[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5213 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        H.R.5213

                       One Hundred Eighth Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America


                          AT THE SECOND SESSION

          Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday,
           the twentieth day of January, two thousand and four


                                 An Act


 
  To expand research information regarding multidisciplinary research 
                  projects and epidemiological studies.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Research Review Act of 2004''.

SEC. 2. MULTI-DISCIPLINARY RESEARCH TEAM AND CONSORTIA REPORT.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services 
(referred to in this Act as the ``Secretary''), in coordination with 
the Director of the National Institutes of Health, shall prepare a 
report outlining the methods by which the Roadmap for Medical Research, 
an initiative of such Institutes, has advanced the use of 
multidisciplinary research teams and consortia of research institutions 
to advance treatments, develop new therapies, and collaborate on 
clinical trials, including with respect to spinal cord injury and 
paralysis research.
    (b) Report.--Not later than February 1, 2005, the Secretary shall 
submit the report under subsection (a) to the Committee on Energy and 
Commerce of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on 
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate.

SEC. 3. EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY REPORT.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Director of the 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall prepare a report 
outlining the epidemiological studies currently under way at such 
Centers, future planned studies, the criteria involved in determining 
what epidemiological studies to conduct, defer, or suspend, and the 
scope of those studies, including with respect to the inflammatory 
bowel disease epidemiological study. The report shall include a 
description of the activities the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention undertakes to establish partnerships with research and 
patient advocacy communities to expand epidemiological studies.
    (b) Report.--Not later than May 1, 2005, the Secretary shall submit 
the report under subsection (a) to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate.

SEC. 4. STUDY BY GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE ON MEDICARE AND 
              MEDICAID COVERAGE STANDARDS.

    (a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a study on the coverage standards that, under the programs 
under titles XVIII and XIX of the Social Security Act (commonly known 
as Medicare and Medicaid, respectively), apply to patients with 
inflammatory bowel disease for the following therapies:
        (1) Parenteral nutrition.
        (2) Enteral nutrition formula.
        (3) Medically necessary food products.
        (4) Ostomy supplies.
        (5) Therapies approved by the Food and Drug Administration for 
    Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
    (b) Content.--The study under subsection (a) shall take into 
account the appropriate outpatient or home health care delivery 
settings.
    (c) Report.--Not later than six months after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the 
Congress a report describing the findings of the study under subsection 
(a).

SEC. 5. STUDY BY GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE INVOLVING DISABILITY 
              INSURANCE.

    (a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a study of the problems patients encounter when applying for 
disability insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security 
Act. The study shall include recommendations for improving the 
application process for patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
    (b) Report.--Not later than six months after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the 
Congress a report describing the findings of the study under subsection 
(a).

                               Speaker of the House of Representatives.

                            Vice President of the United States and    
                                               President of the Senate.