[House Report 110-378]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



110th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session                                                    110-378

======================================================================
 
                CHRISTOPHER AND DANA REEVE PARALYSIS ACT

                                _______
                                

October 15, 2007.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

 Mr. Dingell, from the Committee on Energy and Commerce, submitted the 
                               following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 1727]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Energy and Commerce, to whom was referred 
the bill (H.R. 1727) to enhance and further research into 
paralysis and to improve rehabilitation and the quality of life 
for persons living with paralysis and other physical 
disabilities, and for other purposes, having considered the 
same, report favorably thereon with an amendment and recommend 
that the bill as amended do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
Amendment........................................................     2
Purpose and Summary..............................................     4
Background and Need for Legislation..............................     4
Hearings.........................................................     5
Committee Consideration..........................................     5
Committee Votes..................................................     5
Committee Oversight Findings.....................................     5
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives............     5
New Budget Authority, Entitlement Authority, and Tax Expenditures     6
Earmarks and Tax and Tariff Benefits.............................     6
Committee Cost Estimate..........................................     6
Congressional Budget Office Estimate.............................     6
Federal Mandates Statement.......................................     8
Advisory Committee Statement.....................................     8
Constitutional Authority Statement...............................     8
Applicability to Legislative Branch..............................     8
Section-by-Section Analysis of the Legislation...................     9

                               AMENDMENT

    The amendment is as follows:
    Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis 
Act''.

SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.

                      TITLE I--PARALYSIS RESEARCH

Sec. 101. Activities of the National Institutes of Health with respect 
to research on paralysis.

          TITLE II--PARALYSIS REHABILITATION RESEARCH AND CARE

Sec. 201. Activities of the National Institutes of Health with respect 
to research with implications for enhancing daily function for persons 
with paralysis.

  TITLE III--IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PERSONS WITH PARALYSIS AND 
                      OTHER PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

Sec. 301. Programs to improve quality of life for persons with 
paralysis and other physical disabilities.

                      TITLE I--PARALYSIS RESEARCH

SEC. 101. ACTIVITIES OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH WITH RESPECT 
                    TO RESEARCH ON PARALYSIS.

  (a) Coordination.--The Director of the National Institutes of Health 
(referred to in this Act as the ``Director''), pursuant to the general 
authority of the Director, may develop mechanisms to coordinate the 
paralysis research and rehabilitation activities of the Institutes and 
Centers of the National Institutes of Health in order to further 
advance such activities and avoid duplication of activities.
  (b) Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Research Consortia.--
          (1) In general.--The Director may make awards of grants to 
        public or private entities to pay all or part of the cost of 
        planning, establishing, improving, and providing basic 
        operating support for consortia in paralysis research. The 
        Director shall designate each consortium funded through such 
        grants as a Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Research 
        Consortium.
          (2) Research.--Each consortium under paragraph (1)--
                  (A) may conduct basic, translational, and clinical 
                paralysis research;
                  (B) may focus on advancing treatments and developing 
                therapies in paralysis research;
                  (C) may focus on one or more forms of paralysis that 
                result from central nervous system trauma or stroke;
                  (D) may facilitate and enhance the dissemination of 
                clinical and scientific findings; and
                  (E) may replicate the findings of consortia members 
                or other researchers for scientific and translational 
                purposes.
          (3) Coordination of consortia; reports.--The Director may, as 
        appropriate, provide for the coordination of information among 
        consortia under paragraph (1) and ensure regular communication 
        among members of the consortia, and may require the periodic 
        preparation of reports on the activities of the consortia and 
        the submission of the reports to the Director.
          (4) Organization of consortia.--Each consortium under 
        paragraph (1) may use the facilities of a single lead 
        institution, or be formed from several cooperating 
        institutions, meeting such requirements as may be prescribed by 
        the Director.
  (c) Public Input.--The Director may provide for a mechanism to 
educate and disseminate information on the existing and planned 
programs and research activities of the National Institutes of Health 
with respect to paralysis and through which the Director can receive 
comments from the public regarding such programs and activities.

          TITLE II--PARALYSIS REHABILITATION RESEARCH AND CARE

SEC. 201. ACTIVITIES OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH WITH RESPECT 
                    TO RESEARCH WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR ENHANCING DAILY 
                    FUNCTION FOR PERSONS WITH PARALYSIS.

  (a) In General.--The Director, pursuant to the general authority of 
the Director, may make awards of grants to public or private entities 
to pay all or part of the costs of planning, establishing, improving, 
and providing basic operating support to multicenter networks of 
clinical sites that will collaborate to design clinical rehabilitation 
intervention protocols and measures of outcomes on one or more forms of 
paralysis that result from central nervous system trauma, disorders, or 
stroke, or any combination of such conditions.
  (b) Research.--A multicenter network of clinical sites funded through 
this section may--
          (1) focus on areas of key scientific concern, including--
                  (A) improving functional mobility;
                  (B) promoting behavioral adaptation to functional 
                losses, especially to prevent secondary complications;
                  (C) assessing the efficacy and outcomes of medical 
                rehabilitation therapies and practices and assisting 
                technologies;
                  (D) developing improved assistive technology to 
                improve function and independence; and
                  (E) understanding whole body system responses to 
                physical impairments, disabilities, and societal and 
                functional limitations; and
          (2) replicate the findings of network members or other 
        researchers for scientific and translation purposes.
  (c) Coordination of Clinical Trials Networks; Reports.--The Director 
may, as appropriate, provide for the coordination of information among 
networks funded through this section and ensure regular communication 
among members of the networks, and may require the periodic preparation 
of reports on the activities of the networks and submission of reports 
to the Director.

  TITLE III--IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PERSONS WITH PARALYSIS AND 
                      OTHER PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

SEC. 301. PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PERSONS WITH 
                    PARALYSIS AND OTHER PHYSICAL DISABILITIES.

  (a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this 
title referred to as the ``Secretary'') may study the unique health 
challenges associated with paralysis and other physical disabilities 
and carry out projects and interventions to improve the quality of life 
and long-term health status of persons with paralysis and other 
physical disabilities. The Secretary may carry out such projects 
directly and through awards of grants or contracts.
  (b) Certain Activities.--Activities under subsection (a) may 
include--
          (1) the development of a national paralysis and physical 
        disability quality of life action plan, to promote health and 
        wellness in order to enhance full participation, independent 
        living, self-sufficiency, and equality of opportunity in 
        partnership with voluntary health agencies focused on paralysis 
        and other physical disabilities, to be carried out in 
        coordination with the State-based Disability and Health Program 
        of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
          (2) support for programs to disseminate information involving 
        care and rehabilitation options and quality of life grant 
        programs supportive of community-based programs and support 
        systems for persons with paralysis and other physical 
        disabilities;
          (3) in collaboration with other centers and national 
        voluntary health agencies, the establishment of a population-
        based database that may be used for longitudinal and other 
        research on paralysis and other disabling conditions; and
          (4) the replication and translation of best practices and the 
        sharing of information across States, as well as the 
        development of comprehensive, unique, and innovative programs, 
        services, and demonstrations within existing State-based 
        disability and health programs of the Centers for Disease 
        Control and Prevention which are designed to support and 
        advance quality of life programs for persons living with 
        paralysis and other physical disabilities focusing on--
                  (A) caregiver education;
                  (B) promoting proper nutrition, increasing physical 
                activity, and reducing tobacco use;
                  (C) education and awareness programs for health care 
                providers;
                  (D) prevention of secondary complications;
                  (E) home- and community-based interventions;
                  (F) coordinating services and removing barriers that 
                prevent full participation and integration into the 
                community; and
                  (G) recognizing the unique needs of underserved 
                populations.
  (c) Grants.--The Secretary may award grants in accordance with the 
following:
          (1) To State and local health and disability agencies for the 
        purpose of--
                  (A) establishing a population-based database that may 
                be used for longitudinal and other research on 
                paralysis and other disabling conditions;
                  (B) developing comprehensive paralysis and other 
                physical disability action plans and activities focused 
                on the items listed in subsection (b)(4);
                  (C) assisting State-based programs in establishing 
                and implementing partnerships and collaborations that 
                maximize the input and support of people with paralysis 
                and other physical disabilities and their constituent 
                organizations;
                  (D) coordinating paralysis and physical disability 
                activities with existing State-based disability and 
                health programs;
                  (E) providing education and training opportunities 
                and programs for health professionals and allied 
                caregivers; and
                  (F) developing, testing, evaluating, and replicating 
                effective intervention programs to maintain or improve 
                health and quality of life.
          (2) To private health and disability organizations for the 
        purpose of--
                  (A) disseminating information to the public;
                  (B) improving access to services for persons living 
                with paralysis and other physical disabilities and 
                their caregivers;
                  (C) testing model intervention programs to improve 
                health and quality of life; and
                  (D) coordinating existing services with State-based 
                disability and health programs.
  (d) Coordination of Activities.--The Secretary shall ensure that 
activities under this section are coordinated as appropriate by the 
agencies of the Department of Health and Human Services.
  (e) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of carrying out 
this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $25,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2008 through 2011.

                          PURPOSE AND SUMMARY

    The purpose of H.R. 1727, the Christopher and Dana Reeve 
Paralysis Act, is to enhance and further research into 
paralysis and to improve rehabilitation and the quality of life 
for persons living with paralysis and other physical 
disabilities, and for other purposes.

                  BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR LEGISLATION

    It is estimated that a quarter of a million Americans are 
currently living with spinal cord injuries and approximately 4 
to 5 million Americans are living with paralysis of the 
extremities. There are an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 spinal 
cord injuries every year in the United States.
    Spinal cord injuries often occur because, although the hard 
bones of the spinal column protect the soft tissues of the 
spinal cord, vertebrae can still be broken or dislocated in a 
variety of ways and cause traumatic injury to the spinal cord. 
Injuries can occur at any level of the spinal cord. The segment 
of the cord that is injured, and the severity of the injury, 
will determine which body functions are compromised or lost. 
Because the spinal cord acts as the main information pathway 
between the brain and the rest of the body, a spinal cord 
injury can have significant physiological consequences.
    Catastrophic falls, being thrown from a horse or through a 
windshield, or any kind of physical trauma that crushes and 
compresses the vertebrae in the neck, can cause irreversible 
damage at the cervical level of the spinal cord and below. 
Paralysis of most of the body including the arms and legs, 
called quadriplegia, is the likely result. Automobile accidents 
are often responsible for spinal cord damage in the middle 
back--the thoracic or lumbar area--which can cause paralysis of 
the lower trunk and lower extremities, called paraplegia.
    Most injuries to the spinal cord do not completely sever 
the spinal cord. Instead, an injury is more likely to cause 
fractures and compression of the vertebrae, which then crush 
and destroy the axons--extensions of nerve cells that carry 
signals up and down the spinal cord between the brain and the 
rest of the body. An injury to the spinal cord can damage a 
few, many, or nearly all of these axons. Some injuries will 
allow almost complete recovery, while others will result in 
complete paralysis.

                                HEARINGS

    The Committee on Energy and Commerce has not held hearings 
on the legislation.

                        COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

    On Thursday, September 27, 2007, the Committee on Energy 
and Commerce met in open markup session and ordered H.R. 1727 
favorably reported to the House, amended, by a voice vote.

                            COMMITTEE VOTES

    Clause 3(b) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives requires the Committee to list the record votes 
on the motion to report legislation and amendments thereto. 
There were no record votes taken during consideration or in 
ordering reported H.R. 1727 to the House. A motion by Mr. 
Dingell to order H.R. 1727 favorably reported to the House, 
amended, was agreed to by a voice vote.

                      COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS

    Regarding clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the oversight findings of the 
Committee are reflected in this report.

         STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

    H.R. 1727 states that the Director of the National 
Institutes of Health (NIH) may develop mechanisms to coordinate 
the paralysis research and rehabilitation activities of the 
Institutes and Centers of NIH in order to further advance such 
activities and avoid duplication of activities. H.R. 1727 
permits the Director of NIH to make awards of grants to public 
or private entities to pay all or part of the cost of planning, 
establishing, improving, and providing basic operating support 
for consortia in paralysis research and requires that the 
Director shall designate each consortium, funded through such 
grants, as a Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Research 
Consortium. This legislation permits the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services (HHS) to study the health challenges 
associated with paralysis and other physical disabilities and 
carry out projects and interventions to improve the quality of 
life and long-term health status of individuals with such 
conditions. H.R. 1727 permits the Secretary to award grants for 
activities related to paralysis, including to: (1) establish 
paralysis registries, and (2) disseminate information to the 
public.

   NEW BUDGET AUTHORITY, ENTITLEMENT AUTHORITY, AND TAX EXPENDITURES

    In compliance with clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules 
of the House of Representatives, the Committee finds that H.R. 
1727 would result in no new or increased budget authority, 
entitlement authority, or tax expenditures.

                  EARMARKS AND TAX AND TARIFF BENEFITS

    In compliance with clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, H.R. 1727 does not contain any 
congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff 
benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of rule XXI.

                        COMMITTEE COST ESTIMATE

    The Committee adopts as its own the cost estimate prepared 
by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to 
section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.

                  CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE ESTIMATE

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the following is the cost estimate 
provided by the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 
402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974:

                                     U.S. Congress,
                               Congressional Budget Office,
                                  Washington, DC, October 15, 2007.
Hon. John D. Dingell,
Chairman, Committee on Energy and Commerce,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has 
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1727, the 
Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act.
    If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be 
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Sarah Evans.
            Sincerely,
                                         Robert A. Sunshine
                                   (For Peter R. Orszag, Director).
    Enclosure.

H.R. 1727--Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act

    Summary: H.R. 1727 would authorize the appropriation of $25 
million a year for fiscal years 2008 through 2011 for the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to undertake 
activities to improve the quality of life of those with 
paralysis and to establish a population-based database to be 
used for paralysis research. The bill also would authorize the 
Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to award 
grants for the cost of planning, establishing, improving, and 
providing basic operating support to consortia focused on 
paralysis research and for multicenter networks focused on 
paralysis rehabilitation.
    CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost $10 
million in 2008 and $93 million over the 2008-2012 period, 
assuming the appropriation of the authorized amounts. Enacting 
H.R. 1727 would not affect direct spending or revenues.
    The bill contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA); 
any costs to state and local governments would be incurred 
voluntarily.
    Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated 
budgetary impact of H.R. 1727 is shown in the following table. 
The costs of this legislation fall within budget function 550 
(health).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
                                                               -------------------------------------------------
                                                                  2008      2009      2010      2011      2012
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION

Authorization Level...........................................        25        25        25        25         0
Estimated Outlays.............................................        10        20        24        24        15
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that H.R. 
1727 will be enacted near the start of fiscal year 2008 and 
that the authorized amounts will be appropriated for each year.

HHS grants for paralysis-related activities

    H.R. 1727 would authorize the appropriation of $25 million 
for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2011 for the Secretary of 
Health and Human Services to conduct studies and undertake 
activities to improve the quality of life with persons with 
paralysis, and to make grants to state and local agencies to 
establish a research database on paralysis. Based on historical 
spending patterns for similar activities, CBO estimates that 
implementing H.R. 1727 would cost $10 million in 2008 and $93 
million over the 2008-2012 period.

NIH support for research consortia

    H.R. 1727 would explicitly authorize the Director of the 
NIH to award grants to public or private organizations for the 
cost of planning, establishing, improving, and providing basic 
operating support for consortia focused on paralysis research. 
Each consortium, which could be a single institution or 
multiple institutions, would be designated as a Christopher and 
Dana Reeve Paralysis Research Consortium.
    The bill also would authorize the Director of the NIH to 
award grants to public or private entities for planning, 
establishing, improving, and providing basic operating support 
for multi-center networks that would collaborate to design 
protocols for clinical intervention.
    According to officials at the NIH, the institutes are 
currently funding such activities. In fiscal year 2006, the NIH 
spent $342 million on stroke research, $85 million on traumatic 
brain injury research, and $66 million on spinal cord injury 
research. Among the research funded with this money are several 
research networks. For example, the Neurological Emergency 
Treatment Trials network funded through the National Institutes 
of Neurological Disorders and Stroke seeks to engage providers 
on the front lines in emergency rooms to carry out multi-center 
clinical trials to understand neurological emergencies. The 
National Institute for Child Health and Human Development 
(NICHD) funds several research networks. For example, in fiscal 
year 2006, NICHD funded six grants to build research 
infrastructure in the field of medical rehabilitation.
    If H.R. 1727 were enacted, the most significant change at 
NIH would likely be the naming of research consortia after 
Christopher and Dana Reeve. CBO estimates that the NIH 
provisions of H.R. 1727 would not have any significant cost.
    Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: H.R. 1727 
contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as 
defined in UMRA. Grants and research activities authorized in 
the bill for the study and treatment of paralysis and other 
physical disabilities would benefit state and local 
governments. Any costs to those governments to comply with 
grant conditions would be incurred voluntarily.
    Previous CBO estimate: On September 6, 2007, CBO 
transmitted an estimate for S. 1183 as reported by the Senate 
Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on August 3, 
2007. The two versions of the legislation are similar, and the 
estimated costs over five years are the same.
    Estimate prepared by: Federal costs: Sarah Evans and Tim 
Gronniger; Impact on state, local, and tribal governments: Lisa 
Ramirez-Branum; Impact on the private sector: Keisuke Nakagawa.
    Estimate approved by: Keith J. Fontenot, Deputy Assistant 
Director for Health and Human Resources, Budget Analysis 
Division.

                       FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT

    The Committee adopts as its own the estimate of Federal 
mandates prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget 
Office pursuant to section 423 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform 
Act.

                      ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

    No advisory committees within the meaning of section 5(b) 
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act were created by this 
legislation.

                   CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

    Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that the 
Constitutional authority for this legislation is provided in 
the provisions of Article I, section 8, clause 1, that relate 
to expending funds to provide for the general welfare of the 
United States.

                  APPLICABILITY TO LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

    The Committee finds that the legislation does not relate to 
the terms and conditions of employment or access to public 
services or accommodations within the meaning of section 
102(b)(3) of the Congressional Accountability Act.

             SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS OF THE LEGISLATION

Section 1. Short title

    Section 1 establishes the short title of the Act as the 
``Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act.''

Section 2. Table of contents

    Section 2 contains the table of contents.

                      TITLE I. PARALYSIS RESEARCH

    Title I of this legislation addresses the activities of the 
National Institutes of Health with respect to research on 
paralysis. Section 101 states that the Director of NIH may 
develop mechanisms to coordinate the paralysis research and 
rehabilitation activities of the Institutes and Centers of NIH 
in order to further advance such activities and avoid 
duplication of activities. The NIH Director may also award 
grants to public or private entities to pay all, or part of, 
the cost of planning, establishing, improving, and providing 
basic operating support for consortia in paralysis research. 
Each consortium funded under these grants will be designated as 
part of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Research 
Consortium. The Director of NIH may provide for a mechanism to 
educate and disseminate information on the existing and planned 
programs and research activities of NIH with respect to 
paralysis and through which NIH can receive comments from the 
public regarding such programs and activities.

          TITLE II. PARALYSIS REHABILITATION RESEARCH AND CARE

    Title II of this legislation addresses the activities of 
NIH with respect to research with implications for enhancing 
daily function for persons with paralysis. Section 201 states 
that the Director of NIH may make awards of grants to public or 
private entities to pay all, or part of, the costs of planning, 
establishing, improving, and providing basic operating support 
to multicenter networks of clinical sites that will collaborate 
to design clinical rehabilitation intervention protocols and 
measures of outcomes on one or more forms of paralysis that 
result from central nervous system trauma, disorders, or 
stroke. A multicenter network of clinical sites funded through 
this legislation may replicate the findings of network members 
or other researchers for scientific and translation purposes 
and may focus on areas of key scientific concern, including (a) 
improving functional mobility; (b) promoting behavioral 
adaptation to functional losses, especially to prevent 
secondary complications; (c) assessing the efficacy and 
outcomes of medical rehabilitation therapies and practices and 
assisting technologies; (d) developing improved assistive 
technology to improve function and independence; and (e) 
understanding whole body system responses to physical 
impairments, disabilities, and societal and functional 
limitations. The Director of NIH may provide for the 
coordination of information among networks and ensure regular 
communication between members of the networks and may require 
the periodic preparation of reports on the activities of the 
networks and submission of reports.

  TITLE III. IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PERSONS WITH PARALYSIS AND 
                      OTHER PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

    Title III of this legislation focuses on programs to 
improve quality of life for persons with paralysis and other 
physical disabilities. Section 301 states that the Secretary of 
HHS may study the unique health challenges associated with 
paralysis and other physical disabilities and carry out 
projects and interventions to improve the quality of life and 
long-term health status of persons with paralysis and other 
physical disabilities. The Secretary may carry out such 
projects directly and through awards of grants or contracts. 
The grants or contracts may be used to fund activities such as 
(1) development of a national paralysis and physical disability 
quality of life action plan, to promote health and wellness in 
order to enhance full participation, independent living, self-
sufficiency, and equality of opportunity in partnership with 
voluntary health agencies focused on paralysis and other 
physical disabilities; (2) support for programs to disseminate 
information involving care and rehabilitation options and 
quality of life grant programs supportive of community-based 
programs and support systems for persons with paralysis and 
other physical disabilities; (3) collaborating with other 
centers and national voluntary health agencies to establish a 
population-based database that may be used for longitudinal and 
other research on paralysis and other disabling conditions; and 
(4) the replication and translation of best practices and the 
sharing of information across States, as well as the 
development of comprehensive, unique, and innovative programs, 
services, and demonstrations within existing State-based 
disability and health programs of the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, which are designed to support and 
advance quality of life programs for persons living with 
paralysis and other physical disabilities. For the purpose of 
carrying out Title III, there are authorized to be appropriated 
$25,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2008 through 2011.

                                  
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