MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT COUNCIL PROPOSAL CLEARS CONGRESS

Executive Summary

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT COUNCIL PROPOSAL CLEARS CONGRESS, as the House and Senate wrapped up business before their Oct. 12 adjournment. The provision, which would establish a Council on Health Care Technology within the Natl. Academy of Sciences, awaits the President's signature as part of a larger bill, S 771, which would set up 13 health promotion research centers by FY 1988. The provision -- a compromise between Senate and House measures S 2559 and HR 5496, respectively -- also calls for the renaming of the Natl. Center for Health Services Research to the Natl. Center for Health Services Research and Health Care Technology Assessment. Of the funding authorized under the bill for the new center, $3 mil. in FY 1985, $3.5 mil. in FY 1986, and $4 mil. in FY 1987 would be earmarked for health care technology assessment activities. In an Oct. 10 release, Health Industry Mfrs. Assn. President Frank Samuel said the new legislation would "strengthen the ability of the Natl. Center for Health Services Research (NCHSR) to respond to Medicare coverage issues." He also said the bill recognized the impact of Medicare coverage on new technology development by forming an advisory council with private sector representation and by providing supportive funding.