TRENDS IN HEALTH LEGISLATION AND ADMINISTRATION

Abstract

NOW that the national elections are in the background, we may expect to see Congressional decks being cleared for action in the 81st Congress. It is therefore in order to review the achievements of the 80th Congress in respect to health legislation.

The magnitude of the federal government's role in the development and financing of programs in the field of health can readily be appreciated by the fact that Congress appropriated approximately $165,000,000 for public health activities during the current fiscal year. Contract authorizations will raise the amount to more than $275,000,000. Besides these appropriations, the federal government assumes the total cost for many of the medical and hospital needs of the veteran population.

Among the appropriations voted by Congress for various health programs for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 1948, are the following:[see table in source pdf]

LEGISLATION PASSED

Heart Disease Program: Congress enacted the National Heart Act. This law provides for (1) increased cardiovascular research, (2) improvement and expansion of heart disease detection and diagnostic services, (3) training of personnel both in the fields of research and matters relating to the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of heart disease. For these purposes, Congress voted an appropriation of over $3,000,000 for the current fiscal year. This program, which is to be administered by the Public Health Service, is comparable with those already operating in the fields of cancer and mental health. The law establishes the National Heart Institute and a National Advisory Heart Council consisting of 12 non-federal members, of which Dr. Paul D. White of Boston has been appointed Chairman. Included within the appropriation is an authorization for grants-in-aid to states for community heart disease programs in the amount of $500,000.

Dental Disease Program: Congress passed the National Dental Research Act to establish a program to increase research in problems of dental health and to increase training of personnel in matters related to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental diseases. For these purposes, the law authorizes an annual appropriation of $750,000.