................. 250,000
Saratoga Hospital, Saratoga Springs, NY for facilities
and equipment....................................... 200,000
School-Community Health Alliance of Michigan, Okemos, MI
for an integrated school health network............. 100,000
Scotland Memorial Hospital, Laurinburg, NC for
facilities and equipment............................ 200,000
Scottsdale Healthcare, Scottsdale, AZ for an electronic
medical records system.............................. 500,000
Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Center and Home, Staten
Island, NY for equipment............................ 300,000
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle, WA for facilities
and equipment....................................... 500,000
Serenity House of Volusia Inc., Daytona Beach, FL for
facilities and equipment for a health-focused
treatment facility.................................. 200,000
Shenandoah University, Winchester, VA for facilities and
equipment for a biotechnology lab................... 500,000
Sierra County Health and Human Services, Loyalton, CA
for medical technology improvements................. 60,000
Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital Foundation, Grass
Valley, CA for an electronic health record system... 390,000
Singing River Hospital System, Gautier, MS for
facilities and equipment............................ 550,000
Sistersville General Hospital, Sistersville, WV for
computer system upgrades............................ 145,000
Skagit Valley Hospital, Mount Vernon, WA for facilities
and equipment....................................... 250,000
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hospital, Wellsboro, PA
for equipment....................................... 200,000
Somerset County Board of Commissioners, Somerset, PA for
a medical records system............................ 250,000
South of Market Health Center, San Francisco, CA for
facilities and equipment............................ 750,000
South Shore Hospital, Weymouth, MA for facilities and
equipment........................................... 550,000
Southampton Hospital, Southampton, NY for facilities and
equipment........................................... 400,000
Southdale Hospital, Edina, MN for equipment............. 250,000
Southeast Cancer Network, Dothan, AL for equipment for
the Mobile Mammography Unit......................... 300,000
Southeast Community College, Cumberland, KY for
facilities and equipment for an allied health
training center..................................... 500,000
Southeastern Community College, West Burlington, IA for
facilities and equipment for the health care
education program................................... 250,000
Southern Ohio Health Services Network, Milford, OH for
information technology equipment.................... 200,000
Spectrum Health United Memorial, Greenville, MI for an
electronic health record system..................... 150,000
Spokane County Medical Society Foundation, Spokane, WA
for Project Access.................................. 250,000
St. Anne's Hospital, Fall River, MA for facilities and
equipment........................................... 250,000
St. Anthony Memorial Health Centers, Michigan City, IN
for facilities and equipment........................ 300,000
St. Anthony's Health Center, Alton, IL for community
health center operations............................ 300,000
St. Bernard Parish, LA for facilities and equipment for
primary health care................................. 500,000
St. Bernardine Medical Center, San Bernardino, CA for
facilities and equipment............................ 350,000
St. Catharine College, St. Catharine, KY for equipment
for the St. Catharine Allied Health and Sciences
Education Project................................... 200,000
St. Catherine of Siena Hospital, Smithtown, NY for
facilities and equipment............................ 200,000
St. Charles Community Health Center, Inc., St. Charles
Parish, LA for equipment............................ 150,000
St. Clair Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA for facilities and
equipment........................................... 500,000
St. Claire Regional Medical Center, Morehead, KY for
facilities and equipment............................ 500,000
St. Clare Health Care Foundation, Baraboo, WI for
facilities and equipment for a mobile health clinic. 350,000
St. Francis Foundation, Wilmington, DE to support the
Tiny Steps Program, St. Clare Van, and Center of
Hope................................................ 150,000
St. Francis Health Center, Topeka, KS for equipment..... 250,000
St. Francis Healthcare System, Honolulu, HI for a
telemedicine demonstration project.................. 300,000
St. Francis Hospital, Escanaba, MI for facilities and
equipment........................................... 250,000
St. Francis Hospital, Mooresville, IN for facilities and
equipment........................................... 250,000
St. Francis Medical Center, Trenton, NJ for facilities
and equipment....................................... 350,000
St. James Hospital and Health Centers, Chicago Heights,
IL for facilities and equipment..................... 400,000
St. James Parish Hospital, Lutcher, LA for facilities
and equipment....................................... 300,000
St. John's North Shores Hospital, Harrison Township, MI
for facilities and equipment........................ 340,000
St. Joseph of the Pines, Southern Pines, NC for
facilities and equipment............................ 250,000
St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, South Bend, IN for a
health information technology system................ 1,000,000
St. Joseph's Hospital, Buckhannon, WV for facilities and
equipment........................................... 800,000
St. Josephs Hospital, Nashua, NH for an electronic
medical records system.............................. 150,000
St. Joseph's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ for facilities and
equipment for its mobile maternity outreach program. 150,000
St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center, Paterson, NJ for
facilities and equipment............................ 300,000
St. Landry Parish Rural Health Network, Opelousas, LA
for the Community Enrichment Outreach Programs...... 250,000
St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital, Cornwall, NY for
construction of a cancer center..................... 600,000
St. Luke's Regional Medical Center, Boise, ID for
facilities and equipment............................ 200,000
St. Mary Medical Center, Apple Valley, CA for the
electronic intensive care unit...................... 500,000
St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center, Pueblo, CO for
facilities and equipment............................ 350,000
St. Mary's Health Care, Grand Rapids, MI for an
automated record system............................. 100,000
St. Mary's Hospital Foundation, Grand Junction, CO for
facilities and equipment for the Saccomanno
Education Center.................................... 425,000
St. Mary's Hospital, Madison, WI for facilities and
equipment........................................... 350,000
St. Mary's Medical Center North, Knoxville, TN for
equipment........................................... 150,000
St. Mary's Medical Center, Galesburg, IL for facilities
and equipment....................................... 200,000
St. Mary's Medical Center, Huntington, WV for facilities
and equipment....................................... 600,000
St. Peter's Hospital Foundation, Albany, NY for
facilities and equipment............................ 300,000
St. Petersburg College, St. Petersburg, FL for
facilities and equipment for the Orthotics and
Prosthetics program................................. 1,000,000
St. Vincent Charity Hospital, Cleveland OH for
facilities and equipment............................ 750,000
St. Vincent Healthcare, Billings, MT for the Center for
Healthy Aging Geriatric Fellowship Program.......... 350,000
St. Vincent's Medical Center, Bridgeport, CT for
facilities and equipment............................ 400,000
Stamford Hospital, Stamford, CT for facilities and
equipment........................................... 300,000
Stark State College of Technology, North Canton, OH for
facilities and equipment............................ 800,000
State Fair Community College, Sedalia, MO for facilities
and equipment for nursing and allied health
professions education............................... 650,000
Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, NY for
facilities and equipment............................ 700,000
Staywell Health Center, Inc., Waterbury, CT for
facilities and equipment............................ 300,000
StemCyte Research Institute, Arcadia, CA for an
umbilical cord blood bank........................... 500,000
Stepping Stone School for Exceptional Children, Alma, AR
for equipment....................................... 100,000
Stewart-Marchman Center, Inc., Daytona Beach, FL for
facilities and equipment for the Florida Regional
Residential Addictions Treatment Center............. 150,000
Stonewall Primary Care Clinic, Stonewall, OK for
facilities and equipment............................ 360,000
Suburban Hospital Health Care System, Bethesda, MD for
health information technology....................... 150,000
Summa Health System, Akron, OH for facilities and
equipment........................................... 400,000
Susquehanna Health System, Williamsport, PA for an
electronic health records system.................... 400,000
Swedish Covenant Hospital, Chicago, IL for facilities
and equipment....................................... 250,000
SwedishAmerican Health System, Rockford, IL for
facilities and equipment for the SwedishAmerican
Health System and the Crusader Clinic............... 350,000
Sweetser, Saco, ME for an electronic client record
system.............................................. 150,000
Sylvan Grove Hospital, Jackson, GA for facilities and
equipment........................................... 47,000
Sylvan Springs, AL for facilities and equipment for the
Senior Citizens Center for Health and Wellness...... 30,000
Tallahassee Memorial Hospital, Tallahassee, FL for
facilities and equipment............................ 350,000
Tampa General Hospital, Tampa, FL for facilities and
equipment........................................... 350,000
Tarleton State University, Stephenville, TX for the
Center for Rural Nursing............................ 500,000
Tarrant County Infant Mortality Task Force, Fort Worth,
TX for updated county reporting and education and
outreach activities................................. 50,000
Taylor Regional Hospital, Hawkinsville, GA for
facilities and equipment............................ 54,000
Tecumseh YMCA, New Carlisle, OH for facilities and
equipment for physical and occupational therapy,
wellness programs, and health education............. 500,000
Temple Health and Bioscience Economic Development
District, Temple, TX for facilities and equipment... 650,000
Terra State Community College, Fremont, OH for equipment 100,000
Teton Valley Hospital, Driggs, ID for facilities and
equipment........................................... 200,000
Texas Institute of Genomic Medicine, College Station, TX
for equipment....................................... 350,000
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso,
TX for facilities and equipment for the Center for
New and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases............. 300,000
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock,
TX for facilities and equipment for the West Texas
Rural Health Institute.............................. 1,500,000
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
for facilities and equipment for its Breast Care
Center.............................................. 350,000
Thompson Health Services, Canandaigua, NY for medical
technology upgrades................................. 200,000
Thumb Rural Health Network, Port Austin, MI for
facilities and equipment............................ 200,000
Thundermist Health Centers, Woonsocket, RI for health
information technology.............................. 500,000
TMC HealthCare, Tucson, AZ for facilities and equipment. 500,000
Town of Argo, AL for facilities and equipment for the
Senior Citizen Center for Health and Wellness....... 100,000
Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix, AZ
for facilities and equipment........................ 750,000
Transylvania Community Hospital, Brevard, NC for
facilities and equipment............................ 250,000
Troy University, Troy, AL for facilities and equipment
for the Health and Science Complex.................. 150,000
Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation, Tuba City,
AZ for facilities and equipment..................... 350,000
Tulare Local Healthcare District, Tulare, CA for a
computerized radiography/picture archive
communication system................................ 250,000
Twin City Hospital, Dennison, OH for facilities and
equipment........................................... 200,000
Tyler Memorial Hospital, Tunkhannock, PA for upgrades to
the emergency department............................ 200,000
UMass Memorial Health Care, Worcester, MA for a high-
speed network and Picture Archiving and
Communication System................................ 350,000
Union Hospital, Terre Haute, IN for the
RuralHousecalls.com program......................... 250,000
Uniontown Hospital, Uniontown, PA for facilities and
equipment........................................... 500,000
United Cerebral Palsy of Southwestern Pennsylvania,
Washington, PA for facilities and equipment for Your
Child's Place....................................... 250,000
Unity Health Center, Shawnee, OK for an electronic
medical records program............................. 750,000
Unity Health System, Rochester, NY for facilities and
equipment for the Park Ridge Hospital Emergency
Center.............................................. 400,000
University Hospitals Health System, Cleveland, OH for
facilities.......................................... 300,000
University Medical Center, Tucson, AZ for facilities and
equipment........................................... 1,000,000
University of Akron, Akron, OH for the Medina University
Campus for facilities............................... 700,000
University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL for facilities and
equipment for the Autism Center..................... 350,000
University of Arizona College of Nursing, Tucson, AZ for
facilities and equipment for the Patient Care
Learning Center..................................... 500,000
University of Arkansas Community College at Hope, AR for
facilities and equipment for health professions
education........................................... 200,000
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little
Rock, AR for facilities and equipment............... 200,000
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little
Rock, AR for the Antenatal and Neonatal Guidelines,
Education and Learning System (ANGELS).............. 200,000
University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, CT for facilities
and equipment for the dental hygiene clinic......... 200,000
University of California, Davis Health System,
Sacramento, CA for facilities and equipment for the
medical library and education center................ 690,000
University of Chicago Hospitals, Chicago, IL for
facilities and equipment for Comer Children's
Hospital............................................ 250,000
University of Colorado, Aurora, CO for facilities and
equipment for the Center for Women's Health Research 200,000
University of Detroit Mercy, Detroit, MI for facilities
and equipment for dental education and treatment.... 250,000
University of Findlay, Findlay, OH for facilities and
equipment for the Actual Learning Environment
Response Training (ALERT) Center.................... 300,000
University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville,
FL for facilities and equipment for a joint project
with Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC..... 400,000
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL for facilities
and equipment for a proton beam cancer treatment
facility............................................ 300,000
University of Georgia, Athens, GA for facilities and
equipment for the Georgia Center for the Prevention
of Obesity and Related Disorders.................... 350,000
University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA for equipment for the
genetic eye disease lab............................. 250,000
University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA for facilities and
equipment for the Midwest Center Public Health
Laboratory.......................................... 250,000
University of Kentucky Research Foundation, Lexington,
KY for facilities and equipment..................... 1,000,000
University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, LA for an
Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope.......... 300,000
University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, LA for
facilities and equipment for the Health Science
building............................................ 1,000,000
University of Miami Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami,
FL for equipment for the Hope for Vision Inherited
Eye Disease project................................. 250,000
University of Miami, Miami, FL for facilities and
equipment for the Center for Research in Medical
Education........................................... 750,000
University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI for
infectious disease laboratory facilities and
equipment........................................... 375,000
University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
for equipment for the Obesity Research Center....... 500,000
University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE for
facilities and equipment............................ 250,000
University of North Texas, Denton, TX for facilities and
equipment for the Center for Computational
Epidemiology........................................ 400,000
University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO for
facilities and equipment for the National Center for
Nursing Education................................... 500,000
University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO for the
Basic Science Project at the Rocky Mountain Cancer
Rehabilitation Institute............................ 150,000
University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO for the
Maple Tree Project at the Rocky Mountain Cancer
Rehabilitation Institute............................ 250,000
University of Oklahoma-Tulsa, Tulsa, OK for facilities
and equipment for the Simulation Center............. 200,000
University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL for a real time
medical electronic data exchange.................... 250,000
University of South Florida, Tampa, FL for the Florida
Network for Cancer Clinical Trials.................. 300,000
University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME for
facilities and equipment for nursing education...... 150,000
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, TN for a low
birth weight study.................................. 500,000
University of Texas Health Center at Tyler, Tyler, TX
for equipment for the Pulmonary Fibrosis Treatment
Initiative.......................................... 150,000
University of Texas Health Center at Tyler, Tyler, TX
for facilities and equipment for the Lung Institute. 300,000
University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX for
facilities and equipment for its maternal and child
health program in Pasadena.......................... 100,000
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas,
TX and University of Texas at Dallas for facilities
and equipment for their joint program on sickle cell
disease............................................. 175,000
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas,
TX for equipment for the Nanotechnology Cancer
Center.............................................. 100,000
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas,
TX for facilities and equipment for the Center for
Obesity, Diabetes and Metabolism Research........... 650,000
University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville,
VA for a telehealth project related to cancer
prevention, education and treatment in Southwest
Virginia............................................ 200,000
University of Washington at Bothell, for an initiative
to train nursing faculty in partnership with a
consortium of colleges.............................. 185,000
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI for
facilities and equipment for the Living Health
Community Clinic.................................... 100,000
Urologic Research Institute, Wheeling, WV for facilities
and equipment....................................... 200,000
Utah Navajo Health System, Montezuma Creek, UT for
facilities and equipment............................ 500,000
Uwchlan Ambulance Corps, Chester County, PA for
equipment........................................... 500,000
Valley Cooperative Health Care Organization, Hudson, WI
for an electronic health record initiative.......... 450,000
Valley Hospice, Steubenville, OH for facilities and
equipment for a hospice in Wheeling, WV............. 250,000
Valley Hospital, Ridgewood, NJ for facilities and
equipment........................................... 250,000
Valley-Wide Health Systems, Alamosa, CO for facilities
and equipment for a primary care and dental facility
in Durango.......................................... 150,000
Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, MI for equipment for
the West Michigan Community Bio-Med/Molecular
Cooperative......................................... 200,000
Vanguard University, Costa Mesa, CA for facilities and
equipment for the Academic Center for Science,
Nursing and Technology.............................. 450,000
Vermont Dental Care Programs, Winooski, VT for
facilities and equipment............................ 150,000
Via Health of Wayne, Newark, NY for facilities and
equipment for the Newark-Wayne Community Hospital... 800,000
Village of Columbus, NM for emergency medical ambulance
services............................................ 200,000
Vincennes University, Vincennes, IN for equipment for
the health information management and nursing labs.. 500,000
Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center,
Richmond, VA for facilities and equipment........... 1,000,000
Virginia Dental Health Foundation, Richmond, VA for
medical equipment................................... 125,000
Virtua Health, Marlton, NJ for facilities and equipment. 300,000
Visiting Nurse Association Healthcare Partners of Ohio,
Cleveland, OH for equipment for the VNA CareWatch
program in Northwest Ohio........................... 300,000
Visiting Nurse Association of Manchester and Southern
New Hampshire, Manchester, NH for equipment......... 150,000
VNA-Hospice of Southern Carroll County and Vicinity,
Wolfeboro, NH for the establishment of a Southern
Carroll County VNA Point of Service program......... 150,000
Wake County, Raleigh NC for facilities and equipment for
a mental health facility............................ 240,000
WakeMed Health and Hospitals, Raleigh, NC for health
information technology.............................. 140,000
Walsh University, North Canton, OH for facilities....... 700,000
Warren County Primary Care Center, Bowling Green, KY for
facilities and equipment............................ 150,000
Washington County, Plymouth, NC for facilities and
equipment for the Washington County Hospital........ 300,000
Washington Hospital, Washington, PA for facilities and
equipment........................................... 500,000
Washington State University, Pullman, WA for facilities
and equipment for the Nursing School building....... 150,000
Waterbury Hospital Health Center, Waterbury, CT for a
clinical information system......................... 150,000
Wayne Medical Center, Waynesboro, TN for the Picture
Archiving System.................................... 275,000
Wayne Memorial Hospital, Honesdale, PA for facilities
and equipment....................................... 250,000
Wayne Memorial Hospital, Jesup, GA for facilities and
equipment........................................... 500,000
Weeks Medical Center, Lancaster, NH for facilities and
equipment at the Weeks Medical Regional Dental Care
Center, Whitefield, NH.............................. 300,000
Wentworth Douglas Hospital, Dover, NH for an electronic
medical record program.............................. 250,000
West Jefferson Medical Center, Marrero, LA for
facilities and equipment............................ 350,000
West Shore Medical Center, Manistee, MI for facilities
and equipment....................................... 175,000
West Side Community Health Services, St. Paul, MN for
health information technology....................... 75,000
WestCare California, Fresno, CA for facilities and
equipment........................................... 250,000
WestCare Health System, Sylva, NC for facilities and
equipment........................................... 350,000
Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI for
facilities and equipment for smart nanosensor
research............................................ 300,000
Western Wayne Family Health Center, Dearborn, MI for
facilities and equipment............................ 250,000
Wetzel County Hospital, New Martinsville, WV for
facilities and equipment............................ 175,000
Whidden Memorial Hospital, Everett, MA for facilities
and equipment....................................... 350,000
White County Memorial Hospital, Monticello, IN for
facilities and equipment............................ 300,000
White Memorial Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA for
facilities and equipment............................ 1,000,000
White Plains Hospital Center, White Plains, NY for
facilities and equipment............................ 450,000
White River Health System, Batesville, AR for facilities
and equipment for a clinic in Cherokee Village...... 250,000
Wichita State University, Wichita, KS for facilities and
equipment for the Center for BioMEMS and Biodevices. 200,000
William B. Kessler Memorial Hospital, Hammonton, NJ for
an integrated hospital information system........... 200,000
William Backus Hospital, Norwich, CT for facilities and
equipment........................................... 250,000
Wind River Community Health Center, Riverton, WY for
facilities and equipment............................ 200,000
Windham Hospital, Windham, CT for facilities and
equipment........................................... 155,000
Wing Memorial Hospital, Palmer, MA for facilities and
equipment........................................... 450,000
Winneshiek Medical Center, Decorah, IA for equipment.... 400,000
Wolfson Children's Hospital, Jacksonville, FL for
facilities and equipment............................ 350,000
Women's Health Services, Santa Fe, NM for facilities and
equipment........................................... 200,000
Women's Choice Pregnancy Clinic, Whiteriver, AZ and Hope
Maternity House, Show Low, AZ for facilities and
equipment for the Hope House Maternity Home......... 50,000
Woodhull Hospital, Brooklyn, NY for a training program
in radiologic technology............................ 375,000
World Impact Good Samartian Clinic, Wichita, KS for
facilities and equipment............................ 150,000
Wyoming Community Hospital Foundation, Warsaw, NY for
facilities and equipment for the Wyoming County
Community Hospital and Nursing Facility............. 300,000
Wyoming Health Resources Network, Inc., Cheyenne, WY for
recruitment and retention of health care providers
in Wyoming.......................................... 200,000
Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT for
facilities and equipment for an ovarian cancer
prevention and early detection program.............. 400,000
YMCA of Central Stark County, Canton, OH for facilities. 750,000
YMCA of York and York County, York, PA for facilities
and equipment....................................... 100,000
Youth Crisis Center, Jacksonville, FL for facilities and
equipment........................................... 350,000
Youth For Tomorrow, Bristow, VA for facilities.......... 100,000
Bioterrorism hospital grants to States
The Committee provides $486,606,000 for bioterrorism
hospital grants to States, which is $8,394,000 less than the
fiscal year 2006 funding level and the same as the budget
request. Within this total, $474,210,000 is provided for
hospital preparedness grants and $12,396,000 is provided for
the training and curriculum development program. Within the
funding provided, the Committee does not include funding for a
targeted mass casualty earmark requested by the Administration.
Telehealth
The Committee provides $10,000,000 for telehealth, which is
$3,181,000 above the fiscal year 2006 funding level and the
budget request. The telehealth program works with and supports
communities in their efforts to develop cost-effective uses of
telehealth technologies. These technologies bring health
services to isolated populations and health-related education
to the practitioners who serve them. The Committee encourages
HRSA, when awarding grants for telehealth resource centers, to
ensure that all types of eligible communities, including urban
medically underserved communities, are considered and to
provide technical assistance to those grantees that are in
eligible communities, but are not successful in the grant
competition.
Program management
The Committee provides $141,071,000 for the cost of Federal
staff and related activities to coordinate, direct, and manage
the programs of the Health Resources and Services
Administration, which is $3,461,000 below the fiscal year 2006
funding level and the same as the budget request. The Committee
expects HRSA to use no more than one percent of the funds
allocated for projects for agency administrative expenses.
HEALTH EDUCATION ASSISTANCE LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
The Health Education Assistance Loans (HEAL) program
insures loans provided by non-Federal lenders to students in
health professions schools. Under the accounting rules
established in the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990, one account
is maintained to pay the obligations arising from loans
guaranteed prior to fiscal year 1992. A second account pays
obligations and collects income from premiums on loans
guaranteed in fiscal year 1992 and beyond. Each annual cohort
of loans is independently tracked in this account. The
authority for this program expired in fiscal year 1999. Fiscal
year 1998 was the last year in which loans were obligated to
previous borrowers under the HEAL authority.
The Committee provides $1,000,000 to liquidate obligations
from loans guaranteed prior to 1992, which is $3,000,000 less
than the fiscal year 2006 funding level and the same as budget
request.
The Committee provides $2,887,000 for HEAL program
management, which is the same as the fiscal year 2006 funding
level and the budget request.
VACCINE INJURY COMPENSATION TRUST FUND
The Committee makes available the release of $66,366,000
from the Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund in fiscal year
2007, which is $1,830,000 above the fiscal year 2006 funding
level and the same as the budget request.
The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program provides a
system of compensation for individuals with vaccine-associated
injuries or deaths. Funds for claims from vaccines administered
on or after October 1, 1988 are generated by a per-dose excise
tax on the sale of selected prescribed vaccines. Revenues
raised by this tax are maintained in a Vaccine Injury
Compensation Trust Fund.
Trust funds made available in the bill will support the
liability costs of vaccines administered after September 30,
1988. They will also support the $3,564,000 in costs incurred
by the agency in the operation of the program, which is the
same as the fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget
request.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
DISEASE CONTROL, RESEARCH, AND TRAINING
The Committee provides a program level total of
$6,173,368,000 for the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), which is $82,182,000 above the fiscal year
2006 funding level and $74,316,000 above the budget request. Of
the funds provided, $99,865,000 shall be derived from
evaluation set-aside funds available under Section 241 of the
Public Health Service Act, which is $165,235,000 below both the
fiscal year 2006 and requested set-aside.
The CDC assists state and local health authorities and
other non-governmental health-related organizations to
understand, control, and reduce disease and other health
problems. The activities of CDC focus on several major
priorities, including providing core public health functions,
responding to urgent public health threats, monitoring the
Nation's health using scientific methods, building the Nation's
public health infrastructure, promoting health throughout each
life-stage, and providing leadership in the implementation of
nationwide prevention strategies to encourage responsible
behavior and adoption of lifestyles that are conducive to good
health.
The Committee considers the table accompanying this report
and the numbers identified in the paragraphs that follow to be
determinative of the CDC budget. Funds should be apportioned
and allocated accordingly, and any changes in funding are
subject to the normal reprogramming and notification
procedures.
Infectious diseases
The Committee provides a program level of $1,841,637,000
for infectious diseases, which is $148,420,000 above the fiscal
year 2006 funding level and $55,953,000 above the budget
request. Of the funds provided, $12,794,000 shall be derived
from evaluation set-aside funds available under Section 241 of
the Public Health Service Act, as proposed in the budget
request.
Infectious diseases control
The Committee provides $225,938,000 for infectious diseases
control, which is $830,000 less than the fiscal year 2006
funding level and $19,408,000 less than the budget request.
This program supports national surveillance of infectious
diseases, the development of new or improved prevention and
control methods and techniques, the acceleration of the general
application of accepted prevention technologies, and
strengthening of the capability to respond to outbreaks of new
and re-emerging infectious diseases.
Hepatitis.--The Committee has included $17,670,000 to
support activities of the Viral Hepatitis Division and to
implement the National Hepatitis C Prevention Strategy. This
funding level is the same as provided in fiscal year 2006 and
is $177,000 more than the budget request.
The Committee is concerned that more than 75 percent of the
4,000,000 people with hepatitis C are unaware of their
condition and urges CDC to support a campaign of public
announcements that will highlight the need for appropriate
screening and medical follow up for target populations. The
Committee also encourages the Division of Viral Hepatitis to
collaborate with the Health Resources and Services
Administration (HRSA) to implement improved HCV screening
programs for HIV-infected individuals served by HRSA programs.
The Committee encourages the Division of Viral Hepatitis to
develop and implement a plan for prevention and medical
management of hepatitis B, including strategies for expanded
vaccination, preventive education, surveillance and early
detection.
Pandemic influenza.--The Committee does not provide
$34,700,000 in funding requested by the Administration for
pandemic influenza activities in the infectious disease control
program in this appropriation. The Committee has provided
$200,000,000 through fiscal year 2006 supplemental
appropriations for CDC activities related to preparing for the
potential for an influenza pandemic. A second emergency
supplemental appropriation for pandemic influenza is pending.
West Nile virus.--The Committee intends that of the funds
provided for infectious disease control, no less than the funds
provided in fiscal year 2006 for the West Nile virus program
should be provided in fiscal year 2007.
Emerging infectious diseases.--The Committee provides
$101,623,000 to support CDC's emerging infectious diseases
activities, which is the same as the fiscal year 2006 funding
level and $4,853,000 above the budget request.
Community-associated Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (CA-MRSA).--The Committee is concerned about the
explosion in virulence and prevalence of MRSA strains in the
United States. Compounding this problem is a fundamental shift
from primarily hospital-based transmission to community-based
transmission of MRSA. The spread of CA-MRSA through perfectly
healthy community members with no hospital contact concerns the
Committee. Within the funds provided, the Committee encourages
CDC to conduct a strong, extramural research program in MRSA
epidemiology and pathophysiology. The Committee encourages CDC
to maximize this MRSA research through continued support for
entities with established MRSA research programs.
HIV/AIDS, STD and TB prevention
The Committee provides $1,001,122,000 for HIV/AIDS, STD and
TB prevention, which is $54,545,000 above the fiscal year 2006
funding level and $31,847,000 below the request.
Within the total, $706,316,000 is for HIV/AIDS programs,
which is $55,198,000 above the fiscal year 2006 funding level
and $33,263,000 below the budget request. The HIV/AIDS programs
support HIV research, surveillance, epidemiologic and
laboratory studies, and prevention activities. CDC provides
funds to state and local health departments to develop and
implement integrated community prevention plans. The Committee
supports the domestic HIV/AIDS initiative proposed in the
budget request and provides $60,000,000 for the testing
component of the initiative within CDC.
Within the total, $157,383,000 is for the STD program,
which is $653,000 less than the fiscal year 2006 funding level
and $454,000 more than the budget request. The STD program
awards grants to state and local health departments and other
nonprofit entities to support a wide variety of public health
activities to prevent and treat STDs. CDC directly conducts
special investigations, surveillance and epidemiologic
research.
Within the total, $137,423,000 is for the tuberculosis (TB)
program. The TB program provides grants to states and large
cities for a broad range of tuberculosis control activities. In
addition, the CDC supports state and local laboratories and
conducts research, epidemiological investigations, and
education and training seminars.
Infertility Prevention.--The Committee is aware that
chlamydia is the most frequently reported disease in the United
States and is the number one cause of infertility in the
country. From 1987 through 2004 the reported rate of chlamydial
infection in women increased from 78.5 cases to 485.0 cases per
100,000. There are an estimated 3,000,000 new infections each
year. The nation spends an estimated $2,400,000,000 in direct
and indirect costs for chlamydial infections each year. The
Committee is aware that where it has been established, CDC's
infertility prevention program has reduced chlamydia rates by
66 percent and decreased treatment costs by over 80 percent.
The Committee encourages CDC to expand the infertility
screening program.
Minority HIV/AIDS initiative.--Within the total provided,
not less than the fiscal year 2006 amount is provided for
fiscal year 2007 for activities that are targeted to address
the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic and its disparate impact on
communities of color, including African Americans, Latinos,
Native Americans, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and
Pacific Islanders.
Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM).--Mycobacteria are
environmental organisms found in both water and soil that can
cause substantial respiratory damage. The Committee is aware of
the increasing incidence of NTM pulmonary infections in women,
particularly involving rapidly growing mycobacteria, an
inherently resistant subspecies. The Committee encourages CDC
to work towards a better understanding of NTM and enhancing
diagnostics and treatment and promoting education of health
care providers. Further, the Committee encourages CDC to
dedicate efforts to organize, coordinate and implement an NTM
program to evaluate prevalence, risk factors, and
comorbidities.
Sexually transmitted infections.--The Committee is pleased
that CDC has funded research aimed at assessing the extent to
which medical students and physicians are familiar with and
practice screening and counseling tailored to individual
patients. Despite widespread condom social marketing for the
past twenty years, 40,000 new HIV infections are reported every
year and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are at
unprecedented levels. Significant deficits exist in the current
sexual health medical education, and many members of the public
at risk for STIs are unaware of their need to be screened. To
address these problems the Committee urges CDC to: (1) promote
evidence-based medical school curriculum guidelines for sexual
health that will promote risk avoidance and non-condom-related
risk reduction; and (2) harness the ever-growing power of the
Internet to develop innovative and attractive strategies in a
manner that promotes risk avoidance and non-condom-related risk
reduction that will efficiently educate the public about their
STI risks.
Syphilis elimination.--The Committee is aware that progress
in controlling syphilis has been substantial as a result of
focused efforts in targeted populations. The Committee
recognizes the urgency of controlling syphilis because of the
impact of this STD on the spread of HIV infection and on infant
health. The Committee is concerned that syphilis demonstrates
the continuance of racial disparities in health and recommends
CDC provide resources to expand the syphilis control program.
Tuberculosis.--The Committee urges the CDC to accelerate TB
control and elimination through the Intensified Support and
Activities to Accelerate Control (ISAAC), an initiative
targeting TB along the U.S./Mexico Border, genotyping all
culture positive cases, and expanding clinical trials for the
diagnosis and treatment of TB.
Immunization
The Committee provides a program level of $614,577,000 for
immunization, which is $94,705,000 over the fiscal year 2006
funding level and $107,208,000 above the current law budget
request. Of the amount provided, $12,794,000 is to be derived
from section 241 evaluation set-aside funds, as provided in
fiscal year 2006 and as proposed in the request. In addition,
the current Vaccines for Children (VFC) program is expected to
provide $2,006,445,000 in vaccine purchases and distribution
support in fiscal year 2007, for a total of $2,621,022,000 for
immunization activities in fiscal year 2007.
Immunization project grants are awarded to states and local
agencies for planning, developing, and conducting childhood
immunization programs including enhancement of the vaccine
delivery infrastructure. CDC directly maintains a stockpile of
vaccines, supports consolidated purchase of vaccines for state
and local health agencies, and conducts surveillance,
investigations, and research into the safety and efficacy of
new and presently used vaccines. The Committee notes that there
are other Federal programs that provide immunizations to
children, including the State Children's Health Insurance
Program (SCHIP), the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant, and
community health centers.
Within the total, the Committee includes $327,000,000 for
vaccine purchase grants, which is $63,977,000 above the fiscal
year 2006 funding level and $94,544,000 above the budget
request. Also within the total, $200,000,000 is for state
operations/infrastructure grants, which is $6,160,000 above the
fiscal year 2006 funding level and $7,520,000 above the budget
request. The Committee is aware that prior to 2000 and the
introduction of new vaccines, such as the pneumococcal vaccine,
the 317 immunization program was adequately providing vaccines
to children traditionally dependent on the public sector for
support, but who were not eligible for the Vaccines for
Children (VFC) program. It is the Committee's expectation that
the additional funding included above the fiscal year 2006
appropriation will allow eligible children to receive the full
recommended vaccine schedule and that there will be a
significant increase in the total number of children served by
the program.
The Committee directs CDC to provide a report by February
1, 2007, that provides information on how much funding would be
needed in fiscal year 2008 to cover the same relative
proportion of eligible children, adolescents and adults under
the section 317 program as was provided in previous years. The
report should include information on the cost of adding each
new vaccine recommended for routine vaccination of children and
adolescents by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
since 1999, and annual data on state coverage rates for new
vaccines. The report should address the barriers and time lag
related to implementation of new vaccines, including data on
two-tiered states that are unable to offer all recommended
vaccines to all children. The report should also include five-
year historical data on section 317 operations infrastructure
funding for childhood, adolescent and adult immunization
programs, and include information on the ongoing and emerging
needs to support provider and public education on new vaccines,
investigate disease outbreaks, identify and address barriers to
immunization, and other activities relative to the current
funding level. Finally, the report should include ten-year
historical data on the percentage of childhood, adolescent and
adult immunization covered by funding source.
The Committee understands that five states have enacted
legislation banning the administration of annual flu vaccine to
children and pregnant women if it contains more than trace
amounts of mercury. Similar legislation is pending in 16
states. The effective date for most of the existing bans,
affecting more than 4,000,000 children and nearly 1,000,000
pregnant women, is July 2006. The Committee directs CDC to
issue a report that: (1) includes information on the ability of
these fives states to meet these mandates for the 2006-2007 flu
season; (2) outlines specific actions CDC has taken to
encourage manufacturers to increase the supply of mercury-free
(trace amounts) flu vaccine to help states meet the
requirements for the 2007-2008 flu season; and (3) provides a
timeline by which CDC will fulfill the goal established in July
1999 to remove mercury from all routine childhood
immunizations, including influenza vaccine.
Within the total, $19,800,000 is to fund states to increase
demand for annual influenza vaccine as proposed in the budget
request. The Committee provides this funding to increase
vaccine demand in order to stimulate vaccine manufacturers to
produce additional vaccine, thereby increasing vaccine
production capacity.
Also within the total, the Committee includes $22,500,000
for vaccine safety activities, which is $4,997,000 above the
fiscal year 2006 funding level and $5,110,000 above the budget
request. The Committee recognizes the importance of directing
additional funding toward vaccine safety research, specifically
funding to develop better screening methods for children at
risk for serious adverse reactions. The Committee
recommendation includes $5,000,000 above the request for the
CDC to expand funding for vaccine safety research, particularly
with respect to investigator initiated, peer reviewed,
extramural research. Furthermore, the Committee urges that this
funding be used for non-epidemiology research, to better
understand risk factors for serious adverse reactions, to
develop screening tools to eliminate from vaccination those
children at greater risk for such reactions, and to develop
effective treatments and interventions for children suffering
severe adverse reactions.
Immunization safety.--The Committee is concerned that CDC
has failed to implement the recommendations of the Institute of
Medicine (IOM) report: Vaccine Safety Research, Data Access and
Public Trust. In fiscal year 2006, this Committee expressed
particular interest in seeing CDC move forward with the IOM
recommendations that the CDC: (1) establish an independent
oversight board to review CDC's vaccine safety research agenda,
study protocols, and changes in study protocols, and (2)
initiate conversations with managed care organizations involved
in the vaccine safety datalink (VSD) to ensure that independent
researchers have access to all VSD data, particularly post-2000
data through the National Center for Health Statistics. The
Committee expects the CDC to implement these provisions
immediately.
Meningococcal disease.--Meningococcal disease is one of the
few diseases that can be fatal or severely debilitating to an
otherwise healthy individual within a matter of hours of
initial onset. While its early symptoms are easily mistaken for
influenza, the consequences of delayed diagnosis and treatment
include loss of hearing, limb loss, brain damage and death, yet
meningococcal disease is vaccine preventable in most cases. The
Committee is aware of the recent improvements in the meningitis
vaccine and of CDC's efforts to increase the availability and
focus of information on meningococcal disease and ways to
prevent it so that the general public will be better educated
on the symptoms and prevention methods. The Committee
encourages CDC to improve meningococcal education and
adolescent immunization programs, including giving
consideration to partnering with relevant professional and
voluntary health associations to ensure that all families,
especially those with adolescents and young adults, are
effectively educated on this disease, vaccine availability, and
all methods of prevention.
Health promotion
The Committee provides $964,466,000 for health promotion,
which is $1,040,000 above the fiscal year 2006 funding level
and $35,258,000 above the budget request.
Chronic disease prevention, health promotion, and genomics
The Committee provides $846,744,000 for chronic disease
prevention, health promotion, and genomics, which is $8,080,000
more than the fiscal year 2006 funding level and $28,017,000
more than the budget request. Chronic diseases have had a
profound human and economic toll on our nation. More than
1,700,000 Americans die of a chronic disease each year. The
programs funded by CDC provide support for state and community
programs, surveillance, prevention research, evaluation, and
health promotion.
Within the total provided, the Committee includes the
following amounts for chronic disease prevention, health
promotion, and genomics activities:
$53,000,000 for heart disease and stroke programs,
which is $8,531,000 above the fiscal year 2006 funding
level and $9,112,000 above the budget request;
$69,000,000 for diabetes programs, which is
$5,881,000 above the fiscal year 2006 funding level and
$6,580,000 above the budget request;
$307,536,000 for cancer prevention and control
programs, which is $377,000 below the fiscal year 2006
funding level and $2,846,000 more than the budget
request;
$22,441,000 for arthritis and other chronic diseases
programs, which is $26,000 less than the fiscal year
2006 funding level and $8,684,000 more than the budget
request (included within this total is $7,684,000 for
epilepsy programs and $1,000,000 for the national lupus
patient registry);
$102,253,000 for tobacco programs, which is
$2,546,000 below the fiscal year 2006 funding level and
$432,000 below the budget request;
$41,477,000 for nutrition, physical activity and
obesity programs, which is $43,000 less than the fiscal
year 2006 funding level and the same as the budget
request;
$25,727,000 for health promotion, which is $1,716,000
less than the fiscal year 2006 funding level and
$1,567,000 more than the budget request (included
within this total is $1,633,000 for Alzheimer's disease
programs and $1,782,000 for chronic kidney disease
programs);
$55,820,000 for school health programs, which is
$372,000 less than the fiscal year 2006 funding level
and the same as the budget request;
$44,009,000 for the safe motherhood/infant health
programs, which is $283,000 less than the fiscal year
2006 funding level and the same as the budget request;
$11,022,000 for oral health programs, which is
$660,000 less than the fiscal year 2006 funding level
and the same as the budget request;
$29,700,000 for prevention centers, which is the same
as the fiscal year 2006 funding level and $494,000 more
than the budget request;
$43,857,000 for Steps to a Healthier U.S., which is
the same as the fiscal year 2006 funding level and
$1,398,000 less than the budget request;
$34,259,000 for REACH, which is the same as the
fiscal year 2006 funding level and $317,000 more than
the budget request, and;
$6,643,000 for genomics, which is $309,000 less than
the fiscal year 2006 funding level and $247,000 more
than the budget request.
Alzheimer's disease and healthy aging.--Studies have found
lifestyle measures taken to improve physical health may also
help protect brain health and lower risks of Alzheimer's
disease and related disorders. Epidemiological research reveals
that individuals taking anti-inflammatory drugs to treat
conditions such as arthritis have a lower-than-expected
occurrence of Alzheimer's; other studies appear to link known
risk factors for diabetes and heart disease to risk factors for
Alzheimer's and dementia. In light of this evidence, two years
ago the Committee launched a CDC brain health initiative to
promote greater public awareness and communication, specific
public health interventions and more prevention research. In
light of the continuing threat Alzheimer's presents to a
growing number of Americans, the Committee recommends that CDC
continue this important initiative.
Blindness.--The Committee commends CDC for its partnership
with the nation's leading voluntary health association
dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight, to improve
education and early detection of potentially blinding eye
diseases and encourages CDC to continue this partnership.
Despite the fact that half of all blindness can be prevented
through education, early detection and treatment, it is
estimated that the number of blind and visually impaired people
will double by 2030 if nothing is done to curb vision problems.
Breast and cervical cancer early detection.--The Committee
recognizes that the national breast and cervical cancer early
detection program (NBCCEDP) administered by CDC is an
indispensable health program in helping underserved women gain
access to screening programs for early detection of breast and
cervical cancers. The NBCCEDP has served over 2,500,000 women;
provided 5,800,000 screening examinations, including more than
2,800,000 mammograms; and diagnosed more than 22,000 breast
cancers, 76,000 precancerous cervical lesions and 1,500
cervical cancers. Early detection and treatment of breast and
cervical cancers greatly increase a woman's odds of conquering
these diseases.
Cancer survivorship.--The Committee strongly supports the
ongoing partnership between CDC and the cancer survivorship
resource center to address the needs of the approximately
10,000,000 cancer survivors living with, through, and beyond
cancer. The national cancer survivorship resource center serves
as a national resource for cancer patients, survivors, and
their family and friends. The Committee is especially
supportive of efforts to provide comprehensive services to
cancer patients and survivors through multiple partnerships,
which in turn provide individuals the one stop resource they
need and deserve.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).--COPD is the
fourth leading cause of death in the United States and the only
one of the top ten causes of death that is on the increase. The
Committee urges CDC to expand its data collection efforts on
COPD. Specifically, the Committee encourages CDC to include
questions in the National Health and Nutrition Examination
Survey, the National Health Interview Study and the Behavioral
Risk Factor Surveillance Survey that asks about COPD by name.
Colorectal cancer.--Colorectal cancer is the third most
commonly diagnosed cancer among both men and women in the
United States and the second leading cause of cancer-related
deaths. When colorectal cancer is detected and treated early,
survival is greatly enhanced. The Committee is pleased with the
leadership of CDC's national colorectal cancer roundtable in
promoting the availability and advisability of screening to
both health care providers and the general public. The
Committee encourages CDC to continue to expand its partnerships
with state health departments, professional and patient
organizations, and private industry to combat this devastating
disease.
Diabetes.--Diabetes is now the sixth leading cause of death
in the United States, and costs the nation over
$132,000,000,000 in direct and indirect costs. Approximately
14,600,000 Americans have diabetes, and an estimated 6,200,000
people are undiagnosed and therefore untreated. The incidence
of the disease in America has increased approximately 14
percent in the last two years alone, and over 1,300,000 new
cases of diabetes are diagnosed each year.
The collateral health effects of diabetes can be
devastating, often causing heart disease, stroke, blindness,
kidney failure, pregnancy complications, amputations of the
leg, foot, and toe, as well as deaths related to flu and
pneumonia. Known preventive measures can reduce the impact of
diabetes, but these preventions are not currently practiced
universally. As a result, public awareness campaigns must be
promoted to reach the general population so that at-risk
individuals are encouraged to take appropriate measures to
identify the stage of their diabetes and take action to prevent
or slow the progression of their disease. A goal of the CDC is
to increase the percentage of individuals with diabetes who
receive annual eye and foot exams, and at least two A1C
measures per year.
It is estimated that maintaining a certain blood glucose
level (A1C target of seven or below) would reduce complications
of diabetes and achieve direct medical cost savings of
$35,000,000,000 and indirect cost savings of $50,000,000,000
over 10 years. The Committee encourages CDC to consider
establishing national public-private partnerships to leverage
Federal resources with private-sector contributions to expand
the National Diabetes Education Program and establish a new
public awareness campaign to encourage individuals with
diabetes to be tested and know their A1C levels so that they
can take appropriate action to control their condition.
Epilepsy.--The Committee supports the CDC epilepsy program,
which is making valuable progress in research, epidemiology and
surveillance, early detection, improved treatment, public
education and expansion of interventions to support people with
epilepsy and their families in their communities. Despite this
progress, the Committee acknowledges that significant work must
be done to improve the quality of care for individuals with
epilepsy.
The Committee applauds CDC's partnership with the epilepsy
community in developing and implementing the recommendations of
Living Well with Epilepsy II. The Committee is pleased with the
activities to train first-responders, educators, school nurses,
and other health care professionals with the recognition,
diagnosis and treatment of seizures. The Committee provides
funding to continue efforts to expand public health activities
on behalf of persons with epilepsy.
Genomics.--The coming era of personalized medicine has
broad applicability for the field of public health. The
Committee urges CDC to conduct and sponsor public health
genomics research and develop appropriate programs to identify
people at risk for disease and early death. CDC is further
urged to use genomic information to provide targeted and
personalized interventions that will prevent disease,
disability, and death, and may ultimately save public
resources.
Gynecologic cancer education and awareness program.--The
Committee is encouraged by the progress that has been made by
CDC, in coordination with the Office of Women's Health, to
initiate a national education campaign on gynecologic cancers,
working with qualified nonprofit private sector entities. The
Committee strongly urges the continuation and expansion of this
program, given that early detection can mean the difference
between a 25 percent five-year survival rate and an 80 percent
five-year survival rate for women diagnosed with a gynecologic
cancer. The Committee also encourages CDC to conduct an
examination of the coordination of HHS' current activities to
educate women on gynecologic cancers.
Heart disease and stroke.--The Committee commends CDC for
creating a division of heart disease and stroke prevention to
consolidate and elevate efforts to prevent and control heart
disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. Given that
cardiovascular diseases remain the number one killer in every
state, the Committee continues to strongly believe that each
state should receive funding for basic implementation of a
state heart disease and stroke prevention program. Recognizing
that many states still need this program, the Committee remains
concerned that no new states have been added to this program
since 2002. The Committee is aware that CDC is instituting an
open competition, allowing non-funded states to apply for this
program for the first time since 2002 and requiring all 33
funded states to re-compete for support. The Committee urges
CDC to fund additional states for basic program implementation
and add additional states to begin program planning for the
state heart disease and stroke prevention program, maintain the
Paul Coverdell national acute stroke registry, and, initiate
the development of a state-based cardiac arrest registry.
Inflammatory bowel disease.--It is estimated that up to
1,400,000 people in the United States suffer from Crohn's
disease or ulcerative colitis, collectively known as
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The Committee has included
funding to continue this important initiative.
Kidney disease.--The Committee is pleased with the progress
CDC is making to implement the chronic kidney disease program.
For fiscal year 2007, the Committee provides no less than the
level provided in fiscal year 2006 to continue development and
implementation of a public health kidney disease action plan.
Obesity.--The multiple factors contributing to the
overweight and obesity epidemic took years to develop.
Reversing the epidemic will require a long-term, well-
coordinated, concerted approach to reach Americans were they
live, work, play, and pray. Effective collaboration among the
public, voluntary, and private sectors is critical to reshape
the social and physical environment of our nation's communities
and provide the necessary support, information, tools, and
realistic strategies needed to reverse the current obesity
trends nationwide. To effectively address this epidemic, the
Committee encourages CDC to provide leadership and coordination
for the federal government's efforts to address the overweight
and obesity epidemic.
Oral Health.--The Committee recognizes that to effectively
reduce disparities in oral diseases efforts at state and local
levels are critical. The Committee has provided funding to
strengthen state capacities to target effective interventions,
such as additional water fluoridation and school-linked sealant
programs, and resources to the underserved, to assess trends in
oral diseases, and to evaluate changes in policies and programs
to reduce the disease burden. The Committee encourages CDC to
advance efforts to reduce the disparities and health burden
from oral diseases that are closely linked to chronic diseases
such as diabetes and heart disease.
Primary immunodeficiency diseases.--The Committee has made
funds available for CDC to support the national physician
education and public awareness campaign for primary immune
deficiency syndrome. The campaign has featured public service
announcements, physician symposia, publications, and the
development of website and educational materials, as well as
mailings to physicians, school nurses, daycare centers, and
others. This program has been characterized as a model of
public-private cooperation. The campaign was expanded to reach
the underserved African-American and Hispanic populations in
fiscal year 2006.
Pulmonary hypertension.--The Committee continues to be
interested in pulmonary hypertension (PH), a rare, progressive
and fatal disease that predominantly affects women, regardless
of age or race. PH causes deadly deterioration of the heart and
lungs and is a secondary condition in many other serious
disorders such as scleroderma and lupus. Because early
detection of PH is critical to a patient's survival and quality
of life, the Committee continues to encourage CDC to work in
partnership with the pulmonary hypertension community to foster
greater awareness of the disease.
Sleep disorders.--The Committee continues to be concerned
about the prevalence of sleep disorders and recognizes the need
for enhanced public and professional awareness on sleep and
sleep disorders. The Committee continues to urge CDC to work
with other agencies and voluntary health organizations to
support and implement a sleep education and public awareness
initiative. The Committee also urges CDC to increase support
for initiatives connecting sleep to overall health and safety.
Birth defects, developmental disabilities, disability and
health
The Committee provides $117,722,000 for birth defects,
developmental disabilities, disability and health, which is
$7,040,000 less than the fiscal year 2006 funding level and
$7,241,000 more than the budget request. This program collects,
analyzes, and makes available data on the incidence and causes
of birth defects and developmental disabilities.
Within the total, the Committee provides the following
amounts for birth defects, developmental disabilities,
disability, and health activities:
$38,525,000 for birth defects and developmental
disabilities, which is $134,000 below the fiscal year
2006 funding level and $227,000 more than the budget
request;
$59,996,000 for human development and disability,
which is $6,246,000 below the fiscal year 2006 funding
level and $5,601,000 above the budget request (included
within this total is: $1,782,000 for Tourette syndrome
programs; $7,000,000 for early hearing detection and
intervention; $8,000,000 for muscular dystrophy
programs; $1,717,000 for attention deficit/
hyperactivity disorder programs; $6,000,000 for spina
bifida programs; and $15,500,000 for autism programs);
and,
$19,201,000 for hereditary blood disorders, which is
$660,000 below the fiscal year 2006 funding level and
$1,413,000 more than the budget request (included
within this total is $1,944,000 for thallasemia
programs).
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.--The Committee is aware
that Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (Alpha-1) is the major
genetic risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD) and cryptogenic liver disease. Early detection allows
individuals to engage in preventative health measures and
receive appropriate therapies which significantly improve their
health status. In addition, utilization of well defined disease
management programs significantly reduces exacerbations and
health care costs. The Committee encourages CDC to develop a
partnership with appropriate patient and professional
organizations to actively support Alpha-1 targeted detection
efforts that utilize public and professional education
regarding obstructive lung disease, both genetic and tobacco
related.
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD).--Current
estimates indicate that as many as 7.8 percent of school-age
children have AD/HD and more than two-thirds of these children
will continue to experience symptoms through adulthood. Only
half of all children with AD/HD receive necessary treatment,
with lower diagnostic and treatment rates among girls,
minorities and children in foster care. The Surgeon General has
reported a severe lack of professionals trained to diagnose and
treat the condition effectively. The Committee continues to
support the national resource center on AD/HD and has provided
funding in fiscal year 2007 to continue the activities to
respond to the overwhelming demand for information and support
services; to better reach special populations in need; to
educate health and education professionals on AD/HD; and to
enable CDC to continue its population-based research and
surveillance, and consider public health intervention
opportunities.
Autism spectrum disorders.--The Committee is aware of the
progress that has been made with the autism programs. The
Committee acknowledges the importance of this work by the CDC
in the area of autism surveillance and research, and urges this
work to continue in a timely manner. As previously highlighted
in this report, the Committee includes $15,500,000 for autism
activities. Within that amount, $12,800,000 is provided for
surveillance and research programs and $2,700,000 is for the
autism awareness campaign.
Birth defects research and surveillance.--The Committee
supports CDC's efforts in the area of birth defects
surveillance, research and prevention and encourages CDC to
continue the promising research being conducted by the regional
centers for birth defects research and prevention and to
increase assistance to states to implement community-based
birth defects tracking systems, programs to prevent birth
defects, and activities to improve access to health services
for children with birth defects.
Blindness.--The Committee is concerned that people with
vision impairment and blindness have a significant unmet need
for appropriate public health interventions and information to
prevent further impairment and disability. The lack of such
appropriate interventions has resulted in people with vision
loss having higher rates of depression, hypertension, heart
disease, stroke, and physical injuries than people without
sensory impairments. The Committee urges additional evidence-
based research for effective public health interventions, as
well as the national dissemination of these interventions
through a website and other means accessible to the blind and
visually impaired. The Committee urges CDC to launch this
initiative and to partner with a national non-profit
organization that is recognized for leadership in providing
information to persons who are blind or visually impaired,
including published resource guides, directories of services
for consumers in the field, scholarly journals on blindness and
vision loss, assistive technology magazines, and talking books.
Cerebral palsy.--The Committee encourages CDC to establish
cerebral palsy surveillance and epidemiology sites throughout
the United States based on methodology developed in the
Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental Disabilities Study and the
Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental Disabilities Surveillance
Program. The Committee encourages CDC to build upon the
infrastructure established for the autism developmental
disability monitoring sites and the centers for autism and
developmental disabilities research and epidemiology sites and
to establish surveillance and epidemiology centers for cerebral
palsy as was done for autism.
Cooley's anemia.--The Committee remains pleased with the
progress that CDC has made with regard to the establishment of
a blood safety surveillance program for Cooley's anemia
patients, who are the largest consumers of red blood cells. Six
treatment centers throughout the Nation handle the medical
monitoring and treatment; a private foundation provides
education and awareness, patient recruitment, and other
services; and, CDC has created an archive of tested and
analyzed blood samples. The Committee urges CDC to utilize this
program to enhance the safety of the blood supply while
improving the health of Cooley's anemia patients.
Down syndrome.--The Committee encourages CDC to continue
its research on the secondary and related developmental and
mental disorders in individuals with Down syndrome that it
began in fiscal year 2005.
Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (DBMD).--The
Committee is pleased that CDC developed and submitted its
Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy Strategic Plan to
Congress. To ensure the goals of this plan are achieved by the
intended deadlines, the Committee provides funding to expand
the existing surveillance, epidemiological, and education
initiatives and to establish a nationwide DBMD patient registry
by July 1, 2007. The Committee believes a nationwide DBMD
patient registry will build upon the existing surveillance work
and ensure the data gathered are deposited in one centralized
repository. Additionally, to help ensure adequate patient data
are collected, the Committee strongly urges CDC to expand the
muscular dystrophy surveillance tracking and research network
by one additional site in 2007. The Committee continues to be
pleased with the work being done through the joint public/
private education and outreach cooperative agreement and would
encourage that additional funds be used to continue and expand
this program. The Committee is pleased that CDC is working with
the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to establish
evidence-driven standards of care for DBMD patients, and
encourages both agencies to complete this work by February 1,
2007.
Folic acid education campaign.--The Committee is encouraged
with the progress made in preventing neural tube defects, but
notes that recent research shows only 40 percent of women of
childbearing age consume enough folic acid daily. The Committee
has provided the same funding level for fiscal year 2007 as was
provided in fiscal year 2006 to enhance the national education
campaign to increase the number of women taking folic acid
daily.
Fragile X.--The Committee is encouraged by CDC's efforts
related to Fragile X and support for the Fragile X public
health program to expand surveillance and epidemiological
research of Fragile X. Given the limited resources available,
the Committee urges CDC to ensure that the agency's educational
and awareness activities under this initiative are not
duplicative of current efforts of nationally recognized
authorities in the area of Fragile X, but are instead focused
on supporting the further dissemination and distribution of
existing informational materials.
Hemophilia.--The Committee continues to encourage CDC to
take steps to ensure that additional patient-based
organizations can participate in its hemophilia grant program
on an annual basis. The Committee requests that CDC prepare a
report on this recommendation by January 1, 2007. In addition,
the Committee encourages CDC to sustain support for the
hemophilia treatment center network to ensure continued access
to comprehensive chronic disease management for people with
bleeding and clotting disorders.
Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT).--HHT, also
known as Osler-Weber-Rendu syndrome, is a multi-system vascular
genetic disorder producing blood vessel malformations in the
brain and lung which may result in stroke, hemorrhage, aneurysm
and death. Sudden death or disability may occur in 20 percent
of children and adults, but is largely preventable with proper
intervention. The Committee encourages CDC to establish,
through a joint initiative with the HHT treatment centers,
effective evidence-based interventions and treatment to improve
outcomes and the quality of life for people living with HHT.
Marfan syndrome.--The Committee continues to be interested
in Marfan syndrome, a progressive and degenerative genetic
disorder which can result in sudden loss of life from aortic
aneurysms. Unfortunately, many individuals affected by Marfan
syndrome are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed until they experience
a cardiac complication. Increasing awareness of this life-
threatening disease is vital to ensuring accurate diagnosis and
appropriate disease management in patients who are at risk for
cardiovascular complications. The Committee encourages CDC to
partner with the Marfan syndrome community to increase
awareness of the disease among the general public and health
care providers.
Spina bifida.--The Committee recognizes that spina bifida
is the leading permanently disabling birth defect in the U.S.
While spina bifida and related neural tube defects are highly
preventable through proper nutrition, including appropriate
folic acid consumption, and its secondary effects can be
mitigated through appropriate and proactive medical care and
management, such efforts have not been adequately supported or
coordinated to result in significant reductions in these costly
conditions. In an effort to continue to improve the quality-of-
life for individuals affected by spina bifida and reduce and
prevent the occurrence of, and suffering from, this birth
defect, the Committee encourages CDC to coordinate with the
appropriate health organization to promote the prevention of
spina bifida and to enhance the lives of all affected. Within
the funds provided for spina bifida, the Committee supports the
maintenance and continuation of the national spina bifida
clearinghouse and resource center to meet the current and
growing demand for information and support services for
individuals and families affected by spina bifida. In addition,
the Committee supports the Memorandum of Understanding between
CDC and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to
examine clinical treatment of spina bifida and improve quality
of life.
The Committee recognizes that the Agent Orange database of
health and educational services composes the largest repository
of longitudinal treatment information of people with spina
bifida and can provide much-needed insight and understanding
into the needs of people with spina bifida. The Committee
commends CDC and the Department of Veterans Affairs for their
collaborative efforts to review and analyze the Agent Orange
database to gain better understanding of the treatment,
educational, and vocational benefits needs and utilization by
people with spina bifida. The Committee encourages the on-going
collaboration to analyze this data and requests a report
summarizing the analysis of the data, including recommendations
based on the analysis as to how to improve treatment and
quality-of-life for people with spina bifida.
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).--TSC is a genetic
disorder that causes uncontrollable tumor growth. Because this
disorder can affect multiple organs of the body, it is
difficult to diagnose, track and properly treat. The Committee
encourages CDC to develop a joint initiative with an
appropriate health organization to collect and analyze data
from the nationwide network of TSC clinics; support
surveillance and epidemiological studies; and to educate health
care professionals and teachers who come into contact with TSC
patients.
Health information and service
The Committee provides $226,400,000 for health information
and service, which is $3,497,000 more than the fiscal year 2006
program level and $35,274,000 less than the budget request. The
Committee does not concur with the budget request that a
portion of the funding is to be derived from section 241
evaluation set aside funds to carry out National Center for
Health Statistics surveys, Public Health Informatics
evaluations, and health marketing evaluations. The Committee,
instead, provides a sufficient amount of budget authority to
carry out those activities.
Health statistics
The Committee provides a total of $109,421,000 for health
statistics, which is $400,000 more than the fiscal year 2006
funding level and the budget request. The health statistics
program is responsible for collecting, interpreting, and
disseminating data on the health status of the U.S. population
and the use of health services. Surveys include the National
Vital Statistics System, the National Health Interview Survey,
the National Survey of Family Growth, the National Health and
Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), and the National Health
Care Survey.
Within the total provided, the Committee includes $400,000
to conduct a study of the feasibility of linking food
assistance state based program administrative records to the
NHANES database. The feasibility test will determine whether
such linkages are logistically and technically feasible, the
cost of such linkages, and the potential benefits of the linked
files. In addition, alternative data collection options for
obtaining needed information on food assistance programs and
food purchasing knowledge and behaviors should be explored. The
Committee requests that CDC prepare a report to the House and
Senate Committees on Appropriations regarding this study within
180 days of enactment of this Act.
The Committee commends the National Center for Health
Statistics (NCHS) for fulfilling its mission as the nation's
premiere health statistics agency and for ensuring the
credibility and integrity of the data it produces. In
particular, the Committee congratulates the agency for its
timely release of critical data and encourages it to continue
making information, including data from NHANES and the National
Health Interview Study, accessible to the public as soon as
possible.
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM).--The Committee is
concerned that NTM incidence continues to rise. Mycobacteria
are environmental organisms found in both water and soil that
cause substantial respiratory damage. The Committee encourages
the national center for health statistics to include questions
regarding NTM testing in ongoing surveys to gain a better
understanding of the epidemiology of this emergent disease.
Psoriasis.--The Committee urges NCHS to ensure that any
data collected on psoriasis be comprehensive and include the
full age range of individuals affected by the disease including
children, adolescents, and adults. The Committee is interested
in having NCHS collect and report psoriasis incidence and
prevalence data that are based on nationwide epidemiological
studies. If such data are not currently available, the
Committee urges NCHS to undertake a comprehensive
epidemiological study with a focus on determining incidence of
psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The Committee urges CDC to
consider working with a national psoriasis organization to
develop a surveillance program to ascertain and monitor
psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis incidence and co-morbidities.
Public health informatics
The Committee provides a total of $73,738,000 for public
health informatics, which is $3,097,000 more than the fiscal
year 2006 funding level and $35,455,000 less than the budget
request.
Pandemic influenza.--The Committee does not provide
$39,600,000 in funding requested by the Administration for
pandemic influenza activities in public health informatics in
this appropriation. The Committee has provided $200,000,000
through fiscal year 2006 supplemental appropriations for CDC
activities related to preparing for the potential for an
influenza pandemic. A second emergency supplemental
appropriation for pandemic influenza is pending.
Health marketing
The Committee provides a total of $43,241,000 for health
marketing, which is the same as the fiscal year 2006 funding
level and $219,000 less than the budget request.
Environmental health and injury prevention
The Committee provides $278,000,000 for environmental
health and injury prevention, which is $11,021,000 less than
the fiscal year 2006 funding level and $1,309,000 less than the
budget request.
Environmental health
The Committee provides $139,439,000 for environmental
health, which is $10,546,000 less than the fiscal year 2006
funding level and $1,656,000 less than the budget request.
Asthma.--The Committee is pleased with the work that CDC
has done to address the increasing prevalence of asthma.
However, the increase in asthma among children remains
alarming. The Committee urges CDC to continue to expand its
outreach aimed at increasing public awareness of asthma control
and prevention strategies, particularly among at-risk
populations in underserved communities. To further facilitate
this effort, CDC is urged to partner with voluntary health
organizations to support program activity consistent with the
CDC's efforts to fund community-based interventions that apply
effective approaches demonstrated in research projects within
the scientific and public health community.
Biomonitoring.--The Committee applauds the CDC's
biomonitoring efforts and encourages the agency to continue
this program and continue to improve its efforts to communicate
these results in context. In particular, the CDC's National
Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals is a
significant new exposure tool that provides invaluable
information for setting research priorities and for tracking
trends in human exposures over time. Accordingly, the Committee
continues to support the CDC environmental health laboratory's
efforts to provide exposure information about environmental
chemicals. However, as CDC has recognized, this information
does not by itself suggest harmful effects in humans. In fact,
for most chemicals, it is currently difficult to interpret
biomonitoring information in a health risk context. Therefore,
the Committee encourages CDC to collaborate with federal
government and private sector toxicologists, health scientists
and laboratory analytical chemists, to facilitate the
development of the necessary methods to interpret human
biomonitoring concentrations in the context of potential health
risks.
Childhood lead poisoning prevention.--The Committee
commends CDC for its commitment to support the enhanced
development of a portable, hand-held lead screening device that
holds great promise for increasing childhood screening rates in
underserved communities. Further development of this device
will help ensure its application in community health settings.
Environmental health laboratory.--The Committee recognizes
the extraordinary services of CDC's environmental health
laboratory to develop new and improved biomonitoring methods to
accurately and rapidly assess human exposure to mercury and
arsenic, including exposure to the form of mercury in
thimerosal, and to improve health risk assessment by expanding
studies of the relationship between biomonitoring exposure
levels and disease.
Landmine survivors.--The Committee commends CDC for its
partnership with a private landmine survivors organization that
has developed peer support networks for landmine survivors in
six mine-affected countries around the world. For fiscal year
2007, the Committee provides no less than the fiscal year 2006
funding level to expand peer support networks and the number of
survivors that are reached in network and non-network
countries; strengthen the capacity of medical and
rehabilitative care facilities to address the needs of
amputees; enhance economic opportunities for survivors; and
further CDC programs and research for victims of landmines,
civil strife and warfare.
National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network.--The
National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network seeks to
expand the program to monitor, link, and assess environmental
and health data to identify problems and effective solutions
that will reduce the burden of chronic and other non-infectious
disease in the American population. With health tracking,
public health officials can better target preventive services,
health care providers can offer better health care, and the
public will be able to develop a clear understanding of what is
occurring in their communities and how overall health can be
improved. A critical component of the program is to ensure that
various stakeholders, especially communities, are engaged in
the process of developing the state networks and ultimately the
network. Therefore, the Committee urges CDC and the State and
local programs take actions to include communities and other
stakeholders in the development and implementation of the
tracking network.
Injury prevention and control
The Committee provides $138,561,000 for the injury
prevention and control program, which is $475,000 less than the
fiscal year 2006 funding level and $347,000 above the budget
request. The injury prevention and control program supports
intramural research, injury control research centers,
extramural research grants, and technical assistance to state
and local health departments.
Child maltreatment.--The Committee applauds CDC's
activities in the areas of child maltreatment. A growing body
of research indicates that childhood abuse and neglect may
contribute significantly to the development of both acute and
chronic health conditions throughout the lifespan, including
obesity and heart disease. The Committee encourages CDC to
develop a network of consortia that will address research and
training, as well as the dissemination of best practices and
prevention efforts, on the health harms of child abuse and
neglect.
Gun control advocacy.--The Committee recommendation
maintains bill language prohibiting federal funds from being
used to lobby for or against the passage of specific federal,
state or local legislation intended to advocate or promote gun
control. The Committee understands that CDC's responsibility in
this area is primarily data collection and the dissemination of
that information and expects that research in this area to be
objective and grants to be awarded through an impartial,
scientific peer review process.
Occupational safety and health
The Committee provides $251,000,000 for occupational safety
and health, which is $4,272,000 below the fiscal year 2006
funding level and $806,000 above the request. Of the amount
provided, $87,071,000 is to be derived from section 241
evaluation set-aside funds, as proposed in the budget request.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH) conducts applied research, develops criteria for
occupational safety and health standards, and provides
technical services to government, labor and industry, including
training for the prevention of work-related diseases and
injuries. This appropriation supports surveillance, health
hazard evaluations, intramural and extramural research,
instrument and methods development, dissemination, and training
grants.
The Committee notes that an additional $10,000,000 for
research to develop mine safety technology has been provided to
NIOSH within a fiscal year 2006 supplemental appropriations
bill. This funding is available through fiscal year 2007.
Global health
The Committee provides $312,000,000 for global health,
which is $1,251,000 below the fiscal year 2006 funding level
and $69,103,000 below the budget request.
Through its Global Health activities, CDC coordinates,
cooperates, participates with, and provides consultation to
other nations, U.S. agencies, and international organizations
to prevent and contain diseases and environmental health
problems and to develop and apply health promotion activities.
In cooperation with Ministries of Health and other appropriate
organizations, CDC tracks and assesses evolving global health
issues and identifies and develops activities to apply CDC's
technical expertise to be of maximum public health benefit.
Within the total, the following amounts are included for
global health activities:
$121,952,000 for the global AIDS program, which is
$692,000 less than the fiscal year 2006 funding level
and the same as the budget request;
$144,398,000 for the global immunization program,
which is $638,000 less than the fiscal year 2006
funding level and $144,000 more than the budget
request;
$33,259,000 for global disease detection, which is
$91,000 more than the fiscal year 2006 funding level
and the same as the budget request;
$8,970,000 for the global malaria program, which is
$52,000 less than the fiscal year 2006 funding level
and the same as the budget request, and;
$3,421,000 for other global health activities, which
is $40,000 more than the fiscal year 2006 funding level
and $69,247,000 less than the budget request.
Pandemic influenza.--The Committee does not provide
$69,300,000 in funding requested by the Administration for
pandemic influenza activities in this appropriation. The
Committee has provided $430,000,000 through fiscal year 2006
supplemental appropriations for CDC activities related to
preparing for the potential for an influenza pandemic.
Tuberculosis (TB) and AIDS.--The Committee understands that
TB is the leading killer of people with AIDS. The Committee
strongly urges the CDC to increase its efforts through the
global AIDS program and the global disease detection initiative
to provide technical assistance and expertise to nations with
high incidence of TB-HIV co-infections.
Terrorism preparedness and response
The Committee provides $1,605,000,000 for terrorism
preparedness and response, which is $27,743,000 above the
fiscal year 2006 funding level and $52,161,000 below the budget
request. Within the funds provided:
$823,674,000 is for upgrading state and local
capacity, which is the same as the fiscal year 2006
funding level and the budget request;
$135,628,000 is for upgrading CDC capacity, which is
$964,000 less than the fiscal year 2006 funding level
and the same as the budget request;
$13,860,000 is for the anthrax research study which
is the same as the fiscal year 2006 funding level;
$2,970,000 is for the new botulinum toxin research
program, the same funding level included in the budget
request;
$78,868,000 is for the biosurveillance initiative,
which is $437,000 more than the fiscal year 2006
funding level and $23,373,000 less than the budget
request, and;
$550,000,000 is for the strategic national stockpile,
which is $25,300,000 above the fiscal year 2006 funding
level and $42,648,000 below the budget request.
Botulinum neurotoxin research.--The Committee requests that
CDC submit a plan to accompany the fiscal year 2008 President's
budget request to Congress to participate and share in the
development of advanced in-vitro and cell-based fluorescence
resonance energy transfer assays for the detection and
classification of botulinum neurotoxins being developed by the
United States Army's Medical Research Institute of Chemical
Defense. The plan should identify how the Army program can be
leveraged to meet CDC requirements and how CDC will participate
in co-development of the assay.
Pandemic influenza.--The Committee does not provide
$24,800,000 in funding requested by the Administration for
pandemic influenza activities within the terrorism programs in
this appropriation. The Committee has provided $200,000,000
through fiscal year 2006 supplemental appropriations for CDC
activities related to preparing for the potential for an
influenza pandemic. A second emergency supplemental
appropriation for pandemic influenza is pending.
Strategic national stockpile.--The Committee recognizes
that, in the wake of the Gulf Coast hurricanes of 2005, CDC is
considering how to reconfigure the strategic national stockpile
to fulfill a broader disaster response mission. Psychotropic
medications such as anti-psychotic, anti-depressant and anti-
seizure medications are widely prescribed and critical to the
quality of life of those who take them. Moreover, the sudden
deprivation of these drugs, particularly in the wake of trauma
and stress of a disaster, can create major mental illness
management challenges for emergency responders, diverting
crucial resources and impeding recovery. For these reasons, the
Committee strongly encourages the CDC to include psychotropic
medications in a reconfigured strategic national stockpile.
Public health research
The Committee provides $31,000,000 for public health
research, which is the same as the fiscal year 2006 funding
level and the budget request. The Committee does not provide
these funds through the section 241 evaluation set-aside funds
as proposed in the budget request, but instead provides these
funds through budget authority.
Through this activity, CDC supports high-quality public
health research that studies the best methods for making the
transition from research to practice. Funds support research
that is proposed by experienced investigators working with
communities, health practitioners, and policymakers to address
local priority health concerns.
Public health improvement and leadership
The Committee provides $207,165,000 for public health
improvement and leadership, which is $17,342,000 above the
fiscal year 2006 funding level and $17,000,000 above the budget
request.
This activity supports several cross-cutting areas within
CDC. Included is the CDC's leadership and management function,
which funds the CDC office of the director, coordinating
centers, and each constituent center and office. The public
health improvement and leadership line item also supports the
CDC's public health workforce and career development efforts,
the director's discretionary fund, and Congressional projects.
The Committee is pleased that CDC has continued to support
the cooperative program with an association representing
minority health professions and urges continued expansion of
this activity, including sponsorship of public health and
biomedical symposiums aimed at increasing career opportunities
for minority students.
The Committee includes the following projects and
activities and in the following amounts for fiscal year 2007:
1490 Enterprises, Inc Buffalo, NY for a program to
improve physical activity and nutrition among senior
citizens............................................ 100,000
Abington Memorial Hospital, Abington, PA for breast and
cervical cancer outreach, education and screening
programs for medically underserved populations...... 125,000
Adler Aphasia Center, Maywood, NJ for a program to
improve communication and other life skills for
people with aphasia................................. 200,000
Alameda County Public Health Department, Office of AIDS
Administration, Oakland, CA for an HIV/AIDS
prevention and testing initiative................... 250,000
American Cities Foundation, Philadelphia, PA for
community health outreach and education programs.... 250,000
American Foundation for the Blind, Dallas, TX for the
Center on Vision Loss............................... 250,000
Arkansas Alliance of YMCAs, Warren, AR for programs in
the cities of Pine Bluff, Warren, and Hot Springs to
reduce childhood obesity............................ 250,000
Barnes-Kasson County Hospital, Susquehanna, PA for
Obstetrics Education and related programs........... 200,000
Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX for
epidemiological research and educational outreach
related to childhood cancer in cooperation with the
Vanie E. Cook Jr. Children's Cancer and Hematology
Clinic in McAllen, TX............................... 450,000
Bayside Community Center, San Diego, CA for its STEPS
health education and outreach program for senior
citizens............................................ 100,000
Boys & Girls Club of Delaware County, Jay, OK for
equipment and operating expenses for programs to
improve diet, physical activity and emotional health 300,000
California State University-Fullerton, Fullerton, CA for
programs aimed at preventing obesity and promoting
health in children.................................. 250,000
Capital Breast Care Center, Washington, DC for
education, screening and counseling related to
breast cancer....................................... 175,000
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, PA for the Poison
Control Center...................................... 250,000
Christiana Care Women First Community Center of
Excellence, Wilmington, DE to link healthcare
providers and consumers to better serve gender and
ethnic differences in health........................ 200,000
City of Dana Point, CA for the Doheny State Park Beach
Epidemiological Study............................... 600,000
Columbus Children's Research Institute, Children's
Hospital, Columbus, OH for activities at the Injury
Research Center..................................... 250,000
Community College Foundation, Sacramento, CA for the
ePassport foster child health and education data
tracking program.................................... 200,000
Community Hospital Telehealth Consortium, Lake Charles,
LA for technology upgrades.......................... 250,000
County of Marin, San Rafael, CA for research and
analysis related to breast cancer incidence and
mortality in the county............................. 300,000
CREATE Foundation, Tupelo, MS to help schools and
communities combat childhood obesity in North
Mississippi......................................... 500,000
CureSearch National Childhood Cancer Foundation,
Bethesda, MD for disease diagnosis, education, and
outreach............................................ 200,000
Federation of State Medical Boards, Euless, TX to
develop a Physician Data Center..................... 100,000
Friends of the Congressional Glaucoma Caucus Foundation,
Lake Success, NY to provide glaucoma screenings and
follow-up in the New York metropolitan area......... 350,000
Friends of the Congressional Glaucoma Caucus Foundation,
Lake Success, NY to provide glaucoma screenings and
follow-up in the U.S. Virgin Islands................ 325,000
Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness,
Atlanta, GA for emergency preparedness activities
including volunteer programs and public information. 250,000
Georgia Chapter of the American Lung Association,
Smyrna, GA to study the relationship between
residential floor coverings and distributive
patterns of airborne particulates................... 350,000
Gilda's Club Louisville, Inc., Louisville, KY for
psycho-social support services for cancer survivors. 300,000
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, San Francisco,
CA for the Healthy Parks and Healthy Communities
project............................................. 100,000
Haitian American Association Against Cancer, Miami, FL
for cancer education, outreach, screening and
related programs.................................... 200,000
Healthy Eating Lifestyle Principles, Monterey, CA for a
program to improve nutrition by promoting the
accessibility and consumption of fresh fruits and
vegetables in schools............................... 150,000
Hyacinth AIDS Foundation, New Brunswick, NJ for an HIV/
AIDS counseling and testing program................. 75,000
Ingham Regional Medical Center, Lansing, MI for health
and educational outreach............................ 100,000
International Rett Syndrome Association, Clinton, MD for
education and awareness programs regarding Rett
syndrome............................................ 200,000
International Species Information System (ISIS), Eagen,
MN for the ZIMS project............................. 400,000
James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children,
Indianapolis, IN for continuation of autism programs
at the Christian Sarkine Autism Treatment Center.... 250,000
John B. Amos Cancer Center, Columbus Regional Healthcare
System, Columbus, GA for cancer education and early
detection programs.................................. 350,000
Kids First, Providence, RI for education and technical
assistance programs to improve nutrition and
physical activity among children.................... 150,000
King County Emergency Management Division, Seattle, WA
to support a 24-hour communication and public health
notification system................................. 200,000
King County, Seattle, WA for influenza pandemic
preparedness........................................ 150,000
Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club, Bronx, NY for a nutrition
and anti-obesity demonstration program for 6-to 12-
year-old children................................... 275,000
La Rabida Children's Hospital, Chicago, IL for education
and outreach related to diabetes and sickle cell
disease............................................. 300,000
Learning Disabilities Association of Central New York,
East Syracuse, NY for mental health, family
counseling and other support services............... 100,000
Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY for asthma
education, counseling and prevention programs....... 250,000
MetroHealth System, Cleveland, OH for the Northeast Ohio
Senior Health and Wellness Center................... 100,000
Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, for
research and education regarding ways of increasing
physical activity and fitness among children and
adolescents......................................... 110,000
Natividad Medical Center, Salinas, CA for a diabetes
care management program............................. 150,000
New Haven Public Schools, New Haven, CT for a PE4Life
physical education initiative....................... 150,000
North Shore Health Project, Gloucester, MA for outreach
and education on hepatitis C........................ 150,000
Northwestern University, Evanston, IL for the Juvenile
Project longitudinal youth study.................... 250,000
Pacoima Beautiful, Pacoima, CA for a program to reduce
the impact of environmental health hazards in homes
and childcare centers............................... 50,000
Produce for Better Health Foundation, Wilmington, DE for
education programs in Cape Girardeau, MO............ 100,000
Provena Mercy Center, Aurora, IL for diabetes education
and prevention...................................... 355,000
Providence Health System, Portland, OR for the Oregon
Rural and Underserved Cancer Outreach Project....... 250,000
Pulmonary Hypertension Association, Silver Spring, MD
for public education and outreach................... 250,000
Queens Pride House, Queens, NY for a health education
and awareness campaign focusing on prevention of
diseases such as hepatitis A and B and diabetes..... 50,000
S.L.E. Foundation, New York, NY for outreach and
education regarding lupus........................... 200,000
San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, San Antonio,
TX for further studies and public health outreach
regarding environmental health concerns at and near
the former Kelly Air Force Base..................... 200,000
Silent Spring Institute, Newton, MA for studies of the
impact of environmental pollutants on breast cancer
and other disorders................................. 125,000
Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA for the
Center on Disability and Health to promote and
encourage regular physical activity................. 150,000
South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD for studies
related to childhood obesity........................ 125,000
Southeastern Center for Emerging Biologic Threats,
Atlanta, GA......................................... 500,000
Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX for the
Medical Anthropology Program........................ 100,000
St. John's Regional Medical Center, Oxnard, CA for
diabetes prevention and management programs......... 200,000
St. John's Well Child & Family Center, Los Angeles, CA
for a patient education program to address obesity,
diabetes and hypertension........................... 150,000
Sustainable Resources Center, Minneapolis, MN for a lead
poisoning screening and education program........... 175,000
Toledo Public Schools, Toledo, OH for a nutrition
demonstration program linked to locally provided
foods............................................... 250,000
Union Hospital, Terre Haute, IN for a chronic disease
management assessment program....................... 250,000
United Cerebral Palsy Association, Washington, DC for a
national public education and outreach initiative... 150,000
University of Texas, Brownsville, TX for studies
regarding the health of the Hispanic population in
the Rio Grande Valley............................... 250,000
Visiting Nurse Association Healthcare Partners of Ohio,
Cleveland, OH for the CareWatch program in Stark,
Wayne, Medina and Ashland Counties.................. 100,000
Voorhees College, Denmark, SC, for its Healthy Campus
chronic disease prevention research and
demonstration program............................... 100,000
WakeMed Health and Hospitals, Raleigh, NC for pediatric
diabetes education and prevention activities........ 150,000
Wayne County Department of Public Health, Detroit, MI
for a lead poisoning assessment, prevention and
intervention program................................ 175,000
Wayne County Department of Public Services, Detroit, MI
for an Infant Mortality Prevention Program.......... 300,000
West Babylon, NY School District for an anti-obesity
initiative.......................................... 200,000
WestCare Foundation, Las Vegas, NV to expand the
Batterers Intervention Program in Needles, CA and
surrounding communities............................. 350,000
Yale New Haven Health System, New Haven, CT for a
specialty center for public health preparedness..... 500,000
Youth Becoming Healthy Project, Albany, GA for programs
to improve nutrition and increase physical activity
among middle school students........................ 75,000
Preventive health and health services block grant
The Committee provides $100,000,000 for the preventive
health and health services block grant, which is $1,000,000
above the fiscal year 2006 funding level. The budget request
did not include funding for this program. This block grant
provides flexible funds to states by formula for a wide range
of public and preventive health activities. The flexibility
afforded to the states, allows them to target funds to address
chronic diseases, such as diabetes, arthritis, heart disease,
and stroke, to direct funds to meet challenges of outbreaks of
infectious diseases, such as West Nile virus and influenza,
and/or to implement prevention and control programs related to
injury and abuse.
As a result of providing funding for the preventive health
and health services block grant rather than eliminating it as
requested by the Administration, the Committee does not include
bill language requested by the Administration that would
authorize states to reallocate up to five percent of the
funding they receive in CDC categorical grants for the purposes
related to those conducted through the preventive health and
health services block grant.
Buildings and facilities
The Committee provides $29,700,000 for buildings and
facilities, which is $128,700,000 below the fiscal year 2006
funding level and the same as the budget request. These funds
support efficient maintenance and operations of new and
existing facilities to protect the interest and investment of
the government so that deterioration of CDC facilities does not
occur again.
Business services and support
The Committee provides $327,000,000 for business services
and support, which is $28,384,000 above the fiscal year 2006
funding level and $23,146,000 above the budget request. Some of
the activities that are supported through this funding are
administrative services and programs, the human resources
center, capital planning and investment control, financial
management, security and emergency preparedness, and
information technology services.
It is the Committee's intention that funds provided in
business services and support are sufficient to carry out CDC's
business functions. The Committee will not support the
continuation of programmatic ``tapping'' to achieve additional
funding in this area. It is for this reason that the Committee
has increased the funding for this program above both the
fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget request. If
additional funding is required for activities that are funded
within this budget line, the Committee expects CDC to work with
the Department of Health and Human Services to prepare a
reprogramming request to be submitted to the House and Senate
Committees on Appropriations.
Within the amount provided, sufficient funds are provided
for data center operations and maintenance and for a data
storage hardware capital lease purchase payment. This funding
is to further provide for the remote mirroring of information
between CDC data centers and recovery sites and to provide
heterogeneous connectivity to existing systems in use at CDC in
order to ensure the protection, recovery, and availability of
critical resources. The funding also will provide for enhanced
security-specific technologies and services in concert with
critical infrastructure protection requirements.
National Institutes of Health
The Committee recommends an appropriation of
$28,250,003,000 for the National Institutes of Health (NIH),
which yields a total program level of $28,258,203,000. This
program level is $17,694,000 above the fiscal year 2006 non-
emergency appropriation and equal to the request. The Committee
recommends a substantial increase in the Office of the Director
for activities that benefit multiple institutes and centers
(ICs) under the Roadmap initiative, and has recommended
corresponding reductions to the budget of each IC as proposed
in the budget request.
Budget justification materials.--While the Committee
appreciates the detailed mechanism tables and pleonastic
descriptions of science advances that were submitted as part of
each institute, center or office's (IC's) budget justification
for fiscal year 2007, the Committee is troubled by the lack of
program-level detail displayed for each IC. Therefore, the
Committee directs NIH, in its fiscal year 2008 budget
submission, to include the following additional information for
each IC for which funding is requested: a table showing funding
at the program level, including comparisons between the
requested level and the two prior fiscal year appropriations; a
table depicting major program or activity increases and
decreases as compared to the previous fiscal year along with a
detailed justification of the reasons for the increases or
decreases; and, for each new initiative proposed in fiscal year
2008, the cost and goals of that initiative and a detailed
justification of the activities proposed to be undertaken in
the initiative (including costs of each major activity). While
the Committee does not direct funding to particular diseases
and has traditionally provided maximum flexibility to NIH in
order to allow it to fund programs and projects in a manner
consistent with the state of the science, it is appropriate
that the American people and their elected representatives have
access to more detailed information regarding the manner in
which NIH invests and proposes to invest increasingly scarce
taxpayer resources.
NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
The Committee recommends $4,753,609,000 for the National
Cancer Institute (NCI), which is $39,747,000 below the fiscal
year 2006 appropriation and the same as the budget request.
Mission.--NCI conducts and supports basic and applied
cancer research in early detection, diagnosis, prevention,
treatment and rehabilitation. NCI provides training support for
research scientists, clinicians and educators, and maintains a
national network of cancer centers, clinical cooperative
groups, and community clinical oncology programs, along with
cancer prevention and control initiatives and outreach programs
to rapidly translate basic research findings into clinical
practice.
American Russian Cancer Alliance (ARCA).--The Committee
commends the members of the American Russian Cancer Alliance
(ARCA) for their continued pursuit of novel cancer research
activities that capitalize on the particular strengths of the
respective participating institutions. The Committee
specifically recognizes the progress made in the ARCA-sponsored
projects in molecular imaging and radioisotope-targeted cancer
therapy and diagnosis that effectively utilizes the
complementary expertise of the leading Russian nuclear research
center and American cancer centers. The ARCA initiatives
planned in cancer prevention and the ongoing sponsorship of
educational and training activities will continue to bring
together ARCA institutional expertise in the pursuit of
cutting-edge cancer research. The Committee applauds the
considerable commitment of NCI in providing support to the ARCA
infrastructure and cancer prevention pilot projects, and in
facilitating scientific exchange between the American and
Russian partners, including the support of visiting scientists
and scientific conferences. The Committee encourages NCI to
continue its support of the cancer prevention research
initiatives and the educational aspects of the ARCA agenda,
including conference support and scientific exchange and
training, which promote the Alliance's cancer research
activities while concurrently supporting the national interest
in developing new, productive avenues for the use of nuclear
stockpiles previously earmarked for weapons development.
Cancer centers.--The Committee commends NCI on the success
of its cancer centers program. Given that minority populations
suffer disproportionately from virtually every form of cancer,
the Committee encourages NCI to support the establishment of a
comprehensive center at a minority institution focused on
research, treatment, and prevention of cancer in African
American and other minority communities.
Cancer metastasis to bone.--A frequent complication of
cancer is its spread to bone (bone metastasis), causing severe
bone pain and pathologic fractures. The Committee encourages
NCI, in collaboration with NIAMS, NIA, and NIDDK to support
research to determine mechanisms and to identify, block and
treat cancer metastasis to bone.
Furthermore, the Committee encourages NCI to expand
research on osteosarcoma to improve survival and quality of
life and to prevent metastatic osteosarcoma in children and
teenagers who develop this cancer.
Community cancer centers.--The Committee commends NCI for
its foresight in developing the community cancer centers
program, which is a direct mechanism to translate the most
promising advances in cancer treatment from major medical
research institutions to community hospitals around the
country. The Committee request a report by September 30, 2007
regarding the feasibility of expanding this pilot program.
Gynecologic cancers.--Today, in the United States, one
woman will be diagnosed with a gynecologic cancer every seven
minutes. That is almost 200 per day and 80,000 in a given year.
Furthermore, almost 30,000 women die from a gynecologic cancer
each year. Existing NCI funding for SPOREs, program projects,
the Early Detection Network, and investigator initiated grants
has accelerated basic, molecular-based research discoveries for
gynecologic cancers. Recent progress combined with the need for
further innovation makes this group of cancers an important
focus under NCI's broader ``roadmap'' initiatives. The
Committee encourages NCI to give priority to gynecologic
cancers under its Nanotechnology Plan (CNPlan), its Oncology
Biomarker Qualifications Initiative (QBQI), and its Cancer
Genomics Atlas Project (TCGA), jointly conducted with the
National Human Genome Research Institute. This inclusion will
allow laboratory discoveries to be translated into clinical
applications at the bedside causing a decrease in the mortality
rates for women with gynecologic cancer.
Gynecologic oncology clinical trials.--Organized in 1970,
the Gynecologic Oncology Clinical Trials Cooperative Group
(GOG) has conducted over 300 clinical trials involving almost
100,000 patients. With over 550 manuscripts in peer reviewed
literature, the GOG is recognized as the leader in the
development of new therapies for women with gynecologic cancer.
The Committee encourages NCI to support translational research
involving biologic prognosticators and therapeutic effects of
chemotherapy to speed the development and delivery of new
cancer treatments to women with gynecologic cancers.
Liver cancer.--The Committee is pleased that NCI has issued
program announcements requesting research projects on
hepatocellular carcinoma. The Committee remains concerned,
however, with the increasing incidence of primary liver cancer,
and the small number of effective treatments, which is in sharp
contrast to many other forms of cancer where the incidence is
declining and the treatment options are rapidly increasing. The
Committee encourages NCI to continue to support the NIDDK
sponsored HALT-C clinical trial, which has particular relevance
to the NCI mission. NCI is further encouraged to collaborate
with the National Institute for Biomedical Imaging and
Bioengineering on the development of improved early liver
cancer diagnostic techniques.
Lung cancer.--The Committee remains concerned that the five
year survival rate for lung cancer is only 15 percent, thirty-
five years after the passage of the National Cancer Act. The
Committee recognizes that lung cancer is the leading cause of
cancer deaths for both men and women--accounting for nearly one
in every three deaths. The Committee encourages the National
Cancer Institute to work with CDC, the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid, the Food and Drug Administration, the Agency for
Healthcare Quality and Research, the Department of Defense and
other federal agencies to coordinate federal efforts on lung
cancer in areas including research, early and late state
diagnosis, treatment, and disease management, with goal of
increasing five-year survival rates and, ultimately, curing
lung cancer.
Neurofibromatosis (NF).--The committee is pleased that NCI
conducted clinical trials of NF patients and encourages it to
continue its commitment to NF research. Recognizing NF's
connection to many of the most common forms of cancer, the
Committee encourages NCI to strengthen its NF research
portfolio in such areas as further development of animal
models, natural history studies, genetic and drug screening,
therapeutic experimentation, and pre-clinical and clinical
trials. The Committee further encourages NCI to apply existing
cancer drugs to NF patients in clinical trials both
extramurally and intramurally, and to develop new drugs for NF
that could then apply to the general population because of NF's
connection to many forms of human cancer. The Committee
encourages NCI to continue to coordinate its efforts with other
NIH institutes and government agencies.
Specialized Programs for Research Excellence (SPOREs).--The
Committee has long supported NCI's Specialized Programs of
Research Excellence (SPOREs), and encourages NCI to provide
support for the important work done by SPOREs at a level as
close to the amount provided in fiscal year 2004 as possible,
and in the current form, until such time as the Translational
Research Working Group concludes its evaluation and provides
recommendations to support translational research more
effectively.
NATIONAL HEART, LUNG, AND BLOOD INSTITUTE
The Committee recommends $2,901,012,000 for the National
Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), which is $20,745,000
below the fiscal year 2006 appropriation and the same as the
budget request.
Mission.--The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
provides leadership for a national research program in diseases
of the heart, blood vessels, lungs, and blood, in transfusion
medicine, and in sleep disorders through support of basic,
clinical, and population-based and health education research.
Bleeding and clotting disorders.--The Committee commends
NHLBI for its commitment to research in bleeding and clotting
disorders and encourages the institute to continue these
efforts focusing on improved and novel therapies for these
disorders and maintaining its collaborative relationship with
the scientific and medical research community.
Bone marrow diseases.--The Committee encourages NHLBI and
NCI to collaborate on a comprehensive study of the prevalence
of bone marrow diseases in Asian countries. A better
understanding of the disproportionate prevalence among Asians
may lead to new scientific breakthroughs identifying the causes
and cures for aplastic anemia and other bone marrow diseases.
Cardiovascular disease and women.--The Committee remains
concerned that as the population ages, cardiovascular disease
will reach pandemic proportions, and that women will continue
to be affected at high rates. Therefore, the Committee
encourages the institute to place a high priority on heart
disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases in women by
increasing resources to stimulate, strengthen, and intensify
its investment in basic, clinical, translational, and trans-
institute cardiovascular disease research through all available
mechanisms. Despite new therapies, the Committee continues to
believe that more research is needed to understand better the
causes of these diseases in women, develop more effective
treatments and cures, and prevent cardiovascular diseases.
Cardiovascular diseases.--The Committee continues to
encourage the institute to place a high priority on research
for heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases,
including strengthening its research portfolio through all
available mechanisms into the causes, cure, prevention and
treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Cooley's anemia.--The Committee remains supportive of the
focused research effort that is being undertaken by the
Thalassemia Clinical Research Network, which is comprised of
the leading research institutions in the field of thalassemia,
or Cooley's anemia. The Committee believes that this network is
just beginning to meet its promise and encourages NHLBI to
continue supporting this research. In addition, the Committee
commends NHLBI for convening a meeting with regard to gene
therapy and encourages the institute to move much more
aggressively in pursuing a research agenda that will lead to a
cure at the earliest possible time.
Cystic fibrosis.--The Committee encourages NHLBI to
increase support for research aimed at understanding the
precise mechanisms by which small molecules correct protein
misfolding and mistrafficking relevant to lung diseases.
Understanding the mechanisms of correction of protein folding
and trafficking may contribute to NIH-supported efforts to
identify additional ways to affect positively these cellular
processes. Also, such investigator-initiated grant proposals
could augment current efforts by NIDDK to use screening methods
to identify promising molecules to address protein misfolding.
The Committee also encourages the NHLBI to continue to explore
opportunities to support clinical research networks to
accelerate therapeutic development.
Lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM).--The Committee remains very
interested in efforts to find a cure for LAM, a progressive and
often fatal lung disease of women with no effective treatment.
The Committee understands that recent scientific findings have
presented new treatment approaches for clinical testing, and
that expermental trials with the drug sirolimus have begun. The
Committee encourages the NHLBI to explore opportunities for
funding clinical treatment trials through both intramural and
extramural means and to use all available mechanisms as
appropriate, including support of state-of-the-science
symposia, request for applications, and facilitating access to
human tissues, to stimulate a broad range of clinical and basic
LAM research.
Marfan syndrome.--Marfan syndrome is a life threatening
disorder characterized by aortic aneurysms, painful orthopedic
issues, pulmonary issues and ocular manifestations. The
Committee commends NHLBI's Pediatric Heart Network for its
support of a clinical trial to test a potential new drug
therapy for Marfan syndrome. The Committee encourages NHLBI to
continue to build on the exciting new advances made in this
field to prolong life and dramatically improve the quality of
life for people affected with this disorder through all
available mechanisms.
National COPD education and prevention program.--The
Committee is pleased that NHLBI held a preliminary workshop to
formulate strategies towards implementing a National Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Education and Prevention
Program. Since COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the
United States, the Committee encourages NHLBI to continue its
education efforts to bring advances in medical care to the
public. Early identification of those at-risk for or who have
COPD is essential in the effort to stem the growth of the
population with COPD. The Committee encourages NHLBI to
continue its efforts in this area, working with national lung
organizations to develop a national education campaign for
providers and the public about COPD.
Neurofibromatosis (NF).--Significant advances continue to
be made in research on NF's implications with heart disease
and, in particular, its involvement with hypertension and
congenital heart disease that together affect over 50 million
Americans. The Committee applauds NHLBI for its involvement
with NF research and with NF patient advocacy groups and
encourages the institute to continue its NF research portfolio
in light of the significant implications for the general
population.
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM).--Mycobacteria are
environmental organisms found in both water and soil that can
cause significant respiratory damage. The Committee is aware of
the increasing incidence of NTM pulmonary infections in women,
particularly involving rapidly growing mycobacteria, an
inherently resistant subspecies. The Committee encourages NHLBI
to collaborate with NIAID and other institutes on research that
will lead to a better understanding of NTM, enhanced
diagnostics and treatment and appropriate education of health
care providers.
Outcomes research in cardiovascular diseases.--The
Committee commends NHLBI for convening a Working Group on
Outcomes Research in Cardiovascular Disease and for
subsequently publishing a report identifying priority areas for
research, including developing national surveillance of
cardiovascular care and outcomes, promoting patient-centered
care, translating best practice into clinical practice,
involving patients in care, and placing the cost of
interventions in the context of their real-world effectiveness.
The Committee encourages the institute to fund the priority
areas highlighted in the report to enhance the prevention and
treatment of heart disease, stroke and other cardiovascular
diseases.
Preventing weight gain in young adults.--The Committee is
concerned about the ever increasing obesity rates and resulting
chronic disease burden. Given the typical increase in weight
throughout adulthood, evidence suggests that reducing the
obesity epidemic will require significant attention to
preventing progressive weight gain starting in early adulthood.
Yet, little is known about the best methods to achieve weight
management in this population. The Committee encourages NHLBI
to develop and test innovative practical, cost-effective ways
for preventing weight gain in young adults to reduce heart
disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases.
Pulmonary hypertension.--The Committee continues to view
pulmonary hypertension research as a high priority and
encourages NHLBI to support three to four Specialized Centers
of Clinically Orientated Research (SCCOR) in pulmonary
hypertension in fiscal year 2007.
Sleep disorders.--The Committee is pleased that public and
professional awareness on sleep will be a component of NHLBI's
strategic planning process and encourages the institute to
engage voluntary organizations throughout this process. The
Committee continues to encourage the National Center on Sleep
Disorders Research to partner with other federal agencies, such
as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as
voluntary health organizations to implement a sleep education
and public awareness initiative using the roundtable model that
has been successful for other institutes and Public Health
Service agencies.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DENTAL AND CRANIOFACIAL RESEARCH
The Committee recommends $386,095,000 for the National
Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), which is
$3,241,000 below the fiscal year 2006 appropriation and the
same as the budget request.
Mission.--The mission of NIDCR is to improve the Nation's
oral, dental and craniofacial health through research, research
training, and the dissemination of health information. NIDCR
accomplishes its mission by performing and supporting basic and
clinical research; conducting and funding research training and
career development programs to ensure an adequate number of
talented, well-prepared and diverse investigators; coordinating
and assisting relevant research and research-related activities
among all sectors of the research community; and promoting the
timely transfer of knowledge gained from research and its
implications for health to the public, health professionals,
researchers, and policy-makers.
Saliva.--The Committee is aware that research on saliva has
progressed rapidly and holds the potential to be an inexpensive
non-invasive diagnostic tool for early detection of breast
cancer, osteoporosis, hepatitis, HIV, and Sjogren's disease.
The Committee encourages NIDCR to work cooperatively with NCI
and other appropriate institutes in pursuing research
initiatives on the development of saliva as a diagnostic tool.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES AND DIGESTIVE AND KIDNEY DISEASES
The Committee recommends $1,694,298,000 for the National
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
(NIDDK), which is $10,627,000 below the fiscal year 2006
appropriation and the same as the budget request. In addition,
$150,000,000 in mandatory funds are available for juvenile
diabetes research at NIDDK.
Mission.--NIDDK supports research in three major disease
categories: diabetes, endocrinology, and metabolic diseases;
digestive diseases and nutrition; and kidney, urologic, and
hematologic diseases. NIDDK supports a coordinated program of
fundamental and clinical research and demonstration projects
relating to the causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of
diseases within these categories. The Institute also supports
efforts to transfer the knowledge gained from its research
program to health professionals, patients, and the general
public.
Action plan for liver disease research.--The Committee is
pleased that the NIH Director approved a trans-NIH action plan
for liver disease research in December 2005. The Committee
applauds the NIDDK-led efforts to evaluate and critique
progress being made in each of the sixteen research areas
identified by the plan. The Committee looks forward to being
kept informed as to the progress being made to implement the
goals of the plan and continuing efforts by NIH to establish
priorities within the framework of each individual research
area and among the sixteen areas as a whole.
Acute liver failure.--The Committee applauds the leadership
of NIDDK to convene a meeting in December 2006 meeting to
address the important issue of acute liver failure. The
Committee encourages that attendance at the December 2006
meeting be broad enough to determine what improvements can be
made in the U.S. based on best practices in other countries.
Biliary atresia.--The Committee is pleased that the number
of Biliary Atresia Research Network Centers has increased from
9 to 10 and that NIDDK, in conjunction with HRSA, will conduct
a newborn screening conference in September 2006. This
conference will permit a review and evaluation of best
practices in other countries around the world. The Committee
looks forward to being informed as to the results of the
conference.
Cooley's anemia.--The Committee continues to support the
high quality research being conducted by NIDDK on such issues
as iron chelation, non-invasive iron measurement, fetal
hemoglobin, and other topics critical to improving the lives of
Cooley's anemia patients. The development of a less burdensome
means of iron chelation is urgently needed. In addition, the
Committee encourages NIDDK to continue to work closely with
NIBIB to develop and perfect non-invasive means of measuring
iron.
Cystic fibrosis.--The Committee commends NIDDK for awarding
two new Cystic Fibrosis Research and Translational Centers.
These new awards will facilitate better communication and
collaboration at these centers on basic and clinical research
to develop and test new therapies for cystic fibrosis (CF).
The Committee also commends NIDDK for issuing a program
announcement entitled, ``Targeting Diseases Caused by Protein
Misfolding or Misprocessing.'' Awards for this research will
greatly assist in the identification of products through
screening that can correct the basic protein defect in cystic
fibrosis (CF) and that may be developed as new CF treatments.
The Committee encourages NIDDK to continue its support of CF
research efforts, including protein misfolding, and to
collaborate with other institutes to support research to
further examine the agents that show promise in treating CF.
The Committee also encourages NIDDK to continue to explore
opportunities to support clinical research networks to
accelerate therapeutic development.
Digestive diseases.--Diseases of the digestive system
continue to affect more than one-half of all Americans at some
time in their lives. Serious disorders such as colorectal
cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome,
hemochromatosis, celiac disease, and hepatitis take a
tremendous toll in terms of human suffering, mortality, and
economic burden. The Committee commends NIDDK on the success of
its Digestive Disease Centers program in addressing a wide
range of disorders that result in tremendous human suffering
and economic cost. The Committee continues to encourage NIDDK
to expand this important program with an increased emphasis on
irritable bowel syndrome.
Drug induced liver injury.--The Committee is aware of
increased incidence of drug induced liver injury and encourages
additional research focused on identifying the cause of this
drug induced morbidity and recommendations for prevention.
End stage renal disease (ESRD).--The Committee is concerned
about the significant differences among minority groups in the
incidence and prevalence of patients suffering from ESRD. The
U.S. Renal Data System (USRDS) reports that incidence rates for
African-Americans for hemodialysis are more than quadruple that
for white Americans, and rates for Native Americans and
Hispanic-Americans are more than double those for white
Americans; while transplant rates are highest in non-Hispanics.
The Committee encourages NIDDK to take steps to ensure adequate
inclusion of minority ESRD patients in the Comprehensive
Dialysis Study and other relevant research so that such trends
can be understood for their impact on these populations.
Fatty liver disease.--The Committee notes that there is an
emerging, obesity-related chronic liver disease that may affect
as many as one in four adults and a significant number of obese
children. This diagnosis encompasses a spectrum of severity
with many cases evolving into non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
(NASH) and, ultimately, cirrhosis. NASH-related liver disease
has already become an important indicator for liver
transplantation, and in the absence of better treatments, the
need for NASH-related liver transplantation will increase
significantly over time. The Committee is pleased that NIDDK is
funding a fatty liver disease clinical trial that includes both
adult and pediatric populations, and that NIH has generated a
significant increase in highly competitive science and research
focused on fatty liver disease.
Glomerular disease research.--The Committee continues to be
pleased with the work of NIDDK in the area of glomerular
disease research, particularly as it relates to focal segmental
glomerulosclerosis. The Committee commends NIDDK for conducting
the recent Glomerular Disease Workshop in January of 2005, and
encourages NIDDK to issue a specific program announcement or
other appropriate mechanism to ensure the initiation of grant
proposals, training positions, and other activities to expand
the NIDDK portfolio in this important area of research. The
Committee requests a report on progress made in this area by
August 1, 2007.
Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis.--The Committee also
is aware of wide geographic and ethnic variances in rates of
hemodialysis, both center-based and home hemodialysis, as well
as peritoneal dialysis, for patients suffering from End Stage
Renal Disease (ESRD). The Committee understands that a large
clinical trial involving hemodialysis is underway and
encourages NIDDK to expand its research in this area to include
peritoneal dialysis, or to develop a similar review for
peritoneal dialysis that examines medical outcomes, quality of
life, and clinical improvements for ESRD patients who choose
this important and well-established therapy.
Hemophilia and hepatitis C (HCV).--The Committee
understands that hepatitis C continues to have a devastating
impact on the hemophilia population, with nearly half of all
persons with hemophilia having contracted HCV, and many of
these individuals co-infected with HIV. The Committee
encourages NIDDK to convene a panel of experts and develop a
research agenda that would address issues related to co-
infection and the progression of liver disease in this
population.
Hepatitis B.--The Committee is aware that there are
currently 1.25 million Americans chronically infected with
hepatitis B, a disease that disproportionately affects Asian
Americans. The Committee applauds the leadership of NIDDK in
conducting an experts' conference in April 2006, and is aware
that a significant number of new research opportunities have
been identified. The Committee encourages continued research
for hepatitis B. The Committee also encourages that a focus be
placed on identifying best practices for treatment of hepatitis
B and supports efforts to reduce the disproportionately high
annual treatment costs. Additionally, the Committee encourages
NIDDK to collaborate with CDC to develop a document to reach
at-risk populations for intensive public health screening,
outreach and testing campaigns.
Incontinence.--Many otherwise healthy, active individuals
suffer from incontinence. Fecal incontinence, also called bowel
incontinence, affects people of all ages and is associated with
a wide variety of causes. The Committee is pleased that NIDDK
is collaborating with NICHD and the Office of Medical
Applications of Research on the incontinence state-of-the-
science conference.
Inflammatory bowel disease.--The Committee has been
encouraged in recent years by discoveries related to Crohn's
disease and ulcerative colitis, collectively known as
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). These extremely complex
disorders represent a major cause of morbidity from intestinal
illness. The Committee commends NIDDK for its strong leadership
in this area and continues to encourage the institute to
increase funding for research focused on; (1) the cellular,
molecular and genetic structure of IBD, (2) identification of
the genes that determine susceptibility or resistance to IBD in
various patient subgroups, and (3) translation of basic
research findings into patient clinical trails as outlined in
the research agenda developed by the scientific community
entitled, ``Challenges in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.''
The Committee also encourages NIDDK to continue to
strengthen its partnership with the IBD community and increase
support for its successful Digestive Disease Centers program
with an emphasis on IBD.
Finally, the Committee is aware that IBD manifests itself
differently in children than it does in adults, highlighting
the importance of pediatric-focused research if improved
diagnostic and treatment tools are to be available. The
scientific priorities identified by patients, physicians and
professional societies include growth failure and bone disease;
identification of the genes responsible for early onset IBD;
and the relationship between children's immune system and IBD
onset and treatment. As a next step, the Committee encourages
NIDDK to conduct focused conferences on these priorities and
develop research initiatives that will lead to a better
understanding of the unique issues in pediatric IBD.
Interstitial cystitis (IC).--Research on interstitial
cystitis is still in its infancy and while there has been
important progress in this area in the last decade, there is
still very little known about the etiology and pathogenesis of
the disease. The Committee encourages NIDDK to place emphasis
on IC-specific funding in order to focus on the basic science
of IC and to attract and sustain research in the field.
The Committee is concerned about the lack of clarity
surrounding the definition of IC. While the Committee
recognizes that this is a complex challenge, NIDDK is
encouraged to develop a research definition of IC to clarify
the investigative questions and ensure that the research
results are comparable and therefore, more meaningful. The
Committee is concerned that studies of interstitial cystitis
epidemiology are hamstrung by a lack of clarity and leadership
in this area.
The Committee is pleased that NIDDK worked closely with the
IC Community to sponsor an international scientific symposium
on IC. The Committee is also encouraged by NIDDK's efforts to
elevate awareness of IC among providers and encourages NIDDK to
work more closely with the interstitial cystitis patient
community and CDC to utilize its resources and expertise
effectively.
Irritable bowel syndrome.--The Committee is pleased that
NIDDK is formulating an action plan for digestive diseases
through the National Commission on Digestive Diseases and that
irritable bowel syndrome or IBS will be included. The Committee
encourages NIDDK to expedite this plan.
Living donor transplantation.--The Committee notes that
approximately 9% of liver transplants in the adult population
and 35% in the pediatric population are made possible due to
living donations.
Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS).--The Committee is gratified by
NIDDK's efforts to enhance research on MPS disorders. The
Committee appreciates NIDDK's leadership and outreach to NIAMS
in the interest of improving collaborative bone and joint
disease research in MPS disorders. Research focused on the
underlying pathophysiology of bone and joint lesions, the gene
mutations and substrates that are stored, and potential
therapeutic approaches continue to be of significant interest
of the Committee. The Committee commends NIDDK on its
accessibility to the affected community as well as its
collaborations with NINDS, NICHD, NCRR, and ORD in advancing
broad-based MPS-related research.
Pediatric kidney disease.--Kidney disease is a major cause
of illness and death in infants, children and adolescents. The
increasing awareness that many diseases like diabetes and
hypertension that lead to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-
stage renal disease (ESRD) in adults begin in childhood,
demands that strategies to prevent kidney disease must begin
early in life. The Committee recognizes the urgent need to
better understand the pathogenesis of these conditions, and
encourages NIDDK to continue to support research focused on the
identification and study of genes and gene mutations that cause
and increase the risk of progressive kidney disease. In
addition, translational research aimed at clarifying the
mechanisms underlying the genesis and evolution of kidney
injury will help create targeted interventions to prevent,
identify, and treat kideny disease in children. Specifically,
the Committee recommends that emphasis be placed on research to
determine how obesity, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension
contribute to the evolution of CKD, and what interventions may
limit cardiovascular morbidity in patients with these disease.
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD).--The Committee is pleased
to learn that NIH-supported PKD research and partnerships with
private organizations have rapidly led to multiple clinical
drug trials in humans and to interdisciplinary blood pressure
and heart studies to validate the advantage in slowing PKD
disease progression. The Committee is encouraged that new
innovative therapies may soon be developed to slow or reverse
the progression of PKD. The Committee also recognizes the
crucial role federal research funds played leading to the
recent publication of data that improves measurement of disease
progression and that dramatically reduces the number of
patients needed to obtain valid results from clinical trials.
The Committee recognizes the significant benefits emanating
from the PKD Centers of Excellence in promoting
interdisciplinary scientific research and developing
alternative animal models and encourages NIDDK to support the
efforts of the PKD Centers to the maximum extent possible. The
Committee also encourages NIDDK to pursue fulfillment of the
PKD Strategic Plan and long-range planning to facilitate PKD
clinical trials and multidisciplinary research.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE
The Committee recommends $1,524,750,000 for the National
Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), which
is $10,007,000 below the fiscal year 2006 appropriation and the
same as the budget request.
Mission.--NINDS supports and conducts basic and clinical
neurological research and research training to increase
understanding of the brain and improve the prevention and
treatment of neurological and neuromuscular disorders. The
NINDS mission encompasses over 600 disorders, including stroke,
head and spinal cord injury, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and
neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease.
Alzheimer's disease.--Research supported by NINDS continues
to play an integral role in widening the scientific base of
knowledge about Alzheimer's disease. In a study supported
jointly by NINDS, NIA and the Alzheimer's Association,
scientists found that administering lithium to genetically
engineered mice reduced the accumulation of an abnormal protein
that contributes to the degeneration of neurons in Alzheimer's
disease. Further research will determine whether lithium could
also reduce neuronal degeneration if administered before any
significant structural abnormalities occur in neurons. The
Committee encourages NINDS to continue to assign a high
priority to its Alzheimer's research portfolio, and to continue
to work closely with NIA and other institutes.
Down syndrome.--As a follow-up to its successful Down
syndrome workshop to address research priorities relating to
the synaptic structure and function of neuronal circuits, NINDS
is encouraged to issue program announcements related to its
workshop findings. Specifically, the Committee encourages NINDS
to support investigations relating to the genetic and cellular
basis for abnormalities in the structure and function of
neuronal circuits in both developing and mature nervous
systems. NINDS is also encouraged to work with the Office of
the Director, OPASI, and other institutes to develop a
strategic plan for Down syndrome research and to coordinate all
Down syndrome research within NIH. In anticipation of future
clinical trials that will seek to measure accurately cognitive
improvement in individuals with Down syndrome, the Committee
further encourages NINDS to develop better measurement
standards and a common data base that can be used generally for
such trials.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).--The Committee is
pleased that the Muscular Dystrophy Coordinating Committee
(MDCC) has approved the Action Plan for the Muscular
Dystrophies. While the Committee is glad a comprehensive final
plan has been issued, there remain concerns that the plan does
not adequately clarify which agencies are tasked with primary
and secondary responsibilities for achieving each of the 76
research objectives. The Committee requests that the MDCC
identify, by February 1, 2007, the agencies and organizations
with primary and secondary responsibilities for each thematic
grouping of research objectives in the Action Plan for the
Muscular Dystrophies. The Committee requests that NIH's annual
report to Congress, authorized in the MD Care Act, include
information detailing the NIH's current DMD research goals, the
progress made toward goals, the total amount of money invested
toward the goals, and projected spending on DMD research for
the present and future fiscal year.
The Committee encourages NINDS to partner with NIAMS and
NHLBI to provide the funding needed to adequately support the
research agenda at each of the six Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy
Cooperative Research Centers.
Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy (DBMD) translational
research.--The Committee is advised that NIH is working toward
prioritizing opportunities for DBMD translational research
projects and plans to convene a workshop examining DBMD
translational opportunities later this year. The Committee is
pleased with this development and requests that NIH--through
NINDS, the MDCC, and the other relevant institutes--develop
specific measurable milestones, including a timeline, needed to
establish a DBMD Translational Research Initiative (TRI). This
information should be included in the annual report to Congress
authorized by the MD Care Act. The Committee encourages NIH to
include representatives from the six MD Centers of Excellence
in the process for establishing the DBMD TRI.
Dystonia.--The Committee continues to support the expansion
of research and treatment developments regarding dystonia. The
Committee is pleased with progress made in expanding the
dystonia research portfolio resulting from the joint dystonia
research program announcement and understands that eleven new
grants have been funded as a result of this initiative. The
Committee commends NINDS on its sponsorship of the scientific
workshop on dystonia planned for June 2006, and looks forward
to initiatives based on this activity.
Epilepsy.--Epilepsy remains a major, unsolved public health
problem affecting the lives of millions of Americans and their
families. The Committee encourages intensified efforts by the
Institute to produce breakthroughs in the prevention,
treatment, and eventual cure of epilepsy. The Committee
applauds the development of benchmarks for epilepsy research
resulting from the ``Curing Epilepsy: Focus on the Future''
conference held in March, 2000 and encourages the institute to
address important research issues raised at the ``Living Well
with Epilepsy II'' conference held in July, 2003. The Committee
further encourages NINDS to continue to carry out its benchmark
priorities, to develop plans and goals for the anti-epileptic
drug development program, and to report to the Committee on its
activities to further these important areas of research.
Hypoglycemia.--Hypoglycemia or extremely low blood sugar is
especially difficult to manage in young children with type 1
diabetes but can quickly result in serious consequences such as
cognitive impairment, nerve damage, seizure, coma, or death.
NINDS is encouraged to foster research on understanding the
biology of the brain and nervous system under conditions of low
glucose, devising better glucose management technologies that
reduce the risk of hypoglycemia, and develop new agents to
protect patients from hypoglycemia-related nerve damage.
Neurofibromatosis (NF).--Advances in NF research have
linked NF to cancer, brain tumors, learning disabilities,
memory loss and heart disease. The Committee encourages NINDS
to expand its NF clinical, pre-clinical and basic research
portfolios and to continue its efforts to accelerate the
process of translational research. The Committee commends NINDS
for its leadership role in NF research and in coordinating
efforts with other institutes and government agencies engaged
in NF research. The Committee encourages NINDS to continue its
efforts in the creation, implementation and funding of NF pre-
clinical and clinical trials infrastructures, including NF
centers, translational research, genetic and drug screening,
training of new NF researchers, and clinical trials using
existing and new drugs on NF patients. The Committee encourages
NINDS to continue to coordinate its efforts with other
appropriate institutes at NIH as well as other government
agencies.
Parkinson's disease.--The Committee supports the innovative
multidisciplinary research and training concerning Parkinson's
disease provided by the Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Disease
Research Centers of Excellence. The Committee encourages NINDS
to require that the Udall Centers include a significant
clinical/translational component, in addition to ongoing basic
research. The Committee encourages the Director to provide
funding expeditiously at the conclusion of the neuroprotection
trials (NET-PD) for phase III clinical trials of all the
neuroprotection compounds that survive futility testing. The
Committee requests that the Director report on funding for
phase III trials three-months after the conclusion of each of
the NET-PD trials. The Committee recognizes that continuation
of promising research is an integral part of the strategic plan
for future investments in Parkinson's research.
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).--SMA is the leading genetic
killer of infants and toddlers. The Committee understands that
the severity of the disease, its relatively high incidence, and
the possibility of imminent treatments have led NINDS to
execute the SMA Therapeutics Development Program. The Committee
commends NINDS for this initiative and encourages NINDS to
continue the project mission of identifying and completing
preclinical research and development of drug candidate
therapeutics for SMA in the coming year. More importantly, the
Committee encourages NINDS to begin planning and budgeting for
the necessary next stages of drug development. The Committee
requests that NINDS provide a progress report on all aspects of
SMA research by April 30, 2007.
Stroke.--The Committee continues to place a high priority
on stroke research and encourages NINDS to allocate resources
to basic, clinical and translational research into stroke. The
Committee encourages NINDS to continue implementing the long-
range strategic plan for stroke research and to continue
efforts to improve stroke diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation
and prevention.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI).--The Committee encourages
NINDS to build upon basic and translational research in brain
injury rehabilitation at the National Center on Medical
Rehabilitation and Research (NCMRR). NCMRR has awarded grants
to eight bench science research centers and a data center to
establish the cooperative multi-center traumatic brain injury
clinical trials network. The Committee encourages NINDS to
participate in supporting these centers and to support training
grants for TBI researchers.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES
The Committee recommends $4,270,496,000 for the National
Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which is
$112,805,000 below the fiscal year 2006 appropriation and
$125,000,000 below the budget request. The Committee
recommendation does not include bill language requested by the
Administration to permit the transfer of $100,000,000 to the
global AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria fund. Instead, the
Committee has recommended an increase of $130,000,000 above the
fiscal year 2006 appropriation for HRSA and CDC domestic HIV/
AIDS programs, and has provided $121,952,000 for global HIV/
AIDS activities at CDC. In addition, the Committee
recommendation does not include bill language that would
provide $25,000,000 for the construction of extramural
facilities for research on infectious agents and
countermeasures. The Committee understands that these funds are
intended to support new facilities rather than completion of
laboratories that are already partially constructed. Therefore,
the Committee has provided the requested $25,000,000 to the
National Center for Research Resources for open competition
among all institutions rather than a competition specifically
aimed at infectious agents.
Mission.--NIAID supports and conducts basic and clinical
research and research training programs in infectious diseases
caused by, or associated with, disorders of the immune system.
NIAID supported research includes research on AIDS, asthma and
allergies, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases,
tropical diseases, and emerging microbes. The goals of NIAID
research are to understand disease pathogenesis better, to
improve disease diagnosis, to develop new and improved drugs to
treat diseases, and to develop new and improved vaccines to
prevent disease, many of which significantly affect public
health.
Asthma.--The Committee is pleased with NIAID's leadership
regarding asthma research and management. The Committee
encourages NIAID to continue to improve its focus and effort on
asthma management, especially as it relates to children. The
Committee also encourages NIAID to continue to support asthma
prevention, treatment, and research activities.
Coinfection research.--The Committee is concerned that
there is growing evidence of liver toxicity of highly active
antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in those with decompensated
liver disease awaiting liver transplantation. There also
appears to be an emerging problem of liver cancer in co-
infected patients (HCV and/or HBV with HIV). The Committee
encourages NIAID to initiate research initiatives in both of
these areas.
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) vaccine development.--The Committee
is pleased to learn that phase I of a small hepatitis vaccine
human trial has been successfully completed and that phase II
regarding efficacy is underway. The Committee expects to be
kept informed on progress regarding the development of this
vaccine and its potential application for intervening in the
development of chronic disease among the population currently
infected with the hepatitis C virus. The Committee is concerned
with preliminary information that this vaccine candidate may
not be universally effective against all genotypes of hepatitis
C and therefore encourages the simultaneous development of
other vaccine candidates against hepatitis C vaccine.
Implementation of the transplantation research action
plan.--The Committee is pleased that NIAID convened an experts
conference and developed a five-year transplantation research
action plan identifying the most urgently needed research to
facilitate and increase in the success of organ
transplantation. The Committee encourages an annual review of
progress made in the various research areas identified by the
plan with recommendations and appropriate follow up to enhance
progress in promising, but low yielding areas of research
specifically as they relate to organ donation, organ evaluation
and organ transplantation.
Inflammatory bowel disease.--The Committee continues to
note with interest a scientific research agenda for Crohn's
disease and ulcerative colitis (collectively known as
inflammatory bowel disease) entitled ``Challenges in
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).'' This report identifies
strong linkages between the functions of the immune system and
IBD. The Committee encourages the Institute to focus on: (1)
the immunology of IBD and (2) the interaction of genetics and
environmental factors in the development of the disease.
Living donor transplantation.--The Committee recognizes
that the transplantation of organs, tissues, and cells is a
powerful mode of treatment for dozens of life-threatening
diseases affecting millions of Americans. The Committee
encourages NIAID's basic and clinical research programs in
transplantation to focus efforts on the study of living donor
transplantation to enhance success rates by reducing morbidity
and mortality. Additionally the Committee requests to be
informed on the institute's plans to initiate a cohort study to
assess the health outcomes of living donors not only following
the period immediately after the donation but for the quality
of life implications for decades post donation.
Meningococcal disease-serogroup B immunization research.--
Although the Committee recognizes that meningococcal disease is
vaccine-preventable in most cases, approximately 30 percent of
the deaths and disabilities from this bacterial infection are
attributed to serogroup B, which is not vaccine-preventable.
The Committee encourages NIAID to increase specific research
efforts to develop an effective, low-cost vaccine against
serogroup B that will help protect infants and adolescents in
the near term.
Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PI).--NIAID is the lead
agency for research into bone marrow transplantation (BMT).
Recently, the survival rate for severe combined immune
deficiency (SCID) from related HLA-identical donors has
resulted in a survival rate of over 90%. Unfortunately for most
patients, there are no HLA identical donors. Alternative
approaches using HLA-matched unrelated donors and HLA-
mismatched related donors have produced very promising results.
These new approaches have been designed to eliminate graft
versus host disease, and other complications. The Committee
encourages NIAID to develop therapeutic approaches to treating
SCID patients who require BMT. Advancements in BMT will benefit
not only children with SCID, but persons with many other
diseases (such as cancer, lupus, and HIV/AIDS) who rely on this
therapy.
Tuberculosis (TB).--The Committee is pleased with NIAID's
efforts to develop an effective TB vaccine, and encourages
expansion of work on this important initiative.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES
The Committee recommends $1,923,481,000 for the National
Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), which is
$12,137,000 below the fiscal year 2006 appropriation and the
same as the budget request.
Mission.--NIGMS supports research and research training in
the basic biomedical sciences. Institute grantees, working in
such fields as cell biology, biophysics, genetics,
developmental biology, pharmacology, physiology, biological
chemistry, bioinformatics, and computational biology study
normal biological processes to better understand what goes
wrong when disease occurs. In this way, NIGMS supports the new
knowledge, theories, and technologies that can then be applied
to the disease-targeted studies supported by other NIH
components. NIGMS-supported basic research advances also find
applications in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical
industries. The Institute's training programs help provide the
scientists needed by industry and academia. NIGMS also has
programs to increase the diversity of the biomedical workforce.
Cystic fibrosis (CF).--The Committee encourages NIGMS to
support methods for the creation of tools and reagents and
advances in techniques for precision monitoring of folding and
trafficking events and to encourage sharing of resulting data,
especially in area of protein folding or imaging. These tools
will support ongoing research efforts by other NIH institutes
to screen molecules that may affect improper protein folding
and trafficking, as well as efforts to develop therapies to
correct this defect for CF and other diseases.
Minority scientist training programs.--The Committee
continues to be pleased with the quality of NIGMS's training
programs, particularly those that have a special focus on
increasing the number of minority scientists such as the
Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) and Minority
Biomedical Research Support (MBRS) programs. The Committee
encourages NIGMS to continue to support these important
initiatives, and is particularly pleased that NIGMS has
supported biomedical career opportunity programs for high
school and undergraduate college students in conjunction with
historically black health professions schools. The Committee
encourages continued, long-term support of this program.
national institute of child health and human development
The Committee recommends $1,257,418,000 for the National
Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), which
is $7,351,000 below the fiscal year 2006 appropriation and the
same as the budget request.
Mission.--The NICHD conducts and supports laboratory and
clinical research on the reproductive, developmental, and
behavioral processes that determine and maintain the health and
well-being of children, adults, families and populations. In
addition, research in medical rehabilitation is supported.
National Children's Study.--The Committee is very
disappointed to see that the proposed elimination of funding
for the National Children's Study is mentioned only in passing
under the ``Items of Significant Interest'' section and nowhere
else in the entirety of NIH's fiscal year 2007 justification
material. The lack of discussion related to this significant
termination, which has enjoyed bipartisan support in the House
of Representatives, highlights a serious shortcoming in the
justification materials--one the Committee expects will be
remedied in the fiscal year 2008 submission and beyond. As a
result, the Committee has included bill language directing
NICHD to dedicate $69,000,000 from within funds provided to
continue the National Children's Study, including funding all
Vanguard Centers and any other activities that were planned for
fiscal year 2007. If NIH wishes to request that Congress
discontinue the study in future fiscal years, the Committee
directs that a complete justification of the reasons for
terminating the study accompany the budget request, rather than
one sentence tucked away in response to prior year report
language.
Autism spectrum disorders.--The Committee is aware of
research into the genetic basis of autism spectrum disorders
and of NICHD's support for the High Risk Baby Sibling Autism
Research Project (Baby SIBS) on the incidence of autism among
children in the same families. Accordingly, the Committee
encourages the Institute to enhance its support for the Baby
SIBS project, and encourages the NICHD to enhance its work with
and support for similar public-private partnerships. The
Committee also encourages the Institute to enhance its autism
research portfolio on gene-environment interactions.
Best practices for planned vaginal birth.--The committee
commends the NIH state-of-the-science panel for its work on
cesarean section by maternal request, and notes that this panel
called for ``increased research devoted to strategies to
predict and influence the likelihood of successful vaginal
birth, particularly in the first pregnancy'' and for future
studies to ``determine whether there are modifiable factors in
the management of labor that can decrease maternal and neonatal
complications.'' Therefore the Committee encourages NICHD to
develop a prospective study to compare optimal best practices
for planned vaginal birth, measuring a broad range of physical
and mental health outcomes appropriate to the sample size,
including breastfeeding, attachment and other dimensions of the
mother-baby relationship, secondary fertility, and the process
and outcomes of subsequent pregnancies; and to support
translational research to identify effective ways to bring best
vaginal birth practices for healthy low-risk mothers into
practice. The Committee further encourages NICHD to include the
full range of health professionals involved with maternity care
(midwives, obstetricians, family physicians, pediatricians,
nurses, doulas) and social scientists in planning,
implementation and reporting of this research.
Demographic research.--The Committee commends NICHD for its
impressive demographic research portfolio. Demographic research
is essential for understanding the health, socioeconomic, and
geographic implications of the rapidly changing U.S.
population. The Committee encourages the Institute to invest in
its demographic training programs to prepare the next
generation of social scientists. Further, the Committee
encourages the Institute, in a partnership with other Federal
agencies, to continue supporting critical, accessible
databases. Data from these resources and other studies
supported by the NICHD Demographic and Behavioral Sciences
Branch are key to informing programs and policies aimed at
improving the health and productivity of the American people.
Down syndrome.--NICHD is encouraged to partner with NINDS
and other agencies to define additional mouse models needed to
link important structural and functional abnormalities that
underlie cognitive difficulties to the actions of specific
genes and gene pathways.
Drug safety for children.--The Committee recognizes the
importance of ensuring that drugs are safe and effective for
use by children. The Committee supports continued
implementation of the Best Pharmaceuticals for Children Act of
2002, which supports the pediatric testing of off-patent drugs,
as well as on-patent drugs not being studied through existing
mechanisms. In implementing this provision, NICHD should
continue to act as coordinator for all other institutes within
NIH for which pediatric pharmacological drug research may have
therapeutic relevance, and in consultation with the Food and
Drug Administration, develop study requests designed to yield
improved pediatric labeling. In preparation for reauthorization
of BPCA in 2007, the Committee requests NICHD to provide a
report on the implementation process instituted, including the
process for prioritizing drug studies; the number of pediatric
studies supported to date both through the Research Fund and
through the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health
(FNIH); the contributions of the individual NIH institutes to
the studies; the estimated cost of each ongoing or proposed
study; the nature and type of studies proposed or undertaken
including whether any studies are comparative; the number of
study requests referred to the FNIH after being declined by
drug manufacturers and whether the number declined is
increasing or decreasing annually; the estimated completion
date of all proposed or ongoing studies; the patent status of
the drugs studied; the number of drugs remaining on the
priority list; and the key ethical, scientific, intellectual
property, and operational issues that have arisen in the
implementation of the program.
Epilepsy.--Epilepsy often begins in childhood and can have
potentially devastating effects. Even in its mildest forms,
epilepsy can modify brain development and have lifelong effects
on cognitive processes, employment and other quality of life
measures. Recurring seizures are also common for children with
autism, brain tumors, cerebral palsy, mental retardation,
tuberous sclerosis and a variety of genetic syndromes and may
dramatically add to the burden of these disorders. The
Committee encourages the Institute to actively participate in
the NINDS 2007 ``Curing Epilepsy'' conference to fully develop
a research agenda related to epilepsy and children.
Mental retardation/developmental disabilities research
centers (MR/DDRC).--The Committee recognizes the outstanding
contributions of MR/DDRCs toward understanding why child
development goes awry, discovering ways to prevent
developmental disabilities, and discovering treatments and
interventions to improve the lives of people with developmental
disabilities and their families. The Committee is particularly
pleased with the MR/DDRC contributions in the areas of autism,
fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome and other genetic and
environmentally induced disorders. These centers have greatly
improved our understanding of the causes of developmental
disabilities. However, the Committee is concerned that the MR/
DDRC Centers do not have sufficient resources to sustain the
progress made in this critical area. The Committee encourages
NICHD to provide sufficient resources to the MR/DDRCs to
maintain the level of support available for the fourteen
centers that were in the network during 2005.
Near-term births.--The Committee has learned that the
preterm birth rate is now over 12 percent of all live births,
and of these 75 percent are near term births. It is estimated
that this group encompasses 40 percent of neonatal ICU
admissions. These infants are at risk for sepsis, pneumonia,
feeding difficulties, white matter damage, seizures, apnea, and
remain at risk for higher morbidities in early infancy. The
Committee encourages NICHD to support research in this area.
Neurofibromatosis (NF).--Learning disabilities occur with
high frequency in children with NF and in approximately five
percent of the entire world's population. The Committee
encourages NICHD to expand its NF research portfolio through
all suitable mechanisms, including RFAs and clinical trials.
The Committee further encourages NICHD to coordinate its
efforts with other NIH institutes and government agencies.
Obstetric systematic reviews.--The Committee applauds
NICHD's efforts supporting the Neonatal Cochrane Review Group
since 1995 that not only provides a substantial scientific
resource but also allows the community access to these reviews
via the NICHD website. These reviews are a valuable resource,
providing the most comprehensive and timely review of clinical
topics. The Committee encourages NICHD to provide a similar
service to the obstetrical community by supporting obstetric
systematic reviews and providing them free of cost to the
general public, a critical gap in the medical community.
Preterm birth.--The Committee commends NICHD for its
commitment to reducing the incidence of premature birth and its
consequences through its longstanding support for the Maternal-
Fetal Medicine Unit and the Neonatal Research Network, as well
as the new Genomics and Proteomics Network for Premature Birth
Research. The Committee is pleased that NICHD is one of the
sponsors of an Institute of Medicine study to define and
address the health related and economic consequences of
premature birth and looks forward to publication of the
recommendations. The Committee encourages NICHD to expand its
research on the causes of preterm labor and delivery and
improving the care and treatment of preterm and low birthweight
infants, to work with the Office of the NIH Director to develop
a strategic plan for research, and to coordinate its research
with other institutes.
Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PI).--The Committee is
pleased with NICHD's dedication of financial and personnel
resources to physician education and public awareness programs.
The Committee is encouraged by the institute's commitment to
develop newborn screening procedures for PI, particularly
various forms of SCID, utilizing microarray technologies. The
Committee encourages NICHD to move ahead with this initiative
in partnership with the Foundation, other NIH institutes and
private industry.
Pulmonary rehabilitation.--Pulmonary rehabilitation has
been increasingly recognized as an important treatment option
for the many patients with disabling chronic lung diseases,
like COPD. The Committee encourages the National Center for
Medical Rehabilitation Research to expand research
opportunities in this area.
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).--SMA is the leading genetic
killer of infants and toddlers, and is the most prevalent
genetic motor neuron disease. The severity of the disease, its
relatively high incidence, and the possibility of imminent
treatments led NINDS to initiate the innovative SMA project.
The Committee encourages NICHD to continue to formulate a plan
for expanding its work and funding for SMA research.
Specifically, the Committee encourages NICHD to coordinate
funding with NINDS to ensure increased participation of
investigators in SMA and developmental neurobiology relevant to
SMA. Further, the Committee encourages NICHD to take the lead
on developing a cross-institute working group comprised of
NICHD, NINDS and NIGMS to study broader questions of care and
the role of exercise and nutrition on SMA and other
neuromuscular disease.
Stillbirth.--The Committee applauds NICHD's efforts in
addressing stillbirth, a major public health issue. The
Committee is aware that NICHD cooperative network has initiated
a pilot study with the overall study using a standard protocol
planned to start this year, and encourages NICHD to continue to
support this effort.
national eye institute
The Committee recommends $661,358,000 for the National Eye
Institute (NEI), which is $5,398,000 below the fiscal year 2006
appropriation and the same as the budget request.
Mission.--NEI conducts and supports basic and clinical
research, research training, and other programs with respect to
blinding eye diseases, visual disorders, mechanisms of visual
function, preservation of sight, and the special health
problems and needs of individuals who are visually-impaired or
blind. In addition, NEI is responsible for the dissemination of
information, specifically public and professional education
programs aimed at the prevention of blindness.
Diabetic eye disease.--The Committee applauds NEI for the
collaborative efforts of the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical
Research Network to test innovative treatment for diabetic eye
disease. The Institute is encouraged to expand and extend the
network by increasing the number of clinical trials with new
drugs and therapeutics that can reverse or prevent diabetic
retinopathy.
national institute of environmental health sciences
The Committee recommends $637,323,000 for the National
Institute of Environmental Health Science (NIEHS), which is
$3,809,000 below the fiscal year 2006 appropriation and the
same as the budget request.
Mission.--The mission of NIEHS is to prevent disease and
improve human health by using environmental sciences to
understand human biology and disease. This mission is achieved
through conducting and supporting disease-oriented biomedical
research (basic, integrative, clinical, and epidemiologic),
enhancing research capacity in environmental health sciences,
prevention and intervention strategies, and communication with
researchers, public health and health care providers, and the
public.
Asthma.--Given the link between environmental factors and
the onset of asthma, COPD, and pulmonary fibrosis, the
Committee encourages NIEHS to further develop research
initiatives to understand the environmental and genetic risk
factors for predisposing some individuals to and in controlling
the severity of these lung diseases.
Autism spectrum disorders.--The Committee is aware of the
important research into the genetic and environmental basis of
autism spectrum disorders. Accordingly, the Committee
encourages the Institute to expand its support and funding for
gene-environment interaction research in autism, and encourages
the institute to expand its work with and support for similar
public-private partnerships.
Mercury.--In order to properly research gaps in the area of
mercury exposure and brain chemistry, and given recent hearings
on mercury exposure and relationships between autism and
Alzheimer's disease and mercury exposure, NIEHS is encouraged
to pursue studies of how inorganic mercury and organic mercury
compounds (including ethyl, methyl, and other forms of mercury
from all sources) are processed in the bodies of children and
adults. NIEHS is also encouraged to support studies of the
toxic effects of inorganic mercury and organic mercury
compounds on the nervous systems of young children, adults, and
the elderly and methods of properly removing mercury and
mercury-containing compounds from the brains of affected
humans.
National Toxicology Program Interagency Center for the
Evaluation of Alternative Methods/Interagency Coordinating
Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods (NICEATM/
ICCVAM).--The Committee commends the NICEATM/ICCVAM for its
leadership role in the assessment of new, revised and
alternative scientifically validated methods for the federal
government. The Committee also commends the National Toxicology
Program (NTP) for finalizing its ``Roadmap to Achieve the NTP
Vision, A Toxicology Program for the 21st Century'', which
commits to ``develop and validate improved testing methods and,
where feasible, ensure that they reduce, refine or replace the
use of animals'' as one of its top four goals.
The Committee requests that the NICEATM/ICCVAM, in
partnership with the relevant federal agency program offices
and the NTP, build on the NTP Roadmap to create a five-year
plan to research, develop, translate and validate new and
revised non-animal and other alternative assays for integration
of relevant and reliable methods into the federal agency
testing programs. In this five-year plan the Committee expects
that federal agency program offices will identify areas of high
priority for new and revised non-animal and alternative assays
or batteries of those assays to create a path forward for the
replacement, reduction and refinement of animal tests, when
this is scientifically valid and appropriate. The Committee
requests the plan by November 15, 2007. Furthermore, the
Committee expects that the cost of assembling this plan will
not reduce the NICEATM/ICCVAM funding base.
Parkinson's disease (PD).--The Committee commends the NIEHS
on the work of its Collaborative Centers for Parkinson's
Disease Environmental Research (CCPDER) Consortium Program to
foster multidisciplinary research approaches to discover gene-
environment interactions in PD. The Committee encourages NIEHS
to work in conjunction with other NIH institutes and CDC, as
necessary, to investigate and submit a report to the House and
Senate Committees on Appropriations, on the incidence of
Parkinson's disease, including age, occupation, and geographic
population clusters, and related environmental factors relating
to the disease. The Committee requests the report by June 30,
2007.
Toxic exposure and brain development.--Notwithstanding the
Institute of Medicine May 2004 report on autism, the Committee
believes it is important to develop a more complete
understanding of the impact that toxic exposures may have on
brain development. There is a convergence of findings from
tissue culture studies, animal models, and clinical studies of
immune dysfunction in children with autism and other
neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) that suggests a biological
link between genetic sensitivity and damage to developing
brains from certain toxins. It is important that NIH continue
this research to better understand the impact that exposures to
mercury (including thimerosal) and other toxins have on brain
development. A more complete understanding of the impact of
these exposures through research, including animal models, will
help to develop more effective interventions.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING
The Committee recommends $1,039,828,000 for the National
Institute on Aging (NIA), which is $6,803,000 below the fiscal
year 2006 appropriation and the same as the budget request.
Mission.--NIA supports and conducts biomedical, social and
behavioral research, training, and health information
dissemination with respect to the aging process and the
diseases and other special problems and needs of older
Americans.
Alzheimer's disease.--The Committee continues to regard
Alzheimer's disease as a high research priority for the
Institute, which is encouraged to enhance its investment in
Alzheimer's disease research, placing special emphasis on
expediting the translation of research findings into effective
treatments and prevention strategies for at-risk individuals.
Bone strength.--The Committee has learned that although
bone mineral density has been a useful predictor of
susceptibility to fracture, other properties of the skeleton
contribute to bone strength, including exercise and mechanisms
of biomineralization. However, little is understood as to how
these properties assist in the maintenance of bone strength.
The Committee encourages NIA, in collaboration with NIAMS,
NIBIB, NICHD, and NHLB to support research that will achieve
identification of these parameters and lead to better
prediction for prevention and treatment of bone diseases such
as osteoporosis, osteogenesis imperfecta, bone loss due to
kidney disease, and heart attacks due to hardening of the
arteries.
Demographic and economic research.--The Committee commends
NIA for supporting exceptional demographic and economic
research on the implications of population aging. The Committee
encourages the Institute to continue supporting the Health and
Retirement Study (HRS)--an important resource policymakers rely
on to help inform potential changes to the Social Security and
Medicare programs. The Committee applauds the Institute for
proactively reviewing its data collection activities and looks
forward to learning more about the outcome of this review and
how the future of major surveys, such as the HRS and the
National Long-Term Care Survey, may be affected.
Down syndrome.--The Committee commends NIA for its support
of studies to examine the cellular, molecular and genetic bases
for age-related neuropathological and cognitive abnormalities
in people with Down syndrome. The Committee encourages NIA to
further examine these abnormalities and to devise new methods
for diagnosing and treating them. Given that all people with
Down syndrome develop the neuropathological changes of
Alzheimer's disease, and that many or most go on to suffer
dementia, NIA is further encouraged to consider how studies of
the Down syndrome population might enhance the ability to
understand, diagnose and treat Alzheimer's disease.
Edward R. Roybal Research Centers on Applied Genontology.--
The Committee supports the Edward R. Roybal Research Centers on
Applied Gerontology, which are designed to move promising
social and behavioral basic research findings out of the
laboratory and into programs, practices, and policies that will
improve the lives of older people and the capacity of society
to adapt to societal aging. The Committee encourages NIA to
expand the numbers of centers, to develop new topics for
research especially in the area of diversity and ethnic and
minority communities, and to provide opportunities for
collaborative, interdisciplinary research between the Roybal
Centers and other program initiatives such as the Resource
Centers for Minority Aging Research (RCMAR) and the Demographic
Centers.
Epilepsy.--Epidemiologic studies now show that the
incidence of epilepsy increases in old age, often in
association with stroke, cardiovascular disease, brain tumors
and Alzheimer's disease. The Committee encourages NIA, working
with NINDS, to carry out research to better understand why
epilepsy frequently develops in association with diseases of
the elderly and to develop therapies to prevent the occurrence
of epilepsy in the elderly and diminish its consequences. The
Committee also encourages NIA to actively participate in NINDS
2007 ``Curing Epilepsy'' conference to further develop a
research agenda related to epilepsy and the elderly.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ARTHRITIS AND MUSCULOSKELETAL AND SKIN DISEASES
The Committee recommends $504,533,000 for the National
Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
(NIAMS), which is $3,399,000 below the fiscal year 2006
appropriation and the same as the budget request.
Mission.--NIAMS conducts and supports basic and clinical
research and research training, and the dissemination of health
information on the more than 100 forms of arthritis;
osteoporosis and other bone diseases; muscle biology and muscle
diseases; orthopedic disorders, such as back pain and sports
injuries; and numerous skin diseases.
Burden of skin diseases.--The Committee notes the
relationship between the recent Burden of Skin Diseases report
and the September 2002 workshop on the burden of skin diseases
sponsored by NIAMS. The committee continues to encourage NIAMS
to expand the research portfolio on skin disease and develop
partnerships with the skin disease research community to
address the recognized challenges and future research
endeavors.
Congenic and genetic disease of bone.--The Committee is
aware that thousands of children and adolescents nationwide
suffer from musculoskeletal disorders and malformations.
Diseases such as osteogenesis imperfecta, fibrous dysplasia,
osteopetrosis, and Paget's disease are caused by poorly
understood genetic mutations. In Paget's disease, underlying
genetic defects can also be exacerbated by environmental
factors. The Committee encourages NIAMS and NICHD to support
research focusing on mechanisms of preventing fractures and
improving bone quality and correcting malformations, on
innovations in surgical and non-surgical approaches to
treatment, on physical factors that affect growth, and on
genetic defects that cause bone disease.
Lupus.--The Committee is aware that despite numerous
important research advances, few new therapies are available to
patients with lupus. Treatment with steroids, anti-inflammatory
agents and immunosuppressive medications may be palliative but
these medications have numerous side effects and may become
less effective over time. Advances in the identification of
lupus susceptibility genes and biomarkers make it imperative
that a sustained effort be made to translate these research
advances into clinically relevant treatments. The Committee
encourages the Institute to develop focused programs designed
to move research advances beyond the laboratory.
Marfan syndrome.--The Committee commends NIAMS and its
collaborative efforts with other institutes to provide vital
research on Marfan syndrome, a life-threatening, progressive
and degenerative genetic disorder which is characterized by
aortic aneurysms, orthopedic disabilities and ocular
manifestations. Management of the syndrome by complicated
aortic surgery is extending the life span of many. However, it
has introduced a new generation of people with debilitating
painful orthopedic issues such as early-onset arthritis, back
pain and headaches due to dural ectasia and joint, leg and foot
pain. Basic, translational and clinical research including the
natural history of skeletal problems in this area is needed to
investigate the underlying causes of these manifestations and
to investigate therapeutic choices. This research is essential
to improve the quality of life of those suffering from Marfan
syndrome. The Committee encourages NIAMS to support research in
this area through all available mechanisms, as appropriate.
Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS).--The Committee encourages the
NIAMS to support and work collaboratively with NIDDK in an
effort to achieve a greater understanding of bone and joint
lesions in MPS disorders. The Committee supports meaningful
NIAMS involvement with other institutes in research that
specifically addresses the underlying pathophysiology of bone
and joint lesions, the gene mutations and substrates that are
stored, and potential therapeutic approaches to treating these
debilitating aspects of MPS and related disorders. The
Committee encourages NIAMS to work with participating NIH
institutes and the MPS academic and patient advocate community
to support and focus efforts in this area of study that can be
particularly beneficial to patients.
Osteoporosis.--The Committee is aware that osteoporosis is
becoming widespread in all ages of our population. The
Committee encourages NIAMS to collaborate with other institutes
to support research into the pathophysiology of bone loss in
varied populations and in targeted therapies to improve bone
density and bone quality according to the etiology of
osteoporosis. Furthermore, the Committee encourages research to
identify patients at risk for fracture who do not meet current
criteria for osteoporosis, as well as to study the effects of
available and developing osteoporosis treatments on the
reduction of fracture risk in these patients.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS
The Committee recommends $391,556,000 for the National
Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
(NIDCD), which is $1,902,000 below the fiscal year 2006
appropriation and the same as the budget request.
Mission.--NIDCD funds and conducts research in human
communication. Included in its program areas are research and
research training in the normal and disordered mechanisms of
hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech and language. The
Institute addresses special biomedical and behavioral problems
associated with people who have communication impairments or
disorders. In addition, NIDCD is actively involved in health
promotion and disease prevention, dissemination of research
results, and supports efforts to create devices that substitute
for lost and impaired sensory and communication functions.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NURSING RESEARCH
The Committee recommends $136,550,000 for the National
Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), which is $792,000 below
the fiscal year 2006 appropriation and the same as the budget
request.
Mission.--NINR supports and conducts scientific research
and research training to reduce the burden of illness and
disability; improve health-related quality of life; and
establish better approaches to promote health and prevent
disease.
Behavioral research.--The Committee recognizes the
importance of behavioral research in preventing and treating
disease. While understanding the biological basis of disease is
essential, behavioral factors have a critical influence on the
onset, course, and duration of disease and in the successful
management of many disease conditions. The Committee encourages
NINR to support behavioral research, including research that
examines the interactions of biological and behavioral factors
and their effect on treatment and prevention.
Eliminating health disparities.--Health disparities,
whether in race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, continue
to be of concern to the Committee. Reducing and ultimately
eliminating health disparities is a critical priority for all
areas of healthcare research. The Committee encourages NINR to
fund research into the causes of health disparities and into
new ways to overcome such disparities. Developing new nurse
scientists from underserved populations will prove valuable for
encouraging new health disparities research.
End of life research.--The Committee recognizes that
improving the care of terminally ill patients and their loved
ones at the end of life is an urgent public health need,
especially in view of the increasing numbers of older
Americans; and that additional research is needed in improving
palliative care, improving patient/clinician communication, and
reducing caregiver burden. The Committee appreciates NINR's
leadership in promoting end-of-life research and encourages the
institute's continued focus in this area.
Research training.--Increasing the number of new nurse
scientists is critical for advancing nursing research,
especially in light of the ongoing nursing shortage. Innovative
strategies for recruiting and training new researchers are
needed. The Committee encourages NINR to support training
programs that will develop the next generation of nurse
scientists, especially those with multidisciplinary research
skills and those from underserved populations.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM
The Committee recommends $433,318,000 for the National
Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), which is
$2,612,000 below the fiscal year 2006 appropriation and the
same as the budget request.
Mission.--NIAAA supports research to generate new knowledge
to answer crucial questions about why people drink; why some
individuals are vulnerable to alcohol dependence or alcohol-
related diseases and others are not; the relationship of
genetic and environmental factors involved in alcoholism; the
mechanisms whereby alcohol produces its disabling effects,
including organ damage; how to prevent alcohol abuse and
associated damage, especially in the underage population; and
how alcoholism treatment can be improved. NIAAA addresses these
questions through a program of biomedical, behavioral, and
epidemiologic research on alcoholism, alcohol abuse, and
related problems.
Underage drinking.--The Committee is aware of new NIAAA-
funded research findings suggesting that exposure to alcohol
advertising increases the likelihood that young people will
drink and drink heavily. The Committee encourages NIAAA to
engage in additional study of alcohol advertising issues as an
underage drinking prevention research priority, and encourages
this research to include data on youth brand and beverage
preferences.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE
The Committee recommends $994,829,000 for the National
Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), which is $5,200,000 below the
fiscal year 2006 appropriation and the same as the budget
request.
Mission.--NIDA-supported science addresses questions about
drug abuse and addiction, which range from its causes and
consequences to its prevention and treatment. NIDA research
explores how drugs of abuse affect the brain and behavior and
develops effective prevention and treatment strategies; the
Institute works to ensure the transfer of scientific data to
policy makers, practitioners, and the public.
Adolescent brain development.--The Committee notes
neuroimaging research by NIDA and others showing that the human
brain does not fully develop until about age 25. This adds to
the rationale for referring to addiction as a ``developmental
disease.'' The Committee encourages NIDA to continue its
emphasis on adolescent brain development to better understand
how developmental processes and outcomes are affected by drug
exposure, the environment and genetics.
Drug treatment in criminal justice setting.--The Committee
is very concerned about the well-known connections between drug
use and crime. Research continues to demonstrate that providing
treatment to individuals involved in the criminal justice
system significantly decreases future drug use and criminal
behavior, while improving social functioning. The Committee
supports NIDA's efforts in this area, particularly the Criminal
Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Studies (CJ-DATS).
HIV/AIDS.--The Committee understands that one of the most
significant causes of HIV virus acquisition and transmission is
drug taking practices and related risk factors in different
populations. Drug abuse prevention and treatment interventions
can be very effective in reducing HIV risk. The Committee
commends NIDA on its ``Drug Abuse and HIV--Learn the Link''
public awareness campaign, targeting young people, and
encourages the Institute to continue supporting research that
focuses on developing and testing drug-abuse related
interventions designed to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS.
Reducing health disparities.--The Committee notes that the
consequences of drug abuse disproportionately impact
minorities, especially African American populations. The
Committee is pleased to learn that NIDA is encouraging
researchers to conduct more studies in this population and to
target studies in geographic areas where HIV/AIDS is high and/
or growing among African Americans, including in criminal
justice settings.
Reducing prescription drug abuse.--The Committee notes the
continued increases in the numbers of people, especially young
people, who use prescription drugs for non-medical purposes.
The Committee is particularly concerned about the inappropriate
use of opiod analgesics--very powerful pain medications. The
Committee commends NIDA for its research focus in this area,
and for the new Prescription Opioid Use and Abuse in the
Treatment of Pain initiative. Research targeting a reduction in
prescription drug abuse, particularly among our nation's youth,
should continue to be a priority for NIDA.
Translating research to communities.--The Committee
commends NIDA for its outreach and work with State substance
abuse authorities to reduce the current 15-to-20-year lag
between the discovery of an effective treatment intervention
and its availability at the community level. In particular, the
Committee applauds NIDA for continuing its work with SAMHSA to
strengthen State agencies' capacity to support and engage in
research that will foster statewide adoption of meritorious
science-based policies and practices. The Committee encourages
NIDA to continue collaborative work with states to ensure the
research findings are relevant and adaptable by state substance
abuse systems.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
The Committee recommends $1,394,806,000 for the National
Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), which is $8,709,000 below
the fiscal year 2006 appropriation and the same as the budget
request.
Mission.--NIMH is responsible for research activities that
seek to improve diagnosis, treatments, and overall quality of
care for persons with mental illnesses. Disorders of high
priority to NIMH include schizophrenia, depression and manic
depressive illness, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety
disorders and other mental and behavioral disorders that occur
across the lifespan; these include childhood mental disorders
such as autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder;
eating disorders; and other illnesses. NIMH supports and
conducts fundamental research in neuroscience, genetics, and
behavioral science. In addition to laboratory and controlled
clinical studies, the NIMH supports research on the mental
health needs of special populations and health services
research.
Adolescent depression and suicide.--Depressive disorders--
one of the major risk factors for suicide--continue to be very
common in adolescence. The Committee is pleased to note that
NIMH, in partnership with NIDA and NIAAA, is supporting three
research centers whose primary focus is on new trials to reduce
adolescent suicide, which now accounts for 13 percent of all
adolescent deaths and ranks third as a cause of death among
teenagers. The Committee therefore encourages NIMH to continue
this investment in finding ways to better identify the risk
factors in children and adolescents, and examining the outcomes
of actions taken to assist those found to be at risk.
Alzheimer's disease.--NIMH continues to play an important
part in efforts to develop effective treatment strategies for
Alzheimer's disease. The Institute is currently supporting
research examining various aspects of the pathophysiology and
genetics of Alzheimer's disease, and studies examining
behavioral, emotional and psychiatric symptoms associated with
the disorder and their treatment. The Committee encourages NIMH
to continue to assign a high priority to this research.
Disaster relief.--The Committee encourages NIMH to consider
supporting the Historically Black College and University (HBCU)
mental health consortium to serve as a clearinghouse for
responding to the mental health needs of the poor and
underserved immediately following a disaster.
Down syndrome.--The Committee encourages NIMH to develop
new strategies for cataloging, understanding, diagnosing and
treating behavioral disorders that are common in people with
Down syndrome, including autism, pervasive developmental
disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, depression and
psychosis. The Committee encourages NIMH to coordinate its
research on Down syndrome with NICHD, NINDS, NIA and other
institutes.
Epilepsy.--The Committee applauds the NIMH for its recent
RFA on the etiology and treatment of comorbid mental and
neurologic disorders. Studies looking at the connections
between epilepsy and depression as well as the cognitive burden
of epilepsy are of particular importance and relevance to this
initiative. The Committee encourages NIMH to actively
participate in the NINDS 2007 ``Curing Epilepsy'' conference
and to continue to advance research related to epilepsy and
mental health.
Mental health for older Americans.--The Committee is aware
that demographics will demand a greatly increased focus on
mental disorders in older persons and commends NIMH for
recently recognizing the need to place higher priority on the
mental health needs of that population. The Committee
encourages the Institute to follow through on the 2004
recommendations promulgated by the NIMH Aging Research
Workgroup and the restructuring of the Adult and Geriatric
Treatment and Preventive Intervention Research Branch. However,
the Committee believes it is critical that studies related to
the elderly keep pace with the rapid growth of this cohort.
Despite the recent internal reorganization to focus
intervention efforts on the aging population, the Committee
encourages NIMH to continue to emphasize research on adults
over age 65 to reflect the growth in numbers of this
population, particularly in light of the public health
consequences of an inadequate knowledge base about late-life
mental illness. A correlating issue is the need for greater
numbers of investigators focused on late-life mental health
research. Therefore, the Committee encourages NIMH to expand
research in this area, including issues relating to
neurodegenerative disorders, and to provide adequate resources
to advance the geriatric mental health research agenda. The
Committee encourages NIMH to continue its commitment to
research on late-life mental illness as a means to act as a
catalyst for investigators to focus on this critical area of
research.
Minority training.--The Committee is disappointed to learn
that NIMH intends to reduce its commitment to training minority
scientists through the Minority Fellowship Program and the
Career Opportunities in Research Program. Both of these
programs have demonstrated success in training biomedical and
behavioral scientists who are addressing critical ethnic
minority mental health issues. The Minority Fellowship Program
in particular has been an important national program that has
provided access to training to all, without regional or
university-specific restrictions. The Committee encourages NIMH
to continue to fund programs to meet the demands for research
on disparities in mental disorders.
Parkinson's disease.--The Committee encourages continued
collaborations including additional intramural activities
between NINDS, NIMH, and NIA to enhance understanding of the
important psychiatric component of neurodegenerative diseases,
particularly Parkinson's.
Psoriasis.--Psoriasis is associated with elevated rates of
mental disability, depression and suicidal ideation. The
Committee encourages NIMH to conduct research into the mental
health aspects of psoriasis, especially as it relates to
quality of life and burden of the disease. Furthermore, a 2005
study of 44 autoimmune diseases found that only psoriasis, when
present in women around the time of pregnancy, was
significantly associated with autism, doubling the risk of
autism spectrum disorder in their children. The Committee
encourages NIMH to support further study of the link between
psoriasis and autism.
NATIONAL HUMAN GENOME RESEARCH INSTITUTE
The Committee recommends $482,942,000 for the National
Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), which is $3,107,000
below the fiscal year 2006 appropriation and the same as the
budget request.
Mission.--NHGRI coordinates extramural and intramural
research, as well as research training, in the areas of
genomics and genetics. The Division of Extramural Research
supports research on sequence and function of both human and
non-human genomes, human genetic variation, technology
development for genome research, database management and
analysis, and research on the ethical, legal, and social
implications of human genome research. The Division of
Intramural Research focuses on applying the tools and
technologies of the successful Human Genome Project to
understanding the genetic and environmental basis of disease,
and developing DNA-based diagnostics and gene-based therapies.
Cancer genome.--The Committee commends NHGRI and NCI for
jointly launching the pilot phase of the Cancer Genome Atlas
(TCGA). This important new effort will accelerate the
understanding of the molecular basis of cancer through the
application of genome analysis technologies, including large-
scale genome sequencing. Using technologies developed by the
Human Genome Project and recent advances in applying genetic
information to improve cancer diagnosis and treatment, this
effort should lead to new tests to detect cancer in its early,
most treatable stages; new ways to predict which cancers will
respond to which treatments; new therapies to target cancer at
its most vulnerable points; and, ultimately, new strategies to
prevent cancer.
Genes and environment.--The Committee commends NIH and the
Foundation for the NIH (FNIH) for initiating the Genetic
Association Information Network (GAIN), a public-private
partnership using genetic analysis of existing case-control
studies to identify the genetic roots of common illnesses. The
Committee also commends NIH for building on the momentum of
GAIN to advance the trans-NIH and DHHS Genes, Environment and
Health Initiative (GEI), beginning in fiscal year 2007. This
new research effort combines genetic analysis and environmental
technology development to understand the causes of common
diseases such as Alzheimer's, diabetes, stroke, cancer, asthma,
and heart disease. The Committee encourages NHGRI to work with
the NIEHS on this important project. The Committee also
encourages NHGRI to follow up on the working group
recommendations on a ``Population-Based Cohort Study to
Determine the Relationships among Genes, Environment, and
Health.'' This kind of prospective cohort study of a large
sample of Americans could provide a valuable complement to the
work of GAIN and GEI.
Liver disease.--The Committee encourages NHGRI to focus on
the genetic component of biliary atresia and other liver
diseases with a significant identified genetic component.
Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PI).--The Committee
commends NHGRI for its outstanding work in creating a
collaboration to develop a newborn screening test for X-linked
SCID, the most severe form of primary immunodeficiency. The
Committee looks forward to learning of the results of this
effort and encourages further use of this model of public-
private partnerships.
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).--The Committee is aware that
SMA carrier testing is available to help persons of
childbearing age make more informed reproductive decisions with
regard to the risk of SMA in their offspring. The Committee
encourages NHGRI to develop a pilot program to assess the
optimal practices for delivery of population-based screening
for SMA carriers.
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF BIOMEDICAL IMAGING AND BIOENGINEERING
The Committee recommends $294,850,000 for the National
Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB),
which is $1,960,000 below the fiscal year 2006 appropriation
and the same as the budget request.
Mission.--The NIBIB mission is to improve human health by
leading the development and accelerating the application of
biomedical technologies. The Institute is committed to
integrating the engineering and physical sciences with the life
sciences to advance basic research and medical care.
Liver tissue engineering.--The Committee encourages NIBIB
to focus efforts on expanding the Tissue Engineering Program to
examine how the development and function of engineered tissues
and organs can improve treatment techniques for patients
afflicted with liver disease.
Liver imaging techniques.--Consistent with NIBIB's mission
to improve all diagnostic imaging technologies, the Committee
encourages NIBIB to continue to make liver imaging techniques a
primary focus, speeding the development of new modalities that
better capture the early stages of various liver diseases,
including cancer, as well as offering the potential for less
invasive combinations of diagnosis and treatment and the
evaluation of livers from cadaver donors. The Committee
encourages NIBIB to participate actively in trans-NIH
initiatives that address these priorities.
Technological competitiveness.--As the institute charged
with developing new technologies with broad applications to
virtually all of the diseases and organ systems that constitute
the missions of the other NIH institutes, NIBIB can play a key
role in strengthening U.S. technological competitiveness. The
leadership of NIBIB in supporting research at the interface of
the physical and life sciences is especially important in light
of the President's proposal to increase our investment
significantly in basic research in the physical sciences. NIH
is responsible for more than 50 percent of total federal
spending for basic scientific research and thus can contribute
substantially to this plan.
NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESEARCH RESOURCES
The Committee recommends $1,123,242,000 for the National
Center for Research Resources (NCRR), which is $24,141,000
above the fiscal year 2006 appropriation and $25,000,000 above
the budget request. The Committee includes bill language
identifying $25,000,000 for extramural facility construction,
which is $25,000,000 above the request and the fiscal year 2006
appropriation.
Mission.--The National Center for Research Resources (NCRR)
provides laboratory scientists and clinical researchers with
environments and tools that they can use to prevent, detect,
and treat a wide range of diseases. This support enables
discoveries that begin at the molecular and cellular level,
move to animal-based studies, and then are translated to
patient-oriented clinical research, resulting in cures and
treatments for both common and rare diseases. NCRR connects
researchers with each other and with patients and communities
across the nation to bring the power of shared resources and
research to improve human health.
Extramural facilities.--The Committee provides $25,000,000
for extramural facilities construction grants. The Committee
encourages NCRR to give special consideration to applications
for extramural construction from potential grantees in states
who are under-represented with regard to NIH awards and to
projects at historically minority institutions that have
developed a comprehensive plan to address the disproportionate
impact of cancer in minority communities. The Committee
requests to be notified of expenditures under this program,
including the primary purpose of facilities selected for
funding, after the peer review process for extramural awards
has been completed. The Committee intends that facilities for
research on infectious agents and countermeasures should be
eligible to compete for this funding.
General Clinical Research Centers (GCRCs)/Clinical and
Translational Science Awards (CTSAs).--In fiscal year 2006
Congress provided funds to begin the CTSA program, in order to
move basic research into clinical practice and fundamentally
transform clinical and translational research. The Committee is
pleased that NIH, through NCRR, has developed the mechanisms
necessary to foster the interdisciplinary collaborations that
are increasingly necessary for success in curing disease. The
Committee understands that the clinical research services
provided through the current GCRCs will be a component of the
CTSAs. These clinical services, as well as other linked
clinical grant mechanisms, will provide the locus for a robust
clinical and translational research enterprise. As the CTSA
initiative is implemented, the Committee reminds NIH about the
need to ensure that the program improves on the current
clinical research infrastucture provided through the existing
GCRCs. The Committee requests a report on NCRR's progress in
implementing the CTSA program by July 1, 2007.
Institutional Development Awards (IDeA).--The Committee
recommends $215,938,000 for the IDeA program, which is the same
as the budget request and $4,048,000 below the fiscal year 2006
appropriation. The Committee recognizes the importance of the
Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) and the IDeA
Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) programs,
and expects funding for COBRE to be at a level of at least
$130,000,000 and INBRE funding to be at least $85,000,000.
Research centers at minority institutions (RCMI).--The
Committee continues to recognize the critical role played by
minority institutions at both the graduate and undergraduate
level in addressing the health research and training needs of
minority populations. These programs help facilitate the
preparation of a new generation of scientists at these
institutions. The RCMI program continues to impact
significantly on these problems. The Committee encourages NIH
to strengthen participation from minority institutions and
increase resources available in this area. The Committee also
encourages NIH to work with minority institutions with a track
record of producing minority scholars in science and
technology.
NATIONAL CENTER FOR COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
The Committee recommends $120,554,000 for the National
Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM),
which is $911,000 below the fiscal year 2006 appropriation and
the same as the budget request.
Mission.--NCCAM was established to stimulate, develop, and
support rigorous and relevant research of high quality and
open, objective inquiry into the safety and effectiveness of
complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices and to
train individuals to apply the tools of exacting science to CAM
systems and modalities in order to provide health care
professionals and the American public with reliable information
about these practices.
Ameliorating liver disease.--The Committee is pleased with
NCCAM's efforts to conduct clinical trials in collaboration
with NIDDK regarding the use of milk thistle as a possible
treatment in slowing the progression of nonalcoholic
steatohepatitis and to reduce the side effects of hepatitis C
interferon treatments. The Committee looks forward to the
development and dissemination of the research results
associated with the use of milk thistle as a treatment to
ameliorate liver disease.
Parkinson's disease (PD).--The Committee encourages NCCAM
to continue exploration of exercise in its many forms including
aerobic, anaerobic and exercises such as Tai Chi Chuan in the
treatment of PD. Recent studies show exercise may increase
neuroprotective chemicals in the brain and decrease falls in
the elderly. The Committee also encourages continued research
into significant non-motor co-morbidities in Parkinson's
including magnetic stimulation for depression, and the
phytomedicine Valerian for sleep dysfunction. Finally, NCCAM is
encouraged to work the Office of Dietary Supplements in
investigating supplements which may be neuroprotective, such as
berries, alpha lipoic acid, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, acetyl-L-
carnitine, vitamin E, ginko biloba, vitamin D, vitamin B12,
phosphatidylcholine, and glyconutrients. In light of the many
ways cell death can occur, NCCAM is encouraged to study the
concurrent implementation of multiple exercise and nutrition-
based strategies.
NATIONAL CENTER ON MINORITY HEALTH AND HEALTH DISPARITIES
The Committee recommends $194,299,000 for the National
Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD), which
is $1,106,000 below the fiscal year 2006 appropriation and the
same as the budget request.
Mission.--NCMHD conducts and supports research, training,
information dissemination and other programs aimed at reducing
the disproportionately high incidence and prevalence of
disease, burden of illness and mortality experienced by certain
American populations, including racial and ethnic minorities
and other groups, such as the urban and rural poor, with
disparate health status.
Cancer in minority communities.--The Committee commends
NCMHD for its leadership in addressing the disproportionate
impact of cancer in minority communities. The Committee
encourages NCMHD to consider collaborating with NCRR and NCI to
support the establishment of a cancer center at a historically
minority institution focused on research, treatment, and
prevention of cancer in African American and other minority
communities.
Disaster-related mental health issues in minority
communities.--The Committee is aware that Hispanic survivors of
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita may have experienced increased
risks for certain mental health conditions due, in part, to
barriers encountered in the mainstream mental health and
disaster relief systems. Therefore the Committee encourages
NCHMD to seek out research sites that can conduct research into
culturally-competent and linguistically-appropriate treatment
strategies for minority survivors of natural and man-made
disasters; to develop and evaluate community-based pilot
programs to test such strategies; and to submit a report to
Congress including recommendations for public policy and
practice to improve the Hispanic community's access to quality
mental health treatment.
Extramural facility construction.--The Committee commends
NCMHD for its successful ``Project EXPORT'' initiative and
encourages continued support for this important program.
Finally, the Committee encourages the director of NCMHD to
coordinate with the NIH Director and the National Center for
Research Resources to support extramural facility construction
and the development of other research and research library
infrastructure at minority health professions schools.
Glomerular disease.--The Committee understands that
glomerular disease, a group of diseases affecting the filtering
mechanisms of the kidneys, is more prevalent among African
Americans than the general population. The Committee encourages
NCMHD to explore collaboration with NIDDK to support research
activities related to glomerular injury and requests a report
on progress made in this area by August 1, 2007.
Health disparities among Hispanic-Americans.--The Committee
is aware of promising research about health disparities among
Hispanic-Americans that is being conducted, and is particularly
impressed that this is the first study of its scope that has
been implemented in a Hispanic population in the United States.
The Committee therefore encourages NCMHD to continue to conduct
similar research, in close coordination with Hispanic
researchers and faculty at institutes of higher education that
have experience in regional factors affecting such health
disparities, with the goal of identifying the best proposals
and the most promising avenues for national, regional and
disease-specific research in order to continue to make progress
in addressing health disparities among Hispanic-Americans.
Liver disease.--The Committee notes that many liver
diseases, such as hepatitis C, hepatitis B and nonalcoholic
steatohepatitis, are more common in the African-American,
Hispanic, Asian Pacific Islander and Native American
populations, than in whites. In addition, access to and
acceptance of care is particularly problematic in these
populations. The Committee therefore continues to encourage
NCMHD to initiate and participate with NIDDK, NIDA and NCI in
research focused on addressing and reducing these disparities
and requests that NCMHD report on progress in this regard by
July 1, 2007.
Lung disease.--The Committee is concerned with the
disproportionate impact of lung diseases on minority
populations. The Committee encourages the NCMHD to partner with
other NIH institutes, including NHLBI, to develop an
epidemiological approach to determine the disproportionate
impact of airway disease on minority populations.
Research endowment.--The Committee commends NCMHD for its
leadership in addressing the longstanding problem of health
disparities in minority and medically underserved populations.
For fiscal year 2007, the Committee continues to encourage
NCMHD to implement its successful Research Endowment program as
an ongoing initiative. Moreover, the Committee encourages NCMHD
to implement the program in a manner that is consistent with
the authorizing legislation.
JOHN E. FOGARTY INTERNATIONAL CENTER
The Committee recommends $66,681,000 for the Fogarty
International Center (FIC), which is $303,000 above the fiscal
year 2006 appropriation and the same as the budget request.
Mission.--FIC was established to improve the health of the
people of the United States and other nations through
international cooperation in the biomedical sciences. In
support of this mission, the FIC pursues the following four
goals: mobilize international research efforts against global
health threats; advance science through international
cooperation; develop human resources to meet global research
challenges; and provide leadership in international science
policy and research strategies.
American Russian Cancer Alliance (ARCA).--The Committee
again recognizes the members of ARCA in their continued pursuit
of novel cancer research activities that capitalize on the
particular strengths of the respective participating
institutions, and notes the achievements in the ARCA-sponsored
projects in molecular imaging and radioisotope-targeted cancer
therapy and diagnosis. As the principal NIH institute charged
with overseeing and supporting international biomedical
scientific activities and initiatives, FIC is well positioned
to provide grant support for bi-national pilot studies, and the
Committee looks to Fogarty to assist the Alliance in
identifying and, when appropriate, in applying for support of
pilot studies in cancer prevention, treatment, or diagnosis
research.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).--The
Committee encourages FIC to expand its COPD research and
training activities.
Tuberculosis training.--The Committee is pleased with FIC's
efforts to supplement grants in the AIDS International Training
and Research Program (AITRP) and International Training and
Research Program in Emerging Infectious Diseases (ERID), which
train tuberculosis experts in the developing world. Given the
magnitude of global TB, the Committee encourages FIC to develop
a specific free-standing TB training program.
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE
The Committee recommends $313,269,000 for the National
Library of Medicine (NLM), which is $1,641,000 below the fiscal
year 2006 appropriation and the same as the budget request. In
addition, $8,200,000 is made available from program evaluation
funds as requested by the Administration to support the
National Center on Health Services Research, which is equal to
what was provided in fiscal year 2006.
Mission.--NLM collects, organizes, and disseminates
information important to biomedicine; serves as a national
information resource for medical education, research, and
health service activities; enhances access to biomedical
literature through electronic services; serves the public by
providing electronic access to reliable health information for
consumers; supports and directs the National Network of
Libraries of Medicine; provides grants for research in
biomedical communications, medical library development, and
training health information specialists; conducts and supports
research in biomedical informatics and computational biology;
and creates information resources for genomics, molecular
biology, toxicology, medical images, environmental health,
emergency preparedness and response, and health services
research.
Disease management technology.--The Committee encourages
NLM to conduct outreach activities to all public and private
sector organizations that have demonstrated capabilities in
health information technology. The Committee is particularly
interested in disease management technology as it relates to
improving care for the chronically ill and reducing health care
costs.
Outreach.--The Committee encourages NLM, in coordination
with medical librarians and other health information
specialists, to continue its outreach activities aimed at
educating health care professionals and the general public
about its products and services.
PubMed Central.--The Committee commends NLM for its
leadership in developing PubMed Central, an electronic online
repository for life science articles. Because of the high level
of expertise health information specialists have in the
organization, collection, and dissemination of medical
information, the Committee believes that health sciences
librarians have a key role to play in the further development
of PubMed Central. The Committee encourages NLM to work with
the medical library community regarding issues related to
copyright, fair use, peer-review and classification of
information on PubMed Central.
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
The Committee recommends $667,825,000 for the Office of the
Director (OD), which is $140,259,000 above the fiscal year 2006
appropriation and the same as the budget request. Included
within funding for the Office of the Director is $96,030,000
for radiological, nuclear and chemical countermeasures. It is
intended that the Director allocate these funds to those
institutes that support these areas of countermeasure research.
Mission.--OD provides leadership to the NIH research
enterprise and coordinates and directs initiatives that cross-
cut the NIH. OD is responsible for the development and
management of intramural and extramural research and research
training policy, the review of program quality and
effectiveness, the coordination of selected NIH-wide program
activities, and the administration of centralized support
activities essential to the operations of NIH.
The bill repeats language included in prior years
authorizing the collection of third party payments for the cost
of clinical services, providing the Director of NIH with one
percent transfer authority, and allocating up to $500,000 of
funds within the Office of the Director appropriation for the
Foundation for the National Institutes of Health. The Committee
recommends $120,700,000 within the Office of the Director for
the Director's Discretionary Fund (DDF), which is the same as
the request and $28,630,000 above the fiscal year 2006
appropriation. In addition, the Committee recommendation
includes $159,500,000 for the advanced development of
biodefense countermeasures. The Committee also includes bill
language providing $10,000 as requested by the Administration
for representation allowances when specifically approved by the
Director of NIH.
The Committee recommends $3,000,000 for the Office of
Portfolio Analysis and Strategic Initiatives (OPASI) as
requested by the Administration. The Committee believes that
OPASI is a critical mechanism to review the NIH research
portfolio as a whole, to address the issues raised by external
groups about the coding of diseases for funding reporting, and,
most importantly, as a tool to help direct future research
efforts in order to maximize the significant public investment
in biomedical research to cure disease.
The Committee includes bill language from last year's bill
identifying maximum of $332,000,000 that may be transferred
from ICs to the Common Fund, which supports activities that are
of benefit to multiple institutes and centers. The language
also requires the Director to report to the House and Senate
Committees on Appropriations every six months detailing all
deposits to and expenditures from the Common Fund.
Priority setting.--The Committee recognizes the role of
serendipity in science, but continues to believe that thorough
and thoughtful strategic planning is a far superior
alternative. The Committee commends each IC that has undertaken
a strategic planning process in conjunction with the best and
brightest minds in the extramural community. Accordingly, the
Committee directs each IC to develop a report, to be submitted
no later than February 15, 2007, that identifies, by IC,
measures to be taken to ensure that awards made via the peer
review process in fiscal year 2007 and beyond reflect the
strategic plans that have been published by each IC in
conjunction with the extramural community. The Committee
expects that such reports will identify specific steps such as
mechanisms to ensure that strategic directions, as identified
in strategic plans, are included in the peer review process for
unsolicited grant applications as well as an increased emphasis
on the use of requests for applications (RFAs) that identify
specific research themes to achieve the strategic goals of each
IC, as identified in the strategic plan. Furthermore, the
Committee expects that each IC will adopt a tactical approach
to implementing strategic plans so as to maximize the
significant public investment with the ultimate aim of curing
diseases.
Office of Research on Women's Health
The Office of Research on Women's Health (ORWH) works in
collaboration with the institutes and centers of NIH to promote
and foster efforts to address gaps in knowledge related to
women's health through the enhancement and expansion of funded
research and/or the initiation of new investigative studies.
ORWH is responsible for ensuring the inclusion of women in
clinical research funded by NIH, including the development of a
computerized tracking system and the implementation of
guidelines on such inclusion. ORWH is also involved in
promoting programs to increase the number of women in
biomedical science careers, and in the development of women's
health and sex and gender factors in biology as a focus of
medical/scientific research.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).--The Committee is pleased
with the increased focus on IBS at ORWH and encourages the
office to continue expanding research on this prevalent
functional gastrointestinal disorder.
Office of AIDS Research
The Office of AIDS Research (OAR) is responsible for
coordination of the scientific, budgetary, legislative, and
policy elements of the NIH AIDS research program. OAR develops
a comprehensive plan for NIH AIDS-related research activities
which is updated annually. The plan is the basis for the
president's budget distribution of AIDS-related funds to the
Institutes, and centers within NIH. The Committee expects the
Director of NIH to use this plan and the budget developed by
OAR to guide his decisions on the allocation of AIDS funding
among the Institutes. The Director of NIH also should use the
full authority of his office to ensure that the institutes and
centers spend their AIDS research dollars in a manner
consistent with the plan. In addition, OAR allocates an
emergency AIDS discretionary fund to support research that was
not anticipated when budget allocations were made.
The Committee has included the same general provisions in
bill language that were contained in the fiscal year 2006
appropriations bill. This language permits the Director of OAR,
jointly with the Director of NIH, to transfer between ICs up to
three percent of the funding determined by NIH to be related to
AIDS research. This authority could be exercised throughout the
fiscal year subject to normal reprogramming procedures, and is
intended to give NIH flexibility to adjust the AIDS allocations
among institutes if research opportunities and needs should
change. The Committee also repeats language from last year's
bill making the research funds identified by NIH as being AIDS-
related available to the OAR account for transfer to the
institutes. This provision permits the flow of funds through
the OAR in the spirit of the authorization legislation without
requiring the Congress to earmark a specific dollar amount for
AIDS research.
Office of Dietary Supplements
The Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) was established in
recognition that dietary supplements can have an important
impact on the prevention and management of disease and on the
maintenance of health. ODS is charged with promoting,
conducting, and coordinating scientific research within NIH
relating to dietary supplements.
Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research
The Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research
(OBSSR) provides leadership and direction for the development
of a trans-NIH plan to increase the scope of and support for
behavioral and social science research and in defining an
overall strategy for the integration of these disciplines
across NIH institutes and centers; develops initiatives to
stimulate research in the behavioral and social sciences arena
and integrate a biobehavioral perspective across the research
areas of NIH; and promotes studies to evaluate the
contributions of behavioral, social and lifestyle determinants
in the development, course, treatment, and prevention of
illness and related public health problems.
Basic behavioral research.--The Committee encourages OBSSR
to continue working to build alliances among institutes that
support and nurture basic behavioral and social sciences
research. In particular, the Committee encourages OBSSR to
partner with NIGMS and other funders of basic research to
enhance support for work on methods, animal models, and the
interplay of biological factors, behavioral and social
influences underlying phenomena such as stress that influence
multiple health conditions.
Office of Rare Disease Research
The Office of Rare Disease Research (ORD) was established
in recognition of the need to provide a focal point of
attention and coordination at NIH for research on rare
diseases. ORD works with Federal and non-Federal national and
international organizations concerned with rare disease
research and orphan products development; develops a
centralized database on rare diseases research; and stimulates
rare diseases research by supporting scientific workshops and
symposia to identify research opportunities.
Pediatric liver diseases.--The Committee is pleased that
ORD has continued to provide significant funding to support 10
centers within the Biliary Atresia Clinical Research
Consortium, as well as working with NCRR to research
cholastatic liver disease in children.
Multi-Institute Research Issues
Amyloidosis.--The Committee encourages NIH to continue to
intensify its research efforts into the amyloidosis, a group of
rare diseases characterized by abnormally folded protein
deposits in tissues. These diseases are often fatal and there
is no known cure. Treatment involving large-dose intravenous
chemotherapy followed by stem cell replacement or rescue is
effective for many patients, but this procedure is risky,
unsuitable for many patients, and not a cure. The Committee
understands that NIH will be holding a national conference on
amyloidosis and participating in an international conference.
The Committee looks forward to being informed on the results of
these conferences and to receiving from NIH the results and
recommendations identifying the next steps that need to be
taken to increase the understanding, prevention and treatment
of this devastating group of diseases.
Clinical and translational research.--The Committee
believes that using clinical and translational research to move
scientific advances developed in the laboratory to mainstream
medical practice is critical to the effort to cure disease. As
such, the Committee commends NIH for launching the Clinical and
Translational Science Awards (CTSA) program, which will help to
transform the manner in which basic and applied research reach
patients. Accordingly, the Committee encourages NIH to expand
the use of this concept across multiple ICs as quickly as
possible in order to ensure that potentially life-saving
breakthroughs reach patients without delay. The Committee
requests a report by April 1, 2007 detailing NIH's progress in
this area, including identifying any potential barriers to
widespread implementation of the CSTA program.
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.--The Committee is aware
that Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (Alpha-1) is a major
genetic risk factor for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
(COPD). The Committee commends NIH, particularly NHLBI, for its
plans to focus additional research in the area of COPD. The
Committee encourages NHLBI, NIDDK, NHGRI and other appropriate
institutes to enhance the NIH research portfolio, encourage
targeted detection, raise public awareness about Alpha-1 and
provide appropriate information to health professionals.
Autism and vaccines.--The Committee continues to be aware
of concerns about reports of a possible association between the
measles component of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine
and a subset of autism termed autistic entercolitis. The
Committee continues its interest in this issue and encourages
the Interagency Coordinating Committee to continue to give
serious attention to these reports. The Committee is aware that
NIH-supported research is underway, and encourages NIH to avoid
further delays in this research.
The Committee is also concerned that there is some evidence
that infant exposures to thimerosal in the 1990s may be related
to the epidemic of neurodevelopmental disorders in children.
CDC's most extensive review of Vaccine Safety Datalink data
concluded that more research needs to be conducted in this
arena to answer these questions with certainty. The Committee
concurs with the need for this continued research, particularly
given the recent expansion of flu vaccine for children and the
fact that most childhood vaccines administered in developing
countries still contain thimerosal.
The Committee encourages NIH to dedicate significant
resources to pursue the recommended research initiatives
outlined in the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) Immunization
Review. These reports have identified the research needed to
understand better why a number of children suffer severe
adverse reactions to childhood vaccines. Continuation of this
research to develop a better understanding of biological
mechanism is critical to understanding with certainty whether
or not thimerosal and other vaccines exposures might cause
increased risks for some children.
Autism spectrum disorders.--The Committee is encouraged by
NIH's autism research matrix and encourages NIH to devote
sufficient resources to this research agenda. The Committee
encourages NIH when implementing the autism research matrix to
coordinate with autism organizations already funding research
initiatives to ensure the most efficient use of its resources.
The Committee also notes the promise of particular areas cited
in the matrix, including genetic, gene-environment
interactions, behavioral characterizations of the disorder,
screening and early diagnosis, and the development of evidence-
based interventions.
Carcinoid tumor disease.--Carcinoid cancer and related
neuroendocrine tumors are small, slow growing tumors found
mostly in the gastrointestinal system, but can also be found in
other parts of the body such as the pancreas and the lung. The
Committee encourages the Director to expand and coordinate
research and related activities with respect to carcinoid
disease and carcinoid tumor biology across all relevant
institutes, centers and offices, particularly at NCI, to help
foster early and accurate diagnosis as well as develop new,
safe, and effective treatments for the disease and move toward
a cure. In addition, the Committee encourages NCI to hold a
summit on carcinoid cancer and requests a report by June 1,
2007 on future research plans for carcinoid cancer.
Chromosome abnormalities.--The Committee commends NIH for
its efforts over the past year to encourage new research into
molecular, genetic, clinical and therapeutic aspects of
chromosome abnormalities. Because of the multisystemic
consequences of a chromosome abnormality, multidisciplinary and
multi-institute support by NIH will be required in order to
make progress that will be meaningful to those affected. The
Committee continues to encourage NIH to seek ways to expand and
intensify such research, especially studies involving the
syndromes of chromosome 18.
Cystic fibrosis.--The Committee commends the Director and
NIH for facilitating progress in finding new ways to treat
individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). Progress from the 1960s
when children with CF did not live long enough to attend
elementary school to today's median life expectancy of 35 years
has resulted from significant contributions of both NIH and the
private sector. The Committee encourages NIH to support more
research in CF to cure this disease, a goal that is achievable,
and can result in lessons to benefit research on other rare,
genetic diseases.
The Committee commends the Director for recent initiatives
in the NIH Roadmap to re-engineer the clinical research system
by issuing grants to establish integrative academic homes for
clinical and translational science. The Committee encourages
the Director to consider as a model the CF clinical trials
network, and to continue to support this model network, which
is making great advances in developing new treatments for
cystic fibrosis.
Down syndrome.--The Committee encourages the Director to
establish an NIH Down syndrome research task force on cognition
to develop a strategic plan for genetic and neurobiological
research relating to the cognitive dysfunction and the
progressive late-life dementia associated with Down syndrome.
The purpose of the strategic plan is to provide a guide for
coordinating Down syndrome research on cognition across NIH and
for enhancing the development of new research efforts based on
identification of areas of greatest scientific opportunity,
especially as they relate to the development of future
treatments. The plan should include short, intermediate and
long-term goals for basic and clinical research with strategies
for achieving goals and with specified time frames for
implementation.
Dystonia.--The Committee is very pleased with progress
demonstrated by the NIH intramural research program in the
treatment and understanding of dystonia. NIH intramural
researchers have successfully utilized injections of Botox to
treat many patients who otherwise would be severely debilitated
by dystonia. The Committee encourages continued work in this
important area of study and treatment.
Gene therapy research.--The Committee is encouraged by
promising research being undertaken in gene therapy, especially
in regard to thalassemia, or Cooley's anemia. The Committee is
concerned, however, that the current mechanism for funding gene
therapy research, while promoting advancement of individual
components of gene therapy, lacks an overarching strategy that
will coalesce these advances and encourage the ultimate goal of
curing genetic disorders expeditiously. The Committee is
equally concerned that the most innovative research in curative
gene therapy is being conducted in Europe rather than in the
U.S. Last year, the Committee urged the Director to assess the
prospects for the most promising areas for breakthroughs in
this field and to develop an aggressive program to focus
resources on it. A meeting was convened on the topic, but the
Committee believes that more focused and aggressive action is
needed. NIH should assess the prospects for success in a broad
range of diseases, with the goal of curing a single gene
disorder in the shortest possible time utilizing gene therapy.
The Committee requests a plan for implementing an aggressive
research agenda by January 1, 2007.
Heart disease research and prevention action plan.--The
Committee is pleased to learn that the NIH, through the NHLBI,
will convene a national conference in 2006 to assess progress
and opportunities in heart disease research and prevention and
to develop a comprehensive, long-range, trans-agency action
plan. The Committee looks forward to receiving the report by
March 1, 2007, and expects the report to be a long-range,
trans-agency action plan on heart disease research and
prevention, with quantifiable goals and benchmarks to measure
progress in the battle against heart disease.
Human tissue supply.--The Committee remains interested in
matching the increased needs of NIH grantees and intramural
researchers who rely upon human tissues and organs to study
disease and search for cures, including for those researchers
dedicated to the study and cure of rare diseases. The Committee
is aware that NIH has established a multi-institute initiative
on human tissue supply. While this is promising, there is still
an unmet demand for the use of human tissue in research. The
Committee encourages the Director to strengthen the core for
this initiative and to broaden its scope to other institutes
such as NCI, NHLBI, and NINDS that have not previously
participated in the initiative's core support.
Lymphatic research and lymphatic diseases.--In light of the
transformational impact of lymphatic biology and disease
research, which requires the participation of multiple
institutes and centers, the Committee encourages the Director
to give careful consideration to the development of an
initiative for lymphatic biology and disease under the auspices
of OPASI. In addition, the Committee encourages the Director
and the Trans-NIH Coordinating Committee on the Lymphatic
System to pursue the goals of fostering lymphatic research
initiatives and awareness across all NIH institutes and
centers.
Microbicides.--There is an urgent need to expand the
development pipeline with more microbicide candidate products,
particularly those that target HIV in new ways. In addition to
candidates that may arise from basic research efforts, the best
possibilities may be found within pharmaceutical companies
where there are, today, dozens of potential compounds already
developed as therapeutics that could move into clinical
development as microbicides if made available. As outlined in
the ``NIH Roadmap,'' NIH has mechanisms in place to encourage
partnerships among researchers in academia, government and the
private sector. The Committee encourages the leadership at NIH
to support the microbicide field by encouraging the
pharmaceutical industry to allow its drug candidates to be
developed as microbicides. In recent years, the International
Partnership for Microbicides has entered into innovative
agreements with leading pharmaceutical companies to test and
develop leading AIDS drugs as microbicides. More partnerships
like these between the pharmaceutical industry and the non-
profit community will be critical.
Microbicides to prevent HIV/AIDS.--The Committee notes with
alarm that being female, married and poor are often the most
significant risk factors for acquiring HIV. Once developed,
microbicides will be a critical element of a comprehensive
response to HIV/AIDS that takes into account the unequal impact
of the epidemic on women. The Committee encourages greater
emphasis on microbicide research and development at NIH. The
Committee has long advocated that NIH establish a dedicated
microbicide unit with clearly identified leadership, funding
and staffing to accelerate and coordinate NIH-supported
microbicide research. Greater leadership and coordination on
this issue is especially critical given that a microbicide-
specific clinical trial network is under active review for
approval.
Minority institution research infrastructure.--The
Committee continues to be pleased with the NIH Director's
implementation of various programs focused on developing
research infrastructure at minority health professions
institutions, including Research Centers at Minority
Institutions, extramural biomedical research facilities, and
the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities.
The Committee encourages the NIH Director to work closely with
the Director of NCMHD to establish a program of coordination
among these various mechanisms to partner with minority health
professions schools to address their infrastructure needs.
Mucolipidosis Type IV (ML4).--The Committee commends NINDS,
NIMH and NICHD for efforts to create a strain of mice that
replicates the genetic mutation that causes ML4 in humans. The
Committee encourages continued research in the effort to cure
ML4 and similar genetic disorders.
Musculoskeletal trauma and skeletal pain.--The Committee
encourages NIAMS, NIA, NIDCR, and NCCAM to study ways to
understand better the epidemiology of back pain, and improve on
or develop new diagnostic techniques for back pain. The
Committee also encourages expansion of research to improve
diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to lower the impact of
musculoskeletal trauma.
Osteoporosis and bone health action plan.--The Committee
appreciates the report the Surgeon General submitted on bone
health in October 2004. In the report, the Surgeon General
calls for a national action plan for bone health. To accomplish
this, the Committee encourages NIH to convene a national summit
and develop a National Action Plan for Bone Health and
Osteoporosis.
Parkinson's disease (PD).--The Committee continues to
encourage NIH to develop a strategic plan for future
investments in PD research, based on the findings of a planning
conference tasked with identifying the current shortcomings and
future opportunities for more effective treatments and
potential cures for the disease, and with a clearly defined
budget for achieving those objectives. The Committee understood
last year that NIH convened a conference in June of 2005 and
instructed NIH to report back to Congress the conclusions and
recommended research plan for the next three years of PD
research. The Committee further encourages NIH to submit an
implementation plan that outlines progress already made and
specific results of investments outlined in that plan by June
30, 2007.
The Committee also encourages continued collaborations
including additional intramural activities between NINDS, NIMH,
NIA and NHGRI to enhance understanding of neurodegenerative
diseases and develop therapeutic applications for gene
discoveries.
Psoriasis.--The Committee encourages the Director to expand
and coordinate research and related activities with respect to
psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis across all relevant ICs,
particularly at NIAMS and NIAID, to help foster new, safe, and
effective treatments for these diseases and move toward a cure.
Rett syndrome.--The Committee applauds NIH's continued
commitment to Rett syndrome research, a gentically-based
neurological disorder seen almost exclusive in females, which
is estimated to occur in approximately one in ten thousand
female births. Recent discoveries suggest that mutations in the
gene responsible for Rett syndrome are associated with other
disorders including learning disability, autism, schizophrenia,
mental retardation, and in infant males, a progressive, fatal
encephalopathy. New basic biomedical discoveries are also
providing insights on general mechanisms of postnatal brain
development, providing a roadmap of new avenues of
interventions with the potential to treat Rett syndrome and
other neurological disorders.
The Committee is pleased that NINDS, NIMH, and NICHD have
partnered with existing advocacy groups in the development of
co-funded projects, and encourages additional support for
development of new animal models and for continuation of the
ongoing genotype/phenotype investigations to hasten progress in
eliminating this and other neurologically based disorders.
The Committee encourages expansion of research in applied
areas that will improve the quality of life for individuals
with Rett syndrome and others with communicative disorders, and
encourages NIH to redouble its effort to integrate the work of
appropriate institutes in this area, including NICHD, NINDS,
NIA, NIMH, NIDCD, NHGRI, NHLBI, NIAMS, NIDDK, NIGMS, and NCRR.
The Committee also admires the progress made by the Office of
Rare Diseases in the development of the Rare Disease Clinical
Research Network, and is pleased by the implementation of
clinical research protocols to create better understanding of
the scope of Rett syndrome and other rare disorders.
Shaken baby syndrome.--The Committee encourages NIH to
expand its programs to raise public awareness of shaken baby
syndrome (SBS) and to expand its programs of research on the
prevention and treatment of the syndrome.
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).--The Committee encourages
the Director to ensure the success of the SMA project by
providing active and ongoing support from the OD as well as
from other related institutes. The Committee is aware that the
current SMA project is scheduled to conclude in 2007 and
encourages the Director to begin planning for the necessary
follow-on effort to maximize the results of this innovative
project for SMA and to ensure it serves as a model for other
diseases.
Study of gender differences.--The Committee notes that in
2001 the Institute of Medicine released a report that stressed
the importance of gender as a basic variable that needs to be
considered in all areas of biomedical research. Recent findings
have demonstrated that significant differences between men and
women exist in health and disease. One of the fields where such
differences are most pronounced is neuroscience. The Committee
encourages each of the fifteen institutes involved in the NIH
Neuroscience Blueprint to analyze carefully its entire NIH
Neuroscience Blueprint research portfolio to ensure gender is
included as a variable, when appropriate, and to require that
all reported results include gender specific analysis. The
Committee requests a written report from the Director that
includes information on the progress of these efforts at all
fifteen of the NIH Neuroscience Blueprint institutes prior to
the fiscal year 2008 hearings.
Sturge-Weber Syndrome (SWS).--The Committee encourages the
Director to develop collaborative, multidisciplinary research,
translational and clinical studies on SWS with appropriate
institutes and centers, as well as with other, appropriate
government agencies. The Committee encourages NIH to utilize
all appropriate mechanisms and resources in carrying out these
studies.
Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).--TSC is a genetic
disorder that triggers uncontrollable tumor growth in multiple
organs of the body, including the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs,
liver, eyes or skin. Because of the effects of TSC on multiple
organ systems, the Committee encourages the Office of the
Director to work with all institutes involved in TSC research
to revise the 10-year TSC Research Plan into a comprehensive
TSC Research Strategy for a Cure. The Committee encourages NIH
to organize a conference with all institutes supporting TSC
research. Also, the Committee encourages the Director to
support translational research and to fund new investigators in
the TSC research field. The Committee is encouraged by the
collaborative efforts that have been brought forth to produce
the Program Announcement on Understanding and Treating Tuberous
Sclerosis Complex. The Committee encourages NIH to continue
this program announcement in future years and expand the number
of participating institutes.
Vulvodynia.--Since fiscal year 1998, Congress has
highlighted the need for research on the prevalence, causes and
treatment of vulvodynia, a painful and often debilitating
disorder of the female reproductive system. The Committee is
pleased that some progress has been made since that time. For
example, NICHD has supported a major study of the prevalence of
this disorder. The Committee calls upon the Director to build
upon these initial successes by coordinating through the Office
of Women's Health Research an expanded and collaborative
extramural and intramural research effort into the causes of
and treatments for vulvodynia. This expanded effort should
involve ORWH, NICHD, NINDS and other relevant ICs as well as
the NIH Pain Consortium and should emphasize etiology and
multi-center therapeutic trials. In addition, the Committee is
concerned that many women with vulvodynia remain undiagnosed.
To address this shortcoming, the Committee encourages NIH to
include information about vulvodynia on its website and that it
work with relevant groups to implement a national education
program for primary care health professionals, patients and the
general public on vulvodynia its symptoms, diagnosis and
treatment options. The Committee encourages the Director to
include experts on vulvodynia and related chronic pain and
female reproductive system conditions on peer review panels.
Finally, the Committee encourages NICHD to reissue its request
for applications in this area and to fund high quality
applications.
BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES
The Committee recommends $81,081,000 for buildings and
facilities, which is the same as both the fiscal year 2006
appropriation and the budget request.
Mission.--The Buildings and Facilities appropriation
provides for the design, construction, improvement, and major
repair of clinical, laboratory, and office buildings and
supporting facilities essential to the mission of the National
Institutes of Health. The funds in this appropriation support
the 77 buildings on the main NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland;
the Animal Center in Poolesville, Maryland; the National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences facility in Research
Triangle Park, North Carolina; and other smaller facilities
throughout the United States.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
The Committee provides a program level of $3,343,135,000
for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services
Administration (SAMHSA), which is $16,397,000 above the fiscal
year 2006 funding level and $83,134,000 above the budget
request. Within the total, $126,129,000 is provided through the
evaluation set-aside as requested.
SAMHSA is responsible for supporting mental health and
alcohol and drug abuse prevention and treatment services
nationwide through discretionary capacity expansion and science
to service activities, formula block grants to the States and
associated technical assistance efforts. The agency consists of
three principal centers: the Center for Mental Health Services,
the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, and the Center for
Substance Abuse Prevention. The Office of the Administrator is
responsible for overall agency management.
The Committee expects that no less than the amounts
allocated in fiscal year 2006 will be spent in fiscal year 2007
for activities throughout SAMHSA that are targeted to address
the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic and its disparate impact on
communities of color, including African Americans, Latinos,
Native Americans, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and
Pacific Islanders. These funds provide grants to organizations
with a history of providing culturally competent, community
specific, and linguistically appropriate services in hard to
reach and high-risk communities of color to expand service
infrastructure and capacity.
The Committee includes within the total provided for
programs of regional and national significance across SAMHSA,
$46,391,000 for homeless programs, which is the same funding
level provided in fiscal year 2006 and $5,757,000 more than the
budget request. The Committee is hopeful that programs that
provide supportive services to individuals in permanent housing
settings will help to end long-term homelessness in this
country and encourages SAMHSA to develop supportive services
programs within the authority of the programs of regional and
national significance.
Health disparities need to be addressed as the demographics
of our society are changing dramatically. The Committee notes
that minorities represent 30 percent of the population and are
projected to increase to 40 percent by 2025. Yet, only 23
percent of recent doctorates in psychology, social work and
nursing were awarded to minorities. For fiscal year 2007, the
Committee has provided no less than the level allocated in
fiscal year 2006 for the minority fellowship program in order
to train culturally competent mental health, and substance
abuse treatment and prevention professionals.
The Committee expects that none of the funds provided for
SAMHSA will be used to support attachment therapy (AT), a
controversial ``treatment'' on adoptive and foster children who
present disciplinary problems. Reports have suggested that AT
has been the cause of abuse, and even death, in several
nationally prominent cases. While proponents of the ``therapy''
have been marketing AT to child-protection agencies and
workers, social-work professionals, parents, and others, AT is
an un-validated intervention.
Center for Mental Health Services
The Committee provides a program level total of
$890,114,000 for the Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS),
which is $5,866,000 above the fiscal year 2006 funding level
and $41,202,000 above the budget request. Within the total,
$21,629,000 is provided through the evaluation set-aside as
requested. The Committee does not include requested bill
language that would require states to use amounts above their
minimum mental health block grant allotment for transformation
activities.
Programs of regional and national significance
The Committee provides $269,303,000 for mental health
programs of regional and national significance, which is
$6,040,000 above the fiscal year 2006 funding level and
$41,202,000 above the budget request. The program includes
studies that identify the most effective service delivery
practices, knowledge synthesis activities that translate
program findings into useful products for the field, and
knowledge application projects that support adoption of
exemplary service approaches throughout the country.
The Committee provides $25,740,000 for the state incentive
grants for transformation, which is the same as the fiscal year
2006 funding level and $5,944,000 more than the budget request.
These comprehensive state mental health plans will enhance the
use of existing resources at the state and local levels and
expand the options and array of available supports. These
grants are not intended to provide direct services, but rather
are to aid states in developing broad systems changes to better
serve persons with mental illness.
The Committee recommends that SAMHSA continue to work with
states and planning and advisory councils to integrate the
principles of transformation with a state's service-delivery
system, including the mental health block grant. The Committee
encourages SAMHSA to provide a mechanism within the state
incentive grants for transformation to ensure that full and
active participation by community-based organizations
representing consumers is present in all facets of
transformation planning and implementation.
While the Committee is pleased that SAMHSA is focusing on
helping persons with mental illnesses achieve recovery, a
parallel effort must be made to strengthen the service capacity
of safety net community-based mental health providers.
Therefore, SAMHSA is urged to produce a comprehensive study for
the Committee regarding the technical assistance furnished to
community mental health centers over the last five years on
such issues as personnel preparation, evidenced-based
practices, quality improvement, integrated treatment, and
individualized care.
The Committee provides $89,000,000 for school violence
programs, which is $13,290,000 more than the budget request and
$4,298,000 less than the fiscal year 2006 funding level. At
this funding level, it is the Committee's intention that grants
will be awarded to school districts with the goals of promoting
the healthy development of children and youth, fostering their
resilience in the face of adversity, and preventing violence.
Within funds provided, the Committee recommends $29,500,000
for the national child traumatic stress initiative, $38,000
more than the fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget
request. This program has established 54 treatment development
and community service centers to treat children who have
experienced trauma and also supports the national center for
traumatic stress. It is estimated that up to 40,000 traumatized
children and their families will directly benefit from services
delivered as a result of this initiative.
The mental health needs of our Nation's seniors are largely
ignored within our mental health system. While many older
Americans experience depression, dementia, anxiety and
substance abuse disorders, far too often these conditions are
not recognized or treated. Outreach to elderly persons
conducted in places frequented by seniors, such as senior
centers, meal sites, primary care settings and other locations,
is needed. The elderly treatment and outreach program is the
only federally funded services program dedicated specifically
to the mental health care of older adults. It is for this
reason that within the funds provided, the Committee recommends
that no less than the level allocated in fiscal year 2006 be
allocated for the older adults program.
The Committee remains deeply concerned that suicide is the
third leading cause of death among adolescents. Consistent with
the recommendations of the President's New Freedom Commission
on Mental Health, the Committee has in the past called upon
SAMHSA to award grants to local educational systems or non-
profit entities in conjunction with local educational systems
for analyzing screening mechanisms and to identify evidence-
based practices for facilitating treatment for youth at risk.
The Committee strongly urges SAMHSA to continue this effort in
fiscal year 2007.
The Committee recommends that within the funding provided,
programs that address youth suicide prevention and early
intervention strategies, including the suicide resource center,
be funded in fiscal year 2007 at no less than the amounts
allocated in fiscal year 2006. In addition, the Committee
provides $5,000,000 to support suicide hotlines, which is
$1,979,000 more than both the fiscal year 2006 funding level
and the budget request.
The Committee recognizes the value of marriage and family
therapy (MFT). As one of the five ``core mental health
professions'' designated by the Health Resources and Services
Administration, the Committee encourages SAMHSA to permit MFT
students to be granted eligibility to participate in the
minority fellowship program.
The Committee includes the following projects and
activities and in the following amount for fiscal year 2007:
American Red Cross, Lower Bucks County Chapter,
Levittown, PA to provide mental health counseling
and case management services, along with related
services............................................ $250,000
Community Shelter Board, Columbus, OH for a National
Model to House Homeless Families.................... 175,000
Family Support Systems Unlimited, Inc., Bronx, NY for
mental health services.............................. 175,000
Fulton County Department of Mental Health, Atlanta, GA
for a Jail Diversion Program........................ 300,000
Heartland Health Outreach, Chicago IL for mental health
services to refugee children........................ 150,000
Helen Wheeler Center for Community Mental Health,
Kankakee, IL to increase service capacity........... 315,000
Jefferson Behavioral Health System, Steubenville, OH for
mental health services at Beacon House.............. 250,000
Jewish Association for Residential Care, Farmington
Hills, MI for mental health support services........ 300,000
Lane County, Eugene, OR for mental health and substance
abuse treatment services for at-risk youth.......... 200,000
Orange County, Orlando, FL to provide for an intensive
case management model to manage people released from
acute care and jail settings who are diagnosed with
serious and persistent mental illnesses and co-
occurring substance use disorders................... 250,000
Pacific Clinics, Arcadia, CA for mental health and
suicide prevention programs for adolescents......... 450,000
Peninsula Counseling Center, Woodmere, NY for mental
health services for older adults.................... 250,000
Prince George's County Health Department, Largo, MD for
mental health services through wellness centers in
high schools........................................ 100,000
Progreso Latino, Central Falls, RI for mental health
services for senior citizens........................ 100,000
San Francisco Department of Public Health, San
Francisco, CA for mental health and substance abuse
services for homeless persons in supportive housing. 1,500,000
St. Mary's Home for Children, North Providence, RI for
mental health services to children.................. 350,000
United Jewish Federation, Pittsburgh, PA for services to
adults with mental illness.......................... 150,000
United Way of Lake County, Mentor, OH for the Lake
County Drop-in Center............................... 115,000
University of South Florida, Louis de la Parte Florida
Mental Health Institute, Tampa, FL to close the
knowledge/practice gap in mental health and
substance abuse programs............................ 200,000
Ventura County Probation Office, Ventura, CA for
treatment and related services for juvenile
offenders with mental health and chemical dependency
problems............................................ 250,000
Ventura County Sheriff's Department, Ventura, CA for the
Crisis Intervention Team Training Program........... 210,000
Mental health block grant
The Committee provides a program level total of
$428,472,000 for the mental health block grant, which is
$174,000 less than the fiscal year 2006 funding level and the
same as the budget request. The block grant provides funds to
states to support mental health prevention, treatment, and
rehabilitation services. Funds are allocated according to
statutory formula among the states that have submitted approved
annual plans. The Committee notes that the mental health block
grant funding represents less than two percent of total state
mental health funding and less than three percent of state
community-based mental health services. Within the total,
$21,629,000 is provided through the evaluation set-aside as
requested.
The Community Mental Health Services Block Grant Program
distributes funds to 59 eligible states and territories through
a formula based upon specified economic and demographic
factors. Applications must include an annual plan for providing
comprehensive community mental health services to adults with a
serious mental illness and children with a serious emotional
disturbance. Because the mental health needs of our Nation's
elderly population are often not met by existing programs and
because the need for such services is dramatically and rapidly
increasing, the Committee recommends that SAMHSA require that
states' plans include specific provisions for mental health
services for older adults.
Children's mental health
The Committee provides $104,078,000 for the grant program
for comprehensive community mental health services for children
with serious emotional disturbance, which is the same as the
fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget request. Funding
for this program supports grants and technical assistance for
community-based services for children and adolescents up to age
22 with serious emotional, behavioral, or mental disorders. The
program assists states and local jurisdictions in developing
integrated systems of community care. Each individual served
receives an individual service plan developed with the
participation of the family and the child. Grantees are
required to provide increasing levels of matching funds over
the six-year grant period.
Grants to states for the homeless (PATH)
The Committee provides $54,261,000 for the grants to states
for the homeless (PATH) program, which is the same as the
fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget request. PATH
grants to states provide assistance to individuals suffering
from severe mental illness and/or substance abuse disorders and
who are homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless.
Grants may be used for outreach, screening and diagnostic
treatment services, rehabilitation services, community mental
health services, alcohol or drug treatment services, training,
case management services, supportive and supervisory services
in residential settings, and a limited set of housing services.
Protection and advocacy
The Committee provides $34,000,000 for the protection and
advocacy program, which is the same as the budget request and
the fiscal year 2006 funding level. This funding is distributed
to states according to a formula based on population and income
to assist state-designated independent advocates to provide
legal assistance to mentally ill individuals during their
residence in state-operated facilities and for 90 days
following their discharge.
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
The Committee provides a program level total of
$2,160,695,000 for the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment
(CSAT), which is $3,155,000 above the fiscal year 2006 funding
level and $26,725,000 above the budget request. Within the
total, $83,500,000 is provided through the evaluation set-aside
as requested.
Programs of regional and national significance
The Committee provides a program level total of
$326,695,000 for substance abuse treatment programs of regional
and national significance, which is $72,254,000 below the
fiscal year 2006 funding level and $48,684,000 below the budget
request. Within the total, $4,300,000 is provided through the
evaluation set-aside as requested. The program supports
activities to improve the accountability, capacity and
effectiveness of substance abuse treatment services and
services delivery. These activities include capacity expansion
initiatives to help communities respond to serious, emerging
and unmet treatment needs and science into services initiatives
through monitoring and accreditation of treatment programs,
training, dissemination and knowledge application activities.
The program promotes the adoption of science- and evidence-
based treatment practices by developing and field-testing new
treatment models in order to facilitate the provision of
quality treatment services and service delivery. These
activities are undertaken in actual service settings rather
than laboratories and results are disseminated to state
agencies and community treatment providers. The goal is to
promote continuous, positive treatment service delivery change
for those people who use and abuse alcohol and drugs.
The Committee does not provide funding for the new access
to recovery (ATR) voucher incentive program that would create
incentive for states to use a portion of their substance abuse
prevention and treatment block grant to provide services
through vouchers. The budget request proposes $70,488,000 for
this program. As this is a new request, no funding was provided
for the voucher incentive program in fiscal year 2006. The
Committee understands that states already have the authority to
initiate voucher programs in their states without this
incentive program. As a result, the Committee includes an
increase of $75,409,000 to the substance abuse prevention and
treatment block grant and encourages SAMHSA to provide
technical assistance and share best practices with those states
that may want to develop a voucher program with their block
grant funding.
The budget request proposes $24,750,000 for a
methamphetamine treatment voucher program that would require
states to purchase methamphetamine treatment services through
the use of vouchers, using the ATR treatment voucher program as
a model. The Committee appreciates and supports the
Administration's interest in dedicating resources to help
expand access to clinically appropriate methamphetamine
treatment. The Committee is aware that state addiction systems
employ a broad range of purchasing mechanisms that are
developed to effectively tailor service delivery in ways that
best address state and local needs and circumstances. The
Committee favors the allocation of grants to states in a manner
that allows flexibility in managing funds to acknowledge the
variation in state systems and to continue to support programs
that are achieving effective outcomes. As a result, the
Committee is not allocating funding for the proposed treatment
voucher program, but instead, the Committee provides
$25,000,000 for methamphetamine treatment to state substance
abuse agencies without requiring states to employ vouchers or
any other one specific required service delivery purchasing
mechanism. The Committee directs SAMHSA to allow state
substance abuse agencies to choose financing strategies for
methamphetamine treatment services that are most appropriate
for their own unique systems, including but not limited to
vouchers.
Within the funds provided, the Committee recommends
$31,151,000 for the screening, brief intervention, referral,
and treatment (SBIRT) program as requested. This competitive
grant program assists states, territories, and Tribes in
targeting non-dependent drug users and is designed to avert the
progression of patients from chronic substance abuse problems.
The SBIRT program works in primary and general care settings to
identify patients in need of treatment and to provide them with
appropriate intervention and treatment options.
The Committee includes the following projects and
activities and in the following amounts for fiscal year 2007:
AIDS Resource Center, Dayton, OH for treatment services. $250,000
Augsburg College, Minneapolis, MN for the StepUP program
to assist students in recovery from chemical
dependency.......................................... 250,000
Baltimore City Health Department, Baltimore, MD to
expand buprenorphine treatment services............. 150,000
Chesterfield County, VA for the Dual Treatment Track
program............................................. 100,000
City of Jackson, TN for the Jackson Drug Court program.. 200,000
City of Las Vegas, NV for mental health and substance
abuse treatment services within the EVOLVE program.. 250,000
Community Corrections Department, Dakota County,
Hastings, MN for the All Children Excel
demonstration project............................... 150,000
Gaudenzia, Inc., Norristown, PA to establish the
Institute for Professional Development.............. 100,000
Gavin Foundation, South Boston, MA for substance abuse
treatment services.................................. 300,000
Jefferson County Medical Society Outreach Program, Inc.
(The Healing Place), Louisville, KY for the Women's
Recovery Program.................................... 225,000
Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center, Minneapolis,
MN for a dual diagnosis outpatient treatment program 230,000
N Street Village Washington, DC for its Recovery Housing
treatment program for women with dual diagnoses of
addiction and mental illness........................ 150,000
Nexstep to Independence, Inc., Louisville, KY for a
prisoner re-entry program........................... 60,000
Northeast Guidance Center; Detroit, MI for substance
abuse treatment and mental health services at The
Family Life Center.................................. 150,000
Patrician Movement, San Antonio, TX for substance abuse
prevention and treatment programs................... 250,000
Self Help Movement, Inc., Philadelphia, PA for inpatient
treatment services.................................. 30,000
Sheriffs Youth Program, Inver Grove Heights, MN for
chemical dependency treatment services.............. 150,000
Washington County, Hillsboro, OR for a residential
treatment program for persons with dual diagnoses... 200,000
Westcare Kentucky, Frankfort, KY for comprehensive
substance abuse treatment services at the Pikeville,
KY facility......................................... 500,000
Substance abuse prevention and treatment block grant
The Committee provides a program level total of
$1,834,000,000 for the substance abuse prevention and treatment
(SAPT) block grant, which is $75,409,000 more than the fiscal
year 2006 funding level and the budget request. Within the
total, $79,200,000 is provided through the evaluation set-aside
as requested. The SAPT block grant provides funds to states to
support alcohol and drug abuse prevention, treatment, and
rehabilitation services. Funds are allocated among the states
according to a statutory formula. State applications including
comprehensive state plans must be approved annually by SAMHSA
as a condition of receiving funds.
The Committee expresses its strong support for the SAPT
block grant, an effective and efficient funding stream that is
directed to every state and territory. The block grant is the
foundation of our publicly funded substance abuse prevention
and treatment system and serves our most vulnerable citizens,
including pregnant and parenting women, those with HIV/AIDS and
others. As a result, the Committee remains concerned with any
action that could erode, weaken, or in any way disrupt this
vital funding mechanism.
The Committee is aware of SAMHSA's collaborative work with
state substance abuse directors, also known as single state
authorities (SSAs) for substance abuse, to improve the quality
of substance abuse prevention and treatment data by seeking
information on a core set of national outcome measures (NOMs)
across all SAMHSA funding mechanisms, including services funded
by the SAPT block grant. The Committee commends SAMHSA for
working with states and territories to streamline data
reporting requirements while improving accountability. The
Committee encourages SAMHSA to continue working directly with
the national association representing state substance abuse
directors on the variety of implementation issues related to
NOMs to ensure continued progress, including work to examine
effective non-proprietary data management tools that could
continue to implement this initiative in an efficient and cost-
effective manner.
Center for substance abuse prevention
Programs of regional and national significance
The Committee provides $195,805,000 for the substance abuse
prevention programs of regional and national significance,
which is $2,904,000 more than the fiscal year 2006 funding
level and $15,207,000 more than the budget request. The program
identifies and disseminates evidence-based substance abuse
prevention approaches.
Within the total, the Committee provides $300,000 for the
Advertising Council's parent-oriented media campaign to combat
underage drinking. Funding should be used to continue the
campaign, refresh media spots, and evaluate results.
The Committee is pleased that the Inter-Agency Coordinating
Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking (ICCPUD) has
taken steps to engage State officials on evdience-based
strategies for combating underage drinking and to promote
increased State action to reduce youth alcohol use. The
Committee appreciates the ICCPUD's January 2006 submission of a
proposed federal underage drinking prevention plan, and is very
pleased that it included plans for a Surgeon General's ``Call
to Action'' on underage drinking prevention to be releaed in
spring of 2006. The Committee urges the ICCPUD to ensure that
the ``Call to Action'' is vigorously promoted and disseminated
to policy-makers and the public.
The Committee includes the following projects and
activities and in the following amounts for fiscal year 2007:
City of Detroit, for substance abuse prevention and
treatment services for youth through the SAFETY
program............................................. $425,000
Hamilton County Alcohol and Other Drug Prevention
Coalition, Jennings, FL for a youth academic and
social development program.......................... 150,000
Institute for the Advanced Study of the Black Family,
Oakland, CA for an integrated HIV/AIDS and substance
abuse treatment initiative.......................... 100,000
Kids Hope United, Lake Villa, IL to expand its multi-
systemic therapy program............................ 200,000
Lawrence County Family Center, New Castle, PA for the
Lawrence County Strategic Alliance for Stable
Families............................................ 500,000
Long Island Crisis Center, Bellmore, NY to conduct a
public education and awareness campaign for
vulnerable families................................. 80,000
National Center for Children Exposed to Violence, Yale
University Child Study Center, New Haven, CT for
training, technical assistance, consultation and
other services relating to the effects of violence
on children......................................... 650,000
Ohio Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
Counselors, Shaker Heights, OH for the Ohio Alcohol
and Drug Workforce Development Project.............. 100,000
Relief Nursery, Eugene, OR for services to
methamphetamine-affected children and their families 350,000
South Boston Community Health Center, South Boston, MA
for substance abuse prevention programs............. 350,000
Program management
The Committee provides a program level total of $96,521,000
for program management, of which $21,000,000 is provided
through the evaluation set-aside as requested. The fiscal year
2007 program level is $4,472,000 below the fiscal year 2006
funding level and the same as the budget request. The
appropriation provides funding to coordinate, direct, and
manage the agency's programs. Funds are used for salaries,
benefits, space, supplies, equipment, travel and overhead.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
The Committee provides a total of $318,695,000 for the
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), which is the
same as the fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget
request.
The mission of the agency is to generate and disseminate
information that improves the delivery of health care. Its
research goals are to determine what works best in clinical
practice; improve the cost-effective use of health care
resources; help consumers make more informed choices; and
measure and improve the quality of care.
The Committee provides $260,695,000 for research on health
costs, quality, and outcomes, which is the same as the fiscal
year 2006 funding level and the budget request. This program
identifies the most effective and efficient approaches to
organize, deliver, finance, and reimburse health care services;
determines how the structure of the delivery system, financial
incentives, market forces, and better information affects the
use, quality, and cost of health services; and facilitates the
translation of research findings for providers, patients,
plans, purchasers, and policymakers. It also funds research
that determines what works best in increasing the cost
effectiveness and appropriateness of clinical practice;
supports the development of tools to measure and evaluate
health outcomes, quality of care, and consumer satisfaction
with health care system performance; and facilitates the
translation of information into practical uses through the
development and dissemination of research databases. The
Committee also encourages AHRQ to look favorably on proposals
that would proactively detect medical errors and preemptively
control injury via compact medical devices that acquire,
analyze and filter data from multiple, disparate, wireless and
wired sources.
Within the total for research on health costs, quality, and
outcomes, the Committee provides $84,000,000 for the patient
safety program, which is the same as the fiscal year 2006
funding level and the budget request. This amount includes
$50,000,000 for grants to support the health information
technology (HIT) initiative. The Committee urges AHRQ to play a
key role in the initiative being developed in the Office of the
National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. The
Committee is aware of several pilot projects being funded that
demonstrate the reduction in patient harm from the use of
integrated medication delivery systems and urges AHRQ to
continue making such systems a component of its HIT grants.
Also within the total for research on health costs, quality
and outcomes, the Committee provides $15,000,000 for
comparative clinical effectiveness research. This is the same
as the fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget request.
The Committee is concerned about the prevalence of
undiagnosed and untreated mental illness among older Americans.
Affective disorders, including depression, anxiety, dementia,
and substance abuse and dependence, are often misdiagnosed or
not recognized at all by primary and specialty care physicians
in their elderly patients. Research has shown that the
treatment of mental illness can improve health outcomes for
those with other chronic diseases. While effective treatments
for these conditions are available, there is an urgent need to
translate advancements from biomedical and behavioral research
to clinical practice. The Committee urges AHRQ to support
evidence-based research projects focused on the diagnosis and
treatment of mental illnesses in the geriatric population, and
to disseminate evidence-based reports to physicians and other
health care professionals.
The Committee is aware that heart disease, stroke and other
cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death among
women. The Committee requests that AHRQ, no later than
September 30, 2007, prepare and submit to the Committee, a
report on the quality of and access to care for women with
heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases. The
report should contain recommendations for eliminating
disparities in, and improving the treatment of, heart disease,
stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases in women.
The Committee is aware that obesity rates in children have
risen dramatically in recent years and that obesity may soon
overtake tobacco as the leading preventable cause of death. The
Committee requests that AHRQ submit a report on the
effectiveness of weight reduction programs to the Committee not
later than 18 months after the enactment of this Act. The
report should evaluate the available scientific evidence
regarding the safety and effectiveness of the programs,
behavior modification, and other weight loss methods, and how
successful the programs are in helping individuals achieve
short-term and long-term weight loss and sustain long-term
weight maintenance.
The Committee is pleased that AHRQ is working with the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to establish
evidence-driven standards of care for Duchenne and Becker
muscular dystrophy patients, and encourages both agencies to
complete this work by February 1, 2007.
The Committee is aware that simulation-based medical
education can ensure clinical competence and reinforce best
practices by allowing medical students and experienced
clinicians to practice procedures in a realistic setting. The
enhanced clinical skill development provided by simulation-
based medical training benefits patients and healthcare
consumers in the form of improved health outcomes, patient
safety, and quality; reduced medical errors and deaths; and
increased healthcare cost savings. The Committee encourages
AHRQ to support research, convene workshops, and perform
outreach to medical, nursing, and allied health schools to
improve the utilization and development of simulation
technologies in medical education and demonstrate the value of
simulation-based medical training. AHRQ is encouraged to
collaborate with the Department of Defense, the Telemedicine
and Advanced Technology Research Center (TATRC), the Department
of Veterans Affairs, and the National Institutes of Health in
the further deployment of medical simulation research, tools,
and training to improve patient care.
The Committee is concerned about end stage renal disease
(ESRD) and the difference in prevalence of treatment
modalities, especially the significant difference between
peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis. The Committee urges AHRQ
to conduct a comprehensive meta-analysis of the best available
research studies comparing short and long term outcomes of
dialysis methods, especially those affecting the quality of
life of ESRD patients, and the costs associated with the
treatment of these patients.
The Committee provides $55,300,000 for the Medical
Expenditures Panel Surveys (MEPS), which is the same as the
fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget request. The MEPS
provide data for timely national estimates of health care use
and expenditures, private and public health insurance coverage,
and the availability, costs, and scope of private health
insurance benefits. This activity also provides data for
analysis of changes in behavior as a result of market forces or
policy changes on health care use, expenditures, and insurance
coverage; develops cost/savings estimates of proposed changes
in policy; and identifies the impact of changes in policy for
subgroups of the population.
For program support, the Committee provides $2,700,000
which is the same as fiscal year 2006 funding level and the
budget request. This activity supports the overall direction
and management of the agency.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
GRANTS TO STATES FOR MEDICAID
The Committee provides $138,072,248,000 for the Federal
share of current law state Medicaid costs, which is
$18,882,171,000 below the fiscal year 2006 funding level and
the same as the budget request. This amount does not include
$62,783,825,000 which was advance funded in the fiscal year
2006 appropriation for the first quarter of fiscal year 2007.
In addition, the Committee provides an advance appropriation of
$65,257,617,000 for program costs in the first quarter of
fiscal year 2008. The Committee has also included indefinite
budget authority for unanticipated costs in fiscal year 2007.
Federal Medicaid grants reimburse states for 50 to 83
percent (depending on per capita income) of their expenditures
in providing health care for individuals whose income and
resources fall below specified levels. Subject to certain
minimum requirements, states have broad authority within the
law to set eligibility, coverage, and payment levels. Over
51,000,000 low-income individuals will receive health care
services in 2007 under the Medicaid program. state costs of
administering the program are matched at rates that generally
range from 50 to 100 percent, depending upon the type of cost.
Total funding for Medicaid includes $2,006,445,000 for the
entitlement Vaccines for Children program. These funds, which
are transferred to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention for administration, support the costs of
immunization for children who are on Medicaid, uninsured or
underinsured and receiving immunizations at Federally qualified
health centers or rural health clinics.
The Committee is concerned that certain states have plans
to use the Federal matching dollars available under Medicaid,
not to improve the quality of hospital care in their state, but
to fill state budget gaps at the expense of quality healthcare
for patients. That is clearly not the intention of this program
and we encourage the committees of jurisdiction to take
appropriate remedial action.
PAYMENTS TO HEALTH CARE TRUST FUNDS
The Committee provides $197,017,391,000 for the Payments to
the Health Care Trust Funds account, which is $18,370,191,000
above the fiscal year 2006 funding level and $118,404,000 less
than the budget request. This entitlement account includes the
general fund subsidy to the Federal Supplementary Medical
Insurance Trust Fund for Medicare Part B benefits and for
Medicare drug benefits and administration as well as other
reimbursements to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund for
benefits and related administrative costs, which have not been
financed by payroll taxes or premium contributions. Funds are
not provided for reimbursement for health care fraud and abuse
control, since the Committee did not fund this new account. The
Committee continues to include bill language requested by the
Administration providing indefinite authority for paying the
general revenue portion of the Part B premium match and
provides resources for the Part D drug benefit program in the
event that the annual appropriation is insufficient.
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
The Committee makes available $3,153,547,000 in trust funds
for Federal administration of the Medicare and Medicaid
programs, which is $73,729,000 above the fiscal year 2006
funding level and $5,145,000 above the budget request. The
Committee includes bill language that extends the availability
of $146,760,000 until September 30, 2008 for Medicare
contracting reform activities as requested. The Committee also
includes bill language requested by the Administration which
authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to charge
fees associated with conducting revisit surveys on health care
facilities. Such fees, estimated at $35,000,000, shall be
credited to this appropriation as an offsetting collection to
remain available until expended.
Research, demonstration, and evaluation
The Committee provides $46,673,000 for research,
demonstration and evaluation, which is $10,747,000 below the
fiscal year 2006 funding level and $5,145,000 above the budget
request. These funds support a variety of studies and
demonstrations in such areas as monitoring and evaluating
health system performance; improving health care financing and
delivery mechanisms; modernization of the Medicare program; the
needs of vulnerable populations in the areas of health care
access, delivery systems, and financing; and information to
improve consumer choice and health status.
The Committee includes bill language referring to the
following projects and activities and in the following amounts
for fiscal year 2007:
Access Health, Inc., Muskegon, MI for the small business
health coverage program............................. $300,000
Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, Bronx, NY for a Men's
Health Initiative to demonstrate means of improving
health care and preventive services for low-income
minority men........................................ 400,000
Chai Lifeline, New York, NY for support programs for
seriously ill children and their families........... 100,000
City of Detroit, MI for a project to improve access to
primary care and preventive health services for low-
income and uninsured persons........................ 550,000
City of Los Angeles, CA for a demonstration project to
provide mobile medical services for the homeless.... 300,000
Gadsden County Community Health Council, Quincy, FL for
a project to help low-income residents obtain
prescription drugs.................................. 170,000
Genesys Health System, Grand Blanc, MI for a
demonstration program through the Health Access
network to improve access to dental care for low-
income uninsured patients........................... 50,000
Good Shepherd Home, Ashland, OH for an elderly health
care delivery demonstration......................... 150,000
Medicare Rights Center, New York, NY for the Medicare
Interactive program................................. 500,000
National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization,
Alexandria, VA for an initiative to increase
underserved participation in end-of-life care....... 350,000
Patient Services Inc., Midlothian, VA for a Medical
Insurance and Co-payment Assistance Case Management
Program for Chronic Diseases, including Hepatitis C. 100,000
Riverside Regional Medical Center, Newport News, VA for
the Patient Navigator Program....................... 200,000
San Francisco Department of Public Health, San
Francisco, CA for a demonstration project to improve
HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention services.......... 1,500,000
Stark Prescription Assistance Network, Inc., Canton, OH
for prescription assistance to the uninsured........ 100,000
Thurston-Mason County Medical Society Volunteer Care
Institute, Olympia, WA for its Project Access
initiative to provide care for low-income uninsured
patients............................................ 200,000
Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging,
Richmond, VA for a program to educate potential
recipients regarding the Medicare part D drug
benefit............................................. 175,000
Medicare operations
The Committee provides $2,145,208,000 to support Medicare
claims processing contracts, which is $41,966,000 above the
fiscal year 2006 funding level and the same as the budget
request.
Revitalization plan
The Committee provides $22,765,000 to remain available for
two years, as the fourth year of investment in CMS's efforts to
make significant improvements to key aspects of managing both
the agency and the Medicare program. This amount is the same as
the budget request and $1,198,000 less than the fiscal year
2006 funding level. Funding will target information technology
involving modernization of Medicare fee-for-service claims
processing and modernization of the data environment.
State survey and certification
The Committee provides $283,524,000 for state inspections
of facilities serving Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries,
which is $25,396,000 above the fiscal year 2006 funding level
and the same as the budget request.
Survey and certification activities ensure that
institutions and agencies providing care to Medicare and
Medicaid beneficiaries meet Federal health, safety and program
standards. On-site surveys are conducted by state survey
agencies, with a pool of Federal surveyors performing random
monitoring surveys. Over 72,000 surveys and complaint
investigations are estimated be performed in fiscal year 2007.
Federal administration
The Committee provides $655,377,000 to support Federal
administrative activities related to the Medicare and Medicaid
programs, which is $18,312,000 above the fiscal year 2006
funding level and the same as the budget request. This amount
includes $12,900,000 for the Healthy Start, Grow Smart program
as proposed in the budget request. The Committee continues bill
language identifying $48,960,000 for the contract costs of the
health-care integrated general ledger accounting system.
The Medicare, Medicaid, and Children's Health Insurance
programs ensure the health care security of about 90,000,000
beneficiaries. The Federal administration budget provides funds
for the staff and operations of CMS to administer these
programs.
The Committee commends CMS for expanding the Quality of
Life Demonstration (QoL) project to include oral chemotherapy
regimens in its data collection on this project. The QoL as
implemented by CMS in 2005 was an excellent first step in
gathering data on the impact of chemotherapy as it started to
measure important outcomes for cancer patients specifically
related to infused chemotherapy. The Committee is pleased with
CMS' decision to broaden the demonstration in 2006 to collect
data on all types of cancer management. The inclusion of oral
chemotherapy regimens will provide a more comprehensive
understanding of the quality of life issues impacting all
cancer patients. The demonstration project is intended to
provide a better understanding from cancer patients receiving
chemotherapy on such important issues as their pain control
management, minimization of nausea and vomiting, and the
reduction of fatigue. The action taken by CMS to expand the
demonstration project will provide important data on all anti-
cancer regimens and their impact on patients' quality of life.
The Committee believes that the growing gap between the
size of the nation's aging baby boom population and the number
of pulmonary/critical care physicians poses challenges to the
future delivery of high quality, efficient care under Medicare
and Medicaid. The Committee requests that CMS review a recently
released report by HRSA on the healthcare workforce, a portion
of which focuses on the critical care workforce shortage, and
that CMS also review other relevant research and consult with
the relevant critical care societies in order to develop
recommendations for addressing the critical care workforce
shortage issue, including the possible use of the pulmonary/
critical care specialty as a model for developing and testing
policy approaches to address workforce shortage issues.
The Committee is aware that heart disease, stroke and other
cardiovascular disease are the leading cause of death among
women and is concerned that women are less likely than men to
receive treatments for cardiovascular disease, perhaps due to
lack of awareness and the presence of different symptoms in
women than in men. The Committee also recognizes that certain
diagnostic tests for cardiovascular disease may be less
accurate in women than men. Therefore, the Committee urges the
Center for Beneficiary Choices of CMS to develop and distribute
to female Medicare beneficiaries, physicians, and other
appropriate health care professionals educational materials
relating to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart
disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular disease in women.
The Committee recognizes that CMS has initiated some
commendable community-based activities for an MMA education and
outreach campaign directed towards dual elibigle persons, but
the Committee is also aware that there is considerable evidence
that low-income dual eligible persons with mental disabilities
continue to need direct help with Part D enrollment. Therefore,
within the amounts appropriated, the Committee encourages that
five percent of the funds be directed for one-on-one
pharmaceutical benefits counseling to be provided through
community-based organizations and safety net community mental
health centers.
The Committee is concerned that patients suffering from end
stage renal disease (ESRD) are offered the proper modality for
the best medical outcome and the highest quality of life. The
Committee is particularly concerned about factors that may be
influencing the choice of modality and the availability of
services to ESRD patients. Given that Medicate provides
coverage for 90 percent of the prevalent dialysis population
and 69 percent of those with a transplant, the Committee urges
CMS, in conjunction with other health agencies, to review these
patterns and requests CMS to provide the Committee with
recommendations to ensure public health policies, in the form
of reimbursement rates, public health service, research or
other activities related to ESRD, give priority to positive
medical outcomes and quality of life for ESRD patients.
Administration for Children and Families
PAYMENTS TO STATES FOR CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT AND FAMILY SUPPORT
PROGRAMS
The Committee recommends $2,752,697,000 for the Child
Support Enforcement and Family Support programs, and
$1,000,000,000 in advance funding for the first quarter of
fiscal year 2008 to ensure timely payments for the child
support enforcement program. This is the same as the budget
request. The Committee recommends estimated funding of
$38,000,000 for Payments to Territories, the same as the fiscal
year 2006 funding level and the budget request. The Committee
also recommends $1,000,000 for the repatriation program, which
is the authorized funding level under section 1113(d) of the
Social Security Act.
LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE
The Committee recommends $1,930,000,000 for the Low-Income
Home Energy Assistance state formula grants. This is
$50,000,000 less than the fiscal year 2006 funding level and
$148,000,000 more than the budget request. The Committee
recommends $181,170,000 for the contingent emergency reserve.
This is the same as the fiscal year 2006 funding level. No
funds were requested for this program.
For Fiscal year 2006, the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (as
amended by Public Law 109-204) provided $500,000,000 for State
formula grants and $500,000,000 for the contingency emergency
reserve (in addition to the funds appropriated for these items
in the general appropriation Act).
The low-income home energy assistance program (LIHEAP)
provides assistance to low-income households to help pay the
costs of home energy. Funds are provided through grants to
states, Indian Tribes, and territories and are used for summer
cooling, winter heating, and crisis assistance programs.
REFUGEE AND ENTRANT ASSISTANCE
The Committee recommends $604,329,000 for refugee
assistance programs. This is $34,506,000 more than the fiscal
year 2006 funding level and $10,606,000 less than the budget
request.
In addition, the Committee recommends that the Office of
Refugee Resettlement (ORR) be granted authority to carry over
unexpended funds from fiscal year 2007 to reimburse the costs
of services provided through September 30, 2009, for all
programs within ORR's jurisdiction.
Transitional and medical services
The Committee recommends $282,333,000 for transitional and
medical services. This is $16,786,000 more than the fiscal year
2006 funding level and the same as the budget request. The
transitional and medical services program provides funding for
the state-administered cash and medical assistance program that
assists refugees who are not categorically eligible for TANF or
Medicaid, the unaccompanied minors program that reimburses
states for the cost of foster care, and the voluntary agency
grant program in which participating National refugee
resettlement agencies provide resettlement assistance with a
combination of Federal and matched funds.
Victims of trafficking
The Committee recommends up to $9,816,000 for the victims
of trafficking program. This is the same as the fiscal year
2006 funding level and $5,000,000 less than the budget request.
The funds will ensure continued administration of a national
network for identification, tracking, and certification of
trafficking victims.
The Committee supports efforts to ensure that child
trafficking victims do not remain trapped in life-threatening
situations out of fear of being interrogated by law enforcement
authorities. The Committee supports the efforts of the
Department, under the Trafficking Victim Protection Act of
2000, to independently certify children as child trafficking
victims eligible for benefits and services and encourages the
Department to facilitate the provision of guardians ad litem
for child trafficking victims to help ensure their access to
emergency benefits and services until their ultimate placement
in foster care.
Social Services
The Committee recommends $154,004,000 for social services.
This is the same as the fiscal year 2006 funding level and
$4,394,000 more than the budget request. Funds are distributed
by formula as well as through the discretionary grant-making
process for special projects.
Within the funds provided, the Committee has included
$19,000,000 for support to communities with large
concentrations of Cuban and Haitian entrants of varying ages
whose cultural differences make assimilation especially
difficult, justifying a more intense level and longer duration
of Federal assistance.
The Committee continues to request the Administration for
Children and Families (ACF) to adequately fund refugee school
impact grants.
Preventive health
The Committee recommends $4,748,000 for preventive health
services. This is the same as the fiscal year 2006 funding
level and the budget request. These funds are awarded to the
states to ensure adequate health assessment activities for
refugees.
Targeted assistance
The Committee recommends $48,590,000 for the targeted
assistance program. This is the same as both the fiscal year
2006 funding level and the budget request. These grants provide
assistance to areas with high concentrations of refugees.
Unaccompanied minors
The Committee recommends $95,022,000 for the unaccompanied
minors program. This is $17,720,000 more than the fiscal year
2006 funding level and $10,000,000 less than the budget
request.
The Committee recognizes the legal representation crisis
and need for guardians for unaccompanied children and is
pleased with the progress ORR has made in implementing pro bono
pilot programs to test the benefits of providing pro bono
counsel and guardians for unaccompanied children through its
grant to Vera Institute for Justice. The Committee has included
additional funds to expand the pilot pro-bono legal services
program to a national level. The Committee has also included
additional funds for the care and placement of an increasing
number of unaccompanied alien children through foster care,
shelter care, staff secure or secure detention centers, and for
additional field staff in areas of high apprehensions. The
Committee does not recommend that funds be included for
expanded background checks before placement of unaccompanied
minors. The Committee expects the Department to continue to
perform the rigorous background checks on the adult to whom the
minor is released and to conduct home assessments as
circumstances warrant.
Victims of torture
The Committee recommends $9,816,000 to provide a
comprehensive program of support for domestic centers and
programs for victims of torture. This is the same as both the
fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget request.
PAYMENTS TO STATES FOR THE CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT
The Committee recommends $2,062,081,000 for the child care
and development block grant program, the same as both the
fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget request.
The discretionary funds provided in this bill, along with
annual child care entitlement funds and matching funds,
constitute the Child Care and Development Fund. That Fund
enables states, Territories, and Indian Tribes to provide child
care services for low-income families. The Deficit Reduction
Act of 2005 increased the annual child care entitlement
contribution to that fund through 2010 to $2,917,000,000, an
annual increase of $200,000,000.
SOCIAL SERVICES BLOCK GRANT
The Committee recommends $1,700,000,000 for the social
services block grant (SSBG). This is the same as the fiscal
year 2006 level. The Committee rejects language proposed in the
budget request to override the authorized funding level set
forth in section 2003(c) of the Social Security Act.
SSBGs are designed to encourage states to furnish a variety
of social services to needy individuals to prevent and reduce
dependency; help individuals achieve and maintain self-
sufficiency; prevent or reduce inappropriate institutional
care; secure admission or referral for institutional care when
other forms of care are not appropriate; and prevent neglect,
abuse, and exploitation of children and adults.
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SERVICES PROGRAMS
The Committee recommends a program level total of
$8,663,166,000 for children and families services programs.
This is $194,213,000 less than the fiscal year 2006 funding
level and $414,064,000 more than the budget request. Within the
total provided, $10,500,000 is provided through the evaluation
set-aside. This account finances a number of programs aimed at
enhancing the well-being of the Nation's children and families,
particularly those who are disadvantaged or troubled.
Head Start
The Committee recommends $6,788,571,000 for the Head Start
program, the same as the fiscal year 2006 funding level and an
increase of $2,800,000 over the budget request. Of this total,
the Committee recommends advancing $1,388,800,000 of this
account for fiscal year 2008.
Head Start provides comprehensive child development
services to economically disadvantaged children and their
families. Intended primarily for preschoolers from low-income
families, the program promotes school readiness by enhancing
the social and cognitive development of children through
educational, health, nutritional, social and other services. At
least 10 percent of enrollment opportunities in each state are
made available to handicapped children.
Grants to carry out Head Start programs are awarded to
public and private nonprofit and for-profit agencies. Unless a
waiver is approved, grantees must contribute 20 percent of the
total cost of the program from non-Federal funds, which is
usually an in-kind contribution. No more than 15 percent of
total costs may be for program administration.
The Committee continues to point to the 2001 study
published by the Department of Health and Human Services,
documenting that only 19 percent of eligible children were able
to access Migrant and Seasonal Head Start Programs. The
Committee supports the provision included in H.R. 2123, the
School Readiness Act of 2005 as passed by the House, which
would address the funding shortfall facing Migrant and Seasonal
Head Start Programs by reserving 5 percent of the total annual
Head Start appropriation for Migrant and Seasonal Head Start
Programs. Until such time as the Bureau can put in place a
system to ensure that access to funding for migrant and
seasonal children is comparable to the access enjoyed by other
eligible children, the Committee encourages the Bureau to
develop strategies to better serve the needs of migrant and
seasonal farm workers and their children and requests that the
Secretary submit a report on the Bureau's ongoing plans to
ensure that Migrant and Seasonal Head Start programs are able
to serve a larger percentage of the children eligible for
services.
Consolidated runaway and homeless youth program
The Committee recommends $87,837,000 for runaway and
homeless youth activities. This is the same as both the fiscal
year 2006 funding level and the budget request. Funds for this
program are distributed between the basic center program and
the transitional living program under a statutory formula.
The runaway and homeless youth programs provide grants to
local public and private organizations to establish and operate
runaway and homeless youth shelters to address the crisis needs
of runaway and homeless youth and their families. Grants are
used to develop or strengthen community-based shelters, which
are outside the law enforcement, juvenile justice, child
welfare, and mental health systems.
The Committee request that ACF work with nonprofit
organizations that are trained and dedicated to meeting the
needs of young homeless children and their families. The
Committee directs the Department to refrain from vouchering
transitional living program funds to provide maternity group
home services. The Committee believes that the voucher policy
is ill-advised and, furthermore, that the Runaway and Homeless
Youth Act does not authorize the Department to issue such
vouchers. Rather, it is the Committee's continued expectation
that current transitional living program grantees will provide
transitional living opportunities and supports to pregnant and
parenting homeless youth, as is their current practice. The
Committee continues to encourage the Secretary, acting through
the network of federally-funded runaway and homeless youth
training and technical assistance providers, to offer guidance
to grantees and others on the programmatic modifications
required to address the unique needs of pregnant and parenting
youth and on the various sources of funding available for
residential services to this population.
Prevention grants to reduce abuse of runaway youth
The Committee recommends $15,027,000 for prevention grants
to reduce abuse of runaway youth. This is the same as the
fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget request. This
program is designed to reduce the sexual abuse of runaway youth
by providing grants to support street-based outreach and
education to runaway, homeless, and street youth who have been
sexually abused or who are at-risk of sexual abuse. The street
outreach program ensures rapid engagement with young people in
an effort to prevent the most terrible situations that take
place when they are subjected to life on the streets, including
physical and sexual abuse, assault, commercial sexual
exploitation, disease, long-term homelessness, and even death.
Child abuse state grants and discretionary activities
For child abuse state grants and discretionary activities,
the Committee recommends $53,137,000. This is $350,000 more
than both the fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget
request. Within this total, the recommendation includes
$27,007,000 for state grants and $26,130,000 for child abuse
discretionary activities.
Within the funds provided for child abuse discretionary
activities, the Committee includes funding for the following
items:
Children's Advocacy Center of Manhattan, New York, NY
for assessment and treatment services to victims of
child abuse......................................... $150,000
Jefferson County, CO for reengineering of child abuse
prevention infrastructure........................... 150,000
McKenzie's Hope, Huntington, IN for child abuse and
neglect programs.................................... 50,000
Community-based child abuse prevention
The Committee recommends $42,430,000 for community-based
child abuse prevention. This is the same as both the fiscal
year 2006 funding level and the budget request. Funds are
provided to lead state agencies and are used to develop,
operate, expand, and enhance community-based efforts to
strengthen and support families in an effort to prevent child
abuse and neglect.
Abandoned infants assistance
The Committee recommends $11,835,000 for the Abandoned
Infants Assistance program. This is the same as both the fiscal
year 2006 funding level and the budget request. The purpose of
this program is to provide financial support to public and
private community and faith-based entities to develop,
implement, and operate demonstration projects that will prevent
the abandonment of infants and young children exposed to HIV/
AIDS and drugs; identify and address their needs; assist such
children to reside with their natural families or in foster
care; recruit, train, and retain foster parents as well as
health and social services personnel; provide respite care for
families and foster families; and prevent the abandonment of
infants and young children.
Child welfare services and training
The Committee recommends $286,753,000 for child welfare
services. This is the same as both the fiscal year 2006 funding
level and the budget request. This program provides grants to
states to assist public welfare agencies to improve child
welfare services. state services include preventive
intervention in order for children to stay in their homes,
alternative placement like foster care or adoption if it is not
possible for children to remain at home, and reunification
programs so that, if appropriate, children can return home.
The Committee recommends $7,335,000 for child welfare
training. This is the same as both the fiscal year 2006 funding
level and the budget request. The Committee recognizes the need
for trained, skilled, and qualified child welfare service
workers. This program provides grants to institutions of higher
education to develop and improve education and training
programs and resources for child welfare service providers as
well as students seeking degrees in social work.
Adoption opportunities
The Committee recommends $26,848,000 for adoption
opportunities. This is the same as both the fiscal year 2006
funding level and the budget request. This program provides
funding specifically targeted to improving the adoption of
children, particularly those with special needs, and for
providing innovative services that support families involved in
adoption.
Adoption incentives
The Committee recommends $17,820,000 for the adoption
incentives program. This is the same as the fiscal year 2006
funding level and $11,834,000 less than the budget request.
This program targets incentives specifically for older
children. Funds are awarded to states using three baselines:
one for the total number of children adopted, one for children
with special needs under the age of nine, and one for children
aged nine and older. The goal of this program is to increase
the number of adoptions nationwide.
Adoption awareness
The Committee recommends $12,674,000 for the adoption
awareness program. This is the same as the fiscal year 2006
funding level and the budget request. This program provides
training to designated staff of eligible health centers in
providing adoption information and referrals to pregnant women
on an equal basis with all other courses of action included in
non-directive counseling to pregnant women.
Compassion capital fund
The Committee recommends $54,549,000 for the compassion
capital fund. This is $9,801,000 less than the fiscal year 2006
funding level and $45,451,000 less than the budget request.
This program provides grants to intermediary organizations that
in turn provide training and technical assistance to faith and
community based organizations. The program also provides
capacity-building grants directly to the latter organizations,
which include organizations that foster supportive
relationships with youth.
Social services and income maintenance research
The Committee recommends a program level total of
$14,395,000 for social services and income maintenance
research, $6,000,000 of which is through the evaluation set-
aside. The program level total is $8,527,000 more than the
fiscal year 2006 funding level and $14,395,000 more than the
budget request. These funds support research, demonstration,
evaluation, and dissemination activities. Recent topics funded
through this program include welfare-to-work strategies and
programs to strengthen family relationships and promote healthy
marriages.
While the Child Support Enforcement program continues to
make gains in enforcing child support orders--child support
collections reached $23 billion in 2005, serving an estimated
16 million child support cases--the costs and complexities of
tracking, locating and coordinating child support cases is
imposing heavy burdens on State automation systems. Both the
General Accountability Office and the Office of the Inspector
General have recommended that ACF provide more technical
assistance to help States better administer and manage these
systems. In addition, broader administration and reporting
requirements contained in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005
will place additional strain on the States' ability to manage
this program. ACF is currently working with the State
Information Technology Consortium to expand data exchange
capabilities between the courts and State child support
enforcement agencies as well as increase collection efficiency
in States and tribal organizations. The Committee recommends
that collaborative effort continue.
Within the funds provided for this program, the Committee
includes funding for the following items:
Abstinence the Better Choice, Inc., Akron, OH to expand
educational methods of the Responsible Social Values
program and to update technology.................... $25,000
Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency, Virginia, MN for
the Family to Family community-based mentoring
program to assist low-income families............... 250,000
Beth El House, Alexandria, VA for social services and
transitional housing for formerly homeless women and
their children...................................... 75,000
Beth Gavriel Bukharian Jewish Congregation, Queens, NY
for a demonstration project to address the needs of
elderly immigrants.................................. 150,000
Cherokee County Commission, Centre, Alabama, for
Cherokee County Family Resource Center.............. 100,000
Child Adoption Resource Association, Inc., New London,
CT for adoption services............................ 60,000
Children's Home Society of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, SD
for services related to domestic violence, child
abuse and neglect................................... 250,000
Children's Center of Southwest Missouri, Joplin, MO for
child advocacy...................................... 50,000
Children's Home Society of Idaho, Boise, ID for foster
care................................................ 260,000
Children's Hunger Alliance, Columbus, OH for the
nutrition and obesity education program............. 100,000
Children's Rights Council, Hyattsville, MD for Safe
Haven Access Centers in Stark County, OH............ 50,000
Christian Outreach of Lutherans (COOL), Waukegan, IL for
Latino leadership development in underserved areas.. 125,000
City and County of Denver, CO for housing assistance,
mentoring and other services to homeless families
and seniors......................................... 150,000
City of Chicago, IL Department of Housing for assistance
to chronically homeless families.................... 150,000
City of Detroit, MI for an Individual Development
Account initiative.................................. 250,000
City of Fort Worth, Fort Worth, TX for early childhood
development program................................. 250,000
City of Lansing, MI for Michigan Center for Infant Loss. 350,000
City of Portland, OR for services to prevent and end
family homelessness................................. 250,000
City of San Jose, CA for its Services for New Americans
program, including assistance with job seeking
skills, citizenship, family safety and resettlement. 200,000
Clearbrook Clinical Services, Arlington Heights, IL for
services to children with developmental disabilities 210,000
Clearbrook, Arlington Heights, IL to enhance its
residential services for persons with developmental
disabilities........................................ 100,000
Cleveland Avenue YMCA, Montgomery, AL for family support
services for at- risk youth......................... 100,000
Cliff Hagan Boys and Girls Club, Owensboro, KY for
computers, fitness equipment, and furnishings of new
facility............................................ 300,000
Community Mediation Center of Stark County, OH for a
conflict resolution program......................... 50,000
Community of Hope, Washington, DC for social services to
homeless families using a Housing First model....... 225,000
Community Support Services, Brookfield, IL for
counseling and services for people with
developmental disabilities and their families....... 150,000
Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies,
Wethersfield, CT for the Empowering People for
Success welfare-to-work initiative.................. 300,000
Cross Road Foundation, Staten Island, NY for crisis
pregnancy services.................................. 25,000
District Attorney, 32nd Judicial District, Houma, LA for
counseling and other intervention services for at-
risk youth and their families....................... 100,000
Domestic Violence Clearinghouse and Legal Hotline,
Honolulu, HI for education and other services
related to domestic violence prevention............. 250,000
Dreams with Wings, Inc., Louisville, KY for its Dream
Builders--Day Program for mentally disabled adults.. 50,000
East Akron Community House, Akron, OH for youth services
programs............................................ 50,000
Family and Children First, Inc., Louisville, KY for
abused and neglected children's services............ 50,000
Family Center of Columbus, Columbus, GA for family
counseling, youth mentoring, and other services for
families dealing with consequences of divorce....... 200,000
Gerard Treatment Programs, Austin, MN for program for
abused and neglected children with severe emotional
or behavioral problems.............................. 500,000
Gulf Coast Jewish Family Services, Clearwater, FL for
the Training and Best Practices Research Center for
Victims of Torture and Genocide..................... 300,000
Helping Children Worldwide, Herndon, VA for support
programs for low- income students and their families 250,000
Hope Village for Children, Meridan, MS for expansion of
urgent shelter and therapeutic group care........... 300,000
Interagency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect, El
Monte, CA, for a mentoring program for foster
children in Los Angeles County...................... 240,000
J.W. Darden Foundation, Opelika, AL for a health
resource and education screening center............. 100,000
Jewish Community Center of Cleveland, Beechwood, OH for
human services programs for children and families... 100,000
Kids Hope United, Miami, FL for the WINGS program....... 200,000
L.I.F.T. Women's Resource Center, Detroit, MI, for
services to improve self- suficiency and life skills
of women transitioning from substance abuse,
domestic violence or homelessness................... 150,000
Lutheran Social Services, Duluth, MN for services to
runaway, homeless and other at-risk youth and their
families............................................ 250,000
Mary's Family, Orlean, VA to develop a respite program
for Winchester-area special needs families.......... 100,000
Mecklenburg County, NC for the Mecklenburg County
Domestic Violence Initiative........................ 150,000
Mecklenburg Domestic Violence Shelter, Mecklenburg, NC
for equipment....................................... 300,000
Missouri Bootheel Regional Consortium, Sikeston, MO for
the Fatherhood First program........................ 300,000
Monterey County Probation Department, Salinas, CA for
the Silver Star gang prevention and intervention
program............................................. 500,000
National Energy Assistance Directors' Association,
Washington, DC for research and information
dissemination related to the Low-Income Home Energy
Assistance Program.................................. 200,000
New Hope for Families, Pawtucket, RI for case management
and other supportive services for families leaving
emergency shelter................................... 200,000
Nihonmachi Little Friends, San Francisco, CA for child
care and family resource and referral services...... 200,000
PathWays PA, Holmes, PA for programs for teen mothers... 120,000
Pathways/Senderos and the National Campaign to Prevent
Teen Pregnancy, New Britain, CT for education and
outreach............................................ 400,000
Peace River Center, Bartow, FL for Joint Family
Intensive Therapy Team.............................. 350,000
Pennsylvania Women Work, Pittsburgh, PA for program for
single parents and displaced homemakers............. 500,000
Public Health Department of Dakota County, West St.
Paul, MN for the Dakota County Healthy Families
program............................................. 300,000
Quality Services for the Autism Community, Astoria, NY
to improve training and skills of health care
workers and others serving people with autism....... 150,000
Ridgely, Caroline County, MD for curriculum and program
development, staff and consultants, communication
devices, and technical support...................... 600,000
Safe Haven of Tarrant County, Arlington, TX for shelter
and associated services for victims of domestic
violence............................................ 70,000
Sephardic Bikur Holim of Monmouth County, Deal, NJ for
social services programs............................ 100,000
Shelter for Abused Women, Winchester, VA to develop a
model for service delivery for domestic violence
victims in rural communities........................ 100,000
South Shore Women's Center, North Plymouth, MA for
domestic violence prevention and intervention
services............................................ 75,000
TLC for Children and Families, Olathe, KS for a
transitional living program for at-risk and homeless
youth............................................... 250,000
Union Station Foundation, Pasadena, CA for services to
homeless families................................... 150,000
University of Louisville, Louisville, KY to enhance
clinical services for education and training
initiatives in autism............................... 800,000
Visitation Home, Inc., Yardville, NJ for care of
developmentally disabled residents.................. 110,000
Visually Impaired Preschool Services, Louisville, KY for
preschool programs for the blind and visually
impaired............................................ 200,000
Voyager Program Inc., Canton, OH for domestic violence
prevention.......................................... 50,000
Women's Center of Beaver County, PA for the ``Building
Foundations'' project............................... 75,000
Yale University Child Study Center, New Haven, CT for
diagnostic and intervention services for children
affected by autism or related developmental
disorders........................................... 400,000
Developmental disabilities
For programs authorized by the Developmental Disabilities
Assistance and Bill of Rights Act and the Help America Vote
Act, the Committee recommends $170,836,000. This is the same as
the fiscal year 2006 funding level and $1,000 more than the
budget request.
The account total includes $71,771,000 for allotments to
the states to fund state Councils, the same as both the budget
request and the fiscal year 2006 funding level. These Councils
engage in such activities as planning, policy analysis,
demonstrations, training, outreach, interagency coordination,
and public education. They do not provide direct services to
the developmentally disabled population.
Within the total, $38,718,000 will be available to the
states to be used for operating a protection and advocacy
system to protect the legal and human rights of the
developmentally disabled. This is the same as both the budget
request and the fiscal year 2006 funding level.
The Committee recommends $15,720,000 for voting access for
individuals with disabilities programs. This is the same as
both the fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget request.
Within the funds provided, $10,890,000 is for payments to
states to promote access for voters with disabilities and
$4,830,000 is for state protection and advocacy systems. These
programs are intended to make polling places accessible and
provide equal access and participation for individuals with
disabilities. The protection and advocacy program will ensure
that individuals can fully participate in the electoral
process, including registering to vote, accessing polling
places, and casting a vote.
The Committee recommends $11,414,000 for developmental
disabilities projects of national significance. This is the
same as both the fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget
request.
The Committee recommends $33,213,000 for the university
centers for excellence in developmental disabilities. This is
the same as the fiscal year 2006 funding level and $1,000 more
than the budget request. This funding provides discretionary
grants to public or not-for-profit entities associated with
universities. The grants provide basic operational and
administrative core support for these agencies. In addition,
these funds support interdisciplinary training, community
services, research and technical assistance, and information
dissemination.
Native American programs
The Committee recommends $44,332,000 for Native American
programs. This is the same as both the budget request and the
fiscal year 2006 funding level. The Native American programs
assist Tribal and Village governments, Native American
institutions and organizations to support and develop stable,
diversified local economies. In promoting social and economic
self-sufficiency, this program provides financial assistance
through direct grants for individual projects, training and
technical assistance, and research and demonstration programs.
Community services
The Committee recommends $507,878,000 for community
services activities. This is $483,426,000 more than the budget
request and $186,696,000 less than the fiscal year 2006 funding
level.
State block grants
For State block grants, the Committee recommends
$449,037,000. This is $181,388,000 less than the fiscal year
2006 funding level. No funds were requested for this program.
This program provides grants to states, territories, and Indian
Tribes for services to meet employment, housing, nutrition,
energy, emergency services, and health needs of low-income
people. By law, 90 percent of these funds are passed directly
through to local community action agencies that have previously
received block grant funds.
The Committee recognizes the impact that its recommended
funding level may have on rural areas. Rural areas highly
depend on these funds to provide the infrastructure to deliver
antipoverty services. Therefore, the Committee encourages the
authorizing Committee of jurisdiction to review the funding
allocations for the Community Services Block Grant to ensure
that limited funding is reaching those areas with the greatest
need.
Community economic development
The Committee recommends $27,022,000 for community economic
development. This is the same as the fiscal year 2006 funding
level. No funds were requested for this program. This program
provides assistance to private, locally initiated community
development corporations that sponsor enterprises providing
employment, training, and business development opportunities
for low-income residents in poor communities.
Job opportunities for low-income individuals
The Committee concurs with the budget request not to
include funding for job opportunities for low-income
individuals. The fiscal year 2006 funding level for this
program is $5,382,000. This program provides competitive grants
to non-profit organizations to create new employment and
business opportunities for TANF recipients and other low-income
individuals.
Individual development accounts
The Committee recommends $24,452,000 for individual
development accounts. This is the same as both the fiscal year
2006 funding level and the budget request. Individual
development accounts are dedicated savings accounts that can be
used by families with limited means for purchasing a first
home, paying for postsecondary education or capitalizing a
business. The intent of the program is to encourage
participants to develop and reinforce strong habits for saving
money. Section 501(c)(3) organizations are eligible to apply
for the funds and applicants must match Federal funds with non-
Federal funds.
Rural community facilities
The Committee recommends $7,367,000 for the rural community
facilities program. This is $74,000 more than the fiscal year
2006 funding level. No funds were requested for this program.
The Committee includes these funds to be used solely for the
purpose of improving water and wastewater facilities in poor,
rural communities. As in the past, these funds should be
allocated to regional rural community assistance programs.
Violent crime reduction programs
The Committee recommends $124,731,000 for family violence
prevention and services and battered women's shelters. This is
the same as both the fiscal year 2006 funding level and the
budget request. This program is designed to assist states and
Indian Tribes in efforts to prevent family violence and to
provide immediate shelter and related assistance for victims of
family violence and their dependents. The program also provides
technical assistance and training relating to family violence
programs to state and local public agencies (including law
enforcement agencies), nonprofit private organizations, and
persons seeking such assistance.
The Committee also includes $2,970,000 to continue funding
the national domestic violence hotline. This is the same as
both the fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget request.
Mentoring children of prisoners
The Committee recommends $40,000,000 for the mentoring
children of prisoners program. This is $9,493,000 below the
fiscal year 2006 funding level and the same as the budget
request. This program supports competitively awarded grants to
states and local governments, Indian tribes and consortia, and
faith- and community-based organizations to mentor children of
prisoners and those recently released from prison.
Independent living training vouchers
The Committee recommends $46,157,000 for independent living
training vouchers. This is the same as both the fiscal year
2006 funding level and the budget request. These funds support
vouchers for college tuition or vocational training for
individuals who age out of the foster care system so they can
be better prepared to live independently.
Abstinence education
The Committee recommends a program level total of
$113,400,000 for the community-based abstinence education
program, which is the same as the fiscal year 2006 funding
level and $27,765,000 below the budget request. As requested,
$4,500,000 is provided within the total through the evaluation
set-aside. The program provides support to public and private
entities for implementation of community-based abstinence
education programs for adolescents aged 12 through 18 (as
defined in Section 510(b)(2)(A)-(H)). The entire focus of these
programs is to educate young people and create an environment
within communities that supports teen decisions to postpone
sexual activity until marriage. There is no funding match
requirement for these grants. The Committee intends that up to
five percent of these funds be used to provide technical
assistance and capacity-building support to grantees. Within
the total, up to $10,000,000 may be used to carry out a
National Abstinence Education Campaign.
The Committee urges the Administration for Children and
Families (ACF) to utilize the set-aside to ensure that programs
around the country are using appropriate and approved curricula
that are evidence-based and comply with the appropriate Federal
legislation. To that end, the Committee requests ACF to issue a
report to the Committees on Appropriation of the House and
Senate no later than 90 days after enactment of this Act on the
use of the 5 percent set-aside and the intended use of the
fiscal year 2007 funds. The Committee also requests ACF to
include in this report the funds from the National Abstinence
Education Campaign that are being used for training and
technical assistance.
The Committee reinforces the guidance from its report
accompanying the fiscal year 2005 appropriation with respect to
the abstinence messages given by the public health entities
that are grantees in the community-based abstinence education
program and to the conduct of evaluation activities for the
program.
Faith-based center
The Committee recommends $1,386,000 for the faith-based
center. This is the same as both the budget request and the
fiscal year 2006 funding level. The center will support
implementation of faith-based and community initiatives in
accordance with the President's executive order.
Program direction
The Committee recommends $186,265,000 for program direction
expenses for ACF. This is $2,900,000 more than the fiscal year
2006 funding level and $1,858,000 less than the budget request.
PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES
The Committee recommends $434,100,000 for the promoting
safe and stable families program. This is $40,000,000 more than
the fiscal year 2006 funding level and the same as the budget
request. Of this amount, $345,000,000 are mandatory funds and
$89,100,000 are discretionary.
PAYMENTS TO STATES FOR FOSTER CARE AND ASSISTANCE
The Committee recommends $5,211,000,000 for payments to
states for foster care and adoption assistance. This is
$270,200,000 more than the fiscal year 2006 funding level and
the same as the budget request. The Committee also includes an
advance appropriation of $1,810,000,000 for the first quarter
of fiscal year 2008 to ensure timely completion of first
quarter grant awards.
Within the total appropriation, including the advance
appropriation from the prior year, the Committee recommends
$4,757,000,000 for the foster care program to provide
maintenance payments to states on behalf of children who must
live outside their homes. This is the same as the budget
request and $72,000,000 more than the fiscal year 2006 funding
level.
Within the total appropriation, the Committee recommends
$2,044,000,000 for adoption assistance. This is $161,000,000
more than the fiscal year 2006 funding level and the same as
the budget request. This program provides training for parents
and state administrative staff as well as payments on behalf of
categorically eligible children considered difficult to adopt.
This annually appropriated entitlement is designed to provide
alternatives to long, inappropriate stays in foster care by
developing permanent placements with families.
Within the total appropriation for this account, the
Committee recommends $140,000,000 for the independent living
program. This is the same as the fiscal year 2006 funding level
and the budget request. The program is designed to assist
foster children age 16 or older to make successful transitions
to independence. Funds assist children to earn high school
diplomas, receive vocational training, and obtain training in
daily living skills. Funds are awarded to states on the basis
of the number of children on behalf of whom Federal foster care
payments are received.
Administration on Aging
AGING SERVICES PROGRAMS
For programs administered by the Administration on Aging
(AoA), the Committee recommends a total of $1,390,306,000. This
is $27,447,000 more than the fiscal year 2006 funding level and
$55,471,000 more than the budget request. This account funds
the programs under the Older Americans Act except for the
Community Services Employment Program, which is administered by
the Department of Labor.
Supportive services and centers
The Committee recommends $350,595,000 for supportive
services and centers. This is the same as both the fiscal year
2006 funding level and the budget request. Funds for supportive
services and centers are awarded to states and territories for
in-home and community-based services for frail elderly persons
who are at risk of losing their self-sufficiency due to
physical or mental impairments. The funds contained in the bill
will support a variety of activities including transportation
services, information and assistance, and personal care
services.
Preventive health
The Committee recommends $21,400,000 for preventive health
services. This is the same as the fiscal year 2006 funding
level. No funds were requested for this program. These funds
are awarded to states and territories to support activities
that educate older adults about the importance of healthy
lifestyles and promote healthy behaviors that can prevent or
delay chronic disease and disability.
Protection of vulnerable older Americans
The Committee recommends $20,156,000 for the protection of
vulnerable older Americans. This is the same as the fiscal year
2006 funding level and $990,000 more than the budget request.
This includes funding for both the long-term care ombudsman
program and the prevention of elder abuse, neglect, and
exploitation program. The former program protects the rights
and interests of residents in nursing homes, board and care
homes, assisted living facilities, and similar adult care
facilities. The latter program trains law enforcement and
medical professionals in recognition of and response to elder
abuse.
National family caregiver support program
The Committee recommends $156,167,000 for the family
caregivers program. This is the same as the fiscal year 2006
funding level and $1,980,000 more than the budget request. The
family caregiver program provides formula grants to states to
provide a support system in each state for family caregivers.
All states are expected to put in place five basic system
components as follows: individualized information on available
resources; assistance to families in locating services from
private and voluntary agencies; caregiver counseling, training
and peer support; respite care; and other supplemental
services.
Native American caregiver support program
The Committee recommends $6,241,000 for the Native American
caregiver support program. This is the same as both the fiscal
year 2006 funding level and the budget request. The program
assists Tribes in providing multifaceted systems of support
services for family caregivers as well as for grandparents
caring for grandchildren.
Nutrition programs
For congregate and home-delivered meals, as well as the
nutrition services incentive program, the Committee recommends
$722,292,000. This is $7,222,000 more than the fiscal year 2006
funding level and $10,783,000 more than the budget request. The
funding distribution for these programs is included in the
detailed table accompanying this report. These programs are
intended to address some of the difficulties confronting older
individuals; namely, nutrition deficiencies due to inadequate
income, lack of adequate facilities to prepare food, and social
isolation.
Grants for Native Americans
The Committee recommends $26,134,000 for grants for Native
Americans. This is the same as the fiscal year 2006 funding
level and the budget request. Grants are distributed to tribal
organizations to be used to help Native American elders remain
healthy and independent by providing transportation, nutrition,
health screening, and other services.
Program innovations
The Committee recommends $44,135,000 for program
innovations. This is $19,540,000 more than the fiscal year
funding level and $8,650,000 more than the budget request.
Funds under this program are used for competitive grants and
contracts to support projects that develop new and promising
practices to serve older adults and their families.
Alzheimer's disease often causes patients to exhibit
unusual and unpredictable behavior, including physical
aggression and combativeness and drastic mood swings. AoA funds
support a 24-hour call center to help families in crisis manage
these behaviors with expert advice, consultation and referrals.
The Committee has provided $1,000,000 to continue this valuable
resource.
Within this total, the Committee provides $28,000,000 to
begin national implementation of the Choices for Independence
initiative. Choices for Independence builds on the successful
program innovations administered by AoA over the last four
years, including Aging and Disability Resource Centers that are
currently operating in 43 States, evidence-based disease
prevention efforts, and the cash and counseling initiative.
Funding is provided to sustain and expand these efforts through
a coordinated approach that will provide States with enhanced
tools for redirecting their long-term care systems to make them
more consumer-directed and provide moderate and low-income
individuals at high risk of institutionalization with more
options to remain at home and in the community. In implementing
Choices for Independence, the Committee encourages AoA to
continue its close partnership efforts with the Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services and other agencies.
Within the funds provided for program innovations, the
Committee includes funding for the following items:
Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado, Denver, CO for a
naturally occurring retirement communities
demonstration project............................... 200,000
Alzheimer's Family Organization, New Port Richey, FL for
training and qualification of dementia care
professionals....................................... 200,000
Boise State University, Boise, ID for Center for the
Study of Aging...................................... 300,000
Cyber Seniors, Detroit, MI for the ExperienceSeniorPower
program............................................. 100,000
Durham-Chapel Hill Jewish Federation, Durham, NC for a
demonstration program to improve assistance to
family caregivers................................... 140,000
Experience Corps, Port Arthur, TX for capacity building
and expansion....................................... 350,000
Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater
Washington, Fairfax, VA for naturally occurring
retirement community demonstration project.......... 150,000
Jewish Family & Children's Service of Greater Boston,
Waltham, MA for a naturally occurring retirement
communities demonstration project................... 200,000
Jewish Family and Children's Service of Minneapolis,
Minnetonka, MN for a naturally occurring retirement
communities demonstration project................... 400,000
Jewish Family Service, Albuquerque, NM for a naturally
occurring retirement community demonstration project 400,000
Jewish Family Service, Los Angeles, CA for a naturally
occurring retirement communities demonstration
project in Park La Brea & West Hollywood............ 300,000
Jewish Family Services of Delaware, Wilmington, DE for a
naturally occurring retirement community
demonstration project............................... 150,000
Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County, Ann Arbor,
MI for a naturally occurring retirement communities
demonstration project............................... 125,000
Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey, Scotch Plains,
NJ for the naturally occurring retirement
communities demonstration project................... 150,000
Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis, Indianapolis,
IN for a naturally occurring retirement communities
supportive services demonstration................... 300,000
Jewish Federation of Greater Monmouth County, NJ for a
naturally occurring retirement community
demonstration project............................... 200,000
Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven, Woodbridge, CT
to develop, test, evaluate and disseminate an
innovative community-based approach to family
caregiver support services.......................... 200,000
Jewish Federation of Middlesex County, South Amboy, NJ
for a naturally occurring retirement communities
demonstration project............................... 200,000
Legal Assistance for Seniors, Oakland, CA for a
demonstration project, including training, to
improve assistance to elderly victims of financial
abuse............................................... 250,000
Nebraska Hospice and Palliative Care Association,
Lincoln, NE for data collection and evaluation...... 400,000
Nursing Assistant Institute at the Jefferson Area Board
for Aging, Charlottesville, VA for assessment and
address of nursing assistant shortages in long-term
care settings....................................... 100,000
People Inc., Buffalo, NY for an integrated Alzheimer's
and dementia respite care demonstration project..... 75,000
Prevent Blindness Ohio, Columbus, OH for the Ohio Senior
Eye project......................................... 250,000
Rebuilding Together, Inc., Washington, D.C. for
education, training, technical assistance and other
services related to its national program to reduce
the risk of injury to seniors through home
modifications....................................... 300,000
Samuel Field YM&YWHA, Little Neck, NY for a naturally
occurring retirement communities demonstration
project............................................. 150,000
Senior Legal Hotline, Sacramento, CA for a demonstration
project to increase services to non-English-speaking
seniors............................................. 60,000
Shenandoah Area Agency of Aging, Front Royal, VA for a
model group respite center for persons with
Alzheimer's disease or dementia..................... 150,000
The Aging in New York Fund, Inc. of the New York City
Department for the Aging, New York, NY to develop
best practices in the treatment of Alzheimer's
disease............................................. 750,000
UJA Federation of Bergen County, NJ for the Safe and
Secure Senior Program............................... 300,000
United Jewish Communities of Metrowest, Parsipanny, NJ
for naturally occurring retirement communities
demonstration project............................... 500,000
Visiting Nurses Association Healthcare Partners of Ohio,
Mansfield, OH for CareWatch......................... 100,000
Warbasse Community Services, Brooklyn, NY for a
naturally occurring retirement communities
demonstration project addressing mental health needs 200,000
Aging network support activities
The Committee recommends $13,133,000 for aging network
support activities, which include five ongoing programs: the
Eldercare Locator, Pension Counseling, Senior Medicare Patrols,
the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center, and the
National Center on Elder Abuse. This is the same as both the
fiscal year 2006 funding level and the budget request. These
established programs, which began as demonstration projects,
provide critical support for the national aging services
network.
Alzheimer's disease demonstration grants
The Committee recommends $11,668,000 for Alzheimer's
disease demonstration grants. This is the same as the fiscal
year 2006 funding level. No funds were requested for this
program. The program provides competitive grants to States to
help them plan and establish programs to provide models of care
to individuals with Alzheimer's disease. Funds are used for
respite care and supportive services, clearinghouses, training,
and administrative costs for State offices. An estimated 70
percent of Americans with Alzheimer's disease live at home,
where family members provide the preponderance of care. The
Alzheimer's disease demonstration grant program currently
supports matching grants to 38 States to help stimulate and
coordinate services to assist families caring for Alzheimer
patients, particularly those living in underserved rural
communities and minorities. Unlike other AoA general service
activities, this program is designed to address the unique
demands Alzheimer's disease places on families and emphasizes
systems change to meet those demands.
Program administration
The Committee recommends $18,385,000 for program
administration expenses. This is the same as the budget request
and $685,000 more than the fiscal year 2006 funding level. This
activity provides administrative and management support for all
Older Americans Act programs administered by AoA.
Office of the Secretary
GENERAL DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT
The Committee provides $363,592,000 for general
departmental management, which is $5,697,000 above the fiscal
year 2006 level and $4,827,000 below the budget request.
Included in this amount is authority to spend $5,792,000 from
the Medicare trust funds. In addition, the Office of the
Secretary has access to $39,552,000 of policy evaluation
funding.
This appropriation supports those activities that are
associated with the Secretary's roles as policy officer and
general manager of the Department. The Office of the Secretary
also implements Administration and Congressional directives,
and provides assistance, direction and coordination to the
headquarters, regions and field organizations of the
Department. This account also supports several small health
promotion and disease prevention activities that are centrally
administered.
The Committee includes the amounts within the Office of the
Secretary for the following projects and activities in fiscal
year 2007 listed below:
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas,
TX (in cooperation with UT Dallas) for a program to
recruit minority students into biomedical research
(including outreach, mentoring and/or scholarships
and fellowships).................................... $75,000
Hunterdon Medical Center, Flemington, NJ for its Latino
Healthcare Initiative............................... 100,000
National Hispanic Medical Association, Washington, DC
for development of a Hispanic Health Portal to
provide on-line health education materials.......... 250,000
New Hampshire Minority Health Coalition, Manchester, NH
to expand the Medical Interoperation Services
Project............................................. 300,000
Northern Virginia Family Services, Oakton, VA to develop
a network of local pediatricians providing
affordable health care to the working poor in
Loudoun County, VA.................................. 100,000
St. Luke Free Community Clinic, Front Royal, VA to
coordinate a seven-county effort to address adult
hypertension and inadequate dental care for the
uninsured........................................... 350,000
University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas,
NV for translation, training, and technology related
to its Interpretive Services Program................ 250,000
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey,
Newark, NJ for research, education and community
outreach activities of the Institute for the
Elimination of Health Disparities................... 275,000
Adolescent family life
The Committee provides $30,277,000 for the Adolescent
Family Life program, which is the same as the 2006 level and
$95,000 below the budget request. The Committee repeats bill
language requested by the Administration allocating all funds
for prevention demonstrations to be available for abstinence
education activities under section 510(b)(2) of the Social
Security Act. The program provides comprehensive and integrated
approaches to the delivery of care services for pregnant and
parenting adolescents, and prevention services that promote
abstinence from sexual activity among non-parenting teens.
Office of Minority Health
The Committee provides $46,775,000 for the Office of
Minority Health (OMH), which is $9,719,000 below the fiscal
year 2006 amount and the same as the budget request. The 2006
appropriation included a one-time project costing $9,900,000.
The OMH works with Public Health Service agencies and other
agencies of the Department in a leadership and policy
development role to establish goals and coordinate other
activities in the Department regarding disease prevention,
health promotion, service delivery and research relating to
disadvantaged and minority individuals; concludes interagency
agreements to stimulate and undertake innovative projects;
supports research, demonstration, and evaluation projects; and
coordinates efforts to promote minority health programs and
policies in the voluntary and corporate sectors.
Historically black medical schools.--The Committee
continues to be concerned about the diminished partnership
between OMH and the nation's historically black medical
schools. Consistent with the fiscal year 2006 conference
report, the Committee encourages OMH to: (1) re-establish its
unique cooperative agreement with Meharry Medical College; (2)
develop a formal partnership with the Morehouse School of
Medicine and its National Center for Primary Care; and (3)
coordinate a response to the challenges facing the Charles R.
Drew University of Medicine and Science, including expanded
opportunities for biomedical research and support for residency
training faculty. The Committee requests a report on the status
of these activities by January 1, 2007.
Office on Women's Health
The Committee provides $28,265,000 for the Office on
Women's Health, which is the same as the fiscal year 2006 level
and $104,000 below the budget request. The Office on Women's
Health advises the Secretary and provides Department-wide
coordination of programs focusing specifically on women's
health.
HIV/AIDS in minority communities
The Committee provides $51,891,000 to be available to the
Secretary to transfer to the Department's operating agencies
for specific program activities to address the high-priority
HIV prevention and treatment needs of minority communities.
This is the same as the fiscal year 2006 level and the budget
request. These funds are provided to promote an effective
culturally competent and linguistically appropriate public
health response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Within the total provided, the Committee expects that
activities that are targeted to address the growing HIV/AIDS
epidemic and its disproportionate impact upon communities of
color, including African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans,
Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, will
be supported at no less than last year's funding level.
Afghanistan
The Committee includes $5,892,000, which is the same as the
fiscal year 2006 level and $124,000 below the budget request.
These funds will be used for the joint Department of Defense
and HHS initiative to improve the largest women's hospital in
Kabul, Afghanistan and to create four satellite teaching
clinics. Bill language is included identifying the amount of
assistance and citing as authority the Afghanistan Freedom
Support Act of 2002.
Embryo adoption awareness campaign
The Committee does not provide funding for the embryo
adoption awareness campaign, which is $1,980,000 below both the
Administration request and the fiscal year 2006 level. HHS has
received funding for four years to conduct embryo adoption
public awareness activities.
Public education campaigns.--The Committee recognizes the
important role that minority-owned and -operated media serve in
reaching key segments of the public, and the U.S. Hispanic
population in particular. Given the importance of reaching
these communities, the Committee encourages the Department to
consider the importance of these media and their constituencies
when conducting national public health education campaigns, and
to target resources to reach these communities through
minority-owned and -operated media. This is particularly
critical when that media serves residents whose first language
is not English, such as in Spanish language print media, and
when the public health campaigns are targeting conditions that
affect non-English speaking populations disproportionately,
such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity.
Obesity.--The Committee requests the Secretary, not later
than one year after the enactment of this Act, to submit a
report to the Committee describing research being conducted on
health implications of obesity and being overweight. The report
should describe the types and numbers of studies completed or
being conducted by NIH; the types of studies completed or being
conducted by CDC on individual and community interventions to
prevent individuals from becoming overweight or obese; and
recommendations on further research that is needed.
Cardiovascular disease and women.--The Committee is
concerned that there continues to be a lack of awareness among
health care providers that cardiovascular disease is the
leading killer of women in the United States. The Committee
encourages the Secretary to conduct an education and awareness
campaign for physicians and other health care professionals
relating to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart
disease, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases in women.
Sodium.--High sodium diets are strongly correlated with
hypertension, heart attack, and stroke. The National Heart,
Lung, and Blood Institute's working group on hypertension has
called for a fifty percent reduction in salt consumption over
ten years. The Committee encourages the Surgeon General to
issue a report on salt and hypertension within one year of the
passage of this bill.
Bioterrorism funds: state and local capacity.--The
Committee continues to recognize that bioterrorism events will
occur at the local level and will require local capacity,
preparedness and initial response. The Committee notes that
HHS' cooperative agreement guidance now includes explicit
requirements for local concurrence with state spending plans
for public health emergency preparedness and urges CDC to
monitor and enforce these requirements.
The Committee also recognizes that HHS has incorporated the
National Preparedness Goal into the cooperative agreement
guidance and established new CDC Preparedness Goals. The
Committee urges the Department to assure that the performance
metrics for the CDC Preparedness Goals, by which local health
department preparedness will be measured, are fully consistent
with the target capabilities list of the National Preparedness
Goal.
Sleep disorders.--At the National Institutes of Health's
Frontiers of Knowledge in Sleep and Sleep Disorders conference
in March, 2004, the U.S. Surgeon General reported on the
profound impact that chronic sleep loss and untreated sleep
disorders have on Americans of all ages and that the public
health model is well suited to translate these essential health
messages to society. The Committee continues to urge the
Surgeon General to develop a Surgeon General's Report on Sleep
and Sleep Disorders and requests a report regarding progress
made on this initiative.
Food allergy.--The Committee notes that approximately three
million children under the age of eighteen suffer from food
allergies. There are no Federal guidelines concerning the
management of life-threatening food allergies in a school
setting. The Committee encourages the Secretary, working with
the Secretary of Education, to develop a policy to be used on a
voluntary basis to manage the risk of food allergy and
anaphylaxis in schools within six months of the enactment of
this Act. These guidelines should include detailed emergency
treatment procedures in the event of anaphylaxis or other food
allergy reaction, strategies to reduce the risk of exposure to
anaphylactic causative agents in classrooms and common school
areas such as the cafeteria, and consideration of the
authorization of school personnel to administer epinephrine
when the school nurse is not immediately available.
Office of Population Affairs (OPA).--The appropriations
bill has had a longstanding provision making clear that no
family planning provider is exempt from any State law requiring
notification or reporting of child abuse, child molestation,
sexual abuse, rape or incest. The committee is pleased that OPA
is developing an audit for a representative sample of Title X
recipients to measure the level of compliance with each of
these statutory requirements. The committee directs OPA to
begin this audit in calendar year 2006, giving particular
attention to states where issues of non-compliance have been
raised by state government officials. The committee directs the
OPA to submit a report no later than March 1, 2007 to the House
and Senate Appropriations Committees detailing the fundings
from the audit, including the number of abuse cases that have
been reported consistent with State law. The Committee again
directs the OPA to send Title X grantees a reminder
notification of this Federal requirement and a report no later
than March 1, 2007, to the House and Senate Appropriations
Committee detailing their progress in notifying all grantees of
this federal requirement.
Steroid use.--The Committee supports education efforts to
demonstrate the consequences of using performance-enhancing
drugs. The Department should undertake a comprehensive campaign
to educate youth on the dangers of steroid use for 5th through
8th graders, an education program authorized in the Anabolic
Steroid Control Act of 2004.
Genetic screening.--The Committee is pleased that the
Secretary's Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders and
Genetic Diseases in Newborns and Children has recommended a
uniform screening panel for which all newborns should be
screened. The Advisory Committee is encouraged to update the
panel of recommended tests periodically, as well as provide the
Secretary with recommendations, advice or information on steps
to improve newborn screening programs. This Committee strongly
urges the Secretary to adopt or reject recommendations no later
than 180 days after the Advisory Committee issues them, and to
make public the justification for such determination.
OFFICE OF MEDICARE HEARINGS AND APPEALS
The Committee provides $70,000,000 for this Office, which
is $10,600,000 above the fiscal year 2006 level and $4,250,000
below the Administration request. This office supports hearing
at the administrative law judge level, the third level of
Medicare claims appeals. More than 40,000 appeals are projected
to be heard in fiscal year 2007.
OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL COORDINATOR FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
The Committee provides $98,000,000 for the health
information technology office, of which $86,070,000 is
available in budget authority and $11,930,000 in program
evaluation tap funding. This total is $36,728,000 above the
amount made available in fiscal year 2006 and $17,872,000 below
the Administration request. In addition, $50,000,000 is
provided for health information technology activities in the
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. This AHRQ activity
is the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 2006
level.
This program is intended to bring together decision-makers
to develop standards for modern information technology, to
devise certification procedures, to develop electronic
information architecture and to test privacy standards. The
ultimate goal is the accurate and rapid transfer of a patient's
health information electronically.
The Committee encourages the Department to develop an
interoperability standard, tool set, and validation protocol
that facilitate seamless medical device information sharing and
device connectivity.
OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
The Committee provides $41,415,000 for the Office of the
Inspector General (OIG), which is $2,000,000 more than the
fiscal year 2006 level and $2,345,000 less than the budget
request. Permanent appropriations for this office are contained
in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of
1996, as well as the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005. Total funds
provided between this bill and the permanent appropriations
would be $226,415,000 in fiscal year 2007.
The Office of the Inspector General was created by law to
protect the integrity of Departmental programs as well as the
health and welfare of beneficiaries served by those programs.
Through a comprehensive program of audits, investigations,
inspections and program evaluations, the OIG attempts to reduce
the incidence of fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement, and to
promote economy, efficiency and effectiveness throughout the
Department.
OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS
The Committee provides $36,283,000 for the Office of Civil
Rights (OCR), which is $1,637,000 more than the fiscal year
2006 level and the same as the budget request. This includes
authority to transfer $3,314,000 from the Medicare trust funds.
The Office for Civil Rights is responsible for enforcing
civil rights statutes that prohibit discrimination in health
and human services programs. OCR implements the civil rights
laws through a compliance program designed to generate
voluntary compliance among all HHS recipients.
MEDICAL BENEFITS FOR COMMISSIONED OFFICERS
The Committee provides an estimated $341,694,000 for
medical benefits for commissioned officers of the U.S. Public
Health Service. This is the same as the Administration request
and $13,142,000 above the fiscal year 2006 amount.
This account provides for retirement payments to U.S.
Public Health Service officers who are retired for age,
disability or length of service; payments to survivors of
deceased officers; medical care for active duty and retired
members and dependents and beneficiaries; and for payments to
the Social Security Administration for military service
credits.
PUBLIC HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES EMERGENCY FUND
The Committee provides $160,475,000 for the public health
and social services emergency fund for homeland security
related activities within the Office of the Secretary, which is
$100,448,000 above the fiscal year 2006 level and the same as
the budget request. Within the amount, $81,595,000 is for
homeland security preparedness activities within the Office of
the Secretary and $78,880,000 is for pandemic influenza
preparedness.
In addition, the Committee provides for homeland security
activities $1,606,000,000 within CDC; $487,000,000 within HRSA;
and $1,866,000,000 within NIH.
The Committee does not provide funding within the Office of
the Secretary for healthcare provider credentialing. The
Committee believes a better use of resources would be to expand
the ongoing credentialing program operated by HRSA to permit
cross-state credentialing.
Funding is included for develpment of a national vaccine/
anti-viral medication logistics management system. This system
would integrate geospatial analysis, data capture, influenza
outcome models, and situational decision-making tools to assist
Federal emergency response in conjunction with state and local
governments.
In light of the imminent hurricane season and potential
pandemic flu considerations, the Committee is concerned that
responses to recent hurricanes revealed problems in assuring
availability of an adequate blood supply through implementation
of the National Response Plan. In particular, the local non-
profit community-based blood centers experienced shortages of:
fuel for generators to collect and maintain as well as vehicles
to distribute a viable blood stock; reliable access to
emergency comunications; and availability of emergency
transportation for distribution of blood and supplies. The
Committee expects the Secretary of Health and Human Services,
by August 1, 2006, to submit an operating plan with policies
and procedures that ensure FDA-licensed or registered blood
centers received priority access to fuel, communications
equipment and frequencies, and transportation, consistent with
their role as providers of emergency medical services. Further,
this plan shall identify any impediments related to State
responsibilities in providing priority access to those
resources. In preparing the plan, the Secretary shall consult
with the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of
Transportation regarding coordination with their
responsibilities under the National Response Plan.
Administrative Provisions
Sec. 201. The Committee continues a provision to limit the
amount available for official reception and representation
expenses.
Sec. 202. The Committee continues a provision to limit the
number of Public Health Service employees assigned to assist in
child survival activities and to work in AIDS programs through
and with funds provided by the Agency for International
Development, the United Nations International Children's
Emergency Fund or the World Health Organization.
Sec. 203. The Committee continues a provision to prohibit
the use of funds to implement section 399F(b) of the Public
Health Service Act or section 1503 of the NIH Revitalization
Act of 1993.
Sec. 204. The Committee continues and amends a provision to
limit the salary of an individual through an NIH, AHRQ, or
SAMHSA grant or other extramural mechanism to not more than the
rate of Executive Level II.
Sec. 205. The Committee includes a provision limiting the
compensation of an individual working in Head Start to the
Federal Executive Level II salary.
Sec. 206. The Committee continues a provision to prohibit
the Secretary from using evaluation set-aside funds until the
Committee receives a report detailing the planned use of such
funds.
Sec. 207. The Committee continues a provision, although
changes the percentage provided in the fiscal year 2006 bill,
permitting the Secretary to use up to 1.0 percent of funds
authorized under the PHS Act for the evaluation of programs.
(TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
Sec. 208. The Committee continues and amends a provision
permitting the Secretary of HHS to transfer up to one percent
of any discretionary appropriation from an account, provided
that no appropriation is increased by more than three percent
by any such transfer.
(TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
Sec. 209. The Committee continues a provision to provide
the Director of NIH, jointly with the Director of the Office of
AIDS Research, the authority to transfer up to three percent of
human immunodeficiency virus funds.
(TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
Sec. 210. The Committee continues a provision to make NIH
funds available for human immunodeficiency virus research
available to the Office of AIDS Research.
Sec. 211. The Committee continues a provision to prohibit
the use of Title X funds unless the applicant for the award
certifies to the Secretary that it encourages family
participation in the decision of minors to seek family planning
services and that it provides counseling to minors on how to
resist attempts to coerce minors into engaging in sexual
activities.
Sec. 212. The Committee continues a provision related to
the Medicare Advantage program.
Sec. 213. The Committee continues a provision stating that
no provider of services under title X shall be exempt from any
state law requiring notification or the reporting of child
abuse, child molestation, sexual abuse, rape, or incest.
Sec. 214. The Committee continues a provision to exempt
states from Synar provisions if certain funding criteria are
met.
Sec. 215. The Committee continues a provision to allow
funding for CDC international HIV/AIDS and other infectious
disease, chronic and environmental disease, and other health
activities abroad to be spent under the State Department Basic
Authorities Act of 1956.
Sec. 216. The Committee continues a provision granting
authority to the Office of the Director of the National
Institutes of Health (NIH) to enter directly into transactions
in order to implement the NIH Roadmap for medical research and
permitting the Director to utilize peer review procedures, as
appropriate, to obtain assessments of scientific and technical
merit.
Sec. 217. The Committee continues a provision that permits
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Agency
for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to transfer funds
that are available for Individual Learning Accounts to
``Disease Control, Research, and Training''.
Sec. 218. The Committee continues a provision permitting
the Secretary of Health and Human Services to waive regulations
requiring child restraint systems and vehicle monitors on buses
that transport children attending Head Start programs. The
reauthorization of the Head Start program will remedy the
disruption caused by these regulations and thus the waiver
authority expires upon enactment the reauthorization.
Sec. 219. The Committee continues a provision granting
authority to the Secretary of HHS to use charter aircraft under
contract with CDC.
Sec. 220. The Committee includes a provision requiring NIH-
funded authors to deposit final, peer-reviewed manuscripts in
the National Library of Medicine's PubMed Central database
within twelve months of the official date of publication.
Sec. 221. The Committee recommends new language to preclude
funds made available in this Act from being used to phase down
or reduce below 6 percent certain taxes under section
433.68(f)(3) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations.
TITLE III--DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Education for the Disadvantaged
The bill includes $14,652,541,000 for the education for the
disadvantaged programs. This amount is $1,817,000,000 less than
the budget request and $171,380,000 higher than the fiscal year
2006 appropriation. Of the total amount available,
$7,099,907,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2007 for
obligation after July 1, 2007 and $7,383,301,000 is
appropriated for fiscal year 2008 for obligation on or after
October 1, 2007. This appropriation account includes
compensatory education programs authorized under title I of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965; and title IV of
the Higher Education Act.
Grants to local educational agencies
Of the amounts provided for title I programs,
$6,808,408,000 is available for basic grants to local education
agencies. This amount is the same as both last year's level and
the request.
Funding for concentration grants, which targets funds to
local educational agencies in school districts with high levels
of disadvantaged children, is $1,365,031,000, the same as both
last year and the request level.
The bill includes $2,269,843,000 for targeted grants, the
same as both last year and the request.
A total of $2,269,843,000 is included for education finance
incentive grants, the same as both the request and last year's
level.
Financial assistance flows to school districts by formula,
based primarily on the number of school-aged children from low-
income families. Within districts, local school officials
target funds on school attendance areas with the greatest
number or percentage of children from poor families. Local
school districts develop and implement their own programs to
help ensure that students in high-poverty schools meet
challenging State academic standards.
Funds under this account are also used to pay the Federal
share of State administrative costs for title I programs. The
maximum State administrative grant is equal to one percent of
title one local educational agency grants or $400,000,
whichever is greater.
The Committee does not include bill language requested by
the Administration to override existing statutory language that
prohibits State educational agencies from reserving the full
four percent of their allocations for school improvement
programs if the formula reduces any local educational agency
allocations. The Committee supports the effort to provide State
agencies with funding to address school improvement efforts,
especially as more schools fall into needing improvement
categories, but is reluctant to change the statute when No
Child Left Behind (NCLB) will be considered for reauthorization
next year.
With the renewed focus on science, technology, engineering
and mathematics (STEM) education, the Committee notes with
concern the under-representation of Hispanics, African
Americans, and Native Americans in the STEM fields. For
example, the Center for the Advancement of Hispanics in Science
and Engineering Education notes that Hispanic Americans
constitute 12 percent of the population in the United States,
and yet represent less than three percent of the engineering
and scientific community nationwide. With the goal of
increasing the percentage of all minority subgroups that
contribute to the STEM fields, the Committee encourages the
Department to investigate the reasons for this disparity and
issue a report within one year with the findings of that
investigation, including suggested remedies to bridge the
divide.
Even Start
The Committee provides $70,000,000 for Even Start,
$29,000,000 below last year and $70,000,000 above the request.
Even Start provides grants for programs focusing on the
education of low-income families, including parents eligible
for services under the adult Education and Family Literacy Act
and their children, aged birth-7 years. These parents are not
in school, are above the State's compulsory school attendance
age limit, and have not earned a high school diploma (or
equivalent). Even Start funds are allocated to the States,
generally in proportion to title I Part A funds.
School improvement grants
The Committee provides $200,000,000 for the first year of
funding for school improvement grants, authorized under section
1003(g) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. This is
the same as the Administration request. This formula grant
program will make awards to States to provide assistance for
local school improvement activities required for title I
schools that do not make adequate yearly progress for at least
two consecutive years. This assistance will help ensure that
States and localities have the resources necessary to carry out
the continuous improvement required to meet the annual and
long-term proficiency goals of NCLB.
The Committees does not include bill language requested by
the Administration overriding the statutory requirement that
States subgrant 95 percent of their grant funds to local
educational agencies. The Committee hopes this issue will be
considered during the authorization of No Child Left Behind
next year.
Reading First State Grants
The bill provides $1,029,234,000 for Reading First State
grants, which is the same as both the budget request and the
fiscal year 2006 level. This program provides assistance to
states and school districts in establishing scientific
research-based reading programs for children in kindergarten
through grade three. The program also provides for professional
development and other support to ensure that teachers can
identify children at-risk for reading failure and provide the
most effective early instruction to overcome specific barriers
to reading proficiency.
Early Reading First
The bill provides $103,118,000 for Early Reading First, the
same as both the budget request and the fiscal year 2006 level.
This is a competitive grant program targeted toward children
from birth three through age five, and supports the development
of verbal skills, phonemic awareness, pre-reading development
and assistance for professional development for teachers in
evidence-based strategies of instruction.
Striving Readers
The bill provides $35,000,000 for Striving Readers,
$65,000,000 below the budget request and $5,300,000 above last
year's level. Striving Readers makes competitive grants to
develop, implement and evaluate reading interventions for
middle- or high-school students who are reading significantly
below grade level.
Math Now
The bill does not provide $250,000,000 requested by the
Administration for two new programs, Math Now for Elementary
School Students and Math Now for Middle School Students. The
Committee supports efforts to improve mathematics instruction,
but has concerns about beginning additional programs when
ongoing programs exist that target math and science
instruction. The Committee does provide funding for the
national mathematics panel to develop mathematics content and
principles for programs like Math Now.
Literacy through school libraries
The bill provides $19,486,000 for literacy through school
libraries, the same as both the budget request and the fiscal
year 2006 level. This program helps school districts provide
students with increased access to up-to-date school library
materials, a well-equipped, technologically advanced school
library media center, and well-trained, and professionally
certified school library media specialists. At appropriations
of less than $100,000,000 the Department makes competitive
awards to districts with a child poverty rate of at least 20
percent.
High school intervention
The bill does not include funding for the high school
intervention program proposed by the Administration at
$1,475,000,000. The Committee supports the Administration's
goals in this program, which are to increase the achievement of
high school students, particularly students at risk of failing
to meet challenging State academic content standards; to
eliminate gaps in achievement between students from different
ethnic and racial groups and between disadvantaged students and
their more advantaged peers; and to enable all high school
students to graduate with the education, skills, and knowledge
necessary to succeed in postsecondary education and in a
demanding, high-technology economy. However, the Committee
notes that this program has not been authorized.
America's opportunity scholarships for kids
The bill does not include funding for the America's
opportunity scholarships for kids program proposed by the
Administration at $100,000,000. This demonstration program
would provide parents with funds either to send their child to
a private school or receive intensive tutoring assistance.
Instead, the Committee provides $200,000,000 for assistance to
schools that do not make adequate yearly progress through the
School Improvement Grants program.
State agency programs: migrant
The bill includes $386,524,000 for the migrant education
program, the same as both the budget request and the fiscal
year 2006 appropriation. This program supports formula grants
to State agencies for the support of special educational and
related services to children of migratory agricultural workers
and fishermen. The purpose of this program is to provide
supplementary academic education, remedial or compensatory
instruction, English for limited English proficient students,
testing, plus guidance, counseling and other activities to
promote coordination of services across States for migrant
children whose education is interrupted by frequent moves.
State agency programs: neglected and delinquent
For the State agency program for neglected and delinquent
children, the bill includes $49,797,000, which is the same as
both the budget request and the fiscal year 2006 appropriation.
This formula grant program provides services to participants in
institutions for juvenile delinquents, adult correctional
institutions, or institutions for the neglected.
Evaluation
The Committee provides $9,330,000 for evaluation, the same
as both the 2006 appropriation and the budget request. Title I
evaluation supports large scale national evaluations that
examine how title I is contributing to improved student
performance at the State, local education agency, and school
levels. It also supports short-term studies that document
promising models.
Comprehensive school reform
The bill includes $3,000,000 for the Comprehensive School
Reform (CSR) Program, $3,000,000 above the request and
$4,920,000 below last year's level. The Committee has included
bill language providing funding for continuation costs of the
quality initiative awards and the comprehensive school reform
clearinghouse. The CSR program provided incentive grants of at
least $50,000 per year, for 3 years, for schools to implement
effective, research-driven strategies for schoolwide reform.
Recent studies have demonstrated that comprehensive school-
improvement models, when well implemented, boost student
achievement to a greater extent than other interventions
designed to serve similar student populations. Now that the
NCLB has spurred an increased emphasis school reform
activities, programs supported by CSR can be funded through
Title I grants to local educational agencies.
Migrant education, high school equivalency program
The bill includes $18,550,000 for the high school
equivalency program. This amount is the same as both the budget
request and the fiscal year 2006 level. The high school
equivalency program recruits migrant students aged 16 and over
and provides academic and support services to help those
students obtain a high school equivalency certificate and
subsequently to gain employment or admission to a postsecondary
institution or training program.
College assistance migrant programs
The bill includes $15,377,000 for the college assistance
migrant programs. This amount is the same as both the fiscal
year 2006 level and the budget request. The college assistance
migrant program (CAMP) provides tutoring and counseling
services to first-year, undergraduate migrant students and
assists those students in obtaining student financial aid for
their remaining undergraduate years.
Impact Aid
The bill provides $1,228,453,000 for Federal impact aid
programs in fiscal year 2007, the same as both the fiscal year
2006 appropriation and the budget request. This account
supports payments to school districts affected by Federal
activities. Impact Aid represents a Federal responsibility to
local schools educating children whose families are connected
with the military or who live on Indian land.
The bill also repeats language, as requested by the
Administration, ensuring that schools serving the children of
military personnel continue to receive Impact Aid funds when
the military parents who live on-base are deployed and the
child continues to attend the same school and in cases in which
an on-base military parent is killed while on active duty and
the child continues to attend the same school.
Basic support payments
The bill includes $1,091,867,000 for basic support payments
to local educational agencies, the same as both the fiscal year
2006 level and the budget request. Basic support payments
compensate school districts for lost tax revenue and are made
on behalf of Federally-connected children such as children of
members of the uniformed services who live on Federal property.
Payments for children with disabilities
The Committee recommends $49,466,000 for payments on behalf
of Federally-connected children with disabilities, the same as
both the budget request and the fiscal year 2006 appropriation.
These payments compensate school districts for the increased
costs of serving Federally-connected children with
disabilities.
Facilities maintenance
The Committee recommends $4,950,000 for facilities
maintenance, the same as both the fiscal year 2006 amount and
the budget request. These capital payments are authorized for
maintenance of certain facilities owned by the Department of
Education.
Construction
The Committee recommends $17,820,000 for the construction
program, which is the same as the budget request and the fiscal
year 2006 level. This program provides formula and competitive
grants to local educational agencies that educate Federally
connected students or have Federally owned land for building
and renovating school facilities. The Committee provides
funding for the formula program rather than, as requested by
the Administration, for the competitive program.
Payments for Federal property
The bill provides $64,350,000 for payments related to
Federal property, the same as both the fiscal year 2006 level
and the budget request. Funds are awarded to school districts
to compensate for lost tax revenue as the result of Federal
acquisition of real property since 1938.
School Improvement Programs
The bill includes $4,764,559,000 for school improvement
programs. This amount is $490,918,000 less than the fiscal year
2006 appropriation and $208,599,000 less than the budget
request. This appropriation account includes programs
authorized under titles II, IV, V, VI, and VII of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act; the McKinney-Vento
Homeless Assistance Act, title IV-A of the Civil Rights Act,
section 203 of the Educational Technical Assistance Act of
2002, and section 105 of the Compact of Free Association
Amendments Act of 2003.
State grants for improving teacher quality
The bill includes $2,587,000,000 for state grants for
improving teacher quality, which is $300,439,000 less than both
the budget request and the fiscal year 2006 level. This program
gives States and districts a flexible source of funding with
which to meet their particular needs in strengthening the
skills and knowledge of teachers and administrators to enable
them to improve student achievement. States are authorized to
retain 2.5 percent of funds for state activities, including
reforming teacher certification, re-certification or licensure
requirements; expanding, establishing or improving alternative
routes to state certification; carrying out programs that
include support during the initial teaching and leadership
experience, such as mentoring programs; assisting school
districts in effectively recruiting and retaining highly
qualified and effective teachers and principals; reforming
tenure systems; and developing professional development
programs for principals.
States send funding to the local level by formula and by
competitive grant. Among other things, local uses of funds
include initiatives to assist recruitment of principals and
fully qualified teachers; initiatives to promote retention of
highly qualified teachers and principals; programs designed to
improve the quality of the teacher work force; teacher
opportunity payments; professional development activities;
teacher advancement initiatives and hiring fully qualified
teachers in order to reduce class size. In the 2003-2004 school
year, the Department reports that states transferred
$140,000,000 out of teacher quality State grants for use in
other NCLB programs.
Early childhood educator professional development
The bill includes $14,549,000 for early childhood educator
professional development, the same as both the budget request
and the fiscal year 2006 level. This program provides
competitive grants to partnerships to improve the knowledge and
skills of early childhood educators and caregivers who work in
communities that have high concentrations of children living in
poverty.
Mathematics and science partnerships
The bill includes $225,000,000 for mathematics and science
partnerships, $42,840,000 above both the budget request and the
fiscal year 2006 level. This program promotes strong math and
science teaching skills for elementary and secondary school
teachers. Grantees may use program funds to develop rigorous
math and science curricula, establish distance learning
programs, and recruit math, science and engineering majors into
the teaching profession. They may also provide professional
development opportunities. Grants are made to States by formula
based on the number of children aged 5 to 17 who are from
families with incomes below the poverty line, and States then
award the funds competitively to partnerships that must include
the State agency, an engineering, math or science department of
an institution of higher education, and a high-need school
district. Other partners may also be involved. The Committee
has increased funding for this program in response to the
Administration's K-12 mathematics instruction initiative.
State grants for innovative programs
The bill includes $150,000,000 for state grants for
innovative programs, which is $51,000,000 above both the budget
request and the fiscal year 2006 level. This program provides
funding to state and local educational agencies for 27 purposes
identified in statute, including obtaining technology and
technology-related training, combating illiteracy among
children and adults, addressing the educational needs of gifted
and talented children, and implementing school improvement and
parental involvement activities under ESEA Title I. The
Committee has increased funding for this program to expand
funding available to states, for use as they determine
appropriate for their needs, in areas such as educational
technology, library enhancements, teacher training, counseling,
school-based mental health services, dropout prevention, and
gifted and talented education.
Educational technology state grants
The bill does not include funding for education technology
activities, consistent with the Administration budget request.
The program was funded at $272,250,000 in fiscal year 2006.
Under this program, states have directed funding to school
districts for access to technology; teacher professional
development; and initiatives using technology to increase
academic achievement. This program has received almost
$2,900,000,000 over the last five years. Ninety-three percent
of schools report that they have access to the internet in
instructional rooms as well as declining student-instructional
computer ratios. State grants for innovative programs and
Improving Teacher Quality State grants can be used for
technology-related professional development and infrastructure.
There is additional support for technology infrastructure
through the E-Rate program, administered by the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC), which supports connectivity in
schools and libraries by offering discounted rates on
telecommunications and Internet service, as well as basic
maintenance of connections. In the funding year that ended in
June, 2005, the FCC committed $2,300,000,000 through the e-rate
program. Approximately 98 percent of the funds go to a school,
school district, or consortium; the remaining 2 percent goes to
libraries.
Supplemental education grants
The bill provides $18,001,000 for supplemental education
grants to the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic
of the Marshall Islands, which is the same as the budget
request and the 2006 appropriation. The Compact of Free
Association Amendments Act of 2003 (P.L. 108-188) authorizes
these entities to receive funding for general education
assistance. Bill language is included providing a consolidated
amount for supplemental education grants since the underlying
statute determines the allocation between Micronesia and the
Marshall Islands.
21st century community learning centers
The bill provides $981,166,000 for 21st century community
learning centers, the same as both the 2007 request and the
fiscal year 2006 level. This program is a formula grant to
states. Ninety-five percent of funds are distributed on a
competitive basis from the state to local school districts,
community-based organizations and other public entities and
private organizations. Grantees must target students who attend
low-performing schools. Funds may be used for before and after
school activities that advance student academic achievement
including remedial education and academic enrichment
activities; math, science, arts, music, entrepreneurial and
technology education; tutoring and mentoring; recreational
activities; and expanded library service hours.
State assessments
The bill includes $407,563,000 for state assessments, the
same as both the budget request and the fiscal year 2006 level.
This program provides states with funding to develop annual
assessments and to carry out activities related to ensuring
accountability for results in the state's schools and school
districts.
Javits gifted and talented education
The bill does not include funding for gifted and talented
education, the same as the budget request and $9,596,000 below
the fiscal year 2006 level. This program supports grants to
build and enhance the ability of elementary and secondary
schools to meet the needs of gifted and talented students.
Competitive grants are awarded to states and school districts,
institutions or higher education and other public and private
entities.
Foreign language assistance grants
The bill includes $21,780,000 for foreign language
assistance grants, $2,000,000 below the budget request and the
same as the 2006 level. The program supports competitive grants
to school districts and States to increase the quality and
quantity of elementary and secondary-level foreign language
instruction in the United States.
Education for homeless children and youth
For the education of homeless children and youth program,
the Committee recommends $61,871,000, the same as both the
budget request and the fiscal year 2006 appropriation. Grants
are allocated to States in proportion to the total that each
State receives under the title I program. For local grants, at
least 50 percent must be used for direct services to homeless
children and youth, including tutoring or remedial or other
educational services.
Training and advisory services
The bill includes $7,113,000 for training and advisory
services authorized by title IV-A of the Civil Rights Act. This
amount is the same as both the budget request and the fiscal
year 2006 amount. Title IV-A authorizes technical assistance
and training services for local educational agencies to address
problems associated with desegregation on the basis of race,
sex, or national origin. The Department awards 3-year grants to
regional equity assistance centers (EACs) located in each of
the ten Department of Education regions. The EACs provide
services to school districts upon request. Typical activities
include disseminating information on successful education
practices and legal requirements related to nondiscrimination
on the basis of race, sex, and national origin in educational
programs; training designed to develop educators' skills in
specific areas, such as the identification of race and sex bias
in instructional materials; increasing the skills of
educational personnel in dealing with race-based confrontations
such as hate crimes; and providing technical assistance in the
identification and selection of appropriate educational
programs to meet the needs of limited English proficient
students.
Education for Native Hawaiians
The Committee recommends $31,433,000 for education for
Native Hawaiians, which is the same as the budget request and
$2,474,000 below the fiscal year 2006 amount. A number of
authorized programs limited to Native Hawaiians are supported
with these funds, including a model curriculum project, family-
based education centers, postsecondary education fellowships,
gifted and talented education projects, and special education
projects for disabled pupils.
Alaska Native education equity
The Committee recommends $33,908,000 for the Alaska Native
education equity program, which is the same as the budget
request and $1,000 above the fiscal year 2006 amount. These
funds are used to develop supplemental educational programs to
benefit Alaska Natives.
Rural education
The bill includes $168,918,000 for rural education
programs, the same as both the fiscal year 2006 level and the
budget request. This fund includes two programs to assist rural
school districts to improve teaching and learning in their
schools. The small, rural schools achievement program provides
funds to rural districts that serve a small number of students;
the rural and low-income schools program provides funds to
rural districts that serve concentrations of poor students,
regardless of the number of students served by the district.
Comprehensive centers
The bill includes $56,257,000 for comprehensive centers,
the same as both the fiscal year 2006 level and the budget
request.
These funds are used for the 21 new comprehensive centers
first funded in fiscal year 2005. The centers include 16
regional centers that will provide training and technical
assistance to State educational agencies within their
geographic regions to help them implement provisions of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act State-wide and five
content centers, each specializing in a different area.
Indian Education
The bill includes $118,690,000 for Indian education. This
amount is the same as both the fiscal year 2006 appropriation
and the budget request. This account supports programs
authorized by part A of Title VII of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act.
Grants to local educational agencies
The bill provides $95,331,000 for grants to local education
agencies. This program provides assistance through formula
grants to school districts and schools supported or operated by
the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The purpose of this program is to
reform elementary and secondary school programs that serve
Indian students, including preschool children. Grantees must
develop a comprehensive plan and assure that the programs they
carry out will help Indian students reach the same challenging
standards that apply to all students. This program supplements
the regular school program to help Indian children sharpen
their academic skills, bolster their self-confidence, and
participate in enrichment activities that would otherwise be
unavailable.
Special programs for Indian children
The Committee recommends $19,399,000 for special programs
for Indian children. These programs make competitive awards to
improve the quality of education for Indian students. This
program also funds the American Indian Teacher Corps and the
American Indian Administrator Corps to recruit and support
American Indians as teachers and school administrators.
National activities
The bill provides $3,960,000 for national activities. Funds
under this authority support research, evaluation and data
collection to provide information on the status of education
for the Indian population and on the effectiveness of Indian
education programs.
Innovation and Improvement
The bill includes $911,413,000 for innovation and
improvement programs. This amount is $25,073,000 less than the
comparable fiscal year 2006 appropriation and $60,447,000 more
than the budget request. This appropriation account includes
programs authorized under part G of title I and portions of
titles II and V of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
Troops to teachers
The bill includes $14,645,000 for troops to teachers, the
same as both the budget request and the fiscal year 2006 level.
This program is designed to assist eligible members of the
armed forces to obtain certification or licensure as elementary
and secondary school teachers, or vocational or technical
teachers. The Committee includes bill language permitting
stipends and bonuses under this program to be available to
those serving in schools receiving title I funding.
Transition to teaching
The bill includes $44,484,000 for transition to teaching,
the same as both the budget request and the fiscal year 2006
level. Transition to teaching is designed to help mitigate the
shortage of qualified licensed or certified teachers. The
program provides competitive grants to help support State and
local educational agencies' efforts to recruit, train and place
talented individuals into teaching positions and to support
them during their first years in the classroom. In particular,
the program focuses on mid-career professionals with
substantial career experience and recent college graduates.
Grants are made on a competitive basis.
National writing project
The bill provides $21,532,000 for the National Writing
Project, the same as the fiscal year 2006 level. The
President's budget did not request funding for this program.
Funds are provided to the National Writing Project, a nonprofit
educational organization that supports training programs to
teach writing effectively. To provide these services, the
National Writing Project contracts with numerous institutions
of higher education and nonprofit education providers to
operate small teacher training programs. Federal funds support
50 percent of the costs of these programs, and recipients must
contribute an equal amount.
Teaching of traditional American history
The bill includes $50,000,000 for the teaching of
traditional American history, the same as the budget request
and $69,790,000 below the fiscal year 2006 level. This program
supports competitive grants to school districts to promote the
teaching of American history in elementary and secondary
schools as a separate academic subject. The number of quality
applications for assitance under this program has been
insufficient to justify the current level of funding.
School leadership
The bill includes $14,731,000 for school leadership
activities, the same as the fiscal year 2006 level. The
President's budget did not propose funding for this program.
The program provides competitive grants to assist high-need
school districts with recruiting, training, and retaining
principals and assistant principals.
Advanced credentialing
The bill includes $18,695,000 for advanced credentialing,
$2,000,000 above the fiscal year 2006 level and $10,695,000
above the budget request. The program supports activities to
encourage and support teachers seeking advanced certification
or credentialing. The Committee intends that $10,695,000 of the
funds be awarded to the National Board for Professional
Teaching Standards and that $8,000,000 be awarded to the
American Board for the Certification of Teacher Excellence.
Charter school grants
The Committee recommends $214,782,000 for support of
charter schools, the same as both the budget request and the
fiscal year 2006 amount. Charter schools are developed and
administered by individuals or groups of individuals, which may
include teachers, administrators, and parents. These groups
enter into charters for operation of their schools, which must
be granted exemptions from State and local rules that limit
flexibility in school operation and management. Under this
program, grants are made to State educational agencies in
States that have charter school laws; the State educational
agencies in turn make sub-grants to authorized public
chartering agencies in partnerships with developers of charter
schools.
Credit enhancement for charter school facilities
The bill includes $36,611,000 for credit enhancement for
charter school facilities, the same as both the budget request
and fiscal year 2006. This program helps charter schools meet
their facility needs by providing funding on a competitive
basis to leverage other funds and help charter schools obtain
school facilities by means such as purchase, lease and
donation. Charter schools are more likely than traditional
schools to have problems obtaining adequate facilities because
they are perceived as more financially risky than other
schools, and unlike traditional school districts, charter
schools generally lack the ability to issue general obligation
bonds backed by property taxes.
Voluntary public school choice
The bill includes $26,278,000 for voluntary public school
choice, the same as both the budget request and the fiscal year
2006 level. This program supports efforts to establish intra-
district and inter-district public school choice programs to
provide students in participating schools with the widest
variety of options for their education. Funds are used to make
competitive awards to States, school districts or partnerships.
Magnet schools assistance
The bill includes $106,693,000 for the magnet schools
assistance program, the same as both the budget request and the
fiscal year 2006 level. The magnet schools assistance program
awards competitive grants to local educational agencies for use
in establishing or operating magnet schools that are part of a
desegregation plan approved by a court or by the Department of
Education's Office for Civil Rights. A magnet school is defined
by the statute as ``a school or education center that offers a
special curriculum capable of attracting substantial numbers of
students of different racial backgrounds.'' A funding priority
is given to local educational agencies that did not receive a
grant in the preceding fiscal year.
Fund for the improvement of education
The bill includes $183,962,000 for the fund for the
improvement of education (FIE), which is $25,452,000 above the
fiscal year 2006 level and $79,919,000 above the budget
request. The fund for the improvement of education has a broad
portfolio of activities. Under the fund, the Secretary of
Education supports activities that identify and disseminate
innovative educational approaches. Several separate program
authorities are included in this line item such as Reading is
Fundamental, Arts in Education, the national mathematics panel,
and Reach Out and Read.
$10,000,000 is included in FIE for an ``Officers to
Principals'' demonstration. Based on the School Leadership
program model, the demonstration would provide grants to local
educational agencies to recruit military officers, provide
professional development programs in instructional leadership
and management, and create financial incentives for officers to
become and remain school principals. The Department should give
high priority to school districts that have been identified as
not making adequate yearly progress in the allocation of these
funds. The program should emphasize training opportunities that
permit the officers to be placed quickly into administrative
positions. The Committee believes that creating a program to
attract military officers to school leadership positions would
provide school districts with a needed talent pool of able,
experienced, committed leaders who could be role models for
students. The Committee has learned that an Officers to
Principals program is currently operating in the State of
Maryland, and encourages the Secretary to review that program
as it establishes the parameters for this demonstration.
Within the amount provided, the Committee includes funding
for the following activities:
ABC Unified School District, Cerritos, CA, for an after
school program at Melbourne Elementary School....... $75,000
Academy for Urban School Leadership, Chicago, IL, for
The Chicago Academy and Chicago Academy High School,
which may include support for resident teachers..... 350,000
Action for Bridgeport Community Development, Bridgeport,
CT to develop a total learning model for Bridgeport,
CT schools.......................................... 100,000
African-American Male Achievers Network, Inglewood, CA,
for its Project STEP program for at-risk youth...... 40,000
AFSA Education Foundation, Washington, DC for financial
literacy education.................................. 50,000
AHEAD Foundation, Inc., Massillon, OH for after school
programs, CARE TEAMS and its Collaborative Community
Network............................................. 100,000
Alamance-Burlington School District, Burlington, NC for
the Teacher Professional Development Academy for
curriculum and materials............................ 150,000
Albany State University, Albany, GA, for its Jump Start
college preparation initiative for at-risk students. 300,000
Aledo Independent School District, Aledo, TX for
implementation of the English as a Second Language
program............................................. 200,000
All Kinds of Minds, Chapel Hill, NC for teacher training 200,000
Allens Lane Art Center, Philadelphia, PA, for after
school and summer arts education and enrichment
activities.......................................... 50,000
Althea Gibson Community Center, Philadelphia, PA, for
education and enrichment programs for youth......... 350,000
American Ballet Theatre, New York, NY, for music
education programs.................................. 300,000
American Theater Arts for Youth, MT for the Montana Arts
in Education Program................................ 100,000
An Achievable Dream, Inc., Newport News, VA, for
education and support services for at-risk children,
which may include teacher stipend scholarships...... 550,000
Antigo School District, WI, for an after school program. 180,000
Apache County Schools, Apache County, AZ for teacher
training............................................ 250,000
Appalachian Leadership & Education Foundation,
Huntington, WV for a program to develop character,
leadership and technical skills of secondary school
students............................................ 400,000
Arizona State University Institute of Civil Rights,
Tempe, AZ, for dropout prevention and other
education projects.................................. 250,000
Armory Center for the Arts, Pasadena, CA, for its Walk
to Art program for low-income children.............. 50,000
Army Heritage Center Foundation, Carlisle, PA for
teacher preparation for the Voices of the Past Speak
to the Future Program............................... 200,000
Arts Center of the Grand Prairie, Stuttgart, AR, for an
after school program................................ 50,000
Arts Council in Buffalo and Erie County, Buffalo, NY,
for arts education programs......................... 100,000
ArtsQuest--The Banana Factory, Bethlehem, PA for the B-
Smart arts education program........................ 75,000
Ashland School District, WI, for an after school program 250,000
Augusta Public Schools, Augusta, KS to encourage staff
development in technology........................... 300,000
Austin Independent School District, Austin, TX for
supplies for the Technology Enhancement Program for
low income middle-school students................... 250,000
AVANCE, Inc.--Waco, TX, for its early childhood
education and family literacy programs.............. 75,000
AVANCE, Inc., McAllen, TX, for an early childhood
development and family literacy program in Corpus
Christi, TX......................................... 300,000
Bakersfield Music Theatre, Bakersfield, CA for the Stars
School of Fine Arts................................. 100,000
Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners, Baltimore,
MD, for a teacher professional development
initiative.......................................... 250,000
Battelle for Kids, Columbus, OH for the value-added
student assessment program.......................... 300,000
Bay Haven Charter Academy Middle School, Lynn Haven, FL,
for its physical education program, which may
include equipment................................... 50,000
Bayfield School District, WI, for an after school
program............................................. 200,000
Baylor University, Waco, TX, for its Language and
Literacy Center..................................... 150,000
Bellefaire Jewish Children's Bureau, Cleveland, OH for
education programs.................................. 50,000
Best Buddies International, Inc., for mentoring programs
for persons with intellectual disabilities.......... 800,000
Best Buddies Maryland, Baltimore, MD, for mentoring
programs for persons with intellectual disabilities. 150,000
Best Buddies Rhode Island, Providence, RI, for mentoring
programs for persons with intellectual disabilities. 300,000
Best Buddies Virginia, McLean, VA, for mentoring
programs for persons with intellectual disabilities. 250,000
Big Top Chautauqua, WI, for educational activities...... 250,000
Birchwood School District, WI, for an after school
program............................................. 200,000
Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, Columbia, SC, for a
project to implement technology-based best practices
in one or more schools in South Carolina, which may
include acquisition of equipment.................... 100,000
Bowie State University, Bowie, MD, for establishment of
a Principal's Academy Institute..................... 200,000
Boys & Girls Club of the Lowcountry, Beaufort, SC for
learning activities for disadvantaged children and
teens............................................... 150,000
Boys and Girls Club of San Bernardino, CA, for an after
school program in the Delman Heights community...... 125,000
Boys and Girls Harbor Inc., New York, NY, for a literacy
center.............................................. 100,000
Boys&Girls Town of Missouri, Columbia, MO for
educational equipment............................... 250,000
Bradford Area School District, Bradford, PA for
technology upgrades................................. 100,000
Brainerd Public School District (Independent School
District 181), Brainerd, MN, for its Teacher Support
System.............................................. 150,000
Bright Side Opportunities Corporation, Lancaster, PA for
the operation of a Community Technology Center for
disadvantaged youth................................. 300,000
Broadtree Adventures in Education, Chicago, IL, for
alternative and environmental education programs for
at-risk youth....................................... 50,000
Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, NJ, for a Student
Success Center in Asbury Park, which may include
purchase of equipment............................... 250,000
Brooklyn Academy of Music, Brooklyn, NY for its Brooklyn
Reads initiative.................................... 250,000
Bruce School District, WI, for an after school program.. 200,000
Butte County, Oroville, CA for the Literacy Is For
Everyone (LIFE) Program............................. 200,000
Butternut School District, WI, for an after school
program............................................. 200,000
Caldwell Community Center, Toledo, OH, for after school
academic and enrichment activities for children and
youth in North Toledo............................... 300,000
California Professional Firefighters Foundation,
Sacramento, CA, to provide its Team SAFE-T emergency
preparedness and safety initiative in public schools 450,000
California State University Northridge, CA, for
development of an assessment and accountability
system for teacher education........................ 350,000
California State University, San Bernardino, CA, for a
leadership training program for urban youth......... 325,000
Camp Fire USA Northeast Ohio Council, Medina, OH for the
Young Leaders Serving Ohio program.................. 50,000
Canton City School District, Canton, OH for the PE 4
Life project........................................ 100,000
Canton Symphony Orchestra Association, Canton, OH for
implementation of the Northeast Ohio Arts Education
Collaborative....................................... 100,000
Carnegie Hall, New York, NY, for its National Music
Education Program................................... 250,000
Cedar Crest College, Allentown, Lehigh County, PA for a
partnership with the Allentown School District and
the Da Vinci Discovery Center on secondary school
science education................................... 100,000
Center for Community Transformation, Chicago, IL, to
support faculty, student fellowships, and ongoing
secular educational activities in community
leadership transformation........................... 100,000
Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and
Technology, Pleasant Gap, PA for curriculum and
equipment for its vocational training program....... 600,000
Charlotte County Public Schools, Port Charlotte, FL to
implement the MISSING Program in schools............ 300,000
Charter School Development Foundation, Las Vegas, NV,
for the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy.... 175,000
Chesterfield County, VA for assistive technology for
special needs students.............................. 150,000
Chetek School District, WI, for an after school program. 250,000
Chicago Public Schools, Chicago, IL, for after school
and extended learning opportunities................. 275,000
Chippewa Falls School District, WI, for an after school
program............................................. 200,000
Choctaw Elementary School, Choctaw, OK for equipment for
the Dreamcatcher Playground Project................. 100,000
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati, OH for the
Sound Discoveries Program for K-12 students......... 300,000
City of Brisbane, CA, for equipment for a homework
assistance center for youth......................... 50,000
City of Fairfield, CA, for after school programs........ 300,000
City of La Habra, La Habra, CA for the KinderScience
Program............................................. 125,000
City of Pembroke Pines, FL, for the autism program at
the Pembroke Pines--Florida State University Charter
School.............................................. 400,000
City of Rocklin, Rocklin, CA for the Integrated Schools
Program............................................. 195,000
City of St. Paul, MN, for after-school and out-of-school
youth academic and enrichment programs.............. 375,000
City of Whittier, Whittier, CA, for after school
programs............................................ 225,000
City School District of New Rochelle, New Rochelle, NY,
for after school learning centers................... 525,000
Clark County School District, Clark County, NV for
filling critical teacher shortages.................. 200,000
Clark County School District, Las Vegas, NV, for its
Parent Initiative, which may include training for
teachers and parents................................ 75,000
Cleary University, Howell, MI to purchase equipment and
develop technology instruction for high school
students............................................ 200,000
Clemson University, Clemson, SC for the Call Me Mister
program............................................. 200,000
Cleveland Institute of Music, Cleveland, OH for distance
learning............................................ 50,000
Cleveland Orchestra, Cleveland, OH for education
programs............................................ 100,000
Clovis Unified School District, Clovis, CA for curricula
and training to increase student graduation rates... 100,000
College of Alameda, Alameda, CA, for professional
development services and science laboratory
equipment for the Alameda Science and Technology
Institute........................................... 130,000
College Summit, Inc., Washington, DC, for an initiative
to increase college enrollment of low-income youth
in South Carolina................................... 250,000
Collegiate Consortium for Workforce and Economic
Development, Philadelphia, PA for vocational
education........................................... 250,000
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Powell, OH for the Columbus
Zoo High School..................................... 250,000
Communities in Schools of Coweta, Inc., Newnan, GA for
equipment for Performance Learning Centers.......... 100,000
Communities In Schools of Glynn County, Brunswick, GA
for computers, curriculum and training in an effort
to reduce school dropouts........................... 100,000
Communities in Schools of Marietta/Cobb County,
Marietta, GA for equipment and program development
for a performance learning center................... 100,000
Communities in Schools, Northeast Texas, Mt. Pleasant,
TX for the CIS-NETX national stay-in-school network. 350,000
Community Development Commission of the County of Los
Angeles, Monterey Park, CA, for the South Whitter
community education and computer center............. 45,000
Community Education Partnership, West Valley City, UT
for math, science and reading programs.............. 300,000
Community Kollel, Des Moines, IA, for K-12 education
programs............................................ 100,000
Compassion Coalition, Inc., Utica, NY for after school
programs............................................ 125,000
Connecticut Humanities Council, Middletown, CT, for its
Motheread/Fatheread family literacy program......... 90,000
Connecticut Public Broadcasting, Inc./Connecticut Public
Television, Hartford, CT, for production, evaluation
and promotion of a math education program........... 350,000
Contra Costa College, San Pablo, CA, for its Bridges to
the Future Program.................................. 300,000
CORA Services, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, for youth
development and education services.................. 75,000
Council for Excellence in Government, Washington, DC,
for the Campaign for the Civic Mission of Schools
for development of an online inventory of
instructional units, courses, and practices on civic
learning and teaching............................... 500,000
CREATE Foundation, Tupelo, MS to conduct College for
All, a four-year pilot project in school-based
college and career counseling in two school
districts in MS..................................... 200,000
Crotched Mountain Foundation TRUST Center, Greenfield,
NH for equipment for an education program for
children with autism................................ 150,000
Denton Independent School District, Denton, TX for the
English instruction program......................... 100,000
DePaul School, Louisville, KY for outreach to students
with dyslexia and other learning disabilities....... 200,000
Devereaux Glenholme School, Washington, CT for
professional training in early childhood development 300,000
Dupage County, Wheaton, IL for a countywide physical
fitness assessment project pilot.................... 150,000
Early Childhood Resource Center, Canton, OH for early
childhood teacher training.......................... 50,000
East Atlanta Computer Technology Center, Atlanta, GA,
for an after school program, which may include
equipment for a computer lab........................ 150,000
Education Service Center, Region 12, Hillsboro, TX, for
a GEAR UP college preparedness program.............. 250,000
Educational Advancement Alliance, Philadelphia, PA, for
a college preparation initiative, which may include
student scholarships................................ 400,000
EduNet24, Bowling Green, KY for educational software for
Spanish speaking students for the Tecumseh YMCA in
New Carlisle, OH.................................... 400,000
Edward Waters College, Jacksonville, FL, for a math and
science initiative to assist low-performing students 250,000
Eisner Pediatric & Family Medical Center, Los Angeles,
CA, for its Parent Child Home Program............... 250,000
Ennis Independent School District, Ennis, TX for an
English Instruction Program......................... 500,000
Envision Schools, San Francisco, CA, for establishment
of the Metropolitan Arts and Technology High School. 450,000
Erskine College, Due West, SC for the Fine Arts Network
for Assisting Rural Education....................... 100,000
eta Creative Arts Foundation, Inc., Chicago, IL, for
arts education programs............................. 100,000
Exchange City, Portsmouth, NH for an EarthWorks
immersive math and science program.................. 100,000
Exploratorium, San Francisco, CA, for its Bay Area
Science Teacher Recruitment, Retention and
Improvement Initiative.............................. 550,000
Fairfax County Park Authority, Fairfax, VA to develop a
handicapped- accessible playground.................. 100,000
Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax, VA for an
innovative Chinese, Arabic and Korean language
program in Fairfax and Clarke County schools........ 300,000
Fairfax County Public Schools, Fairfax, VA for the
Emergency Medical Services Academy.................. 150,000
Families In Schools, Los Angeles, CA, for its Read with
Me/Lea Conmigo family literacy program.............. 150,000
Fayetteville Technical Community College, Fayetteville,
NC for the Congressional Scholars program........... 250,000
Florida Bay County District Schools, Panama City, FL,
for a drug abuse prevention program in middle
schools............................................. 30,000
Florida Gulf Coast University, Ft. Myers, FL for
educational outreach................................ 350,000
Fontana Unified School District, Fontana, CA, for an
integrated technology program....................... 100,000
Franklin Special School District, Franklin, TN for
information technology equipment.................... 300,000
Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, Valley Forge, PA to
conduct a conference on American history for
teachers in Oxford, MS.............................. 140,000
Friendship Circle, West Bloomfield, MI for educational
programs for children with special needs............ 350,000
Gallup International Research and Education Center,
Omaha, NE for curriculum development of
entrepreneurship centers in Lincoln and Norfolk..... 300,000
Georgia Project, Inc., Dalton, GA, for initiatives to
assist English language learners.................... 225,000
Girl Scouts of the USA, Washington, DC, for Fair Play... 150,000
Give Every Child A Chance, Manteca, CA for expansion of
educational enrichment services..................... 450,000
Glade Run Foundation, Zelienople, PA for educational
programming and technology upgrades................. 100,000
Graham County Schools, Graham County, AZ for
professional development............................ 250,000
Greenlee County Schools, Greenlee County, AZ for
computer equipment.................................. 100,000
Hayward School District, WI, for an after school program 150,000
Heartbeats to the City, Canton, OH for education
mentoring programs.................................. 50,000
Heartland Educational Consortium, Lake Placid, FL for
teacher professional development.................... 100,000
Helen Keller Interational, NY, for the ChildSight Vision
Screening Program and to provide eyeglasses to
children whose educational performance may be
hindered because of poor vision..................... 1,000,000
Hoke County Schools, Raeford, NC for instructional
technology.......................................... 100,000
Huntington Beach Art Center, Huntington Beach, CA for an
arts education program for underserved groups....... 50,000
Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, Danville,
VA for the Boosting Student Achievement for
Competitiveness program............................. 100,000
Institute for Student Achievement, Lake Success, NY for
an education enhancement program at Annandale High
School, Annandale, VA............................... 100,000
Institute for Student Achievement, Lake Success, NY, for
school reform activities at Wyandanch High School... 185,000
Institute for Student Achievement, Lake Success, NY, to
implement small learning communities at Morris High
School in the Bronx................................. 75,000
InTune Foundation Group, Washington, DC, for its Kids in
Tune music career and education program............. 500,000
Jacob Burns Film Center, Pleasantville, NY, for
education programs.................................. 200,000
JASON Project, Needham Heights, MA for the STEP-UP Ohio
education program................................... 100,000
Jazz at Lincoln Center, New York, NY, for music
education programs.................................. 500,000
Jersey Shore Area School District, Jersey Shore, PA for
equipment to create a digital classroom............. 100,000
JFYNetWorks, Boston, MA, for implementation of its
computer-based JFYNet: Academic Support for Adequate
Yearly Progress initiative in Malden, Revere, and
Framingham, MA...................................... 150,000
JFYNetWorks, Boston, MA, for implementation of its
computer-based JFYNet: Academic Support for Adequate
Yearly Progress project in one or more low-
performing schools in the Boston public school
system.............................................. 250,000
Joplin School District, Joplin, MO for the eJOPLIN
initiative to improve teaching through technology... 200,000
Joplin School District, Joplin, MO for the SMART Board
interactive whiteboard.............................. 50,000
Jumpstart for Young Children, San Francisco, CA, for an
early childhood enhancement project to provide
student mentors to preschool children............... 450,000
Jumpstart, Boston, MA, for an early literacy program for
at-risk children.................................... 250,000
Kelberman Center, Utica, NY to expand programs for pre-
school and school age children with autism spectrum
disorder............................................ 100,000
Kentucky Arts Council, Frankfort, KY for arts education
programs in cities of the first class in Kentucky... 200,000
Kewanee Community School District #229, Kewanee, IL, for
equipment and technology............................ 200,000
KIPP Foundation, San Francisco, CA for KIPP Reach
College Preparatory in Oklahoma City, OK............ 200,000
KIPP Foundation, San Francisco, CA for leadership
training and extended learning time at KIPP schools. 1,000,000
KIPP Foundation, San Francisco, CA, for KIPP schools in
the State of Maryland to support school leadership
and extended learning time.......................... 150,000
KIPP Foundation, San Francisco, CA, for the KIPP Delta
College Preparatory School in Helena, AR............ 200,000
Klingberg Family Centers, New Britain, CT for the
Special Education Enhancement Initiative............ 300,000
KnowledgeWorks Intermediary, LLC, Cincinnati, OH for the
Ohio High School Transformation Initiative.......... 250,000
Kohl Children's Museum of Greater Chicago, Glenview, IL
for the Early Childhood Connections Outreach
Initiative.......................................... 175,000
La Crosse School District, La Crosse, WI, for student
and parent education, enrichment and support
services at its Hamilton Family Learning Center..... 95,000
Lab School of Washington, Washington, DC for the
Academic Achievement Program........................ 100,000
Lafourche Parish School Board, Lafourche, LA, for early
childhood learning centers, which may include
portable classrooms and equipment................... 100,000
Laramie County School District Number One, Cheyenne, WY
for the English as a Second Language Pilot Program.. 100,000
LaSalle High School, Olla, LA for books, material and
equipment........................................... 550,000
Learning Collaborative, Indianapolis, IN for the
Washington County, IN K-12 Web Portal Technology
Development Initiative.............................. 500,000
Learning Point Associates/North Central Regional
Education Laboratory, Naperville, IL to help schools
implement No Child Left Behind...................... 200,000
Lee Pesky Learning Center, Boise, ID to provide
educational materials for the Literacy Matters!
Program............................................. 300,000
Lemay Child & Family Center, St. Louis, MO, for early
childhood education and family literacy programs.... 100,000
Lexington City Schools, Lexington, TN for the Technology
Enabled Alternative Education Program............... 82,000
Lighthouse Community Learning Center, Eagle Lake, TX,
for vocational, computer, arts and/or other
education services for youth, which may include the
purchase of equipment............................... 100,000
Little Black Pearl Art and Design Center, Chicago, IL,
for its Art Smarts after school program and for in-
school workshops.................................... 100,000
Logan City School District, Logan, UT for the sixth
grade reading assistance project.................... 200,000
Longview Independent School District, Longview, TX for
its English language instruction programs........... 100,000
Louisiana Resource Center for Educators, Baton Rouge, LA
to provide statewide training for all schools and
libraries........................................... 200,000
Lower East Side Conservancy, New York, NY, for education
programs and outreach............................... 200,000
Luther F. Carson Four Rivers Center, Paducah, KY for the
Class Acts Education Series for preschool through
high school students................................ 100,000
Madison County School System, Madison County, AL, for
development of the Madison County Schools Crisis
Management Project.................................. 200,000
Martinez Unified School District, Martinez, CA, for a
science education project at Martinez Junior High
School.............................................. 100,000
Maryland State Department of Education, Baltimore, MD,
for a study on teacher education (in reading
instruction) in Maryland............................ 300,000
Math for America, New York, NY, for implementation of
its Newton Fellowship Program in Northern Virginia
in partnership, with Marymount University........... 350,000
Medford School District, WI, for an after school program 250,000
Meredith-Dunn Learning Disabilities Center, Inc.,
Louisville, KY for speech and language therapy
programs............................................ 300,000
Merrimack College, McQuade Library, North Andover, MA,
for an information literacy training and community
outreach project.................................... 250,000
Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League, Wilmington, DE for
the Achievement Matters! Initiative................. 100,000
Mid-State Technical College, Wisconsin Rapids, WI, for
training and development of a renewable energy
technologies program................................ 250,000
Milne-Kelvin Grove School District 91, Lockport, IL for
enhanced technology and computing systems and
professional development............................ 100,000
Milton S. Eisenhower Foundation, Washington DC, to
implement a Youth Safe Haven after school program in
Irvington Township, NJ.............................. 100,000
Milton S. Eisenhower Foundation, Washington, D.C., for
the Full Service Community Schools program in the
Canton City Schools................................. 100,000
Milton S. Eisenhower Foundation, Washington, DC, for its
full-service community schools initiative in
Maryland............................................ 200,000
Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee, WI, for after
school and/or summer community learning centers..... 600,000
Mississippi University for Women, Columbus, MS for
strengthening partnerships between K-12 parents and
their children's teachers, principals,
superintendents, and other school personnel......... 500,000
Monroe County School District, Key West, FL for
equipment to implement a district-wide technology
initiative.......................................... 200,000
Montana Schools E-Learning Consortium, Helena, MT for
equipment and curriculum development for a State-
wide distance learning program...................... 250,000
National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame,
Morristown, NJ, for the Play It Smart Program....... 300,000
National Hispanic University, San Jose, CA, for
development of a ``Smart Start'' early childhood
development training and certification program...... 350,000
National Resource Center for Deafblindness, East
Greenville, Montgomery County, PA for an interactive
DVD training program for children with sensory
impairments......................................... 100,000
National Science Center, Augusta, GA for the DLP STEP-UP
program to improve student achievement in
underserved populations............................. 100,000
National Teachers Hall of Fame, Emporia, KS to recognize
exceptional career teachers......................... 200,000
Nenana Student Living Center, Nenana, AK for a
residential facility for high school students from
villages throughout Alaska.......................... 200,000
Network for Closing the Achievement Gap, Des Plaines, IL
for Project AYP in suburban Cook County, IL......... 200,000
New Mexico Public Education Department, Santa Fe, NM for
summer reading and math institutes throughout the
State............................................... 250,000
New York University, New York, NY for the Child Study
Center to complete an evaluation of ParentCorps..... 250,000
Nicetown Community Development Corporation Community
Center, Philadelphia, PA, for an after school
program............................................. 75,000
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical University,
Greensboro, NC, for a project to reduce suspension
rates of minority students in the Guilford County
School System....................................... 300,000
North Carolina Technology Association Education
Foundation, Raleigh, NC for school technology
demonstration projects.............................. 150,000
North Philadelphia Youth Association, Philadelphia, PA,
for education and enrichment services for youth..... 50,000
Norwich Public School District, Norwich, CT for the
English instruction program......................... 400,000
Ogden City School District, Ogden, UT for the Ogden
Telepresence-Enabled Academic Mentoring project..... 150,000
Ohio Department of Education, Columbus, OH for Charter
Colleges of Education............................... 200,000
Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation, Oklahoma City,
OK to support the ``College for All'' pilot program
for at-risk youth................................... 500,000
O'Neill Sea Odyssey, Santa Cruz, CA, for science
education programs for elementary school children... 150,000
OneWorld Now!, Seattle, WA, for after school programs
and student scholarships for study in foreign
countries........................................... 250,000
Ossining Union Free School District, Ossining, NY, for
after school, literacy and/or school reform
initiatives......................................... 450,000
Ouachita Parish School Board, Monroe, LA for family
literacy programs................................... 350,000
P.E. 4 Life, Kansas City, MO to establish a P.E. Academy
in North Mississippi................................ 325,000
Pacific Science Center, Seattle, WA for curriculum
development for an inquiry-based science program.... 350,000
Palm Beach County School District, West Palm Beach, FL,
for a teacher and principal mentoring program....... 500,000
Parent Institute for Quality Education, San Diego, CA,
for a parent training program....................... 350,000
Pawtucket School Department, Pawtucket, RI, for musical
instruments, equipment and instructional materials
for the Jacqueline Walsh School of the Performing
and Visual Arts..................................... 500,000
PE4life, Kansas City, MO to expand the P.E. program in
the Titusville School District, PA across the state. 300,000
Peoria School District 150, Peoria, IL for the Tapping
Future Leaders for Urban Schools Initiative......... 100,000
Person to Person, Minneapolis, MN, for its Hungry Lil'
Readers Club Family Literacy Program................ 50,000
Phillips School District, WI, for an after school
program............................................. 170,000
Port Chester--Rye Union Free School District, Port
Chester, NY, for academic enrichment, professional
development, family engagement and/or other
activities to implement full service community
schools............................................. 500,000
Project GRAD USA, Houston, TX, for school improvement
activities at one or more schools in the Houston
Independent School District and the 18th
Congressional District.............................. 200,000
Project MORE, Putnam County Educational Service Center,
Ottawa, OH for reading programs for students with
disabilities........................................ 100,000
Project One Youth Education Program, Cincinnati, OH for
after-school instruction for economically
disadvantaged youth................................. 200,000
PUENTE Learning Center, Los Angeles, CA, for education
programs............................................ 100,000
Puget Sound Educational Service District, Fife, WA, for
its Arts Impact teacher training initiative......... 150,000
Purchase College, State of University of New York,
Purchase, NY, for a program to address a shortage of
high school science and math teachers............... 250,000
Purdue University Calumet, Hammond, IN, for equipment
and start-up expenses for a magnet school........... 350,000
Queens Theatre in the Park, Flushing, NY, for a project
to provide youth with career planning and
development in the performing arts industry......... 100,000
RARE Foundation, Troy, MI for educational programs for
children............................................ 100,000
Reach for the Stars Learning Center, Brooklyn, NY to
expand and enhance programs for autistic children... 200,000
ReadNet Foundation, New York, NY for an online literacy
program for at-risk youth in Hudson, NY............. 1,000,000
Readnet Foundation, NY, for the ReadNet Online Program
for school and public libraries in Newport,
Jamestown, Middletown, and Portsmouth, Rhode Island. 300,000
Ready to Learn, Springfield, MO to develop a program for
pre-kindergarten academic, reading readiness and
social and emotional skill development for pre-
school age children and their parents............... 600,000
Rhode Island Philharmonic, Providence, RI, for an arts
education initiative for children in Northern Rhode
Island.............................................. 100,000
Riverside County Office of Education, Riverside, CA for
the High School Science Initiative.................. 300,000
Rochester City School District, NY, for its Rochester
Children's Zone student achievement initiative...... 400,000
Roseville City School District, Roseville, CA for
English as a Second Language program................ 200,000
Salesian Boys and Girls Club of Los Angeles, CA, for
education and support services for middle and high
school students..................................... 100,000
San Bernardino City Unified School District, San
Bernardino, CA for the English Learners Program..... 500,000
San Bernardino County Superintendents of Schools, San
Bernardino, CA for English Language Learners
Initiative.......................................... 350,000
San Diego Environmental Foundation, Inc., San Diego, CA,
for a science-based education program on alternative
fuels for students.................................. 100,000
San Joaquin County, Stockton, CA for the San Joaquin A
Plus, program to ensure access to tutors and improve
reading skills for third to sixth graders........... 500,000
San Mateo County, CA, for its Preschool for All program. 100,000
San Pasqual Academy, Escondido, CA for technology
upgrades............................................ 100,000
Save San Francisco Bay Association, Oakland, CA, for
science education programs.......................... 200,000
Save the Children, Westport, CT to implement
supplemental literacy programs serving children in
the first congressional district of Arizona......... 400,000
Save the Children, Westport, CT, for a children's
literacy initiative in Campbell County and Fentress
County in Tennessee................................. 200,000
Save the Children, Westport, CT, for a literacy
initiative in South Carolina........................ 150,000
School Board of Broward County, Broward County, FL for
the Broward Virtual Education online high school.... 250,000
School Board of Broward County, Fort Lauderdale, FL for
teacher support and development..................... 500,000
School for Children with Hidden Intelligence (SCHI),
Lakewood, NJ for the special education program...... 200,000
Schultz Center for Teaching and Leadership,
Jacksonville, FL for expansion of Florida's
educational videoconferencing network............... 250,000
Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29, Mar Lin, PA, for
equipment and technology for the Schuylkill
Technology Centers.................................. 350,000
Selden/Centereach Youth Association, Selden, NY, for an
after school program................................ 75,000
Silver Crescent Foundation, Charleston, SC for
engineering/technology camps for middle and high
school students across the State.................... 200,000
Smethport Area School District, Smethport, PA for
technology upgrades................................. 100,000
Sociedad Latina, Roxbury, MA, for its Mission Community
Enrichment Program.................................. 100,000
South Bay Workforce Investment Board, Hawthorne, CA, for
its Fit For Gold after school program............... 100,000
SouthEastern Pennsylvania Consortium, Glenside, PA for
professional development for elementary and high
school teachers..................................... 800,000
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, College of
Education and Human Services, Carbondale, IL, for
the Saluki Kids' Academy............................ 300,000
Southwest Arkansas Community Development Corporation,
Magnolia, Arkansas, for summer and after school
programs............................................ 100,000
Sparta School District, Sparta, WI, for its Right Step
Program............................................. 100,000
St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf, St. Louis, MO for a
pilot program that will provide early intervention &
mainstreaming services to severely deaf children in
selected unserved or underserved areas.............. 150,000
St. Mary's County Public Schools, Leonardtown, MD, for a
mathematics, science, and technology academy........ 500,000
St. Xavier University, Chicago, IL, for development of
an early childhood professional development center
and other program enhancements...................... 375,000
Stamford Public Schools, Stamford, CT for the Technology
for Teaching initiative............................. 200,000
Stark Education Partnership, Canton, OH to implement the
P-16 model.......................................... 75,000
State College Area School District, State College, PA
for technology enhancements......................... 100,000
State of Rhode Island, Division of Information
Technology, Providence, RI, for its Children's Data
Sharing Project..................................... 250,000
Steelton-Highspire School District, Steelton, PA, for
equipment, technology and technology training....... 150,000
Summit Educational Resources, Tonawanda, NY for
technology and equipment for classrooms for children
with autism......................................... 200,000
Superior School District, WI, for an after school
program............................................. 250,000
Susannah Wesley Community Center, Honolulu, HI, for
computers and technology to serve at-risk high
school students, and other students in an after
school program...................................... 50,000
Tarrytown Union Free School District, Sleepy Hollow, NY,
for family literacy activities and professional
development to support literacy instruction......... 225,000
Texarkana Independent School District, Texarkana, TX for
curriculum development and training with an
engineering and math focus.......................... 120,000
Texas Southern University, Houston, TX, for the TSU/
Cuney Homes Project Lab School, which may include
equipment and technology............................ 200,000
Texas State University System, Austin, TX at San Angelo,
TX and satellite campuses to develop and implement a
comprehensive mathematics program for K-12 students. 350,000
Third Street Music School Settlement, New York, NY, for
its Music Instruction on the Lower East Side (MILES)
arts education program.............................. 75,000
Thornton Township High School District 205, South
Holland, IL, for its Mastery Learning Labs project.. 250,000
Toledo Jazz Society, Toledo, OH, for music education
initiatives for youth and teachers.................. 100,000
Township of Colony, AL for technology upgrades at a
school computer lab, available for students grades
K-12................................................ 20,000
Towson University, Towson, MD, for an education
partnership with the City of Baltimore, Baltimore
City Public School System and the Cherry Hill, MD
community........................................... 300,000
Tracy Unified School District, Tracy, CA for the English
as a Secondary Language Program..................... 400,000
Triangle Urban League, Raleigh, NC, for its National
Achievers' Society program.......................... 100,000
Tri-County Educational Service Center, Wooster, OH for a
pilot project of the Olweus Bullying Prevention
Program............................................. 100,000
Tri-County Educational Service Center, Wooster, OH for
technology education................................ 100,000
Turlock Unified School District, Turlock, CA to develop
and obtain software to be used for instruction in
the English as a Second Language Program............ 350,000
Unified School District 259, Wichita Public Schools,
Wichita, KS for technology, software and equipment
for special education students...................... 300,000
Union County Public Schools, Monroe, NC for the North
Carolina Central Academy of Technology and Arts..... 200,000
University of Louisville, Louisville, KY for after
school programs operated through contract with local
non-profit organizations............................ 1,000,000
University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA, for its Urban
School Transformation Study Project................. 150,000
University of Memphis, TN, for a Model Teacher Program
in collaboration with the Memphis City School System 300,000
University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM for an Indian
education demonstration............................. 300,000
University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL for a
Virtual School Readiness Incubator Project.......... 250,000
University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA to expand
the National Institute of Technology for Inclusive
Education We Build Communication Access Through
Technology (WeBCATT) program........................ 200,000
Valle Lindo School District, South El Monte, CA, for
technology upgrades................................. 70,000
Van Go Mobile Arts, Inc., Lawrence, KS, for education
and vocational training for at-risk youth........... 100,000
Vaughn Next Century Learning Center, Pacoima, CA, for an
international studies academy for high school
students, which may include technology and equipment 350,000
Victory School, North Miami Beach, FL, for professional
development, student services and community outreach
activities.......................................... 50,000
Virginia Aquarium, Virginia Beach, VA for educational
programs............................................ 300,000
Wallace Accelerated High School, Colorado City, TX to
support a charter program for at-risk students in
grades 8-12......................................... 150,000
Washington County School District, St. George, UT, for
its Family Focus family literacy project............ 350,000
Washington National Opera, Washington, DC, for a music
education project serving Maryland schools.......... 150,000
Washington State University, Takoma, WA, for education
and enrichment services for youth at its Center for
Community Education, Enrichment and Urban Studies... 240,000
Wausau School District, WI, for educational activities
and technology...................................... 550,000
Way of a Champion, Chesapeake, VA to expand the after-
school program for at-risk children to three other
areas............................................... 300,000
WE CARE San Jacinto Valley, Inc., San Jacinto, CA for
the after-school tutoring program................... 100,000
Webster School District, WI, for an after school program 250,000
West County Unified School District, El Cerrito, CA, for
a building trades apprenticeship program at JFK High
School.............................................. 150,000
Western Nebraska Community College, Scottsbluff, NE for
the Entrepreneurship Center to serve Scottsbluff and
Gering schools...................................... 225,000
Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, OH for
education programs.................................. 50,000
Widener University, Chester, PA for the K-5 Chester-
Widener Community Demonstration School.............. 100,000
William Barrett Neighbors Community Center,
Philadelphia, PA, for after school and summer
academic and enrichment activities.................. 50,000
Wisconsin Rapids School District, WI, for an after
school program...................................... 200,000
Wolf Trap Foundation, Vienna, VA for the Performing Arts
in Vienna, VA to develop early childhood education
programs............................................ 200,000
Woodstock Challenger Learning Center for Science &
Technology, Woodstock, IL for equipment for the
Edventure Area...................................... 100,000
Yakima Public Schools, Yakima, WA for equipment for the
English Language Instruction Program................ 225,000
Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch, Billings, MT for
equipment to integrate counseling services and
distance learning................................... 700,000
YMCA of the East Bay, Richmond, CA, for after school
programs, which may include youth scholarships...... 180,000
Yonkers Public Schools, Yonkers, NY, for after-school
and Saturday academic enrichment, literacy and
professional development services, and for parental
involvement activities.............................. 1,000,000
York Technical College, Rock Hill, SC, for its Camp
Success engineering and technology program for
middle and high school students..................... 150,000
Youngstown City School District, OH, for a Pathways to
Building Trades Program in the Youngstown and
Warren, OH school districts......................... 200,000
Youngstown Symphony Society, Inc., Youngstown, OH for
educational programs................................ 50,000
YouthFriends, Kansas City, MO, for a mentoring project.. 250,000
YWCA of Alliance, Alliance, OH for the Alliance
Neighborhood Center Apple Seed Project.............. 100,000
Teacher incentive fund
The Committee has included $99,000,000 for the teacher
incentive program, which is the same as the fiscal year 2006
level and the budget request. Of this amount, $4,950,000 is
made available October 1, 2006 for technical assistance
training, and evaluation activities. The program provides
financial incentives for teachers and principals who raise
student achievement and close the achievement gap in some of
the Nation's highest-need schools.
Ready to learn television
The bill does not include funding for the Ready to Learn
Television program, $24,255,000 below both the budget request
and the fiscal year 2006 level. Ready to Learn supports the
development and distribution of educational video programming
for preschool children, elementary school children and their
parents. Only public telecommunications entities are eligible
to receive awards.
Dropout prevention programs
The bill does not include funding for the dropout
prevention program, the same as the budget request. This
program was funded at $4,851,000 in fiscal year 2006. The
dropout prevention program provides assistance to help schools
implement effective school dropout prevention and reentry
programs. Districts desiring to implement dropout prevention
programs can use funds reserved by States under title I Part A
to support such efforts.
Close Up fellowships
The bill does not include funding for Close Up fellowships,
the same as the budget request and $1,454,000 below the fiscal
year 2006 level. The Close Up Foundation provides fellowships
to students from low income families and their teachers to
enable them to participate with other students and teachers for
a week of seminars on government and meetings with
representatives of the three branches of the Federal
government.
In 2004, the funds appropriated for Close Up fellowships
contributed less than 6 percent of the overall Close Up
Foundation budget, which totaled $24,400,000. In 2002, Close
Up's national programs received support from some 55
corporations and foundations, and other funders have been added
since that time. The Foundation's participation in Federal
grants and contracts has expanded. The organization is a key
Department of State contractor for different exchanges between
countries involving youth and adults. Close Up also
participates in several grants funded under the Department of
Education's Teaching American History program.
Advanced placement program grants
The Committee recommends $80,000,000 for the advanced
placement program. This recommendation is $42,175,000 below the
budget request and $47,825,000 above the fiscal year 2006
amount. The advanced placement test fee program awards grants
to States to enable them to cover part or all of the cost of
advanced placement test fees of low-income students who are
enrolled in advanced placement classes and plan to take the
advanced placement test. This program also supports competitive
grants to states, school districts and national nonprofit
educational agencies for programs that encourage greater
participation by low-income students in advanced placement
courses.
Because the Committee does not wish to override current
statutory authorities, it does not include bill language
requested by the Administration to require school districts
participating in the program to provide incentives for teachers
to become qualified to teach advanced placement classes in
math, science and foreign languages and for those whose
students pass the advanced placement tests in these areas. The
Committee also does not include requested bill language
requiring grantees to provide a two-to-one funding match by
States and the private sector. However, the Committee
understands that the Department of Education may have
sufficient authority to achieve many of these objectives
through administrative action. The Committee encourages the
Secretary to use existing authority under section 1705 of part
G of title I, ESEA, to encourage eligible entities to use a
portion of their funding to expand advanced placement offerings
and participation in subjects related to math, science, and
foreign language; to support professional development for
advanced placement teachers; and to provide incentives to
qualified teachers to teach advanced placement classes in core
academic subjects, including math, science and foreign
languages.
Safe Schools and Citizenship Education
The bill includes $623,627,000 for safe schools and
citizenship education programs. This amount is $105,891,000
less than the fiscal year 2006 appropriation and $357,000,000
more than the budget request. This appropriation account
includes programs authorized under parts of titles II, IV, and
V of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
Safe and drug-free schools and communities: State grants
The Committee bill includes $310,000,000 for the State
grants program, $36,500,000 below the fiscal year 2006 level.
The Administration did not request funding for this program.
Eighty percent of the funds provided flows to state and local
agencies and twenty percent goes to governors offices for such
activities as youth drug prevention, violence prevention, and
school safety and security.
Safe and drug-free schools and communities: National programs
For the national programs under the Safe and Drug-Free
Schools and Communities Act, the bill provides $196,992,000,
$55,880,000 above the fiscal year 2006 amount and the same as
the budget request. Under this program, the Secretary of
Education administers a variety of activities to prevent the
illegal use of drugs and violence among students at all
educational levels, preschool through postsecondary. Within the
amount provided, the Committee intends that the student drug
testing pilot program be funded at a level of $15,000,000.
In recognition of the facts that alcohol is the number one
drug of choice among school aged youth and that research has
shown that adolescents who use alcohol may remember 10 percent
less of what they have learned than those who do not drink,
this Committee expects the Department of Education to ensure
that underage drinking prevention is included as a discrete and
major priority in all substance abuse prevention programs
funded under the National Programs portion of the Safe and Drug
Free Schools and Communities program.
Alcohol abuse reduction
The bill does not include funding for grants to reduce
alcohol abuse, the same as the budget request and $32,409,000
below the fiscal year 2006 level. This program awards
competitive grants to school districts to develop and implement
programs to reduce alcohol abuse in secondary schools.
Districts may use their safe and drug-free schools State grants
or their State Grants for Innovative Programs funding to
support the activities funded under this program.
Mentoring programs
The bill includes $19,000,000 for mentoring programs which
provide competitive grants to school districts and community-
based organizations to promote mentoring programs for children
with the greatest need. This is the same as the budget request
and $29,814,000 below the fiscal year 2006 level. This funding
would support the final year of a two-year phase-out of the
program. Of the more than 4,200 mentoring programs nationwide,
only about 6 percent receive mentoring grants from the
Department. Only about one percent of the 3 million youths
across the country who are in a formal, mentoring relationship
do so by participating in a mentoring project that receives
funds under this program.
Character education
The bill includes $24,248,000 for character education, the
same as both the fiscal year 2006 level and the budget request.
This program provides support for the design and implementation
of character education programs in elementary and secondary
schools. Grantees may select the elements of character that
will be taught, and must consider the views of parents and
students to be served by the program.
Elementary and secondary school counseling
The bill includes $22,000,000 for elementary and secondary
school counseling, $12,650,000 below the fiscal year 2006
level. The budget did not propose funding for this program.
This program provides grants to school districts to enable them
to establish or expand elementary school and secondary school
counseling programs. Funding will support the continuation
costs of ongoing programs. School counselors are primarily
supported with non-Federal funds. In the 2005-2006 school year,
grants under this program have paid the cost of only about 500
counselors and other school mental health professionals
nationally, which is one-half of one percent of the
approximately 100,000 elementary and secondary school guidance
counselors in the country.
Carol M. White physical education program
The bill includes $26,387,000 for the physical education
program, the same as the budget request and $46,287,000 below
the fiscal year 2006 level. Funding will support continuation
costs for programs first funded in 2005 and 2006. This program
provides grants to school districts and community-based
organizations to help students make progress toward meeting
State standards for physical education.
Civic education
The bill includes $25,000,000 for civic education,
$4,111,000 less than the fiscal year 2006 level. The budget
request did not propose funding for this program. Program funds
support the ``We the People'' and the Cooperative Education
Exchange programs. ``We the People'' seeks to promote civic
competence and responsibility among students. Cooperative
Education Exchange provides support for education exchange
activities in civics and economics between the United States
and eligible countries in Central and Eastern Europe, the
Commonwealth of Independent States, any country that was
formerly a republic of the Soviet Union, the Republic of
Ireland, the province of Northern Ireland and developing
countries with a democratic form of government.
The Center for Civic Education is the statutorily
designated recipient of approximately 75 percent of all funds
appropriated through the Civic Education program in any single
year. The Center has also received funds from numerous
foundations and an increasing number of state and local
entities. The National Council on Economic Education is
supported by numerous corporations and foundations.
English Language Acquisition
The bill includes $669,007,000 for English language
acquisition programs. This amount is the same as the budget
request and $1,000 less than the fiscal year 2006 level. This
program provides formula grants to States to serve limited
English proficient students. Grants are based on each State's
share of the national limited English proficient and recent
immigrant student population. Funds under this account also
support professional development to increase the pool of
teachers prepared to serve limited English proficient students
as well as evaluation activities.
Special Education
The bill includes $11,753,013,000 for programs for children
with disabilities authorized under the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This funding level is
$55,511,000 above the budget request and $100,000,000 above the
fiscal year 2006 level.
State grants: grants to states
The bill provides $10,733,107,000 for grants to states,
$50,146,000 above the budget request and $150,146,000 above the
fiscal year 2006 level. Out of the total made available for
school year 2007-2008, $4,708,907,000 is appropriated for
fiscal year 2007 for obligation after July 1, 2007 and
$6,024,200,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2008 for
obligation on, or after, October 1, 2007.
This program provides formula grants to assist the states
in meeting the excess costs of providing special education and
related services to children with disabilities. In order to be
eligible for funds, states must make free appropriate public
education available to all children with disabilities. Funds
are distributed based on the amount that each state received
from the fiscal year 1999 appropriation, and the numbers of
children in the general population and who live in poverty in
the age range for which each state mandates free appropriate
public education for children with disabilities.
The Committee includes language proposed in the budget
request to limit the increase in the amount of funds required
to be transferred to the Department of the Interior to the
lesser of an amount equal to the amount transferred in 2006
plus inflation or the percentage increase in the appropriation
for the Grants to States program.
State grants: preschool grants
The bill provides $380,751,000 for preschool grants, the
same as both the fiscal year 2006 level and the budget request.
This program provides grants to states on the basis of their
proportionate share of the total number of children in the
three through five age range and the number of these children
living in poverty. These funds are provided in order to assist
states to make a free appropriate public education available to
all children with disabilities in the three through five age
range.
State grants: grants for infants and families
The bill provides $436,400,000 for grants for infants and
families, the same as both the fiscal year 2006 level and the
budget request. This formula grant program assists states in
developing and implementing statewide systems of coordinated,
comprehensive, multidisciplinary, interagency programs to make
available early intervention services to all children with
disabilities, aged birth through two, and their families.
IDEA national activities: state personnel development
The bill does not include funding for state personnel
development, the same as the Administration request and
$50,146,000 below the fiscal year 2006 level. This program
supports competitive grants to state educational agencies for
reforming and improving their systems for personnel preparation
and professional development in early intervention, education,
and transition services. Awards are based on State personnel
development plans provided by the states. No funds are provided
in the bill because available unobligated balances from the
2006 appropriation are sufficient to support 2007 awards. The
Committee intends to resume funding personnel development
grants in fiscal year 2008 when existing funds are depleted.
Special education--vocational rehabilitation transition initiative
The bill does not include funding for a new program
proposed by the Administration to develop systems for using
secondary and postsecondary school and employment data for
students with disabilities. The Administration requested
$2,000,000 for this initiative.
IDEA national activities: technical assistance and dissemination
The bill includes $48,903,000 for technical assistance and
dissemination, the same as both the budget request and the
fiscal year 2006 level. This program provides funding for
technical assistance, model demonstration projects, information
dissemination, and studies and evaluations through competitive
awards that support efforts by state and local education
agencies, institutions of higher education, and other entities
to build state and local capacity to make systemic changes and
improve results for children with disabilities.
IDEA national activities: personnel preparation
The bill includes $89,720,000 for personnel preparation,
which is the same as both the budget request and the fiscal
year 2006 level. This program supports competitive awards to
help address State-identified needs for qualified personnel to
work with children with disabilities, and to ensure that those
personnel have the skills and knowledge they need to serve
those children. Awards focus on addressing the need for
personnel to serve low-incidence populations and leadership
personnel.
IDEA national activities: parent information centers
The bill includes $25,704,000 for parent information
centers, the same as both the fiscal year 2006 level and the
budget request. This program makes awards to parent
organizations to support parent training and information
centers, including community parent resource centers. These
centers provide training and information to meet the needs of
parents of children with disabilities living in the areas
served by the centers, particularly underserved parents and
parents of children who may be inappropriately identified.
Technical assistance is also provided under this program for
developing, assisting and coordinating centers receiving
assistance under this program.
IDEA national activities: technology and media services
The bill includes $38,428,000 for technology and media
services, which is the same as the fiscal year 2006 level and
$7,365,000 above the budget request. This program makes
competitive awards to support the development, demonstration,
and use of technology and educational media activities of
educational value to children with disabilities.
The bill includes $11,880,000 for Recording for the Blind
and Dyslexic Inc. (RFB&D), the same as the fiscal year 2006
level. The Administration did not request funding for the
program. These funds support continued production and
circulation of recorded textbooks, increased outreach
activities to print-disabled students and their teachers and
accelerated use of digital technology. The Committee believes
that the funds recommended will enable RFB&D to expand its
service to students with print disabilities and to continue the
digital production and use of its extensive library of
educational materials.
Rehabilitation Services and Disability Research
The bill includes $3,244,247,000 for rehabilitation
services and disability research. This amount is $63,833,000
above the budget request and $118,703,000 above the fiscal year
2006 level. The programs in this account are authorized by the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Helen Keller National Center
Act, and the Assistive Technology Act of 1998.
Vocational rehabilitation grants to States
For vocational rehabilitation state grants, the bill
includes $2,837,160,000, the same as the budget request and
$116,968,000 above fiscal year 2006. This program supports
basic vocational rehabilitation services through formula grants
to the states. These grants support a wide range of services
designed to help persons with physical and mental disabilities
prepare for and engage in gainful employment to the extent of
their capabilities. Emphasis is placed on providing vocational
rehabilitation services to persons with the most significant
disabilities.
Client assistance
The bill includes $11,782,000 for the client assistance
program, the same as both the budget request and the fiscal
year 2006 amount. A client assistance program is required in
each state as a condition of receipt of a basic state grant.
State formula grants are used to help persons with disabilities
overcome problems with the service delivery system and improve
their understanding of services available to them under the
Rehabilitation Act.
Training
For training personnel to provide rehabilitation services
to persons with disabilities, the bill includes $38,438,000,
the same as both the budget request and the fiscal year 2006
level. The program supports long-term and short-term training,
in-service personnel training, and training of interpreters for
deaf persons. Projects in a broad array of disciplines are
funded to ensure that skilled personnel are available to serve
the vocational needs of persons with disabilities.
Demonstration and training programs
The bill includes $8,246,000 for demonstration and training
programs, $1,735,000 above both the budget request and the
fiscal year 2006 level. These programs authorize discretionary
awards on a competitive basis to public and private
organizations to support demonstrations, direct services, and
related activities for persons with disabilities.
Within the amounts provided for vocational rehabilitation
demonstration programs, the Committee includes funding for the
following activities:
Advocating Change Together, St. Paul, MN, for a
disability rights training initiative............... $150,000
Braille Institute of America, Los Angeles, CA, for
replacement of a vehicle to provide mobile services
to the visually impaired and/or for related services 100,000
Enable America, Inc., Tampa, FL for civic/citizenship
demonstration project for disabled adults........... 500,000
IndependenceFirst, Milwaukee, WI, for its assistive
technology program.................................. 60,000
Jewish Vocational and Career Counseling Service, San
Francisco, CA, for a Transition Services Project to
provide vocational training and job placement for
youth and adults with disabilities.................. 400,000
South Bay Workforce Investment Board, Hawthorne, CA, for
its Home Safety and Independence Program for
disabled individuals................................ 75,000
University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, for a
demonstration program in orthotics/prosthetics...... 200,000
Vocational Guidance Services, Cleveland, OH, for
equipment and technology in order to increase
employment for persons with disabilities............ 250,000
Migrant and seasonal farmworkers
For programs serving migrant and seasonal farmworkers, the
bill provides $2,279,000, which is the same as the fiscal year
2006 level. The Administration did not request funding for the
program. This program provides discretionary grants to make
comprehensive vocational rehabilitation services available to
migrant and seasonal farmworkers with vocational disabilities.
Projects emphasize outreach activities, specialized bilingual
rehabilitation counseling, and coordination of vocational
rehabilitation services with services from other sources.
Recreational programs
For recreational programs, the bill provides $2,518,000,
the same as the fiscal year 2006 level. The Administration did
not request funding for the program. This program provides
individuals with recreation and related activities to aid in
their employment, mobility, independence, socialization, and
community integration. Discretionary grants are made on a
competitive basis to states, public agencies, and nonprofit
private organizations, including institutions of higher
education.
Protection and advocacy of individual rights
For protection and advocacy for persons with disabilities,
the bill provides $16,489,000, the same as both the budget
request and the fiscal year 2006 level. Grants are awarded to
entities that have the authority to pursue legal,
administrative, and other appropriate remedies needed to
protect and advocate the rights of persons with disabilities.
Projects with industry
For projects with industry, the bill provides $19,538,000,
the same as the fiscal year 2006 amount. The Administration did
not request funding for the program. This program promotes
greater participation of business and industry in the
rehabilitation process. The program provides placement and job
development services to assist persons with disabilities to
prepare them for employment in the competitive labor market.
Awards are made to a variety of agencies and organizations,
including business and industrial corporations, rehabilitation
facilities, labor organizations, trade associations, and
foundations.
Supported employment state grants
For supported employment state grants, the bill includes
$29,700,000, which is the same as the fiscal year 2006 level.
The Administration did not request funding for the program.
These formula grants assist states in developing collaborative
programs with public agencies and nonprofit agencies for
training and post-employment services leading to supported
employment. In supported employment programs, persons with the
most significant disabilities are given special supervision and
assistance to enable them to work in an integrated setting.
Independent living: state grants
For state grants for independent living, the bill includes
$22,588,000. This amount is the same as both the budget request
and the fiscal year 2006 level. This program supports formula
grants to the states to provide services for independent living
for persons with significant disabilities.
Independent living: centers
For centers for independent living, the bill provides
$74,638,000, which is the same as both the budget request and
the fiscal year 2006 level. A population-based formula
determines the total amount that is available for discretionary
grants to centers in each state. These discretionary grants
support a network of consumer-controlled, nonresidential,
community-based private nonprofit centers that provide a wide
range of services to help persons with significant disabilities
live more independently in family and community settings.
Centers provide information and referral services, independent
living skills training, peer counseling, and individual and
systems advocacy. Discretionary grants are made to private
nonprofit organizations.
Independent living: services for older blind persons
For independent living services for older blind
individuals, the bill provides $32,895,000. This amount is the
same as both the fiscal year 2006 level and the budget request.
Funds are distributed to states according to a formula based on
the population of individuals who are 55 or older, and grants
support services for persons 55 years old or over whose severe
visual impairment makes gainful employment extremely difficult
to obtain, but for whom independent living goals are feasible.
Program improvement
For program improvement activities, the bill provides
$835,000, which is the same as both the fiscal year 2006 level
and the budget request. The program: (1) provides technical
assistance and consultative services to public and non-profit
private agencies and organizations; (2) provides short-term
training and technical instruction; (3) conducts special
demonstrations; (4) collects, prepares, publishes and
disseminates educational or informational materials; and (5)
carries out monitoring and conducts evaluations.
Evaluation
The bill includes $1,473,000 for program evaluation, the
same as both the budget request and the fiscal year 2006 level.
These funds are used to evaluate the impact and effectiveness
of individual programs authorized under the Rehabilitation Act.
Contracts are awarded on an annual basis for studies to be
conducted by persons not immediately involved in the
administration of the programs authorized by the Act.
Helen Keller National Center
For the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth
and Adults, the bill includes $8,511,000, the same as both the
fiscal year 2006 level and the budget request. These funds are
used for the operation of a national center that provides
intensive services for deaf-blind individuals and their
families at Sands Point, New York and a network of 10 regional
offices that provide referral, counseling and transition
services, and technical assistance to service providers.
National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research
The bill includes $106,705,000 for the National Institute
on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, the same as both the
budget request and the fiscal year 2006 level. The Institute
supports research, demonstration and training activities that
are designed to maximize the employment and integration into
society of individuals with disabilities of all ages.
Assistive technology
For assistive technology activities, the bill provides
$30,452,000, the same as the fiscal year 2006 amount and
$8,063,000 above the budget request. Technology assistance
activities are authorized under the Assistive Technology Act of
1998. This Act authorizes population-based formula grants to
the states to assist them in supporting alternative financing
programs and assistive technology device demonstrations, loan,
and reutilization programs. In addition, protection and
advocacy services related to assistive technology and national
technical assistance activities are supported. Of the funds
provided, $25,058,000 is for the state grant program,
$4,341,000 is for the protection and advocacy program, and
$1,053,000 is for national activities. Consistent with the
authorizing statute, the Committee does not provide separate
funding for the alternative financing program. Instead, funds
provided for alternative financing in 2006 are included in the
2007 state grant program, which is increased by an amount that
is equal to the 2006 funding for alternative financing. The
Committee encourages the states to use these additional funds
to create or expand state alternative financing programs under
their state grant program.
Special Institutions for Persons With Disabilities
AMERICAN PRINTING HOUSE FOR THE BLIND
The bill provides $18,000,000 for the American Printing
House for the Blind, an increase of $428,000 above the fiscal
year 2006 appropriation and $427,000 above the budget request.
This appropriation subsidizes the production of educational
materials for legally blind persons enrolled in pre-college
programs. The Printing House, which is chartered by the State
of Kentucky, manufactures and maintains an inventory of
educational materials in accessible formats that is distributed
free of charge to schools and states based on the number of
blind students in each state. The Printing House also conducts
research and field activities to inform educators about the
availability of materials and how to use them.
NATIONAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF
The bill provides $57,000,000 for the National Technical
Institute for the Deaf (NTID), an increase of $859,000 above
the fiscal year 2006 amount and $1,651,000 over the request.
The NTID was established by Congress in 1965 to provide a
residential facility for postsecondary technical training and
education for deaf persons with the purpose of promoting the
employment of these individuals. The Institute also conducts
applied research and provides training in various aspects of
deafness. The Secretary of Education administers these
activities through a contract with the Rochester Institute of
Technology in Rochester, New York.
GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY
The bill provides $110,500,000 for Gallaudet University, an
increase of $3,502,000 above the fiscal year 2006 appropriation
and $2,902,000 over the budget request. The Committee does not
provide the $600,000 requested by the Administration for
evaluation and has concerns about the validity of the PART
review conducted by the Office of Management and Budget in 2005
that rated Gallaudet ``ineffective.'' Gallaudet is a private,
non-profit educational institution Federally-chartered in 1864
providing elementary, secondary, undergraduate, and continuing
education for deaf persons. In addition, the University offers
graduate programs in fields related to deafness for deaf and
hearing students, conducts research on deafness, and provides
public service programs for deaf persons.
Vocational and Adult Education
The bill includes $1,925,858,000 for vocational and adult
education programs. This amount is $66,301,000 below the fiscal
year 2006 level and $1,346,306,000 above the budget request.
This appropriation account includes vocational education
programs authorized by the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and
Applied Technology Education Act. The account also includes
adult education programs originally authorized by the Adult
Education Act and reauthorized under the Workforce Investment
Act of 1998.
Vocational education basic grants
The bill includes $1,182,388,000 for basic grants to states
under the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education
Act of 1998, which is the same as the fiscal year 2006 amount.
The budget request proposed to eliminate this program and move
the funds into a high school reform proposal. Out of the total
for basic grants to states made available for school year 2007-
2008, $391,388,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2007 for
obligation after July 1, 2007 and $791,000,000 is appropriated
for fiscal year 2008 for obligation on, or after, October 1,
2007.
State grants support a variety of vocational education
programs developed in accordance with the state plan. The Act
concentrates Federal resources on institutions with high
concentrations of low-income students. The populations assisted
by Basic Grants range from secondary students in pre-vocational
courses to adults who need retraining to adapt to changing
technological and labor markets.
The Committee believes that funding provided for this
program should be dedicated to activities that ensure secondary
and postsecondary students are prepared with the requisite
skills and knowledge to succeed in today's globally competitive
economy. The Committee urges states to utilize the
accountability data collected under the program as a means to
monitor success in achieving this goal. Further, the Committee
expects states to direct the use of these funds to programs
where there is a clear labor market demand.
Tech-prep
The bill includes $104,754,000 for tech-prep, the same as
the fiscal year 2006 level. The budget request did not propose
separate line item funding for this program. This appropriation
includes activities under title II of the Carl D. Perkins
Vocational and Technical Education Act of 1998. The tech-prep
education program provides planning and demonstration grants to
consortia of local educational agencies and postsecondary
institutions to develop and operate model technical education
programs. These programs begin in high school and provide
students with the mathematical, science, communications and
technological skills needed to enter a 2-year associate degree
or 2-year certificate program in a given occupational field,
and to make a successful transition into further postsecondary
education or begin their careers. The purpose of tech-prep is
to develop structural links between secondary and postsecondary
institutions that integrate academic and vocational education
and better prepare students to make the transition from school
to careers.
National programs
For national programs, the Committee provides $9,164,000,
which is the same as the fiscal year 2006 level. The
Administration did not request separate funding for this
program. This authority supports the conduct and dissemination
of research in vocational education, and includes support for
the National Centers for Research and Dissemination in Career
and Technical Education and other discretionary research.
State programs for adult education
For state grants, the Committee provides $563,975,000,
which is the same as both the fiscal year 2006 level and the
budget request. State formula grants support programs to enable
all adults to acquire basic literacy skills, to enable those
who so desire to complete a secondary education, and to make
available to adults the means to become more employable,
productive, and responsible citizens.
Grants are provided on a formula basis to states under the
Adult Education and Family Literacy Act. The formula provides
an initial allotment of $250,000 for each state and $100,000 to
each outlying area, with additional allotments distributed on
the basis of population aged 16 through 60 who are without a
high school diploma or equivalent who are not enrolled in
secondary school.
States may use 12.5 percent of their allotments for state
leadership activities and may use an additional 5 percent or
$65,000 for state administration. States and localities must
give priority to adult education and literacy activities that
are built on a strong foundation of research on effective
practices and that effectively employ technology. Funds are
provided on a forward-funded basis. The Committee bill retains
language in the 2006 bill that guarantees a portion of the
funding will be used to provide civics education services to
new immigrants.
National Programs--national leadership activities
The Committee provides $9,005,000 for national leadership
activities. This amount is the same as both the fiscal year
2006 level and the budget request. Through applied research,
development, dissemination, evaluation, and program improvement
activities, this program assists state efforts to improve the
quality of adult education. The funds support such projects as
evaluations on the status and effectiveness of adult education
programs, national and international adult literacy surveys,
and technical assistance on using technology to improve
instruction and administration that show promise of
contributing to the improvement and expansion of adult
education.
National Institute for Literacy
For the National Institute for Literacy, the bill provides
$6,572,000, which is the same as both the fiscal year 2006
level and the budget request. The Institute supports research
and development projects, tracks progress made toward national
literacy goals, supports research fellowships, disseminates
information through a national clearinghouse, and coordinates
literacy information data from national and state sources.
The Committee commends the National Institute for Literacy
(NIFL) and the National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL) in
its role as convener of the National Early Literacy Panel
(NELP). The NELP report will be the centerpiece for
scientifically-based research in early literacy. As the
National Reading Panel examined reading for children in
kindergarten through grade 3, this effort will guide the
evolution of early literacy programs which reach younger
children--from birth to age 5. Once the final report of the
NELP is published, the Secretary is encouraged to review its
findings in consultation with NIFL and NCFL toward the goal of
informing the Federal government's work in early literacy
through programs providing services to this age cohort,
including Head Start and child care.
Smaller learning communities
The bill includes $50,000,000 for the smaller learning
communities program, $43,531,000 below the fiscal year 2006
level. The Administration did not request funding for this
program. As in past years, the bill specifies that these funds
shall be used only for activities related to the redesign of
large high schools enrolling 1,000 or more students. Since
2000, nearly $1,000,000,000 in non-Federal funds has been
invested in this reform effort. Many of the eligible schools
have not chosen to create smaller learning communities, which
may indicate that the program has already reached its maximum
growth.
The Committee directs that the Department consult with the
House and Senate Committees on Appropriations prior to the
release of program guidance for the fiscal years 2006 and 2007
smaller learning communities grant competition. The Committee
direct that a greater share of the five percent set-aside for
national activities be used to support direct technical
assistance to grantees through regional laboratories,
university-based organizations, and other entities with
expertise in high school reform, and direct that the Department
submit to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations an
operating plan outlining the planned use of the set-aside prior
to the obligation of these funds. Further, the Committee
strongly encourages the Department to enter into a jointly
funded program with a private or public foundation with
expertise in designing and implementing small schools in order
to further leverage the Federal investment in smaller learning
communities.
State grants for incarcerated youth offenders
The bill does not include funding for state grants for
incarcerated youth offenders, the same as the budget request
and $22,770,000 below the fiscal year 2006 level. This program
makes grants to state correctional agencies to assist and
encourage incarcerated youths to acquire functional literacy
skills and life and job skills. The Committee provides
$49,797,000 to the Delinquent and Neglect program, which is a
similar program for State educational agencies to provide
educational services in juvenile and adult detention
facilities.
Student Financial Assistance
The Committee recommends $14,890,745,000 for student
financial assistance programs, a reduction of $36,230,000 below
the fiscal year 2006 appropriation and $479,745,000 above the
budget request.
Pell grants.--The Committee recommendation increases the
maximum Pell Grant to $4,150, which is $100 above both the
budget request and the fiscal year 2006 amount. The Committee
recommends $13,009,000,000 in new budget authority for the Pell
Grant program, $349,287,000 above the request and $36,230,000
below the fiscal year 2006 appropriation. Pell Grants provide
portable education vouchers to postsecondary students who may
use them at any of over 6,000 eligible schools.
Federal supplemental educational opportunity grants
(SEOG).--The Committee recommends $770,933,000 for SEOG, the
same as the request and the fiscal year 2006 appropriation. The
SEOG program provides grants through postsecondary institutions
to qualified students who demonstrate exceptional financial
need. Institutions have broad flexibility within the
eligibility criteria for awarding these grants with the
exception that priority must be given to Pell Grant recipients.
Work-study.--The Committee recommends $980,354,000 for the
work-study program, the same as the fiscal year 2006
appropriation and the budget request. Funding for this program
is provided through institutions to students who work part-time
to meet the cost of education. Institutions receive funding
according to a statutory formula and may allocate it for job
location and job development centers.
Perkins loans cancellations.--The Committee recommends
$65,471,000 for federal Perkins loans cancellations,
$65,471,000 above the budget request and the same as the fiscal
year 2006 appropriation. The Federal Government reimburses
institutional Perkins revolving loan funds for loan
cancellations permitted under Federal law. Loans may be
cancelled when the borrower pursues a career in 1 of 12
statutorily-designated professions including corrections,
medical technical work, and Peace Corps or VISTA service.
Leveraging educational assistance partnership (LEAP).--The
Committee recommends $64,987,000 for the LEAP program, the same
as the fiscal year 2006 appropriation and $64,987,000 above the
budget request. LEAP provides dollar-for-dollar matching funds
to states as an incentive for providing need-based grant and
work study assistance to eligible postsecondary students.
Federally supported grants and job earnings are limited to
$5,000 per award year for full-time students. By law, each
state's allocation is based on its relative share of the total
national population of students eligible to participate in the
programs, except that no state is to receive less than it
received in 1979. If LEAP amounts are below this level, each
state is allocated an amount proportional to the amount of
funds it received in 1979. If a state does not use all of its
allocation, the excess funds are distributed to other states in
the same proportion as the original distribution. States must,
at a minimum, match LEAP grants dollar for dollar with state
funds provided through direct state appropriations for this
purpose.
Student Aid Administration
The bill includes $713,720,000 for the Student Aid
Administration account. The Committee recommendation is
$594,920,000 above the fiscal year 2006 discretionary
appropriation and $20,000,000 below the request. Section 8015
of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (P.L. 109-171) shifted
mandatory funding formerly available through Section 458 of the
Higher Education Act to discretionary funding. The Federal
Student Aid Office and the Office of Postsecondary Education
have primary responsibility for administering Federal student
financial assistance programs.
Higher Education
The Committee recommends $1,964,203,000 for higher
education programs, an increase of $13,150,000 above the fiscal
year 2006 appropriation and $855,492,000 above the budget
request.
Strengthening institutions.--The Committee recommends
$79,535,000 for the regular strengthening institutions program,
the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 2006 level.
This program provides general operating subsidies to
institutions with low average educational and general
expenditures per student and significant percentages of low-
income students. Awards may be used for faculty and academic
program development, management, joint use of libraries and
laboratories, acquisition of equipment, and student services.
Strengthening Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs).--The
Committee recommends $94,914,000 for the Hispanic-serving
institutions program, the same as the budget request and the
fiscal year 2006 level. The HSI program provides operating
subsidies to schools that serve at least 25 percent Hispanic
students of whom at least half are low-income students.
The Committee is concerned about the acute shortage of
Hispanics earning advanced degrees, and supports legislative
efforts in the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act to
expand graduate opportunities for Hispanic students. Therefore,
the Committee encourages the Department to submit a budget
request for HSI graduate programs in the event that such a
program is authorized under Title V of the Higher Education
Act.
Strengthening historically black colleges and
universities.--The Committee recommends $238,095,000 for
strengthening historically black colleges and universities
(HBCUs), the same as the budget request and the fiscal year
2006 appropriation. This program provides operating subsidies
to accredited, legally authorized HBCUs established prior to
1964 whose principal mission is the education of black
Americans. Funds may be used to support both programs and
management and are distributed through a formula grant based on
the enrollment of Pell Grant recipients, number of graduates,
and the number of graduates entering graduate or professional
schools in which blacks are underrepresented. The minimum grant
is $500,000.
Strengthening historically black graduate institutions.--
The Committee recommends $57,915,000 for the strengthening
historically black graduate institutions program, the same as
the budget request and the fiscal year 2006 appropriation. The
program provides 5-year grants to 18 post-secondary
institutions that are specified in section 326(e)(1) of the
Higher Education Act. Awards may be used for building
endowments as well as the same purposes for which the
strengthening HBCU grants may be used.
Strengthening Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving
institutions.--The Committee recommends $9,200,000 for
strengthening Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-serving
institutions, $2,585,000 below the fiscal year 2006
appropriation and the same as the budget request.
Strengthening tribally controlled colleges and
universities.--The Committee recommends $23,570,000 for the
strengthening tribally controlled colleges and universities
program, the same as the budget request and the fiscal year
2006 appropriation.
International education and foreign languages studies
Domestic programs.--The Committee recommends $91,541,000
for the domestic activities of the international education and
foreign languages studies programs, the same as the fiscal year
2006 appropriation and $1,000,000 below the budget request. The
program assists graduate and undergraduate foreign language and
area studies programs and students at institutions of
postsecondary education. Programs include national resource
centers, foreign language and area studies fellowships,
undergraduate international studies and foreign language
programs, international research and studies projects, business
and international education projects, international business
education centers, language resource centers, American overseas
research centers, and technological innovation and cooperation
for foreign information access. In general, the Secretary has
discretion to allocate funding among these various activities.
The Committee recommendation does not include funding to
develop a centralized distance education clearinghouse of
online language training materials, as proposed in the budget
request.
Overseas programs.--The Committee recommends $12,610,000
for the overseas programs in international education and
foreign language studies authorized under the Mutual
Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, popularly known
as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The Committee recommendation is the
same as the budget request and the fiscal year 2006
appropriation. Funding for these programs support group
projects abroad, faculty research abroad, special bilateral
projects, and doctoral dissertation research abroad.
Institute for International Public Policy.--The Committee
recommends $1,600,000 for the Institute for International
Public Policy, the same as the budget request and the fiscal
year 2006 appropriation. This program provides a grant to an
eligible recipient to operate the Institute through sub-
grantees chosen among minority serving institutions.
Fund for the improvement of postsecondary education.--The
Committee recommends $90,115,000 for the Fund for the
Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE), $68,126,000
above the budget request and the fiscal year 2006
appropriation. FIPSE awards grants and contracts to a variety
of postsecondary institutions and other organizations to
improve the quality and delivery of postsecondary education.
Within the amounts provided for FIPSE, the Committee includes
funding for the following:
Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, Talladega, AL for
the Alabama Interpreter Training program............ $100,000
Alabama State University, Montgomery, AL for the Health
Careers Awareness program........................... 100,000
Albany State University, Albany, GA, in partnership with
Darton College, for an initiative to increase the
success of minority males and nontraditional
students in postsecondary education................. 300,000
Albuquerque Technical Vocational Institute, Albuquerque,
NM for a training program in captioning............. 200,000
Alfred State College, Alfred, NY for the Court Reporting
School.............................................. 200,000
Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Coon Rapids, MN for the
implementation of a biomedical device manufacturing
curriculum.......................................... 100,000
Antioch University McGregor, Yellow Springs, OH for
technology equipment................................ 250,000
Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, CA to establish a
nursing program..................................... 500,000
Bakersfield College, Bakersfield, CA, for nurse training
equipment........................................... 150,000
Ball State University, Muncie, IN for the Center for
School Innovation................................... 200,000
Bates Technical College, Tacoma, WA, for equipment and
technology.......................................... 450,000
Bellevue Community College, Bellevue, WA for the
Building Safer Information Technology Environments
program to develop educational and training
resources in risk management for information
technology.......................................... 100,000
Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN, for an
engineering technology center....................... 350,000
Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN, for development
of a baccalaureate nursing program.................. 350,000
Bennett College for Women, Greensboro, NC, for
technology improvements and professional development 350,000
Bevill State Community College, Sumiton, AL for
technology upgrades................................. 490,000
Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Winchester,
KY, for equipment and technology.................... 300,000
Brevard Community College, Cocoa, FL for
telecommunications equipment........................ 750,000
Broward Community College, Broward County, FL, for an
education and training program in emergency
preparedness and response........................... 350,000
Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA for a campus
technology initiative............................... 250,000
Buena Vista University, Storm Lake, IA for curriculum
development......................................... 480,000
Butler County Community College, El Dorado, KS for
technical training.................................. 200,000
Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute,
Hudson, NC for the Teacher Training Center.......... 150,000
California Community College System, Sacramento, CA, for
a biophotonics program at Merced Community College.. 300,000
California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, CA for the
National Center for the Advancement of Animation,
including purchase of equipment..................... 220,000
California State University Channel Islands, Camarillo,
CA, for an accelerated nursing degree program....... 100,000
California State University, Bakersfield, Department of
Nursing, Bakersfield, CA for nurse training
equipment........................................... 100,000
California State University-Fullerton Institute of
Gerontology/Ruby Gerontology Center, Fullerton, CA
for technology upgrades............................. 250,000
Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC, for its School of
Pharmacy............................................ 400,000
Cazenovia College, Cazenovia, NY for equipment for the
Enhanced Art & Design Instruction Building.......... 350,000
Center for Rural Development, Somerset, KY for equipment
purchases for the CenterNET2 Project................ 500,000
Central Arizona College, Coolidge, AZ for a bilingual
nurse education program, including purchase of
equipment........................................... 300,000
Central Florida Community College, Ocala, FL for campus
technology upgrades................................. 300,000
Central Florida Community College, Ocala, FL for the
Equine Studies program.............................. 200,000
Central Piedmont Community College, Charlotte, NC for
curriculum development at the Center for Integrated
Emergency Response Training......................... 250,000
Central Washington University, Ellensburg, WA for
laboratory equipment................................ 350,000
Cerritos College Foundation, Norwalk, CA, for its
Project HOPE academic assistance and college
preparation program................................. 205,000
Chadron State College, Chadron, NE for student
recruitment and retention........................... 70,000
Charleston Southern University, North Charleston, SC for
equipment........................................... 250,000
Chemeketa Community College, Salem, OR, for personnel,
curricula and equipment for a horticulture program.. 265,000
City College of New York, NY, for the Charles B. Rangel
Center for Public Service to prepare individuals for
careers in public service, which may include
establishing an endowment, library and archives for
such center......................................... 3,000,000
Clark State Community College, Springfield, OH for the
Connecting Our Students to the Future Project....... 250,000
Clayton College and State University, Morrow, GA, for
development of a Master of Arts in Archive degree
program, which may include student scholarships and
community outreach.................................. 300,000
Cleveland Institute of Art, Cleveland, OH for expansion
of programs......................................... 50,000
Coastal Carolina University, Conway, SC for equipment at
its science center.................................. 300,000
College of Lake County, Grayslake, IL to develop and
implement English as a Second Language instructional
classes............................................. 350,000
College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls, ID for the Pro-
Tech program........................................ 600,000
College of Staten Island, Staten Island, NY for
technology upgrades................................. 300,000
Community College of Allegheny County, PA for technical
education programs.................................. 850,000
Community College of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA
for the Allied Healthcare Institute, including
purchase of equipment............................... 175,000
Connecticut State University, Hartford, CT, for a
project to enhance teacher workforce diversity,
recruitment and retention........................... 500,000
Consensus Organizing Center, San Diego, CA, for its Step
Up college preparation initiative................... 100,000
Cuyamaca College, El Cajon, CA for equipment............ 350,000
Defiance College, Defiance, OH for the McMaster Citizen-
Leader program...................................... 100,000
Delaware County Community College, Media, PA for
purchase of equipment............................... 250,000
Delaware Valley College, Doylestown, PA for equipment at
the Samuel P. Mandell Science Center................ 400,000
Denver Rescue Mission, Denver, CO for the Literacy and
Education Center.................................... 100,000
Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny, IA for the
Story County Career Academy Consortium Project,
including equipment................................. 400,000
Des Moines Area Community College, IA, for equipment and
technology.......................................... 200,000
DeSales University, Center Valley, PA for technology
upgrades............................................ 400,000
Dowling College, Oakdale, NY, for development of
curricula and a training program in the field of
unmanned aerial vehicles............................ 200,000
Dutchess Community College, Poughkeepsie, NY for
instrument flight training programs, including
purchase of equipment............................... 100,000
Dyersburg State Community College, Dyersburg, TN, for an
online enrollment and information system initiative. 300,000
Eckerd College, St. Petersburg, FL for technology
enhancements........................................ 200,000
Edison Community College at Charlotte, Punta Gorda, FL
for nursing programs................................ 100,000
Elms College, Chicopee, MA, for equipment and technology
for nursing and science programs.................... 150,000
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott, AZ for
technology upgrades................................. 100,000
Erie Community College, Buffalo, NY, for a program in
real time writing and captioning, which may include
student scholarships................................ 175,000
Estrella Mountain Community College, Avondale, AZ, for
its science and math pathways initiative, which may
include student scholarships........................ 150,000
Everett Community College, Everett, WA, to plan, develop
and implement one or more Early College High
Schools, in conjunction with Whatcom Community
College, Skagit Valley College and Northwest Indian
College............................................. 150,000
Florida Campus Compact, Tallahassee, FL, for a project
to enhance service learning on college campuses
throughout Florida.................................. 350,000
Gadsden State Community College, Gadsden, AL for
technology upgrades................................. 500,000
Gateway Community and Technical College, Ft. Mitchell,
KY for purchase of equipment at the Center for
Advanced Manufacturing Competitiveness.............. 250,000
Gateway Community College, New Haven, CT, for
radiography and radiation therapy programs.......... 130,000
Grossmont College, El Cajon, CA for forensic sciences
for the purchase of equipment....................... 206,000
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology,
Harrisburg, PA, for instructional programs, which
may include equipment and technology................ 400,000
Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Fund, University of
Michigan Depression Center, Ann Arbor, MI for the
Postsecondary Education Campus Support Project...... 400,000
Hickory Metropolitan Higher Education Center, Hickory,
NC for technology upgrades.......................... 100,000
Hillsborough Community College, Plant City, FL for
equipment........................................... 200,000
Hiram College, Hiram, OH for curriculum development and
equipment for the Carbon Conversion Initiative...... 300,000
Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY, for equipment,
technology and technology training.................. 300,000
Holy Family University, Philadelphia, PA, for nurse
education programs.................................. 150,000
Hood College, Frederick, MD for bioinformatics programs. 250,000
Houston Community College, Houston, TX, for a project to
enhance the quality of instruction in business
management and entrepreneurship, which may include
equipment and technology............................ 50,000
Houston Community College, Houston, TX, for development
of an emergency medical technician certificate
program............................................. 350,000
Huntington Junior College, WV, for an initiative to
recruit and train students in closed captioning..... 250,000
I KNOW I CAN, Columbus, OH for a student recruitment and
retention initiative................................ 100,000
Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID for a master's
degree program in dental hygiene, including purchase
of equipment........................................ 400,000
Illinois State University, Normal, IL, for Chicago
teacher education pipeline programs in partnership
with the Chicago Public Schools and City Colleges of
Chicago............................................. 100,000
Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne, Fort
Wayne, IN for the Northeast Indiana Science
Education Network................................... 100,000
Interamerican University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR
for development of a bilingual cultural competency
program............................................. 150,000
Iowa Valley Community College Education and Training
Center, Marshalltown, IA for continuing education
and job training.................................... 175,000
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, Bloomington, IN
for the Center for Mathematics and Science.......... 500,000
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana, Bloomington, IN
for the Early College/Middle College initiative..... 1,000,000
Jacksonville State University, Jacksonville, AL for the
early childhood education and child care program.... 200,000
Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, FL for the
accelerated nursing development program............. 150,000
James Rumsey Technical Institute, Martinsburg, WV for
the Automotive Technology Program, including
purchase of equipment............................... 100,000
Jefferson College, Jefferson County, MO, for equipment
and technology...................................... 40,000
Joliet Junior College, Joliet, IL for the Integrated
Systems Technology program.......................... 700,000
Kent State University, Kent, OH for education programs
for scientists collaborating at the Oak Clinic for
Multiple Sclerosis.................................. 200,000
Kent State University, Kent, OH for the GED Scholars
program............................................. 100,000
Keuka College, Keuka Park, NY for technology upgrades... 240,000
Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IA to
establish a program in environmental health, safety
and security........................................ 150,000
La Sierra University, Riverside, CA for equipment for
its chemistry and biochemistry laboratories......... 250,000
Lake City Community College, Lake City, FL for the 21st
century mathematics initiative...................... 175,000
Lakeshore Technical College Bilingual Captioning/
Judicial Reporting Initiative, Cleveland, WI to
train real time writers and captioners.............. 250,000
Laredo Community College, Laredo, TX for technology
upgrades and programs at Zaffirini Library.......... 100,000
Lawrence Technological University, Southfield, MI, for
upgrades to the university wireless network......... 200,000
Lewis and Clark Community College, Godfrey, IL, for its
National Great Rivers Research and Education Center. 450,000
Lincoln College, Lincoln, IL for the Lincoln Barat
Teacher Training Initiative......................... 100,000
Lincoln Memorial University College of Osteopathic
Medicine, Harrogate, TN for curriculum development.. 500,000
Livingstone College, Salisbury, NC, for teacher
training, and for science and math academic services
and mentoring for minority students................. 200,000
Lorain County Community College, Elyria, OH, for its
Learning Technology Center.......................... 300,000
Loyola University Center for Public Service, Chicago, IL
for equipment and programming....................... 500,000
Lycoming College, Williamsport, PA for campus technology
upgrades............................................ 400,000
MacMurray College, Jacksonville, IL for technology
upgrades............................................ 300,000
Madisonville Community College, Madisonville, KY for
curriculum development and equipment at the Kentucky
Coal Academy in conjunction with Henderson Community
College, Henderson, KY.............................. 200,000
Madonna University Project LEARN, Livonia, MI for a
disaster relief and recovery program................ 150,000
Maricopa County Community College, Phoenix, AZ, for the
Bilingual Nursing Program at Gateway Community
College............................................. 300,000
Marymount Manhattan College, New York, NY, for a
minority teacher recruitment initiative............. 300,000
McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA for the
Louisiana Academy for Innovative Teaching and
Learning............................................ 200,000
Mercer University, Macon, GA for equipment for the
Critical Personnel Development Program.............. 200,000
Mesa Community College, Mesa, AZ for nursing
recertification curriculum.......................... 125,000
Mesa Community College, Mesa, AZ for the Enfermeras En
Escalera program.................................... 175,000
Michigan Jewish Institute, Bloomfield, MI for curriculum
development......................................... 100,000
MidAmerica Nazarene University, Olathe, KS for teacher
training programs................................... 150,000
Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, for
equipment and personnel for biotechnology training
initiatives......................................... 440,000
Midland College Advanced Technology Center, Midland, TX
for the purchase of equipment and campus-wide
network infrastructure upgrades..................... 150,000
Mid-South Community College, West Memphis, AR, for the
Crossroads Coalition higher education initiative.... 400,000
Mira Costa College, Oceanside, CA for a nursing
education program, including the purchase of
equipment........................................... 150,000
Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, MO for
communications equipment............................ 320,000
Missouri State University-Springfield, Springfield, MO
for equipment and programs at the Missouri Virtual
School.............................................. 250,000
Missouri State University-West Plains, West Plains, MO
for technology upgrades and programming at the
Academic Support Center............................. 300,000
Monroe Community College, Rochester, NY for a special
needs preparedness training program................. 450,000
Monroe Community College, Rochester, NY for the Advanced
Technology Training Systems Program, including
purchase of equipment............................... 200,000
Morehead State University, Morehead, KY for the
Institute for Regional Analysis and Public Policy... 300,000
Murray State University, Murray, KY for equipment for
the Animal Health Technology Program................ 350,000
Naugatuck Valley Community College, Waterbury, CT, for
equipment and technology for its nursing program and
laboratories........................................ 100,000
Nazareth College, Rochester, NY for equipment and
technology upgrades for the Math/Science Teacher
Enhancement project................................. 250,000
Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, NE for forensic
science programs, including equipment............... 150,000
Nevada State College, Henderson, NV for the Accelerated
Nursing Program..................................... 400,000
New College of Florida, Sarasota, FL for the Public
Archaeology Laboratory, including the purchase of
equipment........................................... 225,000
New Hampshire Community Technical College, Manchester,
NH for the pharmacy technician program, including
the purchase of equipment........................... 100,000
New York State Education and Research Network, Troy, NY,
for expansion of a statewide fiber optic network to
Binghamton to serve the State University of New York
at Binghamton and create an entry point for the
Southern Tier....................................... 300,000
New York University, New York, NY, for the John Brademas
Center for the Study of Congress, which may include
student scholarships and an endowment............... 750,000
Niagara County Community College, Sanborn, NY for
laboratory equipment................................ 300,000
North Arkansas College, Harrison, AR for technology
enhancements........................................ 350,000
North Carolina Center for Engineering Technologies,
Hickory, NC for engineering, applied science and
management education programs....................... 150,000
North Carolina Central University, Durham, NC, for a
biomanufacturing training program................... 240,000
North Central College, Naperville, IL for the Community
Connections Program................................. 100,000
North Dakota State College of Science, Wahpeton, ND, for
a Center for Nanoscience Technology Training........ 300,000
North Florida Community College, Madison, FL for the
registered nursing program.......................... 125,000
North Shore Community College, Danvers, MA, for
curricula, programming and equipment................ 100,000
Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois, for its
Vibration and Acoustics Center...................... 175,000
Northern Kentucky University Research Foundation,
Highland Heights, KY for the purchase of equipment.. 150,000
Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI, for an
international education initiative, which may
include student scholarships........................ 200,000
Northwest Shoals Community College, Phil Campbell
Campus, Phil Campbell, AL for technology upgrades... 500,000
Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, for
its nursing education program....................... 200,000
Oakland Community College, Bloomfield Hills, MI, for
international education programs.................... 350,000
Oakwood College, Huntsville, AL, for its business school
preparation initiative.............................. 50,000
Ohio Board of Regents, Columbus, OH for the School for
Computational Science............................... 200,000
Owens Community College, Perrysburg Township, OH for
Third Frontier Network and Emergency Preparedness
Training & Equipment Initiative..................... 100,000
Pacific University, Forest Grove, OR, for equipment and
technology for its health professions campus........ 100,000
Palm Beach Community College, Palm Beach County, FL, for
equipment and technology............................ 250,000
Paula and Anthony Rich Center for the Study and
Treatment of Autism, Youngstown, OH, for distance
learning technology and programs.................... 350,000
Peru State College, Peru, NE for the Adopt A High School
Program............................................. 400,000
Pittsburg State University College of Technology,
Pittsburg, KS for equipment......................... 250,000
Polk Community College Small Business Training
Consortium (SBTC), Lakeland, FL to promote workforce
development for small and medium business in Polk
County, FL.......................................... 200,000
Portland State University, OR, for equipment and
technology for its Science Research and Training
Center.............................................. 125,000
Prince George's Community College, Largo, MD, for
technology upgrades................................. 100,000
Radford University, Radford, VA, for a study of the
feasibility of establishing a graduate program in
optometry and/or dentistry.......................... 250,000
Redlands Community College, El Reno, OK for nursing
curriculum.......................................... 150,000
Regis University, Henderson, NV for the Nevada Distance
Learning Teacher Certification initiative, including
purchase of equipment............................... 100,000
Rhode Island College, Providence, RI, for development of
Portuguese and Lusophone Studies Program............ 200,000
Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, Pomona, NJ for
curriculum development at Aviation Research and
Technology Park..................................... 350,000
Richmond Community College, Hamlet, NC for equipment and
programs at the Richmond Industrial Training Center. 200,000
Riverside Community College, Riverside, CA for
curriculum development for the Fast-Track to the ADN
program............................................. 300,000
Rose State College, Midwest City, OK for technology
upgrades to the Atkinson Heritage Center............ 150,000
Round Rock Higher Education Center, Round Rock, TX for
the Closing the Gaps program to increase graduates
in education, science and math...................... 500,000
Rutgers University School of Law, Camden, NJ, for
student scholarships and loan repayment, internships
and public interest programming..................... 550,000
Saginaw Valley State University, Saginaw, MI for
curriculum development at the Crisis Management
Intervention Center................................. 100,000
Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA, for equipment
and technology for its library and information
commons initiative.................................. 850,000
Sarasota County Technical Institute, Sarasota, FL for a
training program in captioning and CART
(Communications Access Realtime Translation)
services............................................ 100,000
Seminole State College, Seminole, OK for technology
equipment........................................... 500,000
Shawnee State University, Portsmouth, OH for purchase of
equipment at the Motion Capture Facility............ 350,000
South Florida Community College, Avon Park, FL for
laboratory equipment................................ 300,000
South Suburban College, South Holland, IL, for equipment
and technology for its allied health and nursing
programs............................................ 175,000
Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant, OK, for
materials, equipment and technology................. 300,000
Southern University at New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, for
its Louisiana Minority Institution Partnership in
Science initiative.................................. 350,000
Sparks College, Shelbyville, IL for a closed captioner
training program.................................... 200,000
St. Bonaventure University, St. Bonaventure, NY for
science equipment................................... 425,000
St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud, MN for the
Science Initiative of Central Minnesota for
curriculum development.............................. 400,000
St. Francis University, Loretto, PA, for an associates
degree program in nursing, which may include
technology and equipment............................ 150,000
St. Petersburg College, St. Petersburg, FL for the
Orthotics and Prosthetics Bachelor's Degree program. 500,000
State University of New York at Geneseo, NY for
equipment........................................... 300,000
State University of New York, College of Environmental
Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY for technology
infrastructure equipment............................ 200,000
Sun Area Career & Technology Center, New Berlin, PA for
the purchase of equipment........................... 100,000
Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, PA to purchase lab
equipment for a science facility.................... 750,000
Sweetwater Education Foundation, Chula Vista, CA, for
its Compact for Success program, which may include
student scholarships................................ 300,000
Texas College, Tyler, TX for the Regional Center for
Career Development.................................. 100,000
Texas State Technical College, Waco, TX, for equipment
for education and training programs................. 350,000
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX for the Center for
the Study of Addiction and Recovery................. 350,000
Tohono O?Odham Community College, Sells, AZ, for
equipment and technology for its multi-purpose
learning center, laboratory and library complex..... 150,000
Trident Technical College, North Charleston, SC for
nursing programs, including purchase of equipment... 100,000
Trinity University, San Antonio, TX for equipment and
programs at the Educators Technology Teaching
Laboratory.......................................... 200,000
Truckee Meadows Community College, Reno, NV for a
collaborative K-16 math and science program......... 150,000
University of Arkansas Fort Smith, Fort Smith, AR to
conduct a study about the feasibility of creating a
national center of excellence in information
technology.......................................... 100,000
University of California, Riverside, Palm Desert, CA
campus for computer lab equipment................... 250,000
University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR, for a
technology training and instruction initiative,
which may include equipment......................... 350,000
University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL for the Lou
Frey Institute of Politics.......................... 250,000
University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH for the Teacher
Quality Partnership................................. 250,000
University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH for the Teacher
Quality Partnership project......................... 100,000
University of Florida, Gainesville, FL for equipment for
the Norman Hall project............................. 300,000
University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HA, for the American
Samoa Community College marine science laboratory,
administered by the University of Hawaii Sea Grant
College Program..................................... 300,000
University of Kansas Center for Research, Lawrence,
Kansas, for a high-speed communications network,
which may include personnel, equipment and
technology.......................................... 400,000
University of Montevallo, Montevallo, AL for the Teacher
Leadership Initiative for School Improvement........ 420,000
University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Wilmington,
NC, for an assistive technology center to develop
equipment and techniques to improve educational and
employment opportunities for students with
disabilities........................................ 300,000
University of North Texas, Denton, TX for equipment at
the Center for Advanced Scientific Computing and
Modeling............................................ 150,000
University of South Florida, Tampa, FL for graduate
training in orthotics and prosthetics............... 550,000
University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN, for the
Interprofessional Center for Counseling and Legal
Services in Minneapolis............................. 225,000
University of Texas at El Paso, TX, for development of
curricula, courses and materials for its Center of
Excellence in Border Security and Defense Systems
Research............................................ 250,000
University of the Incarnate Word Feik School of
Pharmacy, San Antonio, TX for equipment and programs 100,000
University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK for the Center for
Information Security, including purchase of
equipment........................................... 250,000
University of Virginia Center for Politics,
Charlottesville, VA for the Youth Leadership
Initiative.......................................... 1,025,000
University of Wisconsin-Baraboo, WI, for equipment and
technology for its Living and Learning Center....... 150,000
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, WI, for equipment
and technology...................................... 150,000
Utah Valley State College Center for the Study of
Ethics, Orem, UT for the Democracy and Justice
Project............................................. 150,000
Utica College, Utica, NY for the Convergence Media
Center, including equipment......................... 300,000
Vanguard University, Costa Mesa, CA for equipment and
technology upgrades for the teacher training program 250,000
Venango Technology Center, Oil City, PA for purchase of
equipment........................................... 100,000
Ventura Community College, Ventura, CA for the Online
Science Laboratory for the Visually Impaired........ 150,000
Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, VA for the
homeland security scholars program.................. 150,000
Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA to establish a
program in diplomacy and international economics.... 300,000
Waldorf College, Forest City, IA for science equipment
for bachelors degree program........................ 120,000
Wallace Community College, Dothan, AL for technology
upgrades............................................ 200,000
Washington Education Foundation, Issaquah, WA, for the
Leadership 1000 Scholarship Program................. 530,000
Webster University Community Music School, St. Louis, MO
for purchase of equipment........................... 200,000
Webster University, St. Louis, MO, for nursing and
biological sciences education programs, which may
include student financial assistance................ 410,000
Western Illinois University, Moline, IL, for a counselor
education program................................... 100,000
Western Piedmont Community College Allied Health
Program, Morganton, NC for equipment................ 250,000
Westminster College, Fulton, MO for curriculum
development at the Bill Emerson Institute for
Leadership and Service.............................. 100,000
Wichita State University, Wichita, KS for engineering
programs............................................ 400,000
Widener University, Exton, PA for the Academy for
Learning in Retirement.............................. 300,000
Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and
Universities (WAICU) to support continued
implementation of the WAICU Collaboration Project... 600,000
Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH for technology
upgrades............................................ 300,000
Minority science and engineering improvement.--The
Committee recommends $8,730,000 for the minority science and
engineering improvement program (MSEIP), the same as the fiscal
year 2006 appropriation and the budget request. The MSEIP
program awards grants to improve mathematics, science, and
engineering programs at institutions serving primarily minority
students and to increase the number of minority students who
pursue advanced degrees and careers in those fields.
Tribally controlled postsecondary vocational and technical
institutions.--The Committee recommends $7,366,000 for grants
for tribally controlled postsecondary vocational and technical
institutions, the same as the budget request and the fiscal
year 2006 amount. This program provides grants for the
operation and improvement of training programs to ensure
continuation and expansion of vocational training opportunities
for Indian youth.
TRIO.--The Committee recommends $828,178,000 for the TRIO
programs, $448,078,000 above the budget request and the same as
the fiscal year 2006 appropriation. The TRIO programs provide a
variety of outreach and support services to encourage low-
income, potential first-generation college students to enter
and complete college. Discretionary grants of up to four or
five years are awarded competitively to institutions of higher
education and other agencies. At least two-thirds of the
eligible participants in TRIO must be low-income, first-
generation college students.
GEAR UP.--The Committee recommends $303,423,000 for the
GEAR UP program, the same as last year's level and $303,423,000
above the budget request. GEAR UP provides grants to states and
partnerships of low-income middle and high schools,
institutions of higher education and community organizations to
target entire grades of students and give them the skills and
encouragement to successfully pursue postsecondary education.
The Committee encourages the Department to give favorable
consideration in any competitions for GEAR UP funding to
partnerships that, in addition to providing early intervention
services, guarantee college scholarships to GEAR UP students.
Byrd scholarships.--The bill does not include funding for
the Byrd scholarships program, the same as the budget request
and $40,590,000 below the fiscal year 2006 appropriation. The
Byrd scholarship program provides formula grants to States to
award $1,500 scholarships to students who demonstrate academic
excellence in high school.
Javits fellowships.--The Committee recommends $9,699,000
for the Javits fellowship program, the same as the budget
request and the fiscal year 2006 appropriation. Under the
Javits program, institutions receive Federal support to make
fellowship awards to students pursuing doctoral study in the
arts, humanities, and social sciences.
Graduate assistance in areas of national need program.--The
Committee recommends $30,067,000 for the graduate assistance in
areas of national need (GAANN) program, the same as the budget
request and the fiscal year 2006 appropriation. The GAANN
program awards grants to institutions of higher education to
provide fellowships to economically disadvantaged students who
have demonstrated academic excellence and who are pursuing
graduate education in designated areas of national need.
The Committee is pleased that the Secretary included
nursing as an area of national need in its fiscal year 2006
program announcement for GAANN. Given the magnitude of the
nursing shortage, this is an appropriate step in establishing a
priority for a nursing program that focuses on the preparation
of nurse scholars at the PhD level for educational leadership
roles. The Committee encourages the Secretary to include
nursing as an area of national need until such time as an
adequate supply of nurses is prepared to enter the workforce.
Teacher quality enhancement grants.--The Committee
recommends $59,895,000 for teacher quality enhancement grants,
$59,895,000 above the budget request and the same as the fiscal
year 2006 appropriation. Teacher quality enhancement grants
have three components: state grants, partnership grants and
recruitment grants. By statute, state and partnership grants
each receive 45 percent of the appropriation, and recruitment
grants receive 10 percent.
Under the state grant component, states apply to receive up
to three years of funding to improve the quality of their
teaching force through promoting reform activities such as
teacher licensing and certification, accountability for high
quality teacher preparation and professional development and
recruiting teachers for high-need schools. States must match 50
percent of the federal award.
Under the partnership component, partnerships apply to
receive a five-year grant to strengthen the capacity of K-12
educators in designing and implementing effective teacher
education programs, and by increasing collaboration among these
practitioners and departments of arts and sciences and schools
of education at institutions of higher education. Partnerships
must match 25 percent of the federal grant in the first year,
35 percent in the second year, and 50 percent for the remaining
years.
The recruitment component supports the efforts to reduce
shortages of qualified teachers in high-need school districts.
States or partnerships may apply to receive these grants.
Child care access means parents in school.--The Committee
recommends $15,810,000 for child care access means parents in
school program, the same as the budget request and the fiscal
year 2006 appropriation. Under this program, institutions may
receive discretionary grants of up to four years to support or
establish a campus-based childcare program primarily serving
the needs of low-income students enrolled at the institution.
Priority is given to childcare programs that leverage
significant local or institutional resources and utilize a
sliding fee scale. Grants can only be used to supplement
childcare services or start new programs.
Advancing America through foreign language partnerships.--
The Committee recommends no funding for the advancing America
through foreign language partnerships program, for which
$24,000,000 was proposed in the budget request.
Demonstration projects to ensure quality higher education
for students with disabilities.--The Committee does not
recommend funding for demonstration projects in disabilities,
the same as the budget request. The program was funded at
$6,875,000 in fiscal year 2006. This program provides
discretionary grants for three years to support model
demonstration projects that provide technical assistance and
professional development activities for faculty and
administrators in institutions of higher education in order to
provide students with disabilities a high-quality postsecondary
education. A number of models have now been developed and are
being disseminated to other institutions. Furthermore, this
activity is eligible under the Fund for the Improvement of
Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) program.
Underground railroad program.--The Committee does not
recommend funding for the underground railroad program, which
is the same as the budget request. This program was funded at
$1,980,000 in fiscal year 2006. The underground railroad
program provides grants to non-profit institutions to research,
display, interpret and collect artifacts relating to the
history of the underground railroad.
GPRA data/HEA program evaluation.--The Committee recommends
$970,000 for program evaluation and development of data
required under the Government Performance and Results Act for
Higher Education programs administered by the Department. This
is the same as the fiscal year 2006 appropriation and the
budget request. The Committee understands that for many higher
education programs, baseline and performance indicator data are
sparse, nonexistent or difficult to collect. Funding under this
activity will support the Department in developing high-quality
data as required under the Government Performance and Results
Act.
Olympic Scholarships.--The bill includes $970,000 for
Olympic Scholarships, the same as the fiscal year 2006 level
and $970,000 above the budget request. This program provides
financial assistance to athletes who are training at the U.S.
Olympic Education Center or one of the U.S. Olympic Training
Centers and who are pursuing a postsecondary education at an
institution of higher education.
Thurgood Marshall legal education opportunity program.--The
bill does not include funding for the Thurgood Marshall legal
education opportunity program, the same as the budget request.
The program was funded at $2,946,000 in fiscal year 2006. This
program provides low-income, minority and disadvantaged college
students with the information, preparation and financial
assistance needed to gain access to and complete law school
study.
Howard University
The Committee recommends $237,392,000 for Howard
University, the same as the budget request and $1,000 above the
fiscal year 2006 appropriation. The bill includes a minimum of
$3,600,000 for the endowment, which is $74,000 above the
current level and the same as the budget request.
Howard University is a ``Research I'' university located in
the District of Columbia. Direct appropriations for Howard
University are authorized by 20 U.S.C. 123, originally enacted
in 1867. Howard University provides undergraduate liberal arts,
graduate and professional instruction to approximately 11,000
students from all 50 States. Masters degrees are offered in
over 55 fields and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in 26 fields.
College Housing and Academic Facilities Loans Program
The Committee recommends $486,000 for the Federal
administration of the college housing and academic facilities
loan (CHAFL) program, the Higher Educational Facilities Loans
program and the College Housing Loans program, the same as the
budget request and $81,000 below the fiscal year 2006
appropriation.
Historically Black College and University Capital and Financing Program
Federal administration.--The Committee recommends $190,000
for the administration of the historically black college and
university capital financing program authorized under part D of
title III of the Higher Education Act, the same as the budget
request and $18,000 below the fiscal year 2006 appropriation.
The program is intended to make capital available for repair
and renovation of facilities at historically black colleges and
universities. In exceptional circumstances, capital provided
under the program can be used for construction or acquisition
of facilities.
Bond subsidies.--Under the HBCU capital program, a private,
for-profit ``designated bonding authority'' issues construction
bonds to raise capital for loans to historically black colleges
and universities for construction projects. The Department
provides insurance for these bonds, guaranteeing full payment
of principal and interest to bond holders. Federally insured
bonds and unpaid interest are limited by statute to
$357,000,000. The letter of credit limitation establishes the
total amount of bonds which can be issued by the designated
bonding authority. The credit limitation must be explicitly
stated in an appropriation Act according to the authorizing
legislation.
Institute of Education Sciences
The bill includes $534,916,000 for the Institute of
Education Sciences. This amount is $19,552,000 below the budget
request, and $17,448,000 above the fiscal year 2006 level. This
account supports education research, statistics, and assessment
activities.
Research
This bill includes $162,552,000 for educational research,
the same as fiscal year 2006 level and the budget request. The
Institute of Education Sciences supports research, development
and national dissemination activities that are aimed at
expanding fundamental knowledge of education and promoting the
use of research and development findings in the design of
efforts to improve education.
Statistics
This bill includes $93,022,000 for the activities of the
National Center for Education Statistics, exclusive of the
National Assessment of Educational Progress. This amount is the
same as the budget request and $3,000,000 above the fiscal year
2006 level. The funding increase would support a new secondary
longitudinal study beginning with an eighth grade cohort. This
study will provide important information about dropout rates.
Statistics activities are authorized under the Education
Sciences Reform Act of 2002, title I of P.L. 107-279. The
Center collects, analyzes, and reports statistics on all levels
of education in the United States. Activities are carried out
directly and through grants and contracts. Major publications
include ``The Condition of Education'' and ``Digest of
Education Statistics.'' Other products include projections of
enrollments, teacher supply and demand, and educational
expenditures. Technical assistance to state and local education
agencies and postsecondary institutions is provided.
Regional educational laboratories
The Committee has included $65,470,000 for the regional
educational laboratories, which is the same as both the fiscal
year 2006 level and the budget request. The regional
educational laboratories help states and education
practitioners implement the requirements contained in the NCLB.
This assistance includes product development, applied research,
technical assistance and professional development.
Research in special education
The bill includes $71,840,000 for research in special
education, the same as both the fiscal year 2006 level and the
budget request. This program supports competitive awards to
produce and advance the use of knowledge to improve services
and results for children with disabilities. The program focuses
on producing new knowledge, integrating research and practice
and improving the use of knowledge.
Special education studies and evaluations
The bill includes $9,900,000 for special education studies
and evaluations, the same as both the budget request and the
fiscal year 2006 level. This program awards competitive grants,
contracts and cooperative agreements to assess the
implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act and the effectiveness of state and local efforts to provide
special education and early intervention programs and services
to infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities.
Statewide data systems
The bill includes $35,000,000 for statewide data systems
development, $19,552,000 below the budget request and
$10,448,000 above the fiscal year 2006 level. This program
awards grants, on a competitive basis, to state educational
agencies to enable such agencies to design, develop, and
implement statewide, longitudinal data systems to efficiently
and accurately manage, analyze, disaggregate, and use
individual student data consistent with the No Child Left
Behind Act.
Assessment
This bill includes $97,132,000 for the National Assessment
of Educational Progress, the same as the budget request, and
$4,000,000 above the fiscal year 2006 level. The Assessment is
authorized under section 303 of the National Assessment of
Educational Progress Authorization Act, and is the only
nationally representative survey of educational ability and
achievement of American students. The primary goal of the
Assessment is to determine and report the status and trends of
the knowledge and skills of students, subject by subject.
Subject areas assessed in the past have included reading,
writing, mathematics, science, and history, as well as
citizenship, literature, art, and music. The Assessment is
operated by contractors through competitive awards made by the
National Center for Education Statistics; a National Assessment
Governing Board formulates the policy guidelines for the
program. Within the amounts provided, $5,037,000 is for the
National Assessment Governing Board, which is the same as both
the budget request and the fiscal year 2006 level. The
$4,000,000 increase is intended to support the beginning work
on implementing in 2009 state level assessments at the 12th
grade level.
The Committee encourages the Department of begin planning
aggressively in 2007 for the grade 8 arts assessment. In
addition, the Committee urges the Department to include funding
in its fiscal year 2008 request for the National Center for
Education Statistics Fast Response Survey on arts education in
public elementary and secondary schools.
Departmental Management
The bill includes $567,782,000 for departmental management
(salaries and expenses) at the Department of Education. This
amount is $17,511,000 above the fiscal year 2006 level and
$4,195,000 below the budget request. These activities are
authorized by the Department of Education Organization Act,
P.L. 96-88, and include costs associated with the management
and operations of the Department as well as separate costs
associated with the Office for Civil Rights and the Office of
the Inspector General.
PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
The bill includes $423,916,000 for program administration.
This amount is $12,766,000 above the fiscal year 2006 level and
$2,050,000 below the budget request. These funds support the
staff and other costs of administering programs and activities
at the Department. Items include personnel compensation and
health, retirement and other benefits as well as travel, rent,
telephones, utilities, postage fees, data processing, printing,
equipment, supplies, technology training, consultants and other
contractual services. The bill includes language requested by
the Administration making $2,500,000 of the total funding
provided available until expended for building alterations and
related expenses for the move of Department staff to the Mary
E. Switzer building in Washington, D.C. This is $2,050,000
below the amount requested by the Administration.
OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS
The bill includes $92,866,000 for the salaries and expenses
of the Office for Civil Rights. This amount is $2,255,000 above
the fiscal year 2006 appropriation and the same as the budget
request. This Office is responsible for enforcing laws that
prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, disability, membership in a patriotic society, and
age in all programs and institutions that receive funds from
the Department. These laws extend to 50 state educational
agencies, 16,000 local educational agencies, 3,500 institutions
of higher education, as well as to proprietary schools, state
rehabilitation agencies, libraries, and other institutions
receiving Federal funds.
The Committee supports the tremendous strides for women
made possible through title IX of the Education Amendments of
1972, but is concerned about any possible unintended
consequences from its enforcement. The Committee has heard
complaints that some schools have chosen to eliminate teams as
a mechanism to gain title IX compliance. The Committee requests
the Department to report by February 1, 2007 on its activities
to educate school administrators on the full scope of
compliance strategies and its efforts to clarify that
compliance does not require the elimination of teams or
limitation of male participation in athletic programs.
OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL
The bill includes $51,000,000 for the Office of the
Inspector General. This amount is $2,490,000 above the fiscal
year 2006 appropriation and $2,145,000 below the budget
request. This office has authority to inquire into all program
and administrative activities of the Department as well as into
related activities of grant and contract recipients. It
conducts audits and investigations to determine compliance with
applicable laws and regulations, to check alleged fraud and
abuse, efficiency of operations, and effectiveness of results.
Administrative Provisions
Sec. 301. The Committee continues a provision that
prohibits funds under this Act from being used for the
transportation of students or teachers in order to overcome
racial imbalances or to carry out a plan of racial
desegregation.
Sec. 302. The Committee continues a provision that
prohibits funds under this Act from being used to require the
transportation of any student to a school other than the school
which is nearest the student's home in order to comply with
title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Sec. 303. The Committee continues a provision that
prohibits funds under this Act from being used to prevent the
implementation of programs of voluntary prayer and meditation
in public schools.
Sec. 304. The Committee continues and amends a provision
that allows up to one percent of any discretionary funds
appropriated for the Department of Education to be transferred
between appropriations accounts, provided that no appropriation
is increased by more than three percent by any such transfer.
Sec. 305. The Committee recommends new language to preclude
funds made available in this Act to the Department of Education
in contravention of section 505 of the Illegal Immigration
Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.
TITLE IV--RELATED AGENCIES
Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled
The bill provides $4,995,000 for the Committee for Purchase
From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled. This is
$373,000 above the fiscal year 2006 appropriation and the same
as the budget request.
The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or
Severely Disabled was established by the Wagner-O'Day Act of
1938 as amended. Its primary objective is to increase the
employment opportunities for people who are blind or have other
severe disabilities and, whenever possible, to prepare them to
engage in competitive employment.
Corporation for National and Community Service
The Corporation for National and Community Service was
established by the National and Community Service Trust Act of
1993 to enhance opportunities for national and community
service and provide national service educational awards. The
Corporation makes grants to States, institutions of higher
education, public and private nonprofit organizations, and
others to create service opportunities for a wide variety of
individuals through full-time national and community service
programs.
DOMESTIC VOLUNTEER SERVICE PROGRAMS
The Committee recommends $313,050,000 for the Domestic
Volunteer Service Programs that are administered by the
Corporation for National and Community Service, which is the
same as the fiscal year 2006 appropriation and $8,000 below the
budget request.
VISTA.--The Committee recommends $95,464,000 for the
Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) program, which is
$2,188,000 above the fiscal year 2006 level and the same as the
budget request. The VISTA program supports individuals who
recruit volunteers and organize community volunteer activities
but who do not provide direct volunteer services.
National Senior Volunteer Corps.--The Committee recommends
a total of $217,586,000 for the National Senior Volunteer
Corps, the same as the fiscal year 2006 appropriation and
$6,000 below the budget request. Within the amount provided,
the Committee recommends the following:
Foster Grandparents Program............................. $110,937,000
Senior Companion Program................................ 46,964,000
Retired Senior Volunteer Program........................ 59,685,000
In addition, the Committee continues language that
prohibits CNCS from providing stipends or other monetary
incentives to volunteers or volunteer coordinators whose
incomes exceed 125 percent of the national poverty level.
NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS, OPERATING EXPENSES
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
The Committee recommends $437,457,000 for National and
Community Service Programs operating expenses, including the
Trust. This is $77,429,000 less than the fiscal year 2006
appropriation and $25,682,000 below the budget request. The
Committee recommendation includes the following program levels:
AmeriCorps grants....................................... $218,060,000
National Service Trust.................................. 124,720,000
Learn and Serve......................................... 34,155,000
National Civilian Community Corps....................... 26,730,000
Innovation and Demonstration............................ 3,966,000
Evaluation.............................................. 2,460,000
State Commissions....................................... 12,516,000
Points of Light Foundation.............................. 9,900,000
America's Promise....................................... 4,950,000
AmeriCorps grants.--The Committee recommendation includes
$218,060,000 for AmeriCorps grants, which is $46,765,000 below
the fiscal year 2006 appropriation and $40,899,000 below the
request. The Committee is concerned with the high levels of
carry-over balances that the Corporation has accumulated over
the past several fiscal years. According to budget appendices
and reports published by OMB, the Corporation has carried over
an average of $102,200,000 per fiscal year for the last ten
fiscal years. While high carry-over balances are understandable
early in a program's development, routine high balances appear
to demonstrate that the Corporation has received significantly
more funding than programs under the National and Community
Service Act can absorb on an annual basis. For fiscal year
2006, the budget appendix indicates that the Corporation
expects to carry $40,000,000 into fiscal year 2007. In fact,
the Corporation's budget justification maintains that ``States
have requested less than [a] full formula allocation for
several years in a row.'' This circumstance is not unique, as
the justification identifies eight other AmeriCorps grant
programs in which appropriated funds have exceeded need.
Accordingly, the Committee recommendation reduces funding for
AmeriCorps grants by $40,899,000 below the budget request for
fiscal year 2007, with reductions to the request distributed as
follows:
Formula grants to states................................ -$20,000,000
Competitive grants to states............................ -13,000,000
Direct national competitive grants to non-profits....... -4,500,000
Education award program................................. -3,399,000
Given that the fiscal year 2007 justification indicates
that ``demand for EAP grant funds was lower than expected in
fiscal year 2005,'' the Committee does not believe the
requested increase of $3,399,000, or 42 percent, is warranted.
National Service Trust.--The Committee recommends
$124,720,000 for the National Service Trust, $13,880,000 below
the fiscal year 2006 appropriation and the same as the budget
request. The Committee commends the Corporation for its plan to
shift funding from unfilled slots awarded in prior years in
order to cover the needs of the Trust in fiscal year 2007.
Learn and Serve.--The Committee recommends $34,155,000 for
the Learn and Serve America program, which is the same as the
budget request and $2,970,000 below the fiscal year 2006
appropriation.
National Civilian Community Corps.--The Committee
recommends $26,730,000 for the National Civilian Community
Corps, which is 21,780,000 above the request and the same as
the fiscal year 2006 appropriation.
Innovation, Demonstration and Assistance.--The Committee
recommends $3,966,000 for Innovation, Demonstration and
Assistance programs, which is $12,315,000 below the fiscal year
2006 appropriation and $5,063,000 below the budget request. The
Committee recommendation denies funding for all activities
other than disability grants on the grounds that these
activities were either one-time expenditures in fiscal year
2006 or should be carried out through other appropriate
programs run by the Corporation.
Evaluation.--The Committee recommends $2,460,000 for
evaluation programs, which is $1,500,000 below both the fiscal
year 2006 level and the budget request. The Committee denies
funding for the Longitudinal Study of AmeriCorps Members and
the Volunteering in the United States projects. The Committee
supports evaluation efforts aimed at improving the
Corporation's management and the programs it offers, and has
provided funding for both.
State Commissions.--The Committee recommends $12,516,000
for state commission administrative grants, the same as the
fiscal year 2006 appropriation and the budget request.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
The Committee recommends $67,483,000 for salaries and
expenses associated with the administrative activities of the
Corporation. This is the $1,400,000 above the fiscal year 2006
appropriation and $2,832,000 below the budget request. The
Committee approves funding for consolidation of CNCS
administrative functions.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
The Committee recommends $4,950,000 for the Office of
Inspector General, which is $990,000 below the fiscal year 2006
level and the same as the budget request. The Committee directs
the Inspector General to continue to review the Corporation's
management of the National Service Trust.
The Office of Inspector General is authorized by the
Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended. This Office provides
an independent assessment of all Corporation operations and
programs, including those of the Volunteers in Service to
America and the National Senior Service Corps, through audits,
investigations, and other proactive projects.
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
Sec. 401. The Committee recommendation continues language
regarding qualified student loans eligible for education
awards.
Sec. 402. The Committee recommendation continues language
regarding the availability of funds for the placement of
volunteers with disabilities.
Sec. 403. The Committee recommendation continues language
directing the Inspector General to levy sanctions in accordance
with standard Inspector General audit resolution procedures,
which include, but are not limited to, debarment of any grantee
found to be in violation of AmeriCorps' program requirements,
including using grant or program funds to lobby the Congress.
Sec. 404. The Committee recommendation continues language
that requires the Corporation to ensure that significant
changes to program requirements or policy are made only through
public notice and comment rulemaking.
Sec. 405. The Committee recommendation includes language
prohibiting the Corporation from making education awards in
excess of the maximum Pell grant.
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
The Committee concurs with the budget request to provide no
advance funding for fiscal year 2009 for the Corporation for
Public Broadcasting (CPB). The Committee can no longer afford
to provide public broadcasting with the preferential treatment
associated with receiving a budget two years in advance while
critical programs like elementary and secondary education,
housing for extremely low-income families, including the
elderly and disabled, homeland security, veterans medical care
and biomedical research are required to compete with other
priorities on an annual basis. Furthermore, the Committee
cannot responsibly commit fiscal year 2009 resources given the
difficulty in predicting the budget climate two years in
advance.
The Committee recommendation includes authority for CPB to
spend up to $38,000,000 in previously appropriated fiscal year
2007 funds for digital conversion activities and up to
$36,000,000 for the satellite interconnection system.
The CPB ombudsmen were established to ensure that all
recipients of CPB funding strictly adhere to the standard of
objectivity and balance in all programs or series of programs
of a controversial nature. Review by the ombudsmen of
substantive complaints is a key means of assuring programming
meets that standard. The Committee expects the ombudsmen will
ensure that recipients of CPB funding comply with this policy.
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service
The bill provides $42,842,000 for the Federal Mediation and
Conciliation Service (FMCS), an increase of $241,000 above the
fiscal year 2006 appropriation and the same as the budget
request.
The FMCS attempts to prevent and minimize labor-management
disputes having a significant impact on interstate commerce or
national defense, except in the railroad and airline
industries. The agency convenes boards of inquiry appointed by
the President in emergency disputes and conducts dispute
mediation, preventive mediation, and arbitration. In addition,
the Service offers alternative dispute resolution services and
training to other Federal agencies to reduce litigation costs
and speed Federal administrative proceedings.
The bill also includes provisions first enacted in the
fiscal year 1996 Appropriations Act granting the agency the
authority to accept gifts and to charge fees for certain
services.
Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission
The bill provides $7,731,000 for the Federal Mine Safety
and Health Review Commission. This is the same as the fiscal
year 2006 appropriation and $155,000 above the budget request.
The Commission is responsible for reviewing the enforcement
activities of the Secretary of Labor under the Federal Mine
Safety and Health Act. The Commission's administrative law
judges hear and decide cases initiated by the Secretary of
Labor, mine operators, or miners. The five-member Commission
hears appeals from administrative law judge decisions, rules on
petitions for discretionary review, and may direct, of its own
initiative, review of cases that present unusual questions of
law.
Institute of Museum and Library Services
For the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS),
the Committee recommends $280,415,000. This is $33,271,000 more
than the fiscal year 2006 funding level and $18,175,000 more
than the budget request. The Institute makes state formula
grants for library services and discretionary national grants
for joint library and museum projects.
For library services, the Committee concurs with the budget
request and recommends $171,500,000 for state grants,
$3,675,000 for library services to Native Americans and Native
Hawaiians, $12,930,000 for national leadership grants, and
$25,000,000 for the Laura Bush 21st century librarian program
for the recruitment and education of librarians.
For museum services, the Committee concurs with the budget
request and recommends $17,978,000 for museums for America,
$3,000,000 for 21st Museum Professionals, $500,000 for museum
assessment, $3,000,000 for conservation project support,
$820,000 for conservation assessment, $8,500,000 for national
leadership grants for museums, and $920,000 for Native American
and Native Hawaiian museum services.
For museum grants for African American history and culture,
the Committee concurs with the budget request and recommends
$1,500,000.
For program administration, the Committee concurs with the
budget request and recommends $12,917,000.
The Committee is aware of the proposal to consolidate NCLIS
and IMLS in fiscal year 2008. The Committee recognizes the
important mission of both agencies and encourages them to
foster a streamlined, combined agency by the close of fiscal
year 2007.
Within the funds provided for the Institute of Museum and
Library Services, the Committee includes funding for the
following items:
Aerospace Museum of California Foundation, Inc.,
McClellan, CA for a new interactive exhibit......... $500,000
African American Museum of Philadelphia, PA, for
exhibits, education programs and outreach........... 100,000
American Airpower Museum, Farmingdale, NY, for exhibits
and education programs.............................. 300,000
American Jazz Museum, Kansas City, MO, for exhibits,
education programs, and an archival project......... 200,000
American West Heritage Center, Wellsville, UT for the
Lifelong Learning Initiative........................ 275,000
America's Black Holocaust Museum, Milwaukee, WI, for
exhibits and education programs, which may include
acquisition of interactive media center kiosks...... 75,000
Antiquarian & Landmarks Society of Connecticut,
Hartford, CT for educational outreach programs at
the Nathan Hale Homestead........................... 150,000
Apple Creek Historical Society, Apple Creek, OH for
equipment for the Community Learning Center......... 50,000
Aviation and Military Museum of Louisiana, Monroe, LA
for equipment and display cases..................... 130,000
Blank Park Zoo, Des Moines, IA, for exhibits,
programming and equipment........................... 250,000
Brazos Valley African American Museum, Bryan, TX, for
exhibits, education programs and/or operations...... 75,000
Capital City Development Corporation, Boise, ID for
expansion and development of a permanent
agricultural program and exhibition at the Discovery
Center of Idaho..................................... 150,000
Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh, PA, for an archive
and traveling photojournalism exhibit............... 250,000
Children's Museum of Manhattan, New York, NY, for
exhibits and education programs..................... 200,000
Children's Museum of the East End, Bridgehampton, NY,
for exhibits........................................ 125,000
Children's Museums of Portsmouth Virginia, Portsmouth,
VA, for exhibits and education programs............. 75,000
Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati, OH for website
development......................................... 500,000
City of Amory, MS for the Amory Regional Museum for
collection care and digitalization.................. 300,000
City of Azusa Library, Azusa, CA, for library materials
and equipment....................................... 150,000
City of Estacada Library, Estacada, OR, for technology
and equipment....................................... 50,000
City of Fort Myers, FL for the Edison & Ford Winter
Estates............................................. 200,000
Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH for technology... 50,000
Connecticut Historical Society Museum, Hartford, CT, for
interactive school programs at the Old State House.. 100,000
Contra Costa County Library, Martinez, CA, for library
services and its Technology for Teens in Transition
volunteer mentor program at the Juvenile Hall
Library............................................. 100,000
Daphne Library Expansion, Daphne, AL for computers,
books and other library materials................... 180,000
Discovery Center, Boise, ID for educational exhibits and
programs............................................ 350,000
Discovery Museum, Bridgeport, CT for programming........ 100,000
Downey City Library, Downey, CA, for the purchase of
books............................................... 50,000
Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse, NY for teacher
training and support for a visual thinking
strategies art education program.................... 225,000
Florida Holocaust Museum, St. Petersburg, FL to support
ongoing museum operations, educational programming,
outreach, and collection preservation and
conservation........................................ 500,000
George and Eleanor McGovern Library, Dakota Wesleyan
University, Mitchell, SD, for cataloging, preparing,
and archiving documents and artifacts relating to
the public service of Senator Francis Case and
Senator George McGovern............................. 50,000
George Washington University, Washington, D.C., for The
Eleanor Roosevelt Papers Project.................... 150,000
Georgetown Visitation Monastery, Washington, DC for
digitization and technology......................... 100,000
Harbor Heritage Society, Cleveland, OH for exhibits at
the William G. Mather Maritime Museum............... 50,000
Health Care Foundation of Mississippi, Tupelo, MS for a
Children's Health Science Center.................... 300,000
Heckscher Museum of Art, Huntington, NY, for
digitalization of collections and related activities 100,000
Historic Hudson Valley, Tarrytown, NY, for education
programs at Philipsburg Manor....................... 250,000
Historic Yellow Springs, Inc., Chester Springs, PA for
technology upgrades................................. 25,000
History Makers, Chicago, IL, for digitization of an oral
history archive of interviews with African Americans 100,000
History Museum of East Otter Tail County, Perham, MN,
for its In Their Own Words exhibit.................. 150,000
Holbrook Public Library, Holbrook, MA, for equipment and
technology.......................................... 100,000
Irwindale Public Library, Irwindale, CA, for a computer
system to preserve historic materials............... 30,000
Louisiana Art and Science Museum, Baton Rouge, LA for
equipment, outreach and software development........ 250,000
Martinsburg Public Library, Martinsburg, WV for computer
and technology equipment............................ 50,000
Massie Heritage Center, Savannah, GA for restoration of
exhibits and equipment upgrades..................... 950,000
Massillon Museum, Massillon, OH for technology and
digitization of collections......................... 50,000
Mauna Kea Astronomy Education Center, Hilo, HI, for
exhibits and education programs..................... 250,000
McKinley Museum, Canton, OH for exhibits................ 50,000
Miami University, Oxford, OH for digitization........... 30,000
Michigan's Own Military and Space Museum, Frankenmuth,
MI, for preservation and display of collections, and
for operating expenses.............................. 200,000
Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO, for its math
and science education project....................... 300,000
Morris Museum, Morristown, NJ for development of the
Interactive Educational Workshop Center exhibit..... 500,000
Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, IL, for its
Science in Your World exhibit....................... 300,000
Museum of Science and Technology, Syracuse, NY for
exhibits and operations............................. 500,000
National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, Cedar Rapids,
IA for upgrade of permanent collection.............. 80,000
National Museum of Industrial History, Bethlehem, PA for
program development................................. 125,000
North Carolina Zoological Park, Ashboro, NC for exhibits 200,000
Oklahoma City, OK National Memorial Foundation for
community education & outreach programs at the
Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum.............. 300,000
Old Stone House of Brooklyn, Inc., NY, for education
programs............................................ 50,000
Onondaga County, NY Public Library for technology and
communications infrastructure upgrades.............. 250,000
Oregon Zoo, Portland, OR, for interpretive panels,
displays and furnishings for exhibits............... 125,000
Orem Public Library, Orem, UT for technology upgrades... 200,000
Overton County Library, TN, for collections, technology
and education programs.............................. 300,000
Pennsylvania State Police Historical and Educational
Museum, Hershey, PA, for exhibits, education
programs, and operating support..................... 100,000
Phillips Collection, Washington, DC, for its National
Summer Teacher Institute............................ 100,000
Pico Rivera Library, Pico Rivera, CA, for books and
materials, equipment and furnishings................ 100,000
Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum, Savannah, GA for
exhibits and curriculum............................. 500,000
ReadNet Foundation, New York, NY for a literacy
initiative in Erie and Niagara Counties, NY......... 100,000
Rhode Island Holocaust Museum, Providence, RI, for
exhibits and education programs..................... 200,000
Rockwall Library, Rockwall, TX for books and other
library materials................................... 100,000
Rust College, Holly Springs, MS for the digitalization
of collections and equipment for the Leontyne Price
Library............................................. 500,000
Samuel Dorsky Museum of Art, State University of New
York at New Paltz, NY, for exhibits and programs.... 50,000
San Bernardino County Museum, San Bernardino, CA for new
exhibits, care of collection, and new learning
programs............................................ 200,000
Sci-Quest, the North Alabama Science Center, Huntsville,
AL, for science and mathematics education programs
and outreach activities............................. 250,000
Shedd Aquarium, Chicago, IL, for exhibits, and for its
community outreach and mentoring initiative......... 500,000
Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles, CA, for exhibits
and education programs.............................. 250,000
South Florida Science Museum, West Palm Beach, FL for
the Dekelboum Science Center........................ 300,000
Stark County Park District, Canton, OH, for exhibits at
the Canalway Learning Center........................ 50,000
Taft Museum of Art, Cinncinnati, OH for exhibitions and
outreach............................................ 200,000
Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX for Virtual Vietnam
Archive............................................. 650,000
Tillamook County Library, Tillamook, OR, for equipment
and technology...................................... 150,000
Tubman African American Museum, Macon, GA, for museum
and education services.............................. 450,000
University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA, for the James R.
Slater Museum of Natural History for collections,
education programs and outreach..................... 250,000
Veterans Research Center, Waterloo, IA for new exhibits. 250,000
Virginia War Memorial Educational Foundation, Inc.,
Richmond, VA for four educational materials segments 200,000
Yolo County Library, Woodland, CA, for an after school
assistance and literacy program at the Arthur F.
Turner West Sacramento Branch Library............... 50,000
Young at Art Children's Museum, Davie, Florida, for its
Global Village project.............................. 100,000
Zoo New England, Boston, MA, for its Living Classrooms
initiative.......................................... 150,000
Medicare Payment Advisory Commission
The Committee recommends $10,457,000 for the Medicare
Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), an increase of $391,000
above the fiscal year 2006 appropriation and the same as the
budget request. MedPAC advises Congress on payment and other
policy issues affecting the Medicare program and on
implications of changes in health care delivery and in the
market for health care services on the Medicare program.
National Commission on Libraries and Information Science
The Committee recommends $983,000 for the National
Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS). This
is the same as the fiscal year 2006 appropriation and the
budget request.
The Commission advises the Executive and Legislative
branches, and other public and private organizations on
national library and information policies and plans.
The Committee is aware of the proposal to consolidate the
Commission and the Institute of Museum and Library Services in
fiscal year 2008. The Committee recognizes the important
mission of NCLIS and encourages active planning by both
agencies to foster a streamlined, combined agency by the close
of fiscal year 2007.
National Council on Disability
The bill provides $3,180,000 for the National Council on
Disability (NCD). This is $67,000 above as the fiscal year 2006
appropriation and $408,000 above the budget request.
The Council monitors implementation of the Americans with
Disabilities Act and makes recommendations to the President,
the Congress, the Rehabilitation Services Administration, and
the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation
Research on public policy issues of concern to individuals with
disabilities.
National Labor Relations Board
The bill provides $249,789,000 for the National Labor
Relations Board (NLRB). This is $44,000 above the fiscal year
2006 appropriation and the same as the budget request.
The NLRB receives, investigates, and prosecutes unfair
labor practice charges filed by businesses, labor unions, and
individuals. It also schedules and conducts representation
elections. The five-member Board considers cases in which an
administrative law judge decisions are appealed.
National Mediation Board
The bill provides $11,749,000 for the National Mediation
Board (NMB). This is $237,000 above the fiscal year 2006
appropriation and the same as the budget request.
The NMB mediates labor disputes between employees and
railroad and airline carriers subject to the Railway Labor Act.
The Board also resolves representation disputes involving labor
organizations seeking to represent railroad or airline
employees.
Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission
The bill provides $10,510,000 for the Occupational Safety
and Health Review Commission, $105,000 above the fiscal year
2006 appropriation and $164,000 above the budget request.
The Commission adjudicates contested citations issues by
the Occupational Safety and Health Administration against
employers for violations of safety and health standards. The
Commission's administrative law judges settle and decide cases
at the initial level of review. The agency's three appointed
Commissioners also review cases, issue rulings on complicated
issues, and may direct review of any decision by an
administrative law judge.
Railroad Retirement Board
DUAL BENEFITS ACCOUNT
The bill provides $88,000,000 for dual benefits, a decrease
of $8,030,000 below the fiscal year 2006 appropriation and the
same as the budget request.
These funds are used to pay dual benefits to those retirees
receiving both railroad retirement and social security
benefits. The bill includes a provision permitting a portion of
these funds to be derived from income tax receipts on dual
benefits as authorized by law. The Railroad Retirement Board
estimates that approximately $6,000,000 may be derived in this
manner.
FEDERAL PAYMENT TO THE RAILROAD RETIREMENT ACCOUNT
The bill provides $150,000 for the interest earned on
unnegotiated checks, the same as the fiscal year 2006
appropriation and the budget request.
LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATION
The bill provides a consolidated limitation of $103,518,000
on the expenditure of railroad retirement and railroad
unemployment trust funds for administrative expenses of the
Railroad Retirement Board, an increase of $2,000,000 above the
fiscal year 2006 appropriation and the same as the budget
request. The bill includes a provision from the fiscal year
1999 Appropriations Act prohibiting the transfer of resources
formerly identified in a Memorandum of Understanding from the
RRB to the Inspector General.
The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) administers
comprehensive retirement-survivor and unemployment-sickness
insurance benefit programs for railroad workers and their
families. This account limits the amount of funds in the
railroad retirement and railroad unemployment insurance trust
funds that may be used by the RRB for administrative expenses.
The Committee prohibits funds from the railroad retirement
trust fund from being spent on any charges over and above the
actual cost of administering the trust fund, including
commercial rental rates.
The bill includes language (Sec. 516) limiting the
availability of funds to the Railroad Retirement Board to enter
into an arrangement with a nongovernmental financial
institution to serve as disbursing agent for benefits payable
under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974.
The Committee is aware of a proposal to consolidate the
financial statements and audit of the National Railroad
Retirement Investment Trust with the financial statements and
audit of the Railroad Retirement Board. The Committee notes
that the Railroad Retirement and Survivors' Improvement Act of
2001 mandates that the Trust functions independently from the
Railroad Retirement Board. Further, the Act specifically
requires a separate audit of the Trust by a nongovernmental
auditor, and requires that the results of this audit be
included in the Trust's Annual Management Report to Congress.
The Committee expects that the Trust be administered and
audited solely in conformance with the Act of 2001.
LIMITATION ON THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
The bill provides authority to expend $7,606,000 from the
railroad retirement and railroad unemployment insurance trust
funds for the Office of Inspector General, an increase of
$482,000 above the fiscal year 2006 appropriation and the same
as the budget request. This account provides funding for the
Inspector General to conduct and supervise audits and
investigations of programs and operations of the Board.
The Committee compliments the work of the Office of the
Inspector General of the Railroad Retirement Board for their
work in obtaining information on actual collections, offsets,
and funds put to better use as required in House Report 105-
635. This information is of great use to the Committee and the
Committee understands the difficulty encountered by the OIG in
obtaining it. The Committee expects that the Office of
Inspector General will continue to report the information to
it.
Social Security Administration
PAYMENTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUNDS
The Committee recommends $27,756,000 for mandatory payments
necessary to compensate the Old Age and Survivors Insurance
(OASI) and Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Funds for special
payments to certain uninsured persons (for which no payroll tax
is received), costs incurred for administration of pension
reform activities and interest lost on the value of benefit
checks issued but not negotiated. This is $7,286,000 more than
the fiscal year 2006 funding level and the same as the budget
request. This appropriation restores the trust funds to the
position they would have been in had they not borne these costs
properly charged to the general funds.
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM
The Committee recommends $29,065,000,000 for the
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. This is
$304,174,000 more than the fiscal year 2006 funding level and
$60,000,000 less than the budget request. The Committee also
provides $16,810,000,000 in advance funding for the first
quarter of fiscal year 2008 as requested.
Beneficiary services
The Committee concurs with the budget request to use the
carryover funding to cover estimated obligations in fiscal year
2007 for beneficiary services. Therefore, the Committee has
recommended no new budget authority for this program. In fiscal
year 2006, $52,000,000 was provided for this program. These
funds are made available to reimburse State vocational
rehabilitation services agencies for successful rehabilitation
of SSI recipients.
Research and demonstration
Within the appropriation for SSI, the Committee recommends
$27,000,000 for research and demonstration activities conducted
under section 1110 of the Social Security Act. This is the same
as both the fiscal year 2006 level and the budget request.
Administration
Within the appropriation for SSI, the Committee recommends
$2,944,000,000 for payment to the Social Security trust funds
for SSI's share of the base administrative expenses of the
Social Security Administration (SSA). This is $211,000,000 more
than the fiscal year 2006 funding level and $60,000,000 less
than the budget request.
LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
The Committee recommends a limitation on administrative
expenses for SSA of $9,175,000,000 to be funded from the Social
Security and Medicare trust funds. This is $186,394,000 more
than the fiscal year 2006 funding level and the same as the
budget request.
Social Security Advisory Board
The Committee recommends that not less than $2,000,000
within the limitation on administrative expenses be available
for the Social Security Advisory Board, the same as both the
fiscal year 2006 level and the budget request.
User fees
In addition to other amounts provided in the bill, the
Committee recommends an additional limitation of $118,000,000
for administrative activities funded from user fees. This is
$2,000,000 less than the fiscal year 2006 level and the same as
the budget request.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
The Committee recommends $94,411,000 for the Office of the
Inspector General (OIG), $2,935,000 more than the fiscal year
2006 funding level and $1,589,000 less than the budget request.
The bill also provides authority to expend $67,976,000 from the
Social Security trust funds for activities conducted by the
Inspector General, $2,270,000 more than the fiscal year 2006
funding level and $1,024,000 less than the budget request.
TITLE V--GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 501. The Committee continues a provision to allow the
Secretaries of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education
to transfer unexpended balances of prior appropriations to
accounts corresponding to current appropriations to be used for
the same purpose and for the same periods of time for which
they were originally appropriated.
Sec. 502. The Committee continues a provision to prohibit
the obligation of funds beyond the current fiscal year unless
expressly so provided.
Sec. 503. The Committee continues a provision to prohibit
appropriated funds to be used to support or defeat legislation
pending before the Congress or any State legislature, except in
presentation to the Congress or any State legislature itself.
Sec. 504. The Committee continues a provision to limit the
amount available for official reception and representation
expenses for the Secretaries of Labor and Education, the
Director of the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, and
the Chairman of the National Mediation Board.
Sec. 505. The Committee continues a provision to prohibit
funds to be used to carry out a needle distribution program.
Sec. 506. The Committee continues a provision to require
grantees receiving Federal funds to clearly state the
percentage of the total cost of the program or project that
will be financed with Federal money.
Sec. 507. The Committee continues a provision to prohibit
appropriated funds to be used for any abortion.
Sec. 508. The Committee continues a provision to provide
exceptions for Sec. 507 and adds a limitation prohibiting funds
from the bill to be made available to a Federal, State or local
government or program if they discriminate against
institutional or individual health care entities if they do not
provide, pay for, or refer for abortions.
Sec. 509. The Committee continues a provision to prohibit
the use of funds in the Act concerning research involving human
embryos. However, this language should not be construed to
limit federal support for research involving human embryonic
stem cells listed on an NIH registry and carried out in
accordance with policy outlined by the President.
Sec. 510. The Committee continues a provision to prohibit
the use of funds for any activity that promotes the
legalization of any drug or substance included in schedule I of
the schedules of controlled substances.
Sec. 511. The Committee continues a provision to prohibit
the use of funds to promulgate or adopt any final standard
providing for a unique health identifier until legislation is
enacted specifically approving the standard.
Sec. 512. The Committee continues a provision related to
annual reports to the Secretary of Labor.
Sec. 513. The Committee continues a provision that
prohibits the transfer of funds from this Act except by
authority provided in this Act or another appropriation Act.
Sec. 514. The Committee includes a provision to limit funds
in the bill for public libraries to those libraries that comply
with the requirements of the Children's Internet Protection
Act.
Sec. 515. The Committee includes a provision to limit
technology funds in the bill for elementary and secondary
schools to those schools that comply with the requirements of
the Children's Internet Protection Act.
Sec. 516. The Committee includes language limiting the
availability of funds to the Railroad Retirement Board to enter
into an arrangement with a nongovernmental financial
institution to serve as disbursing agent for benefits payable
under the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974.
Sec. 517. The Committee maintains a provision clarifying
the procedures for reprogramming of funds. The Committee notes
that this provision is consistent with reprogramming language
included in other bills within the Committee's jurisdiction.
Sec. 518. The Committee continues a provision pertaining to
appointments to a scientific advisory committee.
Sec. 519. The Act includes language requesting each
Department and related agency to submit an operating plan
within 45 days of enactment, detailing any reprogramming of
funds which result in a different funding allocation than that
in the fiscal year 2007 Act, the accompanying detailed table or
budget request.
Sec. 520. The Act includes language prohibiting the
reprogramming or transfer of funds to the ``E-Gov'' Initiative
without an approved reprogramming request from the Committees
on Appropriations in the House and Senate.
Sec. 521. The Act includes language requiring prior
approval of Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART) analyses and
studies.
Sec. 522. The Act includes language requiring the
development of traditional Congressional Justifications. Fiscal
year 2008 budget submissions shall not contain performance or
performance integration information and shall not include
Performance Assessment Rating Tool (PART) information or
results. This information shall be submitted in separate
documents.
Sec. 523. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting
use of funds in contravention of the energy efficiency
performance goals and reporting requirements for Federal
buildings contained in two statutes and an executive order.
Sec. 524. The Committee recommends new language precluding
funds made available by this Act from being used by the Social
Security Administration to administer benefit payments under a
totalization arrangement that would be inconsistent with
existing law.
Sec. 525. The Committee recommends new language amending
existing law to establish a new minimum wage.
CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY
Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee on Appropriations bases
its authority to report this legislation on clause 7 of section
9 of article I of the U.S. Constitution, which states:
No money shall be drawn from the Treasury but in
consequence of Appropriations made by law * * *.
COMPARISON WITH BUDGET RESOLUTION
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, following is an explanation of
compliance with section 308(a)(1)(A) of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974, detailing how the new budget authority
provided by the accompanying bill compares with the report
submitted under section 302 of the Act for the most recently
agreed to concurrent resolution on the budget for the fiscal
year. This information follows:
[In millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
302(b) allocation This bill
---------------------------------------------------
Budget Budget
Authority Outlays Authority Outlays
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discretionary............................................... $141,930 $145,631 $141,930 $145,488
Mandatory................................................... 444,429 445,140 444,429 445,140
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In accordance with the Congressional Budget Act of 1974,
the following information was provided to the Committee by the
Congressional Budget Office:
FIVE-YEAR PROJECTIONS
In compliance with section 308(a)(1)(B) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the following table contains
five-year projections associated with the budget authority
provided in the accompanying bill:
[In millions of dollars]
Outlays:
2007...................................................... $503,660
2008...................................................... 61,748
2009...................................................... 14,319
2010...................................................... 2,913
2011 and beyond........................................... 518
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Pursuant to section 308(a)(1)(C) of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974, the financial assistance to State and local
governments is as follows:
[In millions of dollars]
New budget authority.......................................... $267,808
Fiscal year 2007 outlays resulting therefrom.................. 230,247
TRANSFER OF FUNDS
Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following table is submitted
describing the transfers of funds recommended in the
accompanying bill.
The table shows, by Department and agency, the
appropriations affected by such transfers.
APPROPRIATION TRANSFERS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account from which
Account to which transfer is made Amount transfer is made Amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Department of Labor: Department of Labor:
Special Benefits................. (\1\) Postal Service and (\1\)
various agencies.
Various Agencies................. (\1\) Energy Employees (\1\)
Occupational Illness
Compensation Fund.
Employment Standards $33,578,000............ Black Lung Disability $33,578,000
Administration--Salaries and Trust Fund.
Expenses.
Departmental Management--Salaries 25,255,000............. Black Lung Disability 25,255,000
and Expenses. Trust Fund.
Office of Inspector General...... 346,000................ Black Lung Disability 346,000
Trust Fund.
Employment Benefits Security 7,000,000.............. Pension Benefits 7,000,000
Administration, Salary and Guaranty Corporation.
Expenses.
Department of Health and Human Department of Health
Services: and Human Services:
National Institutes of Health: National Institutes of
Health:
Various institutes and up to 3%............... Various institutes and up to 3%
centers for AIDS. centers for AIDS.
Various institutes and amount det'd to be AIDS Office of AIDS Research amount det'd to be AIDS
centers for AIDS.
Various institutes and up to 1%............... Various institutes and up to 1%
centers. centers.
Related Agencies:
National Service Trust........... 124,720,000............ Corp. for National and 124,720,000
Community Service.
National Service Trust........... (\1\) Corp. for National and (\1\)
Community Service.
Social Security Administration:
Office of Inspector General.. 67,976,000............. Federal Old-Age and 67,976,000
Survivors Insurance
Trust Fund and Federal
Disability Insurance
Trust Fund.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Such sums
RESCISSIONS
Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following table is submitted
describing the rescissions recommended in the accompanying
bill.
Compliance With Rule XIII, Cl. 3(e) (Ramseyer Rule)
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets and
existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in roman):
SECTION 6 OF THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT OF 1938
minimum wages
Sec. 6. (a) Every employer shall pay to each of his
employees who in any workweek is engaged in commerce or in the
production of goods for commerce, or is employed in an
enterprise engaged in commerce or in the production of goods
for commerce, wages at the following rates:
(1) except as otherwise provided in this section,
not less than $4.25 an hour during the period ending on
September 30, 1996, not less than $4.75 an hour during
the year beginning on October 1, 1996, [and] not less
than $5.15 an hour beginning September 1, 1997, not
less than $5.85 an hour beginning on January 1, 2007,
not less than $6.55 an hour beginning on January 1,
2008, and not less than $7.25 an hour beginning on
January 1, 2009;
* * * * * * *
RESCISSIONS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL
Account Amount
Department of Labor, Training and Employment Service.. -$325,000,000
Changes in Application of Existing Law
Pursuant to clause 3(f) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following statements are
submitted describing the effect of provisions in the
accompanying bill which may directly or indirectly change the
application of existing law.
The bill provides that appropriations shall remain
available for more than one year for some programs for which
the basic authorizing legislation does not so authorize such
extended availability.
In various places in the bill, an earmark of funds within
appropriation accounts may not track the authorization language
with the level of specificity required under clause 2 of rule
XXI.
In several instances, the bill provides advance
appropriations for fiscal year 2008 for programs for which such
advances are not authorized by law. Various pleonasms in the
bill may violate clause 2.
TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Training and Employment Services
Language prohibiting the use of funds from any other
appropriation to provide meal services at or for Job Corps
centers.
State Unemployment Insurance and Employment Service Operations
Language allowing the use of funds for amortization
payments to states which had independent retirement plans in
their state employment service agencies prior to 1980.
Language allowing the Labor Department to withhold from
state allotments funds available for penalty mail under the
Wagner-Peyser Act.
Language providing that funds in this Act for one-stop
career centers and unemployment insurance national activities
may be used for contracts, grants, or agreements with non-state
entities.
Language providing that funds in this Act may be used by
the states for integrated Employment Service and Unemployment
Insurance automation efforts.
Employment Standards Administration
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Language authorizing the Secretary of Labor to accept and
spend all sums of money ordered to be paid to the Secretary, in
accordance with the terms of a Consent Judgment in U.S.
District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands.
Language authorizing the Secretary of Labor to collect user
fees for processing certain applications and issuing certain
certificates and registrations under the Fair Labor Standards
Act and the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection
Act.
SPECIAL BENEFITS
Language providing funds may be used under the Federal
Employees' Compensation Act in which the Secretary of Labor may
reimburse an employer, who is not the employer at the time of
injury, for portions of the salary of a reemployed, disabled
beneficiary.
Language allowing the Secretary of Labor to transfer
certain administrative funds from the Postal Service fund and
certain other government corporations and agencies related to
the administration of the Federal Employees' Compensation Act.
Language allowing the Secretary of Labor to require any
person filing a claim for benefits under the Federal Employees'
Compensation Act or the Longshore and Harbor Workers'
Compensation Act to provide such identifying information as the
Secretary may require, including a Social Security number.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Language establishing a maximum amount available for grants
to states under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which
grants shall be no less than 50 percent of the costs of state
programs required to be incurred under plans approved by the
Secretary under section 18 of the Act.
Language authorizing the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration to retain and spend up to $750,000 of training
institute course tuition fees for training and education
grants.
Language allowing the Secretary of Labor to collect and
retain fees for services provided to Nationally Recognized
Testing Laboratories.
Language prohibiting OSHA from obligating or expending any
of these funds to enforce the annual fit test requirement of
the General Industry Respiratory Protection Standard with
respect to exposure to tuberculosis.
Mine Safety and Health Administration
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Language allowing the Mine Safety and Health Administration
to collect up to $750,000 at the National Mine Health and
Safety Academy for room, board, tuition, and the sale of
training materials, otherwise authorized by law to be
collected, to be available for mine safety and health education
and training activities, notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302.
Language allowing the Mine Safety and Health Administration
to accept land, buildings, equipment, and other contributions
from public and private sources; to prosecute projects in
cooperation with other agencies, Federal, state, or private;
and to promote health and safety education and training in the
mining community through cooperative programs with states,
industry, and safety associations.
Language allowing the Secretary of Labor to use any funds
available to the Department to provide for the costs of mine
rescue and survival operations in the event of major disasters.
Departmental Management
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Language providing that no funds made available by this Act
may be used by the Solicitor of Labor to participate in a
review in any United States court of appeals of any decision
made by the Benefits Review Board under section 21 of the
Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act where such
participation is precluded by the decision of the Supreme Court
in Director, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs v.
Newport News Shipbuilding, 115 S. Ct. 1278 (1995),
notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary contained in
Rule 15 of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Language providing that any decision under the Longshore
Act pending before the Benefits Review Board for more than one
year shall be considered affirmed by the Board and shall be
considered the final order of the Board.
Administrative Provisions
Language requiring the Secretary of Labor to issue certain
monthly transit subsidies.
TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Health Resources and Services Administration
HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES
Language providing that $40,000,000 from general revenues,
not-withstanding section 1820(j) of the Social Security Act,
shall be available for carrying out the Medicare rural hospital
flexibility grants program under section 1820 of such Act.
Language providing that in addition to fees authorized by
section 427(b) of the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of
1986, fees shall be collected for the full disclosure of
information under the Act sufficient to recover the full costs
of operating the National Practitioner Data Bank, and shall
remain available until expended to carry out that Act.
Language providing that fees collected under the Health
Care Fraud and Abuse Data Collection Program, authorized by
section 1128E(d)(2) of the Social Security Act shall be
sufficient to recover the full costs of operating the program,
and shall remain available until expended to carry out that
Act.
Language providing that all pregnancy counseling under the
family planning program shall be nondirective.
Language providing $70,000,000 for awards to states for
HIV/AIDS care and treatment services under subpart I of Part B
of the Public Health Service Act, notwithstanding sections 2616
through 2620.
Language making $25,000,000 available under section 241 of
the Public Health Service Act to fund special programs for the
care and treatment of individuals with HIV disease.
Language identifying a specific amount for maternal and
child health SPRANS activities, notwithstanding current law.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Language permitting the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) to purchase and insure official motor vehicles
in foreign countries.
Language permitting CDC to purchase, hire, maintain and
operate aircraft.
Language providing that $29,700,000 is available until
expended for equipment and construction and renovation of
facilities.
Language providing that $121,952,000 is available until
September 30, 2007 for International HIV/AIDS.
Language providing that collections from user fees may be
credited to the CDC appropriation.
Language making specific amounts under section 241 of the
Public Health Service Act available to carry out: National
Immunization Surveys and the National Occupational Research
Agenda.
Language providing up to $31,800,000 for Individual
Learning Accounts for full-time equivalents employees of CDC.
Language allowing the Director of CDC to redirect certain
funds appropriated under Public Law 101-502.
Language providing that not to exceed $12,500,000 may be
made available for grants under section 1509 of the Public
Health Service Act to not more than 15 States, tribes, or
tribal organizations.
Language permitting CDC to exempt from any personnel
ceiling applicable to the Agency both civilian and Commissioned
Officers detailed to the states, municipalities, or other
organizations under authority of section 214 of the Public
Health Service Act for purposes related to homeland security
during the period of detail or assignment.
National Institutes of Health
NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE
Language providing that the National Library of Medicine
may enter into certain personal services contracts.
Language making $8,200,000 available under section 241 of
the Public Health Service Act to carry out National Information
Center on Health Services Research and Health Care Technology
and related health services.
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
Language providing that the National Institutes of Health
is authorized to collect third party payments for the cost of
the clinical services that are incurred in NIH research
facilities and that such payments shall be credited to the NIH
Management Fund and shall remain available for one fiscal year
after they are deposited.
Language providing the Director of NIH authority to
transfer funds between appropriation accounts in this or any
other Act.
Language providing that a uniform percentage of the amounts
appropriated to the Institutes and Centers may be transferred
and utilized for the NIH Roadmap for Medical Research.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Language providing that notwithstanding section 520A(f)(2)
of the Public Health Service Act, no funds appropriated for
carrying out section 520A are available for carrying out
section 1971.
Language making specific amounts available under section
241 of the Public Health Service Act to fund technical
assistance, National data, data collection and evaluation
activities; national surveys on drug abuse; and, to evaluate
substance abuse treatment programs.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Language is included to permit the Agency for Healthcare
Research and Quality to retain and expend amounts received from
Freedom of Information Act fees, reimbursable and interagency
agreements, and the sale of data tapes.
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
GRANTS TO STATES FOR MEDICAID
Language providing that in the administration of title XIX
of the Social Security Act, payments to a State for any quarter
may be made with respect to a State plan or plan amendment in
effect during any such quarter, if submitted in, or prior to,
such quarter and approved in that or any such subsequent
quarter.
PAYMENTS TO THE HEALTH CARE TRUST FUNDS
Language providing indefinite authority for paying benefits
if the annual appropriation is insufficient.
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
Language providing that all funds collected in accordance
with section 353 of the Public Health Service Act, together
with such sums as may be collected from authorized user fees,
administrative fees collected relative to Medicare overpayment
recovery activities, and the sale of data, shall be available
for expenditure by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid
Services.
Language allowing fees charged in accordance with 31 U.S.C.
9701 to be credited to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services administrative account.
Language providing that funds under this heading are
available for the Healthy Start, Grow Smart program.
Language permitting the collection of fees associated with
conducting revisit surveys of health care facilities and that
such fees shall be credited to this appropriation as an
offsetting collection and shall remain available until
expended.
Administration for Children and Families
PAYMENTS TO STATES FOR CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT AND FAMILY SUPPORT
PROGRAMS
Language providing that the sum of the amounts available to
a state with respect to expenditures under title IV-A of the
Social Security Act in fiscal year 1997 under this
appropriation and under such title IV-A as amended by the
Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act
of 1996 shall not exceed the limitations under section 116(b)
of such Act.
LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE
Language waiving existing law.
CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SERVICES PROGRAMS
Language making $6,000,000 available under section 241 of
the Public Health Service Act to carry out provisions of
section 1110 of the Social Security Act.
Language requiring the Secretary to establish certain
procedures regarding the disposition of intangible property.
Language imposing certain requirements on grantees under
the abstinence education program.
Office of the Secretary
GENERAL DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Language making $39,552,000 available under section 241 of
the Public Health Service Act to carry out national health or
human services research and evaluation activities.
Language providing $13,120,000 for prevention service
demonstration grants under the Adolescent Family Life program,
notwithstanding current law.
OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL COORDINATOR FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Language making $11,930,000 available under section 241 of
the Public Health Service Act to carry out health information
technology network development activities.
TITLE III--DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Impact Aid
Language ensuring that schools serving the children of
military personnel continue to receive Impact Aid funds when
the military parents who live on-base are deployed and the
child continues to attend the same school and in cases in which
an on-base military parent is killed while on active duty and
the child continues to attend the same school.
School Improvement Programs
Language allowing the Republic of the Marshall Islands and
the Federated States of Micronesia to reserve up to five
percent of their supplemental education grants for technical
assistance, administration and oversight purposes.
Innovation and Improvement
Language allowing the Secretary to retain up to three
percent of the funding for the Teaching American History
program for technical assistance and the dissemination of
information. Language permitting stipends and bonuses under the
Troops to Teachers program to be made available to those
serving in schools receiving title I funds.
Special Education
Language identifying $11,880,000 for Recording for the
Blind and Dyslexic, Inc., the general purposes of which are
authorized in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Language limiting the increase in the amount of funds
required to be transferred to the Department of the Interior
under the Grants to States program to the lesser of an amount
equal to the amount transferred to the Department of the
Interior for fiscal year 2006 plus inflation or the percentage
increase in the appropriation for the Grants to States program.
Vocational and Adult Education
Language specifying an allocation formula for awarding
State grants for English literacy and civics education, which
is not otherwise authorized under the Adult Education and
Family Literacy Act.
Language stating that a portion of the amount provided for
Adult Education State Grants shall be for integrated English
literacy and civics education services to immigrants and other
limited English proficient populations, and specifying the
distribution of such funds.
Language identifying specific funding levels for the
National Institute for Literacy and national leadership
activities under the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act,
overriding the statutory set-aside of 1.5 percent of the adult
education appropriation.
Student Financial Assistance
Language providing that the maximum Pell Grant a student
may receive in the 2006-2007 academic year shall be $4,150.
Higher Education
Language providing that funds are available to fund
fellowships for academic year 2006-2007 under part A, subpart 1
of title VII of the Higher Education Act of 1965, under the
terms and conditions of part A, subpart 1.
Language providing that notwithstanding any other provision
of law, funds made available to carry out title VI of the
Higher Education Act and section 102(b)(6) of the Mutual
Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 may be used to
support visits and study in foreign countries by individuals
who are participating in advanced foreign language training and
international studies in areas that are vital to United States
national security and who plan to apply their language skills
and knowledge of these countries in the fields of government,
the professions, or international development.
Howard University
Language providing that Howard University shall use not
less than $3,524,000 for the endowment program pursuant to the
Howard University Endowment Act.
TITLE IV--RELATED AGENCIES
Corporation for National and Community Service
DOMESTIC VOLUNTEER SERVICE PROGRAMS, OPERATING EXPENSES
Language prohibiting certain funds from being used for
stipends or other monetary incentives for volunteers or
volunteer leaders whose incomes exceed 125 percent of the
national poverty level.
NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS, OPERATING EXPENSES
Language allowing certain funds to be used for education
award-only grants.
Language allowing certain additional funds to be
transferred to the National Service Trust, upon a determination
that it is necessary to support the activities of national
service participants and after notice is transmitted to the
Congress.
Language prohibiting certain funds from being used to
support salaries and related expenses (including travel)
attributable to employees of the Corporation for National and
Community Service.
Language requiring certain funds to be provided in a manner
that is consistent with the recommendations of peer review
panels in order to ensure that priority is given to programs
that demonstrate quality, innovation, replicability, and
sustainability.
Language allowing certain funds to support an endowment
fund and permitting certain investments of the endowment fund.
Language prohibiting funds for national service programs
run by certain other Federal agencies.
Language requiring the Corporation for National and
Community Service to increase significantly the level of
matching funds and in-kind contributions provided by the
private sector and to reduce the total Federal costs per
participant in all programs.
Language allowing certain funds to be made available to
provide assistant to state commissions on national and
community service.
Language allowing certain funds to be used for grant
application reviews.
Administrative Provisions
Language allowing certain loans to be considered qualified
student loans.
Language allowing certain grantees to be eligible for
grants targeted to individuals with disabilities.
Language requiring the Inspector General of the Corporation
for National and Community Service to conduct random audits of
the grantees that administer activities under the AmeriCorps
programs, to levy sanctions for violations, and to obtain
reimbursements of misused funds from grantees committing
substantial violations.
Language requiring the Corporation for National and
Community Service to make significant changes to program
requirements or policies only through public notice and comment
rulemaking.
Language prohibiting personnel of the Corporation for
National and Community Service from making unauthorized
disclosures of covered grant selection information.
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
The bill includes language specifying that notwithstanding
31 U.S.C. 3302 fees charged by the Federal Mediation and
Conciliation Service, up to full-cost recovery, for special
training activities and for arbitration services shall be
credited to and merged with its administrative account and
shall remain available until expended; that fees for
arbitration services shall be available only for education,
training, and professional development of the agency workforce;
and that the Director of the Service is authorized to accept on
behalf of the United States gifts of services and real,
personal, or other property in the aid of any projects or
functions within the Director's jurisdiction.
National Labor Relations Board
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
The bill includes a provision requiring that appropriations
to the NLRB shall not be available to organize or assist in
organizing agricultural laborers or used in connection with
investigations, hearings, directives, or orders concerning
bargaining units composed of agricultural laborers as referred
to in 2(3) of the Act of July 5, 1935 (29 U.S.C. 152), and as
amended by the Labor-Management Relations Act, 1947, as
amended, and as defined in 3(f) of the Act of June 25, 1938 (29
U.S.C. 203), and including in said definition employees engaged
in the maintenance and operation of ditches, canals,
reservoirs, and waterways, when maintained or operated on a
mutual non-profit basis and at least 95 per centum of the water
stored or supplied thereby is used for farming purposes.
Railroad Retirement Board
DUAL BENEFITS PAYMENTS ACCOUNT
The bill includes language providing that the total amount
provided for railroad retirement dual benefits shall be
credited to the Dual Benefits Payments Account in 12
approximately equal amounts on the first day of each month in
the fiscal year.
LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATION
The bill includes language providing that the Railroad
Retirement Board shall determine the allocation of its
administrative budget between the railroad retirement accounts
and the railroad unemployment insurance administration fund.
Social Security Administration
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM
Language requiring States to return to the Treasury funds
unobligated at the end of the current fiscal year.
LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
Language providing that unobligated balances at the end of
fiscal year 2007 shall remain available until expended for the
agency's information technology and telecommunications hardware
and software infrastructure, including related equipment and
non-payroll administrative expenses associated solely with this
information technology and telecommunications infrastructure.
Language providing that reimbursement to the trust funds
under this heading for expenditures for official time for
employees of the Social Security Administration pursuant to
section 7131 of title 5, United States Code, and for facilities
or support services for labor organizations pursuant to
policies, regulations, or procedures referred to in 7135(b) of
such title shall be made by the Secretary of the Treasury, with
interest, from amounts in the general fund not otherwise
appropriated, as soon as possible after such expenditures are
made.
Language providing that funds derived from administration
fees collected pursuant to 1616(d) of the Social Security Act
or 212(b)(3) of Public Law 93-66 over $117,000,000 shall be
available in fiscal year 2008 only to the extent provided in
advance in appropriations Acts.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
Language permitting the transfer of a certain amount of
funds into this account from the SSA administrative account
provided that the Appropriations Committees are promptly
notified.
Administrative and General Provisions
Sections 102, 208, 209, 210, 217, 304, and 501 include
legislative transfer authorities.
Sections 204, 206, 211, 212, 214, 301, 302, 303, 405, 502,
503, 505, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512, 513, 514, 515, 516,
517, 518, 520, and 521 may be construed as placing legislative
limitations on the use of funds in the bill.
Sections 105, 201, 202, 207, 215, 216, 218, 219, 220, 403,
404, 501, 504, 506, 519, and 522 establish affirmative
directions, confer new authorities, or impose new
responsibilities on departments or agencies funded by the bill.
Section 104 repeals existing law.
Sections 213, 401, and 402 explicitly waive existing law.
Section 525 amends existing law.
DEFINITION OF PROGRAM, PROJECT, AND ACTIVITY
During fiscal year 2007 for purposes of the Balanced Budget
and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, the following
information provides the definition of the term ``program,
project, and activity'' for departments and agencies under the
jurisdiction of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and
Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee. The term
``program, project, and activity'' shall include the most
specific level of budget items identified in the Departments of
Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related
Agencies Appropriations Act, 2007, the accompanying House and
Senate Committee reports, the conference report and
accompanying joint explanatory statement of the managers of the
committee of conference.
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following is a statement of
general performance goals and objectives for which this measure
authorizes funding:
The Committee on Appropriations considers program
performance in developing funding recommendations, including a
program's success in developing and attaining outcome-related
goals and objectives.
Appropriations Not Authorized by Law
Pursuant to clause 3 of rule XIII of the Rules of the House
of Representatives, the following table lists the
appropriations in the accompanying bill which are not
authorized by law:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations in
Agency/Program Last Year of Authorization Level Last Year of Appropriations in
Authorization Authorization this Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
ETA:
Training and Employment 2003............... Such Sums.......... $5,115,411,000 $4,967,209,000
Services.
Community Service Employment 2005............... Such Sums.......... 436,678,000 420,000,000
for Older Americans.
VETS:
Homeless Veterans' 2006............... $50,000,000........ 29,500,000 29,263,000
Reintegration Program.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES
HRSA:
Health Centers.............. 2006............... Such Sums.......... 1,737,758,000 1,988,000,000
National Health Service 2006............... Such Sums.......... 125,528,000 131,528,000
Corps.
Health Professions, except 2002............... Such Sums.......... 295,111,000 236,745,000
certain nursing programs.
Children's Hospital Graduate 2005............... Such Sums.......... 300,730,000 300,000,000
Medical Education.
Traumatic Brain Injury...... 2005............... Such Sums.......... 9,297,000 8,910,000
Healthy Start............... 1995............... Such Sums.......... 102,543,000 101,518,000
Newborn Hearing Screening... 2002............... Such Sums.......... 9,995,000 10,000,000
Emergency Medical Services 2005............... Such Sums.......... 19,831,000 19,800,000
for Children.
HIV Health Care Services 2005............... Such Sums.......... 2,073,296,000 2,107,713,000
Program (Ryan White).
Organ Transplantation....... 1993............... Such Sums.......... 2,767,000 23,049,000
Rural Health Outreach Grants 2006............... Such Sums.......... 38,885,000 40,000,000
Rural and Community Access 2003............... 25,000,000......... 12,419,000 1,500,000
to Emergency Devices.
State Offices of Rural 2002............... Such Sums.......... 7,996,000 8,400,000
Health.
Denali Commission........... 2003............... Such Sums.......... 27,321,000 0
Family Planning............. 1985............... 158,400,000........ 142,500,000 283,103,000
Hospital Preparedness-- 2002............... Such Sums.......... 3,499,000 486,606,000
Trauma/Emergency Medical
Services.
Telehealth.................. 2006............... Such Sums.......... 6,819,000 10,000,000
CDC:
Birth Defects............... 2002............... Such Sums.......... 89,946,000 117,722,000
Cancer Registries........... 2003............... Such Sums.......... 45,649,000 47,490,000
Prostate Cancer............. 2004............... Such Sums.......... 14,091,000 13,842,000
Breast and Cervical Cancer 2003............... Such Sums.......... 199,371,000 202,882,000
Prevention.
Wisewoman................... 2003............... Such Sums.......... 12,419,000 13,116,000
Prevention Centers.......... 2003............... Such Sums.......... 26,830,000 29,700,000
Health Statistics........... 2003............... Such Sums.......... 25,899,000 109,421,000
Infectious Disease Control.. 2005............... Such Sums.......... 225,589,000 225,938,000
Diabetes.................... 2005............... Such Sums.......... 63,457,000 69,000,000
Safe Motherhood/Infant 2005............... Such Sums.......... 44,738,000 44,009,000
Health Promotion.
Oral Health Promotion....... 2005............... Such Sums.......... 11,204,000 11,022,000
Preventive Health Services 1998............... Such Sums.......... 194,092,000 100,000,000
Block Grant.
HIV/AIDS Prevention......... 2005............... Such Sums.......... 662,267,000 706,316,000
Sexually Transmitted 1998............... Such Sums.......... 113,671,000 157,383,000
Diseases Grants.
Tuberculosis Grants......... 2002............... Such Sums.......... 132,403,000 137,423,000
Asthma Prevention........... 2005............... Such Sums.......... 32,422,000 31,994,000
Lead Poisoning Prevention... 2005............... Such Sums.......... 36,474,000 35,747,000
Injury Prevention and 2005............... Such Sums.......... 138,237,000 138,561,000
Control.
NIH:
National Institutes of 1996............... Such Sums.......... 416,992,000 0
Health--Research Training.
National Cancer Institute... 1996............... Such Sums.......... 2,248,000,000 4,753,609,000
National Heart, Lung, and 1996............... Such Sums.......... 1,354,945,000 2,901,012,000
Blood Institute.
National Institute on Aging. 1996............... Such Sums.......... 453,541,000 1,039,828,000
National Institute on 1994............... Such Sums.......... 185,538,000 433,318,000
Alcohol Abuse and
Alcoholism.
National Institute on Drug 1994............... Such Sums.......... 424,315,000 994,829,000
Abuse.
National Institute of Mental 1994............... Such Sums.......... 613,352,000 1,394,806,000
Health.
National Institute of 2003............... Such Sums.......... 280,100,000 294,850,000
Biomedical Imaging and
Bioengineering.
National Library of Medicine 1996............... Such Sums.......... 140,936,000 313,269,000
SAMHSA:
Substance Abuse and Mental FY 2003............ Such Sums.......... 3,161,951,000 3,160,576,000
Health Services programs,
except Post Traumatic
Stress and State and Campus
Suicide Prevention programs.
AHRQ*:.......................... FY 2005............ Such Sums.......... 0 318,695,000
ACF:
Office of Refugee FY 2002............ Such Sums.......... 439,894,000 478,006,000
Resettlement, except:
Unaccompanied Alien
Children, Trafficking
Victims and Torture Victims.
Adoption Awareness.......... FY 2005............ Such Sums.......... 12,802,000 12,674,000
Child Care Development Block FY 2002............ 1,000,000,000...... 2,099,994,000 2,082,910,000
Grant.
Head Start.................. FY 2003............ Such Sums.......... 6,815,570,000 6,899,000,000
Voting Access for FY 2005............ 35,000,000......... 14,879,000 14,879,000
Individuals with
Disabilities.
Native American programs.... FY 2002............ Such Sums.......... 45,946,000 44,780,000
Community Services Block FY 2003............ Such Sums.......... 739,315,000 389,672,000
Grant programs.
Rural Facilities............ FY 2003............ Such Sums.......... 7,250,000 7,367,000
Individual Development FY 2003............ 25,000,000......... 24,990,000 24,452,000
Account.
Promoting Safe and Stable FY 2006............ 545,000,000........ 434,100,000 434,100,000
Families.
AOA:
Aging Services Programs..... FY 2005............ Such Sums.......... 1,393,342,000 1,376,217,000
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
Adolescent Family Life (Title FY 1985............ 30,000,000......... 14,716,000 30,277,000
XX).
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Education for the Disadvantaged-- FY 2006............ Such Sums.......... 33,927,000 33,927,000
Migrant Education.
Innovation and Improvement-- FY 2004............ Such Sums.......... 37,279,000 36,611,000
Credit Enhancement for Charter
School Facilities.
Rehabilitation Services and FY 2004............ Such Sums.......... 3,011,270,000 3,242,707,000
Disability Research.
Special Institutions for Persons
with Disabilities:
National Technical Institute FY 2006............ Such Sums.......... 56,141,000 57,000,000
for the Deaf.
Gallaudet University........ FY 2006............ Such Sums.......... 106,998,000 110,500,000
Vocational and Adult FY 2004............ Such Sums.......... 2,109,172,000 1,925,858,000
Education.
Student Financial Assistance FY 2004............ Such Sums.......... 14,007,296,000 15,281,752,000
Student Aid Administration.. FY 2004............ Such Sums.......... 116,727,000 124,084,000
Higher Education:
Aid for Institutional FY 2004............ Such Sums.......... 485,065,000 503,229,000
Development.
International Education and FY 2004............ Such Sums.......... 103,680,000 105,751,000
Foreign Language.
Domestic Programs........... FY 2004............ Such Sums.......... 89,211,000 91,541,000
Institute for International FY 2004............ Such Sums.......... 1,629,000 1,600,000
Public Policy.
Fund for Improvement of Post FY 2004............ Such Sums.......... 157,700,000 91,165,000
Secondary Education.
Minority Science and FY 2004............ Such Sums.......... 8,889,000 8,730,000
Engineering Improvement.
Tribally Controlled Post- FY 2004............ 4,000,000.......... 7,185,000 7,366,000
Secondary Vocational and
Technical Institutions.
Federal TRIO Programs....... FY 2004............ Such Sums.......... 832,559,000 828,178,000
GEAR UP..................... FY 2004............ Such Sums.......... 298,230,000 303,423,000
Javits Fellowships.......... FY 2004............ Such Sums.......... 9,876,000 9,699,000
Graduate Assistance in Areas FY 2004............ Such Sums.......... 30,616,000 30,067,000
of National Need.
Teacher Quality Enhancement FY 2004............ Such Sums.......... 88,887,000 59,895,000
Grants.
Child Care Access Means FY 2004............ Such Sums.......... 16,098,000 15,810,000
Parents in School.
GPRA Data/HEA program FY 2004............ Such Sums.......... 988,000 970,000
evaluation.
B.J. Stupak Olympic FY 2004............ Such Sums.......... 988,000 970,000
Scholarships.
Howard University--Endowment FY 1985............ 2,000,000.......... 2,000,000 3,600,000
Program.
RELATED AGENCIES
Corporation for National and FY 1996............ Such Sums.......... 600,385,000 822,940,000
Community Service.
Corporation for Public FY 1993............ 200,000,000........ 65,327,000 36,000,000
Broadcasting, Interconnection.
Corporation for Public FY 2001............ 20,000............. 20,000,000 38,000,000
Broadcasting Digitalization.
National Council on Disability.. FY 2003............ Such Sums.......... 3,144,000 3,180,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Since fiscal year 2003, AHRQ has been funded entirely through the Public Health Service Evaluation Tap.
MINORITY VIEWS
Today, average families are paying more to heat their
homes, send their kids to college, and obtain health care. At
the same time, wages are down in real terms for middle- and
lower-income workers, and the earnings gap between them and the
highest income workers is growing.
The population continues to increase, and schools and
colleges must find the resources to educate a record number of
students.
The number of Americans without health insurance has
increased to 45.8 million--the highest number on record. Since
2000, the number of uninsured has risen by 6 million.
Poverty in America has risen for four straight years. In
2004 (the latest year data is available), 37 million people
were in poverty--up from 32 million in 2000.
This is the appropriations bill where we fund programs
directed at alleviating these problems, but the version
reported by the Committee this year moves us backward rather
than forward.
To understand what is happening to middle class and
underprivileged families who rely on key programs in this bill,
it is necessary for us to look not just at the changes in this
bill from last year, but to put those changes in the context of
what has happened to them over time.
Most of the budget cuts enacted last year are left in place
by this bill, and some new cuts are added. Further, we cannot
ignore the effect of rising population and rising costs,
particularly for things like health care and energy where
prices are rising especially quickly. Many key programs in this
bill have had funding frozen or cut for several years in a row,
and the cumulative effect is becoming a serious problem. Many
now have considerably less purchasing power and are meeting a
much smaller fraction of national needs than they did five
years ago.
In terms of programmatic funding, the total in this bill is
about $2.2 billion less than provided two years earlier in
actual dollar terms, before adjustment for inflation or
anything else. More to the point, the measure is about $11
billion below what would be needed to keep us level with where
we were two years ago after adjusting for general inflation and
population growth.
The main reason for these cuts is not that the programs
involved have been found to be ineffective or that the needs
they address are not considered important. Rather, this pattern
of erosion and decline is forced by the overall budget policies
that have been adopted by this Congress year after year,
policies that are shrinking government services in order to
provide successive rounds of tax cuts targeted to the highest
end of the income scale.
In 2007, the major tax cuts enacted in 2001 and 2003 will
cost at least $240 billion. Of that total, it is estimated that
over $40 billion will go to people with annual incomes of $1
million or more. The average tax cut for people in that $1
million plus income group is about $114,000 in 2007. At the
same time, the House Majority insists that we cannot provide
even the very modest $3 billion addition to this bill that the
Senate voted on a bipartisan basis to support.
This bill is the clearest example of the devastating
consequences of the Republican economic policy on America's
families and our most vulnerable citizens.
Following is a summary of some of those effects.
Critical Failures in the LHHS Bill for America's Workers
Under this Administration, we have seen two years of job
losses followed by three years of inadequate economic growth.
As a result, seven million Americans remain unemployed--one
million or 17 percent more than in 2001. More than 1.3 million
Americans have been jobless for more than 26 weeks--nearly
double the number in 2001.
Key Unemployment Indicators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change
January-01 May-06 --------------------------
number percent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Number of unemployed................................. 5,997,000 7,015,000 1,018,000 17
Unemployment rate.................................... 4.2% 4.6% 0.4% 10%
Long-term unemployed................................. 675,000 1,329,000 654,000 97
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Meaningful job training programs and support for jobless
workers should be among our highest priorities. These
investments are necessary--not only to help unemployed
Americans get back on their feet, but also to increase the
skills and competencies of the nation's workforce for 21st
century jobs. Yet, in real terms, training and employment
service programs will have been cut $1.3 billion in just two
years.
This bill cuts Workforce Investment Act Programs by $431
million, including $325 million already disbursed to local
communities. The $325 million rescinded in this bill would
especially undermine the ability of States and local workforce
boards to respond rapidly and effectively to unanticipated
plant closings, mass layoffs of workers and natural disasters.
That is because nearly half of the rescission comes from
Dislocated Worker funds. The bill rescinds these funds even
though the Government Accountability Office previously
determined that the Labor Department consistently
underestimates the amounts that States and localities have
already committed to job training and other employment
services.
This bill cuts $28 million (3.7 percent) from the U.S.
Employment Service, which matches jobless people to employers
seeking workers. Since FY 2001, 5.5 million or 29 percent fewer
people have been served by the Employment Service due to budget
cuts.
This bill eliminates America's Job Bank. Thousands of job
seekers find work through America's Job Bank and thousands of
employers use it. It is the backbone for more than 20 state job
banks as well as the electronic version of a national
employment service, but this bill terminates this important
service.
This bill cuts $145 million from programs to help at-risk
youth find work. Nearly four million youth are high school
dropouts who face a limited future with little hope of
obtaining the skills they need to become a productive part of
the workforce.
The successful YouthBuild program puts unemployed
young men and women to work building affordable housing while
providing them with education and job training assistance.
Plans to transfer this program from HUD to the Department of
Labor will cost $50 million. Rather than provide a direct
appropriation for YouthBuild, the funds for this program would
come out of appropriations for formula grants that help
localities provide basic education and occupational skills for
at-risk and troubled youth. As a result, these youth training
formula grants would be cut by $55 million (5.8 percent).
Job Corps, a highly successful residential program
that gives disadvantaged youth an opportunity to gain the
educational, vocational and social skills needed to succeed in
the 21st century economy, is cut $41 million (2.6 percent) in
this bill. While Job Corps operating expenses receive a small
$8.7 million increase, the bill cuts nearly in half
appropriations for Job Corps dormitories, classrooms and other
facilities, from $108 million FY 2006 to only $58 million in FY
2007--which would exacerbate a $350 million backlog of needed
facility repairs and renovations.
The youthful offenders training program, which
helps only a small fraction of some 120,000 juvenile offenders
get necessary basic education and occupational skills, is
eliminated.
The bill eliminates Title V community service jobs for
nearly 3,000 seniors. Nearly 10 million, mostly female, seniors
scrape by with incomes barely sufficient to meet their
essential needs. They are eligible for the part-time, minimum
wage community service jobs that the Title V senior employment
program provides. Four years of funding cuts to this program
have resulted in a 16.7 percent drop in the number of
participants, from 109,900 in FY 2002 to 91,500 in FY 2006.
Although the program provides needed income and allows low-
income seniors to serve their local communities, the bill cuts
the Title V program again, by $12.3 million (2.8 percent).
The bill cuts the International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB)
by $60 million (83 percent) to $12.4 million. ILAB promotes
core labor standards, removes children from hazardous labor,
and strengthens social safety nets for disadvantaged workers
around the world. In recent years, ILAB assistance has removed
250,000 children from exploitive work in more than 60
developing countries, and helped impoverished children enter
and complete school in such countries as Mozambique, Angola,
Liberia, Ecuador and Bolivia. ILAB has supported labor law
enforcement in Central America and the Dominican Republic and
other developing countries.
The bill fails to provide a meaningful increase to protect
the safety and health of over 111 million Americans. The 2.9
percent increase in the bill for the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) will not reverse an 8.6 percent
decline in OSHA positions, from 2,370 in FY 2001 to 2,165 in FY
2006. While not eliminated as proposed by the Administration,
OSHA's Susan Harwood training grants are cut in half to $5
million. Industry groups, unions, and nonprofits use these
grants to train workers and employers on ways to prevent
workplace safety and health hazards. The bill also continues
the current prohibition on OSHA regulations requiring annual
testing of respiratory protection for occupational exposure to
tuberculosis.
The bill provides $9 million less than requested for the
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), including a cut
of $2.1 million from the request for coal mine enforcement.
This cut will partially negate the $25.6 million FY 2006
supplemental appropriation MSHA recently received in order to
reverse a loss of 217 coal mine inspector positions since FY
2001, a drop of 17.6 percent.
The bill inexplicably denies $10 million requested for
enforcement of wage and hour laws. Most of these funds were
requested for 39 new positions to support Labor Department-
initiated investigations to help low-wage workers receive the
pay to which they are entitled and for employer compliance
assistance under the Fair Labor Standards Act. While cutting
these funds to protect worker wages, the bill approves 22 new
positions for expanded enforcement actions under the Labor-
Management Reporting and Disclosure Act (LMRDA) regarding union
financial reporting. LMRDA enforcement positions will have
increased 40 percent since FY 2001.
The bill freezes the Veterans' Workforce Investment Program
and the Homeless Veterans' Reintegration Program at $7 million
and $22 million, respectively. In addition, the Jobs for
Veterans State Grant Program, which supports 2,000 specialists
in local communities to provide outreach and employment
services, is frozen at $161 million.
Critical Failures in the LHHS Bill for Vulnerable Populations
Despite extraordinarily high energy prices, the Low-Income
Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is cut by one third,
from $3.2 billion in FY 2006 to $2.1 billion in FY 2007. This
program helps low-income people afford to heat their homes,
especially when energy costs rise far faster than ability to
pay. While funding would go down by one third, there's no
expectation of any significant reduction in prices. On the
contrary, the Energy Department now forecasts that prices for
electricity and heating oil will actually be higher next winter
than last, and that natural gas prices will come down by only
about five percent.
The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) is cut by almost
one third, from $630 million to $449 million. These grants go
to 1,100 local agencies operating in almost every county of the
United States to serve some of the poorest people in the
nation, many of whom have nowhere else to turn for assistance.
Example of services provided include child care, job training
and job placement, emergency help with food and rent, programs
for youth and senior citizens, home weatherization, parenting
education, and adult literacy classes.
The squeeze on Head Start continues, with funding frozen in
FY 2007 after a cut in FY 2006. The net result is FY 2007
appropriations just three-tenths of one percent higher than
three years earlier, creating real dilemmas for Head Start
agencies facing rising utility bills, higher costs to put gas
in their school buses, and the need to give their teachers and
other staff modest cost-of-living raises. To cope, Head Start
programs have had to reduce hours (a serious problem for
working parents), curtail transportation, and discontinue some
services. The National Head Start Association estimates that
another year without any funding increase could force
enrollment to be cut by 19,000 children.
Frozen funding for child care grants will mean fewer
children served, for the fifth year in a row. Parents working
at low wages desperately need help obtaining safe and
affordable child care, but appropriations for the Child Care
Block Grant have been frozen or cut for the past four years.
The bill freezes funding again in FY 2007, leaving the
appropriated Block Grant $38 million smaller than it was five
years earlier in actual dollar terms. Based on average costs
per child, the number of children served will have fallen by
about 20 percent over this period.
Critical Failures in the LHHS Bill for Health Care Access and Services
For health programs, this bill falls short. It leaves in
place most of the cuts made last year and lets many key
programs continue to fall further behind rising costs and
rising needs.
Support for medical research at the National Institutes of
Health continues to go backward in terms of purchasing power
and research projects supported. The bill provides no increase
at all for NIH, after a small cut last year. In inflation
adjusted terms, it represents a 3.7 percent loss of purchasing
power since FY 2006 and an 11 percent loss since the doubling
of the NIH budget was completed in FY 2003. The proposed
funding level is estimated to support 656 fewer research
project grants than last year and 1,570 fewer grants than three
years ago. With NIH slowly shrinking in real terms, momentum is
being lost in translating advances in basic fields like
genetics into new therapies for diseases like cancer,
Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's.
The $239 million overall increase for programs at the
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) doesn't
even restore the $271 million cut made last year. HRSA is the
agency whose mission it is to improve access to health care.
Despite rising numbers of uninsured and continuing health
disparities, HRSA's basic budget is $32 million less than two
years ago in actual dollar terms. Adjusted for inflation and
population growth, HRSA will have lost 8 percent of its
purchasing power since FY 2005.
Efforts to combat health disparities by increasing the
number of minority health professionals are cut in half. HRSA
has a group of programs that try to increase the number of
minorities and people from disadvantaged backgrounds attending
medical, dental and other health professions schools, based on
the observation that these are the students most likely to
practice in minority and underserved communities after they
graduate. Last year's bill cut this group of programs by 46
percent. This year's bill eliminates two of the four programs
entirely, including the Health Careers Opportunity Program,
which works with minority high school and college students to
help them prepare to enter health professions schools.
The National Health Service Corps is shrinking. This
program provides scholarships and help with loan repayments for
health professions students and graduates who agree to practice
in underserved areas. The bill does provide an increase for the
Corps, but just enough to reverse the cut made last year.
Funding will be no higher than two years earlier, while the
cost of medical education keeps rising. As a result, the number
of doctors, dentists and other practitioners serving in the
Corps appears likely to decrease by at least 15 percent between
FY 2005 and FY 2007.
The bill restores only one quarter of the cuts made last
year to the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Block Grant,
resulting in a 24 percent net loss in purchasing power since FY
2002. States use the MCH Block Grant for a variety of needs,
including providing prenatal and child health services for
people lacking other sources of care, financing dental care for
uninsured children, and supporting screening of newborn babies
for genetic disorders. A very important set of uses involves
children with disabilities and other special health needs,
where block grant funds often support services not covered by
families' insurance.
Despite the looming shortage of nurses, the bill freezes
funding for nursing education programs for the second year in a
row. Last year, the scholarship program for nursing students
had funds to provide aid to only about 6 percent of those who
applied, and nursing student loan repayment programs made
awards to only about 13 percent of applicants.
Last year's cuts in public health and hospital preparedness
programs are left in place. Funding to improve the preparedness
of state and local health departments to deal with both
bioterrorist attacks and naturally occurring health emergencies
was cut by $95 million (10 percent) last year (though some
additional funding to prepare specifically for a flu pandemic
was provided in supplemental appropriations). Similarly, grants
to improve the capacity of hospitals to deal with mass
casualties or epidemics were cut $13 million (2.6 percent) last
year, following a $28 million cut the year before. The basic
preventive health block grant for states health departments has
been cut by $32 million (24 percent) since FY 2004. The
Committee's bill leaves all these cuts in place, meaning less
federal help for the state and local health departments that
are on the front lines in protecting the public against
infectious diseases and other threats to health.
No real increases are provided to fight drug abuse or
improve mental health. The need to expand substance abuse
treatment is clear, with growing alarm about methamphetamine
and continuing problems with other drugs, and the state block
grant and other programs funded in this bill are the largest
source of public funding for treatment. Nevertheless, overall
appropriations for substance abuse prevention and treatment
would be about $40 million less than three years earlier in
nominal dollar terms, representing an 11 percent loss in per
capita purchasing power. Similarly, the community mental health
block grant will have lost 10 percent of its purchasing power
since FY 2004.
The U.S. contribution to the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS,
Tuberculosis and Malaria is cut by $100 million (18 percent).
The bill eliminates the $100 million contribution to the Global
Fund made through the HHS budget. With the $445 million
provided in the FY 2007 Foreign Operations Appropriations Act
as passed by the House, the overall U.S. contribution would
drop from $545 million in FY 2006 to $445 million in FY 2007.
Critical Failures in the LHHS Bill for America's Students
America's schools and colleges face the ``perfect storm''
of record student enrollments, greater accountability for
student academic achievement, and continuing fiscal pressures.
In the 2007 school year funded by this bill, all public schools
will be held accountable for NCLB mandates, including:
Reading and math testing in each of grades 3
through 8,
Science testing at least once in each of
three grade spans,
Assessing all students for their ability to
read and speak English,
Ensuring ``highly qualified'' teachers for
core academic subjects, and
Continued progress toward reaching academic
proficiency for all students by 2014.
At a time when America's economic preeminence is threatened
and human capital is a key to success in the global economy,
college is out of reach for millions of Americans. Our
international competitors--China, India, South Korea and
others--are producing the intellectual capital they will need
to boost their economic growth and catch up to the United
States. Meanwhile, America is a falling behind.
Economic opportunity and upward mobility are at stake as
well. Over a lifetime, workers who complete a bachelor's degree
will earn one million dollars more than those with only a high
school diploma. Yet, only about 18 of every 100 9th graders
will make it through high school and earn a college degree on
time--due to inadequate preparation and financial barriers.
Despite the need to address these challenges, this bill
continues a damaging decline in new education investments--
cutting the Department of Education for the second year in a
row, $404 million below FY 2006 and $1.0 billion below FY
2005.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ These figures provide an ``apples-to-apples'' comparison of
education program levels, with adjustments to reflect the
reclassification of $600 million in student financial aid
administration funds. These funds were mandatory in FY 2006 and FY 2005
but are reclassified to discretionary in FY 2007.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY
The bill cuts No Child Left Behind (NCLB) for the second
year in a row, nearly $500 million (2.1 percent) below FY 2006
and $1.5 billion (6.2 percent) below FY 2005. Schools are
getting less than they received in 2006, 2005, 2004 and even
2003, as the government asks them to do more. The bill falls
$16.4 billion short of our NCLB funding promises in FY 2007,
creating a cumulative shortfall of $56.8 billion.
NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND BUDGET SHORTFALLS
[Program level, Dollars in millions, Totals may not add due to rounding]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 2007
FY 2002 FY 2003 FY 2004 FY 2005 FY 2006 LHHS Bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NCLB Authorization................ $26,417 $29,217 $32,017 $34,317 $36,867 $39,442
NCLB Appropriations............... $22,195 $23,837 $24,463 $24,521 $23,504 $23,010
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shortfall..................... -$4,222 -$5,381 -$7,554 -$9,797 -$13,363 -$16,432
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The bill freezes Title I formula grants, denying extra
reading and math instruction for an additional 3.7 million low-
income children. Title 1 helps ensure that the nation's most
disadvantaged children meet rigorous NCLB academic standards by
supporting intensive reading and math instruction for low-
income children. Although the bill provides a welcome $200
million in first-time targeted assistance for some schools, all
schools are accountable under NCLB. At a $12.7 billion for
Title 1 formula grants, the bill falls $12.3 billion short of
the $25 billion promised under NCLB to serve an additional 3.7
million low-income children. Under this bill, over two thirds
of all school districts--9,500 districts--will see Title I
formula grant cuts next year, following a round of cuts in most
districts in FY 2006. In real terms, Title I formula grants
will have been cut nearly $800 million since FY 2005.
The bill cuts the federal share of IDEA to 17 percent.
Congress promised to pay 40 percent of the costs of educating
6.9 million students with disabilities under the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA). Instead,
the federal share will continue to decrease from 18.6 percent
in FY 2005 and 17.8 percent in FY 2006 to 17 percent in FY
2007. An additional $1 billion would be needed to restore the
federal share to its FY 2005 level.
The bill fails to pay for NCLB teacher quality mandates, by
cutting teacher training grants by $300 million. Teacher
quality grants are NCLB's primary means of helping schools
recruit, hire and train teachers to meet NCLB's requirement
that 100 percent of teachers of core academic subjects are
``highly qualified.'' Although no State has met these
requirements, the $300 million (10.4 percent) cut in the bill
would result in 73,500 fewer teachers receiving high quality
training compared to FY 2006. The Education Trust reports that
high-poverty and high-minority schools, in particular, are
shortchanged when it comes to getting teachers with strong
background in the subjects they teach. These teacher grants
will have been cut in real terms by $500 million since FY 2005.
Education Technology State Grants are eliminated ($272
million in 2006 and $496 million in 2005). NCLB authorized $1
billion to help teachers make the most effective use of
classroom technology. These education technology grants help
schools, universities and technical colleges share classes
through regional and statewide distance learning networks,
provide online professional development for teachers, and
assist schools in keeping up with ever-changing technologies.
Schools in AR, AZ, DE, MD, MI, MN, MO, ND, NH, OR, VT, and WI
are especially impacted by the bill's elimination of education
technology grants because their states do not have dedicated
funds for technology.
Safe and Drug Free Schools (SDF) State Grants are cut
nearly $40 million (10.5 percent). SDF grants help more than
16,000 school districts implement anti-drug, violence
prevention, and school safety measure, including measures to
address the methamphetamine crisis. SDF funds are being used to
help law enforcement, education and social service agencies
implement methamphetamine prevention programs and youth
mentoring to reduce methamphetamine abuse. In real terms, SDF
funds will have been cut $150 million or 33 percent since FY
2005.
The bill freezes the Language Acquisition Program at $669
million, which helps schools hire and train bilingual teachers,
provide research-based English language instruction, and raise
the academic skills of 5 million students who need to learn to
speak and read English. In 15 states (AL, AR, CO, GA, IN, KS,
KY, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NC, OR, SC, and TN) the population of
English language learners has exploded, more than tripling
since 1993. Yet, English language learning grants have been cut
or frozen for four years in a row. In real terms, these grants
will have been cut $47 million or 6.7 percent since FY 2005.
The bill freezes after school centers at $981 million,
denying extended learning opportunities for an additional 2
million children. The tutoring, arts enrichment and mentoring
that after school centers provide are in high demand from
working parents who want their children engaged in interesting,
challenging and safe activities in the hours after school.
However, states could fund only one-third of all after school
applications in FY 2005, and the number of children served has
been frozen at about 1.3 million for five years. With the
additional $1.5 billion authorized by NCLB for after school
programs, two million of the 6.9 million children who are
regularly unsupervised in the after school hours could be
served.
Impact Aid payments to 1,300 school districts enrolling
over 12 million students are frozen. The bill provides $1.2
billion for Impact Aid, freezing basic support payments for the
first time in a decade. Through Impact Aid, school districts
enrolling 12.1 million children receive grants to replace
operating revenue lost due to the presence of military and
other Federal facilities in their communities. These funds pay
for teachers, books, computers and other essential educational
services. Under the bill, 1,300 school districts would receive
only 60 percent of the $1.8 billion needed to fully fund Impact
Aid basic support payments.
The bill rejects most of the Administration's math and
science competitiveness initiatives. Although the President
requested $412 million to boost the math and science
performance of America's students, nearly 80 percent of these
initiatives were rejected with the notable exception of funding
for Advanced Placement programs, which was doubled to $80
million. Instead of the proposed Math Now initiatives, the bill
expands by 23.5 percent the existing Math and Science
Partnership Program (not part of the President's initiative) to
$225 million. The bill even rejects a modest $35 million
increase for the President's national security foreign language
initiative to boost language study in critical languages such
as Chinese and Arabic.
The bill freezes vocational education grants. The bill
provides $1.3 billion for vocational education grants, the same
level as last year. This action is an improvement over the
Administration's proposal to terminate all federal support for
career and technical education grants and shift these resources
into a new high school intervention program. Nevertheless,
under the bill, vocational education grants will have lost $83
million in real purchasing power since FY 2005. Nearly half of
all high school students and about one-third of college
students take the vocational courses to be ready for the world
of work.
The bill freezes adult education state grants. The bill
freezes adult education grants at $564 million, sustaining cuts
the program received in FY 2006 and FY 2005. Adult education
grants support basic education, GED, English as a Second
Language, and family literacy services for 2.8 million adults,
including recent immigrants--only a tiny fraction of the 30
million American adults who have below basic literacy skills
(meaning that they lack the skills to do basic tasks such as
filling out a job application). Although the Administration
admits that there is a ``significant and ongoing need for adult
education services'', these grants have lost $40 million in
purchasing power since FY 2005.
The bill cuts other important education programs. These
include:
Even Start is cut $29 million (29 percent), after
being cut $127 million (56 percent) last year. Over 60 percent
of the people receiving Even Start's family literacy services,
including immigrants seeking basic reading instruction, are at
the lowest levels of poverty.
School Counseling, which expands elementary school
students' access to counseling services, is cut $12.7 million
(36.5 percent).
The Mentoring Program, which provides mentoring
for disadvantaged youth, is cut $29.8 million (61.1 percent).
Civic Education, which teaches students about the
Constitution and democracy, is cut $4.1 million (14.1 percent).
Smaller Learning Communities, which is one of the
few education programs targeted to high school reform and
improvement, is cut $43.5 million (46.5 percent).
Teaching American History, which helps teachers
expand their knowledge and instruction of history, is cut $69.8
million (58.3 percent).
The Fund for the Improvement of Education (FIE) is
cut $54 million (33.8 percent) after Congressionally-earmarked
projects are subtracted. This remaining funding is sufficient
to fund only a few programs; for example, the Committee Report
mentions Reading is Fundamental, Arts Education, Reach Out and
Read, and the Mathematics Panel. This means that Star Schools,
Ready to Teach, Education Through Cultural and Historical
Organizations, Foundations for Learning, Parental Assistance
Centers, Women's Educational Equity, and Mental Health
Integration are likely to be eliminated under this bill.
POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY
The bill cuts the share of college costs paid by the Pell
Grant to a new low. Pell Grants are the foundation of the
nation's efforts to expand college access. Under this bill, the
share of 4-year public college costs paid by the maximum Pell
Grant will drop to 30 percent in FY 2007--a new low--compared
to 42 percent in FY 2001, and 72 percent in 1976. Due to rising
costs, a $300 increase in the maximum Pell award is needed just
to maintain last year's purchasing power compared to the $100
increase provided in the bill. An even larger increase of
$1,650 is needed to restore Pell's purchasing power to the
level that existed at the start of the Bush Administration.
The bill freezes other college access programs. College
Work-Study, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants,
Leveraging Educational Assistance Program (LEAP) and Perkins
Loan cancellations are frozen at last year's levels. While the
bill rejects the Administration's proposal to recall $664
million from Perkins Loan revolving funds, these campus-based
programs will still see a loss of purchasing power after being
cut last year. The bill does not eliminate GEAR UP or
dramatically cut TRIO as the President requested. Nevertheless,
at the bill's freeze level, GEAR UP and TRIO will continue to
lose purchasing power when it is particularly important that
minority and low-income students--whose ranks are too thin on
college campuses--receive a fair shot at a 4-year college
degree. For example, lack of funding has caused the number of
at-risk middle grade students served by GEAR UP to drop 42
percent, from 1.2 million in FY 2002 to 709,000 in FY 2006.
The bill cuts $20 million needed to effectively administer
student loan programs. Now that once mandatory student aid
administration funds are on the discretionary side of the
budget ledger, the bill cuts the Administration's request to
administer guaranteed student loan programs by $20 million
below the request and $5.1 million below last year. These cuts
will hurt efforts to improve the delivery of student financial
assistance to needy students, increase the efficiency of the
program and enhance student loan monitoring.
Critical Failures in the LHHS Bill for Public Broadcasting
While the Committee took the welcome action of reversing a
$20 million rescission in FY 2007 funds for the Corporation for
Public Broadcasting (CPB), this bill still delivers multiple
blows to the nation's public broadcasting system.
The bill contains $99.5 million in cuts to public
broadcasting. The bill fails to provide the final federal
payment for replacement of the public television satellite
interconnection system--the distribution backbone of public
television. It also fails to provide new resources for the FCC-
mandated conversion from analog to digital broadcasting. In
addition, the bill eliminates two programs in the Education
Department that support priority public broadcasting
activities: Ready To Learn, which has produced such acclaimed
children's programs as Sesame Street, Between the Lions and
Maya & Miguel, and Ready To Teach, which supports Internet-
based teacher professional development.
The bill also ends a 30-year practice of providing
appropriations for public broadcasting two years in advance.
The bill fails to restore a $400 million FY 2009 advance
appropriation for CPB, even though this advance funding is
permitted under the FY 2007 budget resolution.
THE DEMOCRATIC ALTERNATIVE
During Committee consideration of this legislation,
Democrats offered an amendment demonstrating what could be done
by reordering budget priorities to do less tax cutting for the
wealthiest in America in order to invest more in education,
college student aid, job training, medical research, health
care and other national priorities. Regrettably, the Democratic
amendment was defeated on a party line vote of 26 to 36.
That amendment would have added $6.3 billion to the bill.
The cost would have been offset by an 11.7 percent reduction in
tax cuts for people with incomes above $1 million, meaning that
millionaires would have their 2007 tax cuts reduced, on average
from about $114,000 to $101,000. The amendment was fully
consistent with the alternative that Democrats offered when the
budget resolution was considered by the House--an alternative
that produced lower deficits than the Majority party's budget
while doing better for programs like those in this bill.
Some of the major improvements proposed by the Democratic
amendment to this bill, to be financed by a modest scaling back
of upper-income tax cuts, include the following:
Workforce Investment Act prior-year appropriations
would be restored by reversing the $325 million rescission in
the bill in order to maintain key training and employment
services to the unemployed. In addition, $28 million for 1,800
State and local Employment Service offices that have lost 20
percent in real purchasing power in just two years would be
restored.
The Title V Senior Community Service Employment
Program would be restored to its FY 2006 level so that nearly
3,000 seniors across the country do not lose needed employment,
income, and the opportunity to serve their communities.
Youth training programs, including Job Corps,
would receive an additional $91 million, in order to help more
of the four million out-of-school and unemployed youth earn a
decent living and make a contribution to their communities.
Occupational safety and health activities,
including mine safety activities, would receive an additional
$25 million to help ensure safe working conditions.
A damaging $60 million cut to the International
Labor Affairs Bureau would be restored, allowing continued
assistance to developing countries for improvement and
enforcement of their labor standards, and elimination of
abusive child labor.
Both the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
and the Community Services Block Grant would be restored to the
FY 2006 level, and Head Start and child care grants would
receive increases to partially catch up with inflation.
The National Institutes of Health would receive a
2.7 percent increase above FY 2006, to eliminate cuts in the
number of research grants funded and allow some room to pursue
high priority medical research opportunities.
Most health professions training programs would be
restored to their levels of two years ago, and $25 million
would be added to help alleviate the shortage of nurses.
The Maternal and Child Health Block Grant would
receive a 16 percent increase to reverse part of its 24 percent
loss in purchasing power since FY 2002, and Healthy Start would
receive an additional $25 million to help improve health
outcomes for mothers and babies in communities with high infant
mortality.
Substance abuse prevention and treatment programs
would get $100 million more than provided in the Committee's
bill, including funds to double the Committee's $25 million
initiative to expand availability of treatment for
methamphetamine users.
Title 1 would receive $300 million more than the
Committee bill to lessen cuts that two-thirds of all school
districts will see next year, and to provide intensive reading
and math instruction to an additional 90,000 low-income
children.
Teacher quality and education technology grants
would be restored to their FY 2006 levels, while $50 million
more than in the bill would be provided for English language
learning grants to better serve the 5 million children who must
learn English.
After school centers would see their first
significant increase, $50 million, in five years. This increase
would benefit an additional 70,000 children with homework
assistance, physical activities, and arts education when too
many children are left to fend for themselves in the hours
after school.
Special education would receive an additional $420
million in order to maintain the federal share of special
education costs at last year's level, and prevent further
backtracking on the federal commitment to contribute 40 percent
toward the costs of educating children with disabilities.
The maximum Pell Grant would be increased $200 to
$4,350 in FY 2007--the amount needed to maintain the Pell
Grant's purchasing power at last year's level. In order to
compete in the 21st century, all students will need some type
of postsecondary education.
Public broadcasting would receive a $400 million
FY 2009 advance appropriation, returning to the practice of
funding the Corporation for Public Broadcasting two years in
advance, first begun in 1975.
Real World Actions To Reduce Abortions
There is one other perspective from which this amendment
should be viewed--that of facing what real world investments
can be made in order to reduce the perverse incentives for
abortion.
We spend a lot of time arguing with one another about
whether abortion should be legal, and under what circumstances,
and whether we need a constitutional amendment to ban the
practice. While we are having that argument, though, we should
all be able to agree on doing things that help reduce the
economic pressures and other real life conditions that can
sometimes cause a woman to decide not to carry a pregnancy to
term.
A number of the programs covered by the amendment are
directly relevant to the needs of young women in difficult
circumstances who may be deciding whether they really are in a
position to raise a child. This group includes the Maternal and
Child Health Block Grant and the Healthy Start program, which
help provide health care and other services for pregnant women
and young children lacking other access to care. Other relevant
programs include child care assistance, domestic violence
prevention programs, and the variety of family supports
financed through the Community Services Block Grant. All of
these programs have been seriously eroded over the past several
years, and the amendment begins to reverse that erosion.
Since access to contraceptive information and services is
an important element of preventing pregnancy, the amendment
includes a 4.8 percent increase to help the title X family
planning program recoup some of the ground lost to inflation.
It also includes a 4.8 percent increase for the community based
abstinence education program, for teenagers and families who
wish to follow that approach. Both programs would receive the
same percentage increase.
The amendment contains other modest initiatives such as
funding for information and outreach to help expectant mothers
and new families understand and gain access to resources that
are available to help them care for their children. It also
provides for counseling for families who have received the
results of prenatal testing that indicate possible serious
disabilities, in order to help understand those results and the
implications and alternatives.
We hear many expressions of concern for life. These
concerns need to go beyond the rhetorical and attack the real
life conditions that can lead a woman to make another choice.
Lectures from politicians will not help unless we extend a hand
to assist women to overcome economic pressures and other life
challenges that sometimes make a pregnancy and the thought of
another child seem overwhelming.
Attached to these Minority Views are tables providing
further details regarding the Democratic amendment. Also
attached are tables showing the impact of cuts made in the bill
to selected State grant programs and grants to public
broadcasting stations.
Democratic Amendment: Strengthening America's Future
Critical Investments by Program: Dollars in millions
Make Progress on Our Promises to America's School Children $1,171
Provide an additional 90,000 low-income children the
opportunity to succeed in school (Title 1).......... 300
Help schools meet NCLB's ``highly qualified'' teacher
mandate............................................. 300
Expand after school learning opportunities for an
additional 70,000 children.......................... 50
Enhance English language instruction to 5 million
children............................................ 50
Restore the Federal share of special education costs
to its FY 2006 level (IDEA)......................... 420
Alleviate the impact of BRAC and global rebasing on
local communities (Impact Aid)...................... 50
Enhance Competitiveness and College Access................ 1,085
Restore Pell Grant's purchasing power to FY 2006 level
($4,350 maximum grant).............................. 813
Invest in education technology and competitiveness.... 272
Help America's Workers Compete in the Global Economy...... 541
Restore rescission of Workforce Investment Act
training and employment assistance.................. 325
Provide job placement assistance to the unemployed
(U.S. Employment Service)........................... 28
Provide skills training for out-of-school youth (Job
Corps and YouthBuild)............................... 91
Restore part-time, minimum wage jobs for 3,000 seniors
(Title V Older Americans Act)....................... 12
Protect worker rights at home and abroad
(International Labor Affairs Bureau)................ 60
Protect worker safety and health (MSHA and OSHA)...... 25
Support Medical Research (NIH)............................ 750
Improve Access to Health Care (HRSA)...................... 339
Restore health professions programs, to relieve
shortages in rural and urban under-served areas and
increase numbers of minority health professionals... 125
Help alleviate the nursing shortage................... 25
Increase funds to states for child health (Maternal &
Child Health Block Grant)........................... 104
Combat infant mortality and promote infant health
(Healthy Start)..................................... 25
Add doctors and dentists in underserved areas (Nat'l
Health Service Corps)............................... 10
Improve access to dental care......................... 15
Maintain access to family planning services (title X). 14
Provide information, counseling and support regarding
prenatally diagnosed disabilities................... 15
Collect and analyze data regarding abortions,
including reasons women choose to have them......... 6
Protect Public Health Against Infectious Diseases and
Environmental Hazards (CDC)............................. 50
Support Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment and
Prevention (SAMHSA)..................................... 150
Improve mental health services........................ 50
Increase substance abuse treatment funds, including
methamphetamine initiative.......................... 100
Provide Services to Children, Families and Seniors (ACF
and AOA)................................................ 684
Help working families obtain childcare for 27,500 more
children............................................ 185
Maintain Head Start enrollment and services........... 223
Preserve the Community Services Block Grant........... 181
Expand domestic violence prevention................... 25
Provide ``meals on wheels'' and other services for
seniors (AOA)....................................... 50
Increase community-based abstinence education......... 5
Increase awareness of resources for pregnant women and
new families........................................ 15
Maintain Contribution to Global Fight Against AIDS........ 100
Subtotal, Investments in America's Future (Regular FY 2007
Appropriations)......................................... 4,870
Continue Home Energy Assistance at FY 2006 Level (LIHEAP
Emergency Appropriation)................................ 1,050
Restore FY 2009 advance appropriation for Corporation for
Public Broadcasting..................................... 400
--------------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total, Investments in America's Future.................... 6,320
Real World Actions to Reduce Abortions
Among the critical investments made by this amendment are a
cluster of programs that would make it economically easier for
low-income and vulnerable women to choose to carry pregnancies
to term, as well as to expand the availability of
contraception, education and counseling.
Dollars in millions
Maternal and infant health care............................... +104
Childcare..................................................... +185
CSBG assistance to provide people with the opportunity for
education, training, and work, and to live in decency and
dignity................................................... +181
Domestic violence prevention.................................. +25
Healthy Start................................................. +25
Family Planning............................................... +14
Abstinence Education.......................................... +5
Grants to increase awareness of resources for pregnant women
and new families.......................................... +15
Information, counseling and support regarding prenatally
diagnosed disabilities.................................... +15
Data collection and analysis regarding abortion and reasons
women choose to have abortions............................ +6
--------------------------------------------------------------
Total_______________________________________________
575
Dave Obey.
Steny Hoyer.
Nita M. Lowey.
Rosa L. DeLauro.
Jesse Jackson, Jr.
Patrick J. Kennedy.
Lucille Roybal-Allard.
ADDITIONAL VIEWS ON THE MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE
We are pleased that during Appropriations Committee
consideration of this bill, the Committee adopted, on a
bipartisan basis, the Hoyer-Obey Amendment to raise the minimum
wage by $2.10 per hour, from $5.15 to $7.25. This amendment
provides an hourly minimum wage of $5.85 on January 1, 2007;
$6.55 on January 1, 2008, and $7.25 on January 1, 2009.
Americans are struggling with rising fuel prices,
ballooning college tuition costs, and a lack of access to
affordable housing. Last year, the Kaiser Family Foundation
reported that annual premiums for family health care coverage
had exceeded the annual income of a minimum wage worker. That
is why Democrats have made raising the minimum wage a top
priority.
The modest minimum wage increase provided in this bill is
long overdue. It has been nine years since the last increase in
the minimum wage, the second longest period without a wage
increase since the federal minimum wage law was first enacted
in 1938. As a result of the failure of the minimum wage to keep
pace with rising costs, the national minimum wage of $5.15 an
hour is now at its lowest level in 50 years when adjusted for
inflation. It is worth noting that when the minimum wage fell
to an exceptionally low level in 1989, early the next year,
Congress adopted an increase in the minimum wage of 27 percent
over two years with the support of then-President George H. W.
Bush.
People who work full-time in America should not be poor.
However, in 2003 there were 3.7 million workers who worked
full-time, year-round, and still lived in poverty. During the
1960s and 1970s, the yearly earnings of a full-time, year-round
worker earning the minimum wage were roughly equal to the
poverty level for a family of three. To reach the poverty level
for a family of three in 2006 ($16,600), a full-time, year-
round worker would need to earn $7.98 an hour--$2.83 more than
the current minimum wage.
The minimum wage increase of $2.10 per hour over 26 months
in this bill would directly benefit about 7 million low-wage
workers, according to the Economic Policy Institute, and its
spillover effects would benefit an additional 8 million
workers. Moreover, this increase would benefit poor workers who
need it most: 59 percent of the gains from the proposed $2.10
hourly increase would go to working households in the bottom 40
percent of the income scale.
Most Americans support the minimum wage increase provided
by the Democratic amendment included in this bill. Congress
should pass this minimum wage increase at the earliest possible
date.
Dave Obey.
Steny Hoyer.
Nita M. Lowey.
Rosa L. DeLauro.
Jesse Jackson, Jr.
Patrick J. Kennedy.
Lucille Roybal-Allard.