[Senate Report 110-410] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] 110th Congress Report SENATE 2d Session 110-410 _______________________________________________________________________ Calendar No. 866 DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATION BILL, 2009 ---------- R E P O R T of the COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS U.S. SENATE on S. 3230July 8, 2008.--Ordered to be printed Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriation Bill, 2009 (S. 3230) Calendar No. 866 110th Congress Report SENATE 2d Session 110-410 ====================================================================== DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATION BILL, 2009 _______ July 8, 2008.--Ordered to be printed _______ Mr. Harkin, from the Committee on Appropriations, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany S. 3230] The Committee on Appropriations reports the bill (S. 3230) making appropriations for Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes, reports favorably thereon and recommends that the bill do pass. Amount of budget authority Total of bill as reported to the Senate............. $626,463,029,000 Amount of 2008 appropriations....................... 600,467,001,000 Amount of 2009 budget estimate...................... 618,683,815,000 Bill as recommended to Senate compared to-- 2008 appropriations............................. +25,996,028,000 2009 budget estimate............................ +7,779,214,000 CONTENTS ---------- Page Summary of Budget Estimates and Committee Recommendations........ 4 Overview......................................................... 4 Highlights of the Bill........................................... 4 Initiatives...................................................... 6 Title I: Department of Labor: Employment and Training Administration....................... 11 Employee Benefits Security Administration.................... 23 Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation......................... 23 Employment Standards Administration.......................... 24 Occupational Safety and Health Administration................ 29 Mine Safety and Health Administration........................ 30 Bureau of Labor Statistics................................... 33 Office of Disability Employment Policy....................... 34 Departmental Management...................................... 34 General Provisions........................................... 39 Title II: Department of Health and Human Services: Health Resources and Services Administration................. 41 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention................... 69 National Institutes of Health................................ 90 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.... 128 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality................... 139 Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services................... 142 Administration for Children and Families..................... 147 Administration on Aging...................................... 161 Office of the Secretary...................................... 166 General Provisions........................................... 176 Title III: Department of Education: Education for the Disadvantaged.............................. 178 Impact Aid................................................... 182 School Improvement Programs.................................. 184 Indian Education............................................. 188 Innovation and Improvement................................... 189 Safe Schools and Citizenship Education....................... 198 English Language Acquisition................................. 200 Special Education............................................ 201 Rehabilitation Services and Disability Research.............. 204 Special Institutions for Persons With Disabilities: American Printing House for the Blind.................... 210 National Technical Institute for the Deaf................ 210 Gallaudet University..................................... 210 Career, Technical, and Adult Education....................... 211 Student Financial Assistance................................. 214 Student Aid Administration................................... 215 Higher Education............................................. 216 Howard University............................................ 227 College Housing and Academic Facilities Loans................ 227 Historically Black College and University Capital Financing Program.................................................... 228 Institute of Education Science............................... 228 Departmental Management: Program Administration................................... 231 Office for Civil Rights.................................. 231 Office of the Inspector General.......................... 231 General Provisions........................................... 232 Title IV: Related Agencies: Committee for Purchase from People who are Blind or Severely Dis- abled...................................................... 233 Corporation for National and Community Service............... 233 Corporation for Public Broadcasting.......................... 236 Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service................... 237 Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission............. 237 Institute of Museum and Library Services..................... 237 Medicare Payment Advisory Commission......................... 238 National Council on Disability............................... 238 National Labor Relations Board............................... 238 National Mediation Board..................................... 239 Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission............. 239 Railroad Retirement Board.................................... 239 Social Security Administration............................... 241 Title V: General Provisions...................................... 245 Compliance With Paragraph 7, Rule XVI of the Standing Rules of the Sen- ate............................................................ 246 Compliance With Paragraph 7(C), Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate.................................................. 246 Compliance With Paragraph 12, Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate..................................................... 247 Bugetary Impact of Bill.......................................... 252 Disclosure of Congressionally Directed Spending Items............ 252 Comparative Statement of New Budget Authority.................... 289 SUMMARY OF BUDGET ESTIMATES AND COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS For fiscal year 2009, the Committee recommends total budget authority of $626,474,029,000 for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies. Of this amount, $153,139,000,000 is current year discretionary funding, including offsets. OVERVIEW The Labor, HHS, and Education and Related Agencies bill constitutes the largest of the non-defense Federal appropriations bills being considered by Congress this year. It is the product of extensive deliberations, driven by the realization that no task before Congress is more important than safeguarding and improving the health and well-being of all Americans. This bill is made up of over 300 programs, spanning three Federal departments and numerous related agencies. But the bill is more than its component parts. Virtually every element of this bill reflects the traditional ideal of democracy: that every citizen deserves the right to a basic education and job skills training; protection from illness and want; and an equal opportunity to reach one's highest potential. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BILL Job Training.--The Committee recommends $2,994,510,000 for State grants for job training, an increase of $25,061,000 over last year and $499,054,000 more than the request. The Committee also recommends $1,650,516,000 for the Office of Job Corps, an increase of $40,010,000 over the fiscal year 2008 level and $85,817,000 more than the request. Worker Protection.--The Committee bill provides $851,515,000 to ensure the health and safety of workers, including $504,620,000 for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA] and $346,895,000 for the Mine Safety and Health Administration. This total is $33,667,000 more than the fiscal year 2008 level and $17,780,000 more than the budget request. The Committee also has focused resources at OSHA, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health on understanding the extent and potential causes of under-reporting of workplace injuries and illness. Child Labor.--The Committee bill includes $86,074,000 for activities designed to end abusive child labor. This is $5,000,000 above the fiscal year 2008 level. National Institutes of Health.--A total of $30,254,524,000 is recommended to fund biomedical research at the 27 Institutes and Centers that comprise the NIH. This represents an increase of $1,025,000,000 over the fiscal year 2008 level and the budget request. Health Centers.--The recommendation includes $2,215,022,000 for health centers, $150,000,000 over the fiscal year 2008 level. Nursing Education.--The Committee recommends $167,652,000 for nursing education, $11,606,000 over the fiscal year 2008 level. Autism.--The Committee bill includes $63,400,000 for prevention of and support for families affected by autism and other related developmental disorders. This is an increase of $9,834,000 over last year's appropriation. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.--A total of $6,507,795,000 is provided in this bill for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This is an increase of $76,790,000 over the fiscal year 2008 level. This level does not include funding for the influenza pandemic, which is appropriated in the HHS Office of the Secretary. Colorectal Cancer.--The Committee bill provides $38,974,000 for prevention efforts around colorectal cancer. Included in this amount is $25,000,000 to establish a national surveillance campaign, with grants to local communities to support colorectal screenings and polyp removal for low-income individuals. Substance Abuse and Mental Health.--The Committee bill provides $3,388,636,000 for substance abuse and mental health programs. Included in this amount is $2,163,579,000 for substance abuse treatment, $191,271,000 for substance abuse prevention and $930,383,000 for mental health programs. Pandemic Influenza.--The Committee recommendation includes $507,000,000 to prepare for and respond to an influenza pandemic. Funds are available for the development and purchase of vaccine, antivirals, necessary medical supplies, diagnostics, and other surveillance tools. Head Start.--The Committee bill includes $7,104,571,000 for the Head Start Program. This represents an increase of $226,595,000 over the 2008 comparable level. Title I (Education).--The Committee has provided $14,529,901,000 for title I grants to LEAs, an increase of $631,026,000 over the fiscal year 2008 appropriation, and $491,265,000 for school improvement grants, the same amount as the fiscal year 2008 level. Student Financial Aid.--The Committee recommends $18,761,809,000 for student financial assistance. The maximum discretionary Pell Grant Program award level is increased to $4,310. This funding, combined with mandatory funding provided in the College Cost Reduction and Access Act, would increase the maximum award to $4,800 for the 2009/2010 school year. The Committee bill includes $70,000,000 for Federal Perkins loan cancellations, an increase of $5,673,000. Higher Education Initiatives.--The Committee bill provides $1,856,214,000 for initiatives to provide greater opportunities for higher education, including $838,178,000 for Federal TRIO programs, an increase of $10,000,000, and $308,423,000 for GEAR UP, an increase of $5,000,000. The bill also provides $47,540,000 for Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants, an increase of $13,878,000. Education for Individuals With Disabilities.--The Committee bill provides $12,511,631,000 to help ensure that all children have access to a free and appropriate education. This amount includes $11,424,511,000 for Part B grants to States, an increase of $477,000,000 over last year and $140,000,000 more than the budget request. The recommended level will reverse the declining share of Federal resources for educating students with disabilities and raise it to 17.3 percent. Rehabilitation Services.--The bill recommends $3,379,109,000 for rehabilitation services. These funds are essential for families with disabilities seeking employment. The Committee restored funding for several important programs proposed for elimination, such as Supported Employment State Grants, Projects with Industry, Recreational programs and programs for migrant and seasonal farmworkers and rejected the Department's proposal to freeze State grant funding at the fiscal year 2008 level. Services for Older Americans.--For programs serving older Americans, the Committee recommendation includes $3,187,303,000. This recommendation includes $213,785,000 for senior volunteer programs, $571,925,000 for community service employment for older Americans, $361,348,000 for supportive services and centers, $161,316,000 for family caregiver support programs and $801,481,000 for senior nutrition programs. For the medical research activities of the National Institute on Aging, the Committee recommends $1,077,448,000. Corporation for Public Broadcasting.--The Committee bill recommends an advance appropriation for fiscal year 2011 of $430,000,000 for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. In addition, the Committee bill includes $29,181,000 for conversion to digital broadcasting and $26,283,000 for the replacement project of the interconnection system in fiscal year 2009 funding. INITIATIVES Improving Teacher Quality Research has proven conclusively that improving teacher quality is the most important thing schools can do to help students succeed academically. If we are truly going to meet the goal of leaving no child behind, a strong teacher is needed in every classroom. For too many students, however, especially those in disadvantaged schools, good teachers are the exception rather than the rule. High-poverty schools are more likely to employ teachers who are unprepared, inexperienced and don't know their subject area than schools in more affluent areas. As a result, the students who need the best instruction--those students most at risk of being left behind--tend to have the worst teachers. This is no way to close the achievement gap. For the most part, local school districts bear the responsibility of recruiting, hiring, and retaining teachers. States set the rules on licensing, and the work of preparing most teachers is performed by colleges and universities. But the Federal Government also plays a key role in promoting teacher quality. Most notably, the No Child Left Behind Act requires that all public school teachers of core academic subjects must be ``highly qualified.'' Congress also appropriates significant funding for teachers. The Committee recommendation for fiscal year 2009 includes more than $3,645,491,000, through 14 separate programs, specifically for hiring teachers or improving teacher quality. This total doesn't include title I grants to LEAs, which can also be used for those purposes. The Committee has made it a top priority to identify and provide strategic increases in programs that can help schools improve teacher quality. They are described below. Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants.--Preparing teachers the right way will ensure they have the skills necessary and support required to succeed in the classroom. Unfortunately, one-third of new teachers leave the profession within the first 5 years and this imposes significant costs on school systems throughout the United States. By investing in high-quality teacher preparation models, such as professional development schools, we can more effectively prepare and support teachers as they start their careers. Professional development schools partner universities with schools that practice state-of-the- art approaches and train novices in the classrooms of expert teachers while they are completing coursework. The Committee recommends $47,540,000, an increase of $13,878,000 over the fiscal year 2008 level of $33,662,000. School Leadership.--Principals are the instructional leaders of a school and, therefore, responsible for maintaining high standards for their teachers and providing them with effective professional development. And yet very little attention has been paid to professional development for principals themselves. While this is an allowable use under the improving teacher quality State grants program, only a tiny fraction of this program's funding is used for that purpose. The Committee has attempted to meet the meet for better principals by recommending a small but significant increase for the school leadership program. The Committee recommendation for fiscal year 2009 is $19,220,000, a $4,746,000 increase over the fiscal year 2008 level of $14,474,000. The administration proposed eliminating the program. Advanced Credentialing.--For the same reasons as the increase for the school leadership program cited above, the Committee recommends a $1,000,000 increase to the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards [NBPTS] for the purpose of developing a new National Board certification for principals. The Committee hopes that the principal certification will prove as successful as the NBPTS's existing programs for teachers. The administration proposed eliminating the program. Special Education Personnel Development.--According the Department of Education's Interim Report on Teacher Quality under the No Child Left Behind Act, almost 6 out of 10 school districts had difficulty attracting highly qualified applicants in special education. Special education is an area where there is a problem of adequate supply and one major cause is the insufficient capacity to train all of the special educators needed. The Committee recommends $93,153,000, an increase of $5,000,000 over the fiscal year 2008 level to build the leadership programs that are needed to meet the demand for special educators. Teaching of Traditional American History.--The Committee recommends $120,000,000 for supporting professional development for teachers of American history. The fiscal year 2008 level was $117,904,000, and the budget request is $50,000,000. In addition, the Committee recommendation maintains funding at the fiscal year 2008 level for several programs that the administration proposed reducing or eliminating. They include: improving teacher quality State grants ($2,935,249,000), National Writing Project ($23,581,000), Teach for America ($11,790,000) and two Teachers for a Competitive Tomorrow programs ($1,966,000). Finally, the Committee proposes an increase of $631,026,000 for title I grants to LEAs, for a total of $14,529,901,000. Mental Health Promotion and Prevention The Committee notes that mental illness is a major public health concern. Approximately one-quarter of all Americans had a diagnosable mental disorder within the past year, and fully a quarter of those had a serious mental illness that significantly disrupted their ability to function. Major mental disorders are estimated to cost the United States at least $317,600,000,000 each year in lost earnings, disability benefits and health care expenditures. In addition, mental disorders are the leading cause of disability in the United States and Canada for those between the ages of 15 and 44. The Committee is also aware that many of these disorders begin in childhood: half of all lifetime cases of mental illnesses begin by age 14. While effective treatments do exist, there can be serious delays between the age at which symptoms appear and when people actually seek, and receive, treatment. These delays can lead to a more severe, more difficult to treat illness, and to the development of co-occurring substance abuse disorders. Research has shown a strong link between early mental health problems and the subsequent development of substance abuse, school failure, risky behavior and criminal activity. The Committee believes that given the magnitude of the problem, our Nation must begin to take a public health approach to mental health. Early identification, prevention and treatment of mental disorders must be regarded with the same importance as they are for physical disorders. Fundamental to such an approach is promoting strategies for young children and their parents that reduce the risk factors involved in developing mental health problems, and that improve protective factors that serve to buffer against such problems. The Committee has provided $7,200,853,000, an increase of $255,713,000 over the fiscal year 2008 level, for programs across various health, education and social service systems that strengthen parenting, foster resilience in children, provide for early intervention, and promote mental wellness. Head Start.--The Committee has included $7,104,571,000 for Head Start, an increase of $226,595,000 over the 2008 comparable level. The Head Start program provides comprehensive services that improve the cognitive and social development of children, as well as promote school readiness. Home Visitation.--The Committee has included $12,000,000 to promote evidence-based home visitation interventions. This is an increase of $2,000,000 above last year's level and the administration request. Research has shown that home visitation programs can reduce incidents of child abuse and neglect. These programs are also associated with long-term positive effects for mothers and their children, such as reduced substance abuse, fewer mental health and behavior problems, lowered criminal activity, greater work-force participation, and delayed initiation of sexual activity. Project Launch.--The Committee recommends $20,369,000 for the Project Launch program at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA]. This is an increase of $13,000,000 over last year's level. The administration proposed to eliminate this program, which promotes the emotional, physical, and emotional wellness of young children from birth to 8 years of age. Family Treatment.--The Committee recommends $17,000,000 for residential substance abuse treatment programs for pregnant and postpartum women and their children, an increase of $5,210,000 over last year's level. The administration proposed eliminating this program. Child Traumatic Stress.--The Committee recommendation includes $38,000,000 for the national child traumatic stress initiative, an increase of $4,908,000 over last year. This initiative improves access to care, treatment, and services for children and adolescents exposed to traumatic events. Mental Health Integration in Schools.--The Committee recommendation includes $5,913,000, an increase of $1,000,000 over the fiscal year 2008 level, for the mental health integration in schools program, which provides grants to increase student access to mental health care by linking schools with their local mental health systems. Data Collection.--The Committee recognizes the need for population-based sources of data on adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbance. The Committee has included $3,000,000 above the request to improve surveillance activities among these groups. Elimination of Fraud, Waste, and Abuse For fiscal year 2009, the Committee has increased funding for a variety of activities aimed at reducing fraud, waste, and abuse of taxpayer dollars. These program integrity initiatives have been shown to be a wise investment of Federal dollars resulting in billions of dollars of savings from Federal entitlement programs--unemployment insurance, Medicare and Medicaid, and Social Security. Unemployment Insurance Program Integrity.--The Committee recommendation includes $50,000,0000, an increase of $40,000,000, to conduct eligibility reviews of claimants of Unemployment Insurance. This increase will save an estimated $200,000,000 annually in inappropriate Unemployment Insurance payments. Social Security Program Integrity.--The Committee recommendation includes $504,000,000 for conducting continuing disability reviews [CDRs] and redeterminations of eligibility for Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income benefits. CDRs save $10 in benefit payments for every $1 spent to conduct these activities, while redeterminations save $7 in payments for every $1 for doing this work. Health Care Program Integrity.--In fiscal year 2006, Medicare and Medicaid outlays accounted for nearly $1 out of every $5 of the total Federal outlays. Fraud committed against Federal health care programs puts Americans at increased risk and diverts critical resources from providing necessary health services to some of the Nation's most vulnerable populations. The Committee has included $198,000,000 for Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control [HCFAC] activities at the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. No discretionary funds were provided for this activity in fiscal year 2008. Investment in health care program integrity more than pays for itself based on 10 years of documented recoveries to the Medicare Part A Trust Fund. The historical return on investment for the life of the Medicare Integrity program has been about 13 to 1. REPROGRAMMING AND TRANSFER AUTHORITY The Committee has included bill language delineating permissible transfer authority in general provisions for each of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, as well as specifying reprogramming authority in a general provision applying to all funds provided under this act, available for obligation from previous appropriations acts, or derived from fees collected. TITLE I DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Employment and Training Administration TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES Appropriations, 2008.................................... $3,576,268,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 3,060,923,000 Committee recommendation................................ 3,618,556,000 The Committee recommends $3,618,556,000 for this account, which provides funding primarily for activities under the Workforce Investment Act [WIA]. The comparable fiscal year 2008 level is $3,576,268,000 and the administration request is $3,060,923,000. Training and employment services is comprised of programs designed to enhance the employment and earnings of economically disadvantaged and dislocated workers, operated through a decentralized system of skill training and related services. This appropriation is generally forward-funded on a July-to- June cycle. Funds provided for fiscal year 2009 will support the program from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. A portion of this account's funding, $1,772,000,000, is advance appropriated, yet still available for the forward-funded program year. Pending reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act, the Committee is acting on a current law request, deferring without prejudice proposed legislative language under the jurisdiction of the authorizing committees. The Committee recommendation includes language in section 109 of the general provisions requiring that the Department take no action to amend, through regulatory or other administrative action, the definition established in 20 CFR 677.220 for functions and activities under title I of the Workforce Investment Act until such time as legislation reauthorizing the act is enacted. This language is continued from last year's bill. The Committee expects that, while the Workforce Investment Act, Wagner-Peyser Act, and Trade Adjustment Act are in the process of being altered and renewed, the administration also will refrain from unilateral changes to the administration, operation and financing of employment and training programs. Therefore, legislative language is included in section 110 of the general provisions that prohibits the Department from taking such action while Congress considers legislation reauthorizing these acts. While the Committee is interested in ensuring that more training is accomplished with the funds available--a stated concern of the Department as well--the Committee disagrees with the Department's proposed solutions, which are funding cuts and consolidation of programs. The Committee believes these policy solutions are not the right ones to move American workers forward in a competitive global marketplace. Grants to States The Committee recommendation includes $2,994,510,000 for Training and Employment Services Grants to States. The fiscal year 2008 comparable amount is $2,969,449,000 and the budget request includes $2,495,456,000 for this purpose. The budget request also proposes legislative language to increase the amount of funds that a local workforce board may transfer between the adult and dislocated worker assistance program from the 30 percent under current law to 40 percent, with the approval of the Governor. The Committee bill does not provide the recommended increase to 40 percent and the Committee notes that many States report that no funds have been transferred under this authority while other States have received waivers from the Department to transfer 100 percent of such funds. The budget request also includes language allowing the Secretary to reallocate funds available under the Adult, Youth and Dislocated Worker programs if the total amount of unexpended balances in a State exceeds 30 percent during program year 2007. These funds would be reallocated using program year 2008 funds to States that have unexpended balances lower than 30 percent. The Committee recommendation does not include the requested language and notes that this issue is most appropriately addressed during the reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act. Adult Employment and Training.--For Adult Employment and Training Activities, the Committee recommends $864,199,000. The comparable fiscal year 2008 level is $861,540,000 and the budget request includes $712,000,000 for this purpose. This program is formula-funded to States and further distributed to local workforce investment boards. Services for adults will be provided through the One-Stop system and most customers receiving training will use their individual training accounts to determine which programs and providers fit their needs. The act authorizes core services, which will be 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. Funds made available in this bill support program year 2009 activities, which occur from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. The bill provides that $152,199,000 is available for obligation on July 1, 2009, and that $712,000,000 is available on October 1, 2009. Both categories of funding are available for obligation through June 30, 2010. Youth Training.--For Youth Training, the Committee recommends $930,500,000. The comparable fiscal year 2008 level is $924,069,000 and the budget request includes $840,500,000 for this purpose. The purpose of Youth Training is to provide eligible youth with assistance in achieving academic and employment success through improving educational and skill competencies and providing connections to employers. Other activities supported include mentoring, training, supportive services, and summer employment directly linked to academic and occupational learning, incentives for recognition and achievement, and activities related to leadership development, citizenship, and community service. Funds made available for youth training support program year 2009 activities, which occur from April 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. Dislocated Worker Assistance.--For Dislocated Worker Assistance, the Committee recommends $1,199,811,000. The comparable fiscal year 2008 level is $1,183,840,000 and the budget request includes $942,956,000 for this purpose. This program is a State-operated effort that provides core and intensive services, training, and support to help permanently separated workers return to productive, unsubsidized employment. In addition, States use these funds for rapid response assistance to help workers affected by mass layoffs and plant closures. Also, States may use these funds to carry out additional statewide employment and training activities, which may include implementation of innovative incumbent and dislocated worker training, and programs such as Advanced Manufacturing Integrated Systems Technology. Funds made available in this bill support program year 2009 activities, which occur from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. The bill provides that $351,811,000 is available for obligation on July 1, 2009, and that $848,000,000 is available on October 1, 2009. Both categories of funding are available for obligation through June 30, 2010. Federally Administered Programs Dislocated Worker Assistance National Reserve.--The Committee recommends $282,092,000 for the Dislocated Worker National Reserve, which is available to the Secretary for activities such as responding 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, including the Community-Based Job Training Initiative. Funds made available in this bill support program year 2009 activities, which occur from July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. The bill provides that $70,092,000 is available for obligation on July 1, 2009, and that $212,000,000 is available on October 1, 2009. Both categories of funding are available for obligation through June 30, 2010. The Committee bill continues language authorizing the use of funds under the dislocated workers program for projects that provide assistance to new entrants in the workforce and incumbent workers, as well as to provide assistance where there have been dislocations across multiple sectors or local areas of a State. The Committee appreciates the actions taken by the Department to address the economic diversification opportunity brought on by the recent closures of U.S. pineapple plantations and encourages the Department to consider continuing possible collaborations between State and statewide agricultural organizations that mitigate worker dislocation and help workers transition in a changing economy. Community-Based Job Training Initiative.--Within the Committee recommendation for the Dislocated Worker Assistance National Reserve, $125,000,000 is available to continue the Community College/Community-Based Job Training Grant initiative. The comparable fiscal year 2008 level is $122,816,000 and the budget request includes $125,000,000 for this purpose. Funds used for this initiative should strengthen partnerships between workforce investment boards, community colleges, and employers, to train workers for high-growth, high-demand industries in the new economy. The Committee recommendation includes a general provision requiring these grants to be awarded competitively. The Committee is particularly interested in the Department awarding competitive grants under this initiative for energy efficiency and renewable energy worker training activities authorized under section 171(e) of the Green Jobs Act of 2007. To date, very little of the grant funding has been provided for such activities and the Committee believes a greater training investment needs to be made in areas such as renewable electric power, biofuels, energy-efficiency assessment and environmentally sustainable manufacturing. Therefore, the Committee directs the Department to consult with the Committee prior to announcing a solicitation for grant applications under this initiative. Native American Programs.--For Native American programs, the Committee recommends $52,758,000, the same as the comparable fiscal year 2008 level. The budget request includes $45,000,000 for this purpose. This program 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. Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Programs.--For Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers, the Committee recommends $82,740,000. The comparable fiscal year 2008 level is $79,668,000, while the budget proposes to eliminate funding for this purpose. Authorized by the Workforce Investment Act, this program is designed to serve members of economically disadvantaged families whose principal livelihood is derived from migratory and other forms of seasonal farmwork, 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. The Committee recommendation provides that $76,710,000 be used for State service area grants. The Committee recommendation also includes bill language directing that $5,500,000 be used for migrant and seasonal farmworker housing grants, of which not less than 70 percent shall be for permanent housing. The principal purpose of these funds is to continue the network of local farmworker housing organizations working on permanent housing solutions for migrant and seasonal farmworkers. The Committee recommendation also includes $530,000 to be used for section 167 training, technical assistance and related activities, including funds for migrant rest center activities. Finally, the Committee wishes to again advise the Department regarding the requirements of the Workforce Investment Act in selecting an eligible entity to receive a State service area grant under section 167. Such an entity must have already demonstrated a capacity to administer effectively a diversified program of workforce training and related assistance for eligible migrant and seasonal farmworkers. Women in Apprenticeship.--The Committee recommends $983,000 for program year 2009 activities as authorized under the Women in Apprenticeship and Non-Traditional Occupations Act of 1992. The comparable fiscal year 2008 level is $983,000, while the budget proposes to eliminate funding for this purpose. These funds provide for technical assistance to employers and unions to assist them in training, placing, and retraining women in nontraditional jobs and occupations. YouthBuild.--The Committee recommends $58,952,000 for the YouthBuild program. The comparable fiscal year 2008 level is $58,952,000 and the budget request includes $50,000,000 for this purpose. The YouthBuild program provides the opportunity for eligible youth to learn construction trade skills by building or rehabilitating housing for low-income individuals, earn a high school diploma or equivalency degree, and prepare for postsecondary training. Personal counseling and training in life skills and financial management also are provided. The students are a part of a mini-community of adults and youth committed to each other's success and to improving the conditions in their neighborhoods. The Committee notes that 76,000 YouthBuild students have built or rehabilitated 17,000 units of affordable housing since 1994. Construction projects range from constructing new homes to restoring multi-unit buildings to rebuilding entire neighborhoods. In particular, the Committee is aware of YouthBuild successes and continued potential in communities along the Gulf of Mexico, where recent hurricanes created a need for both skilled construction labor and low-income housing construction itself. National Activities Pilots, Demonstrations, and Research.--The Committee recommends $31,438,000 for pilots, demonstration and research authorized by section 171 of the Workforce Investment Act. The comparable fiscal year 2008 level is $48,508,000 and the budget request includes $16,000,000 for this purpose. These funds support grants or contracts to conduct research, pilots or demonstrations that improve techniques or demonstrate the effectiveness of programs. The Committee bill also includes language under section 105 of the general provisions that requires the Department to submit an operating plan by July 1, 2009 which details the planned expenditure of these funds. The Committee recommendation also includes language requiring that funds be provided to the following organizations in the amounts specified: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Committee Project recommendation ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Aerospace Worker Joint Apprenticeship Training $500,000 Committee [AWJATC], Seattle, WA, for skills training for the aerospace industry........................... Bay Area Workforce Development Board, Green Bay, WI, 250,000 to address re-entry planning, family reunification, mentoring and life skills intervention for incarcerated women................................... Blackhawk Technical College, Janesville, WI, for 1,000,000 employment and training activities................... Brevard Workforce Development Board, Rockledge, FL, 250,000 for retraining of aerospace industry workers......... Central Council of Tlingit-Haida Indian Tribes of 250,000 Alaska, Juneau, AK, for job training programs........ City of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, for the City of 1,250,000 Baltimore's YouthWorks summer job program............ City of Jackson, MS, for the Jackson Transitional Job 100,000 Project for job training and employment programs for the Homeless......................................... City of Lewiston, ME, for job training programs....... 350,000 City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, for youth 400,000 internships and occupational training in the green- collar employment sector............................. City of Oakland, CA, for the Oakland Green Jobs 300,000 Initiative........................................... City of Santa Ana, CA, for employment and job training 750,000 services............................................. Community College of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA, 100,000 for job training..................................... Community College of Beaver County, Monaca, PA, for 100,000 job training......................................... Community Solutions for Clackamas County, Oregon City, 200,000 OR, for the Working for Independence job training and workforce development program........................ Community Transportation Association of America, 450,000 Washington, DC, for the Joblinks program............. Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Philadelphia, PA, for job 100,000 training............................................. Des Moines Area Community College, Des Moines, IA, for 400,000 Project Employment................................... Eisenhower Foundation, Washington, DC, to replicate 350,000 and evaluate job-training and supportive services programs for disadvantaged workers in Des Moines, Iowa................................................. Esperanza, Philadelphia, PA, for workforce development 100,000 Florida Community College at Jacksonville, 100,000 Jacksonville, FL, for employment, training and assessment programs for veterans recently returning to civilian life..................................... Goodwill Industries Inc., Chicago, IL, to expand the 250,000 Goodwill Works initiative............................ Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin, Inc., 300,000 Milwaukee, WI, to provide training, employment and supportive services, including for individuals with disabilities......................................... Groden Center, Providence, RI, for job readiness 350,000 training for adults with Asperger's Syndrome......... Groundwork Providence, Providence, RI, for workforce 150,000 training............................................. Harrisburg Area Community College, Harrisburg, PA, for 100,000 job training......................................... Hawkeye Community College, Waterloo, IA, for an 250,000 Advanced Manufacturing Training Center............... Healthcare Industry Grant Corporation, Dorchester, MA, 200,000 for an incumbent health care worker skills training program.............................................. Hispanic Center, Pittsburgh, PA, for job training..... 100,000 Impact Services Corporation, Philadelphia, PA, for 100,000 workforce development................................ Iowa Central Community College, Fort Dodge, IA, for 250,000 job training activities.............................. Jobs for Maine's Graduates, Inc., Augusta, ME, for 300,000 career development for at-risk youth................. Kentucky Community and Technical College System, 100,000 Louisville, KY, for career training programs for disabled veterans.................................... Kershaw County, Camden, SC, for workforce training 250,000 programs in partnership with Kershaw, Lee, and Central Carolina Technical College................... Manufacturers Association of Central New York, 300,000 Syracuse, NY, to improve employment and training in the manufacturing sector............................. Maui Community College Remote Rural Hawaii Job 2,200,000 Training Project, Kahului, HI, for training and education............................................ Maui Community College Training & Education 2,000,000 Opportunities, Kahului, HI, for training and education............................................ Maui Economic Development Board, Kihei, HI, for high 475,000 tech training........................................ Maui Economic Development Board, Kihei, HI, for rural 300,000 computer utilization training program................ Maui Economic Development Board, Kihei, HI, to 150,000 integrate job training activities in a health center. Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, Office of 1,000,000 the Chancellor, St. Paul, MN, to continue a statewide veterans re-entry education program.................. Minot State University, Minot, ND, for the Job Corps 650,000 Executive Management Program......................... Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 400,000 for the Mississippi Integrated Workforce Performance System............................................... Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, MS, 150,000 for training and development at the Automated Identification Technology [AIT]/Automatic Data Collection [ADC] Program............................. Montana AFL-CIO, Helena, MT, for workforce development 200,000 and training activities.............................. Nevada Partners for a Skilled Workforce, North Las 500,000 Vegas, NV, for the Build Nevada Initiative........... Nine Star Enterprises, Anchorage, AK, for a job 125,000 training initiative.................................. Northwestern Alaska Career and Technical Center, Nome, 200,000 AK, for job training programs for high school students............................................. NW Works--Autism Inclusion Initiative, Winchester, VA, 100,000 for program development, training, and acquisition of equipment............................................ Penn Asian Senior Services, Jenkintown, PA, for job 100,000 training............................................. Pennsylvania Association for Individuals with 100,000 Disabilities, Johnstown, PA, for job training........ Philadelphia Shipyard Development Corporation, 200,000 Philadelphia, PA, for job training................... Project ARRIBA, El Paso, TX, for workforce development 100,000 and economic opportunities in the West Texas region.. Rapides Parish Police Jury Office of Economic and 300,000 Workforce Development, Alexandria, LA, for workforce development, employer-based training and education and work-based training for out-of-school- youth.... ReCycle North, Burlington, VT, for workforce 500,000 development and training activities.................. Roca, Inc., Chelsea, MA, for a transitional employment 150,000 program for high-risk youth and young adults ages 16- 24................................................... Rural Opportunities Inc., Harrisburg, PA, for 100,000 workforce development................................ San Francisco Department of Economic and Workforce 250,000 Development, San Francisco, CA, for the Green Jobs Workforce Development Training Pilot project......... Seattle-King County Workforce Development Council, 150,000 Seattle, WA, for demand side workforce development approach training.................................... Sinclair Community College, Dayton, OH, for workforce 150,000 development and training activities.................. South Carolina Association of Community Development 300,000 Corporation, Charleston, SC, for development of self- employment job centers............................... Southwest Alaska Vocation and Education Center, King 200,000 Salmon, AK, for workforce development and training... United Auto Workers Region 9, Local 624, New York, for 450,000 incumbent worker training............................ University of Maryland, Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, For 1,500,000 the Life Sciences Workforce Training Center.......... University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, 250,000 for workforce training in Marine Composite........... University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL, to provide 100,000 job training programs for veterans................... Vermont Agency of Human Services, Waterbury, VT, for 1,000,000 an employment services program for veterans with disabilities......................................... Vermont Association of Business, Industry & 200,000 Rehabilitation, Williston, VT, for employment services to at-risk populations...................... Vermont HITEC, Williston, VT, for health care training 1,000,000 Washington Technology Center, Seattle, WA, for a 50,000 workforce training and retention project............. Washington State Board for Community & Technical 75,000 Colleges, Federal Way, WA, for training, on-the-job support and career development services in the long- term care sector in Washington State................. Washington Workforce Association, Vancouver, WA, to 450,000 prepare students to enter secure, local, high-demand occupations in Washington's workforce through job shadowing, internships, and scholarships............. YouthCare, Seattle, WA, for a technology training 100,000 program for homeless and out-of-school youth......... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Reintegration of Ex-offenders.--The Committee recommendation includes $103,493,000 to continue funding for the Reintegration of Ex-offenders program. The comparable fiscal year 2008 level is $73,493,000, while the budget request includes $39,600,000 for this program. The Responsible Reintegration of Ex-offenders program targets critical funding to help prepare and assist ex-offenders to return to their communities, such as pre-release services, mentoring, and case management. The program also provides support, opportunities, education and training to youth who are court-involved and on probation, in aftercare, on parole, or who would benefit from alternatives to incarceration or diversion from formal judicial proceedings. The Committee recommends $60,000,000 to continue a mentoring initiative that began in program year 2006. The Committee intends for these funds to be used to implement mentoring strategies that integrate educational and employment interventions and prevent youth violence. Funds shall be used first to continue grants, subject to additional need and performance, made with program year 2007 and 2008 funds. The balance should be used for additional grants for mentoring strategies serving schools with high rates of school dropout or identified as persistently dangerous. Within the Committee recommendation, sufficient funding is available to initiate a competitive grant program, targeting national community-based organizations with demonstrated capacity and proven track records of effectiveness in preparing young ex-offenders and dropouts to re-enter the workforce. The Committee intends for the Department to initiate such a competition using program year 2009 funds. The Committee urges the Department to award grants to organizations that will: (1) implement programs, practices, or strategies shown in well-designed randomized controlled trials to have sizable, sustained effects on important workforce and reintegration outcomes; (2) adhere closely to the specific elements of the proven program, practice, or strategy; and (3) obtain sizable matching funds for their project from other Federal or non-Federal sources, such as the Adult Training formula grant program authorized under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, or State or local programs. Evaluation.--The Committee recommends $4,835,000 to provide for the continuing evaluation of programs conducted under the Workforce Investment Act, as well as of federally funded employment-related activities under other provisions of law. The comparable fiscal year 2008 level is $4,835,000 and the budget request includes $9,000,000 for this purpose. Community-based Job Training Grants.--The Committee recommends $125,000,000 for this initiative from the Dislocated Worker National Reserve, as described earlier in this section. This is the same financing arrangement provided for in last year's bill. The budget request includes $125,000,000 for this initiative. The Committee recommendation includes a general provision requiring these grants to be awarded competitively. The Committee is particularly interested in the Department awarding competitive grants under this initiative for energy- efficiency and renewable energy worker training activities authorized under section 171(e) of the Green Jobs Act of 2007. To date, very little of the grant funding has been provided for such activities and the Committee believes a greater training investment needs to be made in areas such as renewable electric power, biofuels, energy-efficiency assessment and environmentally sustainable manufacturing. Therefore, the Committee directs the Department to consult with the Committee prior to announcing a solicitation for grant applications under this initiative. Denali Commission.--The Committee recommends $6,755,000 for the Denali Commission, as authorized in Public Law 108-7, for job training in connection with infrastructure building projects it funds in rural Alaska. The comparable fiscal year 2008 level is $6,755,000 and the budget proposes to eliminate funding for this purpose. Funding will allow un- and under- employed rural Alaskans to train for better jobs in their villages. Job Training for Employment in High Growth Industries.--The Committee continues to have a strong interest in the initiatives funded from H-1B fees for job training services and related capacity-building activities. The Committee is concerned that 90 percent of the funds made available under the High Growth Job Training Initiative have not been awarded on a competitive basis. The Committee recommendation continues language included in last year's bill which requires awards under the High Growth Job Training Initiative, Community Based Job Training Grants and Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development initiative to be made on a competitive basis. The Committee is particularly interested in the Department awarding competitive grants under this initiative for energy efficiency and renewable energy worker training activities authorized under section 171(e) of the Green Jobs Act of 2007. To date, very little of the grant funding has been provided for such activities. The Committee believes a greater training investment needs to be made in areas such as renewable electric power, biofuels, and energy-efficiency assessment and environmentally sustainable manufacturing. Therefore, the Committee directs the Department to consult with the Committee prior to announcing a solicitation for grant applications under the Job Training for Employment in High Growth Industries' initiative. COMMUNITY SERVICE EMPLOYMENT FOR OLDER AMERICANS Appropriations, 2008.................................... $521,625,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 350,000,000 Committee recommendation................................ 571,925,000 The Committee recommends $571,925,000 for community service employment for older Americans. The comparable fiscal year 2008 level is $521,625,000 and the budget request includes $350,000,000. This program, authorized by title V of the Older Americans Act, provides part-time employment in community service activities for unemployed, low-income persons aged 55 and over. It is a forward-funded program, so the fiscal year 2009 appropriation will support the program from July 1, 2009, through June 30, 2010. The program provides a direct, efficient, and quick means to assist economically disadvantaged older workers because it has a proven effective network in every State and in practically every county. Administrative costs for the program are low, and the vast majority of the money goes directly to low-income seniors as wages and fringe benefits. The program provides a wide range of vital community services that would not otherwise be available, particularly in low-income areas and in minority neighborhoods. Senior enrollees provide necessary and valuable services at Head Start centers, schools, hospitals, libraries, elderly nutrition sites, senior center, and elsewhere in the community. A large proportion of senior enrollees use their work experience and training to obtain employment in the private sector. This not only increases our Nation's tax base, but it also enables more low-income seniors to participate in the program. FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES Appropriations, 2008.................................... $888,700,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 958,800,000 Committee recommendation................................ 958,800,000 The Committee recommends $958,800,000 for Federal Unemployment Benefits and Allowances. The comparable fiscal year 2008 amount is $888,700,000 and the budget request includes $958,800,000 for this purpose. Trade adjustment benefit payments are expected to increase from $606,000,000 in fiscal year 2008 to $667,000,000 in fiscal year 2009, while trade training in fiscal year 2009 will amount to roughly $259,000,000 for an estimated 100,000 participants. The Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act of 2002 consolidated the previous Trade Adjustment Assistance [TAA] and NAFTA Transitional Adjustment Assistance programs, into a single, enhanced TAA program with expanded eligibility, services, and benefits. Additionally, the act provides a program of Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance for Older Workers. STATE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OPERATIONS Appropriations, 2008.................................... $3,307,370,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 2,782,914,000 Committee recommendation................................ 3,692,363,000 The Committee recommends $3,692,363,000 for this account. The recommendation includes $3,603,028,000 authorized to be drawn from the Employment Security Administration account of the unemployment trust fund, including $40,000,000 in additional program integrity activities described later in this account, and $89,335,000 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 which administer Federal and State unemployment compensation laws and operate the public employment service. The Committee bill continues language that allows States to pay the cost of penalty mail from funds allotted to them under the Wagner-Peyser Act and allows States to use funds appropriated under this account to assist other States if they are impacted by a major disaster declared by the President. The Committee recommends a total of $2,831,872,000 for unemployment insurance activities. For unemployment insurance [UI] State operations, the Committee recommends $2,782,145,000. These funds are available for obligation by States through December 31, 2009. However, funds used for automation acquisitions are available for obligation by States through September 30, 2011. The recommendation includes $10,000,000 to conduct in- person reemployment and eligibility assessments and unemployment insurance improper payment reviews. In addition, $40,000,000 is available for this purpose through a discretionary cap adjustment, as provided for in the fiscal year 2009 budget resolution. The Committee is particularly interested in a portion of these funds being used for technology-based overpayment prevention, detection and collection infrastructure investments. These program integrity activities will save more than $200,000,000 annually in overpayments from the unemployment insurance trust fund. The Committee bill includes language proposed in the budget request that requires the Secretary of Labor to submit interim and final reports on the outcomes achieved through these activities, their associated estimated savings, and identification of best practices that may be replicated. In addition, the Committee recommendation provides for a contingency reserve amount should the unemployment workload exceed an average weekly insured claims volume of 3,487,000. This contingency amount would fund the administrative costs of the unemployment insurance workload over the level of 3,487,000 insured unemployed per week at a rate of $28,600,000 per 100,000 insured unemployed, with a pro rata amount granted for amounts of less than 100,000 insured unemployed. The President's budget provides for a contingency threshold level of 2,790,000. For unemployment insurance national activities, the Committee recommends $9,727,000. These funds are directed to activities that benefit the State/Federal unemployment insurance program, including helping States adopt common technology-based solutions to improve efficiency and performance, supporting training and contracting for actuarial support for State trust fund management. For the Employment Service allotments to States, the Committee recommends $703,776,000, which includes $22,883,000 in general funds together with an authorization to spend $680,893,000 from the Employment Security Administration account of the unemployment trust fund, which is the same as the comparable fiscal year 2008 amounts. The budget request does not include any funds for this purpose. These funds are available for the program year of July 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010. The Committee also recommends $20,026,000 for Employment Service national activities, the same amount as the budget request. The comparable fiscal year 2008 amount is $19,677,000 for these activities. As proposed by the administration, the Committee recommends a consolidation of funding sources for foreign labor certification activities. While the President's budget proposed to create a new account for this consolidation, the Committee recommends funding of $70,237,000 under this account. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level is $54,004,000 and the President's budget includes $77,970,000 for this purpose. In addition, $13,000,000 is estimated to be available from H-1B fees for processing H-1B alien labor certification applications. The budget request also includes legislative proposals that would authorize fees for the PERM, H-2A and H-2B programs. The Committee bill defers actions on these proposals, which need to be considered by the appropriate committees of jurisdiction. The Committee urges the Department to develop and implement program integrity objectives and performance measures related to the foreign labor certification program. The Department of Labor Inspector General has identified this as an area of major concern. For One-Stop Career Centers and Labor Market Information, the Committee recommends $52,059,000, the same amount as the comparable fiscal year 2008 level. The budget request includes $48,880,000 for these activities. The Committee recommendation includes funding for America's Career Information Network, improving efficiency in labor market transactions, and measuring and displaying WIA performance information. The Committee has provided funds above the budget request to enable the Secretary to make competitive grants to the State agencies that administer the Wagner-Peyser Act and State unemployment insurance programs. The Committee intends that not less than $2,000,000 of such funds be made available for such agencies to, in coordination with one-stop delivery systems, identify job openings in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sector and refer workers to job openings and such training programs, among other activities authorized under the Green Jobs Act of 2007. The Committee recommends $14,393,000 for the Work Incentives Grants program, the same amount as the fiscal year 2008 funding level. The budget request proposes to eliminate funding for these activities. This program helps persons with disabilities find and retain jobs through the One-Stop Career Center system mandated by the Workforce Investment Act. Funding will support the Disability Program Navigator initiative, which is intended to ensure that One-Stop systems integrate and coordinate mainstream employment and training programs with essential employment-related services for persons with disabilities. The Committee recommendation includes sufficient funding for evaluation, capacity building, training, and technical assistance, which continues to be needed given the expansion to 47 States. ADVANCES TO THE UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND AND OTHER FUNDS Appropriations, 2008.................................... $437,000,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 422,000,000 Committee recommendation................................ 422,000,000 The Committee recommends $422,000,000 for this account, the same amount the budget request. The fiscal year 2008 funding level is $437,000,000 for this purpose. 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. The Committee recommendation assumes that fiscal year 2009 advances will be made to the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund, as proposed in the budget request. The separate appropriations provided by the Committee for all other accounts eligible to borrow from this account in fiscal year 2009 are expected to be sufficient. Should the need arise, due to unanticipated changes in the economic situation, laws, or for other legitimate reasons, advances will be made to the appropriate accounts to the extent funds are available. Funds advanced to the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund are now repayable with interest to the general fund of the Treasury. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION Appropriations, 2008.................................... $130,836,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 144,011,000 Committee recommendation................................ 131,153,000 The Committee recommendation includes $84,368,000 in general funds for this account, as well as authority to expend $46,785,000 from the Employment Security Administration account of the unemployment trust fund, for a total of $131,153,000. General funds in this account provide the Federal staff to administer employment and training programs under the Workforce Investment Act, the Older Americans Act, the Trade Act of 1974, the Denali Commission Act, the Women in Apprenticeship and Non- Traditional Occupations Act of 1992, and the National Apprenticeship Act. Trust funds provide for the Federal administration of employment security functions under title III of the Social Security Act. The Committee believes that the public workforce system is strengthened by the effective participation of all of the stakeholders in the system and urges that the Department use a portion of its discretionary funds to support that participation through grants and contracts to intergovernmental, business, labor, and community-based organizations dedicated to training and technical assistance in support of Workforce Investment Boards and their members. Employee Benefits Security Administration SALARIES AND EXPENSES Appropriations, 2008.................................... $139,313,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 147,871,000 Committee recommendation................................ 139,313,000 The Committee recommends $139,313,000 for the Employee Benefits Security Administration [EBSA], the same amount as the fiscal year 2008 funding level. The budget request includes $147,871,000. The 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. EBSA is also responsible for enforcement of sections 8477 and 8478 of the Federal Employees' Retirement Security Act of 1986 [FERSA]. In accordance with the requirements of FERSA, the Secretary of Labor has promulgated regulations and prohibited transactions class exemptions under the fiduciary responsibility and fiduciary bonding provisions of the law governing the Thrift Savings Plan for Federal employees. In addition, the Secretary of Labor has, pursuant to the requirement of section 8477(g)(1) of FERSA, established a program to carry out audits to determine the level of compliance with the fiduciary responsibility provisions of FERSA applicable to Thrift Savings Plan fiduciaries. EBSA provides funding for the enforcement and compliance; policy, regulation, and public services; and program oversight activities. Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation The Corporation's estimated obligations for fiscal year 2009 include single employer benefit payments of $4,818,000,000, multi-employer financial assistance of $100,000,000 and administrative expenses of $444,722,000. Administrative expenses are comprised of three activities: (1) Pension insurance activities, $68,548,000; (2) pension plan termination expenses, $240,406,000; and (3) operational support, $135,768,000. Such expenditures will be financed by permanent authority. The budget request proposes to make these funds available until expended. The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation is a wholly owned Government corporation established by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The law places it within the Department of Labor and makes the Secretary of Labor the chair of its board of directors. The corporation receives its income primarily from insurance premiums collected from covered pension plans, assets of terminated pension plans, collection of employer liabilities imposed by the act, and investment earnings. The primary purpose of the corporation is to guarantee the payment of pension plan benefits to participants if covered defined benefit plans fail or go out of existence. The President's budget proposes to continue from last year's bill a contingency fund for the PBGC that provides additional administrative resources when the number of participants in terminated plans exceeds 100,000. When the trigger is reached, an additional $9,200,000 becomes available for every 20,000 participants in terminated plans. A trigger also is included for additional investment management fees for plan terminations or asset growth. The Committee recommendation includes this language to ensure that the PBGC can take immediate, uninterrupted action to protect participants' pension benefits. The Committee expects to be notified immediately of the availability of any funds made available by this provision. The President's budget also includes language that provides additional funds for investment management fees for changes in investment policies approved by the Board. The proposed language also allows PBGC additional obligation authority for unforeseen and extraordinary pre-termination expenses, after approval by the Office of Management and Budget and notification of the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and Senate. The Committee bill only includes the requested language related to unforeseen expenses. The single-employer program protects about 33.8 million participants in approximately 28,900 defined benefit pension plans. The multi-employer insurance program protects about 9.9 million participants in more than 1,500 plans. Employment Standards Administration SALARIES AND EXPENSES Appropriations, 2008.................................... $420,925,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 468,660,000 Committee recommendation................................ 438,359,000 The Committee recommends $438,359,000 for this account. The bill contains authority to expend $2,022,000 from the special fund established by the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act; the remainder of $436,337,000 are general funds. In addition, an amount of $32,308,000 is available by transfer from the black lung disability trust fund. The Committee continues to recommend bill language that authorizes the Employment Standards Administration to assess and collect fees to defray the cost for processing applications for homeworker and special minimum wage certifications, and applications for registration under the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act. The Employment Standards Administration 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 [FECA], the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act (black lung). This recommendation provides sufficient funding to offset the impact of inflation, and includes more than $5,000,000 to hire new investigators to conduct inspections and investigations of industries with high concentrations of low- wage and other vulnerable workers, and industries with high levels of wage and hour violations, including overtime violations. The Committee requests the Department to include, as part of its fiscal year 2010 budget justification, a detailed report on its enforcement efforts aimed at low-wage industries, including: the measures being used to gauge compliance; the enforcement strategy being pursued in each of these industries; the number of investigators who are bilingual (and in what languages); the number of investigations prompted by complaints from workers and those initiated by the Department; the number of workers covered by those investigations; the employer practices that form the basis of complaints; and the findings and actions taken, including recovery of back wages. The Committee is concerned about the misclassification of employees as independent contractors, which undermines enforcement of the Nation's worker-protection laws. The Committee encourages the Wage and Hour Division to focus increased attention of investigative personnel and resources to detecting and taking enforcement actions against the illegal misclassification of workers and unreported cash pay. The Committee requests that the fiscal year 2010 budget justification include detailed information on the Department's enforcement strategy and record on misclassification and unreported cash pay, including: the measures established to gauge compliance; the number of investigations prompted by complaints from workers and those initiated by the Department; the number of workers covered by those investigations; descriptive data on the employer practices that form the basis of the complaint; and the findings and actions taken, including recovery of back pay, other compensatory measures, and cross- referral of complaints to the Internal Revenue Service. The Committee is concerned that the proposed regulations to the Family and Medical Leave Act [FMLA] published on February 11, 2008, have suggested alterations to the current regulations without collecting objective, high-quality data to support these changes. The Committee believes that the Department should move expeditiously to promulgate regulations to implement the new military leave provisions to the FMLA that Congress enacted in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008. However, the Committee also believes the Department needs to do more on the non-military aspect of the proposed regulation and should conduct an objective, comprehensive survey of both employers and employees, as was done in 2000, on the need for the proposed changes to the current rules. Therefore, the Committee requests the Department to withhold from finalizing regulations (not including rules on the military family leave provisions as discussed in 73 Fed. Reg. at 7925-33) that are not based on the survey described above, unless the results of such survey show an objective and compelling need for changes to the current regulations. The recommendation includes $1,000,000 to continue activities for the expeditious startup of a system to resolve claims of victims for bodily injury caused by asbestos exposure. This may include contracts with individuals or entities having relevant experience to assist in jump starting the program, as described in S. 852, the Fair Act of 2005. Activities to shorten the lead-time for implementation of asbestos activities encompass procedures for the processing of claims, including procedures for the expediting of exigent health claims, and planning for promulgation of regulations. Funds not needed for this purpose, because authorizing legislation has not been enacted, should be used for additional investigations as outlined in the budget request. The Committee recommendation includes a rescission of $63,000,000 in unexpended balances from H-1B fee receipts the Department has been unable to spend over the past several fiscal years. The budget proposes to rescind $30,000,000 of these balances. SPECIAL BENEFITS Appropriations, 2008.................................... $203,000,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 163,000,000 Committee recommendation................................ 163,000,000 The Committee recommends $163,000,000 for this account. The comparable fiscal year 2008 amount is $203,000,000 and the budget request includes $163,000,000 for this purpose. The appropriation primarily provides benefits under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act [FECA]. The Committee recommends continuation of appropriation language to provide authority to require disclosure of Social Security account numbers by individuals filing claims under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act or the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act and its extensions. The Committee recommends continuation of appropriation language that provides authority to use the FECA fund to reimburse a new employer for a portion of the salary of a newly reemployed injured Federal worker. The FECA funds will be used to reimburse new employers during the first 3 years of employment not to exceed 75 percent of salary in the worker's first year, declining thereafter. The Committee recommendation also continues language allowing carryover of unobligated balances from fiscal year 2008 to be used in the following year. The Committee again includes appropriation language that retains the drawdown date of August 15. The drawdown authority enables the agency to meet any immediate shortage of funds without requesting supplemental appropriations. The August 15 drawdown date allows flexibility for continuation of benefit payments without interruption. The Committee recommends continuation of appropriation language to provide authority to deposit into the special benefits account of the employees' compensation fund those funds that the Postal Service, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and other entities are required to pay to cover their fair share of the costs of administering the claims filed by their employees under FECA. The Committee concurs with requested bill language to allow use of fair share collections to fund capital investment projects and specific initiatives to strengthen compensation fund control and oversight. SPECIAL BENEFITS FOR DISABLED COAL MINERS Appropriations, 2008.................................... $208,221,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 188,130,000 Committee recommendation................................ 188,130,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $188,130,000 in fiscal year 2009 for special benefits for disabled coal miners. This is in addition to the $62,000,000 appropriated last year as an advance for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009. 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 Black Lung Consolidation of Administrative Responsibility Act, enacted on November 2, 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, thus consolidating all black lung benefit responsibility under the Secretary. Part B benefits are based on claims filed on or before December 31, 1973. The Secretary of Labor is already responsible for the part C claims filed after December 31, 1973. In fiscal year 2009, an estimated 27,700 beneficiaries will receive benefits. By law, increases in black lung benefit payments are tied directly to Federal pay increases. The year-to-year decrease in this account reflects a declining beneficiary population. The Committee recommends an advance appropriation of $56,000,000 for the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, the same as the administration request. These funds will ensure uninterrupted benefit payments to coal miners, their widows, and dependents. ENERGY EMPLOYEES OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESS COMPENSATION PROGRAM Appropriations, 2008.................................... $49,387,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 49,654,000 Committee recommendation................................ 49,654,000 The Committee recommends $49,654,000 for the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program [EEOICP]. The comparable fiscal year 2008 amount is $49,387,000 and the budget request includes $49,654,000 for this program. The objective of the EEOICP is to deliver benefits to eligible employees and former employees of the Department of Energy, its contractors and subcontractors or to certain survivors of such individuals, as provided in the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. The mission also includes delivering benefits to certain beneficiaries of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. The Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation Programs within the Employment Standards Administration is responsible for adjudicating and administering claims filed by employees or former employees (or their survivors) under the act. The Committee recommends a direct appropriation to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [CDC/NIOSH] under the Department of Health and Human Services, as proposed in the budget request. Previously, the appropriations act provided the Department of Labor with the authority to transfer appropriated funds to CDC/NIOSH for authorized activities. In 2009, the volume of incoming claims under part B of the EEOICP is estimated to remain stable at about 8,500 claims from Department of Energy [DOE] employees or survivors, and private companies under contract with DOE, 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. Under part E, the Department is expected to receive approximately 10,000 new claims during fiscal year 2009. Under this authority, the Department provides benefits to eligible DOE contractor employees or their survivors who were found to have work-related occupational illnesses due to exposure to a toxic substance at a DOE facility. The Committee expects the administration to refrain from unilateral changes to reduce the cost of benefits for current or pending cohorts of atomic weapons workers with cancer under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program until such time as Congress approves proposed changes. BLACK LUNG DISABILITY TRUST FUND Appropriations, 2008.................................... $1,067,644,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 1,071,644,000 Committee recommendation................................ 1,071,644,000 The Committee recommends $1,071,644,000 for this account in 2009. The comparable fiscal year 2008 amount is $1,067,644,000 and the budget request includes $1,071,644,000 for this purpose. The appropriation language continues to provide indefinite authority for the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund to provide for benefit payments. The recommendation assumes that $1,014,317,000 for benefit payments and interest, comprised of $256,317,000 for benefits payments and $758,000,000 for interest payments, will be paid in fiscal year 2009. In addition, the appropriation bill provides for transfers from the trust fund for administrative expenses for the following Department of Labor agencies: up to $32,308,000 for the Employment Standards Administration, up to $24,694,000 for Departmental Management, Salaries and Expenses, and up to $325,000 for Departmental Management, Inspector General. The bill also allows a transfer of up to $356,000 for the Department of Treasury. The trust fund pays all black lung compensation/medical and survivor benefit expenses when no responsible mine operation can be assigned liability for such benefits, or when coal mine employment ceased prior to 1970, as well as all administrative costs which are incurred in administering the benefits program and operating the trust fund. It is estimated that 31,000 individuals will receive black lung benefits financed through the end of the fiscal year 2009. The basic financing for the trust fund comes from a coal excise tax for underground and surface-mined coal. Additional funds come from reimbursement from the Advances to the Unemployment Trust Fund and Other Funds as well as 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. Occupational Safety and Health Administration SALARIES AND EXPENSES Appropriations, 2008.................................... $486,001,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 501,674,000 Committee recommendation................................ 504,620,000 The Committee recommends $504,620,000 for this account. The comparable fiscal year 2008 amount is $486,001,000 and the budget request includes $501,674,000 for authorized activities. This agency is responsible for enforcing the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 in the Nation's workplaces. In addition, the Committee has included language to allow OSHA to retain up to $750,000 per fiscal year of training institute course tuition fees to be utilized for occupational safety and health training and education grants in the private sector. The Committee retains language carried in last year's bill effectively exempting farms employing 10 or fewer people from the provisions of the act except those farms having a temporary labor camp. The Committee also retains language exempting small firms in industry classifications having a lost workday injury rate less than the national average from general schedule safety inspections. These provisions have been in the bill for many years. The Committee is concerned that OSHA's standard setting and enforcement capabilities have been diminished over the past several years, due in part to declining budgets. The number of employees covered by inspections has fallen from almost 2.1 million in fiscal year 2000 to just more than 1.4 million in fiscal year 2007, a decline of almost one-third. Meanwhile, the pace of occupational safety and health standards setting at OSHA has essentially drawn to a halt, despite planned timetables announced in its regulatory agendas. The Committee recommends funding above the 2008 level to begin rebuilding enforcement capacity and increase the pace of standard setting at OSHA in fiscal year 2009. The Committee notes that, in 2006, there were 357,160 serious ergonomic injuries resulting in time off the job reported by employers. The Committee is disturbed that the Department has failed to make sufficient progress on its comprehensive plan to address ergonomic injuries, which included industry-targeted guidelines and tough enforcement measures. Despite this commitment, the Department only issued one ergonomic citation over the past 3 years, 3 of 16 promised guidelines and almost 90 percent fewer hazard alert letters than the number issued in 2003. The Committee believes that OSHA should strengthen its efforts in this area. The Committee is deeply concerned that a large proportion of work-related injuries and illnesses are not being captured on the OSHA Log of Work-related Injuries and Illnesses or in the annual Bureau of Labor Statistics [BLS] Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses. The Committee understands that several recent studies found that the BLS survey may miss from 25 percent to 70 percent of all nonfatal injuries and illnesses, when compared to State workers' compensation information. While there is some explanation for why these data systems won't match completely, the Committee believes this level of apparent under-reporting raises serious questions, particularly when firms may have economic incentives to underreport and workers may fear retaliation for reporting injuries. Given that complete and accurate reporting of injuries and illnesses is part of the foundation of the OSHA program, the Committee believes OSHA needs to take steps to better understand the completeness of employer-provided data. Specifically, the Committee directs OSHA to enhance oversight and enforcement of its recordkeeping standard to ensure complete and accurate recording and reporting by employers. To this end, the Committee has included $1,000,000 above the budget request for a recordkeeping enforcement initiative on injury and illness recording. This funding will support the hiring of additional staff, training of inspectors, and the establishment of a recordkeeping enforcement unit, which will enable OSHA to review the completeness and accuracy of individual employers' injury and illness records and determine whether there are policies or practices in place that cause incomplete reporting of injuries and illnesses by employees. The Committee expects OSHA to keep it updated of its actions in this area. The Committee believes that OSHA's worker safety and health training and education programs, including the grant program that supports such training, are a critical part of a comprehensive approach to worker protection. The Committee is concerned that OSHA has again cut funding to help establish ongoing worker safety and health training programs and has therefore restored the Susan Harwood training grant program to $9,939,000. Bill language specifies that no less than $3,144,000 shall be used to maintain the existing institutional competency building training grants, provided that grantees demonstrate satisfactory performance. The Committee included legislative language in the fiscal year 2008 appropriations act to require OSHA to submit timelines for and progress reports on the development and issuance of safety and health standards and took this action because of the lack of any progress on standards setting. The Committee is particularly concerned about the health effects of silica, where the use of silica in abrasive blasting is a well known cause of silicosis. In fact, the Committee understands that the United States Navy and 23 States have banned the use of silica in abrasive blasting. The Committee understands that OSHA will complete, in August 2008, a peer review risk assessment and study of health effects related to silica. The Committee requests a copy of this assessment and looks forward to OSHA announcing the next stages of this rulemaking. Mine Safety and Health Administration SALARIES AND EXPENSES Appropriations, 2008.................................... $331,847,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 332,061,000 Committee recommendation................................ 346,895,000 The Committee recommendation includes $346,895,000 for the Mine Safety and Health Administration. The comparable fiscal year 2008 amount is $331,847,000 and the budget request includes $332,061,000. The Committee recommendation also includes bill language providing up to $2,000,000 for mine rescue and recovery activities, the same as the fiscal year 2008 comparable level. It also retains the provision 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 a major disaster. This agency insures the safety and health of the Nation's miners by conducting inspections and special investigations of mine operations, promulgating mandatory safety and health standards, cooperating with the States in developing effective State programs, and improving training in conjunction with States and the mining industry. In addition, bill language is included to allow the National Mine Health and Safety Academy to collect not more than $750,000 for room, board, tuition, and the sale of training materials to be available for mine safety and health education and training activities. Bill language also allows MSHA to retain up to $1,000,000 from fees collected for the approval and certification of equipment, materials, and explosives for use in mines, and may utilize such sums for such activities. The Committee recommends $154,491,000 for coal enforcement, which is $9,509,000 more than the budget request and $4,368,000 more than the comparable fiscal year 2008 level. The increase, together with approximately $6,000,000 available in one-time expenditures related to the MSHA interim 100 percent plan, will provide a program level increase of over $10,000,000 for MSHA. The Committee intends for these funds to be used to accelerate the implementation of the MINER Act and improve the health and safety of miners. The Committee believes MSHA needs to move more aggressively in a number of areas where evidence reveals that insufficient progress is being made, as described below. The additional funds provided over the request are specifically directed toward ensuring MSHA is able to conduct and follow-up on 100 percent of its mandatory inspections; adequately train and hire coal mine safety enforcement personnel; improve the infrastructure at the National Mine Health and Safety Academy; accelerate the certification and approval of safety and health equipment, including the communication and tracking technologies required in the MINER Act; and ensure the compliance with and effectiveness of statutory training requirements. In each of these areas and others specifically required by the MINER Act, the Committee requests quarterly progress reports on the progress being made with funding provided by this Committee. The Committee notes that MSHA conducted 95 percent of mandatory inspections in the coal industry during fiscal year 2006. In some districts, only 80 to 85 percent of mandatory inspections were completed. The Committee finds this unacceptable. These inspections form the core of the agency's enforcement efforts, and without them, the health and safety of miners is jeopardized. The Committee expects MSHA to ensure that no less than 100 percent of mandatory health and safety inspections are completed in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 and any follow-up actions required are taken in a timely manner. The Committee is concerned about the reported increases in respiratory illnesses in the coal miner population. Within the Committee recommendation, $2,000,000 shall be used by MSHA to increase spot inspections in the active workings of coal mines for the purpose of obtaining compliance with section 202 of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969. In addition, the Committee requests MSHA to provide a report, not later than March 31, 2009 and after consultation with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, on the feasibility and efficacy of MSHA using single, full-shift measurements of respirable coal mine dust to ensure compliance with section 202 of the Federal Coal Mine Health and Safety Act of 1969. The Committee also is aware that the Government Accountability Office [GAO] implementation report issued in May 2007 identified continued concerns about MSHA's preparedness for dealing with its future workforce needs, which are expected to be significant given that more than 40 percent of underground coal mine inspectors are eligible to retire within the next 5 years. Many of these retirees are highly experienced, which adds to the impact of these losses. GAO has concluded that MSHA lacks a clear and well-thought-out plan to address the expected turnover in its experienced workforce. The Committee directs MSHA to undertake a strategic planning process to identify goals and measures for monitoring and evaluating its progress on staying ahead of the retirement wave and meeting the needs of its enforcement workforce. The Committee requests a report, no later than March 30, 2009, that includes a 5-year succession plan and goals and measures related to MSHA's human capital needs. To help meet the demand for training of MSHA's workforce, the Committee recommendation includes an increase over the budget request of $2,000,000 to improve the infrastructure and expand on-line training programs at the National Mine Safety and Health Academy. These funds are available under the educational policy and development line. The Committee also notes MSHA's operating plan indicates that the Approval and Certification Center has a backlog of more than 400 approval actions. While additional funding provided in 2008 will help reduce this backlog through the hiring of an additional seven staff, the Committee believes more needs to be done to strengthen the ability of MSHA to review and certify equipment for use in mines. The Committee recommends $1,000,000 more than the budget request for equipment and infrastructure improvement at the Approval and Certification Center to make more progress on reducing this backlog. The Committee recommendation also includes $1,900,000 for an award to the United Mine Workers of America to provide classroom and simulated rescue training for mine rescue teams at its Beckley, West Virginia and Washington, Pennsylvania career centers. The Committee notes that a GAO report issued in May 2007 found that 81 percent of mine operators considered the availability of special training facilities for mine rescue team training in simulated environments to be a challenge. The Committee understands the Office of Accountability was established to provide focus and oversight to ensure that MSHA policies, enforcement procedures, and guidance are being complied with consistently and that the agency is accomplishing its mission-critical activities. The Office conducts field audits, recommends and monitors corrective actions and analyzes mining data. The Committee requests that MSHA prepare and provide a report to the Committee, no later than March 31, 2009, on staffing and budget resources expended or planned for fiscal years 2008 and 2009; findings and recommendations of audits conducted to date; and corrective actions implemented. Bureau of Labor Statistics SALARIES AND EXPENSES Appropriations, 2008.................................... $544,801,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 592,806,000 Committee recommendation................................ 598,306,000 The Committee recommends $598,306,000 for this account. The comparable fiscal year 2008 amount is $544,801,000 and the budget request includes $592,806,000 for this purpose. The recommendation includes $82,764,000 from the Employment Security Administration account of the unemployment trust fund, and $515,542,000 in Federal funds. Language pertaining to the Current Employment Survey is retained from prior year bills. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is the principal fact- finding agency in the Federal Government in the broad field of labor economics. The Committee is concerned by the significant discrepancies found in comparisons of BLS injury and illness survey data, which are based on employer-reported injury logs provided to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA], and State worker compensation information. The research identified that the BLS data were only capturing as few as one-third of injuries under certain State worker compensation systems. While there is some explanation for why data from State worker compensation systems won't match perfectly with the BLS survey data, the research conducted to date raises serious questions about the completeness of the national workplace injury surveillance system. Therefore, the Committee recommendations includes additional resources, which are intended to be used to: strengthen the current BLS examination of the differences between workers' compensation information and BLS survey data; better understand employer injury and illnesses recording practices and conduct a pilot study of using multiple data sources to capture injury and illness data. The Committee expects to be kept apprised of BLS work in this area. The Committee understands that BLS is in the process of converting the National Compensation Survey sample of areas to a list that reflects the metropolitan and micropolitan areas defined by the Office of Management and Budget on the basis of the 2000 Census of Population. The Committee further understands that this conversion, which is planned to take several years, includes initiating a survey of the Las Vegas metropolitan area. The Committee supports this action and has included sufficient funding to complete this conversion process in a timely basis. The Committee recommendation includes $1,500,000 to continue the Mass Layoff Statistics Program. These resources, together with $3,500,000 from the Employment and Training Administration, are sufficient to continue the program. The Committee recommendation also includes sufficient funding to continue the American Time Use Survey in its current form. Office of Disability Employment Policy Appropriations, 2008.................................... $26,679,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 12,441,000 Committee recommendation................................ 26,679,000 The Committee recommends $26,679,000 for this account in 2009, the same amount as the comparable fiscal year 2008 level. The budget request includes $12,441,000 for this account. The Committee intends that at least 80 percent of these funds shall be used to design and implement research and technical assistance grants and contracts to develop policy that reduces barriers to employment for youth and adults with disabilities. Congress created the Office of Disability Employment Policy [ODEP] in the Department of Labor's fiscal year 2001 appropriation. The mission of the ODEP is to provide leadership, develop policy and initiatives, and award grants furthering the objective of eliminating barriers to the training and employment of people with disabilities. The Committee strongly supports each of the components of ODEP's mission and, in particular, urges the Secretary to ensure that ODEP is properly supported in carrying out its leadership role with respect to Government-wide policies related to the training and employment of individuals with disabilities. The Committee recommends $500,000 for the Office of Disability Employment Policy to expand a structured, internship program for undergraduate college students with disabilities. The Committee continues to believe that this structured internship program will provide important opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students with disabilities to pursue academic and career development opportunities within the Department of Labor and other Federal agencies. Departmental Management SALARIES AND EXPENSES Appropriations, 2008.................................... $293,952,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 263,483,000 Committee recommendation................................ 314,340,000 The Committee recommendation includes $314,340,000 for this account. The comparable fiscal year 2008 amount is $293,952,000 and the budget request includes $263,483,000 for this purpose. In addition, an amount of $24,694,000 is available by transfer from the black lung disability trust fund. The primary goal of the Department of Labor is to protect and promote the interests of American workers. The departmental management appropriation finances staff responsible for formulating and overseeing the implementation of departmental policy and management activities in support of that goal. 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 Committee recommendation for the Women's Bureau includes funding for a competitive grant of no less than $600,000 in fiscal year 2009 to: develop resources and provide technical assistance to local women's employment and training programs throughout the country; develop Statewide networks to enhance the capacity of such employment and training programs; provide online and toll-free referral services to assist individual women in accessing such training programs; and conduct other activities to advance unemployed and underemployed women in the workforce. The Committee is disappointed that the Department of Labor has once again proposed a budget that drastically reduces funding for International Labor Affairs Bureau [ILAB], in particular, those initiatives working with the International Labor Organization [ILO] to combat abusive and exploitative child labor and implement model programs to address worker rights. The Committee strongly supports the mandate of the Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor, and Human Trafficking [OCFT] which is part of the Department of Labor's ILAB. For the past decade, the OCFT has responded to requests from Congress to investigate and report on abusive child labor around the world. The OCFT played a key role in the drafting of ILO's Convention 182, which became the world's definition of the worst forms of child labor and their expertise in combating international child labor, forced labor and human trafficking issues are vital to formulating U.S. Government policy. This Committee and Congress have provided OCFT with significant funding to implement activities, such as research and technical assistance related to international child labor, forced labor, and human trafficking. The Committee has provided funding to OCFT to implement and oversee over 130 cooperative agreements and contracts to organizations engaged in efforts to eliminate exploitive child labor in more than 70 countries around world. In 2005, the Trafficking Victim Protection Reauthorization Act mandated OCFT to monitor the use of forced labor and child labor in violation of international standards. Additionally, OCFT prepares an annual report to Congress on GSP countries implementation of international commitments to eliminate the worst forms of child labor as well as those countries that have negotiated free trade agreements with the United States. Clearly, these programs administered by ILAB are having a positive impact, and the Committee feels strongly that reducing United States efforts to eradicate child labor or substantially changing the structure and leadership of those efforts would, at best, endanger the progress being made. At worst, withdrawing from these efforts could damage the Nation's credibility and reputation in the countries that are real partners to the United States in this effort. The Committee is aware that the administration is aggressively pursuing multiple trade agreements that promise technical assistance on labor standards, including but not limited to the eradication of child labor. ILAB is the division of the U.S. Government with the mission and authority to provide that assistance. Given the aggressive trade agenda and the recent commitment to capacity building in developing nations as a form of aid, the Committee is mystified by the Department's now annual effort to eliminate these programs, this year proposing an astounding 80 percent reduction. Therefore, the Committee recommendation includes $86,074,000 for the Bureau of International Labor Affairs. Of this amount, the Committee directs $42,784,000 be used for the United States contribution to expand on the successful efforts of the ILO's International Program for the Elimination of Child Labor [IPEC]. Also included is $23,581,000 to help ensure access to basic education for the growing number of children removed from the worst forms of child labor in impoverished nations where abusive and exploitative child labor is most acute. The Committee expects the Department of Labor to work with the governments of host countries to eliminate school fees that create a barrier to education. The Committee believes that the oversight committee created in 2006 to publicly report on the progress of the implementation of the Harkin-Engel protocol, a public private partnership to eliminate the worst forms of child labor and adult forced labor in the cocoa sector of West Africa, has been beneficial to all stakeholders. Due to a delay in the implementation of a transparent certification system, it will be necessary to extend the oversight process until December 2010. The Committee has included sufficient funds to support additional annual reporting through the extension period. The Committee intends for the additional reporting to assess progress made on key points of the protocol, which include development of a child labor monitoring system by industry, the elimination of the worst forms of child labor in the supply chain, and the development of an industry-wide, public, transparent certification system covering at least 50 percent of the growing area in the Ivory Coast and Ghana. The Committee requests that the annual report also include a programmatic review of industry and national government efforts to remediate children found in the worst forms of child labor and adult forced labor in the cocoa supply chain, as well as recommendations on the frequency of data collection needed in the field to accurately and affirmatively report on the incidence of the worst forms of child labor and adult forced labor in order to measure the decline over time of these abusive labor practices. The Committee recommends continuation of the worker rights technical assistance projects initiated in last year's bill. These projects will support the implementation of model programs designed to address worker rights in countries with which the United States has trade preference programs. The Committee bill earmarks $5,913,000 for this purpose and intends for the increase provided over last year to be targeted to the work that will be undertaken in Haiti. The Committee notes that ILAB is statutorily required to compile and report to the Congress annually on the extent to which each foreign country that has trade and investment agreements with the United States enforces internationally recognized worker rights. This report is required under multiple U.S. laws and promotes core labor standards as embodied in the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work as adopted and reaffirmed in 1998. The Committee once again directs the Secretary to include in the 2008 report all former GSP recipients that have achieved a Free Trade Agreement with the United States over the preceding year. The Committee recommends $100,532,000 for the Office of the Solicitor. The Committee intends for the increase provided to support no less than an increase of five FTEs over the fiscal year 2008 staffing level for enforcement support for the Mine Safety and Health Administration. OFFICE OF JOB CORPS Appropriations, 2008.................................... $1,610,506,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 1,564,699,000 Committee recommendation................................ 1,650,516,000 For Job Corps, the Committee recommends $1,650,516,000. The comparable fiscal year 2008 amount is $1,610,506,000 and the budget request includes $1,564,699,000 for this purpose. The Senate recommendation for operations of Job Corps centers is $1,507,684,000, comprised of $916,684,000 in fiscal year 2009 funds and $591,000,000 in advance appropriations from last year's bill. For operations, the Committee also recommends advance funding of $591,000,000, which will become available on October 1, 2009. The Committee also recommends $13,960,000 in construction, renovation and acquisition funds, which are available from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2012. In addition, $100,000,000 in construction, rehabilitation and acquisition funds are provided in advance funding, which will make these funds available on October 1, 2009 through June 30, 2012. In response to this Committee's direction to competitively select sites for an expansion of Job Corps centers, the Department of Labor selected three new Job Corps center sites in February 2007. The Committee includes $113,960,000 within construction and renovation for, in part, to continue development of these facilities on the timelines provided to the Committee and selected sites in January 2007. The timeline for accepting students at each of the centers is: New Hampshire, September 2010; Iowa, November 2010; and Wyoming, February 2011. The Committee intends for these centers to open on this timeline and has provided sufficient funds to accomplish this objective. The Committee recommendation continues the Office of Job Corps as an independent entity reporting to the Office of the Secretary of Labor, retaining program functions previously administered by the Job Corps prior to its transfer from the Employment and Training Administration, and ensuring the support necessary for oversight and management responsibilities. Although the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management will oversee the procurement process, this arrangement shall not alter the existing authorities, duties or activities of Job Corps as it existed prior to the transfer. The Office of Job Corps and the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management are directed to maintain controls to assure the procurement activities are completely separate from program operations. In fiscal year 2008, the Committee urged the Department to be prepared to consider new ways to structure and announce a competition for additional Job Corps center sites, particularly in rapidly growing metropolitan areas currently without a Job Corps center. The Committee requests that the Office of Job Corps conduct outreach to identify interested communities meeting the priority described in the preceding sentence and respond to requests for technical assistance to begin a new process of establishing additional Job Corps centers. The Committee also requests the Office of Job Corps to provide a report, no later than March 31, 2009, containing a capital assessment of the Harper Ferry Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center. VETERANS EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING Appropriations, 2008.................................... $228,096,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 238,439,000 Committee recommendation................................ 238,439,000 The Committee recommends $238,439,000 for this account, including $32,971,000 in general revenue funding and $205,468,00 to be expended from the Employment Security Administration account of the unemployment trust fund. For State grants, the bill provides $168,894,000, which includes funding for the Disabled Veterans Outreach Program and the Local Veterans Employment Representative Program. For Federal administration, the Committee recommends $34,625,000. The Committee supports the concept of the Transition Assistance Program administered jointly with the Department of Defense, which assists soon-to-be-discharged service members in transitioning into the civilian workforce, and it includes funding to maintain this effective program. Individuals leaving the military may be 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 Committee encourages the Department to work in coordination with the Departments of Housing and Urban Development and Veterans Affairs to address the needs of homeless veterans, including evaluating new approaches for preventing additional veterans from becoming homeless. The Committee recommends $1,949,000 for the National Veterans Training Institute [NVTI]. This Institute provides training to the Federal and State staff involved in the direct delivery of employment and training related services to veterans. The Committee recommends $25,620,000 for the Homeless Veterans Program. The Committee also recommends $7,351,000 for the Veterans Workforce Investment Program, the same as the budget request. OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL Appropriations, 2008.................................... $74,390,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 82,141,000 Committee recommendation................................ 82,141,000 The Committee recommends $82,141,000 for this account. The bill includes $76,326,000 in general funds and authority to transfer $5,815,000 from the Employment Security Administration account of the unemployment trust fund. In addition, an amount of $325,000 is available by transfer from the black lung disability trust fund. This level provides sufficient resources to cover built-in cost increases, as well as augment program accountability activities and expand the labor racketeering program. The Office of the Inspector General [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 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. General Provisions General provision bill language is included to: Provide for limiting use of Job Corps funding for compensation of an individual that is not a Federal employee at a rate in excess of Executive Level I (sec. 101). Provide for general transfer authority (sec. 102). Prohibit funding for the procurement of goods and services utilizing forced or indentured child labor in industries and host countries already identified by the Labor Department in accordance with Executive Order 13126 (sec. 103). Requires the Secretary to provide transit subsidies (sec 104). Require the Labor Department to report to the Committees on Appropriations on the projects awarded under research and demonstration projects (sec. 105). Authorize funds to be appropriated for job training for workers involved in construction projects funded through the Denali Commission (sec. 106). Requires that funds available under section 414(c) of the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 may only be used for training in occupations and industries for which employers are using H-1B visas to hire foreign workers (sec 107). Require the Secretary to award competitively funds available for WIRED Grants, Community-Based Job Training Grants, and grants for job training for employment in high growth industries (sec. 108). Prohibit the Secretary from taking any action to alter the procedure for redesignating local areas under subtitle B of title I of the Workforce Investment Act (sec. 109). Prohibit the Secretary from finalizing or implementing any proposed regulation under the Workforce Investment Act, Wagner- Peyser Act or the Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act until such time as such legislation is enacted (sec. 110). Prohibit the Department of Labor from using funds under this or any other appropriations act to carry out a public- private competition or direct conversion under Office of Management and Budget circular A-76 until 60 days after the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and Senate receive a report from the Government Accountability Office on the use of competitive sourcing at the Department of Labor (sec. 111). Limit compensation from Federal funds to a rate not greater than Executive Level II for any recipient or subrecipient of funds under the heading, ``Employment and Training Administration'' (sec. 112). TITLE II DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Health Resources and Services Administration HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES Appropriations, 2008.................................... $6,881,191,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 5,889,511,000 Committee recommendation................................ 6,968,926,000 The Committee provides a program level of $6,968,926,000 for the Health Resources and Services Administration [HRSA]. The Committee recommendation includes $6,943,926,000 in budget authority and an additional $25,000,000 via transfers available under section 241 of the Public Health Service Act. The fiscal year 2008 comparable program level is $6,881,191,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 is $5,889,511,000. Health Resources and Services Administration activities support programs to provide health care services for mothers and infants; the underserved, elderly, homeless; migrant farm workers; and disadvantaged minorities. This appropriation supports cooperative programs in community health, AIDS care, health care provider training, and health care delivery systems and facilities. BUREAU OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS The Committee provides $2,215,022,000 for the community health centers program. The fiscal year 2008 comparable program level is $2,065,022,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 is $2,091,792,000. This group of programs includes community health centers, migrant health centers, health care for the homeless, and public housing health service grants. The Committee continues to support strongly the ongoing effort to increase the number of people who have access to medical services at health centers. Within the amount provided, $62,000,000 has been allocated to offset the rising cost of health care at existing centers and to resolve specific financial situations beyond the control of the local community health center, such as unusual increases in the number of uninsured patients seeking care or unusual increases in underserved populations in States with universal health coverage. While the Committee wholeheartedly supports the expansion of the Health Centers program, this base grant adjustment funding recognizes the narrow and declining operating margins of most health centers. Within the amount provided, the Committee has provided $44,055,000 under the Federal Tort Claims Act for the Health Centers program. The Committee has included bill language making this funding available until expended and allowing costs associated with the health centers tort liability relief program to be paid from the fund. The Committee intends that the fund be used to pay judgments and settlements, occasional witness fees and expenses, and the administrative costs of the program, which include the cost of evaluating claims, defending claims, and conducting settlement activities. The Committee is pleased that HRSA has clarified that all States will be eligible for community health center expansion funding through a national competition, and that eligibility will no longer be restricted to specific counties. Further, the Committee urges HRSA to make funding available for new community health center sites, to increase capacity at existing centers, and for service expansion awards to expand access to mental health services, dental services, outreach to special populations, and pharmacy services at community health centers. The Committee expects HRSA to implement any new expansion initiative using the existing, and statutorily-required, proportionality for urban and rural communities, as well as migrant, homeless and public housing health centers. The Committee rejects the administration's proposed waiver of this proportionality requirement, outlined in section 330(r)(2)(B) of the Public Health Service Act. The Committee expects that the Secretary will continue to approve community health centers' proposed scope of project changes when necessary to ensure access to needed specialty services or to meet the comprehensive needs of special populations who may require care in other types of health care settings. The Committee urges HRSA to confirm that FTCA covers clinicians employed or individually contracted by community health centers, who treat or assist in treating non-community health center patients in hospitals or other settings, where reciprocal coverage between the community health center clinicians and other clinicians is customary. The Committee recognizes the importance of increasing the use of health information technology [IT] at community health centers. Community health centers have demonstrated improved access to services and improved patient outcomes by utilizing electronic health records and other IT tools through their participation in Health Center Controlled Networks [HCCNs] and the Health Disparities Collaboratives. Given this success, the Committee urges HRSA to ensure that community health centers have the capacity to establish and expand health IT systems in order to further enhance the delivery of cost-effective, quality health care services. The Committee appreciates the work HRSA has done with partners to expand health centers' capacity for delivery of medical management and treatment of hepatitis C virus [HCV] by implementing training and technical assistance initiatives. While not all patients are appropriate candidates for HCV treatment, the Committee is concerned with the low number of clients being treated despite the availability of effective medications. The Committee encourages HRSA to address this through the creation of best practices from successful efforts in the field, increased provider education, case manager capacity building and creation of educational materials for clients. The Committee continues to be concerned that community health center funds are often not available to small, remote communities because the population base is too small. Many of these communities have no health service providers and are forced to travel long distances by boat or plane even in emergency situations. The Committee recommends that HRSA examine its regulations and applications procedures to ensure they do not unduly burden small communities and are appropriately flexible to meet the needs of these communities. The Committee applauds the agency for its Frontier Health Plan initiative, and encourages the agency to continue and expand its efforts with this program. The Committee recognizes that Nurse-Managed Health Centers [NMHCs] serve a dual function in strengthening the health care safety net by providing health care to populations in underserved areas and by providing the clinical experiences to nursing students that are mandatory for professional development. The Committee further acknowledges that NMHCs are frequently the only source of health care to their patients and that a lack of clinical education sites for nurses is a contributing factor to the nationwide nursing shortage. The Committee appreciates the work HRSA is doing to reach out to NMHC's, providing technical assistance to potential applicants and granting these centers FQHC Look-Alike status. The Committee notes the important role of Community Health Centers in screening at-risk children for lead. The Committee is encouraged that health centers have successfully utilized those funds available through the HRSA Loan Guarantee Program to meet their capital needs. In order to maximize the utilization of all loan guarantee funds, the Committee urges HRSA to increase the percentages at which loan guarantees are provided for managed care plans, networks, and facilities to the highest authorized levels The Committee continues to support collaborative efforts between Federal agencies to address the demand for primary health care access in rural communities. The Committee is pleased that a number of community health centers have been able to address ongoing capital improvement needs using USDA Rural Development programs. The Committee encourages HRSA to work with the USDA Rural Development Office to assist more community health centers in accessing these resources. Native Hawaiian Health Care The Committee again includes the legal citation in the bill for the Native Hawaiian Health Care Program. The Committee has included sufficient funding so that health care activities funded under the Native Hawaiian Health Care Program can be supported under the broader community health centers line. The Committee expects that not less than $13,952,000 be provided for these activities in fiscal year 2009. The Committee is pleased by the creation of the master's degree and certificate programs aimed at giving Native Hawaiians the skills needed to succeed as health care administrators. The Committee has included sufficient funding for these programs to continue. The Committee recognizes that there has been rapid growth in the emerging Hispanic population of Hawaii, which may necessitate new training requirements for healthcare providers and educators in areas of cultural awareness and language. Free Clinics Medical Malpractice Coverage The Committee provides $39,000 in funding for payments of claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act to be made available for free clinic health professionals as authorized by U.S.C. title 42, section 233(o) of the Public Health Service Act. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $39,000 and the fiscal year 2009 budget request included $40,000 for this program. This appropriation continues to extend Federal Tort Claims Act coverage to medical volunteers in free clinics in order to expand access to health care services to low-income individuals in medically underserved areas. National Hansen's Disease Program The Committee has included $16,109,000 for the National Hansen's Disease Program. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $15,693,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 was $16,109,000. The program consists of inpatient, outpatient, long-term care, training, and research in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; a residential facility at Carville, Louisiana; and 11 outpatient clinic sites in the continental United States and Puerto Rico. National Hansen's Disease Program Buildings and Facilities The Committee provides $100,000 for buildings and facilities. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $157,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 was $100,000 for this program. This funding provides for the repair and maintenance of buildings at the Gillis W. Long Hansen's Disease Center. Payment to Hawaii for Hansen's Disease Treatment The Committee provides $1,976,000 for Hansen's Disease services. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $1,961,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 was $1,976,000. Payments are made to the State of Hawaii for the medical care and treatment of persons with Hansen's Disease in hospital and clinic facilities at Kalaupapa, Molokai and Honolulu. Expenses above the level of appropriated funds are borne by the State of Hawaii. BUREAU OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS National Health Service Corps: Field Placements The Committee provides $39,736,000 for field placement activities. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $39,736,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 was $25,729,000. The funds provided for this program are used to support the activities of the National Health Service Corps in the field, including travel and transportation costs of assignees, training and education, recruitment of volunteers, and retention activities. Salary costs of most new assignees are paid by the employing entity. The Committee recognizes that 50 percent of National Health Service Corps members serve at Community, Migrant, Homeless, and Public Housing Health Centers. Recent efforts to expand the Health Centers program have made those placements increasingly more vital. The Committee is concerned by the more than 2,500 community health center vacancies on the fiscal year 2008 NHSC Opportunities List and urges HRSA to work expeditiously to fill those slots. National Health Service Corps: Recruitment The Committee provides $95,230,000 for recruitment activities. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $83,741,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 was $95,230,000. This program provides major benefits to students (full-cost scholarships or sizable loan repayment) in exchange for an agreement to serve as a primary care provider in a high priority Federally designated health professional shortage area. These funds should support multi-year, rather than single-year, commitments. The Committee is concerned by the recent Anti-Deficiency Act violation and has included statutory authority to allow HRSA the flexibility to respond to changing tuition and fee rates. The Committee expects notification in each year's budget justification on the amount of funds allocated to adjusting prior year contracts. The Committee encourages HRSA to recruit nurses with a focus on reducing infant mortality, late pre-term births, and other complications associated with childbirth. HEALTH PROFESSIONS The Committee provides $363,189,000 for all HRSA health professions programs. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $350,003,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 was $109,853,000. Training for Diversity Centers of Excellence The Committee provides $12,773,000 for the Centers of Excellence program. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $12,773,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 did not include any funds for this program. This program was established to fund institutions that train a significant portion of the Nation's minority health professionals. Funds are used for the recruitment and retention of students, faculty training, and the development of plans to achieve institutional improvements. The institutions that are designated as centers of excellence are private institutions whose mission is to train disadvantaged minority students for service in underserved areas. Located in poor communities and usually with little State funding, they serve the health care needs of their patients, often without payment. Minority Centers of Excellence.--The Committee is pleased that HRSA has re-focused 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. Health Careers Opportunity Program The Committee provides $9,825,000 for the Health Careers Opportunity Program. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $9,825,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 did not include any funds for this program. This program provides funds to medical and other health professions schools for recruitment of disadvantaged students and pre-professional school preparations. For fiscal year 2009, the Committee directs HRSA to give priority consideration to awarding grants to those institutions with a historic mission of training minorities in the health professions. Faculty Loan Repayment The Committee provides $1,266,000 for the Faculty Loan Repayment program. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $1,266,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 did not include any funds for this program. This program provides for the repayment of education loans for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who are health professions students or graduates, and who have agreed to serve for not less than 2 years as a faculty member of a health professions school. Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students The Committee provides $45,842,000 for the Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students program, the same as the fiscal year 2008 comparable level. The budget request for fiscal year 2009 did not include funds for this program. This program provides grants to health professions schools for student scholarships to individuals who are from disadvantaged backgrounds and are enrolled as full-time students in such schools. Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry The Committee provides $48,851,000 for Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry programs. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level is $47,998,000. The budget for fiscal year 2009 did not request funding for this program. The Committee has included bill language funding family medicine activities, general dentistry and the pediatric dentistry program at no less than last year's level. Pediatric dentistry residency programs provide both treatments for underprivileged children and training opportunities to address the national shortage of pediatric dentists. Even though it is easily preventable, dental decay is the most common chronic childhood disease in the United States. Children with dental pain fail to function properly in school and their everyday lives, thus impacting their development for years to come. When oral infections go untreated, the proximity to the brain can lead to fatal conditions. The Committee has included bill language allowing funds to be used for faculty loan repayment. The Committee encourages HRSA to communicate clearly to applicants that grant funds can be utilized for faculty development and curriculum enhancement, as well as program creation or expansion. Interdisciplinary, Community-based Linkages Area Health Education Centers The Committee provides $28,180,000 for the Area Health Education Centers program, the same as the fiscal year 2008 comparable level. The budget request for fiscal year 2009 did not include any funds for this program. This program links university health science centers with community health service delivery systems to provide training sites for students, faculty, and practitioners. The program supports three types of projects: Core grants to plan and implement programs; special initiative funding for schools that have previously received Area Health Education Centers [AHEC] grants; and model programs to extend AHEC programs with 50 percent Federal funding. Allied Health and Other Disciplines The Committee provides $8,803,000 for the Allied Health and Other Disciplines program, the same as the fiscal year 2008 comparable level. The budget request for fiscal year 2009 did not include any funds for this program. These programs seek to improve access, diversity, and distribution of allied health practitioners to areas of need. The program improves access to comprehensive and culturally competent health care services for underserved populations. The Committee recommendation is sufficient to continue the Chiropractic-Medical School Demonstration Grant, Graduate Psychology training programs, and the dental workforce programs authorized under section 340G of the Public Health Service Act at the same levels as in fiscal year 2008. Graduate Psychology Education.--The need for behavioral and mental health services in an integrated health care system is significant and well documented. With a rapidly growing generation of elderly and significant numbers of returning war veterans, the Nation's health system is certain to experience increased strain for years to come as individuals and their families increasingly turn to mental healthcare professionals in local communities. To help respond to this training pipeline need, the Committee strongly supports the Graduate Psychology Education Program. This grant program provides interdisciplinary training for health service psychologists 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. While being trained in both rural and urban communities, graduate psychology students also provide direct services to people who would otherwise not receive them. Trainees work in teams with health care providers from over 30 different health professions and medical specialties. The GPE program has achieved a significant increase in the rate of students entering into and staying to practice in underserved areas. Geriatric Education The Committee provides $30,997,000 for Geriatric Education programs, the same level as the fiscal year 2008 comparable level. The budget did not request funds for this program. Geriatric programs include: Geriatric Education Centers, the Geriatric Academic Career awards program, and the Geriatric Training program for Physicians, Dentists, and Behavioral/ Mental Health Professionals program. The Committee intends that all activities remain at last year's level. Public Health, Preventive Medicine, and Dental Public Health Programs The Committee provides $9,000,000 for these programs. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $8,273,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 did not include any funds for this program. This program supports awards to schools of medicine, osteopathic medicine, public health, and dentistry for support of residency training programs in preventive medicine and dental public health; and for financial assistance to trainees enrolled in such programs. Nursing Workforce Development Programs The Committee provides $167,652,000 for the Nursing Workforce Development programs. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $156,046,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 was $109,853,000. The Committee recognizes that efforts to alleviate the Nation's shortage of Registered Nurses [RNs] must focus on addressing the nurse faculty shortage. According to the latest survey from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, more than 40,000 qualified applicants were turned away from baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs in 2007 due primarily to a shortage of nurse faculty. Supporting programs that prepare more nurse educators is the key to stabilizing the nursing workforce and reversing the RN shortage. The Committee recommends funding for the following activities in the following amounts: [In thousands of dollars] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fiscal year 2008 Fiscal year 2009 Committee comparable budget request recommendation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Advanced Education Nursing................................ 61,875 ................ 62,975 Nurse education, practice, and retention.................. 36,640 37,291 37,291 Nursing workforce diversity............................... 15,826 16,107 16,107 Loan repayment and scholarship program.................... 30,512 43,744 40,000 Comprehensive geriatric education......................... 3,333 3,392 3,392 Nursing faculty loan program.............................. 7,860 9,319 7,887 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Children's Hospitals Graduate Medical Education Program The Committee has provided $310,000,000 for the Children's Hospitals Graduate Medical Education [GME] program. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $301,646,000 and the budget for fiscal year 2009 did not include funds for this program. The program provides support for health professions training in children's teaching hospitals that have a separate Medicare provider number (``free-standing'' children's hospitals). Children's hospitals are defined under Medicare as those whose inpatients are predominantly under the age of 18. The funds in this program are intended to make the level of Federal Graduate Medical Education support more consistent with other teaching hospitals, including children's hospitals that 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. Patient Navigator The Committee recommendation includes $4,000,000 for the Patient Navigator Outreach and Chronic Disease Outreach program. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 was $2,948,000 and the budget for fiscal year 2009 did not request funding for this program. The program provides demonstration grants to public or non- profit health centers to help patients overcome barriers in the health care system to prompt screening, referral, diagnosis and treatment services. National Practitioner Data Bank The Committee provides $18,900,000 for the national practitioner data bank. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $18,570,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 was $18,900,000. The Committee and the budget request assume that full funding will be provided entirely through the collection of user fees and will cover the full cost of operating the data bank. Bill language is included to ensure that user fees are collected to cover all costs of processing requests and providing such information to data bank users. Health Care Integrity and Protection Data Bank The Committee provides $3,758,000 for the health care integrity and protection data bank. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $3,758,000 and the administration did not request funding for this program in fiscal year 2009. The Committee assumes that full funding will be provided entirely through the collection of user fees and will cover the full cost of operating the data bank. The data bank is intended to collect, maintain, and report on certain actions taken against health care providers, suppliers, and practitioners. MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH BUREAU Maternal and Child Health Block Grant The Committee provides $664,268,000 for the maternal and child health [MCH] block grant, the same as the fiscal year 2008 comparable level and the budget request for fiscal year 2009. The Committee has moved funding for the newborn and child heritable disorders screening program from the SPRANS set aside to a new line in order to fully implement the new authorization in section 1109 of the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2008. The Committee does not intend to cut grants to States or the grants for community integrated service systems. Therefore, the Committee has included a statutory provision to hold harmless both of these grant programs. The Maternal and Child Health Block Grant program provides a flexible source of funding that allows States to target their most urgent maternal and child health needs through development of community-based networks of preventive and primary care that coordinate and integrate public and private sector resources and programs for pregnant women, mothers, infants, children, and adolescents. The program supports a broad range of activities including prenatal care, well child services and immunizations, reducing infant mortality, preventing injury and violence, expanding access to oral health care, addressing racial and ethnic disparities and providing comprehensive care for children, adolescents, and families through clinics, home visits and school-based health programs. The Committee has included bill language identifying $97,287,000 for the SPRANS set-aside. Within that total, the Committee recommends the following activities in the following amounts: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fiscal year Activity 2008 Fiscal year Committee comparable 2009 budget recommendation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Oral Health..................................................... $4,718,109 $4,718,000 $4,718,000 Community-based Sickle Cell Outreach............................ 3,773,898 3,774,000 3,774,000 Doula program................................................... 1,509,166 1,509,000 1,509,000 Epilepsy........................................................ 2,830,669 2,831,000 2,831,000 Fetal Alcohol Syndrome.......................................... 972,705 973,000 973,000 First-time Motherhood........................................... 4,912,650 4,913,000 4,913,000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Committee intends that Doula demonstration funding continue to be allocated evenly among urban and rural settings, with an emphasis on breastfeeding initiation and retention. The Committee recognizes the critical role that Maternal and Child Health Centers for Leadership in Pediatric Dentistry Education provide in preparing dentists with dual training in pediatric dentistry and dental public health. Dentists in the three currently funded programs concentrate on working with Federal, State, and local programs that provide services for vulnerable populations including low-income children and women and children with special health care needs. Dentists trained through these centers provide State and community leadership in maternal and child oral health programs, and become future faculty and policy leaders specializing in pediatric dentistry and maternal and child health. The Committee encourages HRSA to explore mechanisms to augment center support with foundation and corporate funds. The Committee continues to encourage HRSA to expand support of State oral health programs that increase access to oral health services for women and children through sustainable, well integrated, statewide programs. The Committee also recognizes the importance of building partnerships between the public and private sectors to assure an adequate workforce to meet the needs of those children and their families most vulnerable to oral disease. The Committee intends that funds provided within the MCH SPRANS program be used to support integration of health systems in States and partnerships with national organizations and foundations that focus on early interventions to prevent oral disease. HRSA is encouraged to utilize grants and contracts to accomplish this and formalize relationships with other Federal agencies to prevent childhood caries to avoid the need for more costly care. The Committee applauds HRSA's support of comprehensive thalassemia treatment centers and encourages HRSA to coordinate thalassemia treatment center funding with the Thalassemia Clinical Research Network at NIH and the blood safety surveillance program at CDC. Sickle Cell Anemia Program The Committee provides $3,500,000 for the sickle cell anemia demonstration program. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $2,653,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 was $2,184,000. The Sickle Cell Service Demonstration Program provides grants and contracts to help coordinate service delivery for individuals with sickle cell disease, including genetic counseling and testing; training of health professionals; and identifying and establishing other efforts related to the expansion and coordination of education, treatment, and continuity of care programs for individuals with sickle cell disease. Traumatic Brain Injury Program The Committee provides $8,754,000 for the traumatic brain injury program, the same as the fiscal year 2008 comparable level. The budget request for fiscal year 2009 did not include any funding for this program. The program supports implementation and planning grants to States for coordination and improvement of services to individuals and families with traumatic brain injuries as well as protection and advocacy. Such services can include: pre-hospital care, emergency department care, hospital care, rehabilitation, transitional services, education, employment, and long-term support. The Committee includes no less than last year's funding level for protection and advocacy services, as authorized under section 1305 of Public Law 106-310. Autism and Other Developmental Disorders The Committee provides $42,000,000 for the autism and other developmental disorders initiative. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 are $36,354,000. The program supports surveillance, early detection, education and intervention activities on autism and other developmental disorders, as authorized in the Combating Autism Act of 2006. Within the funding provided for autism and other related developmental disorders, an increase of no less than $2,000,000 is provided to continue and expand research on evidence-based practices for interventions for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities, for development of guidelines for those interventions, and for information dissemination. In addition, an increase of no less than $2,000,000 is provided to continue and expand the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities program. Newborn Screening for Heritable Disorders The Committee provides $1,887,000 for the newborn heritable disorders screening program, as described in section 1109 of the Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2008, the same as the fiscal year 2008 comparable level and the fiscal year 2009 budget request. The Committee notes that this program was previously funded through the SPRANS program. Newborn screening is an essential public health function provided to all newborns in the United States. The Committee is aware that the number of conditions and the quality of programs varies from State to State. The Committee encourages HRSA to guide States by providing current information on the panel of conditions for which infants should be screened and to improve health provider and public education. Congenital Disabilities Program The Committee has provided $1,000,000 to establish the congenital disabilities program. The purpose of the program is to provide information and support services to families receiving a positive test diagnosis for down syndrome, spina bifida, dwarfism, or other prenatally and postnatally diagnosed conditions. Grants may be made to States, Territories, localities, and non-governmental organizations with expertise in prenatally and postnatally diagnosed conditions. Funding may be used to collect and disseminate current evidence-based information and to coordinate the provision of supportive services to parents who receive a positive diagnosis prenatally, at birth, or up to 1 year after the affected child's birth. These services may include the expansion and further development of national and local peer-support programs; the creation of a telephone hotline which would provide parents with information on the physical, developmental, educational, and psychosocial aspects of the condition; and awareness and education programs for the healthcare providers who provide, interpret, and inform parents of the results of positive test diagnoses for congenital disabilities. Healthy Start The Committee provides $99,744,000 for the healthy start infant mortality initiative, the same as the fiscal year 2008 comparable level and the budget request for fiscal year 2009. The healthy start initiative was developed to respond to persistently high rates of infant mortality in this Nation. The initiative was expanded in fiscal year 1994 by a special projects program, which supported an additional seven urban and rural communities to implement infant mortality reduction strategies and interventions. The Children's Health Act of 2000 fully authorized this initiative as an independent program. The Committee urges HRSA to give preference to current and former grantees with expiring or recently expired project periods. Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Early Intervention The Committee provides $11,790,000 for universal newborn hearing screening and early intervention activities, the same as the fiscal year 2008 comparable level. The budget request for fiscal year 2009 did not include any funds for this program. The Committee expects HRSA to coordinate projects funded with this appropriation with projects related to early hearing detection and intervention by the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. Emergency Medical Services for Children The Committee provides $20,000,000 for emergency medical services for children. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $19,454,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 did not include funds for this program. The program supports demonstration grants for the delivery of emergency medical services to acutely ill and seriously injured children. Family-To-Family Health Information Centers The Committee has not provided funding for the Family-To- Family Health Information Centers program. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $4,000,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 included no funding for this initiative. The Committee notes that the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 appropriated $5,000,000 for this activity for fiscal year 2009. HIV/AIDS BUREAU ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME Ryan White AIDS Programs The Committee provides $2,173,306,000 for Ryan White AIDS programs. The recommendation includes $25,000,000 in transfers available under section 241 of the Public Health Service Act. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $2,166,792,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 was $2,167,912,000. Next to the Medicaid program, the Ryan White AIDS programs are the largest Federal investment in the care and treatment of people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States. These programs provide a wide range of community-based services, including primary and home health care, case management, substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and nutritional services. Within the total provided, the Committee intends that Ryan White 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 continue with at least the level of funding provided in fiscal year 2008. The Committee is aware that over 30 percent of HIV-infected persons in the United States are chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus [HCV]. The Committee recognizes the materials and conferences HRSA has engaged in on this subject and supports the effort to adjust the ADAP formulary to reduce the morbidity and mortality of this population. In addition, the Committee encourages HRSA to highlight best practices regarding treatment of co-infected patients. The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act requires that not less than 75 percent of appropriated funds under parts A through C must be spent on core medical services. The Committee is aware that HRSA has recognized food and nutrition as medically important in fighting HIV/AIDS disease and in helping the body process complex HIV/AIDS medications. Emergency Assistance The Committee provides $619,424,000 for emergency assistance grants to eligible metropolitan areas disproportionately affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $627,149,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 included $619,424,000. These funds are provided to metropolitan areas meeting certain criteria. Two-thirds of the funds are awarded by formula and the remainder is awarded through supplemental competitive grants. The Committee notes that the fiscal year 2008 comparable level included a one-time provision directing funds to particular metropolitan areas facing dramatic cuts as a result of the changes to the Ryan White formula. Comprehensive Care Programs The Committee provides $1,209,487,000 for HIV health care and support services. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $1,195,248,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 was $1,209,487,000. These funds are awarded to States to support HIV service delivery consortia, the provision of home and community-based care services for individuals with HIV disease, continuation of health insurance coverage for low-income persons with HIV disease and support for State AIDS drug assistance programs [ADAP]. The Committee continues to be encouraged by the progress of anti-retroviral therapy in reducing the mortality rates associated with HIV infection and in enhancing the quality of life of patients on medication. The Committee includes bill language providing $800,422,000 for AIDS medications in the AIDS Drug Assistance Program [ADAP]. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $794,376,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 was $814,546,000. The Committee has provided this increase to address the long-standing problem of State waiting lists for HIV/AIDS medications without unfairly punishing States that have provided their own resources to make up funding shortfalls. Early Intervention Services The Committee provides $198,754,000 for early intervention grants, the same as the fiscal year 2008 comparable level and the budget request for fiscal year 2009. These funds are awarded competitively to primary health care providers to enhance health care services available to people at risk of HIV and AIDS. Funds are used for comprehensive primary care, including counseling, testing, diagnostic, and therapeutic services. Children, Youth, Women, and Families The Committee provides $73,690,000 for grants for coordinated services and access to research for women, infants, children, and youth, the same as the fiscal year 2008 comparable level and the budget request for 2009. Funds are awarded to community health centers, family planning agencies, comprehensive hemophilia diagnostic and treatment centers, Federally qualified health centers under section 1905(1)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act, county and municipal health departments and other nonprofit community-based programs that provide comprehensive primary health care services to populations with or at risk for HIV disease. AIDS Dental Services The Committee provides $12,857,000 for AIDS Dental Services, the same as the fiscal year 2008 comparable level and the budget request for fiscal year 2009. This program provides grants to dental schools, dental hygiene schools, and postdoctoral dental education programs to assist with the cost of providing unreimbursed oral health care to patients with HIV disease. AIDS Education and Training Centers The Committee provides $34,094,000 for the AIDS education and training centers [AETC's]. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $34,094,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 included $28,700,000. AIDS education and training centers train health care practitioners, faculty, and students who care for AIDS patients outside of the traditional health professions education venues, and support curriculum development on diagnosis and treatment of HIV infection for health professions schools and training organizations. HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS BUREAU Organ Donation and Transplantation The Committee provides $25,049,000 for organ donation and transplantation activities. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $22,646,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 was $23,049,000. These funds support a scientific registry of organ transplant recipients and the National Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network to match donors and potential recipients of organs. A portion of the appropriated funds may be used for education of the public and health professionals about organ donations and transplants, and to support agency staff providing clearinghouse and technical assistance functions. The Committee is aware that individuals with Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) exhibit symptoms of advanced emphysema between 25 and 65 years of age, even in the absence of tobacco use and that Alpha-1 is a major cause of lung transplantation in adults and a leading cause of liver transplantation in children and adults. The Committee encourages UNOS to continue to review the methodology used to determine transplant eligibility for individuals with Alpha-1 and to engage in additional dialogue with the Alpha-1 lay and scientific communities. The Committee commends HRSA and the United Network for Organ Sharing [UNOS] for working with the pulmonary hypertension [PH] community to address concerns regarding the allocation of lungs for transplantation in PH patients. The Committee encourages UNOS to continue its dialogue with the PH community to monitor concerns regarding the methodology used to determine transplantation eligibility for PH patients. National Cord Blood Inventory The Committee has provided $12,000,000 for the National Cord Blood Inventory, which is the successor of the National Cord Blood Stem Cell Bank program. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $8,843,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 was $11,966,000. 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. C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program The Committee provides $23,517,000 for the C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program, which is the successor of the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry. This is the same level as the fiscal year 2008 comparable level for the Registry and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 was $22,701,000. The Committee recognizes the importance of this life-saving program and the continued need to increase cell transplantation through the use of cord blood, bone marrow, peripheral blood stem cells, and other sources of stem cells that may be available in the future. The Committee applauds the National Marrow Donor Program [NMDP] for its expansion of the national registry, which now lists more than 6.5 million potential volunteer donors and more than 72,000 cord blood units. While acknowledging this effort, the Committee recognizes the need to continue to increase the size of the registries to assure access for all Americans and encourages the continued efforts to increase awareness about transplantation and donation outreach among minority and medically underserved populations. The Committee supports continued innovative, technological, and scientific advances in cell therapies that have the potential to help Americans with leukemia or other life threatening blood diseases. In addition, the Committee encourages the NMDP to continue to conduct and support research to improve the availability, efficiency, safety, and cost of transplants and the effectiveness of program operations. Office of Pharmacy Affairs The Committee provides $2,940,000 for the Office of Pharmacy Affairs. The budget request for fiscal year 2009 did not request funding for this program. The Office of Pharmacy Affairs promotes access to clinically and cost effective pharmacy services among safety-net clinics and hospitals that participate in the 340B Drug Pricing program. Section 340B of the Public Health Service Act requires drug manufacturers to provide discounts or rebates to a specified set of HHS assisted programs and hospitals that meet the criteria in the Social Security Act for serving a disproportionate share of low income patients. These funds will be used to help resolve deficiencies that could not be addressed within resources available for the normal operations of the office. Specifically, these deficiencies include non-compliance with the 340B pricing requirements and errors and omissions in the office's covered entity database. The Committee is concerned that the proposed guidelines on the definition of the term ``patient'' for 340(B) drug discounts will dramatically change the degree to which safety net facilities are able to participate in this important program. The Committee strongly supports a definition of patient that protects program integrity while ensuring that the Nation's health care safety net is not further weakened. The Committee continues to urge HRSA to move forward with portions of the proposed guidance that enjoy wide support and issue a new proposed guidance on the question of patient eligibility, which would allow for additional public comment on issues such as patient records, health care provider relationships with covered entities, referral services and hospital discharge prescriptions. Poison Control Centers The Committee provides $26,528,000 for Poison Control Center activities, the same as the fiscal year 2008 comparable level. The budget request for fiscal year 2009 was $10,000,000. The Poison Control program currently supports a mix of grantees: most grantees serve entire States; a few grantees serve multi-State regions; and, in a handful of cases, more than one grantee serves a single State. In allocating funds, the Committee has provided sufficient resources to continue the current approach of allocating funding to all certified centers based on service population. RURAL HEALTH PROGRAMS Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grants The Committee provides $51,434,000 for rural health outreach grants. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $48,031,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 did not include funds for this program. This program supports projects that demonstrate new and innovative models of outreach in rural areas such as integration and coordination of health services. The Committee understands that many primary care clinics in isolated, remote locations are providing extended stay services and are not receiving appropriate compensation to provide this service. The Committee encourages HRSA to continue its support for a demonstration project authorized in the Medicare Modernization Act to evaluate the effectiveness of a new type of provider, the ``Frontier Extended Stay Clinic,'' to provide expanded services in remote and isolated primary care clinics to meet the needs of seriously ill or injured patients who cannot be transferred quickly to acute care referral centers, and patients who require monitoring and observation for a limited time. Rural Health Research The Committee provides $9,000,000 for the Rural Health Research program. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $8,584,000. The budget request for fiscal year 2009 was $8,737,000. The funds provide support for the Office of Rural Health Policy to be the focal point for the Department's efforts to improve the delivery of health services to rural communities and populations. Funds are used for rural health research centers, the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health, and a reference and information service. The Committee has included additional resources to support data collection and trend analysis on rural health delivery, including gaps in care. Rural Hospital Flexibility Grants The Committee provides $39,200,000 for rural hospital flexibility grants. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $37,865,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2008 did not include funds for this program. Under this program, HRSA works with the States to provide support and technical assistance to Critical Access Hospitals to focus on quality and performance improvement and to integrate emergency medical services. Of the amount provided, the Committee includes $15,000,000 to continue the Small Rural Hospital Improvement Grant Program, as authorized by section 1820(g)(3) of the Social Security Act and Public Law 107-116 and outlined in House Report 107-342. The program provides support for small rural hospitals and focuses on quality improvement and adoption of health information technology. Delta Health Initiative The Committee has included $25,000,000 for the Delta Health Initiative as authorized in section 219 of division G of Public Law 110-161. Rural and Community Access to Emergency Devices The Committee provides $1,461,000 for rural and community access to emergency devices, the same as the fiscal year 2008 comparable level. The budget request for fiscal year 2009 did not include funding for this program. This appropriation provides funding for both the rural program under section 413 of the Public Health Service Act and the community access demonstration under section 313. The Committee expects that fiscal year 2009 funding be equally divided between urban and rural communities. Funding will be used to purchase and place automated external defibrillators in public areas where cardiac arrests are likely to occur. State Offices of Rural Health The Committee provides $7,999,000 for the State Offices of Rural Health, the same as the fiscal year 2008 comparable level. The budget request for fiscal year 2009 was $8,141,000. The State Offices of Rural Health program helps the States strengthen rural heath care delivery systems by allowing them to better coordinate care and improve support and outreach in rural areas. Black Lung Clinics The Committee provides $7,200,000 for black lung clinics. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $5,788,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 was $5,886,000. This program funds clinics that treat respiratory and pulmonary diseases of active and retired coal miners, steel mill workers, agricultural workers, and others with occupationally related respiratory and pulmonary impairments. These clinics reduce the incidence of high-cost inpatient treatment for these conditions. Radiation and Exposure Screening and Education Program The Committee provides $2,000,000 for activities authorized by the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $1,884,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 was $1,904,000. This program provides grants for the education, prevention, and early detection of radiogenic cancers and diseases resulting from exposure to uranium during its mining and milling at nuclear test sites. Native and Rural Alaskan Health Care The Committee provides $39,283,000 for the Denali Commission. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $38,597,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 did not include funding for this program. These funds support the construction and renovation of health clinics, hospitals and social service facilities in rural Alaska, as authorized by Public Law 106-113, to help remote communities in Alaska develop critically needed health and social service infrastructure for which no other funding sources are available, thereby providing health and social services to Alaskans in remote rural communities as they are in other communities throughout the country. The Committee expects the Denali Commission to allocate funds to a mix of rural hospital, clinic, long-term care and social service facilities, rather than focusing exclusively on clinic funding. Family Planning The Committee provides $299,981,000 for the title X family planning program, the same level as the fiscal year 2008 comparable level and the budget request. Title X grants support primary health care services at clinics nationwide. About 85 percent of family planning clients are women at or below 150 percent of poverty level. Title X of the Public Health Service Act, which established the family planning program, authorizes the provision of a broad range of acceptable and effective family planning methods and preventive health services to individuals, regardless of age or marital status. This includes FDA-approved methods of contraception. The Committee remains concerned that programs receiving title X funds ought to have access to these resources as quickly as possible. The Committee again instructs the Department to distribute to the regional offices all of the funds available for family planning services no later than 60 days following enactment of this bill. The Committee intends that the regional offices should retain the authority for the review, award and administration of family planning funds, in the same manner and timeframe as in fiscal year 2006. The Committee intends that at least 90 percent of funds appropriated for title X activities be for clinical services authorized under section 1001 of the act. The Committee further expects the Office of Family Planning to spend any remaining year-end funds in section 1001 activities. Health Care-related Facilities and Activities The Committee provides $170,597,000 for the construction and renovation (including equipment) of health care-related facilities and other health care-related activities. In fiscal year 2008, $304,475,000 was provided and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 did not include funding for these activities. The Committee expects HRSA to use no more than 1 percent of the funds allocated for projects for agency administrative expenses. These funds are to be used for the following projects and in the following amounts: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Committee Project recommendation ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Access Community Health Network, Chicago, IL, for $500,000 construction at Holy Cross Hospital.................. Access to Healthcare Network, Reno, NV, to expand the 600,000 Access to Healthcare Network into Northern NV rural counties............................................. Adams State College, Alamosa, CO, for construction of 150,000 a health education facility.......................... Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL, 300,000 for construction..................................... Advocates for a Healthy Community, Springfield, MO, 1,500,000 for construction, renovation and equipment........... Alaska Brain Injury Network, Anchorage, AK, for brain 100,000 injury programs and outreach services................ Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Anchorage, AK, 1,500,000 for a statewide electronic medical records and health information system................................... Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Anchorage, AK, 1,500,000 for parallel development of an e-Health electronic Network.............................................. Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, for 100,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, for 500,000 equipment............................................ Allen Memorial Hospital, Waterloo, Iowa, for 250,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Allied Services Foundation, Clarks Summit, PA, for 100,000 renovations and equipment............................ Altoona Regional Health System, Altoona, PA, for 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center, Anchorage, AK, 400,000 for construction, renovation and equipment........... Association of Utah Community Health, Salt Lake City, 500,000 UT, for an electronic health records system for Utah Community Health Centers............................. AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, Egg Harbor 400,000 Township, NJ, for construction of the Cancer Care Institute............................................ Barnes-Kasson County Hospital, Susquehanna, PA, for 100,000 renovations and equipment............................ Bartlett Regional Hospital, Juneau, AK, for renovation 500,000 and equipment........................................ Bayside Family Healthcare, North Kingstown, RI, to 100,000 implement the NextGen Practice Management System and Electronic Health Records............................ Beebe Medical Center, Lewes, DE, for the construction 500,000 of a new School of Nursing........................... Benefis Healthcare Foundation, Great Falls, MT, for 150,000 health information technology in critical access hospitals............................................ Bethune Cookman University, Daytona Beach, FL, for 100,000 equipping a nurse-managed health facility............ Billings Clinic, Billings, MT, for equipment.......... 150,000 Bingham Memorial Hospital, Blackfoot, ID, for 200,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Bi-State Primary Care Association, Concord, NH, for 250,000 renovation and equipment............................. Bi-State Primary Care Association, Montpelier, VT, for 550,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Bloomsburg Hospital, Bloomsburg, PA, for construction, 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. Blue Mountain Diagnostic Imaging, Inc. (BMDI), 100,000 Pendleton, OR, for equipment......................... Bois Forte Reservation Tribal Council, Tower, MN, for 300,000 renovation and equipment............................. Boston Foundation for Sight, Needham Heights, MA, for 150,000 the acquisition of medical equipment................. Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA for facilities and 350,000 equipment for the J. Joseph Moakley Medical Services Building............................................. Boulder City Hospital, Boulder City, NV, for 500,000 construction of an emergency department.............. Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, for 500,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Bradford Regional Medical Center, Bradford, PA, for 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. Broadlawns Medical Center, Des Moines, IA, for 500,000 equipment............................................ Bucknell University Geisinger Health System, 150,000 Lewisburg, PA, for the training of health professionals........................................ Butler Health System, Butler, PA, for renovation and 100,000 equipment............................................ Caring Health Center, Inc., Springfield, MA, for 200,000 construction......................................... Carnegie Mellon University, Washington, DC, for 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC, for 100,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Catholic Health System, Buffalo, NY, for equipment.... 150,000 Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport, LA, for 1,000,000 construction, renovation and equipment of a health training facility.................................... Center for Asbestos Related Disease, Libby, MT, for 200,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Central Carolina Technical College, Sumter, SC, for 250,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Central Wyoming College, Riverton, WY, for 450,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Central Wyoming College, Riverton, WY, for the Virtual 200,000 Medical Skills Center for Training Nurses in Rural Health Care.......................................... Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, Coudersport, PA, for 100,000 rural training assistance............................ Chester County Hospital, West Chester, PA, for 100,000 construction renovation and equipment................ Chiesman Foundation for Democracy, Inc., Rapid City, 750,000 SD, to establish a Center for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders............................................ Children's Health Fund, New York, NY, to provide 250,000 comprehensive primary care to medically underserved children at elementary schools in the Austin, TX Independent School District.......................... Children's Institute of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 200,000 for treating children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders................................... Children's Home Society of Idaho, Boise, ID, for 100,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 100,000 for renovation and equipment......................... Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, for 100,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Children's Hospitals & Clinics, Minneapolis, MN, for 250,000 equipment............................................ Children's Medical Center, Dallas, TX, for 150,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Children's Medical Research Institute, Oklahoma City, 100,000 OK, for renovation and equipment..................... Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL, for 500,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, Kansas City, 1,000,000 MO, for construction, renovation and equipment....... Children's Square, Council Bluffs, IA, for 500,000 construction, renovation, and equipment.............. CHOICE Regional Health Network, Olympia, WA, for the 350,000 Emergency Department Care Coordination Program....... Christ Hospital, Jersey City, NJ, for the Emergency 300,000 Department Renovation and Equipment Project.......... Christiana Care Health System, Wilmington, DE, to 300,000 renovate and expand Wilmington Hospital's Emergency Department........................................... CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital, San Antonio, TX, for 150,000 renovation and equipment............................. CHRISTUS St. Francis Cabrini Hospital, Shreveport, LA, 100,000 for construction, renovation and equipment........... City Finance Office dba Community Memorial Hospital, 300,000 Redfield, SD, for facility renovation and construction......................................... City of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, for construction for 1,250,000 Healthcare for the Homeless center................... City of Newark, Newark, NJ, for an electronic medical 150,000 record system........................................ City of San Jose, San Jose, CA, for a healthcare for 500,000 the homeless program, including equipment............ Clarian Health, Indianapolis, IN, for construction, 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. Clarion Health System, Clarion, PA, for renovation and 100,000 equipment............................................ Clearfield Hospital, Clearfield, PA, for construction, 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. Coffeyville Regional Medical Center, Coffeyville, KS, 350,000 for construction, renovation and equipment........... Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, 750,000 for The Women's Cancer Genomics Center............... College of St. Scholastica, Inc., Duluth, MN, for a 250,000 rural health and technology demonstration project.... Colorado Community Health Network, Denver, CO, for 200,000 equipment............................................ Commonwealth Medical Education, Scranton, PA, for 1,000,000 equipment and construction........................... Communicare Inc., Columbia, SC, for automated pharmacy 200,000 equipment............................................ Community Care Network, Montgomery, AL, for the 100,000 purchase of a mobile medical unit and acquisition of equipment............................................ Community Colleges of Spokane, Spokane, WA, for 285,000 renovation and equipment for allied health educa- tion................................................. Community Health and Social Services, Detroit, MI, to 500,000 construct a health clinic............................ Community Health Care, Inc., Davenport, IA, for 200,000 equipment............................................ Community Health Center of Fort Dodge, IA, for 150,000 equipment............................................ Community Health Center of the Black Hills, Rapid 200,000 City, SD, for facilities and equipment............... Community Health Centers of Southeastern Iowa, 200,000 Burlington, IA, for construction, renovation and equipment............................................ Community Health Centers of Southern Iowa, Leon, IA, 130,000 for equipment........................................ Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas, 200,000 Bismarck, ND, for Electronic Medical Record Implementation....................................... Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas, Sioux 250,000 Falls, SD, for an electronic medical records system.. Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas, Sioux 200,000 Falls, SD, for rural health and dental services in a mobile dental unit................................... Community Medical Center, Missoula, MT, for equipment. 100,000 Community Medical Center, Scranton, PA, for renovation 100,000 and equipment........................................ Comprehensive Community Action, Cranston, RI, to 300,000 implement an integrated electronic health record and practice management system........................... Concord Hospital, Concord, NH, for construction, 300,000 renovation and equipment............................. Cook Children's Medical Center, Fort Worth, TX, for 150,000 renovation and equipment............................. Cornerstone Care Inc., Burgettstown, PA, for 100,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Council Bluffs Community Health Center, Council 200,000 Bluffs, IA, for construction, renovation and equip- ment................................................. Creighton University, Omaha, NE, for construction, 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. Crescent Community Health Center, Dubuque, IA, for 200,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Crider Health Center, Wentzville, MO, for 1,000,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Upland, PA, for 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. Delaware Valley Community Health, Philadelphia, PA, 100,000 for renovation and equipment......................... Delta State University, Cleveland, MS, for 250,000 construction, renovation and equipment, including design............................................... Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, CO, for 150,000 construction......................................... Driscoll Children's Hospital, Corpus Christi, TX, for 150,000 renovation and equipment............................. DuBois Regional Medical Center, DuBois, PA, for 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, for 200,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Eastern Shore Rural Health System, Nassawadox, VA, to 300,000 construct the Onley Community Health Center.......... Ed Roberts Campus, Berkeley, CA, for construction, 250,000 renovation and equipment............................. Elk Regional Health Center, St. Marys, PA, for 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. Elliot Health System, Manchester, NH, for an 225,000 electronic medical records system.................... Endless Mountains Health Systems, Montrose, PA, for 100,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Ephrata Hospital, Ephrata, PA, for renovation and 100,000 equipment............................................ Excela Health, Latrobe, PA, for construction, 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. Family Medicine Residency of Idaho, Boise, ID, to 100,000 recruit family physicians to rural Idaho............. Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington, VT, for 200,000 construction and equipment........................... Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington, VT, for 500,000 training............................................. Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, for 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. Franklin Pierce University, Rindge, NH, for nurse 400,000 training outreach programs, including renovation and equipment............................................ Free Clinic of Pierce and Saint Croix, River Falls, 160,000 WI, to expand care in rural areas.................... Free Clinics of Iowa, Des Moines, IA, to support a 400,000 network of free clinics.............................. Friendship House, Scranton, PA, to create an advanced 150,000 Regional Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders........ Fulton County Medical Center, McConnellsburg, PA, for 100,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Gadsden County, Quincy, FL, for repairs and 100,000 renovations of the Gadsden County Community Hospital. Garfield Memorial Hospital, Panguitch, UT, for 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. Geisinger Health System, Harrisburg, PA, for post 100,000 traumatic stress disorder related activities......... Generations, Inc., Camden, NJ, for construction and 100,000 operations of the Nex Generation Health Services Center............................................... Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, for rural 100,000 health outreach and training......................... Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, for health 100,000 outreach and training................................ Good Samaritan Health Services Foundation, Lebanon, 100,000 PA, for renovation and equipment..................... Good Shepherd Home, Inc., Allentown, PA, for 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. Goodall Hospital, Sanford, ME, for an electronic 300,000 health records system................................ Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, GA, for renovation 100,000 and equipment........................................ Grand View Hospital, Inc., Sellersville, PA, for 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. Great Brook Valley Health Center, Worcester, MA, for 150,000 new facility construction............................ Greater Hudson Valley Family Health Center, Inc., 400,000 Newburgh, NY, for construction, renovation and equipment............................................ Greater Sioux Community Health Center, Sioux Center, 100,000 IA, for equipment.................................... Gundersen Lutheran Hospital, La Crosse, WI, for health 300,000 care IT improvements................................. Hamot Medical Center, Erie, PA, for construction, 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. Hampton University, Hampton, VA, for construction and 400,000 equipment for the development of a new proton beam therapy facility to treat cancer..................... Harrington Memorial Hospital, Southbridge, MA, for the 200,000 acquisition of medical equipment..................... Harris County Hospital District, Houston, TX, for 150,000 renovation and equipment............................. Hazleton General Hospital--Health Corp (Northeastern 100,000 PA), Hazleton, PA, for renovation and equip- ment... Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County, 150,000 Indianapolis, IN, for facility planning, construction, renovation and equipment............... Health Care of Southeastern Massachusetts, Brockton, 150,000 MA, for equipment.................................... HealthEast Care System, St. Paul, MN, for 325,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... HealthPoint Kentucky, Newport, KY, for an electronic 100,000 medical records system............................... HealthShare Montana, Bozeman, MT, for equipment and 750,000 training............................................. Hickman Community Hospital, Centerville, TN, for 550,000 construction and renovation and equipment............ Holy Redeemer Health System, Huntington Valley, PA, 100,000 for construction, renovation and equipment........... Holy Spirit Healthcare System, Camp Hill, PA, for 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. Hormel Institute, Mower, MN, for biomedical equipment. 100,000 Horn Memorial Hospital, Ida Grove, IA, for equipment.. 250,000 Indiana Regional Medical Center, Indiana, PA, for 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, UT, for an 300,000 electronic medical records and pharmacy bar coding systems.............................................. Inova Health System--The Claude Moore Health Education 100,000 Center's Simulation Center, Falls Church, VA, for construction, renovation and equipment............... Iowa Caregivers Association, Des Moines, IA, for 350,000 training and support of certified nurse assistants... Iowa Dental Foundation, Johnston, IA, for portable 250,000 dental equipment..................................... Iowa Nebraska Primary Care Association, Des Moines, 260,000 IA, for health information technology equipment and coordination of programs............................. Iowa State University, Ames, IA, for construction of a 500,000 biosafety level 3 lab................................ Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, for the 500,000 Institute of Epidemiology and Health Services Research............................................. Jameson Memorial Hospital, New Castle, PA, for 100,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... JC Blair Memorial Hospital, Huntingdon, PA, for 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. Jefferson Regional Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, for 100,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Jersey Shore Hospital, Jersey Shore, PA, for 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. Jewish Renaissance Medical Center, Perth Amboy, NJ, 100,000 for construction of the Medical Arts Building........ Joseph Richey House, Inc., Baltimore, MD, for 750,000 construction of Dr Bob's Place Children's Hospice.... Kadlec Health System, Richland, WA, for construction 150,000 and equipment........................................ Kane Community Hospital, Kane, PA, for construction, 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. King's Daughters Regional Medical Center, Brookhaven, 500,000 MS, for an electronic medical records system, including renovation and equipment................... La Clinica de Familia, Inc., Las Cruces, NM, for 775,000 construction of the Chaparral Dental Center.......... Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA, for the expansion and 200,000 renovation of emergency and trauma care facili- ties Lane County, Eugene, OR, for construction of the 100,000 Springfield Community Health Center.................. Laramie County Community College, Cheyenne, WY, for 400,000 renovation, equipment and training................... Lawndale Christian Health Center, Chicago, IL, for 400,000 construction and equipment........................... Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, PA, to provide 100,000 healthcare access.................................... Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston, ID, to prepare 100,000 nursing students for careers in nursing.............. Lincoln County, Newport, OR, for an electronic medical 250,000 records system, including equipment acquisition and renovation........................................... Linn Community Care, Cedar Rapids, IA, for 262,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Lou Ruvo Brain Institute, Las Vegas, NV, for 600,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Lourdes Health System, Camden, NJ, for equipment...... 100,000 Lowell General Hospital, Lowell, MA, for construction 150,000 of new medical facilities............................ Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, Lower Brule, SD, for the 200,000 Community Health Representative program.............. Manchester Community Health Center, Manchester, NH, 200,000 for construction, renovation and equipment........... Marian Community Hospital, Carbondale, PA, for 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. Marillac Center, Overland Park, KS, for construction, 200,000 renovation and equipment............................. Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, for a dental 250,000 health outreach program.............................. Marshall University in Huntington, WV, for the 3,500,000 Translational Genomic Research Institute............. Maui Community Health Center, Kahului, HI, for 200,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Maui Medical Center, Maui, HI, for equipping a 200,000 robotics and nurse training lab...................... Meadville Medical Center, Meadville, PA, for 100,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN, for 600,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Memorial Hospital at Gulfport, Gulfport, MS, for 500,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Memorial Hospital, Carthage, IL, for equipment........ 400,000 Memorial Hospital, York, PA, for renovation and 100,000 equipment............................................ Mercy Health Foundation, Durango, CO, for renovation 150,000 and equipment........................................ Mercy Health Partners, Scranton, PA, for renovation 100,000 and equipment........................................ Mercy Memorial Health Center, Ardmore, OK, for 100,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Mercy Philadelphia Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, for 100,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Meridian Health, Neptune, NJ, for the Jersey Shore 350,000 University Medical Center Comprehensive Expansion and Renovation Project................................... Messiah College, Grantham, PA, for renovation and 100,000 equipment............................................ Methodist University, Fayetteville, NC, for 175,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Miami Jewish Home and Hospital, Miami, FL, for health 75,000 education for those living in the Little Haiti area.. Mid Valley Hospital, Peckville, PA, for renovation and 100,000 equipment............................................ Middletown Regional Health System, Franklin, OH, for 200,000 construction of a nursing school..................... Midwest Community Clinic, Midwest, WY, for 300,000 construction, renovation, and equipment.............. Miles Community College, Miles City, MT, to expand the 100,000 Healthcare Connections to Career Pathways program.... Miles Perret Cancer Services, Lafayette, LA, for 300,000 purchase and equipping of a mobile unit for use in rural areas.......................................... Mind Research Network [MRN], Albuquerque, NM, for 3,000,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Minot State University, Minot, ND, for the Great 750,000 Plains Autism Treatment Program...................... Misericordia University, Dallas, PA, for construction, 100,000 renovation and renovation............................ Mississippi Primary Health Care Association, Jackson, 250,000 MS, for construction, renovation and equipment....... Molokai Community Health Center, Molokai, HI, to 250,000 construct facilities................................. Monongahela Valley Hospital, Monongahela, PA, for 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. Monroe Clinic, Monroe, WI, for critical health care IT 280,000 improvements, including an electronic medical records system, in South Central Wisconsin................... Montgomery College, Rockville, MD, for equipment for 750,000 the biotechnology laboratory......................... Moses Taylor Hospital, Scranton, PA, for renovation 100,000 and equipment........................................ Mount Nittany Medical Center, State College, PA, for 100,000 renovation and construction.......................... Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine, 100,000 Philadelphia, PA, to develop three models of integrative programs of clinical excellence.......... Nationwide Children's Hospital Research Institute, 100,000 Columbus, OH, for construction, renovation and equipment............................................ Nazareth Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, for renovation 100,000 and equipment........................................ Nebraska Hospital Association, Lincoln, NE, to expand 100,000 the Nebraska Statewide Telehealth Network, including renovation and equipment............................. Neurosciences Institute, Morgantown, WV, for 5,000,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Nevada System of Higher Education, Las Vegas, NV, for 1,000,000 equipment purchase for nursing and medical clinical skills labs.......................................... New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, for 100,000 Graduate Psychology Education........................ New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, for 750,000 construction, renovation and equipment at the emergency department................................. New York-Presbyterian Hospital, NY, for cardiac care 250,000 telemetry............................................ Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark, NJ, for 300,000 construction, equipment and renovation............... Newton Memorial Hospital, Newton, NJ, for equipment... 200,000 Niagara University, Niagara Falls, NY, for the Nursing 100,000 Leadership project................................... Norman Regional Health System, Norman, OK, for a 100,000 medical health records system, including acquisition of equipment......................................... Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, Scranton, PA, for 100,000 cancer epidemiology research programs................ Northwest Hospital and Medical Center, Seattle, WA, 1,000,000 for construction and equipment to support the establishment of a Community Health Education and Simulation Center.................................... Northwest Kidney Centers, Seattle, WA, for equipment.. 200,000 Norton Community Hospital Women's Center/Technology 100,000 Enhancement Project, Norton, VA, for renovation and equipment............................................ Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, for 75,000 nurse education and training......................... Nugen's Ranch Substance Abuse Treatment Facility, 300,000 Wasilla, AK, for construction, renovation and equipment............................................ Oglala Lakota College, Kyle, SD, for a nursing 600,000 education program.................................... Ohio Valley General Hospital, McKees Rocks, PA, for 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. Ohio Valley Medical Center, Wheeling, WV, for 6,000,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, 150,000 OK, for renovation and equipment..................... Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, 100,000 Tulsa, OK, to purchase and equip a mobile health unit Olympic Medical Center, Port Angeles, WA, for an 650,000 electronic medical records/practice management system Orange County, Orlando, FL, for the renovation at the 100,000 Primary Care Access Network.......................... Ottumwa Regional Health Center, Ottumwa, IA, for 60,000 equipment............................................ Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, IA, and 400,000 the Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine in Philadelphia, PA, to develop a model integrative health care program for the treatment of pain........ Paoli Hospital, Paoli, PA, for construction, 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. Parkland Health & Hospital System, Dallas, TX, to 250,000 purchase and equip a mobile health unit.............. Parkland Health & Hospital System, Dallas, TX, for 150,000 renovation and equipment............................. Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, for 100,000 healthcare services.................................. Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute, Harrisburg, PA, 100,000 for equipment........................................ Peoples Community Health Clinic, Waterloo, IA, for 60,000 equipment............................................ Philadelphia University, Philadelphia, PA, for 100,000 equipment............................................ Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, Albany, GA, to 100,000 partner with the Dougherty County School System to implement health programs for school children........ Pinnacle Health System, Harrisburg, PA, for 100,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Pioneer Valley Life Science Institute, Springfield, 400,000 MA, for the construction and continued development of biomedical research facilities....................... Pocono Medical Center, Stroudsburg, PA, for 100,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Pottsville Hospital, Pottsville, PA, for construction, 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. Primary Care Association of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, to 1,100,000 provide service enhancements and outreach............ Primary Health Care, Inc, Des Moines, IA, for 200,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Prince George's County, Upper Marlboro, MD, for dental 500,000 equipment............................................ Provena Covenant Medical Center, Urbana, IL, for 200,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Providence Community Health Center, Providence, RI, to 100,000 install an electronic health records system.......... Providence Health System, Anchorage, AK, for physician 1,000,000 recruitment and retention............................ Providence Health System, Olympia, WA, to create a 100,000 Nursing Education to Practice Bridge Program......... Public Health Foundation of Columbia County, Portland, 250,000 OR, for construction and equipment................... Reading Hospital and Medical Center, Reading, PA, for 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. RelateNow, New Glarus, WI, to provide online treatment 300,000 services for rural families of children with autism.. Resurrection Health Care, Oak Park, IL, to expand 300,000 nursing programs..................................... Rhode Island College Foundation, Providence, RI, to 300,000 upgrade the School of Nursing clinical laboratory.... Rice University, Houston, TX, for construction, 400,000 renovation and equipment............................. Richardton Memorial Hospital and Health Center, 850,000 Richardton, ND, for planning, renovation and equipment............................................ River Hills Community Health Center, Ottumwa, IA, for 200,000 equipment............................................ Riverside Healthcare, Kankakee, IL, for a patient 300,000 safety program, including equipment.................. Robert Morris University, Moon Township, PA, for 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Rosebud, SD, for medical 200,000 equipment............................................ Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi, Tama, IA, for a 650,000 Tribal Health Care Clinic............................ Sacred Heart Hospital of Allentown, Allentown, PA, for 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. Saint Ambrose University, Davenport, IA, for the 500,000 construction of a Center for Health Sciences Educa- tion................................................. Saint Bernard Parish, Chalmette, LA, for construction, 850,000 renovation and equipment of a medical facility....... Saint Clare Hospital, Madison, WI, for equipment...... 350,000 Saint Francis Hospital Foundation, Wilmington, DE, to 300,000 make capital infrastructure improvements to St Francis Hospital..................................... Saint Joseph Health Services, North Providence, RI, 650,000 for renovations to the emergency room................ Saint Joseph Hospital, Nashua, NH, for electronic 425,000 medical records technology, including renovation and equipment............................................ Saint Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston, TX, for 150,000 renovation and equipment............................. Saint Luke's Hospital Allentown Campus, Allentown, PA, 100,000 for renovation and equipment......................... Saint Mary Medical Center, Langhorne, PA, for 100,000 renovations and construction......................... Saint Mary's Hospital, Madison, WI, for equipment at 300,000 the Sun Prairie Emergency Center..................... Saint Patrick Hospital and Health Sciences Center, 150,000 Missoula, MT, for construction, renovation and equipment............................................ Saint Vincent Health Center, Erie, PA, for renovation 100,000 and equipment........................................ Saint Vincent Healthcare Foundation, Billings, MT, for 150,000 equipment for the Pediatric Project.................. San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium, San 500,000 Francisco, CA, for facilities and equipment.......... Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 250,000 for equipment........................................ Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle, WA, for 800,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Sedgwick County Government, Wichita, KS, for the 150,000 Healthy Babies Program............................... Sharon Regional Health System, Sharon, PA, for 100,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Shawnee Mission Medical Center, for renovation and 200,000 equipment............................................ Shelby County, Memphis, TN, for construction, 500,000 renovation and equipment............................. Sinai Health System, Chicago, IL, for equipment....... 500,000 Siouxland Community Health Center, Sioux City, IA, for 200,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Sisters of Providence Health System, Springfield, MA, 200,000 for construction of a new health clinic.............. Soldiers + Sailors Memorial Hospital, Wellsboro, PA, 100,000 for renovations and equipment........................ Somerset Hospital, Somerset, PA, for renovation and 100,000 equipment............................................ South County Hospital, Wakefield, RI, for electronic 900,000 health record project................................ South Lane Mental Health, Cottage Grove, OR, for 150,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... South Shore Regional Health Information Organization, 150,000 Quincy, MA, for the continued development and deployment of an electronic medical recordkeeping system............................................... Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, for 200,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Southern New Hampshire Medical Center, Nashua, NH, for 425,000 electronic medical records technology, including renovation and equipment............................. Southern Utah University, Cedar City, UT, for 400,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Southern Vermont College, Bennington, VT, for a 250,000 patient navigator program............................ Southwestern Mental Health Center, Inc., Luverne, MN, 200,000 for construction, renovation and equipment........... Sparks Regional Medical Center, Fort Smith, AR, to 1,000,000 obtain equipment for the cancer center............... Spokane County Medical Society Foundation, Spokane, 100,000 WA, for Project Access............................... State of New Mexico, Santa Fe, NM, to collect and 100,000 analyze data about the need and potential locations for a dental school within the State................. Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, NY, 500,000 for construction, renovation and equipment for the emergency department................................. Stoughton Hospital, Stoughton, WI, for installation of 300,000 a comprehensive electronic health records sys- tem.. Straub Hospital Burn Center, Honolulu, HI, for 100,000 equipment............................................ Sullivan County Medical Center, Laporte, PA, for 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. Sumter Regional Hospital, Americus, GA, for 100,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Susquehanna Health, Williamsport, PA, for renovation 100,000 and equipment........................................ Swope Health Quindaro, KS, for an electronic medical 250,000 records system, including equipment acquisition and renovation........................................... Systems Unlimited, Inc., Iowa City, IA, for 250,000 construction, renovation, and equipment.............. Tabitha, Inc., d.b.a., Tabitha Health Care Services, 800,000 Lincoln, NE, for equipment........................... Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, for 100,000 renovations and equipment............................ Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville, TN, for 500,000 construction and renovation.......................... Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, for 200,000 renovation and equipment............................. Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, for 150,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Texas Health Institute, Austin, TX, for renovation and 200,000 equipment............................................ The Lakes Community Health Center, Iron River, WI, for 300,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... The Manor, Jonesville, MI, for construction of a 600,000 Treatment and Counseling Center...................... Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, 100,000 PA, for renovation and equipment..................... Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, for 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. Thundermist Health Center, West Warwick, RI, for 350,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, MS, for renovation and 245,000 equipment............................................ Touro University Nevada, Henderson, NV, for 400,000 construction of a Gerontology Center................. Towson University, Baltimore, MD, for a Center for 500,000 Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders................ Trinity Health, Minot, ND, for the Rural Radiology 850,000 Outreach Initiative, including equipment............. Tri-Town Community Economic Opportunity Committee, 350,000 Johnston, RI, for construction, equipment and renovation of health care facilities................. Tufts New England Medical Center, Boston, MA, for 200,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Tyrone Hospital, Tyrone, PA, for construction, 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. UMass Memorial Healthcare, Boston, MA, for upgrades to 250,000 information technology............................... United Community Health Center, Storm Lake, IA, for 200,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... University Medical Center at Brackenridge, Austin, TX, 150,000 for renovation and equipment......................... University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa, AL, for 9,400,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa, AL, for 250,000 physician recruitment programs....................... University of Delaware, Newark, DE, for the Delaware 200,000 Biotechnology Institute, including equipment......... University of Dubuque, Dubuque, IA, for construction 500,000 of a community wellness center....................... University of Georgia, Athens, GA, for construction, 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. University of Hawaii at Hilo, Honolulu, HI, for a 150,000 nurse training program............................... University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, for the Iowa 2,000,000 Institute for Biomedical Discovery................... University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, for the School of 1,000,000 Public Health........................................ University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 300,000 for renovation and equipment......................... University of Kentucky Research Foundation, Lexington, 2,000,000 KY, for construction, renovation, and equipment at the University of Kentucky College of Nursing........ University of Kentucky Research Foundation, Lexington, 1,500,000 KY, for renovation and equipment..................... University of Kentucky Research Foundation, Lexington, 1,000,000 KY, to establish a program to reduce the risk of hearth disease in rural areas........................ University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, LA, to 400,000 purchase a mobile dental unit for use in rural Louisiana............................................ University of Louisville Research Foundation, 1,000,000 Louisville, KY, for construction, renovation, and equip- ment......................................... University of Louisville Research Foundation, 6,000,000 Louisville, KY, for construction, renovation, and equipment to expand cardiovascular facilities........ University of Louisville Research Foundation, 2,000,000 Louisville, KY, for renovation and equipment to support the computational biology initiative......... University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, for 100,000 equipment for the Virginia Regional Medical Center... University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, 3,000,000 for construction, renovation and equipment for the Arthur C. Guyton Laboratory Building................. University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, Oxford, 6,000,000 MS, for construction, renovation and equipment....... University of Mississippi, National Center for Natural 1,000,000 Products Research, MS, for construction, renovation and equipment for Phase II of the National Center for Natural Products Research--Drug Development, Construction......................................... University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, for the Center 250,000 for Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management.......... University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, for the Center 650,000 for Thermal Pharmaceutical Processing................ University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, NV, for 500,000 the Center for Molecular Medicine, including equipment............................................ University of New England, Biddeford, ME, for 350,000 technology upgrades, including the purchase of equipment............................................ University of North Carolina at Wilmington, 175,000 Wilmington, NC, for construction, renovation and equip- ment......................................... University of North Texas, Denton, TX, for 250,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, for renovation and 150,000 equipment............................................ University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 100,000 Philadelphia, PA, for construction, renovation and equipment............................................ University of Pittsburgh (Simmons Center), Pittsburgh, 100,000 PA, for construction, renovation and equipment....... University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, 100,000 PA, for construction, renovations, and equipment..... University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, 100,000 PA, for renovation and equipment..................... University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, for 300,000 construction and equipment........................... University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, 1,600,000 for construction, renovation and equipment, including design............................................... University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, for 400,000 renovation and equipment............................. University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, 300,000 Houston, TX, for construction, renovation and equipment............................................ University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, 250,000 Tyler, TX, for renovation and equipment.............. University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 200,000 Houston, TX, for renovation and equipment............ University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, 250,000 Houston, TX, for renovation and equipment for the center for targeted therapy.......................... University of Washington, Seattle, WA, for the Bothell 100,000 nursing consortium................................... University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI, to 280,000 expand the Campus Autism Program, including facilities........................................... University of Wyoming, Center for Rural Health 250,000 Research and Education, Laramie, WY, for health information technology............................... Utah Department of Health, Salt Lake City, UT, for 400,000 health education and screening for citizens exposed to uranium mill tailings............................. Utah Department of Health, Salt Lake City, UT, for 300,000 renovation and equipment............................. Vermont Information Technology Leaders, Montpelier, 1,000,000 VT, for the implementation of a statewide electronic medical record system................................ Volunteers of America, Dakotas, Sioux Falls, SD, for 750,000 construction and program expansion of residential drug treatment....................................... Wake County, Raleigh, NC, for construction, renovation 200,000 and equipment........................................ Washington County, Plymouth, NC, for construction, 125,000 renovation and equipment............................. Washington State University, Spokane, WA, to support 1,000,000 distance learning at the Nursing College............. Wayne Memorial Hospital, Honesdale, PA, for 100,000 renovations and equipment............................ Wayne Memorial Hospital, Jesup, GA, for construction, 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. Weber County, Ogden, UT, for renovation and equipment 200,000 to improve health literacy........................... Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, Dover, NH, for electronic 425,000 medical records technology, including renovation and equipment............................................ Wesley College, Dover, DE, for renovation and 350,000 equipping of the nursing school...................... West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, for 3,500,000 construction of a Multiple Sclerosis Center.......... WestCare Nevada, Inc., Las Vegas, NV, for construction 150,000 and renovation at the Community Triage Cen- ter..... Westchester County Department of Labs & Research, 750,000 Valhalla, NY, for construction, renovation and equipment............................................ Westminster College, Salt Lake City, UT, for 300,000 renovation and equipment............................. Westside Healthcare Association, Milwaukee, WI, for 300,000 construction at the Lisbon Avenue Health Center...... White River Medical Center, Batesville, AR, for 1,000,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Whittier Street Health Center, Roxbury, MA, for 200,000 construction of a new medical facility............... William Penn University, Oskaloosa, IA, for the 500,000 Nursing and Sciences Teaching Laboratories........... Wills Eye Health System, Philadelphia, PA, for 100,000 renovation and equipment............................. Windemere Rehabilitation Center, Oak Bluffs, MA, for 250,000 construction, renovation, and equipment.............. Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, for renovation and 100,000 equipment............................................ Wolfson Children's Hospital, Jacksonville, FL, to 250,000 purchase equipment................................... World Impact's Good Samaritan Clinic, Wichita, KS, for 150,000 construction, renovation and equipment............... Wyoming Valley Health Care System Hospital, Wilkes- 100,000 Barre, PA, for renovation and equipment.............. Xavier University, New Orleans, LA, for design and 400,000 construction for the Industry Center for Pharmaceutical Bioscience/Biotech Infrastructure..... Yukon-Kuskokwin Health Corporation, Bethel, AK, for 1,550,000 renovation and equipment............................. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Telehealth The Committee provides $8,000,000 for telehealth activities. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $6,700,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 was $6,819,000. The telehealth program funded through the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth promotes the effective use of technologies to improve access to health services for people who are isolated from healthcare and distance education for health professionals. The Committee has included additional funding to support telehealth network grants, telehealth demonstrations, and telehomecare pilot projects; and to facilitate cooperation between health licensing boards or various States to develop and implement policies that will reduce statutory and regulatory barriers to telehealth. Parklawn Replacement The Committee recommends $5,000,000 for the replacement of HRSA's facilities at the Parklawn campus. No funds were included for this purpose in fiscal year 2008 and the fiscal year 2009 budget included $36,062,000. The current lease expires on July 31, 2010. The Parklawn building currently houses 2,484 HHS employees and has been continually occupied for over 40 years. The Committee is aware that a short-term extension of the lease is already necessary due to the lack of any administration request for fiscal year 2008, and is disappointed to note that this omission has already increased the cost to taxpayers. The Committee is aware that other committees of the Congress were consulted in time for authorizing legislation to be signed in September 2006, so the lack of a request in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 is inexplicable. Program Management The Committee provides $141,087,000 for program management activities for fiscal year 2009, the same as the fiscal year 2008 comparable level and the budget request for fiscal year 2009. The Committee is concerned that the February 29, 2008, Federal Register Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for ``Designation of Medically Underserved Populations and Health Professional Shortage Areas'' will have far-reaching implications for the allocation of resources in dozens of Federal programs. For that reason, the proposal deserves robust analysis requiring extensive time for States to analyze and offer informed comments upon the changes. The Committee urges the Secretary to keep the comment period open until States' questions, concerns and clarifications have been completely answered and addressed. The Committee requests that HRSA report to the Committee prior to issuing a final rule on: (1) a State by State analysis of the number of people living in, and physicians practicing in, areas that will gain and lose geographic HPSA designations; and (2) a list of currently designated HPSAs that shift between the highest and lowest quartiles due to the new methodology. In particular, the Committee is disturbed that HRSA has not released the scoring methodology for the safety net facility (Tier III) designation. The Committee urges HRSA to release the scoring methodology in time for the public to comment on this important designation. HEALTH EDUCATION ASSISTANCE LOANS The Committee provides $1,000,000 to liquidate obligations from loans guaranteed before 1992, the same level as the fiscal year 2008 comparable level and the budget request for fiscal year 2009. For administration of the HEAL program including the Office of Default Reduction, the Committee provides $2,847,000, the same level as the fiscal year 2008 comparable level. The budget request for fiscal year 2009 was $2,906,000. The HEAL program insures loans to students in the health professions. The Budget Enforcement Act of 1990, changed the accounting of the HEAL program. One account is used to pay obligations arising from loans guaranteed prior to 1992. A second account was created to pay obligations and collect premiums on loans guaranteed in 1992 and after. Administration of the HEAL program is separate from administration of other HRSA programs. NATIONAL VACCINE INJURY COMPENSATION PROGRAM The Committee provides that $264,424,000 be released from the vaccine injury compensation trust fund in fiscal year 2009, of which $7,000,000 is for administrative costs. The total fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $124,404,000 and the total budget request for fiscal year 2009 was $261,952,000. The National Vaccine Injury Compensation program provides compensation for individuals with vaccine-associated injuries or deaths. Funds are awarded to reimburse medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, legal expenses, and a death benefit. The vaccine injury compensation trust fund is funded by excise taxes on certain childhood vaccines. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention DISEASE CONTROL, RESEARCH, AND TRAINING Appropriations, 2008.................................... $6,431,005,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 5,956,026,000 Committee recommendation................................ 6,507,795,000 The Committee provides a program level of $6,507,795,000 for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. The Committee recommendation includes $6,369,032,000 in budget authority and an additional $138,763,000 via transfers available under section 241 of the Public Health Service Act. The fiscal year 2008 comparable program level is $6,431,005,000 and the program level budget request for fiscal year 2009 is $5,956,026,000. The activities of the CDC focus on several major priorities: provide core public health functions; respond to urgent health threats; monitor the Nation's health using sound scientific methods; build the Nation's health infrastructure to insure our national security against bioterrorist threats; assure the Nation's preparedness for emerging infectious diseases and potential pandemics; promote women's health; and provide leadership in the implementation of nationwide prevention strategies to encourage responsible behavior and adoption of lifestyles that are conducive to good health. INFECTIOUS DISEASES The Committee recommends $1,909,536,000 for infectious disease related programs at the CDC. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $1,904,536,000 and the comparable budget request level for fiscal year 2009 was $1,869,977,000. The Committee recommendation includes $12,794,000 in transfers available under section 241 of the Public Health Service Act. The Coordinating Center for Infectious Disease reorganized in fiscal year 2007. The new four center structure includes: Zoonotic, Vector Borne, and Enteric Diseases; Preparedness, Detection and Control of Infectious Diseases; HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention; and Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Zoonotic, Vector Borne, and Enteric Diseases The Committee has included $67,846,000 for fiscal year 2009 for this center, the same as the fiscal year 2008 level. The 2009 budget request was $60,632,000. This Center provides outbreak investigation, infection control and scientific evaluations of zoonotic, vector borne and enteric diseases; and conducts food-borne illness surveillance and investigation. The Committee has included funding to continue the chronic fatigue syndrome activities at no less than last year. The Committee is deeply concerned by reports that 80-90 percent of CFS patients have not been correctly diagnosed and are not receiving proper medical care for their illness. Despite years of research, the cause of CFS is still unknown. Recent research suggests a much higher level prevalence of the disease than previously understood. For those reasons, the Committee strongly supports a robust CFS research program, but is concerned by the diminished number of research findings being published by the CDC on this subject. The Committee directs the CDC to conduct a peer review of the CFS program including a program performance evaluation by November 1, 2008 and report the result of such review to the Committee no later than February 1, 2009. In addition, the Committee directs the CDC to include in its annual budget justification an itemized expenditure of funds for each CFS research project or activity in the following five functional expense categories: surveillance and epidemiology; clinical assessment and evaluation; objective diagnosis and pathophysiology; treatment and intervention; and education, including the CFS marketing campaign and health care provider education. Food Safety.--The Committee has included no less than last year for food safety activities. Preparedness, Detection and Control of Infectious Diseases The Committee has included $154,926,000 for fiscal year 2009 for this Center. The comparable level for fiscal year 2008 was $149,926,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 was $122,843,000. This Center builds epidemiology and laboratory capacity and provides technical assistance to identify and monitor infectious diseases. Antimicrobial Resistance.--The Committee is concerned by the emergence of life-threatening antimicrobial resistant pathogens in hospital and community settings. The Committee encourages CDC to explore the model of ``sentinel'' surveillance to describe and confirm regional outbreaks. Blood Safety Surveillance.--The Committee understands that CDC's Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion is adding to the National Healthcare Safety Network [NHSN] the collection and analysis of data on medical errors and adverse events occurring during blood donation and transfusion. The Committee encourages CDC to consider mapping out how a blood safety surveillance system would work, the active role of the national blood collection and transfusion community, and the appropriate Federal role. Prevention Epicenter Program.--The Committee applauds CDC's support for the Prevention Epicenter Program and its work addressing patient safety issues. Syringe Re-use.--The Committee is deeply troubled by recent outbreaks of hepatitis caused in some part by the re-use of syringes in outpatient settings. These outbreaks are entirely preventable with well-known infection control practices. The Committee intends that the increased funding provided be used to respond to outbreaks and to ensure that infection control measures are adhered to broadly, including provider education and patient awareness activities. The Committee encourages the CDC to partner with industry and university researchers to identify the best interventions to reduce the possibility of disease transmission in the healthcare setting. HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention The Committee has included $1,002,130,000 for the activities at this Center in fiscal year 2009. The fiscal year 2008 level was $1,002,130,000 and the 2009 budget request was $1,000,037,000. The Committee has included funding for the following activities at the following amounts: [In thousands of dollars] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fiscal year Activity 2008 Fiscal year Committee comparable 2009 budget recommendation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- HIV/AIDS, Research and Domestic................................. 691,860 691,147 691,860 Viral Hepatitis................................................. 17,582 17,504 17,582 Tuberculosis [TB]............................................... 140,359 139,735 140,359 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hepatitis Testing.--The Committee encourages CDC to formulate a plan for significant testing for hepatitis, including the implementation of rapid testing technology as a means of ascertaining the prevalence of hepatitis and taking steps to prevent and treat this disorder. In particular, the Committee encourages CDC to validate interventions focused on preventing mother-child transmission and other efforts targeted to the prevention of HBV, especially in the Asian American community. HIV/AIDS.--Within the amount made available for HIV/AIDS, all activities are funded at the fiscal year 2008 comparable level. HIV Testing.--The Committee recognizes that the domestic HIV/AIDS testing initiative has resulted in increased testing among African American populations. The Committee encourages CDC to expand this program to additional jurisdictions and recommends that CDC consider a similar campaign among other high risk populations. The Committee is supportive of CDC's promotion of rapid HIV tests in its HIV/AIDS testing activities. The Committee notes that in fiscal year 2008, six States were awarded incentive grants under the Early Diagnosis and Screening program authorized in section 2625 of the Public Health Service Act. The Committee has provided $30,000,000 in fiscal year 2009 for this program within the HIV testing funding. The funds may be awarded to States newly eligible for the program in fiscal year 2009. No State may be eligible for more than $1,000,000. The Committee intends that the amounts that have not been awarded by May 31, 2009 shall be awarded for other HIV testing programs. Microbicides.--The Committee requests the CDC include information in the fiscal year 2010 budget justification on the amount of anticipated and actual funding it allocates to activities related to research and development of microbicides for HIV prevention. Tuberculosis Control.--The Committee is pleased that the CDC increased the proportion of funding distributed based on a new funding formula within the TB Elimination and Laboratory Cooperative Agreements. The Committee supports the CDC distribution formula that would award funds in proportion to the number and complexity of TB cases in a jurisdiction. However, the proportion of funds distributed through the formula remains low (35 percent) and substantial inequities in tuberculosis funding persist. The Committee urges CDC to increase substantially the proportion distributed through the formula for the 2010-2014 Cooperative Agreement funding cycle. The Committee recognizes that some base level of funding outside of the formula should be maintained for jurisdictions with few cases in order to sustain a level of detection throughout the country. The Committee directs CDC to create a plan identifying the optimal proportion that should be distributed under the new funding formula. This report should be transferred to the Committee by March 1, 2009, prior to the Cooperative Agreement competitive renewal announcement for 2010-2014. The Committee recognizes that tuberculosis [TB] rates remain disproportionally high among African Americans and lower socio-economic groups and that TB in the foreign-born population continues to increase. The Committee encourages the CDC to develop and implement a new national plan to meet this continuing public health challenge. Immunization and Respiratory Diseases The Committee has included a program level of $684,634,000 for the activities of this Center in fiscal year 2009, the same as the comparable level for fiscal year 2008. The budget request included $686,465,000 for this Center. The Committee recommendation includes $12,794,000 in transfers available under section 241 of the Public Health Service Act. The Committee recommendation includes funding for the following activities in the following amounts: [In thousands of dollars] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fiscal year Activity 2008 Fiscal year Committee comparable 2009 budget recommendation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Section 317 Immunization Program................................ 465,901 465,002 465,901 Vaccine Purchase Grants..................................... 261,528 261,023 261,528 State Operations/Infrastructure Grants...................... 204,373 203,979 204,373 =============================================== Program Operations.............................................. 61,458 61,366 61,458 Vaccine Tracking............................................ 4,738 4,731 4,738 Prevention Activities....................................... 56,720 56,635 56,720 Vaccine Safety.......................................... 16,858 16,825 16,858 National Immunization Survey............................ 12,794 12,794 12,794 All Other Prevention Activities......................... 27,068 27,016 27,068 =============================================== Influenza....................................................... 157,275 160,097 157,275 Seasonal Influenza.......................................... 2,643 2,638 2,643 Pandemic Influenza.......................................... 154,632 157,459 154,632 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Committee is pleased that CDC has moved forward to provide funding to States or local organizations that receive section 317 immunization grant funds to develop community adolescent and adult immunization planning demonstrations to achieve 90 percent immunization coverage for vaccines routinely recommended for adolescents and adults, and encourages CDC to continue to support these efforts, including adult immunization coordinators, regional public health advisors, coverage monitoring, education/promotion programs for adolescent and adult immunizations, and vaccine purchase. These models should include existing and new efforts planned within existing resources; new activities needed and estimates for those needs. The Committee expects a status report by February 1, 2009, on these demonstrations. The Committee is also pleased with the report on estimated funding needs of the section 317 immunization program that CDC provided, and requests that the report be updated and submitted next year by February 1, 2009, to reflect fiscal year 2010 cost estimates. The updated report also should include an estimate of optimum State and local operations funding as well as CDC operations funding needed relative to current levels to conduct and support childhood, adolescent and adult programs. This estimate should include the cost of vaccine administration; surveillance and assessment of changes in immunization rates; vaccine storage, handling and quality assurance; implementation of centralized vaccine distribution and other vaccine business improvement practices; needs to support provider and public outreach and education on new vaccines; identification of barriers to immunization and strategies to address such barriers; maintenance, utilization, and enhancement of Immunization Information Systems including integration with public health preparedness and other public health information technology systems; innovative strategies to increase coverage rates in hard-to-reach populations and geographic pockets of need; vaccine safety and other non-vaccine resource needs of a comprehensive immunization program. Each of these activities is critical to ensuring the delivery of life-saving vaccines to our Nation. While the Committee understands that the 317 program does not pay administration fees, it is nonetheless an authorized expenditure, and the Committee expects this estimate to be included. The Committee encourages CDC to continue to close the vaccine gap for adults by continuing to support states in their use of section 317 vaccine funds to provide hepatitis B vaccinations to high-risk adults in settings such as STD clinics, HIV counseling and testing sites, correctional facilities and drug treatment clinics. HEALTH PROMOTION The Coordinating Center for Health Promotion includes the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention, Health Promotion and Genomics and the National Center for Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION, HEALTH PROMOTION AND GENOMICS The Committee has recommended $855,661,000 for chronic disease prevention, health promotion and genomics. The comparable level for fiscal year 2008 was $833,827,000 and the budget request for 2008 was $805,321,000. Within the total provided, the following amounts are available for the following categories of funding: [In thousands of dollars] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fiscal year Activity 2008 Fiscal year Committee comparable 2009 budget recommendation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Heart Disease and Stroke........................................ 50,101 48,838 51,701 Diabetes........................................................ 62,711 62,454 62,711 =============================================== Cancer Prevention and Control................................... 309,486 301,773 334,486 Breast and Cervical Cancer.................................. 200,832 200,004 200,832 WISEWOMAN (non-add)..................................... 18,598 18,521 18,598 Cancer Registries........................................... 46,366 46,176 46,366 Colorectal Cancer........................................... 13,974 13,917 38,974 Comprehensive Cancer........................................ 16,348 16,281 16,348 National Education Campaign for gynecologic cancer (non- 96 96 96 add)................................................... Johannas Law................................................ 6,466 .............. 6,466 Ovarian Cancer.............................................. 5,269 5,247 5,269 Prostate Cancer............................................. 13,245 13,191 13,245 Skin Cancer................................................. 1,876 1,868 1,876 Geraldine Ferraro Cancer Education Program.................. 4,331 4,313 4,331 Cancer Survivorship Resource Center......................... 779 776 779 =============================================== Arthritis and Other Chronic Diseases............................ 23,915 23,817 25,303 Arthritis................................................... 13,037 12,984 13,537 Epilepsy.................................................... 7,766 7,734 7,766 National Lupus Patient Registry............................. 3,112 3,099 4,000 =============================================== Tobacco......................................................... 104,164 103,737 106,164 =============================================== Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity........................ 42,191 42,018 44,191 Micronutrient Malnutrition.................................. 6,422 6,396 6,422 5-A Day Program (non-add)............................... 2,310 2,301 2,310 All Other Nutrition/PA/Obesity.............................. 35,769 35,622 37,769 =============================================== Health Promotion................................................ 28,977 24,210 26,253 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.................. 7,299 7,269 7,299 Community Health Promotion.................................. 6,412 6,386 6,412 Mind-Body Institute......................................... 1,719 .............. 1,719 Glaucoma.................................................... 3,344 3,330 3,344 Visual Screening Education.................................. 2,389 2,379 2,389 Alzheimers Disease.......................................... 1,576 1,570 1,800 Inflammatory Bowel Disease.................................. 667 664 667 Interstitial Cystitis....................................... 658 655 658 Chronic Kidney Disease...................................... 1,965 1,957 1,965 =============================================== School Health................................................... 54,323 53,612 54,323 Food Allergies (non-add).................................... 491 .............. 491 =============================================== Safe Motherhood/Infant Health................................... 42,347 42,174 42,347 Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (non-add)...................... 207 206 207 =============================================== Oral Health..................................................... 12,422 12,371 12,422 Prevention Centers.............................................. 29,131 29,012 31,131 Steps to a Healthier U.S........................................ 25,158 15,541 15,541 Racial and Ethnic Approach to Community Health [REACH].......... 33,860 33,721 33,860 =============================================== Genomics........................................................ 12,093 12,043 12,280 Primary Immune Deficiency Syndrome.......................... 2,913 2,901 3,100 Public Health Genomics...................................... 9,180 9,142 9,180 =============================================== Demonstration Project for Teen Pregnancy........................ 2,948 .............. 2,948 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Alzheimer's Disease.--Studies have indicated that cumulative risks for vascular disease and diabetes also increase the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer's disease. In 2005, the Committee called upon CDC to launch an Alzheimer's specific segment of the Healthy Aging Program, to educate aggressively the public and health professionals about ways to reduce the risks of developing Alzheimer's by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The Committee encourages CDC to support the evaluation of existing population-based surveillance systems, with a view toward developing a population-based surveillance system for cognitive decline, including Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Colorectal Cancer.--The Committee has included $25,000,000 to launch a nationwide colorectal screening program. The Committee notes that colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the Nation. Colorectal cancer first develops with few, if any, symptoms and 75 percent of colorectal cancers occur in people with no known risk factors. For those reasons, colorectal screening is a vital tool in saving lives. The CDC estimates that if every American were screened regularly, up to 60 percent of the over 55,000 annual deaths from this disease could be prevented. Since 2005, the CDC has conducted five community-based pilot programs to provide colorectal screening and diagnostic follow-up for Americans 50 years of age and older with little or no health coverage. The Committee believes that an investment in this kind of prevention is critical at a time when our Nation is aging and the cost of treatment is prohibitive for many. Funds should be made available for screening and diagnostic follow-up care. Chronic Kidney Disease.--The Committee supports continued planning for capacity and infrastructure at CDC for a kidney disease program and a CKD surveillance system. The Committee is pleased that CDC convened an expert panel on CKD, and encourages CDC to prioritize and begin implementation of the recommendations. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.--The Committee is pleased that the CDC has taken initial steps to collect COPD- related data in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The committee encourages CDC to consider expanding the data collection effort to other survey instruments including the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey and the National Health Interview Survey. The Committee is aware that Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) is the major identified genetic risk factor for developing COPD. The Committee encourages the development of a COPD program that considers genetic related COPD risk factors such as Alpha-1. Diabetes.--The Committee encourages CDC to expand the National Diabetes Education Program with the goal of expanding the availability of public awareness campaign to reach the millions of individuals and high risk populations who have unmanaged diabetes. Diabetes Epidemiology and Genetics.--The Committee supports the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study and the Genetics of Kidneys in Diabetes [GoKinD] Study, both of which have generated unique and valuable collections of biological samples from diabetic patients and their relatives. The Committee encourages the CDC to continue to ensure the availability and accessibility of the SEARCH and GoKinD biosample collections. Eating Disorders.--The Committee is pleased that the CDC has made data on eating disorders publicly available. In particular, the Committee appreciates the inclusion of NHANES data on eating behaviors and encourages the CDC to expand their analysis of those data to include disability estimates. The Committee is aware of several studies reporting a 6-10 percent mortality rate for Americans with eating disorders and urges the CDC to collaborate with eating disorders researchers in order to better understand the disparity between these studies and CDC reported morbidity and mortality, focusing on obtaining a clear picture of what might be barriers to the detection and reporting of eating disorders. Epilepsy.--The Committee supports the CDC's extramural program to train first-responders, educators, school nurses, employers, family caregivers and other health care professionals in the recognition, diagnosis and treatment of seizures. The Committee encourages the CDC to promote public awareness of research efforts for improving care and alleviating the effects of epilepsy. In addition, the Committee encourages the CDC to study the true impact the condition has on employment, school, social life, and general well being. Work should include the critical areas of research related to quality of life issues, help families understand the relationship of medications and co-morbid conditions to the disease, and will build a platform for a national call to action for additional training for schools, employers and adult day care providers. Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Information.--Food allergy is the leading cause of anaphylaxis, a severe, potentially life- threatening allergic reaction. Virtually all of these severe reactions can be prevented with proper education. In fiscal year 2008, the Committee encouraged CDC and included funding to create an information center on food allergy and anaphylaxis. The Committee requests a report from the CDC no later than April 1, 2009 outlining the status of the food allergy and anaphylaxis information center. Heart Disease and Stroke.--The Committee supports the CDC's effort to work collaboratively with States to establish a cardiovascular disease surveillance system to monitor and track these disorders at the National, State, and local levels. The Mississippi Delta Region experiences some of the Nation's highest rates of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, obesity, heart disease, and stroke. The Committee recognizes CDC's expertise in implementing research and programs to prevent the leading causes of death and disability. The Committee has provided a total of $3,000,000 to expand CDC's background community assessment of health and related social and environmental conditions in the Delta. Inflammatory Bowel Disease.--The Committee continues to support for CDC's inflammatory bowel disease epidemiology study and encourages the CDC to consider the establishment of a pediatric patient registry. Interstitial Cystitis.--The Committee has included funding to continue education outreach activities to healthcare providers. Lupus.--The Committee remains committed to the objective of developing reliable epidemiological data on the incidence and prevalence of all forms of lupus among various ethnic and racial groups. The Committee has included additional funding to continue to expand the CDC National Lupus Patient Registry and address the epidemiological gaps among Hispanics/Latinos, Asian Americans, and Native Americans. National Youth Fitness and Health Study.--Physical fitness, regular physical activity, and sound eating habits are essential for health and performance across the age span. However, little information is available on the current physical fitness levels, physical activity behaviors, and dietary habits of American youth. In fact, the last comprehensive assessment of the fitness and physical activity behaviors of American youth--the National Children and Youth Fitness Study [NCYFS]--was conducted more than 20 years ago and did not include assessment of dietary behaviors. Since then, the prevalence of obesity in children as well as adults has increased dramatically. Prior to the NCYFS in the mid-1980s, the United States had conducted decennial, national fitness studies in the mid-1950s, mid-1960s, and mid-1970s. After a more than 20 year gap, the Committee believes that repeating and enhancing this survey could be a critical effort towards improving the health of our nation's youth. The Committee encourages CDC to consider conducting this survey, and submit a plan with objectives and resource requirements to accomplish this study. Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity.--The Committee recognizes that food manufacturers, health organizations, foreign governments, and others have developed food-rating systems that use symbols on the fronts of food packages or on supermarket shelves to encourage consumers to choose healthier foods. The committee is concerned, however, that a proliferation of systems is contributing to consumer confusion. The Committee has provided $1,000,000 for a study by the Institute of Medicine [IOM] that will examine and provide recommendations regarding front-of-package nutrition symbols. These should include, but not be limited to, a review of systems being used by manufacturers, supermarkets, health organizations, and governments in the United States and abroad and the overall merits of front-label nutrition icons, the advantages and disadvantages of various approaches, and the potential benefits to consumers of a single, standardized front-label food guidance system regulated by the FDA. Based upon its work, the IOM should recommend one or several of the systems, along with means of maximizing the use and effectiveness of front-label symbols, that it has identified as best at promoting consumers' health. Office of Smoking and Health.--The Committee recognizes that efforts to reduce smoking and the health consequences of tobacco use are among the most effective and cost effective investments in prevention that can be made. The Committee is pleased with the work underway to expand the Environmental Health Laboratory's effort to analyze tobacco products and cigarette smoke based on the increase provided in fiscal year 2008. Because this work is an essential underpinning of efforts to protect the public from the health consequences of tobacco use, the Committee has provided an increase of $2,000,000 to expand the transfer to the Environmental Health Laboratory that supports this important work. The Committee notes that this increase is to be provided by OSH to the lab in a manner that supplements and in no way replaces existing funding for tobacco-related activities. Oral Health.--The Committee recognizes that to reduce disparities in oral disease will require additional and more effective efforts at the Federal, State, and local levels. The Committee has provided sufficient funding to continue grants to States that strengthen their capacities to assess the prevalence of oral diseases and the associated health burden; to target resources and interventions--including proven preventive strategies like school-linked sealant programs--to the underserved; and to evaluate changes in policies and programs. The Committee encourages the CDC to advance efforts to reduce the health disparities and burden from oral diseases, including those that are linked to chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Steps to a Healthier U.S.--The Committee supports the CDC's new model for the Steps to a Healthier U.S. program. Within the program, the Committee has included $3,000,000 for a community based grant program focusing on poor nutrition and physical inactivity. Priority in funding should go to applicants with a high degree of collaboration among community organizations, schools, county and municipal governments and business leaders. Underage Drinking Risk Monitoring Program.--The Committee supports the recommendations of the Surgeon General's Call to Action on Underage Drinking, including the call for ongoing independent monitoring of youth exposure to alcohol advertising. The Committee recognizes the importance of monitoring risk factors which science has demonstrated contribute to youth drinking, and therefore urges the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop and continue its work to monitor and report on the level of risk faced by youth from exposure to alcohol advertising. BIRTH DEFECTS, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, DISABILITY AND HEALTH The Committee has included $133,905,000 for birth defects, developmental disabilities, disability and health in fiscal year 2009. The comparable level for 2008 was $127,366,000 and the 2009 budget request was $126,752,000. Within the total provided, the following amounts are provided for the following categories of funding: [In thousands of dollars] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fiscal year Activity 2008 Fiscal year Committee comparable 2009 budget recommendation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities.................... 37,580 37,398 41,559 Birth Defects Base.......................................... 13,683 13,615 14,683 Craniofacial Malformation................................... 1,550 1,543 1,750 Fetal Death................................................. 844 840 844 Down Syndrome............................................... 918 914 918 Alveolar Capillary Dysplasia................................ 246 246 246 Fetal Alcohol Syndrome...................................... 10,112 10,063 10,112 Folic Acid.................................................. 2,221 2,210 3,300 Infant Health............................................... 8,006 7,967 8,006 =============================================== Human Development and Disability................................ 70,349 70,010 74,609 Human Development and Disability Base....................... 16,428 16,349 16,428 Tourette Syndrome........................................... 1,718 1,710 1,718 Early Hearing Detection and Intervention.................... 9,871 9,823 9,871 Muscular Dystrophy.......................................... 6,177 6,147 6,177 Healthy Athletes............................................ 5,437 5,411 5,437 Paralysis Resource Center................................... 5,727 5,699 5,727 Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.................... 1,746 1,738 1,746 Fragile X................................................... 1,828 1,819 1,900 Spina Bifida................................................ 5,205 5,180 5,205 Autism...................................................... 16,212 16,134 20,400 Autism Epidemiology & Surveillance...................... 13,741 13,675 17,929 Autism Awareness Campaign............................... 2,471 2,459 2,471 =============================================== Hereditary Blood Disorders...................................... 19,437 19,344 19,437 Blood Disorders Base........................................ 17,061 16,979 17,061 Thallasemia................................................. 1,860 1,851 1,860 Diamond Blackfan Anemia..................................... 516 514 516 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Autism.--Within the funds provided for autism surveillance and research programs, the Committee has included sufficient funding to restore the non-CADDRE Phase I Autism Development Disabilities Monitoring Centers. Birth Defects Surveillance.--The Committee notes the CDC's support of States to continue birth defects surveillance systems, programs to prevent birth defects and activities to improve access to health services for children with birth defects. The Committee encourages the CDC to expand the birth defects studied in the National Birth Defects Prevention Study to include single gene disorders, such as Fragile X. Blood Disorders.--The Committee is interested in CDC's efforts to develop a surveillance system on Deep Vein Thrombosis [DVT], blood clots in the leg that can cause significant morbidity and mortality, and notes that the CDC is working with partners to hold a workshop in 2008 to determine the elements of such a system. The Committee requests an update on the recommendations of the workshop and the resources needed to implement a national thrombosis surveillance system. Craniofacial Malformation.--The Committee intends that the increase provided be used first for the development of web- based continuing medical education for healthcare professionals that interface with patients with cleft lip and palate and their families. Second, the funds should be used for the planning and hosting of a national scientific conference to draft best practices guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and long-term management of children with craniosynostosis and deformational plagiocephaly. Finally, the funds should be used to disseminate the guidelines, and to develop a reporting instrument to evaluate the care of children with craniosynostosis. Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy.--The Committee requests a report by April 1, 2009 on the outcomes and findings to date of the Muscular Dystrophy Surveillance Tracking and Research Network regarding early diagnostic symptoms, incidence, racial and ethnic differences, medical care and services, and related issues for individuals with DBMD. Folic Acid.--The Committee is concerned about the disparity in the rates of folic acid intake and neural tube defects, particularly in the Hispanic population. Within the funds provided, the Committee intends that the folic acid education campaign be continued at the same level as in fiscal year 2008. The Committee encourages CDC to inform as many women as possible, particularly nonpregnant Hispanic women and women between the ages of 18 and 24, as well as healthcare providers about the benefits of folic acid. In addition, the Committee is aware of research being done in the United Kingdom which appears to dispel some of the basis for earlier hesitation to expand folic acid fortification into corn-based food products consumed at a higher rate by the Hispanic community. The Committee has included additional funding for the CDC to explore the scientific benefits and concerns about expanding fortification in the United States. The Committee urges the CDC to work closely with the National Institutes of Health, the Surgeon General and the Food and Drug Administration. Fragile X.--The Committee has provided additional funding to support CDC's continuation of public health activities related to Fragile X. The Committee is concerned that previously allocated funds may have been used for general purposes rather than Fragile X-specific priorities. The Committee urges CDC to focus its efforts on creating positive outcomes for families by increasing epidemiological research, surveillance, and screening efforts to ensure the timely screening, diagnosis, and introduction of early interventions for individuals living with Fragile X. Hydrocephalus.--The Committee encourages CDC to increase awareness of the medical issues, prevalence, and societal cost associated with hydrocephalus. Marfan Syndrome.--The Committee continues to be interested in Marfan syndrome, a degenerative connective tissue disorder that can result in sudden loss of life from aortic aneurysms. Many individuals affected by Marfan syndrome are undiagnosed or misdiagnosed until they experience a cardiac complication. The Committee encourages CDC to increase awareness of this disease among the general public and health care providers. Further, the Committee requests that CDC coordinate with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to ensure that patients and health care providers are aware of the most cutting edge treatments and interventions available to them. Spina Bifida.--The Committee encourages the CDC to continue to collaborate with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to develop a national spina bifida patient registry. HEALTH INFORMATION AND SERVICE The Coordinating Center for Health Information and Services includes the National Center for Health Statistics [NCHS], a National Center for Health Marketing, and a National Center for Public Health Informatics. The Committee recommends a program level of $284,355,000 for Health Information and Service related activities at the CDC, the same as the 2009 budget request. The fiscal year 2008 comparable program level was $276,777,000. The Committee intends that all activities be funded at the budget request level. Health Statistics CDC's statistics give context and perspective on which to base important public health decisions. By aggregating the experience of individuals, CDC gains a collective understanding of health, collective experience with the health care system, and public health challenges. NCHS data are used to create a basis for comparisons between population groups or geographic areas, as well as an understanding of how trends in health change and develop over time. The Committee commends the NCHS for fulfilling its mission as the Nation's premier 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 the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey [NHANES] and the National Health Interview Study [HIS], accessible to the public as soon as possible. Data Disaggregation.--The Committee is concerned that certain ethnic minority populations in the United States, particularly the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities, may be under-represented in data collection efforts. The Committee encourages NCHS where statistically possible to develop baseline and disaggregated health information on our Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. Hypertension.--The Committee encourages the CDC to support the measurement of central blood pressure and arterial stiffness both in children and adults in the next National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. This type of measurement may provide a more accurate understanding of the prevalence of hypertension and lead to more effective campaigns to treat this disease and prevent the onset of related chronic conditions. Nutritional Monitoring.--The Committee strongly supports national nutrition monitoring activities, continuously conducted jointly between the CDC and the Agricultural Research Service at USDA. This data collection supports management decisionmaking and research needed to address and improve the crisis of obesity, nutrition-related diseases, physical inactivity, food insecurity, and the poor nutritional quality of the American diet, as well as provide the data needed to protect the public against environmental pathogens and contaminants. Vital Statistics.--The Committee again encourages CDC to develop a plan to support directly jurisdictions as they implement electronic systems that will improve the timeliness, quality, and security of birth and death data, and report back to the Committee on the plan. Public Health Informatics Information systems and information technology are critical to the practice of public health. CDC activities reflect ongoing efforts to build a national network of public health information systems that will enhance public health partner capabilities in detection and monitoring, surveillance, data analysis and interpretation, and other public health activities. Health Marketing CDC links directly with the people whose health it is trying to improve. This activity uses commercial, nonprofit, and public service marketing practices to better understand people's health-related needs and preferences; to motivate changes in behaviors; and to enhance CDC's partnerships with public and private organizations to more effectively accomplish health protection and improvement. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND INJURY PREVENTION The Coordinating Center for Environmental Health and Injury Prevention includes the National Center for Environmental Health, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. The Committee recommends $293,502,000 for environmental health and injury prevention related activities at the CDC. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $289,323,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 was $270,872,000. Environmental Health Many of the public health successes that were achieved in the 20th century can be traced to innovations in environmental health practices. However, emerging pathogens and environmental toxins continue to pose risks to our health and significant challenges to public health. The task of protecting people's health from hazards in their environment requires a broad set of tools. First among these tools are surveillance and data collection to determine which substances in the environment are getting into people and to what degree. It also must be determined whether or not these substances are harmful to humans, and at what level of exposure. The Committee recommends $156,665,000 for Environmental Health in fiscal year 2009. The fiscal year 2008 comparable funding level is $154,486,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 is $136,606,000. The Committee recommendation includes funding for the following activities: [In thousands of dollars] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fiscal year Activity 2008 Fiscal year Committee comparable 2009 budget recommendation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Environmental Health Laboratory................................. 33,797 26,110 33,797 Newborn Screening Quality Assurance Program (non-add)....... 6,878 .............. 6,878 Newborn Screening for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency 983 .............. 983 Diseases (non-add)......................................... =============================================== Environmental Health Activities................................. 120,689 110,496 122,868 Arctic Health............................................... 292 289 292 Safe Water.................................................. 7,199 .............. 7,199 Volcanic Emissions.......................................... 98 97 98 Environmental and Health Outcome Tracking Network........... 23,831 23,608 23,831 Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Registry [ALS]................ 2,821 863 5,000 All Other Environmental Health Activities................... 86,448 85,639 86,448 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Registry.--The Committee is pleased with CDC's work toward developing a nationwide ALS registry that will estimate the incidence and prevalence of the disease, promote a better understanding of the disease, and provide data that will be useful for research on improving disease management and developing standards of care. The Committee believes that a registry that includes other neurodegenerative disorders will provide a key resource for efforts to understanding the biology and epidemiology of ALS. The Committee intends that funds be used to design a registry that will be of use to biomedical researchers working in the field. Asthma.--The Committee applauds the CDC for convening the 2007 asthma policy meeting to facilitate the coordination of Federal initiatives on asthma treatment and prevention. The Committee encourages the CDC to develop evidence-based best practices for policy interventions that will reduce asthma morbidity and mortality, with specific emphasis on indoor and outdoor air pollution. In addition, the Committee is pleased with the efforts that the CDC has taken to monitor lung function and other asthma interventions for Native Hawaiian children. Biomonitoring.--The Committee applauds the CDC's biomonitoring efforts. CDC's National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals is a significant information database that provides invaluable information for setting research priorities and for tracking trends in human exposures over time. The Committee encourages the CDC to implement the July 2006 recommendations of the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences with regard to enhancement of efforts to communicate biomonitoring results in context. Among other activities, CDC should develop communications principles, guidelines and case studies that can be applied both within CDC and to biomonitoring efforts at the State level. Nontuberculous Mycobacteria [NTM].--The Committee encourages the CDC to identify the internal leadership and CDC staff responsible for analyzing research and epidemiology studies regarding NTM prevalence, geographic, demographic and host specific data. Injury Prevention and Control CDC is the lead Federal agency for injury prevention and control. Programs are designed to prevent premature death and disability and reduce human suffering and medical costs caused by: fires and burns; poisoning; drowning; violence; lack of bicycle helmet use; lack of seatbelt and proper baby seat use; and other injuries. The national injury control program at CDC encompasses non-occupational injury and applied research in acute care and rehabilitation of the injured. Funds are utilized for both intramural and extramural research as well as assisting State and local health agencies in implementing injury prevention programs. The Committee recognizes the vital role CDC serves as a focal point for all Federal injury control activities. The Committee recommends $136,837,000 for injury prevention and control activities at the CDC. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level is $134,837,000 The budget request for 2009 was $134,266,000. The Committee recommendation includes funding for the following activities: [In thousands of dollars] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fiscal year Activity 2008 Fiscal year Committee comparable 2009 budget recommendation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Intentional Injury.............................................. 100,134 99,710 102,134 Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence....................... 27,046 26,931 27,046 DV and SV Base.......................................... 19,216 19,134 19,216 Child Maltreatment...................................... 7,086 7,056 7,086 DV and SV NVDRS......................................... 744 741 744 Youth Violence Prevention................................... 23,268 23,169 24,268 Youth Violence NVDRS (non-add).......................... 2,477 2,466 2,477 Domestic Violence Community Projects........................ 5,021 5,000 5,021 Rape Prevention............................................. 42,016 41,838 43,016 All Other Intentional Injury................................ 2,783 2,772 2,783 =============================================== Unintentional Injury............................................ 34,703 34,556 34,703 Traumatic Brain Injury [TBI]................................ 5,709 5,685 5,709 All Other Unintentional Injury.............................. 28,994 28,871 28,994 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Domestic Violence.--The Committee is pleased with the work of the community-based Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancement and Leadership Through Alliances [DELTA] program and encourages CDC to continue this important program. Falls Prevention.--The Committee is pleased that CDC has developed a strong falls prevention and safety program to teach older Americans how to prevent falls and that it is also working to prevent traumatic brain injury among older adults. National Violent Death Reporting System.--The Committee urges the CDC to continue to work with private health and education agencies as well as State agencies in the development and implementation of this injury reporting system. Trauma Centers.--The Committee encourages CDC to develop and disseminate best practice guidelines in the field of acute trauma care. OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH The Committee recommends a program level of $390,788,000 for occupational safety and health programs. The fiscal year 2008 program level was $437,313,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 was $326,411,000. The Committee recommendation includes $94,969,000 in transfers available under section 241 of the Public Health Service Act and $55,358,000 in mandatory funding. Sufficient funding has been provided to maintain staffing levels at the Morgantown facility and increase research funding at that facility. The CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [NIOSH] is the only Federal agency responsible for conducting research and making recommendations for the prevention of work-related illness and injury. The NIOSH mission spans the spectrum of activities necessary for the prevention of work-related illness, injury, disability, and death by gathering information, conducting scientific biomedical research (both applied and basic), and translating the knowledge gained into products and services that impact workers in settings from corporate offices to construction sites to coal mines. The Committee recommendation includes funding for the following activities at the following amounts: [In thousands of dollars] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fiscal year Activity 2008 Fiscal year Committee comparable 2009 budget recommendation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Education and Research Centers.................................. 21,425 19,234 23,425 Personal Protective Technology.................................. 12,804 12,353 15,000 Healthier Workforce Centers..................................... 2,500 .............. 4,000 National Occupational Research Agenda [NORA].................... 107,389 99,235 107,389 Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program .............. .............. 55,358 [mandatory].................................................... World Trade Center.............................................. 51,583 25,000 51,583 Mining Research................................................. 49,126 37,064 50,000 Mining Safety Supplemental (non-add)........................ .............. .............. .............. Other Occupational Safety and Health Research................... 80,627 78,167 83,033 Miners Choice (non-add)..................................... 641 621 641 National Mesothelioma Registry and Tissue Bank (non-add).... 989 959 989 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act [EEOICPA].--The Committee has adopted the administration's proposal to eliminate the transfer of funds from the Department of Labor and fund the NIOSH responsibilities under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness program directly in fiscal year 2009. The Committee intends that the Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health be funded at no less than last year's level. Pandemic Influenza.--The Committee has included an additional $1,000,000 for NIOSH research on modes of transmission of influenza and to develop the next generation of effective personal protective equipment for healthcare workers and first responders. The Institute of Medicine, at the request of the Secretary, has conducted a study on the personal protective equipment needed by healthcare workers in the event of an influenza pandemic and concluded that the current paucity of knowledge on influenza transmission is hindering prevention efforts and requires expeditious research. Worker Injury Statistics.--The Committee strongly supports the work NIOSH is doing to supplement the National Health Information Survey to gain an understanding of the extent and potential causes of worker illness and injuries that go unreported in the Federal occupational injury reports. The Committee recommendation includes an additional $500,000 to do follow-up studies on the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. The Committee is particularly concerned with injuries experienced in the self-employed population. In addition, the Committee notes that while there is much attention paid to acute injuries and illnesses at work places, there is less focus on how chronic illnesses intersect with workplaces. The Committee encourages NIOSH to consider developing a research agenda with this in mind. Finally, the Committee encourages NIOSH to continue to work with the Bureau of Labor Statistics to improve the statistics that direct Federal enforcement and compliance efforts aimed at preventing illness and injury at our Nation's workplaces. Worklife Initiative.--The Committee strongly supports the CDC's decision to begin this important research with the awarding of the three new Centers of Excellence to Promote a Healthier Workforce. This network is designed to facilitate the integration of health protection and health promotion in the workplace. The Committee has included sufficient resources to fully fund the existing centers and expand this network dedicated to research, education and translation programs. As this network begins to focus on chronic illness in the workplace, the Committee encourages researchers to collaborate with other parts of NIOSH to explore the best methods for improving our Nation's workplace illness surveillance systems with respect to less acute illnesses. World Trade Center Health Monitoring.--The Committee strongly supports treatment services for residents, students, and other non-responders whose health has been adversely affected as a result of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. The Committee is concerned that these individuals may not be receiving the treatment provided for in previous appropriations. The Committee directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, within 90 days of the date of enactment of this act, to provide a report to the Committee detailing the activities and services provided to residents, students, and other non-responders. GLOBAL HEALTH The Committee recommends $312,301,000 for global health- related activities at the CDC in fiscal year 2009. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $302,371,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 was $302,025,000. The Office of Global Health leads and coordinates CDC's global programs to promote health and prevent disease in the United States and abroad, including ensuring rapid detection and response to emerging health threats. The Committee recommendation includes funding for the following activities in the following amounts: [In thousands of dollars] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fiscal year Activity 2008 Fiscal year Committee comparable 2009 budget recommendation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Global AIDS Program............................................. 118,863 118,727 118,863 =============================================== Global Immunization Program..................................... 139,851 139,691 143,826 Polio Eradication........................................... 98,025 97,913 102,000 Other Global/Measles........................................ 41,826 41,778 41,826 =============================================== Global Disease Detection........................................ 31,445 31,409 36,000 Global Malaria Program.......................................... 8,696 8,686 10,096 Other Global Health............................................. 3,516 3,512 3,516 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Global Disease Detection.--The Committee is pleased with work of the Global Disease Detection Centers and has included additional funding for new centers. Global Health Programs.--The Committee commends the efforts of the CDC's Global AIDS and Global Malaria Programs in implementing PEPFAR and the President's Malaria Initiative [PMI]. The Committee encourages global AIDS and malaria program activities beyond PEPFAR and PMI countries. Global Malaria.--The Committee commends the CDC's contribution to global fight against malaria and recognizes that CDC supports prevention and control of malaria throughout the world working in local, State, Federal, and international partnerships. As the United States increases its investment in malaria prevention and control, CDC's technical expertise and experience in program implementation is increasingly more vital. Insecticide resistance and drug resistance have the real potential to compromise global malaria efforts and point to the need for the development and testing of new technologies and materials for insecticide treated nets and new anti-malarial therapies. The Committee encourages the CDC to expand these research efforts, including the areas of Insecticide Treated Bed Nets and Intermittent Preventative Treatment in pregnancy. The Committee also urges the CDC to expand its technical assistance, monitoring and evaluation efforts, in particular its assistance to the President's Malaria Initiative, the World Bank, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, and other malaria control initiatives. These programs are in need of greater expertise and capacity in monitoring and evaluation to support documentation of impact of efforts. Finally, the Committee is concerned that while there have been much-need increases in funding for malaria efforts in Africa, that there must also be attention paid to malaria control efforts in Asia and the Americas. CDC should play an active role in these efforts. In addition, the Committee encourages CDC to continue its ongoing support of research and development toward new anti- malarial drugs. TERRORISM The Committee provides $1,508,123,000 for CDC terrorism preparedness activities. The comparable fiscal year 2008 level was $1,479,454,000 and the administration requested $1,419,264,000 for these activities in fiscal year 2009. The Committee recommendation includes funding for the following activities in the following amounts: [In thousands of dollars] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fiscal year Activity 2008 Fiscal year Committee comparable 2009 budget recommendation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Upgrading State and Local Capacity.............................. 746,039 609,385 746,039 Bioterrorism Cooperative Agreement.......................... 700,465 570,903 700,465 Centers for Public Health Preparedness...................... 28,555 28,501 28,555 Advanced Practice Centers................................... 5,261 .............. 5,261 All Other State and Local Capacity.......................... 11,758 9,981 11,758 Upgrading CDC Capacity.......................................... 120,744 131,071 120,744 Anthrax......................................................... 7,882 7,867 7,882 =============================================== Biosurveillance Initiative...................................... 53,281 100,634 63,151 BioSense.................................................... 34,389 49,905 34,389 Quarantine.................................................. 9,870 43,273 19,740 Real-time Lab Reporting..................................... 9,022 7,456 9,022 Strategic National Stockpile.................................... 551,509 570,307 570,307 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State and Local Capacity.--The Committee continues to recognize that bioterrorism events and other public health emergencies 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 is concerned that some current performance measures may overlook the distinctive responsibilities of local health departments and their communities. The Committee urges the Department to assure that performance metrics intended to measure public health preparedness include evidence-based measures that can be scaled to measure the performance of local health departments in the context of their own communities' emergency management systems. PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH Public Health Research.--The Committee has provided $31,000,000 to fund the Public Health Research program. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level and 2009 budget request were also $31,000,000. The Committee is strongly supportive of public health and prevention research, which bridges the gap between medical research discoveries and behaviors that people adopt by identifying the best strategies for detecting new diseases, assessing the health status of populations, motivating healthy lifestyles, communicating effective health promotion messages, and acquiring and disseminating information in times of crisis. PUBLIC HEALTH IMPROVEMENT AND LEADERSHIP The Committee provides $203,448,000 for public health improvement and leadership activities at the CDC. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $224,899,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 was $182,143,000. The Committee recommendation includes funding for the following activities in the following amounts: [In thousands of dollars] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fiscal year Activity 2008 Fiscal year Committee comparable 2009 budget recommendation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leadership and Management....................................... 158,255 149,332 149,332 Director's Discretionary Fund................................... 5,895 .............. 5,895 Public Health Workforce Development............................. 34,009 32,811 34,009 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In addition, the Committee has included sufficient funding for the following projects in the following amounts for fiscal year 2009: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Committee Project recommendation ------------------------------------------------------------------------ A Voice for All, Wilmington, DE, for speech and $400,000 language evaluations for persons with disabilities... Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, Philadelphia, PA, 100,000 for a college student health screening program....... Boys and Girls Club of Alaska, Anchorage, AK, for a 750,000 rural Alaska youth fitness initiative................ Cascade AIDS, Portland, OR, for HIV/AIDS education, 200,000 outreach and prevention services..................... Clearbrook, Inc., Wilkes Barre, PA, for substance 100,000 abuse and treatment program.......................... Community Health Centers in Hawaii for Childhood Rural 175,000 Asthma Project, Honolulu, HI, for childhood rural asthma project....................................... Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Foundation, Avon, CT, for 250,000 awareness and education activities................... Drexel University School of Public Health, 262,000 Philadelphia, PA, to investigate a polycythemia vera cluster in Northeast, Pennsylvania................... Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems, Brewer, ME, for a 300,000 childhood obesity program............................ Friends of the Congressional Glaucoma Caucus 100,000 Foundation, Lake Success, NY, for the New Jersey Mobile Glaucoma Screening Program.................... Grinnell Regional Medical Center, Grinnell, IA, for a 250,000 wellness initiative.................................. Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, NJ, 100,000 for a study on possible environmental factors of autism and neurodevelopmental disorders in New Jersey Healthy Northeast Pennsylvania Initiative, Clarks 100,000 Summit, PA, for obesity prevention and education programs............................................. International Rett Syndrome Foundation [IRSF], 150,000 Richmond, VA, for a health education program......... Iowa Chronic Care Consortium, Des Moines, Iowa, for a 200,000 preventative health demonstration program............ Iowa Department of Public Health, Des Moines, IA, to 1,000,000 continue the Harkin Wellness Grant program........... Kaweah Delta Hospital Foundation, Visalia, CA, for a 100,000 comprehensive asthma management program.............. La Crosse County Health Department, La Crosse, WI, for 350,000 a program to prevent childhood obesity............... Latino Leadership Alliance Foundation, New Brunswick, 200,000 NJ, to establish a Latino Leadership Alliance Health Initiative that will educate and inform the Latino Community on the importance of proper preventive health care.......................................... Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Baton Rouge, LA, to 300,000 expand early detection cancer screenings............. Mount Sinai, New York, NY, for firefighter and 400,000 emergency responder health monitoring program in Louisiana............................................ Nevada Cancer Institute, Las Vegas, NV, for equipment 400,000 and screening services............................... New England Coalition for Health Promotion and Disease 100,000 Prevention, Providence, RI, for continued development of obesity and disease prevention programs........... Oglala Sioux Tribe, Pine Ridge, SD, for the Oyate Bli 400,000 Helya diabetes program............................... Ohio Patient Safety Institute, Columbus, OH, for 200,000 patient safety programs.............................. Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition, Ephrata, PA, for 50,000 breast cancer awareness outreach..................... Providence Health Care System, Portland, OR, for a 200,000 multiple sclerosis registry.......................... Rich Center for Autism/Youngstown State University, 100,000 Youngstown, OH, to improve outreach and early treatment interventions for children with autism..... Saint Elizabeth's Hospital of Wabasha, Inc., Wabasha, 100,000 MN, to expand primary prevention services and chronic disease management programs.......................... Shelburne Farms, Shelburne, VT, for nutritional 500,000 educational programming.............................. South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, for 300,000 multidisciplinary research on health promotion....... Southeastern Center for Emerging Biologic Threats, 100,000 Emory University, Atlanta, GA, for programs related to bioterrorism and emerging biologic threats........ Southern Nevada Health District, Las Vegas, NV, for 550,000 management of the hepatitis C outbreak in Southern Nevada............................................... St. Louis Regional Asthma Consortium, St. Louis, MO, 750,000 for asthma management for at-risk children........... State of Alaska Department of Health and Social 500,000 Services, Anchorage, AK, for a program to prevent, control, and reduce incidence of obesity............. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, 300,000 TX, for the Center for Border Health Research........ University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 325,000 conjunction with East Carolina University, Chapel Hill, NC, to study racial disparities in cardiovascular disease............................... University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, to 300,000 support and expand public health training programs... Wheeling Jesuit University, Wheeling, WV, for the 3,000,000 Mining and Industry Safety Technology and Training Innovation Center.................................... Yale New Haven Health System, New Haven, CT, for 250,000 emergency preparedness education and training activities at the Connecticut Center for Public Health Preparedness.................................. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Leadership and Management Savings.--The Committee strongly believes that as large a portion as possible of CDC funding should go to programs and initiatives that improve the health and safety of Americans. To facilitate this goal, any savings in leadership and management may be reallocated to the Director's Discretionary Fund upon notification of the Committee. PREVENTIVE HEALTH AND HEALTH SERVICES BLOCK GRANT The Committee has provided $97,270,000 for the Preventive Health and Health Services Block grant. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $97,270,000 and the administration did not request any funding for this program in fiscal year 2009. The block grant provides funding for primary prevention activities and health services that address urgent health problems in local communities. This flexible source of funding can be used to target concerns where other funds do not exist or where they are inadequate to address the extent of the health problem. The grants are made to the 50 States, the District of Columbia, 2 American Indian tribes, and 8 U.S. territories. BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES The Committee has provided $150,000,000 for the continuation of CDC's Buildings and Facilities Master Plan in Atlanta, Georgia. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $55,022,000 and the budget request or fiscal year 2009 did not include funds for this activity. The Committee has again provided bill language to allow CDC to enter into a single contract or related contracts for the full scope of development and construction of facilities and instructs CDC to utilize this authority, when necessary, in constructing the Atlanta facilities. The Committee intends that $30,000,000 be used for nationwide repairs and improvements; $71,300,000 shall be for the completion of Building 24 on the Royball campus; $1,500,000 for facilities and equipment at the CDC lab in Ft. Collins, Colorado; and the remainder shall be to begin planning and construction of Buildings 107 and 108 on the Chamblee campus. BUSINESS SERVICES AND SUPPORT The Committee provides $337,906,000 for business services support functions at the CDC. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $371,847,000 and the administration requested $337,906,000 for fiscal year 2009. These funds will be used to support CDC-wide support functions. The Committee instructs the CDC not to tap programs to make up for the cuts to this function. National Institutes of Health The Committee has sounded the alarm for more Federal biomedical research funding for several years, and the situation is now at a crisis point. Since the end of the 5-year doubling effort, in fiscal year 2003, funding for the National Institutes of Health [NIH] has declined, in real terms, by 12.3 percent. The average researcher now has a less than 1 in 5 chance of getting an NIH grant application approved, and the average age at which researchers receive their first RO1 grant has risen to 42. It is little wonder that many young scientists are balking at a career in biomedical research, putting our Nation at risk of losing a generation of talented investigators who could pursue treatments and cures. Meanwhile, several other countries are ramping up their investments in biomedical research and threatening the leadership of the United States in this field. Regrettably, the administration's budget ignores these warning signs and proposes to freeze NIH funding at the fiscal year 2008 level of $29,229,524,000. Under this plan, the success rate for research project grants would fall to 18 percent, the lowest level on record. In real terms, NIH funding would be reduced by more than $1,000,000,000. The Bush budget also proposes eliminating all funding for the National Children's Study, for which Congress has already appropriated approximately $212,300,000 since fiscal year 2004. The Committee rejects the administration's approach and instead recommends an overall NIH funding increase of $1,025,000,000, for a total of $30,254,524,000. That amount would allow NIH funding to keep up with the biomedical inflation rate (3.5 percent) for the first time in 6 years. It would also increase the estimated number of new, competing research project grants to 10,471--the most ever at NIH. The recommended level includes $192,300,000, an increase of $81,400,000 over the fiscal year 2008 appropriation of $110,900,000, for the National Children's Study, to ensure that the study's implementation stays on track. The Committee also fully funds the budget request of $300,000,000 for transfer to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The fiscal year 2008 transfer was $294,759,000. The Committee recommends $568,119,000 for the Common Fund. The fiscal year 2008 level was $495,608,000, and the budget request is $533,877,000. The Committee intends that much of the increase will be used to support new investigators and high risk/high reward research, as described later in this report under the section on the Office of the Director. Report Language Format.--The Committee made changes to the report language format this year with the goal of reducing the overall length and consolidating the Committee's recommendations for individual diseases and conditions in a limited number of locations. For example, report language for some items is now located entirely in the Office of the Director rather than distributed among multiple Institutes and Centers [ICs]. The purpose of this change is to streamline the report, not to imply that the Office of the Director bears the total responsibility for addressing the Committee's recommendations. ICs are advised, therefore, that language which is relevant to their missions may be found in sections other than their own, and that they should give all relevant language the same weight regardless of where it is located in the report. NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE Appropriations, 2008.................................... $4,805,088,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 4,809,819,000 Committee recommendation................................ 4,958,594,000 Much progress has been made in the fight against cancer, yet the disease continues to exact an enormous toll. In 2008, it is estimated that cancer will claim over 565,000 Americans-- 1,500 a day. The annual costs for cancer care in this country exceed $200,000,000,000. And while cancer death rates have declined for each of the past 3 years, cancer remains the leading cause of death for Americans under the age of 85. Therefore, the Committee recommendation for the NIH includes a special emphasis on cancer research. The Committee recommends an appropriation of $4,958,594,000 for the National Cancer Institute [NCI]. The budget request was $4,809,819,000. The fiscal year 2008 appropriation was $4,805,088,000. Bone Cancer.--The NCI is encouraged to enhance its research program in osteosarcoma biology through exploratory and other grant mechanisms emphasizing the following priorities: development of suitable genetic and orthotopic models, studies on the role the tumor microenvironment plays in tumor progression, the identification of tumor progenitor cells and the biology of tumor invasion. The NCI is also urged to support research on the development of clinically relevant experimental models of tumor dormancy, studies on dormant tumor cells and their interaction with the microenvironment, and identification of factors that trigger dormancy of invasive tumor cells or activation of dormant cells. Decisionmaking.--The Committee applauds the NCI for supporting research on decisionmaking processes as they relate to cancer, which will help people make better informed choices about cancer prevention and screening. Health Communication.--The Committee encourages the NCI to continue its investment in the Health Information National Trends Survey [HINTS], and to consider expanding the survey to track how public information campaigns may influence attitudes about cancer screening and vaccines. Liver Cancer.--The Committee continues to urge the NCI to develop a comprehensive research program to slow the incidence of primary liver cancer and to develop viable treatment options that will improve survivability. The Committee urges more programs aimed at the discovery of new interventions for the early detection, management and treatment of cancer associated with hepatitis. The Early Detection Research Network continues to be an impressive and productive programmatic model. Lung Cancer.--The Committee encourages the NCI to expand its research to improve lung cancer diagnosis and treatment and undertake additional research to better understand the role gender plays in this disease. Melanoma.--The Committee is aware of the ongoing dialogue between the NCI and the advocacy and extramural research community on prioritizing NIH-funded melanoma research, most recently with the 2007 ``Community-Oriented Strategic Action Plan for Melanoma Research.'' The Committee encourages the NCI to better target its funds in three categories: targeted therapies in melanoma; host response in melanoma; and prevention, including exploring the feasibility of a randomized trial of screening for melanoma. NCI Community Cancer Centers Program.--The Committee commends the NCI for launching the NCI Community Cancer Centers Program [NCCCP] early in 2007. The NCCCP, now in a 3-year pilot phase, seeks to bring more Americans into a system of high- quality cancer care, increase participation in clinical trials, reduce cancer healthcare disparities, and improve information sharing among community cancer centers. The program encourages collaboration of private-practice medical, surgical, and radiation oncologists as well as providing links to NCI research and the NCI-designated Cancer Centers. The Committee supports these goals and encourages the NCI to continue supporting this program. Neuroblastoma.--The Committee urges the NCI to significantly expand its research portfolio on neuroblastoma, with a focus on clinical trials for high-risk patients. Given the poor survival rates for children with advanced disease, the Committee encourages the NCI to prioritize support for all promising neuroblastoma research in this population, both inside and outside of the Children's Oncology Group. Pancreatic Cancer.--The Committee notes that less than 2 percent of NCI's budget is devoted to pancreatic cancer research, even though this form of cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related death. The Committee strongly urges the NCI to assign more resources to launch a pancreatic cancer- specific research and training initiative, including the establishment of a prioritized research plan that includes exception funding for grants that are pancreatic cancer focused, strengthening and expanding the SPOREs, and instituting training mechanisms designed to stimulate clinical and translational career development. The Committee expects the NCI to be prepared to provide a detailed accounting of resources targeted principally on pancreatic cancer research before the fiscal year 2010 budget hearing. Pediatric Cancer.--The Committee urges the NCI to expand and intensify pediatric cancer research, including laboratory research to identify and evaluate potential therapies, preclinical testing, and clinical trials through cooperative clinical trials groups. Such research should include research on the causes, prevention, diagnosis, recognition, treatment, and late effects of pediatric cancer. Prostate Cancer Imaging.--The Committee is aware of the potential of prostate imaging to improve early diagnosis and minimally invasive treatment of prostate cancer, and it encourages the NCI to provide additional funding for research and the development of technologies for prostate cancer detection and treatment, comparable to state-of-the-art mammograms. Vaccine Research.--The Committee recognizes that aspects of science surrounding an HIV vaccine and cancer vaccines contain many similarities and synergies. Therefore, the Committee urges the NCI to incorporate the development of an HIV vaccine into cancer vaccine research efforts. The Committee also supports new partnerships between the NCI and Institutes that are capable of supporting a joint HIV/cancer vaccine program. In addition, the Committee urges the OAR to increase HIV/AIDS funding at the NCI. NATIONAL HEART, LUNG, AND BLOOD INSTITUTE Appropriations, 2008.................................... $2,922,112,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 2,924,942,000 Committee recommendation................................ 3,006,344,000 The Committee recommendation includes $3,006,344,000 for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [NHLBI]. The fiscal year 2008 appropriation was $2,922,112,000 and the budget request is $2,924,942,000. Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency.--The Committee encourages the NHLBI to work with the Office of Rare Disorders to establish a treatment algorithm for Alpha-1 antitrypsin-related disease to help assist physicians in correctly diagnosing it. Bleeding and Clotting Disorders.--The Committee encourages the NHLBI to continue its commitment to research in bleeding and clotting disorders by focusing on improved and novel therapies and maintaining its collaborative relationship with patient advocacy groups and the scientific and medical research community. Cardiovascular Diseases.--The Committee applauds the NHLBI for the development and launch of its Institute-wide strategic plan and believes that research on heart disease and other cardiovascular diseases must be a top priority within the Institute. The Committee supports an increase in funding and resources for cardiovascular research, including support of current studies to enhance the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and research to explore new and promising scientific opportunities. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease [COPD].--The Committee applauds the NHLBI for implementing the COPD Awareness Campaign and increasing its investment in COPD research. The Committee is concerned about the growing number of women dying from COPD, and it encourages additional research on the role that gender plays in this disease. Congenital Heart Disease.--The Committee continues to urge the NHLBI to work with patient associations, other appropriate NIH Institutes, and the CDC to develop education and research initiatives targeted to the life-long needs of congenital heart defect survivors. Diamond-Blackfan Anemia [DBA].--The Committee encourages the NHLBI to continue and expand its research initiative into DBA. Lymphangioleiomyomatosis [LAM].--The Committee supports both intramural and extramural means of expanding research on LAM and urges the NHLBI to use all available mechanisms as appropriate, including support of state-of-the-science symposia, requests for applications, and access to human tissues, to stimulate a broad range of clinical and basic LAM research. The Committee commends the NHLBI for supporting the MILES trial, and encourages the support of phase I and phase II clinical treatment trials to capitalize on the LAM patient populations that the NHLBI and the Rare Lung Disease Consortium has assembled. The Committee is also aware of the potential benefit of establishing regional LAM centers, and suggests the NHLBI consider supporting these activities. Marfan Syndrome.--The Committee commends NHLBI for its strong support of research on Marfan syndrome, particularly the Pediatric Heart Network clinical trial focused on the drug losartan. The Committee encourages the Institute to work with the Marfan syndrome community on strategies for establishing specialized treatment centers. Myelodysplasia.--The Committee urges the NHLBI, working in collaboration with the NCI and NIA, to establish a sustainable research program on myelodysplasia, a bone marrow failure disorder that primarily affects the elderly and individuals who have undergone chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. The Committee requests a response in the fiscal year 2010 congressional budget justification. Omega-3 Fatty Acids.--The Committee urges the NHLBI and the Office of Dietary Supplements in collaboration with the CDC, through the Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program, to develop and implement an education and awareness campaign for the public, patients and providers about the overall health benefits of consuming omega-3 fatty acids. Pulmonary Fibrosis.--The Committee continues to urge the NHLBI to increase funding for lung research, particularly in the area of pulmonary fibrosis, and to convene a consensus conference of experts and other stakeholders to lay the groundwork for a formal pulmonary fibrosis disease action plan for prevention and control of this deadly disease. Pulmonary Hypertension [PH].--The Committee encourages the Institute to work with the PH community to support the establishment of a clinical research network that would provide for expanded clinical trials and facilitate collaboration and data sharing among PH investigators. Sickle Cell Disease.--The Committee commends the NHLBI for developing a strategic plan, with input from public stakeholders, to enhance its research program on sickle cell disease and asks that the final research plan and proposed implementation steps be provided to the Committee when completed. Sleep Disorders.--The Committee continues to encourage the National Center on Sleep Disorders Research to work with other partners to implement a sleep education and public awareness project. Thalassemia.--The Thalassemia Clinical Research Network [TCRN] is a core program that has advanced physicians' understanding of how to diagnose, treat and manage this fatal genetic blood disease. The Committee urges additional protocols, particularly related to gene therapy, to advance the field further and lead to a cure in the shortest possible time. Women and Heart Disease.--The Committee requests the NHLBI to place a higher priority on: the best strategies for assessing, preventing, and treating heart disease in women; why women receive significantly fewer referrals for rehabilitation programs, advanced diagnostic testing and treatments for heart disease than men, and how the referral rate for women can be increased; the most effective methods and treatments for diastolic heart failure; the biological differences between men and women in the location, type, and heart disease risk level associated with fat deposits; the role of inflammation in heart disease in women; how sex differences in the regulation of heart rhythm affect risk of heart disease and response to treatment; why women ages 50 and younger are more likely to die following a heart attack than men of the same age; and how the heart disease diagnosis and care disparities between women of different races can be eliminated. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DENTAL AND CRANIOFACIAL RESEARCH Appropriations, 2008.................................... $390,158,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 390,535,000 Committee recommendation................................ 401,405,000 The Committee recommendation includes $401,405,000 for the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research [NIDCR]. The fiscal year 2008 appropriation was $390,158,000 and the budget request is $390,535,000. Behavioral Research.--The Committee supports the Institute's planned research into developing complex models of behavior and oral health. Early Childhood Caries.--The Committee notes the urgent need to eradicate early childhood caries among American Indian/ Alaska Native [AI/AN] populations. The Committee urges the NIDCR, in collaboration with the Indian Health Service, to increase support for clinical research to find effective anti- caries preventions, including new education and intervention modalities. Temporomandibular Joint Disorders [TMJDs].--The Committee encourages the NIDCR, along with the NIAMS and NIBIB, to put a higher priority on using noninvasive imaging technologies to establish, validate, and standardize clinical diagnostic criteria for TMJDs and to better understand the etiology and mechanisms underlying the symptoms of biomechanical pain and dysfunction. The Committee also calls on the NIDCR to initiate interdisciplinary partnerships within the NIH on chronic pain that is associated not only with TMJDs but other conditions as well. To address these collaborations extramurally, the Committee urges NIDCR to follow the recommendation of the Fourth Scientific Meeting of the TMJ Association calling for the establishment of regional centers of excellence. Finally, the Committee calls upon the TMJ Interagency Working Group to step up its level of activities and work more effectively to assess the state of science of TMJDs and their co-morbidities, and to develop short- and long-range research plans. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES AND DIGESTIVE AND KIDNEY DISEASES Appropriations, 2008.................................... $1,706,684,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 1,708,487,000 Committee recommendation................................ 1,755,881,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,755,881,000 for the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases [NIDDK]. The fiscal year 2008 appropriation was $1,706,684,000 and the administration's request is $1,708,487,000. Acute Liver Failure.--The Committee supports the Institute's plan to renew funding for the Acute Liver Failure Study Group for an additional 5 years, and it urges the NIDDK to provide additional resources in this area. Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency.--The Committee encourages the NIDDK to maintain its support of Alpha-1 research and to collaborate with the NCI and other Institutes on this effort. Beta Cell Biology.--The NIDDK is urged to extend and expand its vigorous support of the Beta Cell Biology Consortium, which promotes collaborative research relevant to understanding and treating both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Particularly important is the creation of diabetes research resources and reagents that can be accessed by the entire diabetes research community. In addition, the Committee asks the NIDDK to work with the NCRR to ensure the viability of the regional Islet Cell Resources Centers or equivalent infrastructure that can efficiently produce and distribute purified human islets for beta cell biology research. Biosamples for Type 1 Diabetes Research.--The Committee commends the NIDDK for establishing biorepositories to house data and biological specimens collected by studies such as the international Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium [T1DGC], The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young [TEDDY] Study, and the natural history study of TrialNet. The Committee urges the NIDDK to widely advertise the availability of samples to the diabetes research community, ensure that the biorepositories implement efficient procedures to rapidly disseminate those samples to qualified researchers, and develop policies to expedite the availability of samples from other clinical trials in type 1 diabetes. Chronic Pediatric Kidney Disease.--Translational and clinical research to understand the mechanisms involved in kidney injury and progression are crucial to develop and test new therapies in children. The Committee urges the NIDDK to initiate two new prospective multicenter pediatric nephrology translational studies or treatment trials over the next 2 years. Diamond-Blackfan Anemia [DBA].--The Committee is aware of important breakthroughs in DBA research and the link with a ribosomal protein defect. The Committee understands that the NIDDK is planning a workshop regarding the implications of ribosome biogenesis in hematological diseases. The Committee commends the NIDDK for its attention to DBA and encourages cross-Institute research initiatives related to ribosomal protein defects found in DBA and their implication in disease areas important to the NIDDK. Digestive Diseases.--The Committee looks forward to the recommendations of the National Commission on Digestive Diseases and encourages the NIDDK to consider them strongly. The Committee notes that the draft plan lacked specificity, and it urges the NIDDK to identify the programs, structures and resources that are necessary to implement a long-range plan. Glomerular Disease Research.--The Committee commends the Institute for the recent release of a program announcement on glomerular diseases, and it encourages the establishment of a patient registry in this area. Hematology.--The Committee commends NIDDK--and its partners in this effort, the NCI, NHLBI, and NIA--for issuing a program announcement on the anemia of inflammation of chronic disease. Hepatitis B Network.--The Committee supports the Institute's plan to fund and create a network of hepatitis B clinical research centers and urges that these centers be established to address the major research questions identified by the upcoming Hepatitis B Consensus Conference and the priorities identified for hepatitis B in the NIH Liver Disease Research Action Plan. The Committee expects to be kept informed on the outcome of the October 21, 2008, conference. Hepatitis C.--The Committee continues to strongly support the HALT-C clinical study on hepatitis C. The Committee also understands that nearly one-half of all persons with hemophilia have contracted the hepatitis C virus, and many of these individuals are co-infected with HIV. The NIDDK is encouraged to pursue research initiatives on co-infection and the progression of liver disease in this population. Incontinence.--The Committee is pleased that the NIDDK collaborated with the NICHD and the Office of Medical Applications of Research on the recent state-of-the-science conference on incontinence, and it urges the Institute to prioritize the recommendations of this conference. Inflammatory Bowel Disease [IBD].--The Committee encourages the Institute to increase support for genetic and clinical IBD research and other opportunities outlined in the research agenda, ``Challenges in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.'' The Committee particularly encourages the NIDDK to expand support for pediatric IBD research. Interstitial Cystitis [IC].--The Committee is concerned by the projected declines in research funding for IC at the NIDDK. It urges the Institute to provide enough funding to implement the goals of the MAPP initiative and to support more basic research on the etiology, pathogenesis and pathophysiology of IC. In addition, the Committee notes the growing body of scientific evidence documenting the overlap between IC and vulvodynia, two highly prevalent, distressing conditions characterized by chronic pelvic and urogenital pain. The Committee, therefore, urges the NIDDK to establish a center for research and education on urologic/urogenital chronic pelvic pain syndromes that will focus specifically on IC and vulvodynia, and related comorbid disorders, and will establish collaborative initiatives among the ORWH, NIAID, NIAMS, NINDS, and NICHD. Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.--The Committee encourages the NIDDK to renew and expand its research network for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, increase the involvement of non-Federal funding sources, and include adult and pediatric patients in research and clinical trials. Pediatric Liver Disease.--The Committee is pleased with the progress of the Biliary Atresia Clinical Research Consortium and the Cholestatic Liver Disease Consortium, and it urges the NIDDK to renew funding for these two 10-center consortia that conduct research on biliary atresia, the most common cause of liver transplantation in children, and other rare liver diseases affecting infants and children. The Committee is also pleased that the Consortia have added a special focus on additional neonatal liver diseases. Polycystic Kidney Disease [PKD].--The Committee urges the NIDDK to work through the NIH Program on Public-Private Partnerships to support the establishment of PKD diagnostic and clinical treatment centers for treating PKD patients and overseeing clinical trials. The Committee urges that these centers work in collaboration with General Clinical Research Centers, Clinical and Translational Science Awards and PKD Centers of Excellence to ensure that PKD families receive the best diagnostic tests and therapeutic treatments and the opportunity to participate in promising clinical trials and pilot studies. The Committee also encourages the NIDDK to facilitate the establishment of a centralized facility for the volumetric analysis of kidney images, PKD genotyping and surrogate marker analysis. Sickle Cell Disease.--The Committee commends the NHLBI for its plans to restructure the sickle cell disease research program to expand funding of investigator-initiated grants and to develop a new Clinical Trials Research Network, which will open participation in clinical research to a larger number of researchers and patients with sickle cell disease. The Committee asks to be updated on the progress being made in implementing the sickle cell disease research plan as part of the Institute's budget justification for fiscal year 2010. Thalassemia.--The Committee urges the NIDDK to play a larger role in the Thalassemia Clinical Research Network [TCRN], as the iron chelation and non-invasive iron measurement issues addressed by the Institute are essential to the quality of life of thalassemia patients. Urological Research.--The Committee encourages the NIDDK to establish a urological disease research branch and requests a response in the fiscal year 2010 budget justification. The Committee also urges the Institute to prepare a trans-NIH action plan for urological disease research. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE Appropriations, 2008.................................... $1,543,901,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 1,545,397,000 Committee recommendation................................ 1,588,405,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,588,405,000 for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke [NINDS]. The fiscal year 2008 appropriation was $1,543,901,000 and the budget request is $1,545,397,000. Charcot-Marie-Tooth [CMT].--The Committee commends the NINDS for issuing a program announcement to solicit grant applications on CMT with the goal of identifying and validating therapeutic targets for use in CMT and other peripheral neuropathies. The Committee requests an update on CMT and CMT- related research, and on the progress achieved by the program announcement, in the fiscal year 2010 budget justification. Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy [DBMD] Conference.-- The Committee commends the NIH for reconvening a conference focused on translational research opportunities for DBMD in the spring of 2009. Pursuant to this conference, the Committee is pleased that the Muscular Dystrophy Coordinating Committee will be updating the MD action plan to reflect accomplishments related to the five broad categories in the plan, and supports continued efforts to track research goals, NIH-funded grants and areas of unmet opportunity for DBMD translational research. Dystonia.--The Committee continues to support the expansion of research and treatment developments regarding dystonia. The Committee also notes that the intramural program at NIH continues to advance research activity in dystonia, and more support is encouraged. Fibromyalgia.--Whereas fibromyalgia has traditionally been considered a musculoskeletal disorder, the Committee notes that substantial evidence implicates pathology within the central nervous system in the development and expression of fibromyalgia symptoms, including abnormal brain activity, abnormal concentrations of a variety of neurochemicals in cerebrospinal fluid, dysautonomia and neuroendocrine dysfunction. The Committee, therefore, urges the NINDS to collaborate with the NIAMS in convening an international symposium to elucidate the state of the science with regard to fibromyalgia, and publish a consensus document within 1 year establishing a roadmap for future fibromyalgia research. The Committee also encourages the NINDS to support basic research into animal models of the disorder. Headache Disorders.--The Committee encourages intensified efforts to understand the causes, prevention, treatment, and eventual cure of headache disorders, including migraine, cluster headache, and chronic daily headache. Research on these disorders, to date, has not received funding commensurate with their prevalence or their costs to the economy. Therefore, the Committee strongly urges the NINDS to solicit grant applications in this area; encourage new investigators with career training and transition awards; provide fair peer review by headache scientists of submitted headache research grant applications; and collaborate with the research community to develop ``Headache Disorders Research Benchmarks.'' Hydrocephalus.--The Committee continues to place a high priority on increasing research on hydrocephalus, and it urges the NINDS to expand its research through program announcements or requests for applications. The Committee also urges the NINDS to collaborate with other Institutes to advance hydrocephalus research priorities, including the NIA, NICHD, NEI, NIBIB, and ORD, and requests an update on the progress of such collaborative efforts in the fiscal year 2010 budget justifications. Mucopolysaccharidosis [MPS].--The Committee commends the NINDS for taking the lead role supporting the scientific meeting on the clinical progress of MPS. The Committee encourages the NINDS to expand research into MPS, and to implement the recommendations from the meeting, including the need to collect natural history data to move novel therapies into the clinic, and to combine therapeutic modalities to increase efficacy. Parkinson's Disease.--The Committee encourages the NINDS to update the program announcement for the Udall Centers of Excellence for Parkinson's Disease Research Program to include the recommendations of the committee that evaluated the centers and to continue to fund and support this important program. The Committee also commends the NINDS for working to establish and make public lay-language research summaries for each Udall Center, which should be considered as a possible model for other NIH centers of excellence programs. Stroke.--The Committee commends the NINDS for its work in developing an Institute-wide strategic plan and supports the involvement of stroke scientists and/or clinicians in every aspect of this initiative. The Committee continues to support the comprehensive and timely implementation of its Stroke Progress Review Group Report. The Committee also urges the NINDS to devote additional funding for stroke prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and research to explore new and promising scientific opportunities. In addition, the Committee acknowledges studies suggesting significant gender differences concerning stroke; for example, women often receive fewer diagnostic tests and intervention procedures. The Committee encourages the NINDS to increase research in this area in order to understand the differences in treatment options for men and women and provide a means to optimize stroke care. Stroke Rehabilitation.--The Committee is pleased that the NINDS will convene an expert panel to discuss issues related to stroke treatment and recovery and how people reintegrate into their daily lives following a stroke. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES Appropriations, 2008.................................... $4,560,655,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 4,568,778,000 Committee recommendation................................ 4,688,828,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $4,688,828,000 for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases [NIAID]. The fiscal year 2008 appropriation was $4,560,655,000 and the budget request is $4,568,778,000. Included in these funds is $300,000,000 to be transferred to the Global Fund to Fight HIV/ AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis. The fiscal year 2008 transfer amount was $294,759,000. Antimicrobial Resistance.--The Committee encourages the NIAID to strengthen clinical, translational, and basic research addressing antimicrobial resistant infections, with emphasis on health care-acquired bacterial infections in hospitals, long- term care facilities, etc. Clinical trials should aim to define natural histories of infection for common bacterial diseases and determine optimal implementation of existing agents and therapeutic strategies. Translational research should emphasize antibiotic development, vaccine development, novel antibacterial agents and therapies, and new diagnostics. Particular attention should be given to multi-drug resistant gram negative bacterial infections and methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus [MRSA] infections. The Committee further encourages the NIAID to accelerate its basic research activities to advance the understanding of mechanisms of resistance and how resistant microbes impact human health. Asthma.--The Committee applauds the NHLBI for its support of the Asthma Clinical Research Network to advance basic, translational and clinical research understanding of asthma to improve asthma care. Career Development in Asthma and Allergic Diseases.--The Committee encourages the NIAID to work with private sector organizations to develop programs for the training and career development of researchers focused on allergic diseases. Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis.--The Committee commends the NIAID for its support of research to find a cure for food allergy and anaphylaxis, and it continues to urge the highest possible level of funding for this research. The Committee is aware that food allergy and anaphylaxis has recently been linked to asthma, eczema, type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel syndrome, and it requests the NIAID to provide a report to the Committee by May 1, 2009, on the common link among these conditions and the steps the Institute will be taking to investigate the underlying causation. In addition, the Committee encourages a greater effort to facilitate and promote investigator-initiated research on food allergy and anaphylaxis. The Committee commends the NIAID for its research initiative ``Exploratory Investigations in Food Allergy,'' which will support innovative pilot studies and developmental research on the mechanisms of food allergy, with a goal of attracting additional investigators to the field of food allergy research, and urges the continuation of this initiative. Hepatitis B.--The Committee supports the Institute's plans to fund experimental models of hepatitis B and to continue support for the woodchuck model of hepatitis virus. The Committee urges more work in the area of new intervention discovery for the treatment and management of this disease. Hepatitis C.--The Committee encourages the continued development of standardized terminology to describe anti-viral drug resistance, as well as studies of the mechanism of resistance and methods to overcome it. Inflammatory Bowel Disease [IBD].--The Committee encourages the NIAID to expand its inflammatory bowel disease research portfolio and explore partnerships with the IBD community aimed at fostering greater research on the role of the immune system in the development and progression of IBD in both adult and pediatric populations. Liver Transplants.--The Committee urges expanded research on the immune system reaction to liver transplants in children. Lupus.--The Committee urges the NIAID to expand and intensify genetic, clinical and basic research and related activities with respect to lupus, with particular focus on the identification of biomarkers and addressing the apparent health disparities associated with this disease. Malaria.--The Committee commends the NIAID for its malaria research efforts, especially in basic research. While progress in malaria research has been encouraging, the Committee is concerned about the spread of malaria in areas where malaria had previously been controlled and about the contribution of drug-resistant parasites to this problem. To support and sustain the global efforts to control and eliminate malaria, the Committee urges the NIAID to allocate additional resources for research to increase the understanding of the complex interactions among malaria parasites, mosquito vectors and humans, for development of new diagnostics, drugs, vaccines, and vector management, and for continuation of its collaboration with global public-private partnerships to leverage malaria research efforts. Microbicides.--The Committee commends the NIAID for establishing a branch within the Division of AIDS that is dedicated to microbicides, but notes that progress in staffing and running the branch has been slow. The Committee urges the NIAID to move quickly in that regard and requests a report by May 1, 2009, on the branch's work plan, budget and staffing situation. Nontuberculous Mycobacteria [NTM].--The Committee is aware of the reports of increasing incidence of pulmonary NTM infections in women and children, particularly involving rapidly growing mycobacteria, an inherently resistant subspecies. The Committee commends the NIH for its planning meetings regarding NTM, outreach to the NTM patient community, and leading NTM treatment center. The Committee recommends further collaboration with the NHLBI, CDC, the advocacy community and other Federal agencies to provide leadership that will enhance diagnostic and treatment options and as well as medical and surgical outcomes through the stimulation of multi- center clinical trials and promotion of health care provider education. The Committee encourages the NIAID to issue program announcements, an NIH partnership funding program, and other appropriate mechanisms to ensure the initiation of grant proposals and other activities for pulmonary NTM disease. Parasitic Tropical Diseases.--The Committee urges the NIAID to expand and intensify research on vaccines, diagnostics, and treatments for parasitic tropical diseases including African sleeping sickness, Chagas disease, elephantiasis, visceral leishmaniasis, Buruli ulcer, and cholera. The Committee further requests the NIAID to report an estimate of its funding for research on these diseases in the fiscal year 2010 budget justification. Scleroderma.--The Committee encourages the NIAID to expand its research portfolio on scleroderma in partnership with the scleroderma community. Tuberculosis [TB].--The Committee commends the NIAID for the release of its response plan to drug-resistant TB, including strains that are extensively drug-resistant. The Committee encourages the NIAID and other NIH Institutes to allocate appropriate resources to effectively address this global health emergency. The Committee also encourages the NIH to ensure that experts with an understanding of the scientific basis for the control of tuberculosis are appropriately represented on study sections that review TB research grants. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES Appropriations, 2008.................................... $1,935,808,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 1,937,690,000 Committee recommendation................................ 1,991,609,000 The Committee recommendation includes $1,991,609,000 for the National Institute of General Medical Sciences [NIGMS]. The fiscal year 2008 appropriation was $1,935,808,000 and the administration's request is $1,937,690,000. Behavioral Research and Training.--The Committee notes that after many years of requests, the NIGMS is supporting basic behavioral research training. While this is a step in the right direction, the Committee remains very concerned that the NIGMS program needs expanding, and that the NIGMS still is not funding investigator-initiated research by behavioral scientists as it is authorized to do so in its statute and has been requested to do so by Congress many times. The Committee also encourages the NIGMS to expand its support of basic behavioral and social science research with initiatives such as the MIDAS program to improve modeling and predictive capabilities regarding the effects of a pandemic flu outbreak, and collaborations with other Institutes and Centers and the OBSSR. Training Minority Scientists.--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 the NIGMS to continue to support these initiatives, and is particularly pleased that the NIGMS has supported biomedical career opportunity programs for high school and undergraduate college students in conjunction with historically black health professions schools. EUNICE KENNEDY SHRIVER NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT Appropriations, 2008.................................... $1,254,708,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 1,255,920,000 Committee recommendation................................ 1,290,873,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,290,873,000 for the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development [NICHD]. The fiscal year 2008 appropriation was $1,254,708,000 and the administration's request is $1,255,920,000. Behavioral Research on Families.--The Committee encourages the NICHD to support planned research on the changing nature of our Nation's families. Further understanding of family processes will help to address the causes of family structure changes. Chromosome Abnormalities.--The Committee urges the NIH to convene a state-of-the-science meeting on chromosome abnormalities involving multiple contiguous genes, for the purpose of creating a plan to collect data regarding dosage- sensitive and dosage-insensitive genes, and to establish phenotyping and genotyping standards for data collection. The Committee also encourages the NIH to create funding mechanisms to support independent investigators whose work could provide pilot data or insight into future directions for the study of chromosome abnormalities, particularly those involving chromosome 18. Demographic Research.--The Committee applauds the NICHD Demographic and Behavioral Sciences Branch [DBSB] for completing its long-range planning study, ``Future Directions for DBSB.'' The Committee encourages the Institute to capitalize on the report's recommendations and to do so by supporting a balanced portfolio of investigator-initiated research as well as large-scale databases. The Committee also congratulates the NICHD on its involvement in the Work, Family, Health and Well-Being Initiative and looks forward to learning how the Institute plans to disseminate the results of this groundbreaking study. First Pregnancy Complications.--Nearly half of all pregnant women have no pregnancy history to guide the practitioner, and there is minimal to no information to predict and offer preventative interventions. The rate of preterm birth for this group of women increased 50 percent in the last decade. Were predictors known, not only would the outcome for the first pregnancy improve, but subsequent pregnancies would be at lower risk. The NICHD is urged to conduct more research in this area. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers [IDDRCs].--The Committee recognizes the outstanding contributions of the recently renamed Eunice Kennedy Shriver Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Centers [IDDRCs], formerly known as the Mental Retardation Developmental Disabilities Research Centers. However, the Committee is concerned that the IDDRCs do not have sufficient resources to sustain the progress made in this critical area and is especially concerned with the 11 percent funding reduction for recently funded centers. The Committee urges the NICHD to restore these reductions and, to the extent possible, provide additional resources to the IDDRCs so that they can lead our national effort to develop effective prevention and intervention strategies for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Infertility and Contraception.--The Committee commends the NICHD for its research on alleviating human infertility and uncovering new male and female contraceptive leads, including the next generation of nonhormonal methods. The Committee urges the NICHD to continue identifying behavioral factors affecting fertility, infertility and unintended pregnancies. Learning and School Readiness.--The Committee supports the important contribution that the NICHD is making in establishing the basic scientific foundation of the development of reading, math and science skills for children. Liver Disease and Minority Health.--Obesity-related chronic liver disease, also known as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis [NASH], disproportionately affects Hispanic-American children. To better understand the genetic and environmental factors associated with obesity-related chronic liver disease in children, the Committee urges the NICHD to include NASH as a study component within the National Children's Study. Preterm and Late Preterm Births.--The Committee applauds the NICHD for planning the Surgeon General's Conference on Preterm Birth and encourages the Institute to expand its research based on the public-private agenda recomended at the conference. As authorized by Public Law 109-450, the Committee strongly urges the establishment of an interagency coordinating council on prematurity and low birthweight, to be headed by the NICHD, to ensure that these recommendations are implemented. The Committee notes that although many late preterm deliveries (between 34 and 37 weeks of gestation) are due to maternal or fetal indications, many have no reason listed in vital records as to what triggered the delivery. The NICHD is urged to address the causes of these late preterm births and identify interventions for their prevention. Rehabilitation Research.--The Committee commends the institute's National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research for the substantial scientific progress made in the basic and applied research on constraint-induced movement therapy for stroke patients as well as advanced prosthetics. The Committee encourages the center to explore the broader social, emotional and behavioral context of rehabilitation, including effective interventions to increase social participation and reintegrate individuals with disabilities into their communities. Uterine Fibroids.--The Committee continues to encourage additional research on uterine fibroids, especially with regard to increased prevalence rates in minority women. Vulvodynia.--For the 12th consecutive year, the Committee has called on the NICHD to expand research efforts on vulvodynia, yet only 11 total awards have been made to date and only 3 in the last 3 fiscal years. This is especially discouraging given that, in 2006, an NICHD-funded study showed that up to 16 percent of American women suffer from vulvodynia. The Committee strongly urges the NICHD to substantially increase the number of awards for vulvodynia studies in fiscal year 2009, with a particular emphasis on etiology and multi- center therapeutic trials. In addition, to ensure that experts in vulvodynia and related chronic pain and female reproductive system conditions, are adequately represented on peer review panels, the Committee recommends that the current program announcement on vulvodynia, PA-07-182, be reissued with ``special review.'' Finally, the Committee calls on NICHD to employ the full range of award mechanisms available to expand research and research capacity in this area. NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE Appropriations, 2008.................................... $667,116,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 667,764,000 Committee recommendation................................ 687,346,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $687,346,000 for the National Eye Institute [NEI]. The fiscal year 2008 appropriation was $667,116,000 and the budget request is $667,764,000. Age-related Macular Degeneration [AMD].--The Committee commends the NEI for its trans-Institute research into the cause, prevention, and treatment of AMD, including the identification of gene variants associated with an increased risk for the disease. The Committee encourages further research into diagnostics for early detection and appropriate therapies. The Committee also applauds the NEI for initiating the second phase of its Age-related Eye Disease Study [AREDS], in which additional dietary supplements are being studied to determine whether they demonstrate or enhance protective effects against progression to advanced AMD, as shown previously with dietary zinc and antioxidant vitamins. Diabetes Management Devices.--The Committee is pleased that the NEI, in collaboration with the NIDDK and the Food and Drug Administration, has scheduled a scientific workshop that will include representatives from diabetes management device manufactures and organizations that address the technology access needs of Americans with vision loss to both document and clarify the technical capabilities of devices currently on the market and to develop standards ensuring the accessibility of such devices for this growing population. Diabetic Eye Disease.--The Committee encourages the NEI to expand and extend the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical Research Network by increasing the number of clinical trials with new drugs and therapeutics that can treat and prevent diabetic retinopathy. Genetic Basis of Eye Disease.--The Committee congratulates the NEI on its leadership in elucidating the basis of devastating eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa and glaucoma, and recognizes the progress that has been made in understanding the underlying disease mechanisms and developing appropriate treatments. By encouraging the participation of patients and their families who need highly specialized genetic testing services and coordinating the efforts of many vision research laboratories, vital information is being collected confidentially and maintained securely. This information will help enable qualified investigators to develop targeted treatments and to identify those individuals who would most benefit from them. Low Vision and Blindness Rehabilitation.--The Committee encourages the NEI to prioritize research aimed at developing and assessing new methods for the rehabilitation of visually impaired individuals, including children. The Committee also urges the NEI to collaborate with the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research at the NICHD on developing improved assistive technology and training research scientists in the field of rehabilitation. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES Appropriations, 2008.................................... $642,253,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 642,875,000 Committee recommendation................................ 660,767,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $660,767,000 for the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences [NIEHS]. The fiscal year 2008 appropriation was $642,253,000 and the budget request is $642,875,000. Agricultural Health Study.--The Committee urges that the scope of the Agricultural Health Study be expanded to permit a greater focus on reproductive issues to investigate the possibility that many chronic illnesses may be due to environmental exposures experienced while in utero. Alternative Methods of Testing.--The Committee acknowledges the publication of the National Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Methods/Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of Alternative Methods [NICEATM/ ICCVAM] Five-Year Plan but remains concerned by the slow pace at which Federal agencies have moved to adopt regulations that would replace or reduce the use of animals in testing. The Committee therefore requests the ICCVAM to evaluate the skin irritation/corrosion, pyrogenicity, phototoxicity, vaccine potency, acute fish toxicity and developmental toxicity methods and tiered-testing strategies that have been deemed valid by the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods but have not been accepted in the United States. The Committee also asks the ICCVAM to identify situations where these methods can be applied with scientific confidence in the existing testing practices and regulations of ICCVAM agencies. In addition, the ICCVAM is urged to identify what additional studies would be needed to produce sufficient scientific confidence to expand the application of such methods by the agencies that comprise ICCVAM. The Committee requests a report on these findings by May 1, 2009. Respiratory Disease.--The Committee recognizes the contributions of the NIEHS to help protect and improve pulmonary health. It encourages the Institute to devote additional resources to study the effects of changes in occupational exposures and ambient and indoor air. Translational Research.--The Committee applauds the NIEHS's investment in clinical research through the Disease Investigation through Specialized Clinically Oriented Ventures in Environmental Research [DISCOVER]. NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING Appropriations, 2008.................................... $1,047,260,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 1,048,278,000 Committee recommendation................................ 1,077,448,000 The Committee recommendation includes $1,077,448,000 for the National Institute on Aging [NIA]. The fiscal year 2008 appropriation was $1,047,260,000 and the budget request is $1,048,278,000. Alzheimer's Disease.--While past investments in Alzheimer's research have led to a far better understanding of the disease as well as earlier, more accurate diagnosis, the Committee is concerned that progress has slowed in recent years. The Committee therefore recommends that a portion of the additional funds provided for the NIA be devoted to accelerating the translation of basic research findings into clinical studies and human trials, and to fully implement a study of individuals who are genetically predisposed to develop early-onset Alzheimer's disease. The NIA is urged to work closely with the NINDS and NIMH in these efforts. Behavioral Research and Decisionmaking.--The Committee encourages the NIA to support its Neuroeconomics and Aging research program, which will examine the changing motives that drive behavior in older adults and could lead to interventions that will help older Americans better manage financial planning. Behavioral Research and Long-term Cognitive Improvement.-- The Committee commends the NIA on the success of the ACTIVE study, and it encourages follow-up studies on more varied populations. Cognitive Health.--The Committee encourages the NIA to follow up on recent findings that cognitive health appears to be improving in the over-70 population. In particular, further studies to determine how education, exercise, medications, cardiovascular health and lifestyle affect cognitive functioning are encouraged. Demographic and Economic Research.--The Committee is aware that fiscal year 2009 is a critical planning year for the NIA Demography of Aging Centers, the Roybal Centers for Research on Applied Gerontology, and the Health and Retirement Survey [HRS]. The Committee urges the NIA, with support from the Office of Behavioral and Social Science Research and Office of AIDS Research, to continue its current level of support for the Demography of Aging Centers and the demographic and economic components of the Roybal Centers. The NIA is also urged to provide sufficient funding for the HRS to preclude a cut in the survey's sample size and to ensure that biological data, including DNA, are collected as part of the next wave. Finally, the Committee applauds the Institute's support of the National Study of Disability Trends and Dynamics, which will include the older population residing in community and institutional settings. Older Workers.--The Committee continues to commend the NIA for sponsoring research on health interventions in the workplace that is aimed at older workers. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ARTHRITIS AND MUSCULOSKELETAL AND SKIN DISEASES Appropriations, 2008.................................... $508,586,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 509,080,000 Committee recommendation................................ 523,246,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $523,246,000 for the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases [NIAMS]. The fiscal year 2008 appropriation was $508,586,000 and the budget request is $509,080,000. Arthritis.--The Committee supports the establishment of a national data collection system to ensure that the safety and effectiveness of new arthritis treatments is understood and that they are applied in the most beneficial manner, especially in the case of childhood arthritis. The Committee also notes the strong need for a national network of cooperating clinical centers dedicated to the care and study of children with arthritis. Fibromyalgia.--The Committee is concerned by the lack of a sustained commitment to fibromyalgia-specific research at the NIAMS, and it strongly urges additional resources for this purpose. In particular, the Committee urges the Institute, in collaboration with the NINDS, to convene an international symposium to elucidate the state of the science with regard to fibromyalgia and to publish a consensus document within 1 year establishing a roadmap for future fibromyalgia research. In addition, it urges the NIAMS to establish a funded center with dedicated staffing to serve as a nexus for research on fibromyalgia and related disorders that will explore the broad spectrum of neurotransmitter abnormalities and other potential problems, including sleep disturbances, abnormal cervical anatomy and genetic factors, that might contribute to symptom development and expression. The Committee also encourages the Institute to support basic research into animal models of the disorder. Finally, the Committee urges the NIAMS to collaborate with the NIDDK in support of its Multi-disciplinary Approach to the Study of Chronic Pelvic Pain [MAPP] initiative. Lupus.--The Committee continues to strongly urge the Institute to greatly expand and intensify genetic, clinical, and basic research and related activities with respect to lupus, with particular focus on understanding the underlying mechanisms of disease, gene-gene and gene-environmental interactions, epidemiological research, lupus and kidney disease, biomarkers, pediatric research, environmental factors, and factors related to the health disparities and comorbidities associated with lupus. Marfan Syndrome.--The Committee encourages the NIAMS to expand its support for musculoskeletal/orthopedic research in this area and to partner with the NHLBI and the Marfan patient community in support of NHLBI's Pediatric Heart Network clinical trial on Marfan syndrome. Osteoporosis.--The Committee urges the NIAMS and NIA to support research into the pathophysiology of bone loss in diverse populations in order to develop targeted therapies to improve bone density, bone quality and bone strength. Research is also needed to identify the parameters that lead to the better prediction, prevention and treatment of bone diseases. Scleroderma.--The Committee is aware of emerging opportunities in scleroderma research and encourages the Institute to partner with the scleroderma patient community in convening a state of the science conference in this important area. Temporomandibular Joint Disorders [TMJDs].--As the temporomandibular joint is a joint in the body, the Committee believes that increased effort by the NIAMS on TMJDs is clearly warranted. Such an effort would greatly accelerate the basic and clinical understanding of this joint, critical to such functions as speaking, breathing, eating, swallowing and making facial expressions. The Committee calls on the NIAMS to work with the NIDCR and NIBIB to develop a research team involving bioengineers, computer scientists, basic and clinical scientists to study the jaw anatomy, physiology and the complex neural, endocrine and immune systems interactions that orchestrate jaw function and trigger pathology of the jaw joint. The Institutes should integrate the findings from interdisciplinary studies of the structure, mechanical function, metabolism, and blood flow of bone, joints, and muscles with studies of central and peripheral neural pathways, and the endocrine, paracrine, and cytokine factors that impact upon these craniofacial structures, as a means to understanding the underlying causes of pain and dysfunction. NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS Appropriations, 2008.................................... $394,138,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 395,047,000 Committee recommendation................................ 406,000,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $406,000,000 for the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders [NIDCD]. The budget request is $395,047,000 and the fiscal year 2008 appropriation was $394,138,000. Animal Models.--The Committee notes that mouse models are too resistant for most auditory lesions and too small for most surgical work; thus, larger experimental animal models are desirable. Also, since the most common background mouse strain for genetic studies is itself susceptible to age-related hearing loss, the redevelopment of potentially useful genetic models is needed. Central Nervous System Plasticity.--The Committee urges the NIDCD to promote research to discover the cellular and genetic mechanisms that are responsible for central nervous system plasticity--how hearing loss changes the central nervous system--and how these alterations constrain auditory performance. Analysis at the level of synaptic connections through studies of perceptual learning is recommended. Early Detection and Intervention.--The Committee continues to recommend expanded research in effective intervention strategies to help infants identified in newborn hearing screening with mild, moderate and severe hearing impairment. Environmentally Induced Hearing Loss.--The Committee urges increased efforts by the NIDCD to raise awareness of the threats to the auditory system posed by environmental noise. Risks to hearing in the workplace, and through recreational activities and by loud consumer products should be publicized. The Committee urges the dissemination of information emphasizing the dangers to hearing from these sources, as well as protective measures, through such means as the Wise Ears! Campaign and the NIDCD website and publications. Research studies to increase understanding and treatment of hearing loss and central auditory processing disorders resulting from noise are also recommended. The Committee also understands the potentially deleterious effects of environmental chemicals in water and air, like lead, mercury and carbon monoxide, on the inner ear. The NIDCD is urged to support studies in this area, especially of chemicals' impact on hearing during prenatal and early postnatal development. Hearing Devices.--While research into regeneration and stem cell replacement promises beneficial discoveries in the future, the Committee recognizes that hearing aids and other assistive devices, such as cochlear prostheses, provide an important means to restore hearing in the present to individuals with deafness and other communication disorders. It recommends that the NIDCD support research to develop, improve and lower the cost of hearing aids, as well as support studies to allow the cochlear implant to benefit a greater number of individuals with profound hearing impairment. In addition, the Committee urges development of new central auditory prostheses that will open the door to hearing for many who cannot be helped by cochlear prostheses. Human Temporal Bone Studies.--The Committee recognizes the importance of the Human Temporal Bone Consortium to acquiring knowledge about inner ear pathology from debilitating auditory diseases such as Meniere's disease, presbycusis and sudden hearing loss. It encourages the NIDCD to continue supporting this valuable donor-tissue based research. Inner Ear Hair Cell Regeneration.--The Committee recognizes that restoration of hearing through regeneration biology has achieved scientific proof of concept and encourages further research to develop a human application. The NIDCD should build on promising new approaches in sensory cell regeneration and reparation. The Committee realizes that while studies of inner ear neuron loss indicate that residual hearing can be preserved with partial retention of these cells, more research is needed to elucidate the extent to which cell replacement would correlate with improved hearing. Presbycusis.--The Committee encourages continuing studies of the declining stria vascularis metabolism, as well as investigations of the central mechanisms of presbycusis. Psychosocial Interventions.--The Committee encourages continued research into behavioral and cognitive-behavioral studies validating, refining, and comparing approaches to the treatment of persons with autism and autism spectrum disorders and their families, as well as studies that analyze and define the critical features of effective interventions and the development of innovative methodologies and outcome measures. Tinnitus.--The Committee continues to remain interested in research on tinnitus, particularly in light of continued large increases in this condition among returning military personnel. The Committee encourages the NIDCD to continue to increase collaborative research efforts between the NIH, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Translational Research.--The Committee favors continuation of research activities and clinical trials that can be used in treatments of communication and otologic disorders. Attention to clinical trials relevant to Meniere's disease and to preventative drug therapies for acoustic trauma and exposure to ototoxicants is strongly recommended. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NURSING RESEARCH Appropriations, 2008.................................... $137,476,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 137,609,000 Committee recommendation................................ 141,439,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $141,439,000 for the National Institute of Nursing Research [NINR]. The budget request is $137,609,000 and the fiscal year 2008 appropriation was $137,476,000. Nurse-Family Partnership Program.--The Committee urges the NINR to expand Nurse-Family Partnership Programs affiliated with nurse-managed health centers and involve advanced practice nurses in research and demonstration projects. Nursing Shortage.--The Committee applauds the NINR for its vital role in educating the next generation of nurse researchers who will serve as nurse faculty in nursing schools. Preterm Births.--The Committee is aware of the increasing trend of preterm births, resulting in a gradual reduction over the last decade of the average gestation period from 40 weeks to 39 weeks in the United States. The NINR is urged to fund maternal-child research to help address the cause of the decreasing gestation period, the health impact of this trend, and any necessary interventions. NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM Appropriations, 2008.................................... $436,259,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 436,681,000 Committee recommendation................................ 448,834,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $448,834,000 for the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism [NIAAA]. The budget request is $436,681,000 and the fiscal year 2008 appropriation was $436,259,000. Alcoholic Energy Drinks.--The Committee is aware of NIAAA- funded research showing that college students who consumed alcoholic energy drinks were at greater risk of engaging in risky behaviors and experiencing alcohol-related harms. The Committee urges the NIAAA to initiate and pursue further research in this area, including the impact of pricing, packaging and marketing of these beverages on youth consumption patterns. Alcohol-induced Liver Damage.--The Committee urges the NIAAA to study the development of biomarkers in patients susceptible to alcohol-induced liver damage. The Committee also supports the study of medications development to treat alcoholic liver disease to reduce the incidence of liver transplantation. Behavior Change Research.--The Committee applauds the NIAAA's efforts to encourage a trans-NIH approach to understanding mechanisms of behavior change across a broad range of health-related behaviors. Hepatitis.--The Committee urges the NIAAA to work with voluntary health organizations, to promote liver wellness, education, and primary prevention of both hepatitis and substance abuse. Social Neuroscience and Behavior.--The emerging field of social neuroscience holds promise for understanding and treating alcohol use disorders, and the Committee is pleased that the NIAAA plans to invest in this field. The Committee also urges the NIAAA to support complementary research on social behavior, as research is needed on the implicit cognitive, emotional, and social factors that influence the transition from moderate to uncontrolled drinking, and to support studies on how socialization processes interact with neural aspects of emotion that either promote or protect against alcohol abuse. Underage Drinking.--The Committee commends the NIAAA for continuing to partner with the Office of the Surgeon General and SAMHSA to promote and disseminate ``The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Prevent and Reduce Underage Drinking.'' The Committee urges the NIAAA to continue researching the effects of alcohol on the adolescent brain and to provide guidance on screening for, and diagnosis of, alcohol misuse in children and adolescents. The Committee also encourages the NIAAA to engage in additional study of alcohol advertising issues as an underage drinking prevention research priority, including analysis of data on youth brand and beverage preferences. NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE Appropriations, 2008.................................... $1,000,700,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 1,001,672,000 Committee recommendation................................ 1,029,539,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,029,539,000 for the National Institute on Drug Abuse [NIDA]. The budget request is $1,001,672,000 and the fiscal year 2008 appropriation was $1,000,700,000. Behavioral Research.--The Committee commends the NIDA for supporting research on adolescent sensitivity to drug use, and encourages further research, both animal and human, on social and environmental influences that may be responsible for this increased vulnerability. The Committee also encourages research on how behavioral changes during adolescence may be unique to drug abuse, and it applauds the NIDA's continued support of behavioral research using animal models. Drug Abuse and HIV/AIDS.--The Committee continues to be concerned about the impact of drug abuse and addiction on fueling the spread of HIV/AIDS. The Committee commends the NIDA for seeking innovative approaches to this health challenge, as exemplified by the 2008 Avant-Garde Program. Drug Treatment in Criminal Justice Settings.--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 strongly supports the NIDA's efforts in this area, particularly the Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment Studies [CJ-DATS]. Genetics of Addiction.--The Committee supports the NIDA's focus on understanding the various aspects and roles of genetics in addiction, and recommends comprehensive future efforts focusing on the identification of vulnerability genes, how the environment can bring about long-term changes in gene expression, and how genes influence an individual's reaction to drugs and medications. Health Disparities and Education/Income Levels.--The Committee notes that people with less education and lower incomes are disproportionately vulnerable to drug dependence. The Committee commends the NIDA for encouraging researchers to investigate mediators and moderators of such increased vulnerability on how to effectively tailor drug abuse prevention and treatment interventions to these at-risk populations. Medications Development.--The Committee encourages the NIDA to develop new, effective medications that could, either by themselves or combined with validated behavioral therapies, help alleviate the personal and social impact of addiction. Prescription Drug Abuse.--The Committee continues to commend the NIDA for its leadership in addressing the issue of prescription drug abuse, especially among the Nation's youth. Pulmonary Hypertension.--The Committee notes with concern a significant increase in the number of pulmonary hypertension diagnoses related to the abuse of methamphetamine. The Committee encourages the NIDA, in partnership with the pulmonary hypertension community, to initiate appropriate research and awareness activities. Single State Authorities [SSA].--The Committee urges the NIDA to continue SSA Research Infrastructure Grants to allow additional State substance abuse agencies to benefit from the program. Young Investigators.--The Committee recognizes the importance of replenishing the ``pipeline'' of scientists in the addiction field, and it congratulates the NIDA for efforts such as the A-START program, which assists young investigators building new research programs on drug abuse and HIV/AIDS prevention. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH Appropriations, 2008.................................... $1,405,476,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 1,406,841,000 Committee recommendation................................ 1,445,987,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,445,987,000 for the National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH]. The budget request is $1,406,841,000 and the fiscal year 2008 appropriation was $1,405,476,000. Behavioral Research.--The Committee urges the NIMH to put a greater emphasis on behavioral research in accordance with the first objective of its preliminary strategic plan, to ``promote discovery in the brain and behavioral sciences.'' In particular, the Committee urges a greater focus on the study of personality and social psychology, and basic animal behavior. In the area of HIV/AIDS, the Committee notes that behavioral research aimed at reducing the likelihood of HIV infection should include structural, environmental, and socio-economic variables to ensure that research-based interventions can be evaluated as appropriate for racial and ethnic minority populations. Minority Training.--The Committee is disappointed to learn that the NIMH intends to reduce funding for its diversity training programs at a time when reducing health disparities for vulnerable and underserved populations should be a high priority. The Committee understands that a National Advisory Mental Health Council workgroup is studying the issue, and it requests to be notified when the group's report is completed. Older Adults.--For the past several years, the Committee has recommended that the NIMH increase the amount of research grant funding devoted to older adults over the age of 65. Nevertheless, that funding has decreased significantly (both in real dollars and as a percentage of the total NIMH budget) at a time when the number of Americans over age 65 is increasing. The Committee strongly urges the NIMH to reverse that trend. The Committee also urges the Director of NIH, through the DCPASI, to examine the NIH's commitment to the treatment of late-life mental disorders and to identify potential areas of collaboration among the NIMH, NIA, and NINDS. Finally, the Committee urges the NIMH to develop additional outreach programs to stimulate growth in this field, both in terms of the number of research grant applications in aging as well as the number of researchers focused on aging and mental health. Postpartum Depression.--The Committee urges the NIMH to develop a research plan for postpartum depression and psychosis; expand basic research on the etiology and causes of postpartum conditions; expand epidemiological studies to address the frequency and natural history of postpartum conditions and the differences among racial and ethnic groups with respect to such conditions; expand the development of improved screening and diagnostic techniques; and increase clinical research for the development and evaluation of new treatments. Preventing Suicide.--The Committee encourages the NIMH to increase the amount of funding it provides to develop practical, therapeutic approaches to reducing the burden of suicide, attempted suicide, and their attendant risk factors, by integrating biological, psychotherapeutic, service-based, and preventive interventions. The Committee continues to encourage the NIMH to support advanced as well as additional developing centers for the intervention and prevention of suicide, and to ensure that they are well distributed geographically. The Committee also notes that suicide remains the third-leading cause of death among teenagers and that depressive disorders continue to be very common in adolescence. The Committee therefore strongly encourages NIMH to increase its investment in finding ways to better identify the risk factors for suicide in adolescents, improving the criteria for identifying those at risk, and examining the outcomes of actions taken to assist those found to be at risk. Tuberous Sclerosis Complex.--The Committee encourages the NIMH, working together with the NICHD and NINDS, to support research on the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder in tuberous sclerosis complex, and other known genetic disorders where autism has a significant impact on individuals with the disease. NATIONAL HUMAN GENOME RESEARCH INSTITUTE Appropriations, 2008.................................... $486,779,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 487,878,000 Committee recommendation................................ 501,411,000 The Committee recommendation includes $501,411,000 for the National Human Genome Research Institute [NHGRI]. The budget request is $487,878,000 and the fiscal year 2008 appropriation was $486,779,000. Gene-environment Interactions.--The NHGRI is encouraged to invest in research on ways that gene expression is influenced by the physical and social environment. The Committee encourages the NHGRI, on its own and in partnership with other Institutes and Centers, to continue its emphasis on the development of real-time environmental monitoring technologies and the advancement of tools to measure psychosocial stress and its influence on gene expression. Spinal Muscular Atrophy.--The Committee continues to support the development of a pan-ethnic carrier screening program for SMA. The Committee is pleased that the NHGRI and NICHD held a conference in February 2008 exploring the complexities of carrier screening programs for diseases such as SMA and that the conference included scientific, medical, and advocacy perspectives. The Committee encourages the NHGRI, NICHD, and NINDS to collaborate in further exploration of pan- ethnic carrier screening for SMA and on the development of specific recommendations and guidelines for providers and patients, and to continue working cooperatively with professional societies and the advocacy community in these efforts. The Committee requests an update on these activities in the fiscal year 2010 congressional budget justifications. NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF BIOMEDICAL IMAGING AND BIOENGINEERING Appropriations, 2008.................................... $298,645,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 300,254,000 Committee recommendation................................ 307,254,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $307,254,000 for the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering [NIBIB]. The budget request is $300,254,000 and the fiscal year 2008 appropriation was $298,645,000. Intramural Research.--The NIBIB is urged to use a portion of the additional resources provided in the Committee's recommendation to support a new intramural research laboratory in translational radiologic research. NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESEARCH RESOURCES Appropriations, 2008.................................... $1,149,446,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 1,160,473,000 Committee recommendation................................ 1,192,576,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,192,576,000 for the National Center for Research Resources [NCRR]. The budget request is $1,160,473,000 and the fiscal year 2008 appropriation was $1,149,446,000. The NCRR receives a larger percentage increase under the Committee's recommendation than other Institutes and Centers because some of the costs of the Clinical and Translational Science Awards [CTSAs] program would shift to the NCRR from the Common Fund. The Committee recommendation includes a total of $474,972,000 for the CTSAs in fiscal year 2009, divided as follows: $421,748,000 from the NCRR, compared with $376,264,000 in fiscal year 2008; and $53,224,000 from the Common Fund, down from $83,224,000 in fiscal year 2008. The fiscal year 2008 total for CTSAs was $471,916,000. Institutional Development Awards [IDeA].--The Committee has provided $225,788,000 for the IDeA program authorized by section 402(g) of the Public Health Service Act. The fiscal year 2008 funding level was $218,153,000, the same as the budget request. The Committee recognizes the importance of the Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence and the IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence programs in improving the infrastructure and strengthening the biomedical research capacity and capability of research institutions within the IDeA States. K30 Awards.--The Committee supports the continuation of the K30 Clinical Research Curriculum Awards mechanism for those institutions not yet receiving Clinical and Translational Science Awards. Research Centers at Minority Institutions.--The Committee continues to encourage the NCRR to strengthen participation from minority institutions, especially those with a track record of producing minority scholars in science and technology. NATIONAL CENTER FOR COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE Appropriations, 2008.................................... $121,577,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 121,695,000 Committee recommendation................................ 125,082,000 The Committee has included $125,082,000 for the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine [NCCAM]. The budget request is $121,695,000 and the fiscal year 2008 appropriation was $121,577,000. Behavioral Interventions.--The Committee encourages NCCAM to continue exploring the combined effects of behavioral interventions and pharmacotherapies/biologics in the prevention and treatment of debilitating conditions across the lifespan, with research that elucidates and enhances the mind-body connections in health. Communication Between Patients and Caregivers.--The Committee applauds NCCAM for its work to develop better strategies for promoting communication between doctors and their patients who use CAM, especially adults over 50. NATIONAL CENTER ON MINORITY HEALTH AND HEALTH DISPARITIES Appropriations, 2008.................................... $199,569,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 199,762,000 Committee recommendation................................ 205,322,000 The Committee has included $205,322,000 for the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities. The budget request is $199,762,000 and the fiscal year 2008 appropriation was $199,569,000. Adolescents and Suicide.--The Committee strongly encourages the NCMHD to expand and strengthen science-based research for minority populations at elevated risk for suicide. The Committee further urges the Center to issue a report identifying best practices for collecting and disseminating data on evidence-based suicide prevention programs for adolescents and young adults with the identified populations. Data on Training.--The Committee endorses the recommendations put forward in the National Academy of Sciences' 2005 report on NIH minority research training programs, and it urges the NCMHD to collaborate with all Institutes and Centers to develop a coordinated response and to produce an integrated NIH-wide trainee data tracking system. The Committee further urges the Center to engage trainees actively in the data tracking process to document outcomes such as funding awards for trainees or fellows, including those programs that are targeted to underrepresented minorities. Glomerular Disease.--The Committee continues to urge the NCMHD to collaborate with the NIDDK on glomerular disease, a group of diseases that is more prevalent among African Americans than in the general population. Project Export.--The Committee urges continued support for this important program. JOHN E. FOGARTY INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR ADVANCED STUDY IN THE HEALTH SCIENCES Appropriations, 2008.................................... $66,558,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 66,623,000 Committee recommendation................................ 68,476,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $68,476,000 for the Fogarty International Center [FIC]. The budget request is $66,623,000 and the fiscal year 2008 appropriation was $66,558,000. Drug-resistant Tuberculosis.--The Committee notes with concern the development of drug-resistant tuberculosis in middle- and low-income countries. The Committee urges the FIC to continue and expand its support of tuberculosis training through the AIDS International Training and Research Program. Research Training and Workforce Capacity.--The Committee recognizes that long-term sustainability is critical to U.S.- supported global health initiatives, such as those that target HIV/AIDS, malaria, and neglected diseases. Therefore, the Committee strongly supports the FIC's efforts to strengthen in- country research workforces, which help to ensure that programs are continuously improved and adapted to local conditions, and that the impact of U.S. investments is maximized. HIV Prevention Trials.--The Committee encourages the FIC to continue, and initiate where necessary, programs to strengthen the capacity of developing country partners to ensure that HIV prevention research has appropriate resources to conduct research that is ethically sound and that site-level researchers, staff, and sponsors appropriately engage local communities and other civil society stakeholders. NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE Appropriations, 2008.................................... $320,507,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 323,046,000 Committee recommendation................................ 329,996,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $329,996,000 for the National Library of Medicine [NLM]. The budget request is $323,046,000 and the fiscal year 2008 appropriation was $320,507,000. These amounts include $8,200,000 made available from program evaluation funds. Communication of Research Findings.--The Committee is pleased that NLM has followed through on its commitment to expand the distribution of NIH MedlinePlus magazine. The Committee strongly urges the NLM to put a high priority on supplying all physician offices with this valuable resource. Disaster Information Management.--The Committee supports the plan to establish a Disaster Information Management Resources Research Center, which will lead Federal efforts to identify and implement best practices for maintaining access to health information during disasters, develop innovative products and services to serve emergency responders and preparedness activities, and conduct research to support disaster health information management. The Center should also collaborate with other Federal agencies, local communities and public health officials in efforts to prevent, respond to, and reduce the adverse health effects of disasters. Drug-induced Liver Disease.--The Committee urges a redoubled effort to create an accessible and user-friendly website on drug-induced liver disease. Native Hawaiian Healthcare Resources.--The Committee continues to encourage the NLM to work with Native Hawaiian organizations to provide health information and health resources for this population. NLM Outreach Programs.--The Committee continues to recognize the role of NLM's outreach activities focused on providing scientific information to health care professionals and health care information to consumers. OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR Appropriations, 2008.................................... $1,109,099,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 1,056,797,000 Committee recommendation................................ 1,275,281,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,275,281,000 for the Office of the Director [OD]. The budget request is $1,056,797,000 and the fiscal year 2008 appropriation was $1,109,099,000. The Committee has included bill language specifying the amount for the Common Fund as $568,119,000. The comparable amount for fiscal year 2008 was $495,608,000, and the budget request is $533,877,000. Conflict of Interest.--The Committee greatly appreciates the Director's efforts to produce a stronger policy for its employees regarding conflicts of interest and financial disclosure. This was an arduous task but worth the effort, as it served to reassure the public and Congress that NIH employees are meeting high standards of conduct. However, the Committee notes that the vast majority of NIH funding is awarded extramurally, to non-Federal employees and institutions. Troubling allegations that some NIH-funded investigators have flaunted their universities' conflict-of- interest rules have recently come to light, and it seems clear that the NIH currently has no ability to monitor or prevent such abuses. Moreover, up to this point the NIH leadership has not demonstrated much interest in dealing with the issue. That must change. The Committee believes that the Director has no higher priority in the coming year than to address this situation and fix it. Data Security.--The Committee was disappointed by the widely publicized reports this spring that an NIH employee had failed to encrypt sensitive patient data on a laptop computer which was stolen from his car, placing 2,500 people at risk of identity theft. While the incident served as an important reminder that all employees must comply with the Government's data-security policy, the handling of the incident by NIH officials, who delayed notification to the affected patients by almost a month, raised equally disturbing questions. The Committee expects to be updated on the NIH's efforts to institute stricter compliance of the security policy as well as clearer procedures for notifying patients immediately when their personal information is at risk of being compromised. High-risk/High-reward Research.--The Committee notes that flat budgets sometimes make review panels overly conservative when judging grant applications. The Committee therefore applauds the NIH for creating sources of funding that are dedicated specifically to research that is relatively risky but could lead to significant advances. One such program is the Director's Pioneer Awards, for which the Committee provides $45,000,000, an increase of $9,000,000 over the fiscal year 2008 level. This program makes awards to investigators with a history of doing innovative research. The Committee also includes up to $50,000,000 for Transformative Research Project Grants, a new program that will provide grants for potentially transformative investigator-initiated projects, and $108,027,000, an increase of $51,853,000 over the fiscal year 2008 level, for New Innovator Awards, which are directed to young investigators. New and Early-stage Investigators.--The Committee encourages the NIH to continue its commitment to maintaining the pipeline of new and early-stage investigators, who tend to fare more poorly during tight financial times than their veteran counterparts. Through programs such as the NIH Director's New Innovator Awards, the NIH Director's Bridge Awards, and the Pathway to Independence Awards, as well as individual programs undertaken by the Institutes and Centers, the NIH has made significant investments to attract and support the researchers of the future. The Committee was pleased to note that in fiscal year 2007, the NIH set a policy to support its 5-year historical average of first-time and early-stage investigators at about 1,500, and that the NIH exceeded this target. The Committee encourages the NIH to continue these efforts, and to seek to support 1,750 new investigators in fiscal year 2009. Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research [OBSSR] Basic Research.--The Committee urges the OBSSR to continue to build collaborations with Institutes and Centers in support of basic behavioral and social science research, including Roadmap proposals and workshops. As the OBSSR has no grant- making authority, the Committee continues to urge focused scientific leadership for basic behavioral and social science research in an Institute that does have such authority. The Committee is pleased, meanwhile, that the OBSSR continues to provide leadership in support of this effort by coordinating targeted efforts among institutes. Health Disparities.--The Committee encourages the OBSSR to maintain its important role in spurring new, innovative behavioral research on health disparities by coordinating work among several Institutes and Centers. Office of Rare Diseases [ORD] Mucopolysaccharidosis [MPS].--The Committee commends the ORD for its collaboration with the NINDS and NIDDK in support of the scientific meeting ``Towards Clinical Progress in the Mucopolysaccharidoses.'' The Committee also acknowledges the ORD's helpful role in coordinating research and providing information to patient advocates. Rare Disease Specimens.--The Committee understands that obtaining human tissues for rare diseases has been a major barrier in expanding research aimed at treating and curing these diseases. The Committee applauds the ORD and NCRR for supporting nonprofit efforts to procure rare disease specimens. Office of Research on Women's Health [ORWH] Chronic Fatigue Syndrome [CFS].--The Committee urges the ORWH to convene the annual meeting of investigators funded under the fiscal year 2007 CFS neuroimmune research initiative to stimulate new research initiatives and build multicenter collaborations. The Committee again urges the NIH to establish an intramural CFS research program with relevant areas of scientific expertise to study disease pathophysiology, identify biomarkers, objective diagnostic tools and better therapeutic approaches. The Committee also continues to expect that the disease and research category reporting system being developed by the NIH will yield more accurate data on CFS funding. Finally, the Committee urges the NIH to ensure that study sections responsible for reviewing grants on CFS include experts who are qualified in the appropriate disciplines. Irritable Bowel Syndrome [IBS].--The Committee continues to welcome the ORWH's focus on IBS. Stroke in Women.--The Committee continues to urge additional research in stroke among women of all ages, with specific attention to gender-related differences in stroke risk, and to prevention interventions, acute stroke management, post-stroke recovery, long-term outcomes, and quality of care. As an example, the Committee encourages research to determine the biologic basis, including studies of genetic susceptibility factors, as to why migraine with aura is a risk factor for stroke, particularly among young women. The Committee also supports the NIH's initiatives toward advancing the organization of stroke care in women, including post-stroke rehabilitation, and the identification of stroke treatment and research centers that would provide rapid, early continuous 24- hour treatment to stroke victims. Vulvodynia.--The Committee commends the ORWH for working with patient and professional groups, relevant ICs and women's health offices in HHS agencies to plan an educational outreach campaign on vulvodynia, launched in October 2007. The Committee calls upon the Director to allocate sufficient resources to this effort to ensure that the developed materials can be more widely disseminated to the public, patient and medical communities. In addition, since nearly 5 years have passed since the last NIH conference on vulvodynia, the Committee requests that ORWH convene, with the support of relevant ICs, a consensus conference on vulvodynia in fiscal year 2009, with specific emphasis on co-morbidities. The Committee notes the lack of appropriate experts in vulvodynia and related chronic pain and female reproductive system conditions on peer-review panels and again encourages the Director to work with the Center for Scientific Review and ICs to ensure their adequate representation. Finally, the Committee asks the NIH to include vulvodynia on its online ``Estimates of Funding for Various Diseases, Conditions, Research Areas'' table. Multi-Institute Research Initiatives Autism.--The Committee is encouraged by the NIH's stated increases in autism spending and urges more research that is directly related to autism. Further, the Committee strongly urges NIH to fund research priorities outlined in the Strategic Plan for ASD Research that is being developed by the Inter- Agency Autism Coordinating Committee. The Committee also requests the NIH to report by July 2009 on the actions it has taken to implement the recommendations of the Strategic Plan for ASD research and the research-specific portions of the Combating Autism Act. Bridging the Sciences.--The Committee continues to support the ``Bridging the Sciences'' demonstration program and requests a report on its implementation by July 30, 2009. Computer Science and Robotics Research.--The Committee recognizes that research in the fields of computer science and robotics has demonstrated significant benefits in advancing the study and application of medicine and health care. The Committee urges the Director to investigate and broaden the currently defined categories of computer science and robotics research, and increase funding in this area. Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy [DBMD].--The Committee is encouraged by the progress made in the area of DBMD, particularly through support of the six Wellstone MD centers of excellence and advancement of a conference focusing on translational research opportunities. The Committee urges the NIH to continue to provide sufficient funding through the NINDS, NIAMS, and NICHD to advance the work of the centers, encourage greater collaboration and resource sharing between centers, and to further additional DBMD research opportunities. The Committee is pleased that the Muscular Dystrophy Coordinating Committee now includes the Director of NHLBI, and supports the increased research emphasis on cardiopulmonary complications associated with muscular dystrophy and enhanced collaboration with other NIH institutes. Epilepsy.--The Committee recognizes the NINDS as the primary Institute for epilepsy research and strongly encourages the coordination of research efforts with the NICHD, NIMH and NIA. Although epilepsy often begins in childhood, the number of affected senior citizens is growing at a rapid pace. This is partly due to the effects of age-related illness. As such, broad research in epilepsy must be made a priority, with special emphasis on the developmental effects of epilepsy, seizure prevention, improved therapies, and treatment. The Committee urges the Director of NIH to intensify coordination of cross-cutting research on epilepsy in all Institutes as appropriate and be prepared to provide a report during the fiscal year 2010 budget hearings. Food Allergies.--In addition to the recommendations under the NIAID section of this report, the Committee encourages the NIDDK to explore the linkage between digestion and severe food allergies. The Committee also encourages the NIEHS to continue funding research in conjunction with the NIAID on the relationship between environmental conditions and severe food allergies. Fragile X.--The Committee commends the Director for establishing the NIH Fragile X Research Coordinating Group and strongly urges his office to ensure that appropriate resources are provided to implement the objectives outlined in the Fragile X Research Plan that is being developed. As for individual Institutes, the Committee encourages the NIMH to enhance its critical Fragile X translational research efforts by joining with the NICHD and NINDS to develop cooperative research support mechanisms for controlled studies of existing and new pharmacological treatments for Fragile X and identification of the key molecular targets that are likely candidates for designing drug treatments for Fragile X and related disorders such as autism. The Committee endorses accelerated funding for basic and translational Fragile X research, including Fragile X tremor ataxia syndrome [FXTAS], and efforts to analyze the linkages among Fragile X syndrome, autism, and autism spectrum disorders. Regarding other Institutes, the Committee urges the NIDDK to expand its research activities on Fragile X, given that Fragile X symptoms often include digestive difficulties, and some affected individuals also show hyperphagia and obesity. The NHGRI is urged to contribute to efforts to expand newborn screening to include Fragile X, and to understand the ethical and psychosocial implications of detection of children and young women who are found to be carriers of FMRP premutations and full mutations. The Committee urges the NICHD to include the collection of genetic and DNA data on women who are relatives of people living with Fragile X in the development of a National Fragile X Patient Registry, to ensure that a comprehensive research strategy on FXPOI as it relates to the FMR1 gene be included in the NIH's Fragile X Research Blueprint, and to continue to prioritize Fragile X as a key prototype in the development of cost-effective newborn screening programs. In addition, the Fogarty International Center is encouraged to continue to identify and promote opportunities for furthering Fragile X basic and translational research efforts, including the establishment of public/private partnerships that will increase the number of international Fragile X research projects and collaborations. The Committee commends the NIH for supporting a scientific session on Fragile X, and it requests a report on progress made in implementing the recommendations of that session, as well as the Fragile X Research Blueprint, by September 1, 2009. Gene Therapy.--The Committee is aware of the extensive and growing body of research indicating that gene therapy may be useful in developing treatments or cures for a wide range of problems, such as lung disease, retina-causing blindness, cancer, cystic fibrosis, and cardiovascular diseases. Nevertheless, clinical gene therapy protocols seem to be lagging in the United States, especially when compared to Europe. The Committee commends the NIDDK for its recent meeting aimed at delving into this issue and identifying challenges to gene therapy clinical trials and how these barriers could be overcome. The NIH is urged to address those challenges either through organizational improvements and inter-Institute collaboration, realigned funding streams, or other mechanisms aimed at unlocking the promise of gene therapy. Human Tissue Supply.--The Committee remains interested in matching the increased needs of NIH grantees who rely upon human tissues and organs to study human diseases and search for cures. The Committee encourages the Director to increase support for nonprofit organizations that supply human tissues to NIH-funded researchers. Hydrocephalus.--The Committee urges the Director to establish a working group to intensify research efforts into the epidemiology, pathophysiology, disease burden and treatment of hydrocephalus, and to ensure collaboration among relevant Institutes. The Committee requests an update on the progress of such collaborative efforts in the fiscal year 2010 budget justifications, as well as projected spending on hydrocephalus research. Inherited Diseases of Bone.--The Committee urges the NIH to expand genetics research on diseases such as osteogenesis imperfecta, fibrous dysplasia, osteopetrosis, and Paget's disease. The Committee encourages the NIAMS, NIA and other Institutes to issue program announcements on the interaction of environmental and genetic factors in Paget's disease and for a study of the current prevalence of Paget's disease. Furthermore, the Committee urges the NIH to expand research on skeletal stem cell biology and the genetics and pathophysiology of rare bone disorders such as fibrous dysplasia, melhoreostosis, XLinked hypophosphatemic rickets and fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva. Limb-sparing Techniques.--The Committee is aware that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are producing a new type of patient--a war fighter with multiple and severely mangled extremities. Therefore, there is a profound need for targeted medical research to help military surgeons find new limb- sparing techniques to save injured extremities, avoid amputations, and preserve and restore the function of injured extremities. The Committee urges the Director of NIH to make this issue a trans-NIH priority and to use the considerable expertise of all of the Institutes to fund research that will provide military surgeons with the tools to save severely injured limbs. Lupus Research Plan.--In response to this Committee's request for a 5-year trans-Institute research plan on lupus, NIH last year developed and published ``The Future Directions of Lupus.'' The Committee requests an update in the fiscal year 2010 congressional budget justifications. Lymphatic Research and Lymphatic Disease.--The Committee strongly urges the Director to foster lymphatic research initiatives and awareness across all relevant ICs, including but not limited to: NHLBI, NCRR, NIBIB, NCI, NIDDK, NIAMS, NIAID, NICHD, NIA, and NHGRI. The Committee commends the NHLBI for taking a leadership role in the Trans-NIH Coordinating Committee and for engaging consultative expertise pursuant to the Intergovernmental Personnel Act. The Committee encourages appointment of additional leadership from other ICs (e.g., co- chairs). As the last report by the Trans-NIH Coordinating Committee was in April 2003, the Committee requests a comprehensive update by March 1, 2009, setting forth short- and long-term strategic plans to advance research of the lymphatic system and lymphatic diseases, and specifically addressing the Trans-NIH Working Group 2008 Recommendations. The Committee again urges that ICs specifically cite lymphatic system research in related funding mechanism requests where a lymphatic research component is appropriate. Metabolic Diseases and Bone.--The Committee urges the NIH to support research in the emerging field of metabolic diseases and bone. The increase in childhood obesity and its negative consequences on bone represents a significant health threat. New research indicates connections between diabetes and neural diseases and bone that were previously not suspected and merit further research. Therapies are required for secondary osteoporosis in children such as calcium supplementation and physical activity. The Committee also encourages more research on the beneficial and/or adverse effects of bone therapies such as bisphosphonates in children and adults with many chronic diseases. Native Hawaiians.--The Committee remains concerned about the high incidence of certain diseases among Native Hawaiians. In particular, it strongly urges additional research concerning these disparities in the areas of cancer, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease and diabetes. Neurofibromatosis [NF].--NF is an important research area for multiple NIH Institutes. Recognizing NF's connection to many of the most common forms of cancer, the Committee encourages the NCI to substantially increase its NF research portfolio in pre-clinical and clinical trials. The Committee also encourages the NCI to support NF centers, virtual centers, SPORE programs, pre-clinical mouse consortiums, patient databases, and tissue banks, and to work together with other NIH Institutes and Government agencies in doing so. The Committee also urges additional focus from the NHLBI, given NF's involvement with hypertension and congenital heart disease. The Committee encourages the NINDS to continue to aggressively explore NF's implications for disorders such as autism, spinal cord injury, learning disabilities and memory loss. In addition, the Committee continues to encourage the NICHD to expand funding for NF patients in the area of learning disabilities, including the creation of NF centers. NF2 accounts for approximately 5 percent of genetic forms of deafness; the Committee therefore encourages the NIDCD to expand its NF2 research portfolio. Opsoclonus-myoclonus Syndrome [OMS].--The Committee urges the Director to accelerate research on OMS and related paraneoplastic syndromes. Because the causes and symptoms of OMS cross scientific boundaries, research efforts should involve the Office of Rare Disorders, NINDS, NCI, NIAID and NEI, as well as private associations and nonprofit organizations. Pain Research.--Pain, shortness of breath, and nausea are the most common physical symptoms in all serious illnesses. The Committee urges the NIH to devise a strategy that will increase the funding devoted to basic and clinical research in pain, shortness of breath, and nausea. In addition, the Committee requests an update on the Pain Progress Review Group in the fiscal year 2010 congressional budget justifications. Primary Immunodeficiency [PI] Diseases.--The Committee strongly supports plans for a public-private partnership among the NICHD, NIAID, NHLBI, and NIDDK, and a private foundation that would fund a network of diagnostic and research centers conducting research on PI diseases. Psoriasis.--The Committee strongly encourages the NIAMS and NIAID to undertake and expand basic research related to understanding the genetics and immunology of psoriasis, including how genetic variation gives rise to differences in treatment responses and mechanisms that link skin and joint inflammation. The Committee encourages the NIMH to conduct research to identify any underlying biologic reason for mental health issues associated with psoriasis and to understand how negative social and psychological effects impact psoriasis. The Committee encourages the NIEHS to study these associations to better understand psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in order to treat and prevent these diseases. Sex Differences.--For many disorders, the sex of the patient influences disease etiology, natural history, diagnosis and treatment alternatives and outcomes. One of the fields where such differences are most pronounced is neuroscience. The Committee encourages each of the 15 institutes involved in the NIH Neuroscience Blueprint to carefully analyze their Blueprint research portfolio to ensure sex is included as a variable, when appropriate, and to require that all reported results include sex-specific analysis. Spina Bifida.--The Committee encourages the NIDDK, NICHD, and NINDS to study the causes and care of the neurogenic bladder in order to improve the quality of life of children and adults with spina bifida; to support research to address issues related to the prevention and treatment of spina bifida and associated secondary conditions such as hydrocephalus; and to invest in understanding the myriad co-morbid conditions experienced by children with spina bifida, including those associated with both paralysis and developmental delay. Spinal Muscular Atrophy [SMA].--Given the near-term scientific opportunity for an effective treatment, the Committee urges the Director to expeditiously establish a trans-NIH working group on SMA to include the NINDS, NICHD, NIAMS and NIGMS, as well as other relevant Institutes, to ensure direct and ongoing support of SMA research and drug development, including the establishment of a clinical trials network for SMA that will be needed to support each stage of drug development. With respect to the work of individual Institutes, the Committee notes that the NICHD has supported several new projects on SMA in 2007 but that collectively these efforts fall short of what is needed and that previously funded efforts have lapsed. The Committee urges the NICHD to support large-scale pilot studies that support the development of a national newborn screening program for SMA. The NINDS is strongly encouraged to plan and budget for each of the successive stages of the SMA Project, including for preclinical testing of multiple compounds and the necessary clinical trials infrastructure on a national and coordinated level and to begin a multicenter trial with leading drug candidates. Finally, the Committee urges the NIAMS to take an active role in research that would provide a better understanding of the effects of SMA-linked mutations on muscle as well as research that could provide therapeutic benefit through actions on muscle. Toxicity Testing of Chemicals.--The Committee applauds the memorandum of understanding between the NIH and the EPA titled ``High Throughput Screening, Toxicity Pathway Profiling and Biological Interpretation of Findings,'' and it encourages the NIH to provide funding to implement the goals under its jurisdiction. Tuberous Sclerosis Complex [TSC].--The Committee encourages the Office of the Director to continue to support the Trans-NIH Tuberous Sclerosis Complex Coordinating Committee, with particular emphasis on research on the link between TSC and autism spectrum disorder, as well as between common disorders (cancer, diabetes, aging, arthritis and obesity) and rare diseases (Peutz-Jegher syndrome, Cowden's disease, Proteus syndrome and lymphangioleiomyomatosis) that share a link to the mTOR signaling pathway in cells throughout the human body. OFFICE OF AIDS RESEARCH The Office of AIDS Research [OAR] coordinates the scientific, budgetary, legislative, and policy elements of the NIH AIDS research program. The Committee recommendation does not include a direct appropriation for the OAR. Instead, funding for AIDS research is included within the appropriation for each Institute, Center, and Division of the NIH. The recommendation also includes a general provision which directs that the funding for AIDS research, as determined by the Director of the National Institutes of Health and the OAR, be allocated directly to the OAR for distribution to the Institutes consistent with the AIDS research plan. The recommendation also includes a general provision permitting the Director of the NIH and the OAR to shift up to 3 percent of AIDS research funding among Institutes and Centers throughout the year if needs change or unanticipated opportunities arise. The Committee requests that the Director provide notification to the Committee in the event the Directors exercise the 3 percent transfer authority. The Committee includes bill language permitting the OAR to use up to $8,000,000 for construction or renovation of National Primate Research Centers. This is an increase of $4,000,000 over the fiscal year 2008 level. The budget request does not include any funding for this purpose. The Committee believes the need for such centers is especially critical because of recent disappointments associated with the development of an HIV/AIDS vaccine, which have led to a consensus among scientists that vaccine and prevention research efforts should be redirected to basic research and development. This will require increased usage of non-human primates. The Committee recommendation will support the OAR's efforts to expand breeding colonies of the NPRCs and to expand and improve the centers' laboratory facilities. BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES Appropriations, 2008.................................... $118,966,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 125,581,000 Committee recommendation................................ 146,581,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $146,581,000 for buildings and facilities [B&F]. The budget request is $125,581,000 and the fiscal year 2008 appropriation was $118,966,000. The Committee has included a provision to clarify that funds appropriated to the Institutes and Centers may be used for improvements (renovation/alterations) and repairs provided that (1) the funds are not already included in the buildings and facilities appropriation, (2) the improvements and repairs funded are principally for the benefit of the program from which the funds are drawn, and (3) such activities are conducted under and subject to the administrative policies and procedures of the NIH Office of the Director. The Committee has included a limitation on the size of projects to be funded directly by the Institutes and Centers. Renovation of Building 3.--The Committee strongly urges the NIH to use a portion of the recommended increase to renovate Building 3 on the Bethesda campus. This building has been decommissioned and is currently vacant. The renovation and restoration to productive use of this building will allow the NIH to provide space for administrative support of the scientific research portfolio. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Appropriations, 2008.................................... $3,356,329,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 3,158,148,000 Committee recommendation................................ 3,388,636,000 The Committee recommends $3,388,636,000 for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA] for fiscal year 2009. The comparable fiscal year 2008 level is $3,356,329,000 and the administration request is $3,158,148,000. The recommendation includes $128,989,000 in transfers available under section 241 of the Public Health Service Act. SAMHSA is responsible for supporting mental health programs and alcohol and other drug abuse prevention and treatment services throughout the country, primarily through categorical grants and block grants to States. The Committee has provided funding for programs of regional and national significance under each of the three SAMHSA centers: mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and substance abuse prevention. Separate funding is available for the children's mental health services program, projects for assistance in transition from homelessness, the protection and advocacy program, data collection activities undertaken by the Office of Applied Studies and the two block grant programs: the community mental health services block grant and the substance abuse prevention and treatment block grant. The Committee is disappointed that the administration has again submitted a budget request for SAMHSA that eliminates key programs that provide services and supports to those suffering from, or at risk of developing, mental health and substance abuse disorders. The administration's budget reflects a reduction of almost $200,000,000--or 6 percent--in SAMHSA's overall funding level. Specifically, mental health programs within the projects of regional and national significance activity have been reduced by 48 percent in the President's budget. The Committee notes that mental disorders are the leading cause of disability in the United States and Canada for those between the ages of 15 and 44 and that frequently, these disorders start early in childhood. Research has shown that early mental health issues often are precursors to substance abuse, school failure, risky behavior, and criminal activity. Instead of cutting mental health funding, our Nation should be making the same investments in prevention and promotion programs for mental health as it does for physical health. The Committee believes that given the prevalence of these disorders, taking a public health approach to preventing mental and behavioral problems should be a major priority. For this reason the Committee has prioritized funding for those programs which promote mental health and intervene early to address emerging mental health and substance abuse problems. The Committee has provided increases and restored proposed cuts to youth violence prevention, child traumatic stress activities, family treatment, early mental health promotion, strategic prevention framework grants and underage drinking prevention. The Committee is aware that the National Academy of Sciences is reviewing key advances in research relating to the prevention of mental health and substance abuse disorders among children, adolescents, and adults. The Committee looks forward to the release of the study, which will recommend priorities for future policies and strategies. The administration is encouraged to incorporate these recommendations into SAMHSA's fiscal year 2010 budget request. CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES Appropriations, 2008.................................... $910,506,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 784,266,000 Committee recommendation................................ 930,383,000 The Committee recommends $930,383,000 for mental health services. The comparable level for fiscal year 2008 is $910,506,000 and the administration request is $784,266,000. The recommendation includes $21,039,000 in transfers available under section 241 of the Public Health Service Act. Included in the recommendation is funding for programs of regional and national significance, the mental health performance partnership block grant to the States, children's mental health services, projects for assistance in transition from homelessness, and protection and advocacy services for individuals with mental illnesses. PROGRAMS OF REGIONAL AND NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE The Committee recommends $311,782,000 for programs of regional and national significance. The comparable level for fiscal year 2008 is $299,279,000 and the administration request is $155,319,000. Programs of regional and national significance [PRNS] address priority mental health needs through developing and applying best practices, offering training and technical assistance, providing targeted capacity expansion grants, and changing the delivery system through family, client-oriented and consumer-run activities. As part of taking a public health approach to mental health promotion and prevention, the Committee recommends $20,369,000 for the Project Launch program. This is an increase of $13,000,000 over last year's level. The administration proposed to eliminate this program, which promotes the emotional, physical and emotional wellness of young children from birth to 8 years of age. Grantees must create an integrated early childhood system that includes physical, mental and behavioral health, as well as education, substance abuse and social service components. The Committee urges SAMHSA to continue collaboration with HRSA and CDC on this program. The Committee is pleased with SAMSHA's collaboration with the Administration for Children and Families [ACF], especially with regard to that agency's home visitation initiative. The Committee strongly urges SAMHSA to explore further areas of collaboration that will strengthen families and promote child well-being. One possible area of collaboration is ACF's Child and Family Services Reviews under the child welfare program. The Committee reiterates its strong support for the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative [NCTSI]. Within the total for PRNS, the Committee provides $38,000,000 under section 582 of the Public Health Service Act to support grants through the NCTSI. The funding level represents an increase of $4,908,000 over the comparable level for fiscal year 2008. The administration proposed $15,668,000 for this program. The Committee notes that childhood trauma--such as exposure to violence, loss of a parent, and physical, sexual or emotional abuse--is associated with many other child, adolescent and adult health conditions. Scientific research shows that early trauma is linked to increased risk of mental health issues such depression, bipolar disorder, substance abuse, as well as physical ailments such heart disease, chronic lung disease and HIV/AIDS. The Committee believes that providing early intervention and treatment services, as well as promoting resiliency, for children exposed to trauma must be a high priority. With respect to NCTSI grants, the Committee strongly urges SAMHSA to give preference to applicants with prior experience in the NCTSN, as well as extensive experience in the field of trauma-related mental disorders in children, youth, and families, especially in the areas of child abuse (physical, sexual, and neglect), and residential treatment settings. In soliciting grant applications, SAMHSA should also pay special attention to the role of resiliency in recovery from trauma. The Committee remains deeply concerned that suicide is the third leading case of death for young Americans aged 10 to 24. The Committee recommendation includes $40,000,000 for youth suicide prevention activities, including $30,000,000 for grants to States and tribes to develop prevention and early intervention programs, $5,000,000 for campus-based programs that address youth suicide prevention and $5,000,000 for the suicide prevention resource center. The Committee intends that no less than last year's level of funding be used for preventing youth violence. This initiative includes the Safe Schools/Healthy Students interdepartmental program. The administration proposed cutting this initiative by $17,292,000. The Committee believes that enhanced school and community-based services can strengthen healthy child development, thus reducing violent behavior and substance use. The Committee recommendation provides $2,531,000 to continue and expand funding for the consumer statewide network grants. The administration proposed eliminating this program. The Committee recommendation will allow this network to expand to 12 new States, allowing more consumers to have a voice in the development of local mental health services. The Committee also provides funding at last year's level for the national technical assistance centers run by consumers and consumer- supporters. The Committee recommendation includes sufficient funding to continue the minority fellowship program, which as been instrumental in addressing the shortage of mental health services for racial and ethnic minorities. The administration did not request funding for this activity. The Committee has not provided funding for the adolescents at risk program. The Committee agrees with the administration that this activity is no longer necessary, as SAMHSA is conducting a cross-site evaluation of grantees providing school-based suicide prevention services. The Committee has not included funding for mental health drug courts or mental health targeted expansion grants, as proposed by the administration. Disaster Mental Health.--The Committee recognizes the significant impact that natural and human-made disasters can have on mental and behavioral health. The Committee encourages the Emergency Mental Health and Traumatic Stress Services Branch to continue its collaboration with the Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] in order to increase attention to the mental and behavioral health needs of vulnerable populations during and in the aftermath of a disaster. Foster Youth.--The Committee is concerned that there is no dedicated funding within SAMHSA to address the needs of foster youth and older children who are adopted. This is particularly alarming, given that foster youth suffer depression, panic disorders, post traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse at disproportionately high rates. While these population are served by existing programs, the Committee believes a special focus is needed to accurately recognize and address the unique needs of these youth. Mental Health of Older Adults.--The Committee recognizes that older adults are among the fastest growing subgroups of the U.S. population. Approximately 20-25 percent of older adults have a mental or behavioral health problem. The Committee encourages increased support for communities to assist in building a solid foundation for delivering and sustaining effective mental health outreach, treatment and prevention services for older adults at risk for a mental disorder. Primary Care.--The Committee is deeply concerned about recent reports that people with serious mental disorders served in the public mental health system die, on average, 25 years sooner than other Americans. The Committee strongly urges SAMHSA to explore ways to integrate primary care and specialty medical services in Community Mental Health Centers and other community-based behavioral health agencies. Teenage Depression and Suicide.--According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rates of suicide among adolescents and young adults in the United States have continued to rise since 2003. The Committee is deeply concerned by this disturbing trend and urges SAMHSA to strengthen its support of local efforts to implement mental health screening and suicide prevention programs. The Committee further urges SAMHSA to support evaluations or studies to determine how these practices can be best implemented at the community level, and to work with the private sector to develop methods to integrate mental health screening, assessment, prevention and education efforts into educational and medical settings. The Committee recommendation also includes language requiring that funds be provided to the following organizations in the amounts specified: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Committee Project recommendation ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2-1-1 Maine, Inc., Portland, ME, for a 2-1-1 telephone $200,000 number enabling access to health and social services in the community..................................... Children's Health Fund, New York, NY, for support 250,000 services for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Children's Health Project, Gulfport, MS......................... City of San Diego, San Diego, CA, to address the risks 100,000 of homelessness, violence and drug abuse among returning veterans................................... Highline-West Seattle Mental Health, Seattle, WA, for 450,000 mental health programs............................... Jewish Family Service of MetroWest, Florham Park, NJ, 200,000 for the Mental Health Intervention and Homelessness Prevention Project................................... Marion County, Salem, OR, for mental health treatment 150,000 programs............................................. Midwest Rural Telemedicine Consortium, Des Moines, IA, 500,000 for the Mental Health Outreach Initiative............ One Sky Center, Portland, OR, for substance abuse and 200,000 mental health programs............................... Roberta's House, Baltimore, MD, for mental health 300,000 services for children and families................... Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Rosebud, SD, for suicide 200,000 prevention services.................................. Turnaround for Children, Inc., Manhattan, NY, for 250,000 crisis intervention and treatment services for stu- dents................................................ United Way of Anchorage, Anchorage, AK, for the 2-1-1 600,000 project to provide a statewide health and human services management system for Alaska................ United Way of Greater St. Louis, Inc., St. Louis, MO, 250,000 for the 2-1-1 project for outreach, community education and expansion of statewide health and human services management systems.......................... University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, for mental 100,000 health program for disabled veterans................. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES BLOCK GRANT The Committee recommends $420,774,000 for the community mental health services block grant, which is the same as the comparable fiscal year 2008 amount and the administration request. The recommendation includes $21,039,000 in transfers available under section 241 of the Public Health Service Act. The community mental health services block grant 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 encourages SAMHSA to require that States' plans include specific provisions for mental health services for older adults. CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES The Committee recommends $102,260,000 for the children's mental health services program, which is the same as the comparable fiscal year 2008 level. The administration requested $114,486,000 for this activity. This program provides grants and technical assistance to support community-based services for children and adolescents with serious emotional, behavioral or mental disorders. Grantees must provide matching funds, and services must involve the educational, juvenile justice, and health systems. PROJECTS FOR ASSISTANCE IN TRANSITION FROM HOMELESSNESS [PATH] The Committee recommends $59,687,000 for the PATH Program. This amount is the same as the administration request. The comparable fiscal year 2008 level is $53,313,000. PATH provides outreach, mental health, and case management services and other community support services to individuals with serious mental illness who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. The PATH program makes a significant difference in the lives of homeless persons with mental illnesses. PATH services eliminate the revolving door of episodic inpatient and outpatient hospital care. Multidisciplinary teams address client needs within a continuum of services, providing needed stabilization so that mental illnesses and co-occurring substance abuse and medical issues can be addressed. Assistance is provided to enhance access to housing, rehabilitation and training, and other needed supports, assisting homeless people in returning to secure and stable lives. PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY The Committee recommends $35,880,000 for the protection and advocacy for individuals with mental illness [PAIMI] program. The comparable fiscal year 2008 level is $34,880,000 and the administration request is $34,000,000. This program helps ensure that the rights of mentally ill individuals are protected while they are patients in all public and private facilities, or while they are living in the community, including their own homes. Funds are allocated to States according to a formula based on population and relative per capita incomes. CENTER FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT Appropriations, 2008.................................... $2,158,572,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 2,115,439,000 Committee recommendation................................ 2,163,579,000 The Committee recommends $2,163,579,000 for substance abuse treatment programs. The comparable fiscal year 2008 is $2,158,572,000 and the administration request is $2,115,439,000. The recommendation includes $85,200,000 in transfers available under section 241 of the Public Health Service Act. This appropriation funds substance abuse treatment programs of regional and national significance and the substance abuse prevention and treatment block grant to the States. Programs of Regional and National Significance The Committee recommends $384,988,000 for programs of regional and national significance [PRNS]. The comparable fiscal year 2008 level is $399,844,000 and the administration request is $336,848,000. The recommendation includes $6,000,000 in transfers available under section 241 of the Public Health Service Act. Programs of regional and national significance include activities to increase capacity by implementing service improvements using proven evidence-based approaches and science to services activities, which promote the identification of practices thought to have potential for broad service improvement. Within the funds appropriated for CSAT, the Committee recommends $17,000,000 for residential treatment programs for pregnant and postpartum women and their children. The comparable funding level for 2008 is $11,790,000. The administration proposed to eliminate this program, which expands the availability of comprehensive, high quality residential treatment, recovery support, and family services for pregnant and postpartum women, along with their children impacted by the effects of maternal substance use and abuse. The Committee strongly believes that these family-based treatment programs are a cost-effective way to strengthen families, improve birth outcomes, reduce criminal behavior and break the cycle of addiction that often occurs in vulnerable communities. Within the funds appropriated for CSAT, the Committee recommends $2,000,000 for grants to States for creating and improving prescription drug monitoring systems. The Committee has not provided the administration's requested increase for the SBIRT program. This grant program promotes the integration of screening and brief interventions in primary and general medical care settings with a goal of identifying patients in need of treatment and providing them with appropriate intervention and treatment options. The Committee recommendation also does not include the administration's requested increase for criminal justice activities, including treatment drug court grants. The Committee expects SAMHSA to continue its policy of requiring grantees to work directly with State substance abuse agencies on all aspects of the grant in order to help promote effective and efficient State service systems. The Committee has provided funding at last year's level for treatment services for the homeless, including services in supportive housing. The recommendation also includes $17,078,000 to continue current efforts under the children and families activity. The administration did not request funding for this activity. The Committee has not provided funding for the strengthening treatment access and retention program. The Committee notes that this activity does not support any provision of services. The Committee also eliminates funding, as proposed by the administration, for special initiatives and outreach activities, as well as information dissemination. The Committee believes these activities are redundant and could be provided by other programs within the agency. Hepatitis.--The Committee is concerned about the prevalence of substance abuse, hepatitis and other blood borne pathogens and urges SAMHSA to work with voluntary health organizations to promote liver health education, and primary prevention of substance abuse and blood borne pathogens, like hepatitis and HIV/AIDS, to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors for all age groups and secondary prevention to promote recovery for those who are infected. Individuals with Disabilities.--The Committee is concerned that individuals with a substance use disorder and a coexisting disability are not receiving appropriate psychological intervention for substance abuse. Individuals with disabilities experience substance abuse rates at two-to-four times higher than the general population. The Committee acknowledges the efforts of SAMHSA to address the mental and behavioral health needs of individuals with disabilities and encourages increased support for research and treatment efforts that specifically address co-morbid physical, psychological and neuropsychological disabilities and substance abuse, including early detection, prevention, access to care, and its impact upon rehabilitation, work and family for persons with disabilities. Rapid HIV Testing.--Rapid HIV testing can effectively reduce the number of at-risk individuals who are unaware of their HIV infection status. The Committee believes it is essential that rapid HIV testing be coupled with comprehensive, evidenced-based, and culturally and linguistically appropriate counseling from mental and behavioral health care providers to help individuals prepare for, and respond to, their test results, as well as to provide prevention counseling and services. Rural and Native Communities.--The Committee remains concerned by the disproportionate presence of substance abuse in rural and native communities, particularly for American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities. The Committee reiterates its belief that funds for prevention and treatment programs should be targeted to those persons and communities most in need of service. The Committee has provided sufficient funds to increase knowledge about effective ways to deliver services to rural and native communities. Screening Persons with HIV.--According to the HIV Cost and Services Utilization Study [HCSUS], almost one-half of persons with HIV/AIDS screened positive for illicit drug use or a mental disorder, including depression and anxiety disorder. Unfortunately, health care providers fail to notice mental disorders and substance use problems in almost one-half of patients with HIV/AIDS. The Committee encourages SAMHSA to collaborate with HRSA to train health care providers to screen HIV/AIDS patients for mental health and substance use problems. The Committee recommendation also includes language requiring that funds be provided to the following organizations in the amounts specified: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Committee Project recommendation ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Akeela House Recovery Center, Anchorage, AK, for $500,000 residential substance abuse treatment................ Arlington County--Mental Health and Substance Abuse 150,000 Crisis Intervention and Diversion Program, Arlington, VA, for the treatment of persons with mental health and substance abuse issues in Arlington County....... Chrysalis House, Lexington, KY, for a substance abuse 100,000 program for women and children....................... Maniilaq Association, Kotzebue, AK, for residential 200,000 substance abuse treatment............................ Metro Homeless Youth Services of Los Angeles, Los 150,000 Angeles, CA, to expand services for homeless youth with substance abuse problems........................ Prairie Center Health Systems, Urbana, IL, for 500,000 outpatient and inpatient detoxification services for meth-addicted patients............................... Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Rosebud, SD, for a substance 200,000 abuse treatment program.............................. Vinland National Center, Independence, MN, for 100,000 substance abuse and parenting treatment services..... Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental 300,000 Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services, Richmond, VA, to provide treatment services for addiction to prescription pain medication......................... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant The Committee recommends $1,778,591,000, the same as the budget request, for the substance abuse prevention and treatment [SAPT] block grant. The comparable fiscal year 2008 level is $1,758,728,000. The recommendation includes $79,200,000 in transfers available under section 241 of the Public Health Service Act. The block grant provides funds to States to support alcohol and drug abuse prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation services. Funds are allocated to the States according to formula. State plans must be submitted and approved annually. The Committee has included bill language requested by the administration to provide supplemental awards to the top 20 percent of grantees for superior performance and submission of National Outcomes Measures [NOMS] data. The Committee believes that the SAPT block grant is an effective and efficient program that provides vital prevention and treatment services for the Nation's most vulnerable populations. According to SAMHSA, the block grant has been successful in expanding capacity and achieving positive results. In particular, outcomes data found, at discharge, 68 percent of clients were abstinent from illegal drugs and 74 percent of clients were abstinent from alcohol. The Committee is also aware that SAPT block grant funded programs help people find or regain employment; stay away from criminal activity; reunite with families; and find stable housing. CENTER FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION Appropriations, 2008.................................... $194,120,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 158,040,000 Committee recommendation................................ 191,271,000 The Committee recommends $191,271,000 for programs to prevent substance abuse. The comparable fiscal year 2008 level is $194,120,000 and the administration request is $158,040,000. Programs of Regional and National Significance The Committee has provided $191,271,000 for programs of regional and national significance [PRNS]. The Center for Substance Abuse Prevention [CSAP] is the sole Federal organization with responsibility for improving accessibility and quality of substance abuse prevention services. Through the PRNS, CSAP supports: development of new practice knowledge on substance abuse prevention; identification of proven effective models; dissemination of science-based intervention information; State and community capacity-building for implementation of proven effective substance abuse prevention programs; and programs addressing new needs in the prevention system. The Committee expects CSAP to focus its prevention efforts on environmental and population based strategies due to the cost effectiveness of these approaches. Further, the Committee instructs that given the paucity of resources for bona fide substance abuse prevention programs and strategies, money specifically appropriated to CSAP for these purposes shall not be used or reallocated for any other programs or purposes within SAMHSA. The Committee recommendation does not include funds for the administration's proposed Targeted Capacity Expansion program to address emerging prevention needs. The recommendation includes $105,000,000 for the strategic prevention framework State incentive grant [SPF SIG] program, which is designed to promote, bolster and sustain prevention infrastructure in every State in the country. The Committee is concerned that progress on awarding every State with a SPF SIG grant has been delayed given that no new grants have been awarded since fiscal year 2006. For this reason SAMHSA is strongly urged to maintain the average grant award at the level of the most recent cohort of SPF SIG recipients. The Committee continues to recognize that the lynchpin of the SPF SIG program is State flexibility. Therefore, the Committee urges SAMHSA to promote flexibility in the use of SPF SIG funds in order to allow each State to tailor prevention services based on a needs assessment or plan, rather than pre-determined strategies that may not be appropriate for the populations in their own jurisdiction. The Committee provides funding at no less than last year's level for the Centers for the Application of Prevention Technologies [CAPTs]. The Committee strongly supports the current CAPTs program given their important role working with State substance abuse agencies, prevention specialists and others to translate the latest prevention science into everyday practice. The Committee is concerned that any proposal to change the CAPT structure would negatively affect the ability of these customers to receive technical assistance that reflect State and local needs. The Committee urges SAMHSA to ensure that any changes to the CAPTs will reflect stakeholder input, as well as maintain State-specific substance abuse prevention expertise. The Committee recommendation includes $7,000,000 for activities authorized under the Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking [STOP] Act. This amount includes $5,000,000 for grants to help community coalitions address underage drinking, $1,000,000 for the continuation of the national adult-oriented media campaign to prevent underage drinking, and $1,000,000 for the Intergovernmental Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking [ICCPUD]. The Committee notes that the ICCPUD has not submitted an annual report on national progress in reducing underage drinking since January 2006. The Committee requests an interim progress report on the goals articulated in the initial report, as well as funds being expended by various agencies and progress on key indicators, such as prevalence, age of initiation, consumption patterns and the means of underage access. The report should be submitted no later than March 1, 2009. While the Committee commends SAMHSA for its support of town hall meetings on underage drinking, it reiterates its request that underage drinking findings from Federal surveys be separately and prominently highlighted. SAMHSA should submit examples of how this highlighting is being accomplished in its fiscal year 2010 congressional budget justification. The Committee supports the continuation of the public service announcement [PSA] campaign on underage drinking prevention, and notes that the STOP Act requires SAMHSA to report to Congress on ``the production, broadcasting, and evaluation of the campaign, the effectiveness of the campaign in reducing underage drinking, the need for and likely effectiveness of an expanded adult-oriented media campaign, and the feasibility and likely effectiveness of a national youth- focused media campaign to combat underage drinking.'' The Committee requests that SAMHSA and the PSA campaign partner entity submit the required report no later than March 1, 2009. The Committee recommendation also includes language requiring that funds be provided to the following organizations in the amounts specified: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Committee Project recommendation ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Hamakua Health Center, Honokaa, HI, for a youth anti- $200,000 drug program......................................... Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Louisiana Chapter, 100,000 Baton Rouge, LA, for substance abuse prevention focusing on underage drinking........................ West Virginia Prevention Resource Center, Charleston, 1,000,000 WV, for drug abuse prevention........................ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PROGRAM MANAGEMENT The Committee recommends $100,131,000 for program management activities of the agency. The comparable level for fiscal year 2008 is $93,131,000 and the budget request is $97,131,000. The recommendation includes $22,750,000 in transfers available under section 241 of the Public Health Service Act. The program management activity includes resources for coordinating, directing, and managing the agency's programs. Program management funds support salaries, benefits, space, supplies, equipment, travel, and departmental overhead required to plan, supervise, and administer SAMHSA's programs. The Committee recognizes the need for regular and periodic population-based sources of data on adults with serious mental illness and children with serious emotional disturbance. Therefore the recommendation includes $1,000,000 for a module in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health [NSDUH] to provide reliable and valid data on adults with serious mental illness. Based on recommendations from an expert panel that SAMHSA convened, the Committee believes that the best mechanism for the collection of information on children with serious emotional disturbance is the National Health Interview Survey [NHIS] conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics at CDC. Thus the recommendation includes $2,000,000 for the inclusion of questions related to the mental health of children in the NHIS and to carry out studies necessary to ensure the validity and reliability of the NHIS data on children with serious emotional disturbance. The Committee remains aware of the collaborative work by SAMHSA and State substance abuse directors to implement outcomes data collection and reporting through the NOMs initiative. The Committee is pleased that States continue to make progress in reporting NOMs data through the SAPT Block Grant. According to SAMHSA, approximately 47 States voluntarily reported substance abuse outcome data in 2007. State substance abuse agencies reported significant results in a number of areas--including abstinence from alcohol and illegal drug use; criminal justice involvement; employment; and stable housing. The Committee encourages SAMHSA to continue to help States address technical issues and promote State-to-State problem solving solutions. ST. ELIZABETH'S HOSPITAL The Committee recommendation includes $772,000, the same as the administration request, to further remediate the West Campus of St. Elizabeth's Hospital. No funds were requested for this activity in fiscal year 2008. DATA EVALUATION The Committee recommendation includes $2,500,000 for a needs assessment and evaluation of substance abuse data collection activities across the Department to improve surveillance activities and avoid duplication of effort. The recommendation is the same as the administration request. This activity was not funded in fiscal year 2008. The Department is requested to submit the results of this needs assessment, as well as its recommendations, to the Committee. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Appropriations, 2008.................................... $334,564,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 325,664,000 Committee recommendation................................ 334,564,000 The Committee recommends $334,564,000 for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality [AHRQ]. This amount is the same as the comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008. The administration request is $325,664,000. The Committee recommendation includes $243,966,000 in transfers available under section 241 of the Public Health Service Act. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality was established in 1990 to enhance the quality, appropriateness, and effectiveness of health services, as well as access to such services. In order to fulfill this mission, AHRQ conducts, supports and disseminates scientific and policy-relevant research on topics such as reducing medical errors, eliminating health care disparities, the use of information technology, and the comparative effectiveness of drugs and medical procedures. AHRQ-supported research provides valuable information to researchers, policymakers, healthcare providers and patients on ways to improve our Nation's health system and make health care more affordable. HEALTH COSTS, QUALITY, AND OUTCOMES The Committee provides $276,564,000 for research on health costs, quality and outcomes [HCQO]. The recommendation includes $185,966,000 in transfers available under section 241 of the Public Health Service Act. The recommendation is the same as the comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008. The administration requested $267,664,000 for this activity. The HCQO research activity is focused upon improving clinical practice, improving the health care system's capacity to deliver quality care, and tracking progress toward health goals through monitoring and evaluation. Of the total amount provided for HCQO the Committee has included $5,000,000 for activities to identify and reduce the spread of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus [MRSA] and other healthcare-associated infections. The Committee is concerned about the prevalence of these preventable infections and has provided a second year of funding for this initiative at AHRQ due to its expertise with patient safety and quality of care issues. The Committee encourages AHRQ to continue its collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services [CMS]. The Committee values AHRQ for its critical role in supporting health services research to improve health care quality, reduce costs, advance patient safety, eliminate health care disparities, and broaden access to essential services. However, the Committee is troubled that AHRQ's investigator- initiated research portfolio has languished even though many of the sentinel studies that have changed the face of health and health care in the United States are the result of researchers' ingenuity and creativity. To advance discovery and the free marketplace of ideas, the Committee believes ARHQ must dedicate more funding to investigator-initiated research. For this reason, the Committee does not provide the $6,000,0000 requested by the administration for a Health Insurance Decision Tool. Instead, the Committee strongly urges AHRQ to redirect these funds toward expanding its investment in investigator- initiated research. Ambulatory Patient Safety.--The Committee notes that while the scope, volume and complexity of ambulatory care has increased over the past decade, little is known about patient safety in ambulatory care settings. Few safety practices have been identified, and limited data exist on the nature of risk and hazards to patients and the threat to quality in ambulatory care settings. In light of the growing number of incidents involving syringe reuse and hepatitis C transmission across the country, the Committee urges AHRQ to expand the ambulatory safety and quality program [ASQ] to identify the inherent risks in ambulatory settings and to develop potential solutions for protecting patients. HIV Early Diagnosis.--The Committee recognizes the high economic burden associated with a positive diagnosis of HIV/ AIDS. The Committee encourages AHRQ to prepare a study comparing the economic burden of an early diagnosis to that of a later diagnosis. Safe Patient Handling.--The Committee continues to be concerned about the consequences of manual patient lifting in hospitals, nursing homes and other patient care settings that increase the risk of injury to both patients and nurses. The Committee is pleased that AHRQ acknowledges the importance of this issue, and recommends that AHRQ continue to study the impact of utilizing assistive devices and patient lifting equipment on patient injuries and the safety of nurses. Spina Bifida.--The Committee encourages AHRQ to continue and expand the development of a National Spina Bifida Patient Registry in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Training Grants.--The Committee is deeply concerned about declines in the number of, and funding for, training grants for the next generation of researchers. Failure to fund such grants stifles the workforce and knowledge base needed to respond to the Nation's growing health care challenges, including aging baby boomers, unsustainable rising costs, and declining health status. The Committee urges the administration to expand funding for AHRQ's training grants in its fiscal year 2010 budget request. Viral Hepatitis.--The Committee believes that much remains to be learned about the costs, quality and outcomes of treatments for hepatitis B and C. The Committee encourages AHRQ to develop and disseminate evidence-based information to healthcare providers and patients as a significant step in reducing the incidence of hepatitis, as well as improving access to, and outcomes from, treatments for these epidemic diseases. MEDICAL EXPENDITURES PANEL SURVEYS The Committee provides $55,300,000 for medical expenditures panel surveys [MEPS], which is the same as the comparable fiscal year 2008 level and the administration request. MEPS collects detailed information annually from families regarding health care use and expenditures, private and public health insurance coverage, and the availability, costs and scope of health insurance benefits. The data from MEPS is used in the development of economic models projecting the costs and savings of proposed changes in policy, as well as estimates of the impact of policy changes on payers, providers, and patients. PROGRAM SUPPORT The Committee recommends $2,700,000 for program support. This amount is the same as the comparable fiscal year 2008 level and the administration request. This activity supports the overall management of the agency. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services GRANTS TO STATES FOR MEDICAID Appropriations, 2008....................................$141,628,056,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 149,335,031,000 Committee recommendation................................ 149,335,031,000 The Committee recommends $149,335,031,000 for Grants to States for Medicaid, the same amount as the administration's request. This amount excludes $67,292,669,000 in fiscal year 2008 advance appropriations for fiscal year 2009. In addition, $71,700,038,000 is provided for the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, as requested by the administration. The Medicaid program provides medical care for eligible low-income individuals and families. It is administered by each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the territories. Federal funds for medical assistance are made available to the States according to a formula, which determines the appropriate Federal matching rate for State program costs. This matching rate is based upon the State's average per capita income relative to the national average, and shall be no less than 50 percent and no more than 83 percent. PAYMENTS TO HEALTH CARE TRUST FUNDS Appropriations, 2008....................................$188,445,000,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 195,308,000,000 Committee recommendation................................ 195,308,000,000 The Committee recommends $195,308,000,000 for Federal payments to health care trust funds, the same amount as the administration's 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 part D drug benefits and administration, plus other reimbursements to the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund for part A benefits and related administrative costs that have not been financed by payroll taxes or premium contributions. The Committee has provided $147,716,000,000 for the Federal payment to the Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund. This payment provides matching funds for premiums paid by Medicare part B enrollees. The Committee further provides $44,999,000,000 for the general fund share of benefits paid under Public Law 108- 173, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003. The Committee includes 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. The recommendation also includes $351,000,000 for hospital insurance for the uninsured. The Committee also recommends $263,000,000 for Federal uninsured benefit payment. This payment reimburses the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund for the cost of benefits provided to Federal annuitants who are eligible for Medicare. The Committee recommendation includes $206,000,000 to be transferred to the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund as the general fund share of CMS Program Management administrative expenses. The Committee recommendation also includes $547,000,000 to be transferred to the Supplementary Insurance Trust Fund as the general fund share of part D administrative expenses. The Committee recommendation includes $198,000,000 in reimbursements to the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control [HCFAC] fund and $1,028,000,000 for the Quinquennial Adjustment. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT Appropriations, 2008.................................... $3,151,651,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 3,307,344,000 Committee recommendation................................ 3,270,574,000 The Committee recommends $3,270,574,000 for CMS program management. The administration requested $3,307,344,000. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level was $3,151,651,000. Research, Demonstrations, and Evaluations The Committee recommends $33,530,000 for research, demonstrations, and evaluation activities. CMS research and demonstration activities facilitate informed rational Medicare and Medicaid policy choices and decisionmaking. These studies and evaluations include projects to measure the impact of Medicare and Medicaid policy analysis and decisionmaking, projects to measure the impact of Medicare and Medicaid on health care costs, projects to measure patient outcomes in a variety of treatment settings, and projects to develop alternative strategies for reimbursement, coverage, and program management. The Committee has included $5,000,000 for Real Choice Systems Change Grants for Community Living to States to fund initiatives that establish enduring and systemic improvements in long-term services and supports. The Committee is aware of several models of health care delivery that are improving patient outcomes; decreasing utilization of inpatient services, emergency room care and specialty services; and improving patient satisfaction. The Committee encourages CMS to make resources available for entities to develop models of primary health care delivery and demonstrate their effectiveness in improving delivery and decreasing per patient costs for Medicaid populations. The Committee recommendation also includes bill language requiring that funds be provided to the following organizations in the amounts specified: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Committee Project recommendation ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Bi-State Primary Care Association, Concord, NH, to $650,000 treat uninsured patients............................. City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, to improve access to 180,000 and utilization of primary and preventive health care among low-income residents........................... Hospice Foundation of America, Washington, DC, for 600,000 education programs................................... Medicare Chronic Care Practice Research Network, Sioux 700,000 Falls, SD, to evolve and continue the Medicare Coordinated Care Demonstration project............... University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, 100,000 PA, to develop a comprehensive health care delivery model................................................ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Medicare Operations The Committee recommends $2,300,729,000 for Medicare operations. The administration requested $2,339,729,000; the comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 was $2,158,906,000. The Medicare operations line item covers a broad range of activities including claims processing and program safeguard activities performed by Medicare contractors. These contractors also provide information, guidance, and technical support to both providers and beneficiaries. In addition, this line item includes a variety of projects that extend beyond the traditional fee-for-service arena. The Committee recommendation includes $108,900,000 for CMS Medicare contracting reform activities and includes bill language that extends the availability of those funds until September 30, 2010. The Committee recommendation includes $35,700,000 for contract costs for the Healthcare Integrated General Ledger Accounting System and includes bill language that extends the availability of those funds until September 30, 2010. Advances in medicine have enabled increasing numbers of type 1 diabetes patients to live with this disease for more than 50 years. Recent advances in continuous glucose monitoring technology have the potential to revolutionize the way diabetes is managed on a daily basis. While research is underway, the Committee urges CMS not to make premature coverage decisions related to such items as durable medical equipment or any associated services or supplies, nor take actions that would delay the private adoption of these technologies. Access to human pancreatic islets at a reasonable cost is vital to basic research on the causes and mechanisms of diabetes. If organs used to procure islets for research are not reimbursed at a reasonable rate, the cost could curtail much needed basic research on islet function in health and disease. The Committee urges CMS to address the issue of reimbursement rates for human pancreatic islets in a manner that will facilitate their research and/or clinical use. The Committee noted last year that many low-income Medicare part D enrollees living with HIV/AIDS have benefited from effective medication management programs. The Committee is pleased that CMS is now conducting an examination of medication therapy management programs. As early as September 2004 this Committee stated that long- term acute care hospitals play a vital role in the Medicare continuum of care and that admission decisions should be made on the basis of well-defined and objective patient and hospital admissions criteria. The Committee is concerned that the CMS guidelines set arbitrary quota limits for the number of patients which an LTACH can accept from any one hospital. Patients who need access to LTACHs are among the most vulnerable of the sick. This Committee has previously stated that the decision as to which patients should go into a LTACH should be made by physicians based on well-defined patient and hospital admissions criteria--not on arbitrary quotas. The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission [MEDPAC] in its March 22, 2007 letter to CMS warned that arbitrary criteria increase the risk of unintended consequences. The Committee remains concerned that 4 years have passed and CMS has not yet developed these criteria. State Survey and Certification The Committee recommends $293,128,000 for Medicare State survey and certification activities, which is the same as the administration's request. The fiscal year 2008 funding level was $281,186,000. 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. The Committee has not included language, requested by the administration, which authorizes the Secretary to charge fees associated with the cost of conducting revisits of certain health care facilities. High-Risk Insurance Pools The Committee did not recommend funding for High-Risk Insurance Pools nor did the administration request funding for this program. The fiscal year 2008 comparable funding level for this program was $49,127,000. Federal Administration The Committee recommends $643,187,000 for Federal administration costs, which is the same as the budget request. The fiscal year 2008 funding level was $631,132,000. The Committee is concerned regarding the low utilization rates for the ``Welcome to Medicare Physical Exam,'' and how this is impacting the number of Medicare beneficiaries that receive referrals for the abdominal aortic aneurysm [AAA] screening benefit and other preventive services. The American Heart Association estimates that if Medicare beneficiaries who are at risk for a AAA receive this one-time, cost-effective ultrasound screening, it will prevent over 15,000 deaths per year. The Committee urges CMS to launch a major public relations campaign to educate individuals who are about to become Medicare eligible, and their families, regarding the need to get their ``Welcome to Medicare Physical Exam.'' This exam allows America's seniors to learn new ways to prevent illness and if they do become ill, to treat the problem early before it becomes too severe. It also provides an opportunity to educate our seniors of the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle through good nutrition, engaging in regular physical activity and not smoking. All factors that can prevent individuals from developing chronic diseases and reducing their quality of life. The Committee is concerned that many seniors do not have a good understanding of the benefits covered, and not covered, under the Medicare program. In particular, studies have indicated that a majority of adults who are 45 or older overestimate Medicare coverage for long-term care. The Committee commends CMS for its efforts in establishing the National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care information. The Committee directs CMS to include in the next publication of ``Medicare & You'' information regarding the importance of writing and updating advance directives and living wills. The Committee is pleased that CMS plans to do an updated State-by-State survey of Medicaid coverage and reimbursement for telemedicine services and will consider the need for national guidance to State Medicaid agencies on provision of these services. As noted in last year's report, The Committee has supported demonstration projects that have assessed the efficacy of using interactive video technology as a means for providing intensive behavioral health services to individuals with serious emotional and behavioral challenges, such as autism and other at-risk populations. The Committee has observed that one of the most serious obstacles to the integration of telemedicine into health practices is the absence of consistent, comprehensive reimbursement policies. Medicaid policies set at State levels vary widely and are inconsistent from State to State. The Committee notes that the Deficit Reduction Act now requires that States capture data on certain prescription drugs administered by physicians under Medicaid and use that data to collect rebate dollars available from drug manufacturers. The Committee understands that States do not always adequately collect that data, if which collected could result in savings to the Medicaid program. The Committee encourages CMS to provide technical assistance to States on technologies available to collect this data in lieu of granting more waivers. HEALTH CARE FRAUD AND ABUSE CONTROL Appropriations, 2008.................................................... Budget estimate, 2009................................... $198,000,000 Committee recommendation................................ 198,000,000 The Committee recommends $198,000,000, to be transferred from the Medicare trust funds, for health care fraud and abuse control activities. This account has not been funded using discretionary funds in prior years. This amount, in addition to the $1,155,794,000 in mandatory monies for these activities, will provide a total of $1,353,794,000 for health care fraud and abuse control activities in fiscal year 2009. The Committee encourages CMS to invest in efforts to apply data mining and warehousing methodologies to detect fraud, waste, and abuse. Data mining is increasingly being used to extract relevant information from large data bases, like those maintained by CMS. The Committee has included funds for CMS to expand its efforts, begun in 2006, to link Medicare claims and public records data and to initiate new demonstration projects using data mining technologies. The Committee requests that CMS make recommendations to the Committee on how linking CMS data might be used to enhance the Medicare and Medicaid Integrity Programs to reduce fraud and abuse and to better screen providers. Reducing fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicare and Medicaid continues to be a top priority of the Committee. The Committee has held a number of hearings on fraud and abuse issues over the past 10 years and expects to begin holding more hearings on this issue over the next 12 months. Administration for Children and Families PAYMENTS TO STATES FOR CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT AND FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS Appropriations, 2008.................................... $2,997,970,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 2,759,078,000 Committee recommendation................................ 2,759,078,000 The Committee recommends $2,759,078,000 be made available in fiscal year 2009 for payments to States for child support enforcement and family support programs. The Committee recommendation is the same as the budget request under current law. The Committee also has provided $1,000,000,000 in advance funding for the first quarter of fiscal year 2010 for the child support enforcement program, the same as the budget request. These payments support the States' efforts to promote the self-sufficiency and economic security of low-income families. These funds also support efforts to locate non-custodial parents, determine paternity when necessary, and establish and enforce orders of support. LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Appropriations, 2008.................................... $2,570,328,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 2,000,000,000 Committee recommendation................................ 2,570,328,000 The Committee recommends $2,570,328,000 for fiscal year 2009 for the low income home energy assistance program [LIHEAP]. This is the same as the comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008. The administration requested $2,000,000,000 for this program. LIHEAP is made up of two components: the State grant program and a contingency fund. The Committee recommendation includes $1,980,000,000 for the State grant program, which is the same as the comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008. The administration requested $1,700,000,0000 for this program. LIHEAP grants are awarded to States, territories, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations to assist low-income households in meeting the costs of home energy. States have great flexibility in how they provide assistance, including direct payments to individuals and vendors and direct provision of fuel. These resources are distributed by formula to these entities as defined by statute, based in part on each State's share of home energy expenditures by low-income households. The Committee recommends $590,328,000 for the contingency fund. This is the same as the comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008. The administration requested $300,000,000 for this program. The contingency fund may be used to provide assistance to one or more States adversely affected by extreme heat or cold, significant price increases, or other causes of energy-related emergencies. REFUGEE AND ENTRANT ASSISTANCE Appropriations, 2008.................................... $655,631,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 628,044,000 Committee recommendation................................ 635,044,000 The Committee recommends $635,044,000 for refugee and entrant assistance. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 is $655,631,000 and the budget request is $628,044,000. The refugee and entrant assistance program is designed to assist States in their efforts to assimilate refugees, asylees, Cuban and Haitian entrants, and adults and minors who are trafficking victims, into American society as quickly and effectively as possible. The program funds State-administered transitional and medical assistance, the voluntary agency matching grant program, programs for victims of trafficking and torture, employment and social services, targeted assistance, and preventive health. This appropriation enables States to provide 8 months of cash and medical assistance to eligible refugees and entrants, a variety of social and educational services, as well as foster care for refugee and entrant unaccompanied minors. The Committee recommends $287,000,000 for transitional and medical assistance, including State administration and the voluntary agency program. The Office of Refugee Resettlement [ORR] estimates that $24,600,000 of prior year funding is available for use in fiscal year 2009, which will allow for a program level of $311,600,000. This funding level is sufficient for an estimated refugee ceiling of 80,000, including an estimated 12,000 Iraqi refugees, as well as an increasing number of Iraqi and Afghan special immigrant visa arrivals. The Committee recommendation also includes: $9,814,000 for victims of trafficking; $154,005,000 for social services; $4,748,000 for preventive health; and $48,590,000 for targeted assistance. For unaccompanied children, pursuant to section 462 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, the Committee recommends $120,070,000. Funds provided are for the care and placement of unaccompanied alien children [UAC] who are apprehended in the United States by the Department of Homeland Security [DHS] or other law enforcement agencies. The Committee is committed to ensuring that UAC are expeditiously transferred from the point of DHS apprehension to initial placement in ORR facilities where they can receive the care and services they need. The Committee directs ORR to respond to DHS' initial call for placement by identifying the ORR placement facility to DHS within 6 hours, on average, of receiving the DHS call. In addition, the Committee directs ORR to continue to work with DHS to expedite the transfer and placement of those children with special needs to the most appropriate ORR facility as quickly as possible. The Committee is aware that, during the implementation of section 462 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, the Office of Management and Budget [OMB] did not transfer funding from the Immigration and Naturalization Service [INS] to ORR for the responsibility of transporting unaccompanied alien children to ORR facilities. This is a clear indication that the transportation of these children was determined to be the responsibility of INS and its successor agency, Immigration and Customs Enforcement [ICE]. The Committee is further aware that ICE plans imminently to shift responsibility for transporting UAC to ORR. The Committee notes that the administration's budget request does not include funding for this responsibility in the ORR budget, nor does ORR have the transportation infrastructure in place to assume this function. In order to clarify the functions of these agencies, the Committee directs the Department to present to the Committee a joint report with OMB and DHS no later than March 1, 2009 with a recommendation for which agency is the most appropriate to fund the transportation of UAC to ORR facilities. The joint report should focus on which agency can deliver these services in the most cost effective manner. The Committee recommendation includes $5,000,000 for the pro bono legal services initiative. The Committee recognizes the need for unaccompanied children to be appropriately represented before immigration courts. The Committee expects ORR to use part of the funding provided to assess the overall impact of the pro bono legal services initiative. The Committee recommendation includes funding requested by the administration to respond to unaccompanied children exposed to traumatic events. The Committee recommends $10,817,000 to treat and assist victims of torture. The Committee notes that a large proportion of the increasing numbers of Iraqi refugee arrivals have experienced trauma, torture and severe violence. The Committee recommendation will help address the unique mental health needs of these refugees as they attempt to rebuild their lives in the United States. CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT Appropriations, 2008.................................... $2,062,081,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 2,062,081,000 Committee recommendation................................ 2,137,081,000 The Committee recommends $2,137,081,000 for the child care and development block grant. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 is $2,062,081,000, the same as the administration request. The child care and development block grant supports grants to States to provide low-income families with financial assistance for child care; for improving the quality and availability of child care; and for establishing or expanding child development programs. The Committee recommendation continues specific set asides in appropriations language that provide targeted resources to specific policy priorities including $19,120,350 for the purposes of supporting before and afterschool services, as well as resource and referral programs. This represents the Federal commitment to the activities previously funded under the dependent care block grant. The Committee recommendation sets aside $272,676,992 for child care quality activities, including $100,001,830 specifically for infant care quality. These funds are recommended in addition to the 4 percent quality earmark established in the authorizing legislation. The Committee has provided additional quality funds because of considerable research demonstrating the importance of serving children in high quality child care settings which include adequately compensated, nurturing providers who are specially trained in child development. The Committee recommendation also provides $10,000,307 for child care research, demonstration and evaluation activities. The Committee recommendation for resource and referral activities also includes $1,000,018 to continue support for a national toll-free hotline that assists families in accessing local information on child care options and that provides consumer education materials. The Committee expects the grantee to monitor the quality of services provided to families as a result of the program. SOCIAL SERVICES BLOCK GRANT Appropriations, 2008.................................... $1,700,000,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 1,700,000,000 Committee recommendation................................ 1,700,000,000 The Committee recommends $1,700,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 for the social services block grant. This is the same as the comparable fiscal year 2008 level. The Committee rejects the administration's proposed bill language to lower the authorized funding level stipulated in section 2003(c) of the Social Security Act to $1,200,000,000. CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SERVICES PROGRAMS Appropriations, 2008.................................... $8,980,991,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 8,503,382,000 Committee recommendation................................ 9,194,377,000 The Committee recommends $9,194,377,000 for fiscal year 2009 for children and families services programs. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 is $8,980,991,000 and the budget request is $8,503,382,000. The recommendation includes $10,172,000 in transfers available under section 241 of the Public Health Service Act. This appropriation provides funding for programs for children, youth, and families, the developmentally disabled, and Native Americans, as well as Federal administrative costs. Head Start The Committee recommends $7,104,571,000 for Head Start. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 is $6,877,976,000 and the administration request is $7,026,571,000. The Committee recommendation includes $1,388,800,000 in advance funding that will become available on October 1, 2009. Head Start provides comprehensive development services for low-income children and families that emphasize cognitive and language development, socio-emotional development, physical and mental health, and parent involvement to enable each child to develop and function at his or her highest potential. At least 10 percent of enrollment opportunities in each State are made available to children with disabilities. The Committee has provided an increase of $226,595,000 to the Head Start program in recognition of its vital role in providing education, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and their families. The increase will provide local programs with a cost-of-living increase and will assist them in implementing the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007, including increasing enrollment among Indian and Migrant Head Start programs. Within the total for Head Start, the Committee includes $3,000,000 for Centers of Excellence in Early Childhood as described in section 657B of the Head Start reauthorization bill. The Committee understands the serious need for additional and expanded Head Start facilities in rural areas and among Native American populations. The Committee believes that the Department could help serve these needy communities by providing minor construction funding, as authorized, in remote Native American communities. The Head Start Bureau shall continue to provide the Committee with the number and cost of buses purchased, by region, with Head Start funds in the annual congressional budget justification. Consolidated Runaway and Homeless Youth Program The Committee recommends $96,128,000 for the consolidated runaway and homeless youth program. This is the same as the comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 and the budget request. This program consists of the basic center program, which provides temporary shelter, counseling, and after-care services to runaway and homeless youth under age 18 and their families, and the transitional living program, which is targeted to older youth ages 16 to 21. Basic centers and transitional living programs provide services to help address the needs of some of the estimated 1.3 million to 2.8 million runaway and homeless youth, many of whom are running away from unsafe or unhealthy living environments. These programs have been proven effective at lessening rates of family conflict and parental abuse, as well as increasing school participation and the employment rates of youth. Runaway Youth Prevention Program The Committee recommends $17,221,000 for the runaway youth prevention program. This is the same as the comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 and the budget request. This competitive grant program awards funds to private nonprofit agencies for the provision of services to runaway, homeless, and street youth. Funds may be used for street-based outreach and education, including treatment, counseling, provision of information, and referrals for these youths, many of whom have been subjected to, or are at risk of being subjected to, sexual abuse. Child Abuse Programs The Committee recommends $107,799,000 for child abuse programs. The comparable level for fiscal year 2008 is $105,359,000, the same as the administration request. The recommendation includes $26,535,000 for State grants, $39,575,000 for discretionary activities, and $41,689,000 for community-based child abuse prevention. These programs seek to improve and increase activities at all levels of government which identify, prevent, and treat child abuse and neglect through State grants, technical assistance, research, demonstration, and service improvement. The Committee recommendation includes $12,000,000 within child abuse discretionary activities for a home visitation initiative. The comparable level for fiscal year 2008 is $10,000,000, the same as the administration request. This program provides competitive grants to States to encourage investment of existing funding streams into evidence-based home visitation models. The Administration for Children and Families [ACF] shall ensure that States use the funds to support models that have been shown, in well-designed randomized controlled trials, to produce sizable, sustained effects on important child outcomes such as abuse and neglect. The Committee expects ACF to adhere closely to evidence-based models of home visitation and not to incorporate any additional initiatives that have not met these high evidentiary standards or might otherwise dilute the emphasis on home visitation. The Committee recommendation includes $500,000 to continue a feasibility study on the creation of a national child abuse registry. Funding for the feasibility study was provided last year in the Office of the Secretary. Within the funds provided for child abuse discretionary activities, the Committee includes funding for the following items: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Committee Project recommendation ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Addison County Parent/Child Center, Middlebury, $250,000 Vermont, to support and expand parental education activities........................................... Anchorage's Promise, Anchorage, AK, for a child 115,000 mentoring and support program........................ Catholic Community Services, Juneau, AK, to implement 400,000 child abuse delivery programs in Southeast Alaska.... Contra Costa County, Martinez, CA, for a comprehensive 100,000 plan to diminish the effects of domestic violence on children............................................. Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County, New Castle, PA, for 100,000 abuse victim services................................ Young Women's Resource Center, Des Moines, IA, for a 100,000 child abuse prevention training program.............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Abandoned Infants Assistance The Committee recommends $11,628,000 for abandoned infants assistance, which is the same as the comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 and the budget request. This program provides grants to public and private nonprofit agencies, State and county child welfare agencies, universities, and community- based organizations to develop, implement, and operate demonstration projects that will prevent the abandonment of infants and young children, especially those impacted by substance abuse and HIV and who are at-risk of being or are currently abandoned. By providing respite care for families and caregivers and assisting abandoned infants and children to reside with their natural families or in foster care. Child Welfare Services The Committee recommends $281,744,000 for child welfare services. This is the same as the comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 and the budget request. This program helps State public welfare agencies improve their child welfare services with the goal of keeping families together. State services include: preventive intervention so that, if possible, children will not have to be removed from their homes; reunification so that children can return home; and development of alternative placements like foster care or adoption if children cannot remain at home. These services are provided without regard to income. The Committee continues its interest in ACF's Child and Family Services Reviews. As more States complete the second round of reviews, ACF should ensure that States are provided with appropriate resources to develop their performance improvement plans and obtain technical assistance. In particular, the Committee urges ACF to examine the need for additional resources for States in addressing child health and well-being issues. ACF should explore the possibility of expanding one of the existing National Resource Centers or, if warranted, establishing a new center on child health and wellbeing. Child Welfare Training The Committee recommends $7,207,000 for child welfare training. This is the same as the comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 and the budget request. These discretionary grants are awarded to public and private nonprofit institutions of higher learning to develop and improve education/training programs and resources for child welfare service providers. These grants upgrade the skills and qualifications of child welfare workers. Adoption Opportunities The Committee recommends $26,379,000 for adoption opportunities, which is the same as the comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 and the budget request. This program eliminates barriers to adoption and helps find permanent homes for children who would benefit by adoption, particularly children with special needs. Adoption Incentives The Committee recommends $15,000,000 for adoption incentives. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 is $4,323,000 and the administration request is $19,674,000. This program provides incentive funds to States to encourage an increase in the number of adoptions of children from the public foster care system. The recommendation is sufficient to fund adoption incentives under current law. Adoption Awareness The Committee recommends $12,453,000 for adoption awareness, which is the same as the comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 and the budget request. This program consists of two activities: the infant adoption awareness training program and the special needs awareness campaign. The infant adoption awareness training program provides grants to train health centers staff serving pregnant women so that they can inform them about adoption and make referrals on request to adoption agencies. Within the Committee recommendation, $9,558,000 is available for this purpose. The special needs adoption campaign supports grants to carry out a national campaign to inform the public about the adoption of children with special needs. The Committee recommendation includes $2,895,000 to continue this important activity. Compassion Capital Fund The Committee recommends $42,688,000 for the compassion capital fund [CCF]. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 is $52,688,000 and the administration request is $75,000,000. The goal of this program is to help faith-based and community organizations maximize their social impact as they provide services to those most in need. The CCF administers three discretionary grant programs: a demonstration program which provides funding to intermediary organizations to provide training and technical assistance to smaller faith and community-based organizations; a program to fund capacity- building activities; and a program to build the capacity of organizations that combat gang activity and youth violence. Social Services Research The Committee recommends $12,337,000 for social services research. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 is $21,194,000 and the budget request is $5,762,000. The Committee recommendation includes $5,762,000 in transfers available under section 241 of the Public Health Service Act. These funds support research and evaluation projects focusing on finding programs that are cost effective, that increase the economic independence of American families and that contribute to healthy development of children and youth. The Committee feels strongly about preventing child maltreatment and ameliorating its adverse health effects. The Committee encourages ACF to enhance its child maltreatment prevention activities by: using population-based monitoring to capture information outside child protective services systems; promoting prevention and early intervention to identify and disseminate information about effective programs; advancing research to prevent the negative consequences of child maltreatment; and furthering the development and implementation of culturally appropriate and linguistically sensitive prevention and intervention approaches. The Committee also notes that children with disabilities are a distinct high-risk group for abuse and neglect. The Committee recommends targeted support for appropriate research, and the implementation of evidence-based prevention and early intervention efforts, for children with disabilities. The Committee is aware of the dramatic increase in homeless children combined with the unique multiracial and multiethnic demographic environment in Hawaii. Forty-two percent of these children are under age 6, and have twice the sickness and hunger rates when compared to their peers. Studies also reveal that homeless children perform poorly in school. The Committee urges ACF to develop a knowledge base to create programs that will structure appropriate programs and services that will improve homeless children's health and learning. Within the funds provided for social services research, the Committee includes funding for the following items: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Committee Project recommendation ------------------------------------------------------------------------ A+ For Abstinence, Waynesboro, PA, for abstinence $25,000 education and related services....................... Catholic Social Services, Wilkes Barre, PA, for 25,000 abstinence education and related services............ City of Chester, Bureau of Health, Chester, PA, for 25,000 abstinence education and related services............ Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies, 400,000 Wethersfield, CT, for the Empowering People for Success welfare-to-work initiative................... Creative Visions in Des Moines, IA, for a family 150,000 unification project for incarcerated individuals..... Crozer Chester Medical Center, Upland, PA, for 25,000 abstinence education and related services............ Desormeaux Foundation, Lafayette, LA, for an expectant 100,000 mother education and aid program..................... Elijah's Promise, New Brunswick, NJ, for the Healthy 50,000 Kitchens- Healthy Lives program...................... Family Services and Childrens Aid Society, Oil City, 25,000 PA, for abstinence education and related services.... Family, Inc., Council Bluffs, IA, for the FAMILY 350,000 program.............................................. Guidance Center, Ridgeway, PA, for abstinence 25,000 education and related services....................... Horizons for Homeless Children, Roxbury, MA, for 150,000 continued development of programs designed to support homeless children.................................... Iowans for Social and Economic Development [ISED], Des 200,000 Moines, IA, for a Comprehensive Asset Development Project.............................................. Keystone Central School District, Mill Hall, PA, for 25,000 abstinence education and related services............ Keystone Economic Development Corporation, Johnstown, 25,000 PA, for abstinence education and related services.... LaSalle University, Philadelphia, PA, for abstinence 25,000 education and related services....................... Local Initiatives Support Coalition Rhode Island, 200,000 Providence, RI, for child care professional development and programmatic activities.............. Louisiana Association of United Ways, New Orleans, LA, 400,000 to expand the capacity of the Louisiana 2-1-1 system. Marcus Institute, Atlanta, GA, for services for 100,000 children and adolescents with developmental disabilities......................................... Monterey County Probation Department, Salinas, CA, for 1,500,000 a gang prevention and intervention program........... My Choice, Inc., Athens, PA, for abstinence education 25,000 and related services................................. Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 400,000 Inc., Hempstead, NY, to provide legal services to low- income victims of domestic violence.................. Neighborhood United Against Drugs, Philadelphia, PA, 25,000 for abstinence education and related services........ New Brighton School District, Brighton, PA, for 25,000 abstinence education and related services............ Nueva Esperanza, Philadelphia, PA, for abstinence 25,000 education and related services....................... Ohio United Way, Columbus, OH, to expand the capacity 400,000 of the 2-1-1 system.................................. One Family, Inc., Boston, MA, for continued 250,000 development of programs to designed to end family homelessness......................................... Progressive Believers Ministries, Glenside, PA, for 25,000 abstinence education and related services............ School District of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, for 25,000 abstinence education and related services............ Shepherd's Maternity House, Inc., East Stroudsburg, 25,000 PA, for abstinence education and related services.... Sheriffs Youth Programs of Minnesota, Inver Grove 150,000 Heights, MN, for expansion and related expenses for foster care services................................. Simpson College, Indianola, IA, for Urban Studies 200,000 Institute............................................ Southern Penobscot Regional Program for Children with 200,000 Exceptionalities, Bangor, ME, for services for families with autistic children...................... Tender Care Pregnancy Center, Inc., Hanover, PA, for 25,000 abstinence education and related services............ The Jimmie Hale Mission, Birmingham, AL, for services 100,000 for homeless families................................ TLC for Children and Families, Inc., Olathe, KS, for a 200,000 transitional living program for at-risk youth........ Tuscarora Intermediate Unit, McVeytown, PA, for 25,000 abstinence education and related services............ United Way of the Capital Area, Jackson, MS, for 2-1-1 250,000 Mississippi for social services programs............. Urban Family Council, Philadelphia, PA, for abstinence 25,000 education and related services....................... Washington Hospital Teen Outreach, Washington, PA, for 25,000 abstinence education and related services............ Women's Care Center of Erie County, Inc., Erie, PA, 25,000 for abstinence education and related services........ York County Human Life Services, York, PA, for 25,000 abstinence education and related services............ Zuni Tribe, Zuni, NM, for a program to assist foster 275,000 children............................................. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Developmental Disabilities The Committee recommends $185,021,000 for programs administered by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 is $180,021,000, the same as the administration request. The Administration on Developmental Disabilities [ADD] supports community-based delivery of services which promote the rights of persons of all ages with developmental disabilities. Developmental disability is defined as severe, chronic disability attributed to mental or physical impairments manifested before age 22, which causes substantial limitations in major life activities. The ADD also provides funding for election assistance for individuals with disabilities. This program is for individuals with any type of disability. Of the funds provided, the Committee recommends $74,482,000 for State Councils. These important entities work to develop, improve and expand the system of services and supports for people with developmental disabilities. Through their activities, Councils on Developmental Disabilities provide for the inclusion and integration of individuals with developmental disabilities in the economic, political, social, cultural, religious and educational mainstream of our Nation. The Committee recommends $40,024,000 for protection and advocacy grants. This formula grant program provides funds to States to establish protection and advocacy systems to protect the legal and human rights of persons with developmental disabilities who are receiving treatment, services, or rehabilitation. The Committee recommends $17,410,000 for disabled voter services. Of these funds, $12,154,000 is to promote disabled voter access and $5,256,000 is for disabled voters protection and advocacy systems. The election assistance for individuals with disabilities program was authorized in the Help America Vote Act of 2002. The program enables grantees to make polling places more accessible and increase participation in the voting process of individuals with disabilities. The Committee recommends $14,162,000 for projects of national significance to assist persons with developmental disabilities. This program funds grants and contracts that develop new technologies and demonstrate innovative methods to support the independence, productivity, and integration into the community of persons with developmental disabilities. The Committee recommendation includes $2,000,000 for the continuation of the National Clearinghouse and Technical Assistance Center. This Center promotes leadership by families of children with disabilities in the design and improvement of family-centered and family-controlled systems of family support services, as described in section 202(b)(2) of the Families of Children with Disabilities Support Act of 2000. The Committee recommends $38,943,000 for the University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities [UCEDDs], a network of 67 centers that are interdisciplinary education, research and public service units of a university system or are public or nonprofit entities associated with universities. The Centers serve as the major vehicle to translate disability- related research into community practice and to train the next cohort of future professionals who will provide services and supports to an increasingly diverse population of people with disabilities. The Committee intends that the additional funding provided will provide a cost-of-living adjustment to existing centers, and will also establish new grants to work through partnerships with minority-serving institutions. These new grants will focus research, training and services on minority populations with disabilities. The Committee encourages the Secretary to make funds available to establish a National Autism Family Resource and Information Center, which will provide families and other caregivers of individuals with autism spectrum disorders access to information about evidence-based interventions, services and protocols that can assist individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. Native American Programs The Committee recommends $45,523,000 for Native American programs. This is the same as the comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 and the budget request. The Administration for Native Americans [ANA] assists Indian tribes and Native American organizations in planning and implementing long-term strategies for social and economic development through the funding of direct grants for individual projects, training and technical assistance, and research and demonstration programs. Community Services The Committee recommends $723,080,000 for community services programs. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 is $722,440,000 and the administration requested $24,025,000 for this activity. Within the funds provided, the Committee recommends $653,800,000 for the community services block grant [CSBG], which is the same as the comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level. The administration did not request funding for this program. These funds are used to make formula grants to States and Indian tribes to provide a wide range of services and activities to alleviate causes of poverty in communities and to assist low-income individuals in becoming self-sufficient. Several other discretionary programs are funded from this account. Funding for these programs is recommended at the following levels for fiscal year 2009: community economic development, $31,467,000; individual development accounts, $24,025,000; job opportunities for low-income individuals, $5,288,000; and rural community facilities, $8,500,000. The Committee has included bill language clarifying congressional intent regarding disposition of intangible assets, including loans and investments, acquired under the community economic development authority of the CSBG Act. Grantees under this program make loans or investments in private business enterprises that provide job and business opportunities for low-income individuals. As the grantee receives repayments or program income from these loans or investments, it recycles these funds into other similar projects. The bill language continues the policy in place since 1999 that establishes a regulatory period of up to 12 years after the end of grant period. After that time, the intangible assets and program income become the property of the grantee provided they are used in a manner consistent with the intent of the authorizing statute. The bill language clarifies that recycled funds or program income may be used in any low-income community for any eligible purpose under the law and not be restricted to the original target area, financing, or type of project for which the grantee was originally funded. The Committee continues to recognize the importance of Community Action Agencies [CAAs] as institutions that organize low-income communities to identify emerging challenges to economically insecure Americans and subsequently mobilize the resources, programs and partnerships needed to address local poverty conditions. The CSBG is a unique Federal resource that supports CAAs while they initiate creative responses to local poverty conditions and seek new sources of support and investment to implement their initiatives. The Committee believes that CSBG funding is an investment, analogous to venture capital, in the future of low-wage workers, retirees and their families. The Committee notes that Office of Community Services [OCS] has failed to report on its progress in remedying many of the severe deficiencies in its oversight of the CSBG that were reported by the Government Accountability Office. OCS has also failed to comply with the direction from the fiscal year 2005 appropriations conference report to implement a training and technical assistance needs assessment and delivery plan in consultation with CSBG State and local eligible entities. The Committee expects both failures to be remedied during fiscal year 2009. The Committee believes that training and technical assistance funding should build the local organizational resources needed to reduce poverty and rebuild communities. The Committee encourages OCS to develop and deliver the professional skills training needed by CAA leaders to undertake investments in projects that enhance their communities' future security by financing and implementing innovative housing, economic and community development partnerships. The Committee also believes that OCS should support development of linkages between local agencies, their national organizations and major academic institutions; such linkages could support dissemination to CAAs of applied research on effective responses to poverty conditions. The Committee also believes that OCS should continue to make grants to each statewide association of CAAs so they may continue and expand cost- effective training and other capacity-building services for their members. Domestic Violence Hotline The Committee recommends $3,500,000 for the national domestic violence hotline. The comparable fiscal year 2008 amount is $2,918,000, the same as the budget request. This activity funds the operation of a national, toll-free, 24- hours-a-day telephone hotline to provide information and assistance to victims of domestic violence. Family Violence Prevention and Services The Committee recommends $125,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 for the family violence prevention and services program, which includes battered women's shelters. The comparable amount for fiscal year 2008 is $122,552,000, the same as the budget request. These funds support community-based projects which operate shelters and provide assistance for victims of domestic violence and their dependents. Grantees use funds to provide counseling, self-help and referral services to victims and their children. The Committee notes that domestic violence impacts one in four American women over their lifetimes. In addition, 15.5 million children are exposed to domestic violence each year. The Committee acknowledges the connections between domestic violence and a variety of related public health problems, such as youth violence, homelessness, substance abuse, mental illness, and increased health care costs. The Committee's funding recommendation reflects its belief that the family violence prevention and services program, including battered women's shelters, not only provides critical services to victims fleeing from life-threatening violence but also prevents other costly social problems. The Committee encourages the Family and Youth Services Bureau to collaborate with other operating divisions within the Department to respond to the intersection of domestic violence and other health issues. This collaboration would be cost effective and has the potential to prevent domestic violence and many other public health concerns. Mentoring Children of Prisoners The Committee recommends $48,628,000 for mentoring children of prisoners, which is the same as the comparable amount for fiscal year 2008. The administration requested $50,000,000 for this activity. This program provides competitive grants to community organizations to create and sustain mentoring relationships between children of prisoners and adults in their community. Research indicates that mentoring programs can help children with incarcerated parents reduce their drug and alcohol use, improve their relationships and academic performance, and reduce the likelihood that they will initiate violence. Independent Living Training Vouchers The Committee recommends $45,351,000 for independent living training vouchers, which is the same as the comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level and the budget request. These funds will support vouchers of up to $5,000 per year for postsecondary educational and training for foster care youth up to 21 years of age. This program increases the likeihood that individuals who age out of the foster care system will be better prepared to live independently and contribute productively to society. Abstinence Education The Committee recommends $84,827,000 for community-based abstinence education. The comparable level for fiscal year 2008 is $113,400,000 and the administration request is $141,074,000. The recommendation includes $4,410,000 in transfers available under section 241 of the Public Health Service Act. The Committee has not provided funding for the administration's proposed increase or for the national abstinence media campaign. The Committee recommendation fully funds current grantee continuation costs. The Committee repeats bill language from last year's Senate report clarifying that information provided under this program must be scientifically and medically accurate. The Committee's intent is that ``scientifically and medically accurate'' refers to information that is verified or supported by peer-reviewed research by leading medical, psychological, psychiatric and public health publications, organizations and agencies. Faith-Based Center The Committee recommends $1,362,000 for the operation of the Department's Center for Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. This amount is the same as the comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 and the budget request. Program Administration The Committee recommends $196,930,000 for program administration. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 is $184,496,000 and the administration request is $195,430,000. The Committee commends the Department for its plans to establish in 2008 a Federal advisory committee on children and disasters under the authority of section 1114 of the Social Security Act. The Committee understands that this advisory committee will be charged with providing policy analysis and advice to ACF and the Secretary. This advisory committee will assess the needs of children as they relate to preparation for, response to, and recovery from all hazards, including major disasters and emergencies. The Committee understands this advisory committee will build on the evaluations of other entities and avoid unnecessary duplication, by reviewing the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of various commissions, Federal, State, and local governments, and nongovernmental entities on this topic. The recommendation includes $1,500,000 to complete this work. Funds may be used for personnel, travel and any other necessary administrative expenses. The Committee requests that ACF submit a report on the progress of this committee within 1 year of the initial meeting. The Committee understands that pursuant to the authorizing legislation, the members of the Commission have already been appointed. To ensure that the work of the Commission is not delayed, the Committee directs the Secretary to keep in place the currently appointed members. PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES Appropriations, 2008.................................... $408,311,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 408,311,000 Committee recommendation................................ 418,311,000 The Committee recommends $418,311,000 for promoting safe and stable families. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 is $408,311,000, the same as the budget request. The recommendation consists of $345,000,000 in mandatory funds authorized by the Social Security Act and $73,311,000 in discretionary appropriations. Funds available through the promoting safe and stable families [PSSF] program are focused on supporting those activities that can prevent family crises from emerging which might require the temporary or permanent removal of a child from his or her own home. The program provides grants to States, territories, and tribes for provision of four broad categories of services to children and families: (1) family preservation services; (2) time-limited family reunification services; (3) community-based family support services; and (4) adoption promotion and support services. The Child and Family Services Improvement Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-288) allocated $20,000,000 for formula grants to States to support monthly caseworker visits to children in foster care and for competitive grants to regional partnerships to address child welfare issues raised by parent or caretaker abuse of methamphetamine or other substance. PAYMENTS TO STATES FOR FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION ASSISTANCE Appropriations, 2008.................................... $5,067,000,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 5,096,000,000 Committee recommendation................................ 5,096,000,000 The Committee recommends $5,096,000,000 for payments to States for foster care and adoption assistance, which includes funding for the foster care, adoption assistance and independent living programs. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 is $5,067,000,000. In addition, the Committee recommendation provides $1,800,000,000 for an advance appropriation for the first quarter of fiscal year 2010. The Committee recommendation provides the full amount requested under current law. The foster care program provides Federal reimbursement to States for: maintenance payments to families and institutions caring for eligible foster children, matched at the Federal medical assistance percentage [FMAP] rate for each State; administration and training costs to pay for the efficient administration of the foster care program; and training of foster care workers and parents. The adoption assistance program provides funds to States for maintenance payments and the nonrecurring costs of adoption for children with special needs. The goal of this program is to facilitate the adoption of hard-to-place children in permanent homes, and thus prevent long, inappropriate stays in foster care. As in the foster care program, State administrative and training costs are eligible under this program for Federal reimbursement subject to a matching rate. The independent living program provides services to foster children under 18 and foster youth ages 18-21 to help them make the transition to independent living by engaging in a variety of services including educational assistance, life skills training and health services. States are awarded grants based on their share of the number of children in foster care, subject to a matching requirement. The Committee urges HHS to clarify that States may not deny eligibility for independent living services to a youth who otherwise meets the eligibility criteria but is temporarily residing out of State, and that States may not terminate ongoing independent living assistance solely due to the fact that a youth is temporarily residing out of State. Administration on Aging Appropriations, 2008.................................... $1,413,435,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 1,381,384,000 Committee recommendation................................ 1,478,156,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,478,156,000 for the Administration on Aging [AoA]. The comparable fiscal year 2008 level is $1,413,435,000 and the administration request is $1,381,384,000. Supportive Services and Senior Centers The Committee recommends an appropriation of $361,348,000 for supportive services and senior centers. The comparable level for fiscal year 2008 is $351,348,000, the same as the administration request. The supportive services program provides formula grants to States and territories to fund activities that help seniors remain in their homes for as long as possible. This program funds a wide range of social services such as multipurpose senior centers, adult day care, transportation and in-home assistance such as personal care and homemaker assistance. State agencies on aging award funds to designated area agencies on aging who in turn make awards to local services providers. All individuals age 60 and over are eligible for services, although, by law, priority is given to serving those who are in the greatest economic and social need, with particular attention to low-income minority older individuals, older individuals with limited English proficiency, and older individuals residing in rural areas. Preventive Health Services The Committee recommends $21,026,000 for preventive health services, which is the same as the comparable fiscal year 2008 level. The administration did not request funds for this program. The preventive health services program funds activities such as health screenings, physical fitness, medication management and information and outreach regarding healthy behaviors that can help prevent or delay chronic disease and disability. Protection of Vulnerable Older Americans The Committee recommends $22,133,000 for grants to States for protection of vulnerable older Americans. The comparable fiscal year 2008 level is $20,633,000, the same as the administration request. Within the Committee recommendation, $17,077,000 is for the ombudsman services program and $5,056,000 is for the prevention of elder abuse program. Both programs provide formula grants to States to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older individuals. The ombudsman program focuses on the needs of residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, while elder abuse prevention targets its message to the elderly community at large. National Family Caregiver Support Program The Committee recommends $155,000,000 for the national family caregiver support program. The comparable level for fiscal year 2008 is $153,439,000, the same as the administration request. Funds appropriated for this activity establish a multifaceted support system in each State for family caregivers, allowing them to care for their loved ones at home for as long as possible. States may use funding to implement the following five components into their program: information to caregivers about available services; assistance to caregivers in gaining access to services; caregiver counseling and training; respite care to enable caregivers to be temporarily relieved from their caregiving responsibilities; and limited supplemental services that fill remaining service gaps. The Committee recognizes the essential role of family caregivers who provide a significant proportion of our Nation's health and long-term care for the chronically ill and aging. While caring for a loved one can be rewarding, it may also put caregivers at risk for negative physical and mental health consequences. The Committee acknowledges the efforts of the AoA to provide vital support services for family caregivers through the national family caregiver support program. The Committee encourages increased support of services that may prevent or reduce the health burdens of caregiving, including individual counseling, support groups, respite care, and caregiver training. Native American Caregiver Support Program The Committee recommendation includes $6,316,000 to carry out the Native American caregiver support program. This amount is the same as the comparable fiscal year 2008 level and the administration request. The program will assist tribes in providing multifaceted systems of support services for family caregivers and for grandparents or older individuals who are relative caregivers. Congregate and Home-delivered Nutrition Services For congregate nutrition services, the Committee recommends an appropriation of $434,269,000. The comparable level for fiscal year 2008 is $410,716,000, the same as the administration request. For home-delivered meals, the Committee recommends $205,005,000. The comparable fiscal year 2008 level is $193,858,000, the same as the administration request. These programs address the nutritional needs of older individuals. Projects funded must make home-delivered and congregate meals available at least once a day, 5 days a week, and each meal must meet a minimum of one-third of daily dietary requirements. While States receive separate allotments of funds for congregate and home-delivered nutrition services and support services, they are permitted to transfer up to 40 percent of funds between these programs. The Committee is aware that many local senior nutrition programs are facing a crisis due to rising fuel and food costs. The Committee is alarmed that some programs have been forced to consolidate meal sites, while others have eliminated delivery routes for home-delivered meals programs. Many programs are resorting to providing frozen meals and reducing daily deliveries in order to cut costs. The Committee believes that such cutbacks put our most vulnerable seniors at risk of hunger, poor health, and isolation. The Committee has provided a 5.7 percent increase for senior nutrition programs in order to help alleviate the financial strain faced by local providers of these services. Nutrition Services Incentives Program The Committee recommendation includes $162,207,000 for the nutrition services incentives program [NSIP]. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level is $153,429,000, the same as the administration request. This program augments funding for congregate and home-delivered meals provided to older adults. Funds provided under this program are dedicated exclusively to the provision of meals. NSIP rewards effective performance by States and tribal organizations in the efficient delivery of nutritious meals to older individuals through the use of cash or commodities. Aging Grants to Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations The Committee recommends $26,898,000 for grants to Native Americans. This amount is the same as the comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level and the administration request. Under this program, awards are made to eligible organizations based on their share of Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiians aged 60 and over. These tribal organizations assure that a broad range of supportive services, nutrition services, information, and assistance are available. Program Innovations The Committee recommends $10,102,000 for program innovations. The comparable fiscal year 2008 level is $14,655,000 and the administration request is $32,918,000. These funds support activities designed to expand public understanding of aging and the aging process, apply social research and analysis to improve access to and delivery of services for older individuals, test innovative ideas and programs to serve older individuals, and provide technical assistance to agencies that administer the Older Americans Act. The Committee has provided funding for the choices for independence program in aging network support activities, rather than in program innovations as requested by the administration. The Committee has included $1,000,000 to continue a 24-hour call center to provide Alzheimer family caregivers with professional care consultation and crisis intervention. The Committee supports direct funding for a national program of statewide Senior Legal Hotlines/Helplines. The Committee has included $2,000,000 for this activity, which will provide an increase in the number of States in which these services are available for older Americans. Statewide Senior Legal Hotlines/Helplines provide free legal advice, information, referrals, and a variety of additional services to older Americans over 60, enabling more seniors to maintain healthy, independent lives, free from the threats of poverty, exploitation or abuse. The Committee continues to support funding at no less than last year's level for national programs scheduled to be refunded in fiscal year 2009 that address a variety of issues, including elder abuse, Native American issues, and legal services. The Committee strongly encourages AoA find ways to promote civic engagement among older adults, as authorized under section 417 of the Older Americans Act, by entering into partnerships with organizations that enable older Americans to effectively help meet critical social needs and advance the field of older American civic engagement. The Committee strongly encourages AoA to expand the public's understanding of advance directives and living wills. As people live longer, the chance that they may not be able to make their own health care decisions increases. A health care advance directive gives direction to families and health care providers about an individual's health care decision, if a person is unable to make a health care choice. The Committee includes the following projects and activities and the following amounts for fiscal year 2009: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Committee Project recommendation ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cedar Crest College, Allentown, PA, for a seniors $100,000 outreach program..................................... Jewish Family Service of Saint Paul, MN, for a 125,000 Naturally Occurring Retirement Community demonstration project................................ Jewish Family & Child Service, Portland, OR, for 100,000 senior programs and services......................... Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans, 250,000 Metairie, LA, for a Community Nursing Elder Trauma Response Program demonstration project............... Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, for 100,000 a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community........... Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis, 200,000 Indianapolis, IN, for services at a naturally occurring retirement community....................... Legal Services of Northern California, Inc., 250,000 Sacramento, CA, to provides free legal consultation for older Californians............................... Nevada Rural Counties RSVP, Carson City, NV, to 100,000 provide home services to seniors in rural areas...... Town of North Hempstead, NY, for the Project 350,000 Independence naturally occurring retirement communities [NORC] demonstration project............. University of Wisconsin--Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI, for a 350,000 demonstration training program that prevents elder abuse and neglect.................................... Utah Department of Human Services, Division of Aging 100,000 and Adult Services, Salt Lake City, UT, for senior counseling services on Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance options.................................... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Aging Network Support Activities The Committee recommends $43,692,000 for aging network support activities. The comparable amount for fiscal year 2008 is $31,589,000 and the administration request is $13,133,000. The Committee recommendation includes funding at the administration request level for the Eldercare Locator, which is a toll-free, nationwide directory assistance service for older Americans and their caregivers. Established in 1991, the service links over 100,000 callers annually to an extensive network of resources for aging Americans and their caregivers. The Committee recommendation includes $28,000,000 to continue national implementation of the choices for independence program. The Committee has provided funding for this program in aging network support activities, as reflected in the reauthorized Older Americans Act. The administration requested these funds within the program innovations account. The choices for independence program seeks to establish long- term care options for seniors so they can live independently in their own communities. The program will continue and expand existing AoA programs that focus on nursing home diversion, aging and disability resource centers and evidence-based disease prevention activities. The Committee has included $2,000,000 within aging network support activities for the National Center on Senior Benefits Outreach and Enrollment, which was included in the reauthorization of the Older American Act. This Center works with the aging services network, including State and area agencies on aging, Aging and Disability Resource Centers [ADRCs] and State Health Insurance Assistance Programs [SHIPs], to provide outreach and benefits enrollment assistance to older Americans. The Committee recommendation includes $1,717,000 for the pension counseling and information program. Regional pension counseling projects provide hands-on personalized advice to workers, retirees and their family members about employer sponsored pension and retirement savings plan benefits, and assistance in pursuing claims when problems arise. The program has secured nearly $85,000,000 in benefits for the thousands of clients it has served--a return on Federal investment of more than 5-to-1. The Committee's recommendation includes funds to increase training and technical support for the counseling projects and to maintain the six regional counseling projects. The Committee has provided funding at the administration request level for the National Long Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center, the National Center on Elder Abuse and the Health Care Anti-Fraud, Waste and Abuse Program. The Committee is concerned that AoA is not dedicating appropriate resources to the ADRCs for the purpose of assisting people with vision loss to live safely and independently in their homes and communities. The Committee encourages the AoA to develop ongoing relationships with organizations that possess demonstrated expertise in outreach to older Americans with vision loss. Such ongoing relationships should also include web site links from AoA to Internet resources which provide sound, comprehensive and practical information to individuals with vision loss and their families. Alzheimer's Disease Demonstration Grants to States The Committee recommends a funding level of $11,464,000 for Alzheimer's disease demonstration grants to States, which is the same as the comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level. The administration proposed eliminating funding for this activity. This program provides competitive matching grants to a limited number of States to encourage program innovation and coordination of public and private services for people with Alzheimer's disease and their families. The Committee is continuing funds at current levels to support initiatives that focus on emerging issues such as early intervention and chronic care management with broad implications for Medicaid and Medicare, to continue focus on underserved populations, and to promote dissemination and replication of program successes nationwide. Program Administration The Committee recommends $18,696,000 for program administration, which is the same as the administration request. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level is $18,064,000. These funds support salaries and related expenses for program management and oversight activities. Office of the Secretary GENERAL DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT Appropriations, 2008.................................... $354,014,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 379,864,000 Committee recommendation................................ 367,615,000 The Committee recommends $367,615,000 for general departmental management [GDM]. The administration requested $379,864,000. The fiscal year 2008 funding level was $354,014,000. The Committee recommendation includes the transfer of $5,851,000 from Medicare trust funds, which is the same as the administration request. In addition, for policy evaluation activities the Committee recommends $46,756,000 in transfers available under section 241 of the Public Health Service Act. This appropriation supports those activities that are associated with the Secretary's role as policy officer and general manager of the Department. It supports certain health activities performed by the Office of Public Health and Science, including the Office of the Surgeon General. GDM funds also support the Department's centralized services carried out by several Office of the Secretary staff divisions, including personnel management, administrative and management services, information resources management, intergovernmental relations, legal services, planning and evaluation, finance and accounting, and external affairs. The Office of the Surgeon General, in addition to its other responsibilities, provides leadership and management oversight for the PHS Commissioned Corps, including the involvement of the Corps in departmental emergency preparedness and response activities. The Committee directs that specific information requests from the chairman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies, on scientific research or any other matter, shall be transmitted to the Committee on Appropriations in a prompt professional manner and within the timeframe specified in the request. The Committee further directs that scientific information requested by the Committees on Appropriations and prepared by Government researchers and scientists be transmitted to the Committee on Appropriations, uncensored and without delay. In addition to requests for specific information, this Committee report, as in previous years, also includes requests from the Department for reports on various topics. The Committee has long been frustrated by the Department's inability to provide such reports in a timely manner. More often than not, reports are delivered several months after the date requested in the Committee report. Indeed, it is unlikely that any report produced by any operating division of the Department has been delivered to the Committee by the requested deadline in many years. The Committee recognizes that the delays may be due in part to the amount of work involved in producing the reports. Most of the problem, however, results from the numerous layers of bureaucracy involved in approving the release of the reports--steps that consume much time but add little value to the reports' quality. The Committee reminds the Department that the deadlines included in this report are not chosen arbitrarily but are purposefully set in the hope that the Committee will be able to use the information provided in the reports to make prudent decisions about how to allocate funding. The Department is strongly urged to respect the Committee's requests this year and take the deadlines seriously. The Committee has included $10,000,000 for the transformation of the Commissioned Corps. The Committee commends the Secretary on his proposal to transform the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps into a force that is ready to respond to public health emergencies and looks forward to working with him on this important initiative. The Committee has also included up to $3,545,000 supporting the Secretary's plan to invest in public health and diplomacy abroad by delivering direct patient care and training local health workers in Central America. The Committee has held hearings on global health issues, drug-resistant tuberculosis, and pandemic influenza and understands that infectious diseases know no borders. While the United States has provided strong financial support for the elimination of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria around the world, the Committee understands that these efforts cannot succeed without a basic public health infrastructure in place, not only in Central America but around the world. Bill language is included to provide HHS the authority to work with non-governmental organizations in the provision of medical services. Section 213 of the general provisions is also modified so that the State Department can provide the same embassy personnel, space, and logistics services to the Health Diplomacy Initiative that it provides to CDC. The Committee has again included $1,000,000 for the Secretary to implement section 399CC of the Public Health Service Act (as enacted in the Combating Autism Act, Public Law 109-416) related to creation and administration of the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee. These funds are to be transferred to the National Institute of Mental Health. The Committee strongly encourages the Secretary to convene a series of discussions which would bring together preeminent scientists and theologians to begin a dialogue on the relationship between scientific inquiry and religious faith, including their areas of commonality. These meetings could serve as a catalyst to develop a mutual understanding between the scientific and faith communities to improve the health and well-being of all Americans. Physical Activity Guidelines.--The Committee is aware that the Secretary of Health and Human Services is scheduled to release physical activity guidelines for all Americans in the fall of 2008. The Committee urges the Secretary to release these guidelines in a timely manner and promote these guidelines to the general public and in each Federal agency. It is especially important that these guidelines be used when carrying out any Federal health program. In addition, the Committee recognizes the need to keep the guidelines current and up to date and therefore, encourages the Secretary to update the physical activity guidelines every 5 years based on the latest scientific and medical knowledge available at the time the report is prepared. Hispanic Youth and Suicide Risk.--Suicide risk remains a serious public health concern for Hispanic youth in the United States. Limited access to mental health services compounds this problem, given the number of Hispanic youth suffering from a mental illness. The Committee therefore strongly encourages the Office of the Secretary to develop a demonstration project that will illustrate whether the early identification of adolescents at risk leads to increased proportions of referrals for mental health treatment among Hispanic adolescents. Pediatric Trauma Care.--Trauma is the most important cause of morbidity and mortality among children and adolescents, accounting for nearly 16,000 deaths, 250,000 hospital admissions and 9 million emergency department visits annually. While the goal is to deliver optimal care to injured children so that they attain the best possible outcomes after serious trauma, many questions about what constitutes optimal care remain unanswered. This gives rise to the tremendous variations in care and settings we see today. The Committee directs the Secretary to conduct a national prospective study on this variation in care in order to understand how the organization and processes of treatment affect outcomes. The organization of pediatric trauma care is much more complex than that of care for adult trauma, and a separate study on children is necessary. Such a study will allow standards for optimal care of the injured child to be established based on high-quality evidence. These standards could then be adopted by organizations such as the American College of Surgeons, the Emergency Medical Services for Children program of the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, and State and local certifying agencies to bring high quality, uniform care to injured children and prevent needless disability. The Committee requests a report within 6 months that outlines how the Secretary shall conduct this study. The Committee includes the following projects and activities and in the following amounts for fiscal year 2009: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Committee Project recommendation ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Community Transportation Association of America, $750,000 Washington, DC, for technical assistance to human services transportation providers on ADA requirements ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Adolescent Family Life The Committee has provided $29,778,000 for the Adolescent Family Life Program [AFL]. The administration requested $30,307,000. The AFL program funds demonstration projects that provide services to pregnant and parenting adolescents, and prevention projects which promote abstinence from sexual activity for adolescents. Minority Health The Committee recommends $49,988,000 for the Office of Minority Health. The administration requested $42,686,000. The Office of Minority Health [OMH] focuses on strategies designed to decrease the disparities and to improve the health status of racial and ethnic minority populations in the United States. OMH establishes goals, and coordinates all departmental activity related to improving health outcomes for disadvantaged and minority individuals. OMH supports several initiatives, including demonstration projects (the Minority Community Health Partnership HIV/AIDS, the Bilingual/Bicultural Service, and the Youth Empowerment Program) as well as the Center for Linguistic and Cultural Competency in Health Care, and the Family and Community Violence Prevention Program. The Committee is encouraged by the progress the Office of Minority Health is making in fiscal year 2008 on the multi-year effort to address health disparities issues in the rural areas and minority populations of the gulf coast region, and looks forward to further progress in this area in fiscal year 2009. The Committee commends OMH for its efforts to partner with our Nation's historically black medical schools, including expanded opportunities for biomedical research and support for residency training faculty. The Committee also encourages OMH to continue its leadership in defining the opportunities at minority health schools in resolving health disparities. The Committee is concerned about barriers to early medical diagnosis of lupus, a debilitating autoimmune disease that is up to three times more common among African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans and affects over 1.5 million persons, 90 percent of whom are women. A recent CDC report found that the death rate from lupus among African American women ages 45-64 had increased almost 70 percent over the previous 20 years. During that period, over one-third of lupus deaths were among women under the age of 45. To combat these trends, the Committee believes there is a need for a substantive effort to engage our Nation's health professionals in finding ways to improve lupus diagnosis and treatment. The Committee has provided funds for the Office of Minority Health, working in conjunction with the Surgeon General and the Office of Women's Health, for a national health education program for health care providers on lupus. To accomplish the goals of improving diagnosis and reducing disparities, the Office is encouraged to involve a wide array of public health, community, academic, medical and industry organizations, including those working to improve medical school curricula. The Committee also requests that OMH provide a report by May 1, 2009 on the disease, associated health disparities, and the impact of lupus on the population. The Committee includes the following projects and activities and in the following amounts for fiscal year 2009: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Committee Project recommendation ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public $250,000 Health, Boston, MA, for the continued development of a program to reduce health disparities and infant mortality............................................ ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Office of Women's Health The Committee recommends $31,033,000 for the Office of Women's Health. The administration requested $28,458,000. The Office of Women's Health [OWH] develops, stimulates, and coordinates women's health research, health care services, and public and health professional education and training across HHS agencies. It advances important crosscutting initiatives and develops public-private partnerships, providing leadership and policy direction, and initiating and synthesizing program activities to redress the disparities in women's health. The Committee understands that lupus is a serious, complex, debilitating chronic autoimmune disease that can cause inflammation and tissue damage to virtually any organ system in the body. The Committee is aware that public and health professional recognition and understanding of lupus is extremely low, contributing to misdiagnoses or late diagnoses that can result in disability or death. The Committee has included funds to continue the national lupus education campaign, in conjunction with the Office of Minority Health and the Surgeon General, directed toward the general public and health professionals who diagnose and treat people with lupus. The Committee is aware of the problem of female genital cutting [FGC] in the United States, which potentially impacts nearly 228,000 women and girls nationwide. The community outreach and education initiatives that were called for under the Federal Prohibition of Female Genital Mutilation Act of 1995 have been limited by the absence of resources needed to support these efforts. The Committee recognizes the importance of community-centered programs to address FGC. Community ownership of the issue is critical and is achieved by engaging local organizations that have earned the community's trust through their existing work with refugee and immigrant women and girls. The Committee therefore encourages the Office of Women's Health to support FGC-related programs implemented by ethnic community-based organizations. HIV/AIDS in Minority Communities To address high-priority HIV prevention and treatment needs of minority communities heavily impacted by HIV/AIDS, the Committee recommends $50,984,000. The administration requested $51,891,000. These funds are available to key operating divisions of the Department with capability and expertise in HIV/AIDS services to assist minority communities with education, community linkages, and technical assistance. Afghanistan The Committee recommendation includes $5,789,000 for the Secretary's Afghanistan health initiative, the same as the request. Funds will be used in partnership with the Department of Defense for medical training activities at the Rabia Balkhi Women's Hospital in Kabul, and for support of maternal and child health throughout Afghanistan. Embryo Donation and Adoption The Committee continues to believe that increasing public awareness of embryo donation and adoption remains an important goal. The Committee has provided $4,200,000 for the Department's embryo donation and adoption awareness activities. The administration requested $1,980,000. The Committee notes that the costs associated with embryo adoption may be hindering people from participating in embryo adoption. The Committee is aware that the medical procedures involved can be expensive and are not always successful. To address these challenges, the Committee has again included bill language allowing funds appropriated for embryo donation and adoption activities to be available to pay medical and administrative costs deemed necessary to facilitate embryo donations and adoptions. The Committee's intent is that these funds be used for embryo donation for family building and/or embryo adoption. The Committee does not intend to limit eligibility based on the terminology used to describe the transfer of the embryo. OFFICE OF MEDICARE HEARINGS AND APPEALS Appropriations, 2008.................................... $63,864,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 65,344,000 Committee recommendation................................ 63,864,000 The Committee provides $63,864,000 for the Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals, the same as the fiscal year 2008 funding level. The administration requested $65,344,000. The Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals is responsible for hearing Medicare appeals at the administrative law judge level, which is the third level of Medicare claims appeals. This office began to process Medicare appeals in 2005. Prior to that time, appeals had been processed by the Social Security Administration under an interagency agreement with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This function was transferred to the Office of the Secretary by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003. OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL COORDINATOR FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Appropriations, 2008.................................... $60,561,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 66,151,000 Committee recommendation................................ 60,561,000 The Committee provides $60,561,000 to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology [ONCHIT], the same as the fiscal year 2008 funding level. The administration requested $66,151,000. The Office of The National Coordinator for Health Information Technology is responsible for promoting the use of electronic health records in clinical practice, coordinating Federal health information systems and collaborating with the private sector to develop standards for a nationwide interoperable health information technology infrastructure. OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL Appropriations, 2008.................................... $43,231,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 46,058,000 Committee recommendation................................ 46,058,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $46,058,000 for the Office of Inspector General [OIG], the same as the administration request. In addition to discretionary funds provided in this act, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 both contain permanent appropriations for the Office of Inspector General. The total funds provided to the OIG from this bill and other permanent appropriations are $265,023,000 in fiscal year 2009. The Office of Inspector General conducts audits, investigations, and evaluations of the programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services Operating and Staff Divisions, including the recipients of HHS's grant and contract funds. In doing so, the OIG addresses issues of waste, fraud, and abuse and makes recommendations to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of HHS programs and operations. OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS Appropriations, 2008.................................... $34,299,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 40,099,000 Committee recommendation................................ 40,099,000 The Committee recommends $40,099,000 for the Office for Civil Rights [OCR], which is the same as the administration's request. The recommendation includes the transfer of $3,314,000 from the Medicare trust funds. The Office for Civil Rights is responsible for enforcing civil rights-related statutes in health care and human services programs. To enforce these statutes, OCR investigates complaints of discrimination, conducts program reviews to correct discriminatory practices, and implements programs to generate voluntary compliance among providers and constituency groups of health and human services. RETIREMENT PAY AND MEDICAL BENEFITS FOR COMMISSIONED OFFICERS Appropriations, 2008.................................... $397,178,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 434,694,000 Committee recommendation................................ 434,694,000 The Committee provides an estimated $434,694,000 for retirement pay and medical benefits for commissioned officers of the U.S. Public Health Service, the same as the administration request. 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 to 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 Appropriations, 2008.................................... $729,259,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 1,395,831,000 Committee recommendation................................ 1,251,758,000 The Committee provides $1,251,758,000 to the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund. The Pandemic Preparedness and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, enacted into law in December 2006, created the new position of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. This appropriation supports the activities of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response and other activities within the Office of the Secretary to prepare for the health consequences of bioterrorism and other public health emergencies, including pandemic influenza, and to support the Department's cyber-security efforts. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response [ASPR] Hospital Preparedness.--The Committee's recommendation includes $361,660,000 for hospital preparedness grants, the same as the administration's request. The Committee understands that ASPR intends to reduce the grant cycle for these monies to 9 months, 3 weeks (August 9 to June 1 rather than August 9 to August 8) and that support for hospital preparedness activities will not be reduced on a monthly basis. The Committee encourages the Secretary, in consultation with the Departments of Homeland Security and Defense, along with State and local healthcare providers to develop and publish guidance identifying minimum performance, safety, and interoperability requirements for deployable medical facilities that may be purchased using Federal funds. Advanced Research and Development.--The Committee recommendation includes $175,000,000 for advanced research and development. The administration requested $275,000,000. Other Activities.--The Committee recommendation includes the following amounts for the following activities within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response: --Operations/Preparedness and Emergency Operations-- $27,536,000; --National Disaster Medical System--$45,999,000; --Bioshield Management--$21,743,000; --International Early Warning Surveillance--$8,690,000; --Policy, Strategic Planning & Communications--$4,292,000. Four years after Project BioShield's creation, the development and acquisition of most high priority vaccines and therapeutics remains much too slow. The Committee recognizes that progress is being made and that general acquisition goals have been identified. However, the Committee remains concerned by the slow pace of advanced research funding and procurement of medical products. The Committee therefore urges the Secretary to accelerate the issuance of procurement RFPs and awards under Project BioShield. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Resources & Technology The Committee recommendation includes $8,906,000 for information technology cyber-security. The administration requested $11,980,000. Office of Public Health & Science The Committee recommendation includes $9,578,000 for the medical reserve corps program. The administration requested $15,110,000. Office of the Secretary Pandemic Influenza Preparedness.--The Committee recommendation includes $585,091,000 for pandemic influenza preparedness activities, the same as the administration request. Of this amount, $507,000,000, to be available until expended, is for activities including purchase of pre-pandemic vaccine for stockpiling, vaccine development, the purchase of antivirals and the research and development of diagnostic tests. The Committee requests monthly reports updating the status of actions taken and funds obligated for these no-year funds. The Committee continues to strongly support efforts to strengthen the Federal Government's ability to respond to pandemic influenza. The Committee has not specified how these no-year funds are to be used, and is broadly supportive of plans for vaccine development and purchase, antiviral procurement, and research and development of diagnostics. However, the Committee encourages HHS to identify and support new technologies that might have the potential to enhance our response to a pandemic, and to be open to using the provided flexibility to make strategic investments in these potentially paradigm shifting technologies. The Committee is concerned by reports that many small and large companies have difficulty communicating with the Department regarding vision, timing, strategy, and procurement plans. The Committee urges the Department to make the creation and continuity of open lines of communication with these entities a priority. Their participation is critical to successful implementation of any disease outbreak response. The Committee has also provided $78,091,000 for ongoing activities within the Office of the Secretary to prepare the Nation against an influenza pandemic. The Committee again encourages HHS and CDC to continue to support public and professional education, media awareness and outreach programs related to the annual flu vaccine. The Committee strongly encourages CDC and HHS to aggressively implement initiatives for increasing influenza vaccine demand to match the increased domestic vaccine production and supply resulting from pandemic preparedness funding. Developing a sustainable business model for vaccine production will go a long way toward making vaccine available when needed. The Committee has made significant investments in State and local government preparedness. A public health crisis will involve multiple levels of government, as well as the private sector. Comprehensive supply chain management strategies are essential to ensure a coordinated and rapid response. The Committee is anxious to avoid the supply chain management breakdowns that occurred in connection with Hurricane Katrina. Therefore the Committee directs the Department and the Centers for Disease Control to report back to the Committees on Appropriations within 180 days on its current supply chain management strategies and how they can be improved in order to enhance both State and local government preparedness and the complex, multi-tiered response anticipated in the President's Pandemic Preparedness Strategy. The Committee is extremely concerned about the ineffectiveness of the flu vaccine used last winter. During well-matched years, clinical trials have shown vaccine effectiveness between 70 percent and 90 percent for healthy adults who received inactivated influenza vaccines. Preliminary data about vaccine effectiveness for the 2007-2008 influenza season indicates that those who received trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine were only 44 percent less likely to have medically attended influenza illnesses than those who were not vaccinated. The failure of the flu vaccine raises concerns regarding our Nation's effort to combat the potential for pandemic influenza. Data has shown that incorporation of new technologies, in conjunction with traditional methods of vaccine evaluation, would have predicted that last winter's flu vaccine would fail to perform adequately in the field. The animal model method has not proven an ideal model system to predict human immunity and thus, there is an unmet need for new in vitro approaches that could provide reliable and predictive efficacy, safety, and adverse reaction data. The Committee encourages CDC and the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response to support development of technologies that will accurately predict the effectiveness of influenza, biodefense, and pre-pandemic vaccines in the future. Other Activities.--The Committee recommendation includes $3,263,000 for other activities within the Office of the Secretary including healthcare provider credentialing. General Provisions, Department of Health and Human Services The Committee recommendation continues a provision placing a $50,000 ceiling on official representation expenses (sec. 201). The Committee recommendation continues a provision which limits the assignment of certain public health personnel (sec. 202). The Committee recommendation continues a provision limiting the use of certain grant funds to pay individuals more than an annual rate of executive level I (sec. 203). The Committee recommendation continues a provision restricting the Secretary's use of taps for program evaluation activities unless a report is submitted to the Appropriations Committees on the proposed use of funds (sec. 204). The Committee recommendation continues a provision authorizing the transfer of up to 2.4 percent of Public Health Service funds for evaluation activities (sec. 205). The Committee recommendation continues a provision restricting transfers of appropriated funds and requires a 15- day notification to both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees (sec. 206). The Committee recommendation continues a provision permitting the transfer of up to 3 percent of AIDS funds among Institutes and Centers by the Director of NIH and the Director of the Office of AIDS Research at NIH (sec. 207). The Committee recommendation retains language which requires that the use of AIDS research funds be determined jointly by the Director of the National Institutes of Health and the Director of the Office of AIDS Research and that those funds be allocated directly to the Office of AIDS Research for distribution to the institutes and centers consistent with the AIDS research plan (sec. 208). The Committee recommendation continues a provision regarding requirements for family planning applicants (sec. 209). The Committee recommendation retains language which states that no provider services under title X of the PHS Act may be exempt from State laws regarding child abuse (sec. 210). The Committee recommendation retains language which restricts the use of funds to carry out the Medicare Advantage Program if the Secretary denies participation to an otherwise eligible entity (sec. 211). The Committee recommendation retains language which prohibits the Secretary from withholding substance abuse treatment funds (sec. 212). The Committee recommendation modifies a provision which facilitates the expenditure of funds for international health activities (sec. 213). The Committee recommendation continues a provision authorizing the Director of the National Institutes of Health to enter into certain transactions to carry out research in support of the NIH Common Fund (sec. 214). 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. 215). The Committee recommendation includes bill language allowing use of funds to continue operating the Council on Graduate Medical Education (sec. 216). The Committee recommendation continues a provision pertaining to the public access policy at the National Institutes of Health (sec. 217). The Committee recommendation continues a provision permitting the National Institutes of Health to use up to $2,500,000 per project for improvements and repairs of facilities (sec. 218). The Committee recommendation includes a provision that transfers funds from NIH to HRSA and AHRQ, to be used for National Research Service Awards (sec. 219). The Committee recommendation includes a provision that modifies language authorizing the Nonrecurring Expenses Fund (sec. 220). The Committee recommendation includes a provision amending the nominal price exception to the Medicaid Drug Rebate program to include non-title X funded family planning clinics and college health centers (sec. 221). The Committee recommendation includes a provision that increases the authorized number of Regular Officers to 4,000 (sec. 222). The Committee recommendation includes a provision requiring the release of unobligated LIHEAP funds no later than the date of enactment (sec. 223). The Committee recommendation includes a new provision concerning conflicts of interest among extramural investigators receiving grants from the National Institutes of Health (sec. 224). The Committee recommendation includes a provision that places a 1-year moratorium on the August 17, 2007 directive issued by the Department of Health and Human Services relating to the State Child Health Insurance program (sec 225). TITLE III DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Education for the Disadvantaged Appropriations, 2008.................................... $15,489,475,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 16,917,059,000 Committee recommendation................................ 15,735,884,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $15,735,884,000 for education for the disadvantaged. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 was $15,489,475,000, and the budget request includes $16,917,059,000. The programs in the Education for the Disadvantaged account help ensure that poor and low-achieving children are not left behind in the Nation's effort to raise the academic performance of all children and youth. Funds appropriated in this account primarily support activities in the 2009-2010 school year. Grants to Local Educational Agencies Title I grants to local educational agencies [LEAs] provide supplemental education funding, especially in high-poverty areas, for local programs that provide extra academic support to help raise the achievement of eligible students or, in the case of schoolwide programs, help all students in high-poverty schools to meet challenging State academic standards. The program serves an estimated 20 million students in nearly all school districts and more than half of all public schools-- including two-thirds of the Nation's elementary schools. States are required to reserve 4 percent of their allocation under this program for school improvement activities, unless such action would require a State to reduce the grant award of a local educational agency to an amount below the preceding year. States must distribute 95 percent of these reserved funds to LEAs for schools identified for improvement, corrective action, or restructuring. The Committee intends for States to utilize these funds along with those available under the School Improvement Grants program to make competitive awards to school districts that are of sufficient size and scope, and of a multi-year duration, so that schools may undertake sustainable, scientifically based research reform activities that have a positive impact on improving instructional practices in the classroom. The Committee was disappointed by the findings of a February 2008 Government Accountability Office [GAO] report, which was requested by the Committee, showing that some States did not fulfill No Child Left Behind Act [NCLBA] requirements for allocating or tracking the 4 percent funds, and that the Education Department failed to monitor States' compliance. The Committee requests an update on the Department's plans to improve its monitoring practices in the fiscal year 2010 budget justification. Of the funds available for title I grants to LEAs, up to $4,000,000 shall be available on October 1, 2008, not less than $5,632,145,000 will become available on July 1, 2009, and $8,893,756,000 will become available on October 1, 2009. The funds that become available on July 1, 2009, and October 1, 2009, will remain available for obligation until September 30, 2010. Title I grants are distributed through four formulas: basic, concentration, targeted, and education finance incentive grant [EFIG]. Overall, the Committee recommends $14,529,901,000 for title I grants, $225,000,000 more than the budget request, which was $14,304,901,000. The fiscal year 2008 appropriated level was $13,898,875,000. As in past years, the Committee divided the increase over fiscal year 2008 equally between the targeted and EFIG formulas, both of which direct a higher share of funds to poorer students than the basic and concentration formulas do. The budget request allocates all of the increase over fiscal year 2008 into the targeted account. For title I basic grants, including up to $4,000,000 transferred to the Census Bureau for poverty updates, the Committee recommends an appropriation of $6,597,946,000, the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 2008 level. For concentration grants, the Committee recommends $1,365,031,000, the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 2008 level. The Committee recommends $3,283,462,000 for grants through the targeted formula. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 was $2,967,949,000, and the budget request is $3,373,975,000. The Committee recommends $3,283,462,000 to be allocated through the EFIG formula. The comparable funding level for the budget request and fiscal year 2008 was $2,967,949,000. William F. Goodling Even Start Family Literacy Program The Committee recommends $66,454,000, the same as the fiscal year 2008 level, for the Even Start program. The budget request does not include any funds for this program. The Even Start program provides grants for family literacy programs that serve disadvantaged families with children under 8 years of age and adults eligible for services under the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act. Programs combine early childhood education, adult literacy, and parenting education. Funding is provided to States based on their relative share of title I, part A funds, and States use these resources to make competitive subgrants to partnerships comprised of local educational agencies and other organizations serving families in high-poverty areas. School Improvement Grants The Committee recommendation includes $491,265,000, the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 2008 level, for the School Improvement Grants program. This formula grant program enables States to provide assistance to schools not making adequate yearly progress for at least 2 years. States must subgrant 95 percent of their allocations to LEAs and may use up to 5 percent for administration, evaluation and technical assistance activities. The Committee expects high demand for these funds from LEAs given the growing numbers of schools that are being identified for improvement, corrective action and restructuring. Therefore, the Committee requests that the Department assist States in encouraging LEAs to use their school improvement funds only on those programs that are proven to be effective in rigorous research. The Committee also recommends that States prioritize grant requests for the use of programs that meet the research standards set forth in the Comprehensive School Reform Quality [CSRQ] Center. Reading First State Grants The Committee recommends no funding for the Reading First State Grants program. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 was $393,012,000, and the budget request is $1,000,000,000. The Committee was highly disappointed by the interim report from the Reading First Impact Study, which showed that this program did not have a statistically significant impact on students' reading comprehension. The Committee notes that the funding cut in fiscal year 2008--which resulted from the Department's severe mismanagement of the program--did not affect the results of the impact study, which examined Reading First when it was being fully funded at roughly $1,000,000,000 a year. While new leadership at the Department has ended the conflict of interest abuses that marked Reading First's creation and early implementation, those changes do not appear to have solved the program's flaws. Therefore, the Committee does not plan to provide any additional funding for Reading First until it can be assured that the program will have a positive effect on student learning. Early Reading First The Committee recommends $112,549,000, the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 2008 appropriation, for the Early Reading First program. Early Reading First provides competitive grants to school districts and nonprofit groups to support activities in existing preschool programs that are designed to enhance the verbal skills, phonological awareness, letter knowledge, pre- reading skills, and early language development of children ages 3 through 5. Funds are targeted to communities with high numbers of low-income families. Striving Readers The Committee recommends $35,371,000, the same as the fiscal year 2008 level, for the Striving Readers initiative. The budget request is $100,000,000. This program supports grants to develop, implement, and evaluate reading interventions for middle or high school students reading significantly below grade level. Math Now The Committee recommendation does not include any funding for the proposed Math Now initiative, which is authorized by the America COMPETES Act and is intended to improve math instruction for students in kindergarten through 9th grade. The budget request is $95,000,000. Improving Literacy Through School Libraries The Committee recommends $19,145,000, the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 2008 appropriation, for the Improving Literacy Through School Libraries program. This program provides competitive awards for urgently needed, up-to-date school library books and training for school library media specialists. Funds may be used to acquire school library media resources, including books and advanced technology; facilitate resource-sharing networks among schools and school libraries; provide professional development for school library media specialists; and provide students with access to school libraries during nonschool hours. Pell Grants for Kids The Committee does not include any funding for a new program proposed by the administration called Pell Grants for Kids. The program's purpose is to provide students with scholarships to pay tuition at private schools or out-of- district public schools. The budget request is $300,000,000. The Committee notes that this program has a new name but is virtually identical to previous voucher plans that were proposed by the administration but rejected by the Congress. Migrant Education Program The Committee recommends $389,771,000 for the migrant education program. The budget request is $399,771,000 and the fiscal year 2008 level was $379,771,000. The title I migrant education program authorizes grants to State educational agencies for programs to meet the special educational needs of the children of migrant agricultural workers and fishermen. States receive at least the same amount they received in fiscal year 2002; any funds over the fiscal year 2002 appropriation are allocated to the States through a statutory formula based on each State's average per-pupil expenditure for education and actual counts of migratory children ages 3 through 21 residing within the States in the previous year. This appropriation also supports activities to improve interstate and intrastate coordination of migrant education programs, as well as identifying and improving services to the migrant student population. Neglected and Delinquent The Committee recommends $48,927,000, the same as the fiscal year 2008 appropriation, for the title I neglected and delinquent program. The budget request is $51,927,000. This program provides financial assistance to State educational agencies for education services to neglected and delinquent children and youth in State-run institutions and for juveniles in adult correctional institutions. Funds are allocated to individual States through a formula based on the number of children in State-operated institutions and per-pupil education expenditures for the State. States are authorized to set aside at least 15 percent, but not more than 30 percent, of their neglected and delinquent funds to help students in State- operated institutions make the transition into locally operated programs and to support the successful reentry of youth offenders, who are age 20 or younger and have received a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent. Evaluation The Committee recommends $9,167,000, the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 2008 appropriation, for evaluation of title I programs. Evaluation funds are used to support large-scale national surveys that examine how the title I program is contributing to student academic achievement. Funds also are used to evaluate State assessment and accountability systems and analyze the effectiveness of educational programs supported with title I funds. Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration The Committee does not include any funding for the comprehensive school reform demonstration program. Neither did the budget request. The fiscal year 2008 level was $1,605,000. The fiscal year 2008 funding was used entirely for the final year of a contract to the Comprehensive School Reform Clearinghouse. High School Equivalency Program The Committee recommends $18,226,000, the same as the fiscal year 2008 appropriation and the budget request, for the high school equivalency program [HEP]. This program provides 5-year grants to institutions of higher education and other nonprofit organizations to recruit migrant students ages 16 and over and provide the academic and support services needed to help them obtain a high school equivalency certificate and subsequently gain employment, win admission to a postsecondary institution or a job-training program, or join the military. Projects provide counseling, health services, stipends, and placement assistance. College Assistance Migrant Program For the College Assistance Migrant Program [CAMP], the Committee recommends $15,108,000, the same amount as the fiscal year 2008 appropriation and the budget request. Funds provide 5-year grants to institutions of higher education and nonprofit organizations for projects that provide tutoring, counseling, and financial assistance to migrant students during their first year of postsecondary education. Projects also may use up to 10 percent of their grants for follow-up services after students have completed their first year of college, including assistance in obtaining student financial aid. Impact Aid Appropriations, 2008.................................... $1,240,718,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 1,240,718,000 Committee recommendation................................ 1,240,718,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,240,718,000 for impact aid. This is the same as the comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 and the budget request. Impact aid provides financial assistance to school districts for the costs of educating children when enrollments and the availability of revenues from local sources have been adversely affected by the presence of Federal activities. Children who reside on Federal or Indian lands generally constitute a financial burden on local school systems because these lands do not generate property taxes--a major revenue source for elementary and secondary education in most communities. In addition, realignments of U.S. military forces at bases across the country often lead to influxes of children into school districts without producing the new revenues required to maintain an appropriate level of education. The Committee bill retains language that provides for continued eligibility for students affected by the deployment or death of their military parent, as long as these children still attend the same school district. Basic Support Payments.--The Committee recommends $1,105,535,000 for basic support payments. This is the same as the fiscal year 2008 level and the budget request. Under this statutory formula, payments are made on behalf of all categories of federally connected children, with a priority placed on making payments first to heavily impacted school districts and providing any remaining funds for regular basic support payments. Payments for Children with Disabilities.--The Committee bill includes $48,602,000, the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 2008 appropriation, for payments for children with disabilities. Under this program, additional payments are made for certain Federally connected children eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Facilities Maintenance.--The Committee recommends $4,864,000, the same as the fiscal year 2008 appropriation and the budget request, for facilities maintenance. This activity provides funding for emergency repairs and comprehensive capital improvements to certain school facilities owned by the Department of Education and used by local educational agencies to serve federally connected military dependent students. Funds appropriated for this purpose are available until expended. Construction.--The Committee recommends $17,509,000, the same as the fiscal year 2008 appropriation and the budget request, for the construction account. Formula and competitive grants are authorized to be awarded to eligible LEAs for emergency repairs and modernization of school facilities. Funds appropriated for the construction activity are available for obligation for a period of 2 years. The fiscal year 2006 and 2007 appropriations for this activity stipulated that funds were to be used only on formula construction grants to eligible school districts. The budget request proposes bill language this year to provide construction funds on a competitive basis only, as was the case in fiscal year 2008. The Committee has provided this requested authority. Payments for Federal Property.--The Committee recommends $64,208,000, the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 2008 appropriation, for this activity. These payments compensate local educational agencies in part for revenue lost due to the removal of Federal property from local tax rolls. School Improvement Programs Appropriations, 2008.................................... $5,289,077,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 4,566,323,000 Committee recommendation................................ 5,292,422,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $5,292,422,000 for school improvement programs. The comparable funding level in fiscal year 2008 was $5,289,077,000, and the budget request is $4,566,323,000. State Grants for Improving Teacher Quality The Committee recommends $2,935,249,000, the same as the fiscal year 2008 appropriation, for State grants for improving teacher quality. The budget request is $2,835,248,000. The appropriation for this program primarily supports activities associated with the 2009-2010 academic year. Of the funds provided, $1,500,249,000 will become available on July 1, 2009, and $1,435,000,000 will become available on October 1, 2009. These funds will remain available for obligation until September 30, 2010. States and LEAs may use the funds for a range of activities related to the certification, recruitment, professional development, and support of teachers and administrators. Activities may include reforming teacher certification and licensure requirements, addressing alternative routes to State certification of teachers, recruiting teachers and principals, and implementing teacher mentoring systems, teacher testing, merit pay, and merit-based performance systems. These funds may also be used by districts to hire teachers to reduce class sizes. Mathematics and Science Partnerships The Committee recommends $178,978,000, the same as the fiscal year 2008 level and the budget request, for the mathematics and science partnerships program. These funds will be used to improve the performance of students in the areas of math and science by bringing math and science teachers in elementary and secondary schools together with scientists, mathematicians, and engineers to increase the teachers' subject-matter knowledge and improve their teaching skills. The Department awards grants to States by a formula based on the number of children aged 5 to 17 who are from families with incomes below the poverty line. States then are required to make grants competitively to eligible partnerships, which must include an engineering, math or science department of an institution of higher learning and a high-need LEA. Educational Technology State Grants The Committee recommends $267,494,000, the same as the fiscal year 2008 appropriation, for educational technology State grants. The budget request did not include any funds for this program. The educational technology State grants program supports efforts to integrate technology into curricula to improve student learning. Funds flow by formula to States and may be used for the purchase of hardware and software, teacher training on integrating technology into the curriculum, and efforts to use technology to improve communication with parents, among other related purposes. An LEA must use at least 25 percent of its formula allocation for professional development in the integration of technology into the curricula unless it can demonstrate that it already provides such high- quality professional development. The Committee bill retains language allowing States to award up to 100 percent of their funds competitively. Supplemental Education Grants The Committee recommendation includes $17,687,000, the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 2008 appropriation, for supplemental education grants to the Republic of Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia. This grant program was authorized by the Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2003. These funds will be transferred from the Department of Education to the Secretary of the Interior for grants to these entities. The Committee bill includes language that allows up to 5 percent to be used by the FSM and RMI to purchase oversight and technical assistance, which may include reimbursement of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education for such services. 21st Century Community Learning Centers The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,081,166,000, the same as the fiscal year 2008 level, for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program. The budget request is $800,000,000. Funds are allocated to States by formula, which in turn, award at least 95 percent of their allocations to local educational agencies, community-based organizations and other public and private entities. Grantees use these resources to establish or expand community learning centers that provide activities offering significant extended learning opportunities, such as before- and after-school programs, recreational activities, drug and violence prevention, and family literacy programs for students and related services to their families. Centers must target their services on students who attend schools that are eligible to operate a schoolwide program under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act or serve high percentages of students from low-income families. State Assessments and Enhanced Assessment Instruments The Committee recommends $410,732,000 for State assessments and enhanced assessment instruments. The fiscal year 2008 appropriation was $408,732,000, the same as the budget request. This program has two components. The first provides formula grants to States to pay the cost of developing standards and assessments required by the No Child Left Behind Act. The Committee provides $400,000,000, the same as the fiscal year 2008 level and the budget request, for this purpose. Under the second component--grants for enhanced assessment instruments--appropriations in excess of the State assessment program are used for a competitive grant program designed to support efforts by States to improve the quality and fairness of their assessment systems. The Committee recommendation for the second component is $10,732,000. The budget request and the fiscal year 2008 appropriation was $8,732,000. The Committee urges the Department to continue to place a high priority on grant applications that aim to improve the quality of State assessments for students with disabilities and students with limited English proficiency, and to ensure the most accurate means of measuring their performance on these assessments. Javits Gifted and Talented Education The Committee recommends $7,463,000, the same as the fiscal year 2008 appropriation, for the Javits Gifted and Talented Students Education Program. The budget requests no funding for this program. Funds are used for awards to State and local educational agencies, institutions of higher education, and other public and private agencies for research, demonstration, and training activities designed to enhance the capability of elementary and secondary schools to meet the special educational needs of gifted and talented students. Foreign Language Assistance The Committee recommends $27,000,000 for the foreign language assistance program. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 was $25,655,000, the same as the budget request. Funds from this program support competitive grants to increase the quality and quantity of foreign language instruction. At least 75 percent of the appropriation must be used to expand foreign language education in the elementary grades. The Committee has included bill language that prohibits foreign language assistance program funds from being used for the foreign language incentive program. The Committee also includes bill language that carves out $7,360,000 for 5-year grants to LEAs, in partnership with institutions of higher education, for the establishment or expansion of articulated programs of study in critical-needs languages. The amount set aside for this purpose in fiscal year 2008 was $2,360,000. The Committee is concerned that this program is unavailable to the poorest schools because grant recipients must provide a 50 percent match from non-Federal sources. The Committee, therefore, strongly urges the Secretary to use her ability to waive the matching requirement for qualifying schools and to increase awareness of this accommodation among the affected school population. The Committee commends the Department for agreeing not to make grants to schools that are replacing current traditional language programs with critical-needs language instruction. Education for Homeless Children and Youth For carrying out education activities authorized by title VII, subtitle B of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, the Committee recommends $64,067,000, the same as the fiscal year 2008 appropriation and the budget request. This program provides assistance to each State to support an office of the coordinator of education for homeless children and youth, to develop and implement State plans for educating homeless children, and to make subgrants to LEAs to support the education of those children. Grants are made to States based on the total that each State receives in title I grants to LEAs. Under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Children and Youths Program, State educational agencies must ensure that homeless children and youth have equal access to the same free public education, including a public preschool education, as is provided to other children and youth. Training and Advisory Services For training and advisory services authorized by title IV of the Civil Rights Act, the Committee recommends $6,989,000, the same as the fiscal year 2008 appropriation and the budget request. The funds provided will support awards to operate the 10 regional equity assistance centers [EACs]. Each EAC provides services to school districts upon request. Activities include disseminating information on successful practices and legal requirements related to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, or national origin in education programs. Education for Native Hawaiians For programs for the education of Native Hawaiians, the Committee recommends $33,315,000. This is the same amount as the fiscal year 2008 appropriation. The budget request does not include any funding for this purpose. The Committee bill includes language requiring that at least $1,500,000 of the funds recommended to be used for construction and renovation of Native Hawaiian educational facilities. The Committee bill includes also language stipulating that $1,500,000 shall be used for a grant to the Center of Excellence at the University of Hawaii School of Law, for the Native Hawaiian Law School Center of Excellence. This repository houses a compilation of historical and cultural documents that facilitates preservation and examination of laws of great significance to Native Hawaiians. Alaska Native Educational Equity The Committee recommends $33,315,000, the same as the fiscal year 2008 level, for the Alaska Native educational equity assistance program. The budget request did not include any funds for this purpose. These funds address the severe educational handicaps of Alaska Native schoolchildren. Funds are used for the development of supplemental educational programs to benefit Alaska Natives. The Committee bill includes language that allows funding provided by this program to be used for construction. The Committee expects the Department to use some of these funds to address the construction needs of rural schools. Rural Education The Committee recommends $171,854,000, the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 2008 appropriation, for rural education programs. The Committee expects that rural education funding will be equally divided between the Small, Rural Schools Achievement Program, which provides funds to LEAs that serve a small number of students, and the Rural and Low-Income Schools Program, which provides funds to LEAs that serve concentrations of poor students, regardless of the number of students served. Comprehensive Centers The Committee recommends $57,113,000, the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 2008 level, for the comprehensive centers program. These funds provide continued support to a network of 21 comprehensive centers that are operated by research organizations, agencies, institutions of higher education or partnerships thereof, and provide training and technical assistance on various issues to States, LEAs, and schools as identified through needs assessments undertaken in each region. The system includes 16 regional centers, which are charged with providing intensive technical assistance to State educational agencies to increase their capacity to assist LEAs and schools with meeting the goals of No Child Left Behind, and five content centers, which are organized by topic area. Indian Education Appropriations, 2008.................................... $119,564,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 119,564,000 Committee recommendation................................ 119,564,000 The Committee recommends $119,564,000, the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 2008 appropriation, for Indian Education programs. Grants to Local Education Agencies For grants to local educational agencies, the Committee recommends $96,613,000, the same as the fiscal year 2008 funding level and the budget request. These funds provide financial support to elementary and secondary school programs that serve Indian students, including preschool children. Funds are awarded on a formula basis to local educational agencies, schools supported and operated by the Department of the Interior/Bureau of Indian Education, and in some cases directly to Indian tribes. Special Programs for Indian Children The Committee recommends $19,060,000, the same as the fiscal year 2008 funding level and the budget request, for special programs for Indian children. Funds are used for demonstration grants to improve Indian student achievement through early childhood education and college preparation programs, and for professional development grants for training Indians who are preparing to begin careers in teaching and school administration. National Activities The Committee recommends $3,891,000, the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 2008 appropriation, for national activities. Funds will be used to expand efforts to improve research, evaluation, and data collection on the status and effectiveness of Indian education programs. Innovation and Improvement Appropriations, 2008.................................... $985,517,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 867,517,000 Committee recommendation................................ 944,314,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $944,314,000 for programs within the innovation and improvement account. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level for these programs was $985,517,000, and the budget request is $867,517,000. Troops-to-Teachers The Committee recommends an appropriation of $14,389,000, the same as the fiscal year 2008 appropriation and the budget request, to support the Defense Department's Troops-to-Teachers program. This program helps recruit and prepare retiring and former military personnel to become highly qualified teachers serving in high-poverty school districts. The Secretary of Education transfers program funds to the Department of Defense for the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support to provide assistance, including stipends or bonuses, to eligible members of the armed forces so that they can obtain teacher certification or licensing. In addition, the program helps these individuals find employment in a school. Transition to Teaching The Committee recommends $43,707,000, the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 2008 appropriation, for the transition to teaching program. This program provides grants to help support efforts to recruit, train, and place nontraditional teaching candidates into teaching positions and to support them during their first years in the classroom. In particular, this program is intended to attract mid-career professionals and recent college graduates. Program participants are placed in high-need schools in high-need LEAs. National Writing Project The Committee recommends $23,581,000, the same as the fiscal year 2008 level, for the National Writing Project. The budget request proposes to eliminate Federal funding for this program. These funds are awarded to the National Writing Project, a nonprofit organization that supports and promotes K-16 teacher training programs in the effective teaching of writing. Teaching of Traditional American History The Committee recommends $120,000,000 for the teaching of traditional American history program. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level was $117,904,000, and the budget request was $50,000,000. This program supports competitive grants to LEAs, and funds may be used only to undertake activities that are related to American history, and cannot be used for social studies coursework. Grant awards are designed to augment the quality of American history instruction and to provide professional development activities and teacher education in the area of American history. Grants are awarded for 3 years, with 2 additional years allowed for grantees that are performing effectively. The Committee bill retains language that allows the Department to reserve up to 3 percent of funds appropriated for this program for national activities. School Leadership The Committee recommends $19,220,000 for the school leadership program. The fiscal year 2008 level was $14,474,000, and the budget request proposes to eliminate funding for this program. The program provides competitive grants to assist high-need LEAs to recruit and train principals and assistant principals through activities such as professional development and training programs. The Committee continues to recognize the critical role that principals and assistant principals play in creating an environment that fosters effective teaching and high academic achievement for students. Advanced Credentialing The Committee recommends $10,649,000 for the advanced credentialing program. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level was $9,649,000. The budget request proposes to eliminate funds for this program. The Committee includes bill language directing all of the funding for this program to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards [NBPTS]. Funds available assist the board's work in providing financial support to States for teachers applying for certification, increasing the number of minority teachers seeking certification and developing outreach programs about the advanced certification program. The Committee includes bill language directing that the recommended increase over the fiscal year 2008 level should be used to develop a National Board certification for principals. Adjunct Teacher Corps The budget includes $10,000,000 for a new program, the Adjunct Teacher Corps Initiative, which would create opportunities for professionals to teach secondary school courses in core academic subjects. The Committee does not recommend any funding for this program. Charter Schools The Committee recommends a total of $216,031,000 for the support of charter schools. The fiscal year 2008 appropriation was $211,031,000. The budget request includes a total of $272,642,000, divided between the Charter Schools program and the Credit Enhancement for Charter Schools Facilities program. The Committee includes bill language requiring that a minimum of $195,000,000 of the recommended $216,031,000 be used for the Charter Schools grants program, overriding the authorized minimum of $200,000,000. The Secretary may use up to the excess amount ($21,031,000) for the State facilities and Credit Enhancement for Charter Schools Facilities programs. In fiscal year 2008, the Secretary used $12,731,000 for the State facilities program and $8,300,000 for the credit enhancement program. The budget request includes $236,031,000 for the Charter Schools program, with $221,249,000 to be used for the Charters Schools grants program and $14,782,000 for the State facilities program. Separately, the budget request includes $36,611,000 for the credit enhancement program. The Charter Schools grants program supports the planning, development, and initial implementation of charter schools. State educational agencies that have the authority under State law to approve charter schools are eligible to compete for grants. If an eligible SEA does not participate, charter schools from the State may apply directly to the Secretary. Under the State facilities program, the Department awards 5- year competitive grants to States that operate per-pupil facilities aid programs for charters schools. Federal funds are used to match State-funded programs in order to provide charter schools with additional resources for charter school facilities financing. The credit enhancement program provides assistance to help charter schools meet their facility needs. Funds are provided on a competitive basis to public and nonprofit entities, to leverage non-Federal funds that help charter schools obtain school facilities through purchase, lease, renovation and construction. Voluntary Public School Choice The Committee recommends $25,819,000, the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 2008 appropriation, for the voluntary public school choice program. This program supports efforts by States and school districts to establish or expand state- or district-wide public school choice programs, especially for parents whose children attend low-performing public schools. Magnet Schools Assistance The Committee recommends $104,829,000, the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 2008 appropriation, for the magnet schools assistance program. This program supports grants to local educational agencies to establish and operate magnet schools that are part of a court-ordered or federally approved voluntary desegregation plan. Magnet schools are designed to attract substantial numbers of students from different social, economic, ethnic, and racial backgrounds. Grantees may use funds for planning and promotional materials, teacher salaries, and the purchase of computers and other educational materials and equipment. Fund for the Improvement of Education The Committee recommends an appropriation of $196,337,000 for the Fund for the Improvement of Education [FIE]. The fiscal year 2008 appropriation was $253,551,000, and the budget request was $52,300,000. For programs of national significance authorized under section 5411 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act [ESEA], the Committee includes $700,000 for a clearinghouse that would provide information on planning, designing, financing, building, maintaining, and operating safe, healthy, high-performance schools. These funds should be added to the $300,000 for this purpose within Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities National Programs to address issues related to school safety and healthy school buildings. The comparable funding level in FIE in fiscal year 2008 was $688,000. The Committee recommendation includes $11,790,000 for Teach for America and $3,930,000 for Reach Out and Read. These are the same amounts as the fiscal year 2008 levels. The budget request does not include any funding specifically for either program. Within programs of national significance, the Committee also includes resources for evaluation and data quality initiatives, peer review, and other grant activities authorized under section 5411 of the ESEA. No funds are included for full- service community schools demonstrations. The budget request proposes funding for the Language Teacher Corps, the Teacher to Teacher initiative, comprehensive assessment systems, early reading improvements, and teaching improvement. The Committee recommendation does not include funding for these activities. Within the total amount for FIE, the Committee recommendation also includes funding for separately authorized programs as described in the paragraphs below. The budget request does not include funding for any of them. For each program, the Committee-recommended funding level is the same as the fiscal year 2008 appropriation. The Committee recommends $24,606,000 for the contract to Reading Is Fundamental Inc. [RIF] to provide reading-motivation activities. RIF, a private nonprofit organization, helps prepare young children and motivate older children to read, through activities including the distribution of books. The Committee recommends $10,700,000 for the Ready to Teach program. Ready to Teach encompasses funding for PBS TeacherLine and one or more nonprofit entities, for the purpose of continuing to develop telecommunications-based programs to improve teacher quality in core areas. It also includes digital educational programming grants, which encourage community partnerships among local public television stations, State and local educational agencies, and other institutions to develop and distribute digital instructional content based on State and local standards. The Committee recommends $8,754,000 for the Education through Cultural and Historical Organizations [ECHO] Act of 2001. Programs authorized under ECHO provide a broad range of educational, cultural, and job training opportunities for students from communities in Alaska, Hawaii, Massachusetts, and Mississippi. The Committee has included $37,533,000 for arts in education. The recommendation includes $7,954,000 for VSA arts, a national organization that supports the involvement of persons with disabilities in arts programs, and $6,183,000 for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Additional funds are provided for professional development, model arts programs and other activities. The Committee recommends $38,908,000 for parental information and resource centers, which provide training, information, and support to parents, State and local education agencies, and other organizations that carry out parent education and family involvement programs. The Committee includes $1,846,000 for the women's educational equity program. This program supports projects that assist in the local implementation of gender equity policies and practices. The Committee recommendation includes $1,447,000 for activities authorized by the Excellence in Economic Education Act. These funds will support a grant to a nonprofit educational organization to promote economic and financial literacy among kindergarten through 12th grade students. The Committee recommendation includes $1,945,000 to carry out the American History and Civics Education Act of 2004. From the amount available, the Department will make grants to support Presidential Academies for Teaching of American History and Civics and Congressional Academies for Students of American History and Civics. In addition, the Committee recommends $5,913,000, a $1,000,000 increase over the fiscal year 2008 level, for the mental health integration in schools program. This program supports grants to or contracts with State educational agencies, local educational agencies or Indian tribes to increase student access to mental health care by linking schools with their local mental health systems. The Committee expects this program to continue to be carried out by the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities. The Committee recommendation also includes bill language requiring that funds be provided to the following organizations in the amounts specified: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Committee Project recommendation ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Acelero Learning, Las Vegas, NV, for early education $500,000 programs............................................. Alaska PTA, Anchorage, AK, to train parents in their 250,000 roles and responsibilities under the No Child Left Behind Act........................................... Audubon Society of Rhode Island, Smithfield, RI, to 150,000 develop the Environmental Education for Urban Schools Initiative........................................... Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Southeastern 100,000 Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, for recruitment, placement and oversight of school-based mentoring programs............................................. Bishop Museum, Honolulu, HI, for educational 200,000 programming.......................................... Bossier Parish School Board, Benton, LA, for 100,000 acquisition of equipment and technology upgrades..... Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, 300,000 to expand an early literacy program for child- ren.. Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County, Post Falls, 100,000 ID, to expand education, health, and art programs, including the purchase of equipment.................. Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington-Virginia, 100,000 Alexandria, VA, for character, leadership, education and career development programs...................... Bridgeport Public Schools, Bridgeport, CT, for 150,000 professional development for teachers and administrators in Bridgeport, CT..................... Brockton Area Private Industry Council, Brockton, MA, 150,000 for workforce development programs for at-risk youth. Cabrini College, Radnor, PA, for professional 100,000 development for K-12 teachers........................ Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra, Cedar Rapids, IA, to 400,000 support the Residency program........................ Center for Advancing Partnerships in Education, 100,000 Allentown, PA, to develop a foreign language distance learning program and for teacher training............ Child and Family Network Centers--Leveling the Playing 100,000 Field: Start Early, Finish Strong [SEFS], Alexandria, VA, to expand preschool programs for at-risk children Children Northwest, Vancouver, WA, to expand Early 140,000 Learning and Teaching Career Academies in Southwest Washington........................................... Children's Literacy Initiative, Philadelphia, PA, to 100,000 improve the reading readiness and early literacy of children............................................. City of Compton, Compton, CA, for educational 500,000 programming at Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum........ City of Holyoke, Holyoke, MA, to develop a full- 250,000 service community school pilot project............... City of Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, for an at-risk 1,250,000 youth mentoring program.............................. City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, for the LA's 250,000 BEST afterschool enrichment program.................. City of Moultrie, Moultrie, GA, for technology 100,000 upgrades, including purchase of equipment and professional development............................. City of Presque Isle, Recreation and Parks Department, 250,000 Presque Isle, ME, for afterschool arts and physical activity programs.................................... City of Saint Paul, St. Paul, MN, to provide tutoring, 100,000 mentoring and other educational programs and resources for afterschool programs................... City of Springfield, Springfield, MO, for development, 600,000 expansion, equipment and technology for the Ready to Learn program........................................ City of Vernonia School District, Vernonia, OR, for 200,000 the purchase of school equipment and supplies........ City Year New Hampshire, Stratham, NH, to expand 150,000 education and youth development programs............. Civic League of Greater New Brunswick, New Brunswick, 200,000 NJ, for the Academy of After School Excel- lence.... Clark County School District, Las Vegas, NV, for 900,000 school counseling and dropout prevention services.... Cleveland Avenue YMCA, Montgomery, AL, for after 100,000 school math and science tutoring programs............ Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Cleveland, OH, 100,000 for technology upgrades, including purchase of equipment to improve math, science and language proficiency.......................................... Connecticut Humanities Council, Middletown, CT, for 250,000 curriculum development............................... Connecticut Science Center, Hartford, CT, for a 100,000 science and technology learning center............... Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Anchorage, AK, for 300,000 educational programs for low performing students in the Ancorhage School District........................ Coppin State University, Baltimore, MD, to support the 300,000 Urban Education Corridor program..................... County of Amador, Jackson, CA, for the College 250,000 Preparation Initiative to provide educational programming.......................................... County of Glacier School District #9, Browning, MT, 400,000 for academic programs................................ Cristo Rey Network, Chicago, IL, for feasibility 100,000 studies of potential Iowa school sites............... Delaware Department of Education, Dover, DE, to 200,000 provide translators and instructional programs for English language learners............................ DePaul University, Chicago, IL, for math and science 750,000 teacher education in Chicago Public Schools.......... Des Moines Community School District and Urban Dreams, 300,000 Des Moines, IA, to continue a demonstration on full service community schools............................ Des Moines Community School District to expand pre- 750,000 kindergarten programs................................ Dinwiddie County Public Schools, Dinwiddie, VA, for 100,000 educational programming at a library/media center, including the purchase of equipment.................. Early Childhood and Family Learning Center Foundation, 300,000 New Orleans, LA, for educational programs............ East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, PA, for 100,000 math and science curriculum development and professional development for area teachers........... ECHO Center, Burlington, VT, for educational 500,000 programming.......................................... Economic Opportunity Foundation, Inc. Head Start 100,000 Bryant Program, Kansas City, KS, for early education programs............................................. Eden Housing, Inc., Hayward, CA, to expand afterschool 100,000 programs............................................. Elko County School District, Elko, NV, to enhance 650,000 distance education capabilities, including the purchase of equipment................................ Esperanza, Philadelphia, PA, to expand programs for 125,000 Latino at-risk youth in Chelsea, MA.................. Fairplex Child Development Center, Pomona, CA, to 100,000 expand the Early Childhood Education Family Literacy, Parenting and Violence Prevention Program............ Falcon School District, Falcon, CO, for the D-49 K-12 100,000 Science, Technology, Engineering & Math Initiative... Foundation of Community Empowerment, Dallas, TX, for 400,000 educational activities for early childcare providers to prepare students for school....................... Galena City School District, Galena, AK, to continue 510,000 educational programs at a boarding school for low performing students from rural Alaska................ George Eastman House International Museum of 300,000 Photography and Film, Rochester, NY, for educational programs............................................. Grand County School District, Moab, UT, for school- 200,000 based mentoring programs for low performing students. Herring Gut Learning Center, Port Clyde, ME, for 100,000 science curriculum development for Maine students in grades 6-12.......................................... Housatonic Community College, Bridgeport, CT, for the 300,000 Middle College Program............................... Institute for Student Achievement, Lake Success, NY, 250,000 for program expansion................................ Iowa Association of School Boards, Des Moines, IA, for 3,500,000 continuation and expansion of the Skills Iowa program Iowa Department of Education to continue the Harkin 5,750,000 grant program........................................ Kansas Children's Discovery Center, Topeka, KS, for 100,000 exhibit development for children's interactive educational development.............................. Kauai Economic Development Board, Lihue, HI, for math 300,000 and science education................................ KIPP Foundation, San Francisco, CA, for academic and 100,000 afterschool programs in Memphis and Nashville, TN.... Las Vegas Natural History Museum, Las Vegas, NV, to 150,000 expand natural history education programs............ Leeward Community College, Pearl City, HI, to provide 250,000 college preparatory education for Filipino stu- dents................................................ Lehigh Carbon Community College, Schnecksville, PA, to 100,000 provide science, technology, engineering and math programs to area high school students................ Libby School District #4, Libby, MT, for academic 400,000 programs............................................. Lincoln County School District, Panaca, NV, to expand 25,000 early education services, including the purchase of equipment............................................ Literacy Council of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK, to provide 100,000 educational materials for low-income students and their families....................................... Loess Hills Area Education Agency in Iowa for a 750,000 demonstration in early childhood education........... Loras College, Dubuque, IA, for literacy programs..... 250,000 Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA, for a program 700,000 in K-12 cyberspace education in cooperation with members of the Consortium for Education, Research and Technology of North Louisiana........................ Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative, West 200,000 Springfield, MA, for the continued development of an online education center.............................. Massachusetts 2020 Foundation, Boston, MA, for the 200,000 continued development of an extended learning time initiative........................................... Maui Economic Development Board, Kihei, HI, for 300,000 engaging girls in STEM education..................... McWane Science Center, Birmingham, AL, for teacher 100,000 training and purchase of equipment................... Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania, 100,000 Pittsburgh, PA, for recruitment, placement, and oversight of school-based mentoring programs......... Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League, Wilmington, DE, 200,000 to expand the Achievement Matters! program........... Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee, WI, to strengthen 350,000 the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) curriculum........................................... Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee, WI, to support 1,200,000 afterschool activities for youth..................... Mississippi Council on Economic Education, Jackson, 250,000 MS, for Achieving Comprehensive Economic and Financial Literacy of Mississippi Students........... Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 300,000 for enhancing K-12 science and math preparation, including purchase of equipment...................... Mississippi University for Women, Columbus, MS, for 300,000 strengthening partnerships between K-12 parents, children's teachers, principals, superintendents and other school officials, including purchase of equipment............................................ Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA, for educational 250,000 programming.......................................... National Council of La Raza in Washington, DC, for the 500,000 Center for Early Childhood Education................. Native American Indian, Alaskan, and Hawaiian 300,000 Educational Development Center, Sheridan, WY, to expand professional development in early literacy and math programs for teachers........................... Nevada Humanities, Reno, NV, to develop and expand a 150,000 comprehensive online encyclopedia.................... Nevada Speech and Hearing Association, Reno, NV, to 25,000 recruit and train special education teachers......... New England Center for Children, Inc., Southborough, 200,000 MA, to provide equipment for training programs to support teachers of children with autism............. New Mexico Mathematics, Engineering, Science 250,000 Achievement, Inc. [NM MESA], Albuquerque, NM, to prepare students from under-represented populations to pursue STEM college majors........................ New School University, New York, NY, for the Institute 750,000 for Urban Education.................................. New York Hall of Science, Queens, NY, for science 500,000 exhibits and educational programming................. North Carolina Technology Association, Raleigh, NC, 100,000 for a technology demonstration project for 9-12 grade students............................................. Nye County School District, Pahrump, NV, to expand 150,000 career and technical programs, including the purchase of equipment......................................... Operation Shoestring, Jackson, MS, for after school 200,000 summer enrichment programs........................... Pacific Islands Center for Educational Development in 500,000 American Samoa, Pago Pago, America Samoa, for program development.......................................... Parents as Teachers National Center, St. Louis, MO, to 250,000 develop research-based materials and training for home visiting professionals for families of children with autism.......................................... Parents for Public Schools of Jackson, Inc., Jackson, 50,000 MS, for arts education programs...................... PE4life Foundation, Kansas City, MO, for expansion and 500,000 assessment of PE4life programs across Iowa........... Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 100,000 for a youth mentoring program........................ Pollard Foundation, Las Vegas, NV, to improve math, 200,000 science and literacy instruction at the Rainbow Dreams Academy....................................... Polynesian Voyaging Society, Honolulu, HI, for 250,000 educational programs................................. Project GRAD Ohio, Columbus, OH, to help students 100,000 graduate from high school ready for college.......... Project HOME, Philadelphia, PA, for after school and 100,000 summer programs...................................... Roads to Success, New York, NY, to support college 100,000 scholarships for rural, low-income high school graduates in Pennsylvania............................ RuralCap of Alaska, Anchorage, AK, for distance 500,000 learning for head start teachers and parents as teachers programs, including the purchase of equipment............................................ Rutland City Public Schools, Rutland, VT, for summer 150,000 learning programs.................................... Saint Bernard Parish School Board, Chalmette, LA, for 750,000 educational programming, including the purchase of educational equipment for a cultural arts facility... Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, PA, to 100,000 develop a Public Education Partnership to provide professional development to area principals and teachers............................................. Saint Louis Community College, St. Louis, MO, to link 750,000 elementary and secondary inner city and rural school students with industry to promote STEM and life science academic study............................... Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN, to expand 200,000 tutoring and mentoring program for disadvantaged students in K-8 elementary schools in South Bend, IN. Salt Lake City School District, Salt Lake City, UT, 100,000 for a K-12 school-to-work program for at risk stud- ents................................................. San Francisco District Attorney's Office, San 250,000 Francisco, CA, for the Academic Recovery Center at- risk youth mentoring and education program........... Self Enhancement, Inc., Portland, OR, for innovative 100,000 education programs for inner city youth.............. Shiloh Economic and Entrepreneurial Lifelong 100,000 Development Corporation, Planfield, NJ, for the Titans for Tomorrow afterschool program.............. Skills Alaska, Anchorage, AK, for a student/teach 1,000,000 enhancement program across Alaska.................... SMART (Start Making A Reader Today), Portland, OR, for 100,000 children's literacy programs......................... Smith Center for the Performing Arts, Las Vegas, NV, 200,000 to create arts educational programs.................. SouthCoast Connected, New Bedford, MA, for expansion 150,000 of programs designed to reduce the teen dropout rate. SouthEastern Pennsylvania Consortium for Higher 200,000 Education, Glenside, PA, for the Institute of Mathematics and Science to provide professional development to K-12 teachers......................... Thiel College, Greenville, PA, for curriculum 100,000 development, including the purchase of equipment to support a distance learning partnership with area K- 12 schools........................................... Tulsa Public Schools, Tulsa, OK, for innovative 100,000 programming for students at risk of dropping out, including curriculum development..................... United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 100,000 PA, for recruitment, placement, and oversight of school-based mentoring programs...................... University of Mississippi, University, MS, to enhance 300,000 mathematics preparation.............................. University of Nebraska Kearney, Kearney, NE, to 100,000 develop early childhood education programs and expand online educational access to the underserved......... University of Nebraska-Omaha, Omaha, NE, to develop 500,000 and implement a training program centered on civic leadership........................................... University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, for 450,000 supporting and developing charter and district-run public schools in New Orleans through teacher education, leadership preparation, applied research and policy, in cooperation with Tulane University.... University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, to 150,000 establish the Center for Excellence and Innovation in Education............................................ University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, 250,000 for gifted education programs at the Frances Kranes Center for Gifted Studies............................ University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, 205,000 for K-12 arts and science curriculum and content standards development................................ University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, 300,000 for math science literacy enhancement................ University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, 100,000 Philadelphia, PA, for a science education partnership which will provide professional development to area teachers............................................. Washington Jesuit Academy, Washington, DC, for 250,000 mentoring activities................................. Washoe County School District, Reno, NV, for dropout 900,000 prevention and intervention services................. Western Folklife Center, Elko, NV, for educational 100,000 programming.......................................... Widener University, Chester, PA, for curriculum 100,000 development and teacher training..................... YWCA Anchorage, Anchorage, AK, for after school 100,000 education programs................................... YWCA of Seattle, King County, and Snohomish County, 300,000 Seattle, WA, to support and expand the School's Out Washington program................................... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Teacher Incentive Fund The Committee recommendation includes $97,270,000, the same as the fiscal year 2008 level, for the teacher incentive fund program. The budget request is $200,000,000. Under this program, the Secretary shall use not less than 95 percent of these funds to award competitive grants to local educational agencies [LEAs], including charter schools that are LEAs, States, or partnerships of (1) a local educational agency, a State, or both and (2) at least one nonprofit organization to design and implement fair, differentiated compensation systems for public school teachers and principals based primarily on measures of gains in student achievement, in addition to other factors, for teachers and principals in high- need schools. Not more than 5 percent of the appropriation may be used by the Secretary to provide schools with assistance in implementing this program through one or more grants to an organization or organizations with expertise in providing research-based expert advice to support schools initiating and implementing differentiated compensation systems, training school personnel, disseminating information on effective teacher compensation systems, and providing program outreach through a clearinghouse of best practices. This set-aside also will support the design and implementation of a program evaluation. Ready-to-Learn Television The Committee recommends an appropriation of $27,000,000 for the Ready-to-Learn Television program. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 was $23,831,000, the same as the budget request. Ready to Learn Television supports the development and distribution of educational television programming designed to improve the readiness of preschool children to enter kindergarten and elementary school. The program also supports the development, production, and dissemination of educational materials designed to help parents, children, and caregivers obtain the maximum advantage from educational programming. The Committee expects the increase over fiscal year 2008 to be used for Ready to Learn outreach programs by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Congressional Fellowships The Committee recommendation includes $1,942,000, the same as the fiscal year 2008 level, for Congressional Fellowships. The budget request did not include any funds for this purpose. These funds are provided to the Close Up Foundation of Washington, DC, which offers fellowships to students from low- income families and their teachers to enable them to spend 1 week in Washington attending seminars and meeting with representatives of the three branches of the Federal Government. Advanced Placement The Committee recommends $43,540,000 for Advanced Placement [AP] and International Baccalaureate [IB] programs, as authorized under the America COMPETES Act, as well as for activities authorized by the ESEA. The budget request is $70,000,000. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 was $43,540,000 for activities authorized under the ESEA only. The Committee includes bill language requested by the administration stating that fiscal year 2009 funds will first be used to pay continuation costs under the ESEA Advanced Placement Incentive [API] Grant program, which are used to expand access for low-income individuals to advanced placement programs, and to meet State needs for AP test fees. The balance of the recommended funds should be allocated under the new America COMPETES authority, which targets Federal support more specifically on preparing teachers to teach classes in math, science and critical foreign languages, and on encouraging more students from high-need schools to take and pass AP and IB courses in those subjects. Under the new program, the Education Department will make competitive grants to State educational agencies, LEAs or eligible partnerships. Grantees must provide a 2-to-1 match for Federal funds. The Committee estimates that approximately $12,000,000 would be needed to fund the test fees program and $11,045,000 for the API continuation grants, leaving approximately $20,495,000 for new grants under the America COMPETES authority. Safe Schools and Citizenship Education Appropriations, 2008.................................... $693,403,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 281,963,000 Committee recommendation................................ 666,384,000 Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities The Committee recommends a total of $666,384,000 for activities to promote safe schools and citizenship education. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level was $693,403,000 and the budget request is $281,963,000. State Grant Program.--The Committee recommends $294,759,000, the same as the fiscal year 2008 level, for the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities State grant program. The budget request is $100,000,000. This formula-based State grant program provides resources to Governors, State educational agencies, and local educational agencies for developing and implementing a wide range of activities that help create and maintain safe and drug-free learning environments in and around schools. National Programs.--The Committee has included $128,164,000 for the national programs portion of the Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities program. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 was $137,664,000, and the budget request is $181,963,000. The Committee recommendation includes $1,474,000, the same as the fiscal year 2008 level, for Project SERV (School Emergency Response to Violence), which provides education- related services to LEAs and institutions of higher education in which the learning environment has been disrupted due to a violent or traumatic crisis. These funds are available until expended. The budget request is $5,000,000. The Committee believes its recommended level is sufficient, given the carryover of funds from previous years. The Committee continues to be concerned about the increasing problem of alcohol and drug abuse on college campuses. The Committee directs the Department to use $850,000 to identify, and provide recognition of, promising and model alcohol and drug abuse prevention and education programs in higher education. The Committee includes these funds within the postsecondary alcohol prevention efforts proposed in the budget request. The Committee includes $1,400,000 for student drug testing, to be used for the Student Drug Testing Institute, data collection, and the final contract year of an impact evaluation. The fiscal year 2008 level for student drug testing was $10,639,900. The Committee also includes funds for school emergency preparedness activities, Safe Schools/Healthy Students, and other activities. The Committee recommends $23,824,000 within the national programs account, the same as the budget request, to provide support for the design and implementation of character education programs. Bullying.--The Committee continues to be concerned about the prevalence of bullying in schools, and it urges Federal support for the implementation of effective, research-based, and comprehensive bullying prevention programs. Threat Assessments.--The Committee notes that research shows that threat assessment techniques are more effective in preventing school violence and shootings than zero tolerance measures and similar disciplinary strategies. The Committee recommends the adoption of standardized, research-based threat assessment techniques, which include the creation of interdisciplinary school-based threat assessment teams that address threats on a case-by-case basis. Alcohol Abuse Reduction The Committee recommends $33,000,000 for grants to LEAs to develop and implement programs to reduce underage drinking in secondary schools. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 was $32,423,000. The budget request did not include any funds for this purpose. The Committee directs the Department and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to continue to work together on this effort. Mentoring The Committee recommends $48,544,000, the same as the fiscal year 2008 level, to support mentoring programs and activities for children who are at risk of failing academically, dropping out of school, getting involved in criminal or delinquent activities, or who lack strong positive role models. The budget request did not include any funds for this purpose. Character Education The Committee recommendation does not include funds for character education within this account. Instead, the Committee recommends $23,824,000 for this purpose within the national programs account, as the budget requests. Elementary and Secondary School Counseling The Committee recommends $52,000,000 to establish or expand counseling programs in elementary and secondary schools. The fiscal year 2008 funding level was $48,617,000. The budget request does not include any funds for this program. As authorized by the No Child Left Behind Act, all amounts appropriated up to $40,000,000 must be used only for elementary school counseling programs. Carol M. White Physical Education for Progress Program The Committee recommends $78,000,000 to help LEAs and community-based organizations initiate, expand and improve physical education programs for students in grades K-12. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 was $75,655,000. The budget request does not include any funding for this program. Provision of this funding will help schools and communities improve their structured physical education programs for students and help children develop healthy lifestyles to combat the epidemic of obesity in the Nation. Civic Education The Committee recommends $31,917,000, the same as the fiscal year 2008 level, to improve the quality of civics and Government education, to foster civic competence and responsibility, and to improve the quality of civic and economic education through exchange programs with emerging democracies. The budget request proposed to eliminate funding for this purpose. The Committee recommends $20,056,000 for the We the People programs, which are directed by statute to the Center for Civic Education, and $11,861,000 for the Cooperative Education Exchange. Of the latter funds, $4,448,000 is directed by statute to the Center for Civic Education and an equivalent amount to the National Council on Economic Education, and $2,965,000 is for a competitive grant program to improve public knowledge, understanding and support of the Congress and the State legislatures. English Language Acquisition Appropriations, 2008.................................... $700,395,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 730,000,000 Committee recommendation................................ 730,000,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $730,000,000, the same as the budget request, for English language acquisition. The fiscal year 2008 level was $700,395,000. The Department makes formula grants to States based on each State's share of the Nation's limited-English-proficient and recent immigrant student population. The program is designed to increase the capacity of States and school districts to address the needs of these students. The No Child Left Behind Act also requires that 6.5 percent of the appropriation be used to support national activities, which include professional development activities designed to increase the number of highly qualified teachers serving limited English proficient students; a National Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition and Language Instructional Programs; and evaluation activities. The budget request includes language that would allow national activities funds to be available for 2 years. The Committee bill includes the requested language. The Committee recognizes that in making State allotments under subpart 1, part A of title III, the No Child Left Behind Act directs the Secretary to determine the number of limited English proficient and immigrant children in all States, using ``the more accurate'' of either: (1) data from the American Community Survey [ACS], as administered by the Bureau of the Census, or (2) the number of children assessed for English language proficiency as required under section 1111(b)(7). The Committee is concerned that the Secretary's use of the ACS, which reflects a limited sample size of individuals and is based on self-reported data, can be an inaccurate measure of the actual number of limited-English-proficient children in the States, leading to fluctuations in State allocations and jeopardizing efforts to sustain high-quality language instruction educational programs for English language learners. Therefore, the Committee instructs the Secretary to utilize the following interim methodology in determining future State allocations under subpart 1, part A of title III, until such time that Congress has reauthorized the No Child Left Behind Act. In the event that a State experiences a drastic fluctuation in the estimated number of limited-English- proficient and immigrant children in a given year (as estimated by the ACS) such that the fluctuation would result in a greater than 10 percent decrease in the State's title III allotment from the previous fiscal year, the Committee instructs the Secretary to make a determination for the State involved using an average of the most recent 3 years of data (based on the ACS) on the number of limited-English-proficient and immigrant children residing in such State. Special Education Appropriations, 2008.................................... $11,993,683,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 12,335,943,000 Committee recommendation................................ 12,511,631,000 The Committee recommends $12,511,631,000 for special education programs authorized by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [IDEA] and Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act of 2004. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level is $11,993,683,000 and the budget request includes $12,335,943,000 for such programs. Grants to States The Committee recommends $11,424,511,000 for special education grants to States, as authorized under part B of the IDEA. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level is $10,947,511,000 and the budget request includes $11,284,511,000. This program provides formula grants to assist States, outlying areas, and other entities in meeting the costs of providing special education and related services for children with disabilities. States pass along most of these funds to local educational agencies, but may reserve some for program monitoring, enforcement, technical assistance, and other activities. The appropriation for this program primarily supports activities associated with the 2009-2010 academic year. Of the funds available for this program, $3,777,067,000 will become available on July 1, 2009 and $7,647,444,000 will become available on October 1, 2009. These funds will remain available for obligation until September 30, 2010. The budget request proposes to continue language capping the Department of the Interior set-aside at the prior year level, adjusted by the lower of the increase in inflation or the increase in the appropriation for grants to States. The Committee bill includes this language. Preschool Grants The Committee recommends $374,099,000 for preschool grants. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level and the budget request both are $374,099,000. The preschool grants program provides formula grants to States to assist them in making available special education and related services for children with disabilities aged 3 through 5. States distribute the bulk of the funds to local educational agencies. States must serve all eligible children with disabilities aged 3 through 5 and have an approved application under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Grants for Infants and Families The Committee recommends $443,200,000 for the grants for infants and families program under part C of the IDEA. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level and the budget request both are $435,654,000 for this purpose. This program provides formula grants to States, outlying areas and other entities to implement statewide systems of coordinated, comprehensive, multidisciplinary interagency programs to make available early intervention services to all children with disabilities, ages 2 and under, and their families. State Personnel Development The Committee recommends $48,000,000 for the State personnel development program. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level is $22,598,000 and the budget request includes $48,000,000 for this purpose. This program focuses on the professional development needs in States by requiring that 90 percent of funds be used for professional development activities. The program supports grants to State educational agencies to help them reform and improve their personnel preparation and professional development related to early intervention, educational and transition services that improve outcomes for students with disabilities. Technical Assistance and Dissemination The Committee recommends $49,049,000 for technical assistance and dissemination. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level and the budget request are $48,049,000 for these activities. This program supports awards for technical assistance, model demonstration projects, the dissemination of useful information and other activities. Funding supports activities that are designed to improve the services provided under IDEA. The Committee intends that the increase provided above last year's funding level be used to increase technical assistance support for evidence-based practices that will help improve the instructional practices of teachers educating students with disabilities. Personnel Preparation The Committee recommends $93,153,000 for the personnel preparation program. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level and the budget request both are $88,153,000 for this program. Funds support competitive awards to help address State-identified needs for personnel who are qualified to work with children with disabilities, including special education teachers and related services personnel. The program has requirements to fund several other broad areas including training for leadership personnel and personnel who work with children with low incidence disabilities, and providing enhanced support for beginning special educators. Parent Information Centers The Committee recommends $27,528,000 for parent information centers. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level and the budget request both are $26,528,000 for authorized activities. 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. The Committee recognizes the importance of transition services for children with disabilities. The Committee also is aware that parent centers have the specialized expertise and resources needed to conduct transition-focused parent- information and training activities that will meet the needs of transition-aged youth with disabilities in every State. With increased funding, the Committee intends that the Department address this important priority and encourages the Office of Special Education Programs to collaborate with the Rehabilitation Services Administration in carrying out this effort. Technology and Media Services The Committee recommends $40,301,000 for technology and media services. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level is $39,301,000 and the budget request includes $30,949,000 for such activities. This program makes competitive awards to support the development, demonstration, and use of technology, and educational media activities of value to children with disabilities. The Committee recommendation includes $13,500,000 for Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, Inc. [RFB&D]. These funds support the continued development, production, and circulation of recorded textbooks, increased outreach activities to print- disabled students and their teachers, and accelerated use of digital technology. The Committee also recommends $1,474,000 for support of the Reading Rockets program, administered by the Greater Washington Educational Television Association. Special Olympics The Committee recommendation includes $11,790,000 for Special Olympics education activities, the same amount as the fiscal year 2008 level. The budget request did not include any funds for this purpose. Under the Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act of 2004, the Secretary is authorized to provide financial assistance to Special Olympics for activities that promote the expansion of Special Olympics and for the design and implementation of education activities that can be integrated into classroom instruction and are consistent with academic content standards. The Committee bill allows funds to be used to support Special Olympics National and Winter Games hosted in the United States, including up to $3,000,000 for the 2009 World Winter Games in Idaho. Rehabilitation Services and Disability Research Appropriations, 2008.................................... $3,276,767,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 3,318,856,000 Committee recommendation................................ 3,379,109,000 The Committee recommends $3,379,109,000 for rehabilitation services and disability research. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level is $3,276,767,000 and the budget request includes $3,318,856,000 for programs in this account. The authorizing statute for programs funded in this account, except for those authorized under the Assistive Technology Act, expired September 30, 2004. The program descriptions provided below assume the continuation of current law. Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants The Committee recommends $2,974,635,000 for vocational rehabilitation grants to States. The Committee recommends the full amount authorized by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 is $2,874,043,000 for this program. The President's budget proposes to eliminate the increase provided by the consumer price index adjustment authorized by the authorizing statute. The Committee rejects this proposal. Basic State grant funds assist States in providing a range of services to help persons with physical and mental disabilities prepare for and engage in meaningful employment. Authorizing legislation requires States to give priority to persons with the most significant disabilities. Funds are allotted to States based on a formula that takes into account population and per capita income. States must provide a 21.3 percent match of Federal funds, except the State's share is 50 percent for the cost of construction of a facility for community rehabilitation program purposes. The Rehabilitation Act requires that no less than 1 percent and not more than 1.5 percent of the appropriation in fiscal year 2009 for vocational rehabilitation State grants be set aside for grants for Indians. Service grants are awarded to Indian tribes on a competitive basis to help tribes develop the capacity to provide vocational rehabilitation services to American Indians with disabilities living on or near reservations. Client Assistance State Grants The Committee recommends $11,576,000 for the client assistance State grants program. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level and the budget request both are $11,576,000 for authorized activities. The client assistance program funds State formula grants to assist vocational rehabilitation clients or client applicants in understanding the benefits available to them and in their relationships with service providers. Funds are distributed to States according to a population-based formula, except that increases in minimum grants are guaranteed to each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, and guaranteed to each of the outlying areas, by a percentage not to exceed the percentage increase in the appropriation. States must operate client assistance programs in order to receive vocational rehabilitation State grant funds. Training The Committee recommends $37,766,000 for training rehabilitation personnel. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level and the budget request both are $37,766,000 for training activities. The purpose of this program is to ensure that skilled personnel are available to serve the rehabilitation needs of individuals with disabilities. It supports training, traineeships, and related activities designed to increase the numbers of qualified personnel providing rehabilitation services. The program awards grants and contracts to States and public or nonprofit agencies and organizations, including institutions of higher education, to pay all or part of the cost of conducting training programs. Long-term, in-service, short-term, experimental and innovative, and continuing education programs are funded, as well as special training programs and programs to train interpreters for persons who are deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind. Demonstration and Training Programs The Committee bill includes $8,901,000 for demonstration and training programs for persons with disabilities. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level is $10,151,000 and the budget request includes $8,826,000 for authorized activities. This program awards grants to States and nonprofit agencies and organizations to develop innovative methods and comprehensive services to help individuals with disabilities achieve satisfactory vocational outcomes. Demonstration programs support projects for individuals with a wide array of disabilities. The Committee recommends continued support for parent training and information centers, as proposed in the budget request. The Committee expects the Rehabilitation Services Administration to coordinate with the Office of Special Education Programs in carrying out this activity. The Committee recommendation also includes bill language requiring that funds be provided to the following organizations in the amounts specified: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Committee Project recommendation ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Alaska Adaptive Recreation Alliance, Anchorage, AK, $600,000 for programs to provide adaptive and therapeutic recreation to the disabled in Alaska................. Alaska Statewide Independent Living Council, 300,000 Anchorage, AK, for independent living programs for rural and remote areas............................... Arc of New London County, Norwich, CT, for adult 250,000 vocational training.................................. Cumberland Perry Association for Retarded Citizens, 100,000 Carlisle, PA, to support educational programming for young adults with disabilities....................... Enable America, Inc., Tampa, Florida, for civic/ 600,000 citizenship demonstration project for disabled adults ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers The Committee recommends $2,239,000 for migrant and seasonal farmworkers, the same amount as the comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level. The administration proposes eliminating separate funding for this program. This program provides grants limited to 90 percent of the costs of the projects providing comprehensive rehabilitation services to migrant and seasonal farm workers with disabilities and their families. Projects also develop innovative methods for reaching and serving this population. The program emphasizes outreach, specialized bilingual rehabilitation counseling, and coordination of vocational rehabilitation services with services from other sources. Recreational Programs The Committee provides $2,474,000 for recreational programs, the same amount as the comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level. The budget request does not include funding for this program. Recreational programs help finance activities such as sports, music, dancing, handicrafts, and art to aid in the employment, mobility, and socialization of individuals with disabilities. Grants are awarded to States, public agencies, and nonprofit private organizations, including institutions of higher education. Grants are awarded for a 3-year period with the Federal share at 100 percent for the first year, 75 percent for the second year, and 50 percent for the third year. Programs must maintain the same level of services over the 3- year period. Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights The Committee recommends $17,201,000 for protection and advocacy of individual rights. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level and the budget request both are $16,201,000 for this purpose. This program provides grants to agencies to protect and advocate for the legal and human rights of persons with disabilities who are not eligible for protection and advocacy services available through the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act or the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act. Projects with Industry The Committee recommends $19,197,000 for projects with industry. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level is $19,197,000 and the administration proposes eliminating separate funding for this program. The projects with industry [PWI] program promotes greater participation of business and industry in the rehabilitation process. PWI provides training and experience in realistic work settings to prepare individuals with disabilities for employment in the competitive job market. Postemployment support services are also provided. The program supports grants to a variety of agencies and organizations, including corporations, community rehabilitation programs, labor and trade associations, and foundations. Supported Employment State Grants The Committee recommends $29,181,000 for the supported employment State grant program. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level is $29,181,000 and the administration proposes eliminating separate funding for this program. This program assists the most severely disabled individuals by providing the ongoing support needed to obtain competitive employment. Short-term vocational rehabilitation services are augmented with extended services provided by State and local organizations. Federal funds are distributed on the basis of population. Independent Living State Grants The Committee recommends $22,193,000 for independent living State grants. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 and the budget request both are $22,193,000 for authorized activities. The independent living State formula grants program provides funding to improve independent living services, support the operation of centers for independent living, conduct studies and analysis, and provide training and outreach. Independent Living Centers The Committee recommends $73,334,000 for independent living centers. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level and the budget request both are $73,334,000 for the centers. These funds support consumer-controlled, cross-disability, nonresidential, community-based centers that are designed and operated within local communities by individuals with disabilities. These centers provide an array of independent living services. Independent Living Services for Older Blind Individuals The Committee provides $32,320,000 for independent living services to older blind individuals. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level and the budget request both are $32,320,000 for these activities. Through this program, assistance is provided to persons aged 55 or older to adjust to their blindness, continue living independently and avoid societal costs associated with dependent care. Services may include the provision of eyeglasses and other visual aids, mobility training, braille instruction and other communication services, community integration, and information and referral. These services help older individuals age with dignity, continue to live independently and avoid significant societal costs associated with dependent care. The services most commonly provided by this program are daily living skills training, counseling, the provision of low-vision devices community integration, information and referral, communication devices, and low-vision screening. Program Improvement Activities The Committee recommends $622,000 for program improvement activities, the same amount as the comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level. The budget request includes $800,000 for authorized activities. In fiscal year 2009, funds for these activities will continue to support technical assistance efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the vocational rehabilitation program and improve accountability efforts. The funds provided are sufficient to support technical assistance and other ongoing program improvement activities. Evaluation The Committee recommends $1,447,000 for evaluation activities, the same amount as the comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level. The budget request includes $1,947,000 for such activities. These funds support evaluations of the impact and effectiveness of programs authorized by the Rehabilitation Act. The Department awards competitive contracts for studies to be conducted by persons not directly involved with the administration of Rehabilitation Act programs. Helen Keller National Center The Committee recommends $8,362,000 for the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults, the same amount as the comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level. The budget request includes $7,862,000 for this purpose. The Helen Keller National Center consists of a national headquarters in Sands Point, New York, with a residential training and rehabilitation facility where deaf-blind persons receive intensive specialized services; a network of 10 regional field offices that provide referral and counseling assistance to deaf-blind persons; and an affiliate network of agencies. The center serves approximately 120 persons with deaf-blindness at its headquarters facility and provides field services to approximately 2,000 individuals and families and approximately 1,100 organizations. National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research The Committee recommends $107,741,000 for the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research [NIDRR]. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level and the budget request both are $105,741,000 for authorized activities. NIDRR develops and implements a comprehensive and coordinated approach to the conduct of research, demonstration projects, and related activities that enable persons with disabilities to better function at work and in the community, including the training of persons who provide rehabilitation services or who conduct rehabilitation research. The Institute awards competitive grants to support research in Federally designated priority areas, including rehabilitation research and training centers, rehabilitation engineering research centers, research and demonstration projects, and dissemination and utilization projects. NIDRR also supports field-initiated research projects, research training, and fellowships. The Committee recommends funds above the budget request to restore the number of rehabilitation research and training centers, focusing on the issues of traumatic brain injury, arthritis, neuromuscular disease and spinal cord injury. Centers on these topics were previously funded by NIDRR. NIDRR shall award funds for these centers on a competitive basis. While mental health and physical health are clearly connected, there is a lack of research at the nexus of these care systems and the role they play for people with disabilities. The Committee encourages NIDRR to pursue mental health-related research proposals through its investigator- initiated and other grants programs, including sponsoring studies that will demonstrate the impact of socio-emotional, behavioral and attitudinal aspects of disability. In particular, specific initiatives that directly address societal barriers, such as stigmatization and discrimination, and their impact on people with physical, mental and neurological disabilities as well as strategies to support the improved function, rehabilitation and future employment of individuals with disabilities are highly recommended. The Committee encourages NIDRR to continue supporting research on effective training for professional service providers who work with individuals with disabilities. Many fundamental programs that are committed to supporting the progress and success of individuals with disabilities in the areas of rehabilitation, employment, education, and general health and functioning rely heavily on professionals who are well-trained and knowledgeable about disability. Given the current shortage of such professionals, it is important to evaluate the processes for training these professionals who are skilled to work on disability issues. Assessments and evaluations of training programs on disability would offer a unique insight into the preparation of this vital portion of the workforce that plays a significant role in the lives of people with disabilities. Assistive Technology The Committee recommends $29,920,000 for assistive technology, the same amount as the comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level. The budget request includes $25,655,000 for the State grant program and national activities authorized by the Assistive Technology Act of 1998. The Assistive Technology program is designed to improve occupational and educational opportunities and the quality of life for people of all ages with disabilities through increased access to assistive technology services and devices. The program supports various activities that help States to develop comprehensive, consumer-responsive statewide programs that increase access to, and the availability of, assistive technology devices and services. The Committee recommendation includes $24,620,000 for State grant activities authorized under section 4, $4,265,000 for protection and advocacy systems authorized by section 5, and $1,035,000 for technical assistance activities authorized under section 6. Special Institutions for Persons With Disabilities AMERICAN PRINTING HOUSE FOR THE BLIND Appropriations, 2008.................................... $21,616,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 21,616,000 Committee recommendation................................ 22,500,000 The Committee recommends $22,500,000 to help support the American Printing House for the Blind [APH]. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level and budget request both are $21,616,000 for this purpose. The American Printing House for the Blind provides educational materials to students who are legally blind and enrolled in programs below the college level. The Federal subsidy provides more than 60 percent of APH's total sales income. Materials are distributed free of charge to schools and States through per capita allotments based on the total number of students who are blind. Materials provided include textbooks and other educational aids in braille, large type, and recorded form and computer applications. Appropriated funds may be used for staff salaries and expenses, as well as equipment purchases and other acquisitions consistent with the purpose of the Act to Promote the Education of the Blind. In addition to its ongoing activities, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act assigned to the American Printing House for the Blind the responsibility of establishing and maintaining a National Instructional Materials Access Center. NATIONAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF Appropriations, 2008.................................... $59,695,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 59,195,000 Committee recommendation................................ 62,000,000 The Committee recommends $62,000,000 for the National Technical Institute for the Deaf [NTID]. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level is $59,695,000 and the budget request includes $59,195,000 for this purpose. Within the Committee recommendation, $1,175,000 is available for improvements to the campus infrastructure of NTID. The Institute, located on the campus of the Rochester Institute of Technology, was created by Congress in 1965 to provide a residential facility for postsecondary technical training and education for persons who are deaf. NTID also provides support services for students who are deaf, trains professionals in the field of deafness, and conducts applied research. At the discretion of the Institute, funds may be used for the Endowment Grant program. GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY Appropriations, 2008.................................... $113,384,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 119,384,000 Committee recommendation................................ 124,000,000 The Committee recommends $124,000,000 for Gallaudet University. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level is $113,384,000 and the budget request includes $119,384,000 for the university. Gallaudet University is a private, nonprofit institution offering undergraduate, and continuing education programs for students who are deaf, as well as graduate programs in fields related to deafness for students who are hearing and deaf. The University conducts basic and applied research related to hearing impairments and provides public service programs for the deaf community. The Model Secondary School for the Deaf serves as a laboratory for educational experimentation and development, disseminates curricula, materials, and models of instruction for students who are deaf, and prepares adolescents who are deaf for postsecondary academic or vocational education or the workplace. The Kendall Demonstration Elementary School develops and provides instruction for children from infancy through age 15. The budget request includes $6,000,000 earmarked in bill language for construction-related activities connected to soil instability and associated building damage on campus. The Committee recommendation includes the requested funding and language for these activities. The Committee provided additional funds in the 2008 bill to allow Gallaudet to begin addressing this issue. Career, Technical, and Adult Education Appropriations, 2008.................................... $1,941,642,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 574,590,000 Committee recommendation................................ 1,863,162,000 The Committee recommends a total of $1,863,162,000 for career, technical and adult education. The comparable funding level in fiscal year 2008 is $1,941,642,000 and the budget request includes $574,590,000 for this account. The recommendation consists of $1,271,694,000 for career and technical education, $567,468,000 for adult education and $24,000,000 for other activities. Career and Technical Education The Committee recommends $1,271,694,000 for career and technical education, the same amount as the comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level. The budget request does not propose any funds for these activities. State Grants.--The Committee recommends $1,160,911,000 for State grants, the same amount as the comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level. The budget request does not propose any funds for this purpose. Funds provided under the State grant program assist States, localities, and outlying areas to expand and improve their programs of career and technical education and provide equal access to career and technical education for populations with special needs. Persons assisted range from secondary students in prevocational courses through adults who need retraining to adapt to changing technological and labor market conditions. Funds are distributed according to a formula based on State population and State per capita income, with special provisions for small States and a fiscal year 1998 base guarantee. Under the Indian and Hawaiian Natives programs, competitive grants are awarded to federally recognized Indian tribes or tribal organizations and to organizations primarily serving and representing Hawaiian Natives for services that are in addition to services such groups are eligible to receive under other provisions of the Perkins Act. Of the funds available for this program, $369,911,000 will become available on July 1, 2009 and $791,000,000 will become available on October 1, 2009. These funds will remain available for obligation until September 30, 2010. Tech-Prep Education State Grants.--The Committee recommends $102,923,000 for tech-prep programs, the same amount as the comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level. The budget request proposes to eliminate funding for this program. This program is designed to link academic and career and technical education and to provide a structural link between secondary schools and postsecondary education institutions. Funds are distributed to the States through the same formula as the State grant program. States then make planning and demonstration grants to consortia of local educational agencies and postsecondary institutions to develop and operate model 4-year programs that begin in high school and provide students with the mathematical, science, communication, and technological skills needed to earn a 2-year associate degree or 2-year certificate in a given occupational field. National Programs.--The Committee recommends $7,860,000 for national research programs and other national activities, the same amount as the comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level. The budget request proposes to eliminate funding for this program. Funds should be used to support the national research center on career and technical education, as well as other activities that will help improve career and technical education programs in high schools and community colleges. ADULT EDUCATION The Committee recommends $567,468,000 for adult education, the same amount as the comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level. The budget request includes $574,590,000 for this purpose. The authorizing statute for adult education programs expired on September 30, 2004. Descriptions of these programs provided below assume the continuation of current law. The Committee recognizes the importance of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act programs. To ensure that funding for these programs is benefiting as many students as possible, the Committee requests that the Department evaluate and report on whether the amount of funding for State grants that is allowed to be set aside for State leadership activities and State program administration is appropriate and how these set-asides impact the assistance reaching students. The Committee expects the Department to include the requested information in the fiscal year 2010 budget justification. Adult Education State Programs.--For adult education State programs, the Committee recommends $554,122,000, the same amount as both the comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level and the budget request. These funds are used by States for programs to enable economically disadvantaged 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. The Committee recommendation continues the English literacy and civics education State grants set aside within the adult education State grant appropriation. Within the total, $67,896,000 is available to help States or localities affected significantly by immigration and large limited-English populations to implement programs that help immigrants acquire English literacy skills, gain knowledge about the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and develop skills that will enable them to navigate key institutions of American life. National Leadership Activities.--The Committee recommends $6,878,000 for national leadership activities, the same amount as the comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008. The budget request includes $14,000,000 for this purpose. Under this program, the Department supports applied research, development, dissemination, evaluation and program improvement activities to assist States in their efforts to improve the quality of adult education programs. National Institute for Literacy.--The Committee recommends $6,468,000 for the National Institute for Literacy, authorized under section 242 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level and the budget request both are $6,468,000 for this purpose. The Institute provides national leadership on issues related to literacy, coordinates literary services and policy, and serves as a national resource for adult education and literacy programs. The center also engages in a variety of capacity- building activities that support the development of State, regional, and national literary services. Smaller Learning Communities The Committee does not recommend funds for this program, as proposed in the budget request. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level is $80,108,000. This program has supported competitive grants to local educational agencies to enable them to create smaller learning communities in large schools. Funds have been used to study, research, develop and implement strategies for creating smaller learning communities, as well as professional development for staff. Two types of grants were made under this program: 1-year planning grants, which help LEAs plan smaller learning communities and 3-year implementation grants, which help create or expand such learning environments. State Grants for Incarcerated Youth Offenders The Committee recommends $24,000,000 for education and training for incarcerated youth offenders. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 is $22,372,000, while the budget request does not include any funds for this purpose. This program provides grants to State correctional education agencies to assist and encourage incarcerated youth to acquire functional literacy, life and job skills, through the pursuit of a postsecondary education certificate or an associate of arts or bachelor's degree. Grants also assist correction agencies in providing employment counseling and other related services that start during incarceration and continue through prerelease and while on parole. Under current law, each student is eligible for a grant of not more than $1,500 annually for tuition, books, and essential materials, and not more than $300 annually for related services such as career development, substance abuse counseling, parenting skills training, and health education. In order to participate in a program, a student must be no more than 25 years of age and be eligible to be released from prison within 5 years. Youth offender grants are for a period not to exceed 5 years, 1 year of which may be devoted to study in remedial or graduate education. Student Financial Assistance Appropriations, 2008.................................... $16,081,136,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 17,921,492,000 Committee recommendation................................ 18,761,809,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $18,761,809,000 for student financial assistance. Program authorities and descriptions assume the continuation of current law. Federal Pell Grant Program For Pell grant awards in the 2009/2010 academic year, the Committee recommends $16,890,000,000 to increase the maximum discretionary Pell grant award level to $4,310. Additional mandatory funding provided in the College Cost Reduction and Access Act would increase this maximum award by $490, to a total of $4,800. Pell grants provide need-based financial assistance that helps low- and middle-income undergraduate students and their families defray a portion of the costs of postsecondary education and vocational training. Awards are determined according to a statutory need analysis formula that takes into account a student's family income and assets, household size, and the number of family members, excluding parents, attending postsecondary institutions. Pell grants are considered the foundation of Federal postsecondary student aid. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants The Committee recommends $757,465,000 for Federal supplemental educational opportunity grants [SEOG], the same as the fiscal year 2008 level. The budget did not include funds for this program. This program provides funds to postsecondary institutions for need-based grants to undergraduate students. Institutions must contribute 25 percent toward SEOG awards, which are subject to a maximum grant level of $4,000. School financial aid officers have flexibility to determine student awards, though they must give priority to Pell grant recipients with exceptional need. Federal Work-Study Programs The Committee bill provides $980,492,000 for the Federal work-study program, the same amount as the budget request and the fiscal year 2008 level. This program provides grants to more than 3,300 institutions to help an estimated 800,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students meet the costs of postsecondary education through part-time employment. Work- study jobs must pay at least the Federal minimum wage and institutions must provide at least 25 percent of student earnings. Institutions also must use at least 7 percent of their grants for community-service jobs. Federal Perkins Loans The Federal Perkins loan program supports student loan revolving funds built up with capital contributions to nearly 1,900 participating institutions. Institutions use these revolving funds, which also include Federal capital contributions [FCC], institutional contributions equal to one- third of the FCC, and student repayments, to provide low- interest (5 percent) loans that help financially needy students pay the costs of postsecondary education. The Committee recommends $70,000,000 for loan cancellations, $5,673,000 over the comparable fiscal year 2008 level. The administration did not request funds for this program. These funds reimburse institutional revolving funds on behalf of borrowers whose loans are cancelled in exchange for statutorily specified types of public or military service, such as teaching in a qualified low-income school, working in a Head Start Program, serving in the Peace Corps or VISTA, or nurses and medical technicians providing health care services. The Committee is aware that institutions, in complying with the Perkins loan cancellations provisions, are seeing their overall Perkin revolving loan accounts decrease. The Committee realizes that this $5,000,000 increase is not sufficient to make the participating institutions whole and will continue to address the shortfall issue over the next few years. The Committee bill does not include any funds for Federal Perkins loans capital contributions. The fiscal year 2008 bill did not include such funds and the budget request does not provide any funds for this purpose. Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program For the leveraging educational assistance partnership [LEAP] program, the Committee recommends $63,852,000, the same amount as the comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008. The budget proposes to eliminate funding for this program. The LEAP program provides a Federal match to States as an incentive for providing need-based grant and work-study assistance to eligible postsecondary students. Loans for Short-Term Training Appropriations, 2008.................................................... Budget estimate, 2009................................... $3,000,000 Committee recommendation................................................ The Committee recommendation does not include funds for a new program designed to help individuals acquire or upgrade specific-job related skills through short-term training programs. The budget proposed $3,000,000 for this new program. The Committee notes that this program is not authorized and will reconsider funding after legislation is submitted to the Congress and considered by the authorizing committees. Student Aid Administration Appropriations, 2008.................................... $695,843,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 714,000,000 Committee recommendation................................ 704,843,000 The Committee recommends $704,843,000 for the Student Aid Administration account, for activities funded under this account, as reauthorized by the Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005. These funds are available until expended. That act reclassified most of the administrative costs of the Student Aid Account that were classified as mandatory spending through fiscal year 2006. Funds appropriated for the Student Aid Administration account will support the Department's student aid management expenses. The Office of Federal Student Aid and Office of Postsecondary Education have primary responsibility for administering Federal student financial assistance programs. Higher Education Appropriations, 2008.................................... $2,021,852,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 1,733,684,000 Committee recommendation................................ 1,856,214,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,856,214,000 for higher education programs. The administration requested $1,733,684,000 and the fiscal year 2008 level was $2,021,852,000 for programs in this account. Aid for Institutional Development The Committee recommends $362,586,000, the same as the administration's request. The Committee recommendation concurs in the budget request, which reduces aid for institutional development programs where additional fiscal year 2008 and 2009 funding is available from the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. The Committee will resume providing funding levels in fiscal year 2010 that are comparable to the discretionary program levels provided in fiscal year 2008. Strengthening Institutions.--The Committee bill includes $78,146,000, the same as the administration's request. The part A program supports competitive, 1-year planning and 5-year development grants for institutions with a significant percentage of financially needy students and low educational and general expenditures per student in comparison with similar institutions. Applicants may use part A funds to develop faculty, strengthen academic programs, improve institutional management, and expand student services. Institutions awarded funding under this program are not eligible to receive grants under other sections of part A or part B. Hispanic-Serving Institutions [HSI].--The Committee recommends $74,442,000, the same as the administration's request, for institutions at which Hispanic students make up at least 25 percent of enrollment. Institutions applying for title V funds must meet the regular part A requirements. Funds may be used for acquisition, rental or lease of scientific or laboratory equipment, renovation of instructional facilities, development of faculty, support for academic programs, institutional management, and purchase of educational materials. Title V recipients are not eligible for other awards provided under title III, parts A and B. The College Cost Reduction and Access Act amended title IV of the Higher Education Act by providing mandatory funding for a number of higher education programs. That act provided $100,000,000 in mandatory funding for activities similar to those described above, except that a priority is placed on certain science, technology, engineering and mathematics initiatives. Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities.--The Committee recommends $153,095,000, the same as the administration's request, for part B grants. The College Cost Reduction and Access Act amended title IV of the Higher Education Act by providing mandatory funding for a number of higher education programs. That act provided $85,000,000 in mandatory funding for historically black colleges and universities in fiscal year 2009 in addition to the amounts described above for total fiscal year 2009 funding of $238,095,000. The part B strengthening historically black colleges and universities [HBCU] program makes formula grants to HBCUs that may be used to purchase equipment, construct and renovate facilities, develop faculty, support academic programs, strengthen institutional management, enhance fundraising activities, provide tutoring and counseling services to students, and conduct outreach to elementary and secondary school students. The minimum allotment is $500,000 for each eligible institution. Part B recipients are not eligible for awards under part A. Strengthening Historically Black Graduate Institutions.-- The Committee recommends $56,903,000, the same as the administration's request, for the part B, section 326 program. The section 326 program provides 5-year grants to strengthen historically black graduate institutions [HBGIs]. Grants may be used for any part B purpose and to establish an endowment. Strengthening Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions.--The Committee did not recommend funding for this program, nor did the administration request funding for this program, since funding for fiscal year 2009 was provided in the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. The College Cost Reduction and Access Act amended title IV of the Higher Education Act by providing mandatory funding for a number of higher education programs. That act provided $15,000,000 in mandatory funding for Strengthening Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions in fiscal year 2009. The Committee has included bill language permitting funds made available in the College Cost Reduction and Access Act for this program to be used for any authorized activity in section 317 of the Higher Education Act. The purpose of this program is to improve and expand the capacity of institutions serving Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students. Funds may be used to plan, develop, and implement activities that encourage: faculty and curriculum development; better fund and administrative management; renovation and improvement of educational facilities; student services; and the purchase of library and other educational materials. The Committee encourages the Department to use simplified application forms to permit participating institutions to obtain continuation funding for successful programs funded under this program. Strengthening Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities.--The Committee did not recommend funding for this program, nor did the administration request funding for this program, since funding for fiscal year 2009 was provided in the College Cost Reduction and Access Act. The College Cost Reduction and Access Act amended title IV of the Higher Education Act by providing mandatory funding for a number of higher education programs. That act provided $30,000,000 in mandatory funding for Strengthening Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities in fiscal year 2009. Tribal colleges and universities rely on a portion of the funds provided to address developmental needs, including faculty development, curriculum and student services. International Education and Foreign Language Studies The bill includes a total of $108,983,000 for international education and foreign language programs, which is the same as the fiscal year 2008 level. The administration requested $108,983,000. The Committee bill includes language allowing funds to be used to support visits and study in foreign countries by individuals who plan to utilize their language skills in world areas vital to the United States national security in the fields of government, international development and the professions. Bill language also allows up to 1 percent of the funds provided to be used for program evaluation, national outreach, and information dissemination activities. This language is continued from last year's bill and was proposed in the budget request. Domestic Programs.--The Committee recommends $93,941,000 for domestic program activities related to international education and foreign language studies, including international business education, under title VI of the HEA. This is the same as the fiscal year 2008 level. Domestic programs include national resource centers, undergraduate international studies and foreign language programs, international research and studies projects, international business education projects and centers, American overseas research centers, language resource centers, foreign language and area studies fellowships, and technological innovation and cooperation for foreign information access. Overseas Programs.--The bill includes $13,372,000 for overseas programs authorized under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, popularly known as the Fulbright-Hays Act, the same as the fiscal year 2008 level and the administration request. Under these overseas programs, grants are provided for group and faculty research projects abroad, doctoral dissertation research abroad, and special bilateral projects. Unlike other programs authorized by the Fulbright-Hays Act and administered by the Department of State, these Department of Education programs focus on training American instructors and students in order to improve foreign language and area studies education in the United States. Institute for International Public Policy.--The Committee bill recommends $1,670,000 for the Institute for International Public Policy, the same as the administration request. This program is designed to increase the number of minority individuals in foreign service and related careers by providing a grant to a consortium of institutions for undergraduate and graduate level foreign language and international studies. An institutional match of 50 percent is required. Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education The Committee recommends $63,652,000 for the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education [FIPSE]. FIPSE stimulates improvements in education beyond high school by supporting exemplary, locally developed projects that have potential for addressing problems and recommending improvements in postsecondary education. The Fund is administered by the Department with advice from an independent board and provides small, competitive grants and contracts to a variety of postsecondary institutions and agencies, including 2- and 4- year colleges and universities, State education agencies, community-based organizations, and other non-profit institutions and organizations concerned with education beyond high school. The Committee recommends $1,000,000 to initiate and carryout the scholarship program authorized in the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act, as modified in this bill. These modifications require authorized scholarships to be referred to as ``Erma Byrd Scholarships''; alter the eligibility requirements related to work experience and programs of study; and allow contributions from private sources to be used for such scholarships. The Committee intends for the CDC/National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health and Department of Labor to collaborate with the Department of Education in implementing this program. The Committee recommendation also includes bill language requiring that funds be provided to the following organizations in the amounts specified: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Committee Project recommendation ------------------------------------------------------------------------ AIB College of Business, Des Moines, IA, to continue $400,000 recruiting and training captioners and court reporters and to provide scholarships to students.... Albright College, Reading, PA, for laboratory 100,000 equipment acquisition................................ Alcorn University, Lorman, MS, for curriculum 250,000 improvements......................................... Alvernia College, Reading, PA, for scholarships and 100,000 nursing education programs........................... American Prosthodontic Society Foundation, Osceola 100,000 Mills, PA, for scholarships and program costs related to prosthetic dentistry and clinical prosthodontics.. Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah, GA, for 100,000 technology upgrades, including the purchase of equipment and professional development............... Assumption College, Worcester, MA, for the acquisition 150,000 of educational equipment and information technology.. Black Mountain Institute, Las Vegas, NV, for 100,000 undergraduate and graduate instruction in literature, humanities, creative writing, translation and for international and study abroad programs.............. Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg, PA, 100,000 for computer forensic science education programs..... Blue Mountain Community College, Hermiston, OR, for 300,000 curriculum development, including purchase of equipment............................................ Briar Cliff University, Sioux City, IA for equipment.. 200,000 Buena Vista University, Storm Lake, IA, for support 250,000 for students with disabilities....................... Caldwell College, Caldwell, NJ, for an Autism Teacher 250,000 Doctorate Program at the Center for Excellence in Teaching, which may include equipment for distance learning activities.................................. California Maritime Academy, Vallejo, CA, for an 500,000 emergency response training program, which may include the acquisition of software and technology... California University of Pennsylvania, California, PA, 100,000 for curriculum development and teacher training to enhance math and science instruction................. Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center, Cape 300,000 Girardeau, MO, for equipment and technology upgrades, including the purchase of equipment.................. Center for Education, Business, and the Arts [CEBA], 100,000 St. George, UT, for an educational program in business entrepreneurship at Dixie State College..... Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Cheyney, PA, to 100,000 develop model best practices in early childhood education, curriculum instruction and assessment..... Clark University, Worcester, MA, for information 200,000 technology and educational equipment................. Cleveland Chiropractic College, Overland Park, KS, for 200,000 curriculum development............................... Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA, for the Science and 500,000 Technology Enhancement Initiative.................... Coffeyville Community College, Coffeyville, KS, to 450,000 establish an endowed scholarship program for Kansas residents............................................ College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, IL, for support of a 300,000 veteran counseling degree and certificate program.... Colorado State University--Pueblo, Pueblo, CO, for 150,000 science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs, including equipment........................ Connecticut State University System, Hartford, CT, for 400,000 nursing education programs........................... Daniel Webster College, Nashua, NH, for technology 200,000 upgrades, including the purchase of equipment........ Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, to continue an 300,000 interdisciplinary initiative on engineering and medicine, including the purchase of equipment........ Deaf West Theater, North Hollywood, CA, for 250,000 educational programming.............................. Delaware County Community College, Media, PA, for 100,000 technology upgrades, including the purchase of equipment............................................ DeSales University, Center Valley, PA, for technology 100,000 upgrades including the purchase of equipment......... Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority--The 100,000 Dickenson Center for Education and Research, Clintwood, VA, for technology upgrades, including the purchase of equipment................................ Dowling College, Oakdale, NY, to create and establish 200,000 a school of Banking and Financial Services........... Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, for professional 100,000 development and research training in computational sciences............................................. Eastern Iowa Community College, Davenport, IA, for the 300,000 creation of a center on sustainable energy, including equipment............................................ Eastern University, St. Davids, PA, for an initiative 100,000 to increase minority access to higher education...... Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA, for 100,000 a nursing education program and equipment acquisition Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the Senate, Boston, 1,000,000 MA, for planning and design.......................... Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, PA, for 100,000 technology infrastructure upgrades and acquisition... Emerson College, Boston, MA, for educational equipment 100,000 and technology infrastructure........................ Emmanuel College, Boston, MA, for educational 325,000 equipment and technology infrastructure.............. Endicott College, Beverly, MA, for expansion of higher 200,000 education programs................................... George Meany Center for Labor Studies--the National 500,000 Labor College, Silver Spring, MD, for curriculum development.......................................... George Washington University, Washington, DC, to 148,000 provide D.C. public school students opportunities to pursue health professions careers.................... Green River Community College, Auburn, WA, for support 300,000 of the Computer Reporting Technologies program....... Hawaii Community College, Waipahu, HI, to provide 200,000 cultural education................................... Henry Kuualoha Giugni Archives, University of Hawaii, 250,000 Honolulu, HI, for cultural education................. Houston Community College, Houston, TX, for curriculum 200,000 development and purchase of equipment for the Accelerated Nursing Proficiency Center............... Huntingdon College Institute, Montgomery, AL, for 200,000 teacher training and purchase of equipment........... Immaculata University, Immaculata, PA, for nursing 100,000 education programs................................... Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA, for 100,000 curriculum development for a mine safety course and research on use of mine maps......................... Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs, IA, 450,000 for health technology equipment...................... Jobs for Mississippi Graduates, Inc., Jackson, MS, for 100,000 Reaching Up for Success dropout prevention program... Keystone College, La Plume, PA, for technology 100,000 upgrades including the purchase of equipment......... Lackawanna College, Scranton, PA, for technology 100,000 upgrades, including the purchase of equipment........ Lafayette College, Easton, PA, for technology 100,000 upgrades, including the purchase of equipment........ Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, to develop 100,000 programming for a Center for Developing Urban Educational Leaders.................................. Lesley University, Cambridge, MA, for educational 200,000 equipment and information technology................. Lincoln University, Lincoln University, PA, to support 100,000 a distance learning initiative, including the purchase of equipment................................ Lyndon State College, Lyndonville, VT, for a center 350,000 for rural students................................... Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, Mansfield, PA, 100,000 for nursing education programs, including the purchase of equipment................................ Marywood University, Scranton, PA, for campus-based 100,000 autism education programs............................ McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA, to provide 200,000 professional development to improve student writing.. Michigan Community College Association, Lansing, MI, 1,700,000 for an alternative energy training initiative........ MidAmerican Nazarene University, for technology 150,000 acquisition to expand distance education for teachers in western Kansas, including the purchase of equipment............................................ Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, 400,000 for a comprehensive math and science teacher training program, including scholarships...................... Midland College, Midland, TX, for technology upgrades, 100,000 including purchase of equipment...................... Millikin University, Decatur, IL, for a nursing 500,000 training program..................................... Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, for 500,000 equipment and technology upgrades, including the purchase of equipment................................ Montclair State College, Upper Montclair, NJ, for a 200,000 Minority Teacher Recruitment, Development and Retention program.................................... Montgomery County Community College, Blue Bell, PA, 100,000 for curriculum development and equipment acquisition to support a health services initiative.............. Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA, to establish a 100,000 research initiative to improve college graduation rates of minority males.............................. Mott Community College, Flint, MI, for the Center for 200,000 Advanced Manufacturing............................... Mount Aloysius College, Cresson, PA, for college 100,000 preparation programs................................. Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA, for a civic 100,000 engagement and service learning program.............. Murray State University, Hopkinsville, KY, to purchase 100,000 equipment for the Breathitt Veterinary Clinic........ Neumann College, Aston, PA, for technology and 100,000 equipment acquisition to support a health care workforce training initiative........................ Nevada State College, Henderson, NV, for teacher 300,000 preparation programs................................. Nevada Volunteers, Fallon, NV, to expand service- 250,000 learning programs.................................... North Central Missouri College, Trenton, MO, for 1,600,000 technology upgrades, including the purchase of equipment for the Allied Health building............. North Dakota State College of Science, Wahpeton, ND, 1,000,000 for a Center for Nanoscience Technology Train- ing.. Northampton Community College, Bethlehem, PA, for 100,000 technology and equipment upgrades and acquisition.... Northeast Community College, Norfolk, NE, for improved 700,000 access to postsecondary educational opportunities, including distance learning and other equipment...... Northern Essex Community College, Lawrence, MA, for 200,000 educational equipment................................ Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa, ID, for 200,000 technology upgrades, including the purchase of equipment............................................ Northwestern College, Orange City, IA, for nurse 450,000 training programs.................................... Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, IL, for nurse 300,000 education equipment.................................. Oregon Institute of Technology, Klamath Falls, OR, for 100,000 the Health Informatics Simulation Lab................ Peninsula College, Port Angeles, WA, for equipment for 500,000 the Peninsula College Science & Technology Building, and to support the Peninsula College Collaborative Mentoring Model...................................... Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, Johnstown, 100,000 PA, for technology and equipment upgrades and acquisition.......................................... Plymouth State University, Plymouth, NH, for a 200,000 collaborative research institute for sustainable rural economies...................................... Point Park University, Pittsburgh, PA, for technology 100,000 upgrades including the purchase of equipment......... Portland State University, Portland, OR, for support 150,000 of the Science Research Teaching Center.............. Qunsigamond Community College, Worcester, MA, for the 150,000 procurement of educational equipment and information technology to support academic expansion............. Rutgers University, Camden, NJ, for the Camden 100,000 Children's Initiative, which may include scholarships and fellowships...................................... Saint Bonaventure University, St. Bonaventure, NY, for 300,000 the Father Mychal Judge program, which may include student scholarships and travel costs for student exchanges and visiting professorships................ Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 200,000 for technology upgrades, including the purchase of equipment............................................ Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, PA, for educational 100,000 programs, including the purchase of equipment........ Security on Campus, Inc., King of Prussia, PA, for 25,000 development and implementation of a sexual assault awareness and training program....................... Sedgwick County Government, KS, to establish an 500,000 advanced education in general dentistry residency program.............................................. Seminole State College, Seminole, OK, for a distance 100,000 learning program and technology upgrades, including the purchase of equipment............................ Sitting Bull College, Fort Yates, ND, for a Student 250,000 Record and Data Management System.................... Southeastern Community College, West Burlington, Iowa, 100,000 for nursing education equipment...................... Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR, for 300,000 technology infrastructure and equipment acquisition.. Southern Utah University, Cedar City, UT, to enhance 100,000 the academic skills and training of science teachers in rural Utah, including the purchase of equipment... Spelman College, Atlanta, GA, for programs to recruit 100,000 and increase graduate rates for students pursuing science, mathematics, or dual-engineering degrees.... Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, PA, for science 100,000 laboratory technology, including the purchase of equipment............................................ Texas Woman's University, Denton, TX, for curriculum 150,000 development and technology upgrades, including the purchase of equipment................................ Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, MS, for applied 300,000 undergraduate level community based research programs and partnerships..................................... Troy University, Montgomery, AL, for technology 250,000 upgrades, including the purchase of equipment........ Truckee Meadows Community College, Reno, NV, for 300,000 recruiting, mentoring and providing supportive services............................................. Turtle Mountain Community College, Belcourt, ND, to 500,000 expand its Nursing Program, including equip- ment... Union Graduate College, Schenectady, NY, for program 300,000 support of a Masters degree in Emerging Energy Systems.............................................. University of Alaska, Anchorage, AK, to continue the 1,050,000 Alaska science and engineering program for Alaska students............................................. University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, for the Integrative 500,000 Medicine in Residency program........................ University of Hawaii at Hilo Clinical Pharmacy 1,000,000 Training Program, Hilo, HI, for clinical pharmacy training program and applied rural science program... University of Hawaii School of Law, Honolulu, HI, for 250,000 health policy center................................. University of Maine, Orono, ME, for technology 300,000 upgrades, including the purchase of equipment........ University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD, 1,000,000 to develop and administer a public service fellowship program.............................................. University of Montana, Missoula, MT, to establish the 250,000 Institute for Leadership and Public Service to fulfill the purposes of the Mansfield Center......... University of New Hampshire, Manchester, NH, for 250,000 technology upgrades, including the purchase of equipment............................................ University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado, 300,000 for professional development at the National Center on Severe & Sensory Disabilities..................... University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, for 500,000 equipment............................................ University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, to support a 100,000 Center for Global Value and Innovation Networks...... University of Scranton, Scranton, PA, for a health 100,000 profession education and training initiative......... University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, for 430,000 graduate programs on the digital preservation of recorded oral histories.............................. University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD, for 400,000 equipment and wiring for the Research, Education and Economic Development Network......................... University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME, for 350,000 technology upgrades, including the purchase of equipment............................................ University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, for distance 100,000 learning for community of caring schools, including technology upgrade and purchase of equipment......... University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Platteville, WI, 300,000 for program support for entrepreneurial education.... University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Green Bay, WI, for 300,000 a comprehensive academic enrichment program to prepare low-income and first-generation high school students for college................................. Upper Iowa University, Fayette, IA, for equipment..... 250,000 Utah Valley University, Orem, UT, to improve education 300,000 and training programs for nursing graduates, including the purchase of equipment.................. Valley City State University, Valley City, ND, for a 400,000 Center for Technology and Engineering Education...... Virginia Department of Correctional Education-- 100,000 Workforce and Community Transition Training for Incarcerated Youth Offenders Program, Richmond, VA, to improve access to postsecondary education for incarcerated individuals............................. Virginia Foundation for Community College Education-- 100,000 Great Expectations Program, Richmond, VA, to improve access to postsecondary education for foster care youth................................................ Voices of September 11th, New Canaan, CT, for graduate 300,000 education on digital archiving in relationship to the 9/11 Living Memorial Project......................... Washington & Jefferson College, Washington, PA, for 100,000 science education outreach programs.................. West Chester University, West Chester, PA, for 100,000 technology infrastructure upgrades and acquisition... Western Kentucky University Research Foundation, 2,500,000 Bowling Green, KY, for technology upgrades, including the purchase of equipment............................ Western Oklahoma State College, Altus, OK, for 100,000 technology upgrades, including the purchase of equipment............................................ Wheelock College, Boston, MA, for continued 100,000 development of science programs for K-12 teachers.... Wilson College, Chambersburg, PA, for science 100,000 laboratory equipment acquisition..................... Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and 300,000 Universities, Madison, WI, for consolidated administrative support functions for independent colleges and universities............................ Wofford College, Spartanburg, SC, for technology 300,000 upgrades, including the purchase of equipment........ Year Up Providence, Providence, RI, for a bridge to 600,000 career and college program........................... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Minority Science and Engineering Improvement The Committee recommends $8,577,000 for the Minority Science and Engineering Improvement program [MSEIP], the same as the fiscal year 2008 level and the administration request. Funds are used to provide discretionary grants to institutions with minority enrollments greater than 50 percent to purchase equipment, develop curricula, and support advanced faculty training. Grants are intended to improve science and engineering education programs and increase the number of minority students in the fields of science, mathematics, and engineering. Tribally Controlled Postsecondary Career and Technical Institutions The Committee recommends $7,546,000 for tribally controlled postsecondary vocational institutions, the same as the fiscal year 2008 level. The administration did not request funding for this program. This program provides grants for the operation and improvement of two tribally controlled postsecondary vocational institutions to ensure continued and expanding opportunities for Indian students. Federal TRIO Programs The Committee recommends $838,178,000 for Federal TRIO Programs, an increase of $10,000,000 over the fiscal year 2008 level and the administration request. TRIO programs provide a variety of services to improve postsecondary education opportunities for low-income individuals and first-generation college students: Upward Bound offers disadvantaged high school students academic services to develop the skills and motivation needed to continue their education; Student Support Services provides remedial instruction, counseling, summer programs and grant aid to disadvantaged college students to help them complete their postsecondary education; Talent Search identifies and counsels individuals between ages 11 and 27 regarding opportunities for completing high school and enrolling in postsecondary education; Educational Opportunity Centers provide information and counseling on available financial and academic assistance to low-income adults who are first-generation college students; and the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program supports research internships, seminars, tutoring, and other activities to encourage disadvantaged college students to enroll in graduate programs. Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs [GEARUP] The Committee recommends $308,423,000 for GEARUP, an increase of $5,000,000 over the fiscal year 2008 level and the administration request. Under this program funds are used by States and partnerships of colleges, middle and high schools, and community organizations to assist middle and high schools serving a high percentage of low-income students. Services provided help students prepare for and pursue a postsecondary education. Byrd Honors Scholarships The Committee recommends $41,000,000 for the Byrd Honors scholarship program. The administration did not request funding for this program. The Byrd Honors scholarship program is designed to promote student excellence and achievement and to recognize exceptionally able students who show promise of continued excellence. Funds are allocated to State education agencies based on each State's school-aged population. The State education agencies select the recipients of the scholarships in consultation with school administrators, teachers, counselors, and parents. The funds provided will support a new cohort of first-year students in 2009, and continue support for the 2006, 2007, and 2008 cohorts of students in their fourth, third and second years of study, respectively. Javits Fellowships The Committee recommends $9,530,000 for the Javits Fellowships program, the same as the fiscal year 2008 level. The Javits Fellowships program provides fellowships of up to 4 years to students of superior ability who are pursuing doctoral degrees in the arts, humanities, and social sciences at any institution of their choice. Each fellowship consists of a student stipend to cover living costs, and an institutional payment to cover each fellow's tuition and other expenses. The Committee bill includes language proposed in the budget that stipulates that funds provided in the fiscal year 2009 appropriation support fellowships for the 2010-2011 academic year. Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need [GAANN] The Committee recommends $29,542,000 for graduate assistance in areas of national need, the same as the fiscal year 2008 level. This program awards competitive grants to graduate academic departments and programs for fellowship support in areas of national need as determined by the Secretary. In fiscal year 2007, the Secretary designated the following areas of national need: biology, chemistry, computer and information sciences, engineering, mathematics, physics, and nursing. Recipients must demonstrate financial need and academic excellence, and seek the highest degree in their fields. Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants The Committee recommends $47,540,000 for the teacher quality enhancement grants program. This amount is $13,878,000 above the fiscal year 2008 level. The administration did not request funding for this program. The program was established to support initiatives that best meet specific teacher preparation and recruitment needs. Further, the Higher Education Act provides and designates funding for the program in three focus areas: 45 percent of resources support a State grant program, 45 percent of funds are used for a partnership program, and 10 percent are designated for a recruitment grant program. The Committee bill includes language that would allow the Department to fund awards under the three program areas at the discretion of the Department, instead of as mandated by the Higher Education Act. The Committee continues this language from last year's bill and intends for the Secretary to utilize this flexibility and the additional funds provided to initiate a partnership grant competition focused on residency programs, professional development schools or other models that have been proven effective in helping meet the challenge of placing highly qualified teachers in high-need classrooms. Under the State grant program, funds may be used for a variety of State-level reforms, including more rigorous teacher certification and licensure requirements; provision of high- quality alternative routes to certification; development of systems to reward high-performing teachers and principals; and development of efforts to reduce the shortage of qualified teachers in high-poverty areas. Teacher training partnership grants, which are awarded to local partnerships comprised of at least one school of arts and science, one school or program of education, a local education agency, and a K-12 school, may be used for a variety of activities designed to improve teacher preparation and performance, including efforts to provide increased academic study in a proposed teaching specialty area; to prepare teachers to use technology effectively in the classroom; to provide preservice clinical experiences; and to integrate reliable research-based teaching methods into the curriculum. Partnerships may work with other entities, with those involving businesses receiving priority consideration. Partnerships are eligible to receive a one-time-only grant to encourage reform and improvement at the local level. The recruitment grant program supports efforts to reduce shortages of qualified teachers in high-need school districts as well as provide assistance for high-quality teacher preparation and induction programs to meet the specific educational needs of the local area. BA Degrees in STEM and Critical Foreign Languages The Committee recommendation includes $983,000 for this activity, the same as the fiscal year 2008 level. Under this program grants are awarded on a competitive basis, to eligible recipients to implement teacher education programs that promote effective teaching skills and lead to a baccalaureate degree in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or a critical foreign language with concurrent teacher certification. MA Degrees in STEM and Critical Foreign Languages The Committee recommendation includes $983,000 for this activity, the same as the fiscal year 2008 level. Under this program grants are awarded, on a competitive basis, to eligible recipients to develop and implement part- time master's degree programs in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or critical foreign language education for teachers in order to enhance the teacher's content knowledge and teaching skill. Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools The Committee recommends an appropriation of $15,534,000 for the Child Care Access Means Parents in School [CCAMPIS] program, the same as the fiscal year 2008 level and the administration request. CCAMPIS was established in the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 to support the efforts of a growing number of non-traditional students who are struggling to complete their college degrees at the same time that they take care of their children. Discretionary grants of up to 4 years are made to institutions of higher education to support or establish a campus-based childcare program primarily serving the needs of low-income students enrolled at the institution. Advancing America through Foreign Language Partnerships The Committee recommendation did not include funding for this new initiative. The administration had requested $24,000,000. This program funds grants to increase the number of Americans with professional levels of competency in languages critical to national security. Under this new program grants would be awarded to institutions of higher education for partnerships with school districts to create programs of study in kindergarten through postsecondary education in critical needs languages. Demonstration Projects to Ensure Quality Higher Education for Students With Disabilities The Committee recommends $6,755,000 for this program, the same amount as the comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level. The administration did not request funding for this program. This program's purpose is to ensure that students with disabilities receive a high-quality postsecondary education. Grants are made to support model demonstration projects that provide technical assistance and professional development activities for faculty and administrators in institutions of higher education. Underground Railroad Program The Committee recommendation includes $1,945,000 for the Underground Railroad Program, the same as the fiscal year 2008 level. The administration did not request funding for this program. The program was authorized by the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 and was funded for the first time in fiscal year 1999. Grants are provided to research, display, interpret, and collect artifacts relating to the history of the underground railroad. Educational organizations receiving funds must demonstrate substantial private support through a public- private partnership, create an endowment fund that provides for ongoing operation of the facility, and establish a network of satellite centers throughout the United States to share information and teach people about the significance of the Underground Railroad in American history. GPRA/Higher Education Act Program Evaluation The Committee recommends $609,000 for data collection associated with the Government Performance and Results Act data collection and to evaluate programs authorized by the Higher Education Act, the same as the fiscal year 2008 level. These funds are used to comply with the Government Performance and Results Act, which requires the collection of data and evaluation of Higher Education programs and the performance of recipients of Higher Education funds. B.J. Stupak Olympic Scholarships The Committee recommendation includes $953,000 for B.J. Stupak Scholarships, the same as the fiscal year 2008 level. Thurgood Marshall Legal Educational Opportunity Program The Committee recommendation includes $2,895,000 for the Thurgood Marshall Educational Opportunity Program, the same as the fiscal year 2008 level. Under this program, funds help low-income, minority or disadvantaged college students with the information, preparation and financial assistance to enter and complete law school study. The Higher Education Act stipulates that the Secretary make an award to or contract with the Council on Legal Education Opportunity to carry out authorized activities. Howard University Appropriations, 2008.................................... $233,244,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 233,245,000 Committee recommendation................................ 233,244,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $233,244,000 for Howard University. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level is $233,244,000 and the budget request includes $233,245,000 for this purpose. Howard University is located in the District of Columbia and offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees through 12 schools and colleges. The university also administers the Howard University Hospital, which provides both inpatient and outpatient care, as well as training in the health professions. Federal funds from this account support approximately 50 percent of the university's projected educational and general expenditures, excluding the hospital. The Committee recommends, within the funds provided, not less than $3,464,000 shall be for the endowment program. Howard University Hospital.--Within the funds provided, the Committee recommends $28,946,000 for the Howard University Hospital, the same amount as the fiscal year 2008 funding level and the budget request. The hospital serves as a major acute and ambulatory care center for the District of Columbia and functions as a major teaching facility attached to the university. The Federal appropriation provides partial funding for the hospital's operations. College Housing and Academic Facilities Loans Appropriations, 2008.................................... $473,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 461,000 Committee recommendation................................ 461,000 Federal Administration.--The Committee bill includes $461,000 for Federal administration of the CHAFL program. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level is $473,000 and the budget request includes $461,000 for such expenses. These funds will be used to reimburse the Department for expenses incurred in managing the existing CHAFL loan portfolio during fiscal year 2009. These expenses include salaries and benefits, travel, printing, contracts (including contracted loan servicing activities), and other expenses directly related to the administration of the CHAFL program. Historically Black College and University Capital Financing Program Appropriations, 2008.................................... $185,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... $10,354,000 Committee recommendation................................ $10,354,000 The Committee recommends $10,354,000 for the Historically Black College and University [HBCU] Capital Financing Program, the same amount as the budget request. The fiscal year 2008 funding level is $185,000 and the budget request includes $10,354,000 for this activity. The budget proposes $10,000,000 to pay for the subsidy costs of up to $100,000,000 in guaranteed loan authority under this program. The budget also proposes bill language to increase the amount of loans that can be made under this program, as well as eliminate the caps that would otherwise limit the borrowing that could be undertaken by private and public HBCUs. The Committee has provided the requested funds and slightly modified bill language. The HBCU Capital Financing Program makes capital available to HBCUs for construction, renovation, and repair of academic facilities by providing a Federal guarantee for private sector construction bonds. Construction loans will be made from the proceeds of the sale of the bonds. Institute of Education Sciences Appropriations, 2008.................................... $546,105,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 658,247,000 Committee recommendation................................ 642,442,000 The Committee recommends $642,442,000 for the Institute of Education Sciences. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level is $546,105,000 and the budget request includes $658,247,000 for authorized activities. This account supports education research, data collection and analysis activities, and the assessment of student progress. RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND DISSEMINATION The Committee recommends $167,535,000 for education research, development and national dissemination activities. The comparable fiscal year 2008 amount is $159,696,000 and the budget request includes $167,196,000 for these activities. Funds are available for obligation for 2 fiscal years. These funds support research, development, and 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. The Committee requests that the National Board for Education Sciences, as the body responsible for oversight of the Institute of Education Sciences, convene a blue-ribbon panel of leading experts in rigorous, particularly randomized, evaluations to assess the What Works Clearinghouse. While the Committee believes a comprehensive assessment should be undertaken given the significant investment made in the Clearinghouse, an immediate priority should be a focused study addressing the fundamental question of whether the Clearinghouse's evidence review process and reports are scientifically valid--that is, provide accurate information about the strength of evidence of meaningful effects on important educational outcomes. The Committee requests that the Board convene the panel within 60 days of enactment of this act, and that the panel complete its work and submit a report, including any recommendations for improvements in the Clearinghouse, to the Board, the Director, and Congress no later than 4 months thereafter. The Committee intends for panel members to be free of conflicts of interest. STATISTICS The Committee recommends $88,449,000 for data gathering and statistical analysis activities of the National Center for Education Statistics [NCES]. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level is $88,449,000 and the budget request includes $104,593,000 for this purpose. The NCES collects, analyzes, and reports statistics on education in the United States. Activities are carried out directly and through grants and contracts. The Center collects data on educational institutions at all levels, longitudinal data on student progress, and data relevant to public policy. The NCES also provides technical assistance to State and local education agencies and postsecondary institutions. REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORIES The Committee recommends $67,569,000 to continue support for the regional educational laboratories, the same amount as the budget request. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level is $65,569,000. Program funds support a network of 10 laboratories that are responsible for promoting the use of broad-based systemic strategies to improve student achievement. The Committee recommends additional funds for the laboratories to increase their capacity to provide timely responses to requests for assistance on issues of urgent regional need. The Committee is pleased that the research, development, dissemination, and technical assistance activities carried out by the regional educational laboratories will be consistent with the standards for scientifically based research prescribed in the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002. The Committee continues to believe that the laboratories, working collaboratively with the comprehensive centers and Department- supported technical assistance providers, have an important role to play in helping parents, States, and school districts improve student achievement as called for in No Child Left Behind. In particular, the Committee intends for the laboratories and their technical assistance provider partners to provide products and services that will help States and school districts utilize the school improvement funds available in the Education for the Disadvantaged account to support school improvement activities that are supported by scientifically based research. RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SPECIAL EDUCATION The Committee recommends $70,585,000 for research and innovation in special education, the same amount as the fiscal year 2008 level and the budget request. The National Center for Special Education Research addresses gaps in scientific knowledge in order to improve special education and early intervention services and outcomes for infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities. Funds provided to the center are available for obligation for 2 fiscal years. SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDIES AND EVALUATIONS The Committee recommends $9,460,000 for special education studies and evaluations, the same amount as the fiscal year 2008 level and the budget request. This program supports competitive grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements to assess the implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Funds also will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of State and local efforts to deliver special education services and early intervention programs. Funds are available for obligation for 2 fiscal years. STATEWIDE DATA SYSTEMS The Committee recommendation includes $100,000,000 for statewide data systems. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 is $48,293,000 and the budget request includes $100,000,000 for this purpose. This program supports competitive grants to State educational agencies to enable such agencies to design, develop, and implement statewide, longitudinal data systems to manage, analyze, disaggregate, and use individual student data. Funds are available for obligation for 2 fiscal years. Beginning in 2008, bill language also allowed funds to be used for statewide data coordinators, who would improve the State's capability to use, report and maintain high quality data in their systems. Also starting in 2008, bill language allows the Department to use funds to coordinate data collection and reporting with private sector initiatives, in order to help reduce the reporting burden on States and schools, while improving data accuracy and maintaining access to the data for research purposes. The budget request proposes legislative language that would allow funds to be used to expand State data systems to include postsecondary and workforce information. The Committee understands that a priority in the competition for fiscal year 2009 funds would be placed on funding States that currently lack data systems or have less-developed systems. The Committee includes the proposed bill language with the understanding that the Department will first use funds for the priority described in the preceding sentence. ASSESSMENT The Committee recommends $138,844,000 for assessment. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level is $104,053,000 and the budget request includes $138,844,000 for authorized activities. These funds provide support for the National Assessment of Educational Progress [NAEP], a congressionally mandated assessment created to measure the educational achievement of American students. The primary goal of NAEP is to determine and report the status and trends over time in educational achievement, subject by subject. Beginning in 2002, the Department began paying for State participation in biennial reading and mathematics assessments in grades 4 and 8. Within the funds appropriated, the Committee recommends $8,723,000 for the National Assessment Governing Board [NAGB], which is responsible for formulating policy for NAEP. The comparable fiscal year 2008 amount is $5,932,000 and the budget request includes $8,723,000 for NAGB. Departmental Management PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION Appropriations, 2008.................................... $411,274,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 444,439,000 Committee recommendation................................ 427,939,000 The Committee recommends $427,939,000 for program administration. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level is $411,274,000 and the budget request includes $444,439,000 for this purpose. Funds support personnel compensation and benefits, travel, rent, communications, utilities, printing, equipment and supplies, automated data processing, and other services required to award, administer, and monitor approximately 180 Federal education programs. Support for program evaluation and studies and advisory councils is also provided under this activity. The budget request includes $7,939,000 for building renovations and related expenses associated with relocation of Department staff from several regional offices. The Committee recommends $7,939,000 for this purpose and makes the funds available until expended, as proposed in the budget request. OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS Appropriations, 2008.................................... $89,612,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 101,040,000 Committee recommendation................................ 89,612,000 The Committee recommends $89,612,000 for the Office for Civil Rights [OCR]. The comparable fiscal year 2008 amount is $89,612,000 and the budget request includes $101,040,000 for this purpose. The Office for Civil Rights is responsible for the enforcement of laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, and age in all programs and institutions funded by the Department of Education. To carry out this responsibility, OCR investigates and resolves discrimination complaints, monitors desegregation and equal educational opportunity plans, reviews possible discriminatory practices by recipients of Federal education funds, and provides technical assistance to recipients of funds to help them meet civil rights requirements. OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL Appropriations, 2008.................................... $50,849,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 54,539,000 Committee recommendation................................ 54,539,000 The Committee recommends $54,539,000 for the Office of the Inspector General. The comparable fiscal year 2008 amount is $50,849,000 and the budget request includes $54,539,000 for authorized activities. The Office of the Inspector General has the authority to investigate all departmental programs and administrative activities, including those under contract or grant, to prevent and detect fraud and abuse, and to ensure the quality and integrity of those programs. The Office investigates alleged misuse of Federal funds, and conducts audits to determine compliance with laws and regulations, efficiency of operations, and effectiveness in achieving program goals. General Provisions The Committee bill contains language which has been included in the bill since 1974, prohibiting the use of funds for the transportation of students or teachers in order to overcome racial imbalance (sec. 301). The Committee bill contains language included in the bill since 1977, prohibiting the involuntary transportation of students other than to the school nearest to the student's home (sec. 302). The Committee bill contains language which has been included in the bill since 1980, prohibiting the use of funds to prevent the implementation of programs of voluntary prayer and meditation in public schools (sec. 303). The Committee bill includes a provision giving the Secretary of Education authority to transfer up to 1 percent of any discretionary funds between appropriations (sec. 304). The Committee bill includes a provision included in last year's bill, prohibiting the use of funds for rulemaking under section 496 of the Higher Education Act until legislation specifically requiring such changes is enacted (sec. 305). TITLE IV RELATED AGENCIES Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled Appropriations, 2008.................................... $4,907,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 5,094,000 Committee recommendation................................ 5,094,000 The Committee recommends $5,094,000 for fiscal year 2009 for the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled, the same as the fiscal year 2009 budget request. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level is $4,907,000. The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled was established by the Javits-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 Appropriations, 2008.................................... $856,331,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 829,680,000 Committee recommendation................................ 888,462,000 The Committee recommends $888,462,000 for the Corporation for National and Community Service in fiscal year 2009. The fiscal year 2008 comparable level is $856,331,000 and the budget for fiscal year 2009 included $829,680,000. The Corporation for National and Community Service, a Corporation owned by the Federal Government, was established by the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 (Public Law 103-982) to enhance opportunities for national and community service and provide national service education awards. The Corporation makes grants to States, institutions of higher education, public and private nonprofit organizations, and others to create service opportunities for students, out- of-school youth, and adults. DOMESTIC VOLUNTEER SERVICE PROGRAMS The Committee recommends $307,585,000 for fiscal year 2009 for the domestic volunteer service programs of the Corporation for National and Community Service. The comparable level for fiscal year 2008 is $307,585,000 and $265,621,000 is the administration request for fiscal year 2009. The Corporation administers programs authorized under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act include: the Volunteers in Service to America Program [VISTA]; the Foster Grandparent Program [FGP]; the Senior Companion Program [SCP]; and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program [RSVP]. VISTA The Committee recommends $93,800,000 for the Volunteers in Service to America [VISTA] Program. This amount is equal to the comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008. The budget request for fiscal year 2009 is $91,618,000. VISTA, created in 1964 under the Economic Opportunity Act, provides capacity building for small community-based organizations. VISTA volunteers raise resources for local projects, recruit and organize volunteers, and establish and expand local community-based programs in housing, employment, health, and economic development activities. National Senior Volunteer Corps The Committee recommends $213,785,000 for the National Senior Volunteer Corps programs, the same as the comparable level in fiscal year 2008. The fiscal year 2009 budget request is $174,003,000. The Committee has included the following activities in the following amounts: [In thousands of dollars] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fiscal year-- ------------------------------------ Committee Programs 2009 President's recommendation 2008 comparable request ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Foster Grandparent Program................................ 108,999 68,174 108,999 Senior Companion Program.................................. 46,144 46,144 46,144 Retired Senior Volunteer Program.......................... 58,642 59,685 58,642 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The maximum total dollars which may be used in fiscal year 2009 for Grants.gov/eGrants support, Training and Technical Assistance, and Recruitment and Retention activities shall not exceed the amount enacted for these activities in fiscal year 2008. Further, funds appropriated for fiscal year 2009 may not be used to implement or support service collaboration agreements or any other changes in the administration and/or governance of national service programs prior to passage of a bill by the authorizing committee of jurisdiction specifying such changes. The CNCS shall comply with the directive that use of funds appropriated for FGP, RSVP, SCP, and VISTA shall not be used to fund demonstration activities. The Committee has not included funding for senior demonstration activities. NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS The Committee recommends $502,650,000 for the programs authorized under the National Community Service Act of 1990. The comparable level for fiscal year 2008 is $475,159,000 and the administration request for fiscal year 2009 is $485,832,000. Programs administered by the Corporation that are authorized under the National and Community Service Act include: AmeriCorps State and National, the National Civilian Community Corps; Learn and Serve America, Innovation, Demonstration, Assistance and Evaluation activities; State Commission Administration grants; and the National Service Trust. The Committee recommendation includes the following activities at the following amounts: [In thousands of dollars] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fiscal year-- ------------------------------------ Committee Programs 2009 budget recommendation 2008 comparable request ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- National Service Trust.................................... 122,539 132,110 132,110 AmeriCorps State and National Grants...................... 256,805 274,185 271,007 Innovation, Demonstration, and Assistance Activities...... 18,893 20,460 18,893 Evaluation................................................ 3,891 4,500 3,891 National Civilian Community Corps......................... 23,782 9,836 27,500 Learn and Serve America................................... 37,459 32,099 37,459 State Commission Admininstrative Grants................... 11,790 12,642 11,790 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Committee directs the Corporation to include a 5-year detail of member service in the annual congressional budget justification. The detail should include the number of members, grant cost, and Trust cost broken out by both program (VISTA, NCCC, State, and National, et cetera) and by level of service (full time, part time, quarter time, et cetera). Within the amount provided for AmeriCorps grants, the Committee is providing $55,000,000 for national direct grantees. The Committee notes that the administration's plans to reduce the number of NCCC campuses from five to three have been rejected by the Congress for the last 3 fiscal years. This year is no exception. Despite the consistent rejection of these campus eliminations, the Committee is aware of plans within the Corporation to close the Perry Point, MD campus beginning in August 2008. The Committee directs the Corporation to maintain all five campuses until such time as Congress affirmatively approves a reduction. The Committee expects a spending plan for innovation activities 60 days after enactment of this act. SALARIES AND EXPENSES The Committee recommends an appropriation of $71,715,000 for the Corporation's salaries and expenses. The comparable level for fiscal year 2008 is $67,759,000 and the administration request for fiscal year 2009 is $71,715,000. The Committee reiterates the directive under the program account that the Corporation must fund all staffing needs from the salaries and expenses account. The salaries and expenses appropriation provides funds for staff salaries, benefits, travel, training, rent, advisory and assistance services, communications and utilities expenses, supplies, equipment, and other operating expenses necessary for management of the Corporation's activities under the National and Community Service Act of 1990 and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973. OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL The Committee recommends an appropriation of $6,512,000 for the Office of Inspector General [OIG]. The comparable level for fiscal year 2008 was $5,828,000 and the administration request for fiscal year 2009 is $6,512,000. The goals of the Office of Inspector General are to increase organizational efficiency and effectiveness and to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. The Committee continues to direct the OIG to review the Corporation's management of the National Service Trust fund. The Committee directs the OIG to continue reviewing the Trust reports annually and to notify the Committees on Appropriations on the accuracy of the reports. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS The Committee has included eight administrative provisions carried in prior year appropriations acts: language regarding qualified student loans eligible for education awards; the availability of funds for the placement of volunteers with disabilities; language regarding the Corporation to make significant changes to program requirements or policy through public rulemaking and public notice and grant selection process; language allowing Professional Corps programs to apply for State formula grant funding; language allowing the Corporation to accept voluntary services from organizations; language authorizing fixed price grants in certain programs; language authorizing an escalating match; and language streamlining State Commission applications. In addition, the Committee has included bill language providing for a small State minimum of $500,000 in State formula funds. The Committee has included bill language giving the Corporation flexibility to extend member service terms for up to 6 months. The Committee appreciates the leadership role AmeriCorps has taken in responding to natural disasters and encourages the Corporation to make full use of this authority. The Committee has included a provision requiring that donations supplement and not supplant operations. The Committee has rejected the administration's proposed consolidation of Learn and Serve community and school based grant competition, as well as the proposed transfer authority for $2,000,000 from operating expenses to fund a new program. The Committee encourages the administration to request new programs in budget authority rather than transfer authority. The Committee has rejected language proposed in the President's budget to restrict the ability of grantees to use all other Federal grant funds as a match for AmeriCorps funds. The Committee notes that the 1990 Act explicitly makes this authority available to grantees. The Corporation and its Inspector General shall take no action to restrict this authority unless and until the authorizing committees of Congress have changed the statute. Corporation for Public Broadcasting Appropriations, 2009.................................... $393,012,000 Appropriations, 2010.................................... 420,000,000 Budget estimate, 2011................................................... Committee recommendation................................ 430,000,000 The Committee recommends $430,000,000 be made available for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting [CPB], as an advance appropriation for fiscal year 2011. The comparable funding level provided last year was $420,000,000 for fiscal year 2010. The budget request does not include advance funds for this program. In addition, the Committee recommends $29,181,000 be made available in fiscal year 2009 for the conversion to digital broadcasting, the same as the comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008. The budget request included authority to permit CPB to spend up to $40,000,000 in previously appropriated fiscal year 2009 funds for digital conversion activities. Further, the Committee recommends $26,283,000 be made available in fiscal year 2009 for the radio interconnection system replacement project, the same as the comparable level in fiscal year 2008. The budget request for fiscal year 2009 includes authority, rejected by the Committee, to permit CPB to spend up to $27,000,000 in previously appropriated fiscal year 2009 funds for the radio interconnection system replacement project. Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service Appropriations, 2008.................................... $43,035,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 44,826,000 Committee recommendation................................ 44,826,000 The Committee recommends $44,826,000 for fiscal year 2009 for the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service [FMCS]. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 was $43,035,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2009 includes $44,826,000 for this program. The FMCS was established by Congress in 1947 to provide mediation, conciliation, and arbitration services to labor and management. FMCS is authorized to provide dispute resolution consultation and training to all Federal agencies. Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission Appropriations, 2008.................................... $7,955,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 8,653,000 Committee recommendation................................ 8,653,000 The Committee recommends $8,653,000 for fiscal year 2009 for the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 was $7,955,000 and the fiscal year 2009 budget request includes $8,653,000. The Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission provides administrative trial and appellate review of legal disputes under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. The five-member Commission provides review of the Commission's administrative law judge decisions. Institute of Museum and Library Services Appropriations, 2008.................................... $263,508,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 271,246,000 Committee recommendation................................ 258,960,000 The Committee recommends $258,960,000 for fiscal year 2009 for the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 is $263,508,000 and the administration request for fiscal year 2009 is $271,246,000. The Committee recommendation includes the following activities in the following amounts: [In thousands of dollars] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fiscal year-- Programs ------------------------------------ Committee 2008 comparable 2009 request recommendation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Library Services Technology Grants to States.............. 160,885 171,500 171,500 Native American Libraries................................. 3,574 3,717 3,717 National Leadership Grants for Libraries.................. 12,159 12,715 12,159 Laura Bush 21st Century................................... 23,345 26,500 23,345 Museums for America....................................... 16,852 22,165 16,852 Museum Assessment Program................................. 434 500 434 21st Century Museum Professionals......................... 965 2,141 965 Conservation Project Support.............................. 2,724 3,801 2,724 Conservation Assessment Program........................... 793 814 793 Native American & Native Hawaiian Museums................. 895 945 945 National Leadership Grants for Museums.................... 7,782 8,181 7,782 Museum Grants for African American History & Culture...... 827 1,350 827 Administration............................................ 13,987 16,917 16,917 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Medicare Payment Advisory Commission Appropriations, 2008.................................... $10,560,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 11,403,000 Committee recommendation................................ 11,403,000 The Committee recommends $11,403,000 for fiscal year 2009 for the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission [MedPAC]. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 is $10,560,000 and the administration request for fiscal year 2009 is $11,403,000. The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission was established by Congress as part of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-933). Congress merged the Physician Payment Review Commission with the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission to create MedPAC. National Council on Disability Appropriations, 2008.................................... $3,059,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 3,206,000 Committee recommendation................................ 3,206,000 The Committee recommends $3,206,000 for fiscal year 2009 for the National Council on Disability. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 is $3,059,000 and the administration request for fiscal year 2009 is $3,206,000. The Council is mandated to make recommendations to the President, the Congress, the Rehabilitation Services Administration, and the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research on the public issues of concern to individuals with disabilities. The Council gathers information on the implementation, effectiveness, and impact of the Americans with Disabilities Act and looks at emerging policy issues as they affect persons with disabilities and their ability to enter or reenter the Nation's work force and to live independently. National Labor Relations Board Appropriations, 2008.................................... $251,762,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 262,595,000 Committee recommendation................................ 262,595,000 The Committee recommends $262,595,000 for fiscal year 2009 for the National Labor Relations Board [NLRB]. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 is $251,762,000 and the administration request for fiscal year 2009 is $262,595,000. The NLRB is a law enforcement agency that adjudicates disputes under the National Labor Relations Act. The mission of the NLRB is to carry out the statutory responsibilities of the National Labor Relations Act as efficiently as possible and in a manner that gives full effect to the rights afforded to employees, unions, and employers under the act. National Mediation Board Appropriations, 2008.................................... $12,685,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 12,432,000 Committee recommendation................................ 12,992,000 The Committee recommends $12,992,000 for fiscal year 2009 for the National Mediation Board [NMB]. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 is $12,685,000 and the administration request for fiscal year 2009 is $12,432,000. The National Mediation Board protects interstate commerce as it mediates labor-management relations in the railroad and airline industries under the Railway Labor Act. The Board mediates collective bargaining disputes, determines the choice of employee bargaining representatives through elections, and administers arbitration of employee grievances. The Committee appreciates the work the NMB did in fiscal year 2008 to work down the backlog of arbitration cases. However, the Committee is concerned that arbitration cases are only heard 6 to 8 months out of the year because of insufficient funding. The Committee intends the additional funding to be used to increase the number of arbitration cases heard and closed. Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission Appropriations, 2008.................................... $10,509,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 11,186,000 Committee recommendation................................ 11,186,000 The Committee recommends $11,186,000 for fiscal year 2009 for the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 is $10,509,000 and the administration request for fiscal year 2009 is $11,186,000. The Commission serves as a court to justly and expeditiously resolve disputes between the Occupational Safety and Health Administration [OSHA] and employers charged with violations of health and safety standards enforced by OSHA. Railroad Retirement Board DUAL BENEFITS PAYMENTS ACCOUNT Appropriations, 2008.................................... $76,620,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 72,000,000 Committee recommendation................................ 72,000,000 The Committee recommends $72,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 for the Dual Benefits Payments Account. Of these funds, $5,000,000 is from income taxes on vested dual benefits. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 is $76,620,000 and the administration request for fiscal year 2009 is $72,000,000. This appropriation provides for vested dual benefit payments authorized by the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974, as amended by the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1981. This separate account, established for the payment of dual benefits, is funded by general fund appropriations and income tax receipts of vested dual benefits. FEDERAL PAYMENTS TO THE RAILROAD RETIREMENT ACCOUNT Appropriations, 2008.................................... $150,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 150,000 Committee recommendation................................ 150,000 The Committee recommends $150,000 for fiscal year 2009 for interest earned on non-negotiated checks, the same as the comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 and the administration request. LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATION Appropriations, 2008.................................... $101,882,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 105,463,000 Committee recommendation................................ 105,463,000 The Committee recommends $105,463,000 for fiscal year 2009 for the administration of railroad retirement/survivor benefit programs. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 is $101,882,000 and the administration request for fiscal year 2009 is $105,463,000. The Board administers comprehensive retirement-survivor and unemployment-sickness insurance benefit programs for the Nation's 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 Board for administrative expenses. The Committee has included language to prohibit 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. LIMITATION ON THE OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL Appropriations, 2008.................................... $7,048,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 7,806,000 Committee recommendation................................ 7,806,000 The Committee recommends $7,806,000 for fiscal year 2009 for the Office of the Inspector General. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2008 is $7,048,000 and the administration request for fiscal year 2009 is $7,806,000. The Committee has deleted language prohibiting funds from being transferred from the Railroad Retirement Board to the Office of the Inspector General. The Committee expects the relationship between the Board and the Inspector General to be guided by the laws governing each. Social Security Administration PAYMENTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUNDS Appropriations, 2008.................................... $28,140,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 20,406,000 Committee recommendation................................ 20,406,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $20,406,000 for payments to Social Security trust funds. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level is $28,140,000 and the budget request includes $20,406,000 for this purpose. This amount reimburses the old age and survivors and disability insurance trust funds for special payments to certain uninsured persons, costs incurred administering pension reform activities, and the value of the interest for benefit checks issued but not negotiated. This appropriation restores the trust funds to the same financial position they would have been in had they not borne these costs and were properly charged to the general funds. SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME Appropriations, 2008.................................... $26,946,171,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 30,414,000,000 Committee recommendation................................ 30,429,875,000 The Committee recommends an appropriation of $30,429,875,000 for supplemental security income. This is in addition to the $14,800,000,000 appropriated last year as an advance for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level is $26,946,171,000 and the budget request includes $30,414,000,000. The Committee also recommends an advance appropriation of $15,400,000,000 for the first quarter of fiscal year 2010 to ensure uninterrupted benefits payments. The program level supported by the Committee recommendation is $45,829,875,000, compared to the total program level requested in the budget of $45,814,000,000. These funds are used to pay benefits under the SSI Program, which was established to ensure a Federal minimum monthly benefit for aged, blind, and disabled individuals, enabling them to meet basic needs. It is estimated that more than 7 million persons will receive SSI benefits each month during fiscal year 2009. In many cases, SSI benefits supplement income from other sources, including Social Security benefits. The funds are also used to reimburse the Social Security trust funds for the administrative costs for the program with a final settlement by the end of the subsequent fiscal year as required by law, to reimburse vocational rehabilitation agencies for costs incurred in successfully rehabilitating SSI recipients and for research and demonstration projects. Beneficiary Services The Committee recommends $3,000,000 for beneficiary services, as proposed in the budget request. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level is $36,000,000. This amount is available for payments to Employment Networks for successful outcomes or milestone payments under the Ticket to Work program and for reimbursement of State vocational rehabilitation agencies and alternate public or private providers. Research and Demonstration Projects The Committee recommendation includes $35,000,000 for research and demonstration projects conducted under sections 1110, 1115 and 1144 of the Social Security Act. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level is $26,651,000 and the budget request includes $35,000,000 for authorized activities. This amount will support SSA's efforts to strengthen its policy evaluation capability and implement outreach activities to certain low-income individuals who may be eligible for assistance with medical expenses. These funds also will enable SSA to focus on: retirement and disability policy research, effective return-to-work strategies for disabled beneficiaries and activities that maintain and strengthen the capacity of SSA to analyze data and respond to information requests from the Congress. Administration The Committee recommendation includes $3,164,875,000 for payment to the Social Security trust funds for the SSI Program's share of SSA's base administrative expenses. The comparable fiscal year 2008 amount is $3,018,520,000 and the budget request includes $3,149,000,000 for such activities. LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES Appropriations, 2008.................................... $9,775,578,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 10,327,000,000 Committee recommendation................................ 10,377,000,000 The Committee recommends a program funding level of $10,377,000,000 for the limitation on administrative expenses. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level is $9,775,578,000 and the budget request includes $10,327,000,000 for this purpose. The comparable fiscal year 2008 level includes $31,000,000 for one-time costs associated with the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008. This account provides resources from the Social Security trust funds to administer the Social Security retirement and survivors and disability insurance programs, and certain Social Security health insurance functions. As authorized by law, it also provides resources from the trust funds for certain nontrust fund administrative costs, which are reimbursed from the general funds. These include administration of the supplemental security income program for the aged, blind, and disabled; work associated with the Pension Reform Act of 1984; and the portion of the annual wage reporting work done by the Social Security Administration for the benefit of the Internal Revenue Service. The dollars provided also support automated data processing activities and fund the State disability determination services which make initial and continuing disability determinations on behalf of the Social Security Administration. Additionally, the limitation provides funding for computer support, and other administrative costs. The Committee recommendation includes $9,991,000,000 for routine operating expenses of the agency, as well as the resources related to program integrity activities and those derived from the user fees discussed below. The Committee recommends $50,000,000 more than the budget request to ensure that the backlog of disability claims will continue to decrease, a process set in place with last year's appropriation of $150,000,000 more than the President's request. The Committee is pleased that SSA has used the additional funding provided by the Committee last year to begin to address the unacceptable delays applicants are encountering in obtaining disability benefits. In fiscal year 2008, SSA has devoted sufficient funds to the State Disability Determination Services [DDS] to ensure that the backlog of initial disability claims did not grow larger. The Committee is aware that the agency has also begun to take steps to improve the much longer delays that have developed in the hearing process for beneficiaries who appeal an initial unfavorable decision by a State DDS. The Committee supports Social Security's efforts to reduce the hearings backlog; in particular, the Committee is gratified that the agency has recognized the need for increased adjudicatory capacity. The agency has taken encouraging first steps by approving the hiring of 189 new administrative law judges by the end of the current fiscal year. The Committee notes that the flexibility provided by electronic folders and video technologies allows new administrative law judges to be directed to areas with a significant backlog and innovative organizational structures. The Committee also supports the expansion of automation at the agency to improve business processes and eliminate unnecessary delays caused by the tracking, transportation, and retrieval of paper files. The Committee will continue to closely monitor Social Security's activities to assure that increased funds provided to the agency to reduce the disability backlog, particularly at the hearing level, achieve that goal in a reasonable period of time. The budget request includes bill language earmarking not less than $264,000,000 of funds available within this account for continuing disability reviews and redeterminations of eligibility under Social Security's disability programs. An additional $240,000,000 earmark for continuing disability reviews and redeterminations of eligibility also was proposed in the budget request. The Committee recommendation includes the requested resources and earmarking language. Social Security Advisory Board The Committee has included not less than $2,000,000 within the limitation on administrative expenses account for the Social Security Advisory Board for fiscal year 2009. User Fees In addition to other amounts provided, the Committee recommends $146,000,000 for administrative activities funded from user fees. Of this amount, $145,000,000 is derived from fees paid to SSA by States that request SSA to administer State SSI supplementary payments. The remaining $1,000,000 will be generated from a fee payment process for non-attorney representatives of claimants. OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL Appropriations, 2008.................................... $91,915,000 Budget estimate, 2009................................... 98,127,000 Committee recommendation................................ 98,127,000 The Committee recommends $98,127,000 for activities for the Office of the Inspector General, the same amount as the budget request. The comparable fiscal year 2008 funding level is $91,915,000 for this office. This includes a general fund appropriation of $28,000,000 together with an obligation limitation of $70,127,000 from the Federal old-age and survivors insurance trust fund and the Federal disability insurance trust fund. TITLE V--GENERAL PROVISIONS The Committee recommendation includes provisions which: authorize transfers of unexpended balances (sec. 501); limit funding to 1 year availability unless otherwise specified (sec. 502); limit lobbying and related activities (sec. 503); limit official representation expenses (sec. 504); prohibit funding of any program to carry out distribution of sterile needles for the hypodermic injection of any illegal drug (sec. 505); clarify Federal funding as a component of State and local grant funds (sec. 506); limit use of funds for abortion (sec. 507 and sec. 508); restrict human embryo research (sec. 509); limit the use of funds for promotion of legalization of controlled substances (sec. 510); prohibits the use of funds to promulgate regulations regarding the individual health identifier (sec. 511); limits use of funds to enter into or review contracts with entities subject to the requirement in section 4212(d) of title 38, United States Code, if the report required by that section has not been submitted (sec. 512); prohibits transfer of funds made available in this Act to any department, agency, or instrumentality of the U.S. Government, except as otherwise provided by this or any other act (sec. 513); prohibits Federal funding in this act for libraries and elementary and secondary schools unless they are in compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act (sec. 514 and sec. 515); maintains a procedure for reprogramming of funds (sec. 516); prohibits candidates for scientific advisory committees from having to disclose their political activities (sec. 517); requires the Secretaries of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education to submit a report on the number and amounts of contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements awarded by the Departments on a non-competitive basis (sec. 518); continues a provision prohibiting the use of funds for a grant or contract exceeding $5,000,000 unless the prospective contractor or grantee, makes certain certifications regarding Federal tax liability (sec. 519); and maintains certain assistance, programs and benefits for Afghan aliens granted special immigration status (sec. 520). COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 7, RULE XVI, OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE SENATE Paragraph 7 of rule XVI requires that Committee report on general appropriations bills identify each Committee amendment to the House bill ``which proposes an item of appropriation which is not made to carry out the provisions of an existing law, a treaty stipulation, or an act or resolution previously passed by the Senate during that session.'' The Committee is filing an original bill, which is not covered under this rule, but reports this information in the spirit of full disclosure. The Committee recommends funding for the following programs and activities which currently lack authorization: No Child Left Behind Act; Workforce Investment Act; Trade Act of 2002; Homeless Veterans Reintegration Program; Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005; Title VII of the Public Health Service Act; Universal Newborn Hearing Screening; Organ Transplantation; Rural Hospital Flexibility Grants; Denali Commission; Family Planning; State Offices of Rural Health; Nurse Reinvestment Act; Public Health Improvement Act; Trauma/ EMS; Community Health Centers; National Health Service Corps; Children's Hospital Graduate Medical Education; Healthy Start; Telehealth; Health Professions Education Partnership Act; Children's Health Act; Women's Health Research and Prevention Amendments of 1998; Bioterrorism; Birth Defects Prevention, Preventive Health Amendments of 1993; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Programs, except for Stop Act programs; Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program; Refugee and Entrant Assistance programs; Child Abuse prevention; Adoption Incentives; Runaway and Homeless Youth; Child Care and Development Block Grant; Family violence programs; Developmental Disabilities programs; Native American Programs; Community Services Block Grant; Rural Facilities; Individual Development Accounts; Community Economic Development; Alzheimer's Disease Demonstration Grants; Title V of the Public Health Services Act; Adolescent Family Life; Office of Minority Health; Office of Disease Prevention Services; Rehabilitation Services and Disability Research, except sections 4, 5, and 6 of the Assistive Technology Program; Higher Education Act; National Technical Institute for the Deaf; Gallaudet University; Corporation for National and Community Service; Corporation for Public Broadcasting; and National Council on Disability. COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 7(c), RULE XXVI OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE SENATE Pursuant to paragraph 7(c) of rule XXVI, on June 26, 2008, the Committee ordered reported an original bill (S. 3230) making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and authorized the chairman of the committee or the chairman of the subcommittee to offer the text of the Senate bill as a committee amendment in the nature of a substitute to the House companion measure, with the bill subject to amendment and subject to the budget allocations, by a recorded vote of 26-3, a quorum being present. The vote was as follows: Yeas Nays Chairman Byrd Mr. Gregg Mr. Inouye Mr. Brownback Mr. Leahy Mr. Allard Mr. Harkin Ms. Mikulski Mr. Kohl Mrs. Murray Mr. Dorgan Mrs. Feinstein Mr. Durbin Mr. Johnson Ms. Landrieu Mr. Reed Mr. Lautenberg Mr. Nelson Mr. Cochran Mr. Stevens Mr. Specter Mr. Domenici Mr. Bond Mr. McConnell Mr. Shelby Mr. Bennett Mr. Craig Mrs. Hutchison Mr. Alexander COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 12, RULE XXVI OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE SENATE Paragraph 12 of rule XXVI requires that Committee reports on a bill or a joint resolution repealing or amending any statute include ``(a) the text of the statute or part thereof which is proposed to be repealed; and (b) a comparative print of that part of the bill or joint resolution making the amendment and of the statute or part thereof proposed to be amended, showing by stricken through type and italics, parallel columns, or other appropriate typographical devices the omissions and insertions which would be made by the bill or joint resolution if enacted in the form recommended by the committee.'' TITLE 42--THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE * * * * * * * CHAPTER 7--SOCIAL SECURITY * * * * * * * SUBCHAPTER XIX--GRANTS TO STATES FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS * * * * * * * Sec. 1396r-8. Payment for covered outpatient drugs (a) * * * * * * * * * * (c) Determination of amount of rebate (1) Basic rebate for single source drugs and innovator multiple source drugs (A) In general * * * * * * * (C) ``Best price'' defined * * * * * * * (D) Limitation on sales at a nominal price.-- (i) In general.--For purposes of subparagraph (C)(ii)(III) and subsection (b)(3)(A)(iii)(III), only sales by a manufacturer of covered outpatient drugs at nominal prices to the following shall be considered to be sales at a nominal price or merely nominal in amount: (I) A covered entity described in section 340B(a)(4) of the Public Health Service Act. (II) An intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded. (III) A State-owned or operated nursing facility. (IV) An entity that-- (aa) is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such Act or is State-owned or operated; and (bb) would be a covered entity described in section 340(B)(a)(4) of the Public Health Service Act insofar as the entity provides the same type of services to the same type of populations as a covered entity described in such section provides, but does not receive funding under a provision of law referred to in such section; (V) A public or nonprofit entity, or an entity based at an institution of higher learning whose primary purpose is to provide health care services to students of that institution, that provides a service or services described under section 1001(a) of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. 300. [(IV)] (VI) Any other facility or entity that the Secretary determines is a safety net provider to which sales of such drugs at a nominal price would be appropriate based on the factors described in clause (ii). (ii) Factors.--The factors described in this clause with respect to a facility or entity are the following: (I) The type of facility or entity. (II) The services provided by the facility or entity. (III) The patient population served by the facility or entity. (IV) The number of other facilities or entities eligible to purchase at nominal prices in the same service area. (iii) Nonapplication.--Clause (i) shall not apply with respect to sales by a manufacturer at a nominal price of covered outpatient drugs pursuant to a master agreement under section 8126 of title 38, United States Code. (iv) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this subparagraph shall be construed to alter any existing statutory or regulatory prohibition on services with respect to an entity described in clause (i)(IV), including the prohibition set forth in section 1008 of the Public Health Service Act. * * * * * * * MEDICAID IMPROVEMENT FUND Sec. 1941. (a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish under this title a Medicaid Improvement Fund (in this section referred to as the ``Fund'') which shall be available to the Secretary to improve the management of the Medicaid program by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, including oversight of contracts and contractors and evaluation of demonstration projects. Payments made for activities under this subsection shall be in addition to payments that would otherwise be made for such activities. (b) Funding.-- (1) In general.--There shall be available to the Fund, for expenditures from the Fund-- (A) for fiscal year 2014, $100,000,000; and (B) for fiscal years 2015 through 2018, $150,000,000. (2) Funding limitation.--Amounts in the Fund shall be available in advance of appropriations but only if the total amount obligated from the Fund does not exceed the amount available to the Fund under paragraph (1). The Secretary may obligate funds from the Fund only if the Secretary determines (and the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the appropriate budget officer certify) that there are available in the Fund sufficient amounts to cover all such obligations incurred consistent with the previous sentence. MEDICAID IMPROVEMENT FUND Sec. 1942. (a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish under this title a Medicaid Improvement Fund (in this section referred to as the ``Fund'') which shall be available to the Secretary to improve the management of the Medicaid program by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, including oversight of contracts and contractors and evaluation of demonstration projects. Payments made for activities under this subsection shall be in addition to payments that would otherwise be made for such activities. (b) Funding.-- (1) In general.--There shall be available to the Fund, for expenditures from the Fund, $50,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2015. (2) Funding limitation.--Amounts in the Fund shall be available in advance of appropriations but only if the total amount obligated from the Fund does not exceed the amount available to the Fund under paragraph (1). The Secretary may obligate funds from the Fund only if the Secretary determines (and the Chief Actuary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the appropriate budget officer certify) that there are available in the Fund sufficient amounts to cover all such obligations incurred consistent with the previous sentence. * * * * * * * OMNIBUS BUDGET RECONCILIATION ACT OF 1990, PUBLIC LAW 101-508 SEC. 4734. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN COUNTY-OPERATED HEALTH INSURING ORGANIZATIONS. Section 9517(c) of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 is amended-- (1) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ``and in paragraph (3)'' after ``subparagraph (B)'', and (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(3)(A) Subject to subparagraph (C), in the case of up to 3 health insuring organizations which are described in subparagraph (B), in the case of any health insuring organization described in such subparagraph that is operated by a public entity established by Ventura County, and in the case of any health insuring organization described in such subparagraph that is operated by a public entity established by Merced County, which first become operational on or after January 1, 1986, and which are designated by the Governor, and approved by the Legislature, of California, the amendments made by paragraph (1) shall not apply. ``(B) * * * * * * * * * * ``(C) Subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to any period for which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines that the number of medicaid beneficiaries enrolled with health insuring organizations described in subparagraph (B) exceeds [14 percent] 16 percent of the number of such beneficiaries in the State of California. * * * * * * * CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2008, PUBLIC LAW 110-161 DIVISION G--DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2008 * * * * * * * TITLE II DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES * * * * * * * General Provisions * * * * * * * Sec. 223. There is hereby established in the Treasury of the United States a fund to be known as the ``Nonrecurring expenses fund'' (the Fund): Provided, That unobligated balances of expired discretionary funds appropriated for this or any succeeding fiscal year from the General Fund of the Treasury to the Department of Health and Human Services by this or any other Act , with respect to this or any succeeding fiscal year, may be transferred (not later than the end of the fifth fiscal year after the last fiscal year for which such funds are available for the purposes for which appropriated) into the Fund: Provided further, That amounts deposited in the Fund shall be available until expended, and in addition to such other funds as may be available for such purposes, for capital acquisition necessary for the operation of the Department, including facilities infrastructure and information technology infrastructure, subject to approval by the Office of Management and Budget: Provided further, That amounts in the Fund may be obligated only after the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate are notified at least 15 days in advance of the planned use of funds. The Committee bill as recommended contains no such provisions. BUDGETARY IMPACT OF BILL PREPARED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE PURSUANT TO SEC. 308(a), PUBLIC LAW 93-344, AS AMENDED [In millions of dollars] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Budget authority Outlays --------------------------------------------------- Committee Amount of Committee Amount of allocation bill allocation bill ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Comparison of amounts in the bill with Committee allocations to its subcommittees of amounts in the budget resolution for 2009: Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, Education: Mandatory............................................... 478,375 478,375 478,340 \1\478,340 Discretionary........................................... 152,661 153,128 150,532 \1\150,947 Projection of outlays associated with the recommendation: 2009.................................................... ........... ........... ........... \2\541,453 2010.................................................... ........... ........... ........... 64,858 2011.................................................... ........... ........... ........... 14,172 2012.................................................... ........... ........... ........... 3,217 2013 and future years................................... ........... ........... ........... 747 Financial assistance to State and local governments for NA 281,640 NA 254,894 2009....................................................... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\Includes outlays from prior-year budget authority. \2\Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority. NA: Not applicable. NOTE.--Consistent with the funding recommended in the bill for continuing disability reviews and Supplemental Security Income [SSI] redeterminations, control of health care fraud and abuse, and reviews of improper unemployment insurance payments, and in accordance with subparagraphs A, C, and D of section 312(c)(2) of Senate Concurrent Resolution 70 (110th Congress), the Committee anticipates that the Budget Committee will file a revised section 302(a) allocation for the Committee on Appropriations reflecting an upward adjustment of $478,000,000 in budget authority plus associated outlays. DISCLOSURE OF CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING ITEMS The Constitution vests in the Congress the power of the purse. The Committee believes strongly that Congress should make the decisions on how to allocate the people's money. As defined in Rule XLIV of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the term ``congressional directed spending item'' means a provision or report language included primarily at the request of a Senator, providing, authorizing, or recommending a specific amount of discretionary budget authority, credit authority, or other spending authority for a contract, loan, loan guarantee, grant, loan authority, or other expenditure with or to an entity, or targeted to a specific State, locality or congressional district, other than through a statutory or administrative, formula-driven, or competitive award process. For each item, a Member is required to provide a certification that neither the Member nor the Senator's immediate family has a pecuniary interest in such congressionally directed spending item. Such certifications are available to the public on the website of the Senate Committee on Appropriations (www.appropriations.senate.gov/senators.cfm). Following is a list of congressionally directed spending items included in the Senate recommendation discussed in this report, along with the name of each Senator who submitted a request to the Committee of jurisdiction for each item so identified. Neither the Committee recommendation nor this report contains any limited tax benefits or limited tariff benefits as defined in rule XLIV. CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING ITEMS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Account Project Funding Member ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ AOA............................. Cedar Crest College, Allentown, PA, for a seniors outreach program............................ $100,000 Senator Specter AOA............................. Jewish Family Service of Saint Paul, St. Paul, MN, for a Naturally Occurring Retirement 125,000 Senator Coleman Community demonstration project. AOA............................. Jewish Family & Child Service, Portland, OR, for senior programs and services................. 100,000 Senators Smith, Wyden AOA............................. Jewish Family Service of Greater New Orleans, Metairie, LA, for a Community Nursing Elder 250,000 Senators Landrieu, Vitter Trauma Response Program demonstration project. AOA............................. Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, for a Naturally Occurring Retirement 100,000 Senator Chambliss Community. AOA............................. Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, for services at a naturally 200,000 Senator Lugar occurring retirement community. AOA............................. Legal Services of Northern California, Inc., Sacramento, CA, to provides free legal 250,000 Senator Feinstein consultation for older Californians. AoA............................. Nevada Rural Counties RSVP, Carson City, NV, to provide home services to seniors in rural 100,000 Senator Reid areas. AOA............................. Town of North Hempstead, NY, for the Project Independence naturally occurring retirement 350,000 Senator Schumer communities demonstration project. AOA............................. University of Wisconsin--Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI, for a demonstration training program that 350,000 Senator Kohl prevents elder abuse and neglect. AOA............................. Utah Department of Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services, Salt Lake City, UT, 100,000 Senator Hatch for senior counseling services on Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance options. CDC............................. A Voice for All, Wilmington, DE, for speech and language evaluations for persons with 400,000 Senator Harkin disabilities. CDC............................. Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, Philadelphia, PA, for a college student health screening 100,000 Senator Specter program. CDC............................. Boys and Girls Club of Alaska, Anchorage, AK, for a rural Alaska youth fitness initiative..... 750,000 Senator Stevens CDC............................. Cascade AIDS, Portland, OR, for HIV/AIDS education, outreach and prevention services.......... 200,000 Senator Smith CDC............................. Clearbrook, Inc., Wilkes Barre, PA, for substance abuse and treatment program................. 100,000 Senator Specter CDC............................. Community Health Centers in Hawaii for Childhood Rural Asthma Project, Honolulu, HI, for 175,000 Senators Inouye, Akaka childhood rural asthma project. CDC............................. Cornelia de Lange Syndrome Foundation, Avon, CT, for awareness and education activities....... 250,000 Senators Dodd, Lieberman CDC............................. Drexel University School of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA, to investigate a polycythemia 262,000 Senator Specter vera cluster in Northeast, Pennsylvania. CDC............................. Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems, Brewer, ME, for a childhood obesity program................. 300,000 Senators Snowe, Collins CDC............................. Friends of the Congressional Glaucoma Caucus Foundation, Lake Success, NY, for the New Jersey 100,000 Senators Menendez, Lautenberg Mobile Glaucoma Screening Program. CDC............................. Grinnell Regional Medical Center, Grinnell, IA, for a wellness initiative..................... 250,000 Senator Harkin CDC............................. Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack, NJ, for a study on possible environmental 100,000 Senators Lautenberg, Menendez factors of autism and neurodevelopmental disorders in New Jersey. CDC............................. Healthy Northeast Pennsylvania Initiative, Clarks Summit, PA, for obesity prevention and 100,000 Senator Specter education programs. CDC............................. International Rett Syndrome Foundation (IRSF), Richmond, VA, for a health education program... 150,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry CDC............................. Iowa Chronic Care Consortium, Des Moines, Iowa, for a preventative health demonstration 200,000 Senators Harkin, Grassley program. CDC............................. Iowa Department of Public Health, Des Moines, IA, to continue the Harkin Wellness Grant 1,000,000 Senator Harkin program. CDC............................. Kaweah Delta Hospital Foundation, Visalia, CA, for a comprehensive asthma management program.. 100,000 Senator Boxer CDC............................. La Crosse County Health Department, La Crosse, WI, for a program to prevent childhood obesity. 350,000 Senator Kohl CDC............................. Latino Leadership Alliance Foundation, New Brunswick, NJ, to establish a Latino Leadership 200,000 Senators Lautenberg, Menendez Alliance Health Initiative that will educate and inform the Latino Community on the importance of proper preventive health care. CDC............................. Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center, Baton Rouge, LA, to expand early detection cancer screenings. 300,000 Senators Landrieu, Vitter CDC............................. Mount Sinai, New York, NY, for firefighter and emergency responder health monitoring program 400,000 Senator Landrieu in Louisiana. CDC............................. Nevada Cancer Institute, Las Vegas, NV, for equipment and screening services.................. 400,000 Senator Reid CDC............................. New England Coalition for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Providence, RI, for 100,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry continued development of obesity and disease prevention programs. CDC............................. Oglala Sioux Tribe, Pine Ridge, SD, for the Oyate Bli Helya diabetes program.................. 400,000 Senator Johnson CDC............................. Ohio Patient Safety Institute, Columbus, OH, for patient safety programs...................... 200,000 Senator Brown CDC............................. Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition, Ephrata, PA, for breast cancer awareness outreach....... 50,000 Senators Specter, Casey CDC............................. Providence Health Care System, Portland, OR, for a multiple sclerosis registry................ 200,000 Senators Smith, Wyden CDC............................. Rich Center for Autism/Youngstown State University, Youngstown, OH, to improve outreach and 100,000 Senators Voinovich, Brown early treatment interventions for children with autism. CDC............................. Saint Elizabeth's Hospital of Wabasha, Inc., Wabasha, MN, to expand primary prevention 100,000 Senators Coleman, Klobuchar services and chronic disease management programs. CDC............................. Shelburne Farms, Shelburne, VT, for nutritional educational programming....................... 500,000 Senator Leahy CDC............................. South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD, for multidisciplinary research on health 300,000 Senators Johnson, Thune promotion. CDC............................. Southeastern Center for Emerging Biologic Threats, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, for programs 100,000 Senators Isakson, Chambliss related to bioterrorism and emerging biologic threats. CDC............................. Southern Nevada Health District, Las Vegas, NV, for management of the hepatitis C outbreak in 550,000 Senator Reid Southern Nevada. CDC............................. St. Louis Regional Asthma Consortium, St. Louis, MO, for asthma management for at-risk 750,000 Senator Bond children. CDC............................. State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Anchorage, AK, for a program to 500,000 Senator Stevens prevent, control, and reduce incidence of obesity. CDC............................. Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, El Paso, TX, for Border Health Research......... 300,000 Senator Hutchison CDC............................. University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in conjunction with East Carolina University, Chapel 325,000 Senator Dole Hill, NC, to study racial disparities in cardiovascular disease. CDC............................. University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, to support and expand public health 300,000 Senator Kohl training pro- grams. CDC............................. Wheeling Jesuit University, Wheeling, WV, for the Mining and Industry Safety Technology and 3,000,000 Senator Byrd Training Innovation Center. CDC............................. Yale New Haven Health System, New Haven, CT, for emergency preparedness education and training 250,000 Senators Dodd, Lieberman activities at the Connecticut Center for Public Health Preparedness. Child Abuse..................... Addison County Parent/Child Center, Middlebury, Vermont, to support and expand parental 250,000 Senator Sanders education activities. Child Abuse..................... Anchorage's Promise, Anchorage, AK, for a child mentoring and support program................. 115,000 Senator Stevens Child Abuse..................... Catholic Community Services, Juneau, AK, to implement child abuse delivery programs in 400,000 Senator Stevens Southeast Alaska. Child Abuse..................... Contra Costa County, Martinez, CA, for a comprehensive plan to diminish the effects of 100,000 Senator Boxer domestic violence on children. Child Abuse..................... Crisis Shelter of Lawrence County, New Castle, PA, for abuse victim services.................. 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey Child Abuse..................... Young Women's Resource Center, Des Moines, IA, for a child abuse prevention training program.. 100,000 Senator Harkin CMHS............................ 2-1-1 Maine, Inc., Portland, ME, for a 2-1-1 telephone number enabling access to health and 200,000 Senators Snowe, Collins social services in the community. CMHS............................ Children's Health Fund, New York, NY, for support services for the Mississippi Gulf Coast 250,000 Senator Cochran Children's Health Project, Gulfport, MS. CMHS............................ City of San Diego, San Diego, CA, to address the risks of homelessness, violence and drug 100,000 Senator Boxer abuse among returning veterans. CMHS............................ Highline-West Seattle Mental Health, Seattle, WA, for mental health programs.................. 450,000 Senators Murray, Cantwell CMHS............................ Jewish Family Service of MetroWest, Florham Park, NJ, for the Mental Health Intervention and 200,000 Senators Lautenberg, Menendez Homelessness Prevention Project. CMHS............................ Marion County, Salem, OR, for mental health treatment programs................................ 150,000 Senators Smith, Wyden CMHS............................ Midwest Rural Telemedicine Consortium, Des Moines, IA, for the Mental Health Outreach 500,000 Senator Harkin Initiative. CMHS............................ One Sky Center, Portland, OR, for substance abuse and mental health programs.................. 200,000 Senators Smith, Wyden CMHS............................ Roberta's House, Baltimore, MD, for mental health services for children and families.......... 300,000 Senators Mikulski, Cardin CMHS............................ Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Rosebud, SD, for suicide prevention services............................. 200,000 Senators Thune, Johnson CMHS............................ Turnaround for Children, Inc., Manhattan, NY, for crisis intervention and treatment services 250,000 Senator Schumer for students. CMHS............................ United Way of Anchorage, Anchorage, AK, for the 2-1-1 project to provide a statewide health 600,000 Senator Stevens and human services management system for Alaska. CMHS............................ United Way of Greater St. Louis, Inc., St. Louis, MO, for the 2-1-1 project for outreach, 250,000 Senator Bond community education and expansion of statewide health and human services management systems. CMHS............................ University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, for mental health program for disabled veterans....... 100,000 Senator Martinez CMS............................. Bi-State Primary Care Association, Concord, NH, to treat uninsured patients................... 650,000 Senators Gregg, Sununu CMS............................. City of Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, to improve access to and utilization of primary and 180,000 Senator Kohl preventive health care among low-income residents. CMS............................. Hospice Foundation of America, Washington, DC, for education programs......................... 250,000 Senator Harkin CMS............................. Medicare Chronic Care Practice Research Network, Sioux Falls, SD, to evolve and continue the 700,000 Senator Johnson Medicare Coordinated Care Demonstration project. CMS............................. University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, to develop a comprehensive health 100,000 Senator Specter care delivery model. CSAP............................ Hamakua Health Center, Honokaa, HI, for a youth anti-drug program............................. 200,000 Senator Inouye CSAP............................ Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Louisiana Chapter, Baton Rouge, LA, for substance abuse 100,000 Senator Vitter prevention focusing on underage drinking. CSAP............................ West Virginia Prevention Resource Center, Charleston, WV, for drug abuse prevention........... 1,000,000 Senator Byrd CSAT............................ Akeela House Recovery Center, Anchorage, AK, for residential substance abuse treatment........ 500,000 Senator Stevens CSAT............................ Arlington County--Mental Health and Substance Abuse Crisis Intervention and Diversion Program, 150,000 Senator Webb Arlington, VA, for the treatment of persons with mental health and substance abuse issues in Arlington County. CSAT............................ Chrysalis House, Lexington, KY, for a substance abuse program for women and children.......... 100,000 Senator Bunning CSAT............................ Maniilaq Association, Kotzebue, AK, for residential substance abuse treatment................. 200,000 Senator Stevens CSAT............................ Metro Homeless Youth Services of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, to expand services for homeless 150,000 Senator Boxer youth with substance abuse problems. CSAT............................ Prairie Center Health Systems, Urbana, IL, for outpatient and inpatient detoxification 500,000 Senator Durbin services for meth-addicted patients. CSAT............................ Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Rosebud, SD, for a substance abuse treatment program..................... 200,000 Senators Johnson, Thune CSAT............................ Vinland National Center, Independence, MN, for substance abuse and parenting treatment 100,000 Senator Coleman services. CSAT............................ Virginia Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services, 300,000 Senator Webb Richmond, VA, to provide treatment services for addiction to prescription pain medication. ETA............................. Aerospace Worker Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (AWJATC), Seattle, WA, for skills 500,000 Senator Murray training for the aerospace industry. ETA............................. Bay Area Workforce Development Board, Green Bay, WI, to address re-entry planning, family 250,000 Senator Kohl reunification, mentoring and life skills intervention for incarcerated women. ETA............................. Blackhawk Technical College, Janesville, WI, for employment and training activities........... 1,000,000 Senator Kohl ETA............................. Brevard Workforce Development Board, Rockledge, FL, for retraining of aerospace industry 250,000 Senators Bill Nelson, Martinez workers. ETA............................. Central Council of Tlingit-Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska, Juneau, AK, for job training 250,000 Senator Stevens programs. ETA............................. City of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, for the City of Baltimore's YouthWorks summer job program... 1,250,000 Senators Mikulski, Cardin ETA............................. City of Jackson, MS, for the Jackson Transitional Job Project for job training and employment 100,000 Senators Cochran, Wicker programs for the Homeless. ETA............................. City of Lewiston, ME, for job training programs............................................... 350,000 Senators Snowe, Collins ETA............................. City of Milwaukee, WI, for youth internships and occupational training in the green-collar 400,000 Senator Kohl employment sector. ETA............................. City of Oakland, CA, for the Oakland Green Jobs Initiative.................................... 300,000 Senator Boxer ETA............................. City of Santa Ana, CA, for employment and job training services............................... 750,000 Senator Feinstein ETA............................. Community College of Allegheny County, Pittsburgh, PA, for job training....................... 100,000 Senator Specter ETA............................. Community College of Beaver County, Monaca, PA, for job training.............................. 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey ETA............................. Community Solutions for Clackamas County, Oregon City, OR, for the Working for Independence 200,000 Senators Wyden, Smith job training and workforce development program. ETA............................. Community Transportation Association of America, Washington, DC, for the continuation of the 450,000 Senator Harkin Joblinks program. ETA............................. Congreso de Latinos Unidos, Philadelphia, PA, for job training................................ 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey ETA............................. Des Moines Area Community College, Des Moines, IA, for Project Employment..................... 400,000 Senators Harkin, Grassley ETA............................. Eisenhower Foundation, Washington, DC, to replicate and evaluate job-training and supportive 350,000 Senator Harkin services programs for disadvantaged workers in Des Moines, Iowa. ETA............................. Esperanza, Philadelphia, PA, for workforce development........................................ 100,000 Senator Specter ETA............................. Florida Community College at Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL, for employment, training and 100,000 Senator Martinez assessment programs for veterans recently returning to civilian life. ETA............................. Goodwill Industries Inc., Chicago, IL, to expand the Goodwill Works initiative................ 250,000 Senator Durbin ETA............................. Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin, Inc., Milwaukee, WI, to provide training, 300,000 Senator Kohl employment and supportive services, including for individuals with disabilities. ETA............................. Groden Center, Providence, RI, for job readiness training for adults with Asperger's Syndrome. 350,000 Senator Reed ETA............................. Groundwork Providence, Providence, RI, for workforce training................................. 150,000 Senator Reed ETA............................. Harrisburg Area Community College, Harrisburg, PA, for job training........................... 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey ETA............................. Hawkeye Community College, Waterloo, IA, for an Advanced Manufacturing Training Center........ 250,000 Senators Harkin, Grassley ETA............................. Healthcare Industry Grant Corporation, Dorchester, MA, for an incumbent health care worker 200,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry skills training program. ETA............................. Hispanic Center, Pittsburgh, PA, for job training............................................. 100,000 Senator Specter ETA............................. Impact Services Corporation, Philadelphia, PA, for workforce development...................... 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey ETA............................. Iowa Central Community College, Fort Dodge, IA, for job training activities................... 250,000 Senators Harkin, Grassley ETA............................. Jobs for Maine's Graduates, Inc., Augusta, ME, for career development for at-risk youth....... 300,000 Senators Snowe, Collins ETA............................. Kentucky Community and Technical College System, Louisville, KY, for career training programs 100,000 Senator Bunning for disabled veterans. ETA............................. Kershaw County, Camden, SC, for workforce training programs in partnership with Kershaw, Lee, 250,000 Senator Graham and Central Carolina Technical College. ETA............................. Manufacturers Association of Central New York, Syracuse, NY, to improve employment and 300,000 Senator Schumer training in the manufacturing sector. ETA............................. Maui Community College Remote Rural Hawaii Job Training Project, Kahului, HI, for training and 2,200,000 Senator Inouye education. ETA............................. Maui Community College Training & Education Opportunities, Kahului, HI, for training and 2,000,000 Senator Inouye education. ETA............................. Maui Economic Development Board, Kihei, HI, for high tech training............................ 475,000 Senator Inouye ETA............................. Maui Economic Development Board, Kihei, HI, for rural computer utilization training program... 300,000 Senator Inouye ETA............................. Maui Economic Development Board, Kihei, HI, to integrate job training activities in a health 150,000 Senator Inouye center. ETA............................. Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, Office of the Chancellor, St. Paul, MN, to continue 1,000,000 Senators Coleman, Klobuchar a statewide veterans re-entry education program. ETA............................. Minot State University, Minot, ND, for the Job Corps Executive Management Program............. 650,000 Senators Dorgan, Conrad ETA............................. Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, for the Mississippi Integrated Workforce 400,000 Senators Cochran, Wicker Performance System. ETA............................. Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, MS, for training and development at the 150,000 Senators Cochran, Wicker Automated Identification Technology [AIT]/Automatic Data Collection [ADC] Program. ETA............................. Montana AFL-CIO, Helena, MT, for workforce development and training activities................ 200,000 Senator Baucus ETA............................. Nevada Partners for a Skilled Workforce, North Las Vegas, NV, for the Build Nevada Initiative. 500,000 Senator Reid ETA............................. Nine Star Enterprises, Anchorage, AK, for a job training initiative........................... 125,000 Senator Stevens ETA............................. Northwestern Alaska Career and Technical Center, Nome, AK, for job training programs for high 200,000 Senator Stevens school students. ETA............................. NW Works--Autism Inclusion Initiative, Winchester, VA, for program development, training and 100,000 Senator Warner acquisition of equipment. ETA............................. Penn Asian Senior Services, Jenkintown, PA, for job training.................................. 100,000 Senator Specter ETA............................. Pennsylvania Association for Individuals with Disabilities, Johnstown, PA, for job training... 100,000 Senator Specter ETA............................. Philadelphia Shipyard Development Corporation, Philadelphia, PA, for job training............. 200,000 Senator Specter ETA............................. Project ARRIBA, El Paso, TX, for workforce development and economic opportunities in the West 100,000 Senators Hutchison, Cornyn Texas region. ETA............................. Rapides Parish Police Jury Office of Economic and Workforce Development, Alexandria, LA, for 300,000 Senator Landrieu workforce development, employer-based training and education and work-based training for out- of-school youth. ETA............................. ReCycle North, Burlington, VT, for workforce development and training activities.............. 500,000 Senator Leahy ETA............................. Roca, Inc., Chelsea, MA, for a transitional employment program for high-risk youth and young 150,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry adults ages 16-24. ETA............................. Rural Opportunities Inc., Harrisburg, PA, for workforce development........................... 100,000 Senator Specter ETA............................. San Francisco Department of Economic and Workforce Development, San Francisco, CA, for the 250,000 Senator Boxer Green Jobs Workforce Development Training Pilot project. ETA............................. Seattle-King County Workforce Development Council, Seattle, WA, for demand side workforce 150,000 Senator Murray development approach training. ETA............................. Sinclair Community College, Dayton, OH, for workforce development and training activities..... 150,000 Senator Brown ETA............................. South Carolina Association of Community Development Corporation, Charleston, SC, for 300,000 Senator Graham development of self-employment job centers. ETA............................. Southwest Alaska Vocation and Education Center, King Salmon, AK, for workforce development and 200,000 Senator Stevens training. ETA............................. United Auto Workers Region 9, Local 624, New York, for incumbent worker training.............. 450,000 Senator Schumer ETA............................. University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, For the Life Sciences Workforce Training Center........ 1,500,000 Senator Mikulski ETA............................. University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, for workforce training in Marine 250,000 Senator Cochran Composite. ETA............................. University of West Florida, Pensacola, FL, to provide job training programs for veterans...... 100,000 Senator Martinez ETA............................. Vermont Agency of Human Services, Waterbury, VT, for an employment services program for 1,000,000 Senator Leahy veterans with disabilities. ETA............................. Vermont Association of Business, Industry & Rehabilitation, Williston, VT, for employment 200,000 Senator Leahy services to at-risk populations. ETA............................. Vermont HITEC, Williston, VT, for health care training........................................ 1,000,000 Senator Leahy ETA............................. Washington State Board for Community & Technical Colleges, Federal Way, WA, for training, on- 75,000 Senator Cantwell the-job support and career development services in the long-term care sector in Washington State. ETA............................. Washington Technology Center, Seattle, WA, for a workforce training and retention project..... 50,000 Senator Cantwell ETA............................. Washington Workforce Association, Vancouver, WA, to prepare students to enter secure, local, 450,000 Senator Murray high-demand occupations in Washington's workforce through job shadowing, internships, and scholarships. ETA............................. YouthCare, Seattle, WA, for a technology training program for homeless and out-of-school youth 100,000 Senator Murray FIE............................. Acelero Learning, Las Vegas, NV, for early education programs................................. 500,000 Senator Reid FIE............................. Alaska PTA, Anchorage, AK, to train parents in their roles and responsibilities under the No 250,000 Senator Stevens Child Left Behind Act. FIE............................. Audubon Society of Rhode Island, Smithfield, RI, to develop the Environmental Education for 150,000 Senator Reed Urban Schools Initiative. FIE............................. Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, for recruitment, 100,000 Senator Specter placement and oversight of school-based mentoring programs. FIE............................. Bishop Museum, Honolulu, HI, for educational programming...................................... 200,000 Senator Inouye FIE............................. Bossier Parish School Board, Benton, LA, for acquisition of equipment and technology upgrades. 100,000 Senator Vitter FIE............................. Boys & Girls Club of Greater Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, to expand an early literacy program for 300,000 Senator Kohl children. FIE............................. Boys and Girls Club of Kootenai County, Post Falls, Idaho, to expand education, health, and 100,000 Senators Crapo, Craig art programs, including the purchase of equipment. FIE............................. Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington-Virginia, Alexandria, VA, for character, 100,000 Senators Warner, Webb leadership, education and career development programs. FIE............................. Bridgeport Public Schools, Bridgeport, CT, for professional development for teachers and 150,000 Senators Lieberman, Dodd administrators in Bridgeport, CT. FIE............................. Brockton Area Private Industry Council, Brockton, MA, for workforce development programs for 150,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry at-risk youth. FIE............................. Cabrini College, Radnor, PA, for professional development for K-12 teachers................... 100,000 Senator Specter FIE............................. Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra, Cedar Rapids, IA, to support the Residency program........... 400,000 Senator Harkin FIE............................. Center for Advancing Partnerships in Education, Allentown, PA, to develop a foreign language 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey distance learning program and for teacher training. FIE............................. Child and Family Network Centers--Leveling the Playing Field: Start Early, Finish Strong 100,000 Senators Warner, Webb [SEFS], Alexandria, VA, to expand preschool programs for at-risk children. FIE............................. Children Northwest, Vancouver, WA, to expand Early Learning and Teaching Career Academies in 140,000 Senator Murray Southwest Washington. FIE............................. Children's Literacy Initiative, Philadelphia, PA, to improve the reading readiness and early 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey literacy of children. FIE............................. City of Compton, Compton, CA, for educational programming at Tomorrow's Aeronautical Museum... 500,000 Senator Feinstein FIE............................. City of Holyoke, Holyoke, MA, to develop a full-service community school pilot project........ 250,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry FIE............................. City of Long Beach, Long Beach, CA, for an at-risk youth mentoring program.................... 1,250,000 Senator Feinstein FIE............................. City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, for the LA's BEST afterschool enrichment program........ 250,000 Senator Feinstein FIE............................. City of Moultrie, Moultrie, GA, for technology upgrades, including purchase of equipment and 100,000 Senator Chambliss professional development. FIE............................. City of Presque Isle, Recreation and Parks Department, Presque Isle, ME, for afterschool arts 250,000 Senators Snowe, Collins and physical activity programs. FIE............................. City of Saint Paul, St. Paul, MN, to provide tutoring, mentoring and other educational 100,000 Senator Klobuchar programs and resources for afterschool programs. FIE............................. City of Springfield, Springfield, MO, for development, expansion, equipment and technology for 600,000 Senator Bond the Ready to Learn program. FIE............................. City of Vernonia School district, Vernonia, OR, for the purchase of school equipment and 200,000 Senator Wyden supplies. FIE............................. City Year New Hampshire, Stratham, NH, to expand education and youth development programs..... 150,000 Senator Gregg FIE............................. Civic League of Greater New Brunswick, New Brunswick, NJ, for the Academy of After School 200,000 Senators Lautenberg, Menendez Excellence. FIE............................. Clark County School District, Las Vegas, NV, for school counseling and dropout prevention 900,000 Senator Reid services. FIE............................. Cleveland Avenue YMCA, Montgomery, AL, for after school math and science tutoring programs.... 100,000 Senator Sessions FIE............................. Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Cleveland, OH, for technology upgrades, including 100,000 Senators Voinovich, Brown purchase of equipment to improve math, science and language proficiency. FIE............................. Connecticut Humanities Council, Middletown, CT, for curriculum development.................... 250,000 Senators Dodd, Lieberman FIE............................. Connecticut Science Center, Hartford, CT, for a science and technology learning center........ 100,000 Senators Lieberman, Dodd FIE............................. Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Anchorage, AK, for educational programs for low performing students 300,000 Senator Stevens in the Anchorage school district. FIE............................. Coppin State University, Baltimore, MD, to support the Urban Education Corridor program....... 300,000 Senator Mikulski FIE............................. County of Amador, Jackson, CA, for the College Preparation Initiative to provide educational 250,000 Senator Feinstein program- ming. FIE............................. County of Glacier School District #9, Browning, MT, for academic programs..................... 400,000 Senator Baucus FIE............................. Cristo Rey Network, Chicago, IL, for feasibility studies of potential Iowa school sites....... 100,000 Senator Harkin FIE............................. Delaware Department of Education, Dover, DE, to provide translators and instructional programs 200,000 Senators Carper, Biden for English language learners. FIE............................. DePaul University, Chicago, IL, for math and science teacher education in Chicago Public 750,000 Senator Durbin Schools. FIE............................. Des Moines Community School District and Urban Dreams, Des Moines, IA, to continue a 300,000 Senator Harkin demonstration on full service community schools. FIE............................. Des Moines Community School District to expand pre-kindergarten programs...................... 750,000 Senator Harkin FIE............................. Dinwiddie County Public Schools, Dinwiddie, VA, for educational programming at a library/media 100,000 Senator Webb center, including the purchase of equipment. FIE............................. Early Childhood and Family Learning Center Foundation, New Orleans, LA, for educational 300,000 Senator Landrieu programs. FIE............................. East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, PA, for math and science curriculum development 100,000 Senator Specter and professional development for area teachers. FIE............................. ECHO Center, Burlington, VT, for educational programming...................................... 500,000 Senator Leahy FIE............................. Economic Opportunity Foundation, Inc. Head Start Bryant Program, Kansas City, KS, for early 100,000 Senator Roberts education programs. FIE............................. Eden Housing, Inc., Hayward, CA, to expand afterschool programs............................... 100,000 Senator Boxer FIE............................. Elko County School District, Elko, NV, to enhance distance education capabilities, including 650,000 Senator Reid the purchase of equipment. FIE............................. Esperanza, Philadelphia, PA, to expand programs for Latino at-risk youth in Chelsea, MA....... 125,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry FIE............................. Fairplex Child Development Center, Pomona, CA, to expand the Early Childhood Education Family 100,000 Senator Boxer Literacy, Parenting and Violence Prevention Program. FIE............................. Falcon School District, Falcon, CO, for the D-49 K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering & Math 100,000 Senator Allard Initia- tive. FIE............................. Foundation of Community Empowerment, Dallas, TX, for educational activities for early 400,000 Senator Cornyn childcare providers to prepare students for school. FIE............................. Galena City School District, Galena, AK, to continue educational programs at a boarding school 510,000 Senator Stevens for low performing students from rural Alaska. FIE............................. George Eastman House International Museum of Photography and Film, Rochester, NY, for 300,000 Senator Schumer educational programs. FIE............................. Grand County School District, Moab, UT, for school-based mentoring programs for low performing 200,000 Senator Bennett stu- dents. FIE............................. Herring Gut Learning Center, Port Clyde, ME, for science curriculum development for Maine 100,000 Senators Snowe, Collins students in grades 6-12. FIE............................. Housatonic Community College, Bridgeport, CT, for the Middle College Program.................. 300,000 Senators Dodd, Lieberman FIE............................. Institute for Student Achievement, Lake Success, NY, for programs............................. 250,000 Senator Schumer FIE............................. Iowa Association of School Boards, Des Moines, IA, for continuation and expansion of the 3,500,000 Senator Harkin Skills Iowa program. FIE............................. Iowa Department of Education to continue the Harkin grant program............................. 5,750,000 Senator Harkin FIE............................. Kansas Children's Discovery Center, Topeka, KS, for exhibit development for children's 100,000 Senator Roberts interactive educational development. FIE............................. Kauai Economic Development Board, Lihue, HI, for math and science education................... 300,000 Senators Inouye, Akaka FIE............................. KIPP Foundation, San Francisco, CA, for academic and afterschool programs in Memphis and 100,000 Senator Alexander Nashville, TN. FIE............................. Las Vegas Natural History Museum, Las Vegas, NV, to expand natural history education programs. 150,000 Senator Reid FIE............................. Leeward Community College, Pearl City, HI, to provide college preparatory education for 250,000 Senator Inouye Filipino stu- dents. FIE............................. Lehigh Carbon Community College, Schnecksville, PA, to provide science, technology, 100,000 Senator Specter engineering and math programs to area high school students. FIE............................. Libby School District #4, Libby, MT, for academic programs.................................... 400,000 Senator Baucus FIE............................. Lincoln County School District, Panaca, NV, to expand early education services, including the 25,000 Senator Reid purchase of equipment. FIE............................. Literacy Council of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK, to provide educational materials for low-income 100,000 Senator Stevens students and their families. FIE............................. Loess Hills Area Education Agency in Iowa for a demonstration in early childhood education.... 750,000 Senators Harkin, Grassley FIE............................. Loras College, Dubuque, IA, for literacy programs............................................. 250,000 Senator Harkin FIE............................. Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA, for a program in K-12 cyberspace education in 700,000 Senators Landrieu, Vitter cooperation with members of the Consortium for Education, Research and Technology of North Louisiana. FIE............................. Lower Pioneer Valley Educational Collaborative, West Springfield, MA, for the continued 200,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry development of an online education center. FIE............................. Massachusetts 2020 Foundation, Boston, MA, for the continued development of an extended 200,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry learning time initiative. FIE............................. Maui Economic Development Board, Kihei, HI, for engaging girls in STEM education.............. 300,000 Senator Inouye FIE............................. McWane Science Center, Birmingham, AL, for teacher training and purchase of equipment......... 100,000 Senator Sessions FIE............................. Mentoring Partnership of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, PA, for recruitment, 100,000 Senator Specter placement, and oversight of school-based mentoring programs. FIE............................. Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League, Wilmington, DE, to expand the Achievement Matters! 200,000 Senators Carper, Biden program. FIE............................. Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee, WI, to strengthen the Science, Technology, Engineering 350,000 Senator Kohl and Math [STEM] curriculum. FIE............................. Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee, WI, to support afterschool activities for youth.......... 1,200,000 Senator Kohl FIE............................. Mississippi Council on Economic Education, Jackson, MS, for Achieving Comprehensive Economic 250,000 Senator Cochran and Financial Literacy of Mississippi Students. FIE............................. Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, for enhancing K-12 science and math 300,000 Senators Cochran, Wicker preparation, including purchase of equipment. FIE............................. Mississippi University for Women, Columbus, MS, for strengthening partnerships between K-12 300,000 Senators Cochran, Wicker parents, children's teachers, principals, superintendents and other school officials, including purchase of equipment. FIE............................. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA, for educational programming.................................. 250,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry FIE............................. National Council of La Raza in Washington, DC, for the Center for Early Childhood Education... 500,000 Senators Menendez, Bingaman FIE............................. Native American Indian, Alaskan, and Hawaiian Educational Development Center, Sheridan, WY, to 300,000 Senator Enzi expand professional development in early literacy and math programs for teachers. FIE............................. Nevada Humanities, Reno, NV, to develop and expand a comprehensive online encyclopedia........ 150,000 Senator Reid FIE............................. Nevada Speech and Hearing Association, Reno, NV, to recruit and train special education 25,000 Senator Reid teachers. FIE............................. New England Center for Children, Inc., Southborough, MA, to provide equipment for training 200,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry programs to support teachers of children with autism. FIE............................. New Mexico Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement, Inc. [NM MESA], Albuquerque, NM, to 250,000 Senator Bingaman prepare students from under-represented populations to pursue STEM college majors. FIE............................. New School University, New York, NY, for the Institute for Urban Education.................... 750,000 Senator Schumer FIE............................. New York Hall of Science, Queens, NY, for science exhibits and educational programming........ 500,000 Senator Schumer FIE............................. North Carolina Technology Association, Raleigh, NC, for a technology demonstration project for 100,000 Senator Burr 9-12 grade students. FIE............................. Nye County School District, Pahrump, NV, to expand career and technical programs, including 150,000 Senator Reid the purchase of equipment. FIE............................. Operation Shoestring, Jackson, MS, for after school summer enrichment programs................ 200,000 Senator Cochran FIE............................. Pacific Islands Center for Educational Development in American Samoa, Pago Pago, America 500,000 Senator Inouye Samao, for program development. FIE............................. Parents as Teachers National Center, St. Louis, MO, to develop research-based materials and 250,000 Senator Bond training for home visiting professionals for families of children with autism. FIE............................. Parents for Public Schools of Jackson, Inc., Jackson, MS, for arts education programs......... 50,000 Senator Cochran FIE............................. PE4life Foundation, Kansas City, MO, for expansion and assessment of PE4life programs across 500,000 Senator Harkin Iowa. FIE............................. Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, for a youth mentoring program............. 100,000 Senator Specter FIE............................. Pollard Foundation, Las Vegas, NV, to improve math, science and literacy instruction at the 200,000 Senator Reid Rainbow Dreams Academy. FIE............................. Polynesian Voyaging Society, Honolulu, HI, for educational programs........................... 250,000 Senator Inouye FIE............................. Project GRAD Ohio, Columbus, OH, to help students graduate from high school ready for college. 100,000 Senator Brown FIE............................. Project HOME, Philadelphia, PA, for after school and summer programs.......................... 100,000 Senator Specter FIE............................. Roads to Success, New York, NY, to support college scholarships for rural, low-income high 100,000 Senator Specter school graduates in Pennsylvania. FIE............................. RuralCap of Alaska, Anchorage, AK, for distance learning for head start teachers and parents 500,000 Senator Stevens as teachers programs, including the purchase of equipment. FIE............................. Rutland City Public Schools, Rutland, Vermont, for summer learning programs................... 150,000 Senator Sanders FIE............................. Saint Bernard Parish School Board, Chalmette, LA, for educational programming, including the 750,000 Senator Landrieu purchase of educational equipment for a cultural arts facility. FIE............................. Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, PA, to develop a Public Education Partnership to 100,000 Senator Specter provide professional development to area principals and teachers. FIE............................. Saint Louis Community College, St. Louis, MO, to link elementary and secondary inner city and 750,000 Senator Bond rural school students with industry to promote STEM and life science academic study. FIE............................. Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN, to expand tutoring and mentoring program for 200,000 Senator Lugar disadvantaged students in K-8 elementary schools in South Bend, IN. FIE............................. Salt Lake City School District, Salt Lake City, UT, for a K-12 school-to-work program for at- 100,000 Senator Hatch risk stu- dents. FIE............................. San Francisco District Attorney's Office, San Francisco, CA, for the Academic Recovery Center 250,000 Senator Feinstein at-risk youth mentoring and education program. FIE............................. Self Enhancement, Inc., Portland, OR, for innovative education programs for inner city youth.. 100,000 Senators Smith, Wyden FIE............................. Shiloh Economic and Entrepreneurial Lifelong Development Corporation, Planfield, NJ, for the 100,000 Senators Menendez, Lautenberg Titans for Tomorrow afterschool program. FIE............................. Skills Alaska, Anchorage, AK, for a student/teach enhancement program across Alaska........... 1,000,000 Senator Stevens FIE............................. SMART (Start Making A Reader Today), Portland, OR, for children's literacy programs........... 100,000 Senators Smith, Wyden FIE............................. Smith Center for the Performing Arts, Las Vegas, NV, to create arts educational programs...... 200,000 Senator Reid FIE............................. SouthCoast Connected, New Bedford, MA, for expansion of programs designed to reduce the teen 150,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry dropout rate. FIE............................. SouthEastern Pennsylvania Consortium for Higher Education, Glenside, PA, for the Institute of 200,000 Senators Specter, Casey Mathematics and Science to provide professional development to K-12 teachers. FIE............................. Thiel College, Greenville, PA, for curriculum development and including the purchase of 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey equipment to support a distance learning partnership with area K-12 schools. FIE............................. Tulsa Public Schools, Tulsa, OK, for innovative programming for students at risk of dropping 100,000 Senator Inhofe out, including curriculum development. FIE............................. United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, for recruitment, placement, and 100,000 Senator Specter oversight of school-based mentoring programs. FIE............................. University of Mississippi, University, MS, to enhance mathematics preparation................. 300,000 Senators Cochran, Wicker FIE............................. University of Nebraska Kearney, Kearney, NE, to develop early childhood education programs and 100,000 Senators Hagel, Ben Nelson expand online educational access to the underserved. FIE............................. University of Nebraska-Omaha, Omaha, NE, to develop and implement a training program centered 500,000 Senator Ben Nelson on civic leadership. FIE............................. University of New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, for supporting and developing charter and district- 450,000 Senator Landrieu run public schools in New Orleans through teacher education, leadership preparation, applied research and policy, in cooperation with Tulane University. FIE............................. University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO, to establish the Center for Excellence and 150,000 Senator Salazar Innovation in Education. FIE............................. University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, for gifted education programs at the 250,000 Senator Cochran Frances Kranes Center for Gifted Studies. FIE............................. University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, for K-12 arts and science curriculum and 205,000 Senators Cochran, Wicker content standards development. FIE............................. University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, for math science literacy enhancement.... 300,000 Senators Cochran, WIcker FIE............................. University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, for a science education 100,000 Senator Specter partnership which will provide professional development to area teachers. FIE............................. Washington Jesuit Academy, Washington, DC, for mentoring activities........................... 250,000 Senators Ben Nelson, Harkin FIE............................. Washoe County School District, Reno, NV, for dropout prevention and intervention services..... 900,000 Senator Reid FIE............................. Western Folklife Center, Elko, NV, for educational programming................................ 100,000 Senator Reid FIE............................. Widener University, Chester, PA, for curriculum development and teacher training.............. 100,000 Senator Specter FIE............................. YWCA Anchorage, Anchorage, AK, for after school education programs............................ 100,000 Senator Stevens FIE............................. YWCA of Seattle, King County, and Snohomish County, Seattle, WA, to support and expand the 300,000 Senator Murray School's Out Washington program. FIPSE........................... AIB College of Business, Des Moines, IA, to continue recruiting and training captioners and 400,000 Senator Harkin court reporters and to provide scholarships to students. FIPSE........................... Albright College, Reading, PA, for laboratory equipment acquisition........................... 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey FIPSE........................... Alcorn University, Lorman, MS, for curriculum improvements.................................... 250,000 Senator Cochran FIPSE........................... Alvernia College, Reading, PA, for scholarships and nursing education programs................ 100,000 Senator Specter FIPSE........................... American Prosthodontic Society Foundation, Osceola Mills, PA, for scholarships and program 100,000 Senator Specter costs related to prosthetic dentistry and clinical prosthodontics. FIPSE........................... Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah, GA, for technology upgrades, including the 100,000 Senators Chambliss, Isakson purchase of equipment and professional development. FIPSE........................... Assumption College, Worcester, MA, for the acquisition of educational equipment and 150,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry information technology. FIPSE........................... Black Mountain Institute, Las Vegas, NV, for undergraduate and graduate instruction in 100,000 Senator Reid literature, humanities, creative writing, translation and for international and study abroad programs. FIPSE........................... Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, Bloomsburg, PA, for computer forensic science education 100,000 Senator Specter pro- grams. FIPSE........................... Blue Mountain Community College, Hermiston, OR, for curriculum development, including purchase 300,000 Senator Smith of equipment. FIPSE........................... Briar Cliff University, Sioux City, IA for equipment.......................................... 200,000 Senators Harkin, Grassley FIPSE........................... Buena Vista University, Storm Lake, IA, for support for students with disabilities............ 250,000 Senator Harkin FIPSE........................... Caldwell College, Caldwell, NJ, for an Autism Teacher Doctorate Program at the Center for 250,000 Senators Lautenberg, Menendez Excellence in Teaching, which may include equipment for distance learning activities. FIPSE........................... California Maritime Academy, Vallejo, CA, for an emergency response training program, which 500,000 Senator Feinstein may include the acquisition of software and technology. FIPSE........................... California University of Pennsylvania, California, PA, for curriculum development and teacher 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey training to enhance math and science instruction. FIPSE........................... Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center, Cape Girardeau, MO, for equipment and technology 300,000 Senator Bond upgrades, including the purchase of equipment. FIPSE........................... Center for Education, Business, and the Arts (CEBA), St. George, UT, for an educational 100,000 Senator Hatch program in business entrepreneurship at Dixie State College. FIPSE........................... Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Cheyney, PA, to develop model best practices in early 100,000 Senator Specter childhood education, curriculum instruction and assessment. FIPSE........................... Clark University, Worcester, MA, for information technology and educational equipment......... 200,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry FIPSE........................... Cleveland Chiropractic College, Overland Park, KS, for curriculum development................. 200,000 Senator Brownback FIPSE........................... Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA, for the Science and Technology Enhancement Initiative.......... 500,000 Senators Harkin, Grassley FIPSE........................... Coffeyville Community College, Coffeyville, KS, to establish an endowed scholarship program 450,000 Senator Brownback for Kansas residents. FIPSE........................... College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn, IL, for support of a veteran counseling degree and certificate 300,000 Senator Durbin program. FIPSE........................... Colorado State University-Pueblo, Pueblo, CO, for science, technology, engineering and 150,000 Senator Salazar mathematics programs, including equipment. FIPSE........................... Connecticut State University System, Hartford, CT, for nursing education programs............. 400,000 Senators Dodd, Lieberman FIPSE........................... Daniel Webster College, Nashua, NH, for technology upgrades, including the purchase of 200,000 Senator Sununu equipment. FIPSE........................... Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, to continue an interdisciplinary initiative on engineering and 300,000 Senator Gregg medicine, including the purchase of equipment. FIPSE........................... Deaf West Theater, North Hollywood, CA, for educational programming........................... 250,000 Senator Boxer FIPSE........................... Delaware County Community College, Media, PA, for technology upgrades, including the purchase 100,000 Senator Specter of equipment. FIPSE........................... DeSales University, Center Valley, PA, for technology upgrades including the purchase of 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey equipment. FIPSE........................... Dickenson County Industrial Development Authority--The Dickenson Center for Education and 100,000 Senators Warner, Webb Research, Clintwood, VA, for technology upgrades, including the purchase of equipment. FIPSE........................... Dowling College, Oakdale, NY, to create and establish a school of Banking and Financial 200,000 Senator Schumer Services. FIPSE........................... Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA, for professional development and research training in 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey computational sciences. FIPSE........................... Eastern Iowa Community College, Davenport, IA, for the creation of a center on sustainable 300,000 Senator Harkin energy, including equipment. FIPSE........................... Eastern University, St. Davids, PA, for an initiative to increase minority access to higher 100,000 Senator Specter education. FIPSE........................... Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA, for a nursing education program and 100,000 Senator Specter equipment acquisition. FIPSE........................... Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the Senate, Boston, MA, for planning and design............... 1,000,000 Senators Kerry, Byrd, Harkin, Durbin, Mikulski, Dodd FIPSE........................... Elizabethtown College, Elizabethtown, PA, for technology infrastructure upgrades and 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey acquisition. FIPSE........................... Emerson College, Boston, MA, for educational equipment and technology infrastructure.......... 100,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry FIPSE........................... Emmanuel College, Boston, MA, for educational equipment and technology infrastructure......... 325,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry FIPSE........................... Endicott College, Beverly, MA, for expansion of higher education programs..................... 200,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry FIPSE........................... George Meany Center for Labor Studies--The National Labor College, Silver Spring, MD, for 500,000 Senator Harkin curriculum development. FIPSE........................... George Washington University, Washington, DC, to provide DC public school students 148,000 Senator Hatch opportunities to pursue health professions careers. FIPSE........................... Green River Community College, Auburn, WA, for support of the Computer Reporting Technologies 300,000 Senator Murray pro- gram. FIPSE........................... Hawaii Community College, Waipahu, HI, to provide cultural education.......................... 200,000 Senator Inouye FIPSE........................... Henry Kuualoha Giugni Archives, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, for cultural education.... 250,000 Senators Inouye, Akaka FIPSE........................... Houston Community College, Houston, TX, for curriculum development and purchase of equipment 200,000 Senator Hutchison for the Accelerated Nursing Proficiency Center. FIPSE........................... Huntingdon College Institute, Montgomery, AL, for teacher training and purchase of equipment.. 200,000 Senator Sessions FIPSE........................... Immaculata University, Immaculata, PA, for nursing education programs......................... 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey FIPSE........................... Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA, for curriculum development for a mine safety 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey course and research on use of mine maps. FIPSE........................... Iowa Western Community College, Council Bluffs, IA, for health technology equipment........... 450,000 Senators Harkin, Grassley FIPSE........................... Jobs for Mississippi Graduates, Inc., Jackson, MS, for Reaching Up for Success dropout 100,000 Senators Cochran, Wicker prevention program. FIPSE........................... Keystone College, La Plume, PA, for technology upgrades including the purchase of equipment... 100,000 Senator Specter FIPSE........................... Lackawanna College, Scranton, PA, for technology upgrades, including the purchase of equipment 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey FIPSE........................... Lafayette College, Easton, PA, for technology upgrades, including the purchase of equipment... 100,000 Senator Specter FIPSE........................... Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, to develop programming for a Center for Developing Urban 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey Educational Leaders. FIPSE........................... Lesley University, Cambridge, MA, for educational equipment and information technology........ 200,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry FIPSE........................... Lincoln University, Lincoln University, PA, to support a distance learning initiative, 100,000 Senator Specter including the purchase of equipment. FIPSE........................... Lyndon State College, Lyndonville, VT, for a center for rural students........................ 350,000 Senator Leahy FIPSE........................... Mansfield University of Pennsylvania, Mansfield, PA, for nursing education programs, including 100,000 Senator Specter the purchase of equipment. FIPSE........................... Marywood University, Scranton, PA, for campus-based autism education programs................. 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey FIPSE........................... McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA, to provide professional development to improve 200,000 Senators Landrieu, Vitter student writing. FIPSE........................... Michigan Community College Association, Lansing, MI, for an alternative energy training 1,700,000 Senators Stabenow, Levin initiative. FIPSE........................... MidAmerican Nazarene University, for technology acquisition to expand distance education for 150,000 Senator Brownback teachers in western Kansas, including the purchase of equipment. FIPSE........................... Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN, for a comprehensive math and science 400,000 Senator Alexander teacher training program, including scholarships. FIPSE........................... Midland College, Midland, TX, for technology upgrades, including purchase of equipment........ 100,000 Senator Cornyn FIPSE........................... Millikin University, Decatur, IL, for a nursing training program.............................. 500,000 Senator Durbin FIPSE........................... Missouri State University, Springfield, MO, for equipment and technology upgrades, including 500,000 Senator Bond the purchase of equipment. FIPSE........................... Montclair State College, Upper Montclair, NJ, for a Minority Teacher Recruitment, Development 200,000 Senators Lautenberg, Menendez and Retention program. FIPSE........................... Montgomery County Community College, Blue Bell, PA, for curriculum development and equipment 100,000 Senator Specter acquisition to support a health services initiative. FIPSE........................... Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA, to establish a research initiative to improve college 100,000 Senators Chambliss, Isakson graduation rates of minority males. FIPSE........................... Mott Community College, Flint, MI, for the Center for Advanced Manufacturing.................. 200,000 Senators Levin, Stabenow FIPSE........................... Mount Aloysius College, Cresson, PA, for college preparation programs......................... 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey FIPSE........................... Muhlenberg College, Allentown, PA, for a civic engagement and service learning program........ 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey FIPSE........................... Murray State University, Hopkinsville, KY, to purchase equipment for the Breathitt Veterinary 100,000 Senator Bunning Clinic. FIPSE........................... Neumann College, Aston, PA, for technology and equipment acquisition to support a health care 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey workforce training initiative. FIPSE........................... Nevada State College, Henderson, NV, for teacher preparation programs......................... 300,000 Senator Reid FIPSE........................... Nevada Volunteers, Fallon, NV, to expand service-learning programs............................ 250,000 Senator Reid FIPSE........................... North Central Missouri College, Trenton, MO, for technology upgrades, including the purchase 1,600,000 Senator Bond of equipment for the Allied Health building. FIPSE........................... North Dakota State College of Science, Wahpeton, ND, for a Center for Nanoscience Technology 1,000,000 Senators Dorgan, Conrad Training. FIPSE........................... Northampton Community College, Bethlehem, PA, for technology and equipment upgrades and 100,000 Senator Specter acquisi- tion. FIPSE........................... Northeast Community College, Norfolk, NE, for improved access to postsecondary educational 700,000 Senators Ben Nelson, Hagel opportunities, including distance learning and other equipment. FIPSE........................... Northern Essex Community College, Lawrence, MA, for educational equipment..................... 200,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry FIPSE........................... Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa, ID, for technology upgrades, including the purchase of 200,000 Senators Crapo, Craig equip- ment. FIPSE........................... Northwestern College, Orange City, IA, for nurse training programs............................ 450,000 Senator Harkin FIPSE........................... Olivet Nazarene University, Bourbonnais, IL, for nurse education equipment.................... 300,000 Senator Durbin FIPSE........................... Oregon Institute of Technology, Klamath Falls, OR, for the Health Informatics Simulation Lab.. 100,000 Senators Wyden, Smith FIPSE........................... Peninsula College, Port Angeles, WA, for equipment for the Peninsula College Science & 500,000 Senators Murray, Cantwell Technology Building, and to support the Peninsula College Collaborative Mentoring Model. FIPSE........................... Pennsylvania Highlands Community College, Johnstown, PA, for technology and equipment upgrades 100,000 Senator Specter and acquisition. FIPSE........................... Plymouth State University, Plymouth, NH, for a collaborative research institute for 200,000 Senator Gregg sustainable rural economies. FIPSE........................... Point Park University, Pittsburgh, PA, for technology upgrades including the purchase of 100,000 Senator Specter equipment. FIPSE........................... Portland State University, Portland, OR, for support of the Science Research Teaching Center.. 150,000 Senators Wyden, Smith FIPSE........................... Qunsigamond Community College, Worcester, MA, for the procurement of educational equipment and 150,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry information technology to support academic expansion. FIPSE........................... Rutgers University, Camden, NJ, for the Camden Children's Initiative, which may include 100,000 Senators Lautenberg, Menendez scholarships and fellowships. FIPSE........................... Saint Bonaventure University, St. Bonaventure, NY, for the Father Mychal Judge program, which 300,000 Senator Schumer may include student scholarships and travel costs for student exchanges and visiting professorships. FIPSE........................... Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, for technology upgrades, including the 200,000 Senators Coleman, Klobuchar purchase of equipment. FIPSE........................... Saint Vincent College, Latrobe, PA, for educational programs, including the purchase of 100,000 Senator Specter equipment. FIPSE........................... Security on Campus, Inc., King of Prussia, PA, for development and implementation of a sexual 25,000 Senator Specter assault awareness and training program. FIPSE........................... Sedgwick County Government, KS, to establish an advanced education in general dentistry 500,000 Senator Brownback residency program. FIPSE........................... Seminole State College, Seminole, OK, for a distance learning program and technology upgrades, 100,000 Senator Inhofe including the purchase of equipment. FIPSE........................... Sitting Bull College, Fort Yates, ND, for a Student Record and Data Management System......... 250,000 Senators Dorgan, Conrad FIPSE........................... Southeastern Community College, West Burlington, Iowa, for nursing education equipment........ 100,000 Senators Harkin, Grassley FIPSE........................... Southern Oregon University, Ashland, OR, for technology infrastructure and equipment 300,000 Senators Smith, Wyden acquisition. FIPSE........................... Southern Utah University, Cedar City, UT, to enhance the academic skills and training of 100,000 Senator Hatch science teachers in rural Utah, including the purchase of equipment. FIPSE........................... Spelman College, Atlanta, GA, for programs to recruit and increase graduate rates for students 100,000 Senators Chambliss, Isakson pursuing science, mathematics, or dual-engineering degrees. FIPSE........................... Susquehanna University, Selinsgrove, PA, for science laboratory technology, including the 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey purchase of equipment. FIPSE........................... Texas Woman's University, Denton, TX, for curriculum development and technology upgrades, 150,000 Senator Hutchison including the purchase of equipment. FIPSE........................... Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, MS, for applied undergraduate level community based research 300,000 Senator Cochran programs and partnerships. FIPSE........................... Troy University, Montgomery, AL, for technology upgrades, including the purchase of equipment. 250,000 Senators Sessions, Shelby FIPSE........................... Truckee Meadows Community College, Reno, NV, for recruiting, mentoring and providing 300,000 Senator Reid supportive services. FIPSE........................... Turtle Mountain Community College, Belcourt, ND, to expand its Nursing Program, including 500,000 Senators Dorgan, Conrad equipment. FIPSE........................... Union Graduate College, Schenectady, NY, for program support of a Masters degree in Emerging 300,000 Senator Schumer Energy Systems. FIPSE........................... University of Alaska, Anchorage, AK, to continue the Alaska science and engineering program 1,050,000 Senator Stevens for Alaska students. FIPSE........................... University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, for the Integrative Medicine in Residency program.......... 500,000 Senator Harkin FIPSE........................... University of Hawaii at Hilo Clinical Pharmacy Training Program, Hilo, HI, for clinical 1,000,000 Senators Inouye, Akaka pharmacy training program and applied rural science program. FIPSE........................... University of Hawaii School of Law, Honolulu, HI, for health policy center.................... 250,000 Senator Inouye FIPSE........................... University of Maine, Orono, ME, for technology upgrades, including the purchase of equipment.. 300,000 Senators Snowe, Collins FIPSE........................... University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD, to develop and administer a public 1,000,000 Senators Mikulski, Cardin service fellowship program. FIPSE........................... University of Montana, Missoula, MT, to establish the Institute for Leadership and Public 250,000 Senator Tester Service to fulfill the purposes of the Mansfield Center. FIPSE........................... University of New Hampshire, Manchester, NH, for technology upgrades, including the purchase 250,000 Senator Sununu of equipment. FIPSE........................... University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado, for professional development at the 300,000 Senator Allard National Center on Severe & Sensory Disabilities. FIPSE........................... University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, for equipment................................... 500,000 Senators Harkin, Grassley FIPSE........................... University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, to support a Center for Global Value and Innovation 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey Networks. FIPSE........................... University of Scranton, Scranton, PA, for a health profession education and training 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey initiative. FIPSE........................... University of South Dakota, Vermilion, SD, for equipment and wiring for the Research, 400,000 Senator Johnson Education and Economic Development Network. FIPSE........................... University of South Dakota, Vermilion, SD, for graduate programs on the digital preservation 430,000 Senator Johnson of recorded oral histories. FIPSE........................... University of Southern Maine, Portland, ME, for technology upgrades, including the purchase of 350,000 Senators Snowe, Collins equip- ment. FIPSE........................... University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, for distance learning for community of caring schools, 100,000 Senator Hatch including technology upgrade and purchase of equipment. FIPSE........................... University of Wisconsin-Platteville, Platteville, WI, for program support for entrepreneurial 300,000 Senator Kohl education. FIPSE........................... University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, Green Bay, WI, for a comprehensive academic enrichment 300,000 Senator Kohl program to prepare low-income and first-generation high school students for college. FIPSE........................... Upper Iowa University, Fayette, IA, for equipment............................................. 250,000 Senator Harkin FIPSE........................... Utah Valley University, Orem, UT, to improve education and training programs for nursing 300,000 Senators Bennett, Hatch graduates, including the purchase of equipment. FIPSE........................... Valley City State University, Valley City, ND, for a Center for Technology and Engineering 400,000 Senators Dorgan, Conrad Education. FIPSE........................... Virginia Department of Correctional Education--Workforce and Community Transition Training for 100,000 Senator Webb Incarcerated Youth Offenders Program, Richmond, VA, to improve access to postsecondary education for incarcerated individuals. FIPSE........................... Virginia Foundation for Community College Education--Great Expectations Program, Richmond, VA, 100,000 Senators Webb, Warner to improve access to postsecondary education for foster care youth. FIPSE........................... Voices of September 11th, New Canaan, CT, for graduate education on digital archiving in 300,000 Senators Dodd, Lieberman relationship to the 9/11 Living Memorial Project. FIPSE........................... Washington & Jefferson College, Washington, PA, for science education outreach programs....... 100,000 Senator Specter FIPSE........................... West Chester University, West Chester, PA, for technology infrastructure upgrades and 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey acquisition. FIPSE........................... Western Kentucky University Research Foundation, Bowling Green, KY, for technology upgrades, 2,500,000 Senator McConnell including the purchase of equipment. FIPSE........................... Western Oklahoma State College, Altus, OK, for technology upgrades, including the purchase of 100,000 Senator Inhofe equip- ment. FIPSE........................... Wheelock College, Boston, MA, for continued development of science programs for K-12 teachers. 100,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry FIPSE........................... Wilson College, Chambersburg, PA, for science laboratory equipment acquisition................ 100,000 Senator Specter FIPSE........................... Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, Madison, WI, for consolidated 300,000 Senator Kohl administrative support functions for independent colleges and universities. FIPSE........................... Wofford College, Spartanburg, SC, for technology upgrades, including the purchase of equipment 300,000 Senator Graham FIPSE........................... Year Up Providence, Providence, RI, for a bridge to career and college program................ 600,000 Senator Reed HRSA............................ Access Community Health Network, Chicago, IL, for construction at Holy Cross Hospital......... 500,000 Senator Durbin HRSA............................ Access to Healthcare Network, Reno, NV, to expand the Access to Healthcare Network into 600,000 Senator Reid Northern NV rural counties. HRSA............................ Adams State College, Alamosa, CO, for construction of a health education facility............. 150,000 Senators Salazar, Allard HRSA............................ Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL, for construction.......................... 300,000 Senator Durbin HRSA............................ Advocates for a Healthy Community, Springfield, MO, for construction, renovation and equipment 1,500,000 Senator Bond HRSA............................ Alaska Brain Injury Network, Anchorage, AK, for brain injury programs and outreach services... 100,000 Senator Stevens HRSA............................ Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Anchorage, AK, for a statewide electronic medical 1,500,000 Senator Stevens records and health information system. HRSA............................ Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Anchorage, AK, for parallel development of an e-Health 1,500,000 Senator Stevens electronic Network. HRSA............................ Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, PA, for construction, renovation and equipment........ 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Allen Institute for Brain Science, Seattle, WA, for equipment................................. 500,000 Senators Murray, Cantwell HRSA............................ Allen Memorial Hospital, Waterloo, Iowa, for construction, renovation and equipment........... 250,000 Senators Harkin, Grassley HRSA............................ Allied Services Foundation, Clarks Summit, PA, for renovations and equipment.................. 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Altoona Regional Health System, Altoona, PA, for renovation and equipment..................... 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center, Anchorage, AK, for construction, renovation and 400,000 Senators Murkowski, Stevens equipment. HRSA............................ Association of Utah Community Health, Salt Lake City, UT, for an electronic health records 500,000 Senators Bennett, Hatch system for Utah Community Health Centers. HRSA............................ AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, Egg Harbor Township, NJ, for construction of the Cancer 400,000 Senators Lautenberg, Menendez Care Institute. HRSA............................ Barnes-Kasson County Hospital, Susquehanna, PA, for renovations and equipment................. 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Bartlett Regional Hospital, Juneau, AK, for renovation and equipment.......................... 500,000 Senator Stevens HRSA............................ Bayside Family Healthcare, North Kingstown, RI, to implement the NextGen Practice Management 100,000 Senators Whitehouse, Reed System and Electronic Health Records. HRSA............................ Beebe Medical Center, Lewes, DE, for the construction of a new School of Nursing.............. 500,000 Senators Biden, Carper HRSA............................ Benefis Healthcare Foundation, Great Falls, MT, for health information technology in critical 150,000 Senator Baucus access hospitals. HRSA............................ Bethune Cookman University, Daytona Beach, FL, for equipping a nurse-managed health facility.. 100,000 Senator Bill Nelson HRSA............................ Billings Clinic, Billings, MT, for equipment.................................................. 150,000 Senators Baucus, Tester HRSA............................ Bingham Memorial Hospital, Blackfoot, ID, for construction, renovation and equipment.......... 200,000 Senators Crapo, Craig HRSA............................ Bi-State Primary Care Association, Concord, NH, for renovation and equipment.................. 250,000 Senator Sununu HRSA............................ Bi-State Primary Care Association, Montpelier, VT, for construction, renovation and equipment. 550,000 Senator Sanders HRSA............................ Bloomsburg Hospital, Bloomsburg, PA, for construction, renovation and equipment............... 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Blue Mountain Diagnostic Imaging, Inc. [BMDI], Pendleton, OR, for equipment................... 100,000 Senator Wyden HRSA............................ Bois Forte Reservation Tribal Council, Tower, MN, for renovation and equipment................ 300,000 Senator Coleman HRSA............................ Boston Foundation for Sight, Needham Heights, MA, for the acquisition of medical equipment.... 150,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry HRSA............................ Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA for facilities and equipment for the J. Joseph Moakley 350,000 Senator Kennedy Medical Services Building. HRSA............................ Boulder City Hospital, Boulder City, NV, for construction of an emergency department.......... 500,000 Senator Reid HRSA............................ Boys Town National Research Hospital, Omaha, NE, for construction, renovation and equipment... 500,000 Senators Harkin, Ben Nelson HRSA............................ Bradford Regional Medical Center, Bradford, PA, for renovation and equipment.................. 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Broadlawns Medical Center, Des Moines, IA, for equipment...................................... 500,000 Senator Harkin HRSA............................ Bucknell University Geisinger Health System, Lewisburg, PA, for the training of health 150,000 Senators Casey, Specter professionals. HRSA............................ Butler Health System, Butler, PA, for renovation and equipment................................ 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Caring Health Center, Inc., Springfield, MA, for construction................................. 200,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry HRSA............................ Carnegie Mellon University, Washington, DC, for renovation and equipment...................... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Carolinas HealthCare System, Charlotte, NC, for construction, renovation and equipment........ 100,000 Senator Burr HRSA............................ Catholic Health System, Buffalo, NY, for equipment............................................ 150,000 Senator Schumer HRSA............................ Centenary College of Louisiana, Shreveport, LA, for construction, renovation and equipment of 1,000,000 Senators Landrieu, Vitter a health training facility. HRSA............................ Center for Asbestos Related Disease, Libby, MT, for construction, renovation and equipment.... 200,000 Senators Baucus, Tester HRSA............................ Central Carolina Technical College, Sumter, SC, for construction, renovation and equipment.... 250,000 Senator Graham HRSA............................ Central Wyoming College, Riverton, WY, for construction, renovation and equipment............. 450,000 Senators Barrasso, Enzi HRSA............................ Central Wyoming College, Riverton, WY, for the Virtual Medical Skills Center for Training 200,000 Senators Enzi, Barrasso Nurses in Rural Health Care. HRSA............................ Charles Cole Memorial Hospital, Coudersport, PA, for rural training assistance................ 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Chester County Hospital, West Chester, PA, for construction renovation and equipment.......... 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Chiesman Foundation for Democracy, Inc., Rapid City, SD, to establish a Center for Fetal 750,000 Senator Johnson Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. HRSA............................ Children's Health Fund, New York, NY, to provide comprehensive primary care to medically 250,000 Senator Cornyn underserved children at elementary schools in the Austin, TX Independent School District. HRSA............................ Children's Institute of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, for treating children and adolescents with 200,000 Senator Casey Autism Spectrum Disorders. HRSA............................ Children's Home Society of Idaho, Boise, ID, for construction, renovation and equipment....... 100,000 Senators Crapo, Craig HRSA............................ Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, for renovation and equipment........... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, for construction, renovation and equipment. 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Children's Hospitals & Clinics, Minneapolis, MN, for equipment................................ 250,000 Senators Coleman, Klobuchar HRSA............................ Children's Medical Center, Dallas, TX, for construction, renovation and equipment............. 150,000 Senator Hutchison HRSA............................ Children's Medical Research Institute, Oklahoma City, OK, for renovation and equipment........ 100,000 Senator Inhofe HRSA............................ Children's Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL, for construction, renovation and equipment......... 500,000 Senator Durbin HRSA............................ Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics, Kansas City, MO, for construction, renovation and 1,000,000 Senator Bond equipment. HRSA............................ Children's Square, Council Bluffs, IA, for construction, renovation, and equipment............ 500,000 Senators Grassley, Harkin HRSA............................ CHOICE Regional Health Network, Olympia, WA, for the Emergency Department Care Coordination 350,000 Senator Murray Pro- gram. HRSA............................ Christ Hospital, Jersey City, NJ, for the Emergency Department Renovation and Equipment 300,000 Senators Lautenberg, Menendez Project. HRSA............................ Christiana Care Health System, Wilmington, DE, to renovate and expand Wilmington Hospital's 300,000 Senators Biden, Carper Emergency Department. HRSA............................ CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital, San Antonio, TX, for renovation and equipment................... 150,000 Senator Hutchison HRSA............................ CHRISTUS St. Francis Cabrini Hospital, Shreveport, LA, for construction, renovation and 100,000 Senators Vitter, Landrieu equipment. HRSA............................ City Finance Office dba Community Memorial Hospital, Redfield, SD, for facility renovation and 300,000 Senator Johnson construction. HRSA............................ City of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, for construction for Healthcare for the Homeless center..... 1,250,000 Senators Mikulski, Cardin HRSA............................ City of Newark, Newark, NJ, for an electronic medical record system........................... 150,000 Senators Lautenberg, Menendez HRSA............................ City of San Jose, San Jose, CA, for a healthcare for the homeless program, including equipment 500,000 Senator Feinstein HRSA............................ Clarian Health, Indianapolis, IN, for construction, renovation and equipment.................. 100,000 Senator Bayh HRSA............................ Clarion Health System, Clarion, PA, for renovation and equipment.............................. 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Clearfield Hospital, Clearfield, PA, for construction, renovation and equipment............... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Coffeyville Regional Medical Center, Coffeyville, KS, for construction, renovation and 350,000 Senators Brownback, Roberts equipment. HRSA............................ Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Cold Spring Harbor, NY, for The Women's Cancer Genomics Center. 750,000 Senator Schumer HRSA............................ College of St. Scholastica, Inc., Duluth, MN, for a rural health and technology demonstration 250,000 Senators Coleman, Klobuchar project. HRSA............................ Colorado Community Health Network, Denver, CO, for equipment.................................. 200,000 Senator Salazar HRSA............................ Commonwealth Medical Education, Scranton, PA, for equipment and construction.................. 1,000,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Communicare Inc., Columbia, SC, for automated pharmacy equipment.............................. 200,000 Senator Graham HRSA............................ Community Care Network, Montgomery, AL, for the purchase of a mobile medical unit and 100,000 Senator Sessions acquisition of equipment. HRSA............................ Community Colleges of Spokane, Spokane, WA, for renovation and equipment for allied health 285,000 Senators Murray, Cantwell education. HRSA............................ Community Health and Social Services, Detroit, MI, to construct a health clinic............... 500,000 Senators Levin, Stabenow HRSA............................ Community Health Care, Inc, Davenport, IA, for equipment...................................... 200,000 Senator Harkin HRSA............................ Community Health Center of Fort Dodge, IA, for equipment...................................... 150,000 Senator Harkin HRSA............................ Community Health Center of the Black Hills, Rapid City, SD, for facilities and equipment...... 200,000 Senators Johnson, Thune HRSA............................ Community Health Centers of Southeastern Iowa, Burlington, IA, for construction, renovation 200,000 Senator Harkin and equipment. HRSA............................ Community Health Centers of Southern Iowa, Leon, IA, for equipment............................ 130,000 Senator Harkin HRSA............................ Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas, Bismarck, ND, for Electronic Medical Record 200,000 Senators Dorgan, Conrad Implementation. HRSA............................ Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas, Sioux Falls, SD, for rural health and dental 250,000 Senators Johnson, Thune services in a mobile dental unit. HRSA............................ Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas, Sioux Falls, SD, to purchase and equip a 200,000 Senator Thune mobile health unit. HRSA............................ Community Medical Center, Missoula, MT, for equipment......................................... 100,000 Senator Baucus HRSA............................ Community Medical Center, Scranton, PA, for renovation and equipment.......................... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Comprehensive Community Action, Cranston, RI, to implement an integrated electronic health 300,000 Senators Reed, Whitehouse record and practice management system. HRSA............................ Concord Hospital, Concord, NH, for construction, renovation and equipment..................... 300,000 Senator Gregg HRSA............................ Cook Children's Medical Center, Fort Worth, TX, for renovation and equipment.................. 150,000 Senator Hutchison HRSA............................ Cornerstone Care Inc., Burgettstown, PA, for construction, renovation and equipment........... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Council Bluffs Community Health Center, Council Bluffs, IA, for construction, renovation and 200,000 Senator Harkin equipment. HRSA............................ Creighton University, Omaha, NE, for construction, renovation and equipment................... 100,000 Senators Hagel, Ben Nelson HRSA............................ Crescent Community Health Center, Dubuque, IA, for construction, renovation and equipment..... 200,000 Senator Harkin HRSA............................ Crider Health Center, Wentzville, MO, for construction, renovation and equipment.............. 1,000,000 Senator Bond HRSA............................ Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Upland, PA, for renovation and equipment....................... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Delaware Valley Community Health, Philadelphia, PA, for renovation and equipment.............. 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Delta State University, Cleveland, MS, for construction, renovation and equipment, including 250,000 Senator Cochran design. HRSA............................ Denver Health and Hospital Authority, Denver, CO, for construction............................ 150,000 Senator Salazar HRSA............................ Driscoll Children's Hospital, Corpus Christi, TX, for renovation and equipment................ 150,000 Senator Hutchison HRSA............................ DuBois Regional Medical Center, DuBois, PA, for renovation and equipment...................... 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, for construction, renovation and equipment.......... 200,000 Senators Burr, Dole HRSA............................ Eastern Shore Rural Health System, Nassawadox, VA, to construct the Onley Community Health 300,000 Senators Webb, Warner Center. HRSA............................ Ed Roberts Campus, Berkeley, CA, for construction, renovation and equipment................... 250,000 Senator Boxer HRSA............................ Elk Regional Health Center, St. Marys, PA, for renovation and equipment....................... 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Elliot Health System, Manchester, NH, for an electronic medical records system................ 225,000 Senator Sununu HRSA............................ Endless Mountains Health Systems, Montrose, PA, for construction, renovation and equipment.... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Ephrata Hospital, Ephrata, PA, for renovation and equipment................................... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Excela Health, Latrobe, PA, for construction, renovation and equipment........................ 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Family Medicine Residency of Idaho, Boise, Idaho, to recruit family physicians to rural Idaho. 100,000 Senators Crapo, Craig HRSA............................ Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington, VT, for construction and equipment.................... 200,000 Senator Leahy HRSA............................ Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington, VT, for training...................................... 500,000 Senator Leahy HRSA............................ Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, for renovation and equipment....................... 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Franklin Pierce University, Rindge, NH, for nurse training outreach programs, including 400,000 Senators Gregg, Sununu renovation and equipment. HRSA............................ Free Clinic of Pierce and Saint Croix, River Falls, WI, to expand care in rural areas......... 160,000 Senator Kohl HRSA............................ Free Clinics of Iowa in Des Moines, to support a network of free clinics...................... 400,000 Senator Harkin HRSA............................ Friendship House, Scranton, PA, to create an advanced Regional Center for Autism Spectrum 150,000 Senator Casey Disorders. HRSA............................ Fulton County Medical Center, McConnellsburg, PA, for construction, renovation and equipment.. 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Gadsden County, Quincy, FL, for repairs and renovations of the Gadsden County Community 100,000 Senator Bill Nelson Hospital. HRSA............................ Garfield Memorial Hospital, Panguitch, UT, for renovation and equipment....................... 100,000 Senator Hatch HRSA............................ Geisinger Health System, Harrisburg, PA, for post traumatic stress disorder related activities 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Generations, Inc., Camden, NJ, for construction and operations of the Nex Generation Health 100,000 Senators Menendez, Lautenberg Services Center. HRSA............................ Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, for rural health outreach and training........... 100,000 Senators Chambliss, Isakson HRSA............................ Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, for health outreach and training....................... 100,000 Senators Chambliss, Isakson HRSA............................ Good Samaritan Health Services Foundation, Lebanon, PA, for renovation and equipment.......... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Good Shepherd Home, Inc., Allentown, PA, for renovation and equipment......................... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Goodall Hospital, Sanford, ME, for an electronic health records system........................ 300,000 Senators Snowe, Collins HRSA............................ Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, GA, for renovation and equipment............................ 100,000 Senators Isakson, Chambliss HRSA............................ Grand View Hospital, Inc., Sellersville, PA, for renovation and equipment..................... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Great Brook Valley Health Center, Worcester, MA, for new facility construction................ 150,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry HRSA............................ Greater Hudson Valley Family Health Center, Inc., Newburgh, NY, for construction, renovation 400,000 Senator Schumer and equipment. HRSA............................ Greater Sioux Community Health Center, Sioux Center, IA, for equipment........................ 100,000 Senator Harkin HRSA............................ Gundersen Lutheran Hospital, La Crosse, WI, for health care IT improvements................... 300,000 Senator Kohl HRSA............................ Hamot Medical Center, Erie, PA, for construction, renovation and equipment.................... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Hampton University, Hampton, VA, for construction and equipment for the development of a new 400,000 Senator Webb proton beam therapy facility to treat cancer. HRSA............................ Harrington Memorial Hospital, Southbridge, MA, for the acquisition of medical equipment....... 200,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry HRSA............................ Harris County Hospital District, Houston, TX, for renovation and equipment.................... 150,000 Senator Hutchison HRSA............................ Hazleton General Hospital--Health Corp (Northeastern PA), Hazleton, PA, for renovation and 100,000 Senator Specter equipment. HRSA............................ Health and Hospital Corporation of Marion County, Indianapolis, IN, for facility planning, 150,000 Senator Bayh construction, renovation and equipment. HRSA............................ Health Care of Southeastern Massachusetts, Brockton, MA, for equipment........................ 150,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry HRSA............................ HealthEast Care System, St. Paul, MN, for construction, renovation and equipment.............. 325,000 Senators Coleman, Klobuchar HRSA............................ HealthPoint Kentucky, Newport, KY, for an electronic medical records system................... 100,000 Senator Bunning HRSA............................ HealthShare Montana, Bozeman, MT, for equipment and training.................................. 750,000 Senators Tester, Baucus HRSA............................ Hickman Community Hospital, Centerville, TN, for construction and renovation and equipment.... 550,000 Senators Alexander, Corker HRSA............................ Holy Redeemer Health System, Huntington Valley, PA, for construction, renovation and equipment 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Holy Spirit Healthcare System, Camp Hill, PA, for renovation and equipment.................... 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Hormel Institute, Mower, MN, for biomedical equipment......................................... 100,000 Senators Klobuchar, Coleman HRSA............................ Horn Memorial Hospital, Ida Grove, IA, for equipment.......................................... 250,000 Senator Harkin HRSA............................ Indiana Regional Medical Center, Indiana, PA, for renovation and equipment.................... 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Inova Health System--The Claude Moore Health Education Center's Simulation Center, Falls 100,000 Senators Warner, Webb Church, VA, for construction, renovation and equipment. HRSA............................ Intermountain Healthcare, Salt Lake City, UT, for an electronic medical records and pharmacy 300,000 Senators Bennett, Hatch bar coding systems. HRSA............................ Iowa Caregivers Association, Des Moines, IA, for training and support of certified nurse 350,000 Senator Harkin assistants. HRSA............................ Iowa Dental Foundation, Johnston, IA, for portable dental equipment........................... 250,000 Senator Harkin HRSA............................ Iowa Nebraska Primary Care Association, Des Moines, IA, for health information technology 260,000 Senator Harkin equipment and coordination of programs. HRSA............................ Iowa State University, Ames, IA, for construction of a biosafety level 3 lab.................. 500,000 Senators Harkin, Grassley HRSA............................ Jackson State University, Jackson, MS, for the Institute of Epidemiology and Health Services 500,000 Senators Cochran, Wicker Research. HRSA............................ Jameson Memorial Hospital, New Castle, PA, for construction, renovation and equipment......... 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ JC Blair Memorial Hospital, Huntingdon, PA, for renovation and equipment...................... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Jefferson Regional Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, for construction, renovation and equipment. 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Jersey Shore Hospital, Jersey Shore, PA, for renovation and equipment......................... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Jewish Renaissance Medical Center, Perth Amboy, NJ, for construction of the Medical Arts 100,000 Senators Menendez, Lautenberg Building. HRSA............................ Joseph Richey House, Inc., Baltimore, MD, for construction of Dr. Bob's Place Children's 750,000 Senators Mikulski, Cardin Hospice. HRSA............................ Kadlec Health System, Richland, WA, for construction and equipment............................ 150,000 Senators Murray, Cantwell HRSA............................ Kane Community Hospital, Kane, PA, for construction, renovation and equipment................. 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ King's Daughters Regional Medical Center, Brookhaven, MS, for an electronic medical records 500,000 Senators Wicker, Cochran system, including renovation and equipment. HRSA............................ La Clinica de Familia, Inc., Las Cruces, NM, for construction of the Chaparral Dental Center.. 775,000 Senator Bingaman HRSA............................ Lahey Clinic, Burlington, MA, for the expansion and renovation of emergency and trauma care 200,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry facilities. HRSA............................ Lane County, Eugene, OR, for construction of the Springfield Community Health Center.......... 100,000 Senators Wyden, Smith HRSA............................ Laramie County Community College, Cheyenne, WY, for renovation, equipment and training........ 400,000 Senators Barrasso, Enzi HRSA............................ Lawndale Christian Health Center, Chicago, IL, for construction and equipment................. 400,000 Senator Durbin HRSA............................ Lehigh Valley Hospital, Allentown, PA, to provide healthcare access........................... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Lewis-Clark State College, Lewiston, ID, to prepare nursing students for careers in nursing... 100,000 Senators Crapo, Craig HRSA............................ Lincoln County, Newport, OR, for an electronic medical records system, including equipment 250,000 Senators Smith, Wyden acquisition and renovation. HRSA............................ Linn Community Care, Cedar Rapids, IA, for construction, renovation and equipment............. 262,000 Senator Harkin HRSA............................ Lou Ruvo Brain Institute, Las Vegas, NV, for construction, renovation and equipment........... 600,000 Senators Reid, Ensign HRSA............................ Lourdes Health System, Camden, NJ, for equipment.............................................. 100,000 Senators Menendez, Lautenberg HRSA............................ Lowell General Hospital, Lowell, MA, for construction of new medical facilities............... 150,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry HRSA............................ Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, Lower Brule, SD, for the Community Health Representative program..... 200,000 Senator Johnson HRSA............................ Manchester Community Health Center, Manchester, NH, for construction, renovation and equipment 200,000 Senator Sununu HRSA............................ Marian Community Hospital, Carbondale, PA, for renovation and equipment....................... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Marillac Center, Overland Park, KS, for construction, renovation and equipment................ 200,000 Senator Roberts HRSA............................ Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI, for a dental health outreach program..................... 250,000 Senator Kohl HRSA............................ Marshall University in Huntington, WV, for the Translational Genomic Research Institute....... 3,500,000 Senator Byrd HRSA............................ Maui Community Health Center, Kahului, HI, for construction, renovation and equipment......... 200,000 Senator Inouye HRSA............................ Maui Medical Center, Maui, HI, for equipping a robotics and nurse training lab................ 200,000 Senator Inouye HRSA............................ Meadville Medical Center, Meadville, PA, for construction, renovation and equipment........... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN, for construction, renovation and equipment............ 600,000 Senator Alexander HRSA............................ Memorial Hospital at Gulfport, Gulfport, MS, for construction, renovation and equipment....... 500,000 Senators Wicker, Cochran HRSA............................ Memorial Hospital, Carthage, IL, for equipment................................................ 400,000 Senator Durbin HRSA............................ Memorial Hospital, York, PA, for renovation and equipment..................................... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Mercy Health Foundation, Durango, CO, for renovation and equipment............................ 150,000 Senators Salazar, Allard HRSA............................ Mercy Health Partners, Scranton, PA, for renovation and equipment............................. 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Mercy Memorial Health Center, Ardmore, OK, for construction, renovation and equipment......... 100,000 Senator Inhofe HRSA............................ Mercy Philadelphia Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, for construction, renovation and equipment..... 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Meridian Health, Neptune, NJ, for the Jersey Shore University Medical Center Comprehensive 350,000 Senators Lautenberg, Menendez Expansion and Renovation Project. HRSA............................ Messiah College, Grantham, PA, for renovation and equipment................................... 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Methodist University, Fayetteville, NC, for construction, renovation and equipment............ 175,000 Senator Dole HRSA............................ Miami Jewish Home and Hospital, Miami, FL, for health education for those living in the Little 75,000 Senator Bill Nelson Haiti area. HRSA............................ Mid Valley Hospital, Peckville, PA, for renovation and equipment.............................. 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Middletown Regional Health System, Franklin, OH, for construction of a nursing school......... 200,000 Senators Brown, Voinovich HRSA............................ Midwest Community Clinic, Midwest, WY, for construction, renovation, and equipment............ 300,000 Senator Enzi HRSA............................ Miles Community College, Miles City, MT, to expand the Healthcare Connections to Career 100,000 Senators Baucus, Tester Pathways program. HRSA............................ Miles Perret Cancer Services, Lafayette, LA, for purchase and equipping of a mobile unit for 300,000 Senators Landrieu, Vitter use in rural areas. HRSA............................ Mind Research Network (MRN), Albuquerque, NM, for construction, renovation and equipment...... 3,000,000 Senator Domenici HRSA............................ Minot State University, Minot, ND, for the Great Plains Autism Treatment Program.............. 750,000 Senators Dorgan, Conrad HRSA............................ Misericordia University, Dallas, PA, for construction, renovation and renovation.............. 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Mississippi Primary Health Care Association, Jackson, MS, for construction, renovation and 250,000 Senator Cochran equipment. HRSA............................ Molokai Community Health Center, Molokai, HI, to construct facilities......................... 250,000 Senator Inouye HRSA............................ Monongahela Valley Hospital, Monongahela, PA, for renovation and equipment.................... 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Monroe Clinic, Monroe, WI, for critical health care IT improvements, including an electronic 280,000 Senator Kohl medical records system, in South Central Wisconsin. HRSA............................ Montgomery College, Rockville, MD, for equipment for the biotechnology laboratory............. 750,000 Senator Mikulski HRSA............................ Moses Taylor Hospital, Scranton, PA, for renovation and equipment............................. 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Mount Nittany Medical Center, State College, PA, for renovation and construction.............. 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Myrna Brind Center for Integrative Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, to develop three models of 100,000 Senator Specter integrative programs of clinical excellence. HRSA............................ Nationwide Children's Hospital Research Institute, Columbus, OH, for construction, renovation 100,000 Senators Voinovich, Brown and equipment. HRSA............................ Nazareth Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, for renovation and equipment............................. 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Nebraska Hospital Association, Lincoln, NE, to expand the Nebraska Statewide Telehealth 100,000 Senators Hagel, Ben Nelson Network, including renovation and equipment. HRSA............................ Neurosciences Institute, Morgantown, WV, for construction, renovation and equipment........... 5,000,000 Senator Byrd HRSA............................ Nevada System of Higher Education, Las Vegas, NV, for equipment purchase for nursing and 1,000,000 Senator Reid medical clinical skills labs. HRSA............................ New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, for Graduate Psychology Education................ 100,000 Senator Bingaman HRSA............................ New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, for construction, renovation and equipment 750,000 Senator Schumer at the emergency department. HRSA............................ New York-Presbyterian Hospital, NY, for cardiac care telemetry................................ 250,000 Senator Schumer HRSA............................ Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Newark, NJ, for construction, equipment and renovation..... 300,000 Senators Lautenberg, Menendez HRSA............................ Newton Memorial Hospital, Newton, NJ, for equipment........................................... 200,000 Senators Lautenberg, Menendez HRSA............................ Niagara University, Niagara Falls, NY, for the Nursing Leadership project..................... 100,000 Senator Schumer HRSA............................ Norman Regional Health System, Norman, OK, for a medical health records system, including 100,000 Senator Inhofe acquisition of equipment. HRSA............................ Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, Scranton, PA, for cancer epidemiology research programs.. 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Northwest Hospital and Medical Center, Seattle, WA, for construction and equipment to support 1,000,000 Senator Murray the establishment of a Community Health Education and Simulation Center. HRSA............................ Northwest Kidney Centers, Seattle, WA, for equipment.......................................... 200,000 Senator Murray HRSA............................ Norton Community Hospital Women's Center/Technology Enhancement Project, Norton, VA, for 100,000 Senators Warner, Webb renovation and equipment. HRSA............................ Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL, for nurse education and training........... 75,000 Senator Bill Nelson HRSA............................ Nugen's Ranch Substance Abuse Treatment Facility, Wasilla, AK, for construction, renovation 300,000 Senator Stevens and equipment. HRSA............................ Oglala Lakota College, Kyle, SD, for a nursing education program.............................. 600,000 Senator Johnson HRSA............................ Ohio Valley General Hospital, McKees Rocks, PA, for renovation and equipment.................. 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Ohio Valley Medical Center, Wheeling, WV, for construction, renovation and equipment.......... 6,000,000 Senator Byrd HRSA............................ Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, for renovation and equipment......... 150,000 Senator Inhofe HRSA............................ Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, Tulsa, OK, to purchase and equip a 100,000 Senator Inhofe mobile health unit. HRSA............................ Olympic Medical Center, Port Angeles, WA, for an electronic medical records/practice 650,000 Senators Murray, Cantwell management sys- tem. HRSA............................ Orange County, Orlando, FL, for the renovation at the Primary Care Access Network............. 100,000 Senators Bill Nelson, Martinez HRSA............................ Ottumwa Regional Health Center, Ottumwa, IA, for equipment.................................... 60,000 Senators Harkin, Grassley HRSA............................ Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, IA, and the Myrna Brind Center of Integrative 400,000 Senator Harkin Medicine in Philadelphia, PA, to develop a model integrative health care program for the treatment of pain. HRSA............................ Paoli Hospital, Paoli, PA, for construction, renovation and equipment......................... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Parkland Health & Hospital System, Dallas, TX, to purchase and equip a mobile health unit..... 250,000 Senator Cornyn HRSA............................ Parkland Health & Hospital System, Dallas, TX, for renovation and equipment................... 150,000 Senator Hutchison HRSA............................ Penn State Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA, for healthcare services....................... 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute, Harrisburg, PA, for equipment............................. 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Peoples Community Health Clinic, Waterloo, IA, for equipment.................................. 60,000 Senator Harkin HRSA............................ Philadelphia University, Philadelphia, PA, for equipment...................................... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, Albany, GA, to partner with the Dougherty County School 100,000 Senator Chambliss System to implement health programs for school children. HRSA............................ Pinnacle Health System, Harrisburg, PA, for construction, renovation and equipment............ 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Pioneer Valley Life Science Institute, Springfield, MA, for the construction and continued 400,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry development of biomedical research facilities. HRSA............................ Pocono Medical Center, Stroudsburg, PA, for construction, renovation and equipment............ 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Pottsville Hospital, Pottsville, PA, for construction, renovation and equipment............... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Primary Care Association of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI, to provide service enhancements and outreach 1,100,000 Senators Inouye, Akaka HRSA............................ Primary Health Care, Inc, Des Moines, IA, for construction, renovation and equipment.......... 200,000 Senator Harkin HRSA............................ Prince George's County, Upper Marlboro, MD, for dental equipment.............................. 500,000 Senator Cardin HRSA............................ Provena Covenant Medical Center, Urbana, IL, for construction, renovation and equipment....... 200,000 Senator Durbin HRSA............................ Providence Community Health Center, Providence, RI, to install an electronic health records 100,000 Senators Whitehouse, Reed system. HRSA............................ Providence Health System, Anchorage, AK, for physician recruitment and retention.............. 1,000,000 Senator Stevens HRSA............................ Providence Health System, Olympia, WA, to create a Nursing Education to Practice Bridge 100,000 Senator Murray Program. HRSA............................ Public Health Foundation of Columbia County, Portland, OR, for construction and equipment..... 250,000 Senators Smith, Wyden HRSA............................ Reading Hospital and Medical Center, Reading, PA, for renovation and equipment................ 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ RelateNow, New Glarus, WI, to provide online treatment services for rural families of children 300,000 Senator Kohl with au- tism. HRSA............................ Resurrection Health Care, Oak Park, IL, to expand nursing programs............................ 300,000 Senator Durbin HRSA............................ Rhode Island College Foundation, Providence, RI, to upgrade the School of Nursing clinical 300,000 Senator Reed laboratory. HRSA............................ Rice University, Houston, TX, for construction, renovation and equipment...................... 400,000 Senator Hutchison HRSA............................ Richardton Memorial Hospital and Health Center, Richardton, ND, for planning, renovation and 850,000 Senators Dorgan, Conrad equip- ment. HRSA............................ River Hills Community Health Center, Ottumwa, IA, for equipment............................... 200,000 Senator Harkin HRSA............................ Riverside Healthcare, Kankakee, IL, for a patient safety program, including equipment......... 300,000 Senator Durbin HRSA............................ Robert Morris University, Moon Township, PA, for renovation and equipment..................... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Rosebud, SD, for medical equipment....................................... 200,000 Senator Johnson HRSA............................ Sac and Fox Tribe of the Mississippi, Tama, IA, for a Tribal Health Care Clinic............... 650,000 Senators Harkin, Grassley HRSA............................ Sacred Heart Hospital of Allentown, Allentown, PA, for renovation and equipment............... 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Saint Ambrose University, Davenport, IA, for the construction of a Center for Health Sciences 500,000 Senators Harkin, Grassley Education. HRSA............................ Saint Bernard Parish, Chalmette, LA, for construction, renovation and equipment of a medical 850,000 Senators Landrieu, Vitter facility. HRSA............................ Saint Clare Hospital, Baraboo, WI, for equipment.............................................. 350,000 Senator Kohl HRSA............................ Saint Francis Hospital Foundation, Wilmington, DE, to make capital infrastructure improvements 300,000 Senators Biden, Carper to St Francis Hospital. HRSA............................ Saint Joseph Health Services, North Providence, RI, for renovations to the emergency room..... 650,000 Senator Reed HRSA............................ Saint Joseph Hospital, Nashua, NH, for electronic medical records technology, including 425,000 Senators Gregg, Sununu renovation and equipment. HRSA............................ Saint Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston, TX, for renovation and equipment.................... 150,000 Senator Hutchison HRSA............................ Saint Luke's Hospital, Allentown Campus, Allentown, PA, for renovation and equipment.......... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Saint Mary Medical Center, Langhorne, PA, for renovations and construction.................... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Saint Mary's Hospital, Madison, WI for equipment at the Sun Prairie Emergency Center.......... 300,000 Senator Kohl HRSA............................ Saint Patrick Hospital and Health Sciences Center, Missoula, MT, for construction, renovation 150,000 Senator Baucus and equipment. HRSA............................ Saint Vincent Health Center, Erie, PA, for renovation and equipment........................... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Saint Vincent Healthcare Foundation, Billings, MT, for equipment for the Pediatric Project.... 150,000 Senator Baucus HRSA............................ San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium, San Francisco, CA, for facilities and equipment.... 500,000 Senator Feinstein HRSA............................ Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Seattle, WA, for equipment............................. 250,000 Senator Murray HRSA............................ Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Seattle, WA, for construction, renovation and equipment......... 800,000 Senator Murray HRSA............................ Sedgwick County Government, Wichita, KS, for the Healthy Babies Program....................... 150,000 Senator Roberts HRSA............................ Sharon Regional Health System, Sharon, PA, for construction, renovation and equipment......... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Shawnee Mission Medical Center, for renovation and equipment.................................. 200,000 Senator Brownback HRSA............................ Shelby County, Memphis, TN, for construction, renovation and equipment........................ 500,000 Senators Alexander, Corker HRSA............................ Sinai Health System, Chicago, IL, for equipment............................................... 500,000 Senator Durbin HRSA............................ Siouxland Community Health Center, Sioux City, IA, for construction, renovation and equipment. 200,000 Senator Harkin HRSA............................ Sisters of Providence Health System, Springfield, MA, for construction of a new health clinic. 200,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry HRSA............................ Soldiers + Sailors Memorial Hospital, Wellsboro, PA, for renovations and equipment............ 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Somerset Hospital, Somerset, PA, for renovation and equipment................................. 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ South County Hospital, Wakefield, RI, for electronic health record project.................... 900,000 Senators Reed, Whitehouse HRSA............................ South Lane Mental Health, Cottage Grove, OR, for construction, renovation and equipment....... 150,000 Senators Smith, Wyden HRSA............................ South Shore Regional Health Information Organization, Quincy, MA, for the continued 150,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry development and deployment of an electronic medical recordkeeping system. HRSA............................ Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX, for construction, renovation and equipment......... 200,000 Senator Hutchison HRSA............................ Southern New Hampshire Medical Center, Nashua, NH, for electronic medical records technology, 425,000 Senators Gregg, Sununu including renovation and equipment. HRSA............................ Southern Utah University, Cedar City, UT, for construction, renovation and equipment.......... 400,000 Senator Bennett HRSA............................ Southern Vermont College, Bennington, VT, for a patient navigator program..................... 250,000 Senator Leahy HRSA............................ Southwestern Mental Health Center, Inc., Luverne, MN, for construction, renovation and 200,000 Senator Coleman equipment. HRSA............................ Sparks Regional Medical Center, Fort Smith, AR, to obtain equipment for the cancer center..... 1,000,000 Senators Lincoln, Pryor HRSA............................ Spokane County Medical Society Foundation, Spokane, WA, for Project Access.................... 100,000 Senator Murray HRSA............................ State of New Mexico, Santa Fe, NM, to collect and analyze data about the need and potential 100,000 Senator Bingaman locations for a dental school within the State. HRSA............................ Staten Island University Hospital, Staten Island, NY, for construction, renovation and 500,000 Senator Schumer equipment for the emergency department. HRSA............................ Stoughton Hospital, Stoughton, WI, for installation of a comprehensive electronic health 300,000 Senator Kohl records system. HRSA............................ Straub Hospital Burn Center, Honolulu, HI, for equipment...................................... 100,000 Senator Inouye HRSA............................ Sullivan County Medical Center, Laporte, PA, for renovation and equipment..................... 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Sumter Regional Hospital, Americus, GA, for construction, renovation and equipment............ 100,000 Senators Isakson, Chambliss HRSA............................ Susquehanna Health, Williamsport, PA, for renovation and equipment............................ 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Swope Health Quindaro, KS, for an electronic medical records system, including equipment 250,000 Senator Brownback acquisition and renovation. HRSA............................ Systems Unlimited, Inc., Iowa City, IA, for construction, renovation, and equipment........... 250,000 Senators Harkin, Grassley HRSA............................ Tabitha, Inc., d.b.a., Tabitha Health Care Services, Lincoln, NE, for equipment............... 800,000 Senator Ben Nelson HRSA............................ Temple University Health System, Philadelphia, PA, for renovations and equipment.............. 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville, TN, for construction and renovation.................... 500,000 Senator Alexander HRSA............................ Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, for renovation and equipment....................... 200,000 Senator Hutchison HRSA............................ Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, for construction, renovation and equipment............ 150,000 Senator Hutchison HRSA............................ Texas Health Institute, Austin, TX, for renovation and equipment.............................. 200,000 Senator Hutchison HRSA............................ The Lakes Community Health Center, Iron River, WI, for construction, renovation and equipment. 300,000 Senator Kohl HRSA............................ The Manor, Jonesville, MI, for construction of a Treatment and Counseling Center.............. 600,000 Senators Levin, Stabenow HRSA............................ Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA, for renovation and equipment.......... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, for renovation and equipment................... 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Thundermist Health Center, West Warwick, RI, for construction, renovation and equipment....... 350,000 Senators Reed, Whitehouse HRSA............................ Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, MS, for renovation and equipment.................................. 245,000 Senator Cochran HRSA............................ Touro University Nevada, Henderson, NV, for construction of a Gerontology Center.............. 400,000 Senator Reid HRSA............................ Towson University, Baltimore, MD, for a Center for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders...... 500,000 Senator Cardin HRSA............................ Trinity Health, Minot, ND, for the Rural Radiology Outreach Initiative, including equipment... 850,000 Senators Dorgan, Conrad HRSA............................ Tri-Town Community Economic Opportunity Committee, Johnston, RI, for construction, equipment 350,000 Senator Reed and renovation of health care facilities. HRSA............................ Tufts New England Medical Center, Boston, MA, for construction, renovation and equipment...... 200,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry HRSA............................ Tyrone Hospital, Tyrone, PA, for construction, renovation and equipment....................... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ UMass Memorial Healthcare, Boston, MA, for upgrades to information technology................. 250,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry HRSA............................ United Community Health Center, Storm Lake, IA, for construction, renovation and equipment.... 200,000 Senator Harkin HRSA............................ University Medical Center at Brackenridge, Austin, TX, for renovation and equipment........... 150,000 Senator Hutchison HRSA............................ University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa, AL, for construction, renovation and equipment. 9,400,000 Senator Shelby HRSA............................ University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa, AL, for physician recruitment programs......... 250,000 Senator Sessions HRSA............................ University of Delaware, Newark, DE, for the Delaware Biotechnology Institute, including 200,000 Senators Carper, Biden equipment. HRSA............................ University of Dubuque, Dubuque, IA, for construction of a community wellness center........... 500,000 Senators Harkin, Grassley HRSA............................ University of Georgia, Athens, GA, for construction, renovation and equipment................. 100,000 Senator Chambliss HRSA............................ University of Hawaii at Hilo, Honolulu, HI, for a nurse training program...................... 150,000 Senator Inouye HRSA............................ University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, for the Iowa Institute for Biomedical Discovery............ 2,000,000 Senators Harkin, Grassley HRSA............................ University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, for the School of Public Health............................ 1,000,000 Senators Harkin, Grassley HRSA............................ University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, for renovation and equipment............ 300,000 Senator Roberts HRSA............................ University of Kentucky Research Foundation, Lexington, KY, for construction, renovation, and 2,000,000 Senator McConnell equipment at the University of Kentucky College of Nursing. HRSA............................ University of Kentucky Research Foundation, Lexington, KY, for renovation and equipment....... 1,500,000 Senator McConnell HRSA............................ University of Kentucky Research Foundation, Lexington, KY, to establish a program to reduce 1,000,000 Senator McConnell the risk of hearth disease in rural areas. HRSA............................ University of Louisiana at Monroe, Monroe, LA, to purchase a mobile dental unit for use in 400,000 Senators Landrieu, Vitter rural Loui- siana. HRSA............................ University of Louisville Research Foundation, Louisville, KY, for construction, renovation and 1,000,000 Senator McConnell equipment. HRSA............................ University of Louisville Research Foundation, Louisville, KY, for construction, renovation and 6,000,000 Senator McConnell equipment to expand cardiovascular facilities. HRSA............................ University of Louisville Research Foundation, Louisville, KY, for renovation and equipment to 2,000,000 Senator McConnell support the computational biology initiative. HRSA............................ University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, for equipment for the Virginia Regional Medical 100,000 Senator Klobuchar Center. HRSA............................ University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, for construction, renovation and 3,000,000 Senators Cochran, Wicker equipment for the Arthur C. Guyton Laboratory Building. HRSA............................ University of Mississippi School of Pharmacy, Oxford, MS, for construction, renovation and 6,000,000 Senator Cochran equipment. HRSA............................ University of Mississippi, National Center for Natural Products Research, MS, for 1,000,000 Senators Cochran, Wicker construction, renovation and equipment for Phase II of the National Center for Natural Products Research--Drug Development, Construction. HRSA............................ University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, for the Center for Pharmaceutical Marketing and 250,000 Senator Cochran Management. HRSA............................ University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, for the Center for Thermal Pharmaceutical Processing... 650,000 Senators Cochran, Wicker HRSA............................ University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno, NV, for the Center for Molecular Medicine, 500,000 Senator Reid including equipment. HRSA............................ University of New England, Biddeford, ME, for technology upgrades, including the purchase of 350,000 Senators Snowe, Collins equip- ment. HRSA............................ University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, for construction, renovation and 175,000 Senator Dole equipment. HRSA............................ University of North Texas, Denton, TX, for construction, renovation and equipment............. 250,000 Senator Hutchison HRSA............................ University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, for renovation and equipment.............................. 150,000 Senator Inhofe HRSA............................ University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, for construction, renovation 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey and equipment. HRSA............................ University of Pittsburgh (Simmons Center), Pittsburgh, PA, for construction, renovation and 100,000 Senator Specter equipment. HRSA............................ University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, for construction, renovations, and 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey equipment. HRSA............................ University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA, for renovation and equipment......... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ University of South Dakota, Vermilion, SD, for construction and equipment..................... 300,000 Senator Johnson HRSA............................ University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS, for construction, renovation and 1,600,000 Senator Cochran equipment, including design. HRSA............................ University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, for renovation and equipment....................... 400,000 Senator Hutchison HRSA............................ University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, for construction, 300,000 Senator Hutchison renovation and equipment. HRSA............................ University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler, Tyler, TX, for renovation and equipment... 250,000 Senator Hutchison HRSA............................ University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, for renovation and equipment.... 200,000 Senator Hutchison HRSA............................ University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, for renovation and equipment for 250,000 Senator Hutchison the center for targeted therapy. HRSA............................ University of Washington, Seattle, WA, for the Bothell nursing consortium..................... 100,000 Senator Cantwell HRSA............................ University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Eau Claire, WI, to expand the Campus Autism Program, 280,000 Senator Kohl including facilities. HRSA............................ University of Wyoming, Center for Rural Health Research and Education, Laramie, WY, for health 250,000 Senator Barrasso information technology. HRSA............................ Utah Department of Health, Salt Lake City, UT, for health education and screening for citizens 400,000 Senators Bennett, Hatch exposed to uranium mill tailings. HRSA............................ Utah Department of Health, Salt Lake City, UT, for renovation and equipment................... 300,000 Senators Bennett, Hatch HRSA............................ Vermont Information Technology Leaders, Montpelier, VT, for the implementation of a statewide 1,000,000 Senator Leahy electronic medical record system. HRSA............................ Volunteers of America, Dakotas, Sioux Falls, SD, for construction and program expansion of 750,000 Senator Johnson residential drug treatment. HRSA............................ Wake County, Raleigh, NC, for construction, renovation and equipment.......................... 200,000 Senators Dole, Burr HRSA............................ Washington County, Plymouth, NC, for construction, renovation and equipment................... 125,000 Senator Dole HRSA............................ Washington State University, Spokane, WA, to support distance learning at the Nursing College. 1,000,000 Senator Murray HRSA............................ Wayne Memorial Hospital, Honesdale, PA, for renovations and equipment......................... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Wayne Memorial Hospital, Jesup, GA, for construction, renovation and equipment................ 100,000 Senators Chambliss, Isakson HRSA............................ Weber County, Ogden, UT, for renovation and equipment to improve health literacy.............. 200,000 Senators Bennett, Hatch HRSA............................ Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, Dover, NH, for electronic medical records technology, including 425,000 Senators Gregg, Sununu renovation and equipment. HRSA............................ Wesley College, Dover, DE, for renovation and equipping of the nursing school................. 350,000 Senators Carper, Biden HRSA............................ West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, for construction of a Multiple Sclerosis Center..... 3,500,000 Senator Byrd HRSA............................ WestCare Nevada, Inc., Las Vegas, NV, for construction and renovation at the Community Triage 150,000 Senator Reid Center. HRSA............................ Westchester County Department of Labs & Research, Valhalla, NY, for construction, renovation 750,000 Senator Schumer and equipment. HRSA............................ Westminster College, Salt Lake City, UT, for renovation and equipment......................... 300,000 Senator Bennett HRSA............................ Westside Healthcare Association, Milwaukee, WI, for construction at the Lisbon Avenue Health 300,000 Senator Kohl Center. HRSA............................ White River Medical Center, Batesville, AR, for construction, renovation and equipment........ 1,000,000 Senators Lincoln, Pryor HRSA............................ Whittier Street Health Center, Roxbury, MA, for construction of a new medical facility........ 200,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry HRSA............................ William Penn University, Oskaloosa, IA, for the Nursing and Sciences Teaching Laboratories.... 500,000 Senators Harkin, Grassley HRSA............................ Wills Eye Health System, Philadelphia, PA, for renovation and equipment....................... 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Windemere Rehabilitation Center, Oak Bluffs, MA, for construction, renovation and equipment... 250,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry HRSA............................ Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA, for renovation and equipment.............................. 100,000 Senator Specter HRSA............................ Wolfson Children's Hospital, Jacksonville, FL, to purchase equipment.......................... 250,000 Senators Bill Nelson, Martinez HRSA............................ World Impact's Good Samaritan Clinic, Wichita, KS, for construction, renovation and equipment. 150,000 Senators Roberts, Brownback HRSA............................ Wyoming Valley Health Care System Hospital, Wilkes-Barre, PA, for renovation and equipment.... 100,000 Senators Specter, Casey HRSA............................ Xavier University, New Orleans, LA, for design and construction for the Industry Center for 400,000 Senators Landrieu, Vitter Pharmaceutical Bioscience/Biotech Infrastructure. HRSA............................ Yukon-Kuskokwin Health Corporation, Bethel, AK, for renovation and equipment.................. 1,550,000 Senator Stevens OMH............................. Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA, for the continued 250,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry development of a program to reduce health disparities and infant mortality. OS.............................. Community Transportation Association of America, Washington, DC, for technical assistance to 750,000 Senator Harkin human services transportation providers on ADA requirements. Rehab Services.................. Alaska Adaptive Recreation Alliance, Anchorage, AK, for programs to provide adaptive and 600,000 Senator Stevens therapeutic recreation to the disabled in Alaska. Rehab Services.................. Alaska Statewide Independent Living Council, Anchorage, AK, for independent living programs 300,000 Senator Stevens for rural and remote areas. Rehab Services.................. Arc of New London County, Norwich, CT, for adult vocational training.......................... 250,000 Senators Dodd, Lieberman Rehab Services.................. Cumberland Perry Association for Retarded Citizens, Carlisle, PA, to support educational 100,000 Senator Specter programming for young adults with disabilities. Rehab Services.................. Enable America, Inc., Tampa, Florida, for civic/citizenship demonstration project for disabled 600,000 Senator Harkin adults. SSR............................. A+ For Abstinence, Waynesboro, PA, for abstinence education and related services.............. 25,000 Senator Specter SSR............................. Catholic Social Services, Wilkes Barre, PA, for abstinence education and related services..... 25,000 Senator Specter SSR............................. City of Chester, Bureau of Health, Chester, PA, for abstinence education and related services. 25,000 Senator Specter SSR............................. Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies, Wethersfield, CT, for the Empowering People 400,000 Senators Dodd, Lieberman for Success welfare-to-work initiative. SSR............................. Creative Visions in Des Moines, IA, for a family unification project for incarcerated 150,000 Senator Harkin individuals. SSR............................. Crozer Chester Medical Center, Upland, PA, for abstinence education and related services...... 25,000 Senator Specter SSR............................. Desormeaux Foundation, Lafayette, LA, for an expectant mother education and aid program....... 100,000 Senator Vitter SSR............................. Elijah's Promise, New Brunswick, NJ, for the Healthy Kitchens-Healthy Lives program........... 50,000 Senators Lautenberg, Menendez SSR............................. Family Services and Childrens Aid Society, Oil City, PA, for abstinence education and related 25,000 Senator Specter services. SSR............................. Family, Inc., Council Bluffs, IA, for the FAMILY program...................................... 350,000 Senators Harkin, Grassley SSR............................. Guidance Center, Ridgeway, PA, for abstinence education and related services.................. 25,000 Senator Specter SSR............................. Horizons for Homeless Children, Roxbury, MA, for continued development of programs designed to 150,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry support homeless children. SSR............................. Iowans for Social and Economic Development [ISED], Des Moines, IA, for a Comprehensive Asset 200,000 Senator Harkin Development Project. SSR............................. Keystone Central School District, Mill Hall, PA, for abstinence education and related serv- 25,000 Senator Specter ices. SSR............................. Keystone Economic Development Corporation, Johnstown, PA, for abstinence education and related 25,000 Senator Specter services. SSR............................. LaSalle University, Philadelphia, PA, for abstinence education and related services........... 25,000 Senator Specter SSR............................. Local Initiatives Support Coalition Rhode Island, Providence, RI, for child care professional 200,000 Senator Reed development and programmatic activities. SSR............................. Louisiana Association of United Ways, New Orleans, LA, to expand the capacity of the Louisiana 400,000 Senators Landrieu, Vitter 2-1-1 system. SSR............................. Marcus Institute, Atlanta, GA, for services for children and adolescents with developmental 100,000 Senators Isakson, Chambliss disabilities. SSR............................. Monterey County Probation Department, Salinas, CA, for a gang prevention and intervention 1,500,000 Senator Feinstein program. SSR............................. My Choice, Inc., Athens, PA, for abstinence education and related services.................... 25,000 Senator Specter SSR............................. Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Inc., HEMPSTEAD, NY, to provide legal 400,000 Senator Schumer services to low-income victims of domestic violence. SSR............................. Neighborhood United Against Drugs, Philadelphia, PA, for abstinence education and related 25,000 Senator Specter services. SSR............................. New Brighton School District, Brighton, PA, for abstinence education and related services..... 25,000 Senator Specter SSR............................. Nueva Esperanza, Philadelphia, PA, for abstinence education and related services.............. 25,000 Senator Specter SSR............................. Ohio United Way, Columbus, OH, to expand the capacity of the 2-1-1 system..................... 400,000 Senator Brown SSR............................. One Family, Inc., Boston, MA, for continued development of programs to designed to end family 250,000 Senators Kennedy, Kerry homelessness. SSR............................. Progressive Believers Ministries, Glenside, PA, for abstinence education and related services. 25,000 Senator Specter SSR............................. School District of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, for abstinence education and related 25,000 Senator Specter services. SSR............................. Shepherd's Maternity House, Inc., East Stroudsburg, PA, for abstinence education and related 25,000 Senator Specter services. SSR............................. Sheriffs Youth Programs of Minnesota, Inver Grove Heights, MN, for expansion and related 150,000 Senators Coleman, Klobuchar expenses for foster care services. SSR............................. Simpson College, Indianola, IA, for Urban Studies Institute................................... 200,000 Senator Harkin SSR............................. Southern Penobscot Regional Program for Children with Exceptionalities, Bangor, ME, for 200,000 Senators Snowe, Collins services for families with autistic children. SSR............................. Tender Care Pregnancy Center, Inc., Hanover, PA, for abstinence education and related services 25,000 Senator Specter SSR............................. The Jimmie Hale Mission, Birmingham, AL, for services for homeless families................... 100,000 Senator Sessions SSR............................. TLC for Children and Families, Inc, Olathe, KS, for a transitional living program for at-risk 200,000 Senator Brownback youth. SSR............................. Tuscarora Intermediate Unit, McVeytown, PA, for abstinence education and related services..... 25,000 Senator Specter SSR............................. United Way of the Capital Area, Jackson, MS, for 2-1-1 Mississippi for social services 250,000 Senator Cochran programs. SSR............................. Urban Family Council, Philadelphia, PA, for abstinence education and related services......... 25,000 Senator Specter SSR............................. Washington Hospital Teen Outreach, Washington, PA, for abstinence education and related 25,000 Senator Specter services. SSR............................. Women's Care Center of Erie County, Inc., Erie, PA, for abstinence education and related 25,000 Senator Specter services. SSR............................. York County Human Life Services, York, PA, for abstinence education and related services...... 25,000 Senator Specter SSR............................. Zuni Tribe, Zuni, NM, for a program to assist foster children................................. 275,000 Senator Bingaman NATIONAL PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES DOL Departmental Management..... International Program for the Elimination of Child Labor for the U.S. contribution to a 42,784,000 Senator Harkin multinational effort to combat child labor, consistent with Executive Order 12216 and the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2005. ETA............................. Denali Commission for job training activities under the Denali Commission Act of 1998......... 6,754,894 Senator Stevens FIE............................. Reach Out and Read for literacy activities.................................................... 3,930,000 Senators Cochran, Bennett, Domenici, Durbin, Lautenberg, Leahy, Reed, Akaka, Bingaman, Boxer, Brown, Bunning, Burr, Cantwell, Casey, Chambliss, Clinton, Coleman, Collins, Cornyn, Dodd, Dole, Graham, Grassley, Hatch, Kennedy, Kerry, Klobuchar, Levin, Lincoln, Lugar, Martinez, Menendez, Murkowski, Bill Nelson, Pryor, Rockefeller, Salazar, Sanders, Schumer, Sessions, Smith, Snowe, Stabenow, Voinovich, Whitehouse, Wyden FIE............................. Teach for America for recruiting and training recent college graduates to teach in high-need 11,790,000 Senators Harkin, Cochran, Durbin, Kohl, schools. Lautenberg, Mikulski, Boxer, Burr, Casey, Clinton, Dole, Kerry, Lieberman, Lincoln, Menendez, Reid, Schumer, Snowe, Stabenow Higher Education................ Thurgood Marshall Legal Scholarships Program for activities authorized under the Higher 2,895,000 Senator Cochran Education Act. HRSA............................ Delta Health Alliance, Inc. to improve the delivery of public health services in the 25,000,000 Senator Cochran Mississippi Delta region under title III of the Public Health Service Act. HRSA............................ Denali Commission to support health projects and economic development activities for the 38,597,000 Senator Stevens arctic region under the Denali Commission Act of 1998. HRSA............................ Native Hawaiian Health Care to provide primary health promotion and disease prevention 13,952,000 Senators Inouye, Akaka services to Native Hawaiians through regional clinics under the Native Hawaiian Health Care Act of 1988. Innovation and Improvement...... Close Up Fellowships Program for activities authorized under the Elementary and Secondary 1,942,000 Senators Harkin, Lautenberg Education Act. Innovation and Improvement...... Exchanges with Historic Whaling and Trading Partners Program for activities authorized under 8,754,000 Senators Cochran, Inouye, Stevens, Akaka, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Kennedy Innovation and Improvement...... John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for activities in the Arts in Education program 6,183,000 Senators Bennett, Bingaman, Kennedy authorized by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Innovation and Improvement...... National Board for Professional Teaching Standards for activities authorized under the 10,649,000 Senators Harkin, Cochran, Bennett, Wicker Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Innovation and Improvement...... National Writing Project for activities authorized under the Elementary and Secondary 23,581,000 Senators Cochran, Bennett, Domenici, Durbin, Education Act. Johnson, Lautenberg, Leahy, Reed, Akaka, Baucus, Biden, Bingaman, Boxer, Bunning, Cardin, Casey, Clinton, Coleman, Collins, Dodd, Dole, Hagel, Kennedy, Kerry, Klobuchar, Levin, Lieberman, Lincoln, Lugar, Menendez, Pryor, Rockefeller, Sanders, Schumer, Smith, Snowe, Stabenow, Whitehouse, Wicker, Wyden Innovation and Improvement...... Reading is Fundamental for literacy activities................................................ 24,606,000 Senators Cochran, Bennett, Durbin, Gregg, Johnson, Leahy, Akaka, Baucus, Bennett, Bingaman, Boxer, Brown, Bunning, Cantwell, Cardin, Casey, Clinton, Coleman, Collins, Dodd, Dole, Ensign, Graham, Gregg, Hatch, Kennedy, Kerry, Klobuchar, Lautenberg, Levin, Lieberman, Lincoln, Lugar, Martinez, Menendez, Murkowski, Bill Nelson, Pryor, Roberts, Rockefeller, Salazar, Sanders, Schumer, Sessions, Smith, Snowe, Stabenow, Tester, Voinovich, Warner, Webb, Whitehouse, Wicker, Wyden Innovation and Improvement...... VSA arts for activities in the Arts in Education program authorized by the Elementary and 7,954,000 Senators Cochran, Bennett, Bingaman, Kennedy Secondary Education Act. Mine Safety and Health United Mine Workers of America for mine rescue team training activities authorized under the 1,900,000 Senators Specter, Byrd Administration. Mine Safety and Health Act. Occupational Safety and Health Institutional Competency Grants under the Susan Harwood Training Program authorized under the 3,200,000 Senators Harkin, Specter Administration. Occupational Safety and Health Act. Safe Schools and Citizenship Center for Civic Education for two programs--We the People and Cooperative Education Exchange-- 24,504,000 Senators Cochran, Durbin, Feinstein, Education. that are authorized in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act as part of the Civic Johnson, Leahy, Reed, Akaka, Baucus, Bayh, Education Program. Biden, Bingaman, Boxer, Brown, Bunning, Cantwell, Cardin, Clinton, Coleman, Collins, Dodd, Dole, Ensign, Graham, Hagel, Kennedy, Kerry, Kyl, Levin, Lieberman, Lincoln, Lugar, Martinez, Menendez, Murkowski, Bill Nelson, Pryor, Roberts, Rockefeller, Salazar, Schumer, Smith, Snowe, Sessions, Stabenow, Tester, Webb, Whitehouse, Wicker, Wyden Safe Schools and Citizenship National Council on Economic Education for the Cooperative Education Exchange program, which 4,448,000 Senators Cochran, Durbin, Feinstein, Education. is authorized in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act as part of the Civic Education Johnson, Leahy, Reed, Akaka, Baucus, Bayh, Program. Biden, Bingaman, Boxer, Brown, Bunning, Cantwell, Cardin, Clinton, Coleman, Collins, Dodd, Dole, Ensign, Graham, Hagel, Kennedy, Kerry, Kyl, Levin, Lieberman, Lincoln, Lugar, Martinez, Menendez, Murkowski, Bill Nelson, Pryor, Roberts, Rockefeller, Salazar, Schumer, Smith, Snowe, Sessions, Stabenow, Tester, Webb, Whitehouse, Wicker, Wyden School Improvement.............. Alaska Native Educational Equity for activities authorized under the Elementary and Secondary 33,315,000 Senators Inouye, Stevens Education Act. School Improvement.............. Education for Native Hawaiians for activities authorized under the Elementary and Secondary 33,315,000 Senators Inouye, Stevens, Akaka Education Act. Special Education............... Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, Inc. for development, production, and circulation of 13,500,000 Senators Harkin, Specter recorded educational materials as authorized under section 674(c)(1)(D) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Special Education............... Special Olympics for Special Olympics educational programs that can be integrated into 11,790,000 Senators Harkin, Craig, Ben Nelson classroom instruction and for activities to increase the participation of individuals with intellectual disabilities, as authorized under the Special Olympics Sport and Empowerment Act. Special Education............... Washington Educational Television Association for a national program to provide information on 1,474,000 Senator Cochran diagnosis, intervention, and teaching strategies for children with disabilities authorized under Public Law 105-78. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008 AND BUDGET ESTIMATES AND AMOUNTS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009 [In thousands of dollars] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Senate Committee recommendation Committee compared with (+ or -) Item 2008 comparable Budget estimate recommendation ----------------------------------- 2008 comparable Budget estimate -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TITLE I -- DEPARTMENT OF LABOR EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES Grants to States: Adult Training, current year.............................. 149,540 ................ 152,199 +2,659 +152,199 Advance from prior year............................... (699,561) (712,000) (712,000) (+12,439) ................ Fiscal year 2010...................................... 712,000 712,000 712,000 ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adult Training...................................... 861,540 712,000 864,199 +2,659 +152,199 Youth Training............................................ 924,069 840,500 930,500 +6,431 +90,000 Dislocated Worker Assistance, current year................ 335,840 94,956 351,811 +15,971 +256,855 Advance from prior year............................... (833,185) (848,000) (848,000) (+14,815) ................ Fiscal year 2010...................................... 848,000 848,000 848,000 ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dislocated Worker Assistance........................ 1,183,840 942,956 1,199,811 +15,971 +256,855 ========================================================================================= Subtotal, Grants to States........................ 2,969,449 2,495,456 2,994,510 +25,061 +499,054 Current Year.................................. (1,409,449) (935,456) (1,434,510) (+25,061) (+499,054) Fiscal year 2010.............................. (1,560,000) (1,560,000) (1,560,000) ................ ................ Federally Administered Programs: Dislocated Worker Assistance National Reserve: Current year.......................................... 68,867 68,867 70,092 +1,225 +1,225 Advance from prior year............................... (208,296) (212,000) (212,000) (+3,704) ................ Fiscal year 2010...................................... 212,000 212,000 212,000 ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dislocated Worker Assistance Nat'l Reserve.......... 280,867 280,867 282,092 +1,225 +1,225 Less Community-based Job Training Grants (NA)......... (-122,816) ................ (-125,000) (-2,184) (-125,000) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dislocated Worker Assistance Nat'l Reserve.......... 158,051 280,867 157,092 -959 -123,775 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Dislocated Worker Assistance............... 1,464,707 1,223,823 1,481,903 +17,196 +258,080 Native Americans.......................................... 52,758 45,000 52,758 ................ +7,758 Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers.......................... 79,668 ................ 82,740 +3,072 +82,740 Women in apprenticeship................................... 983 ................ 983 ................ +983 YouthBuild................................................ 58,952 50,000 58,952 ................ +8,952 ========================================================================================= Subtotal, Federally Administered Programs............... 473,228 375,867 477,525 +4,297 +101,658 Current Year........................................ (261,228) (163,867) (265,525) (+4,297) (+101,658) Fiscal year 2010.................................... (212,000) (212,000) (212,000) ................ ................ National Activities: Pilots, Demonstrations and Research................... 48,508 16,000 31,438 -17,070 +15,438 Reintegration of Ex-Offenders......................... 73,493 39,600 103,493 +30,000 +63,893 Evaluation............................................ 4,835 9,000 4,835 ................ -4,165 Community-based Job Training Grants................... ................ 125,000 ................ ................ -125,000 Community-based Job Training Grants (NA)\1\....... (122,816) ................ (125,000) (+2,184) (+125,000) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, program level......................... 122,816 125,000 125,000 +2,184 ................ Denali Commission..................................... 6,755 ................ 6,755 ................ +6,755 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, National activities....................... 133,591 189,600 146,521 +12,930 -43,079 ========================================================================================= Total, Training and Employment Services............. 3,576,268 3,060,923 3,618,556 +42,288 +557,633 Current Year.................................... (1,804,268) (1,288,923) (1,846,556) (+42,288) (+557,633) Fiscal year 2010................................ (1,772,000) (1,772,000) (1,772,000) ................ ................ COMMUNITY SERVICE EMPLOYMENT FOR OLDER AMERICANS.............. 521,625 350,000 571,925 +50,300 +221,925 FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES.................. 888,700 958,800 958,800 +70,100 ................ STATE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OPERATIONS Unemployment Insurance (UI): State Operations.......................................... 2,454,134 2,583,145 2,782,145 +328,011 +199,000 Additional UI Program Integrity........................... ................ 40,000 40,000 +40,000 ................ National Activities....................................... 9,727 12,893 9,727 ................ -3,166 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Unemployment Insurance........................ 2,463,861 2,636,038 2,831,872 +368,011 +195,834 Employment Service: Allotments to States: Federal Funds......................................... 22,483 ................ 22,883 +400 +22,883 Trust Funds........................................... 680,893 ................ 680,893 ................ +680,893 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Allotments to States...................... 703,376 ................ 703,776 +400 +703,776 ES National Activities.................................... 19,677 20,026 20,026 +349 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Employment Service............................ 723,053 20,026 723,802 +749 +703,776 Federal Funds....................................... 22,483 ................ 22,883 +400 +22,883 Trust Funds......................................... 700,570 20,026 700,919 +349 +680,893 Foreign Labor Certification: Federal Administration.................................... 41,487 59,497 54,497 +13,010 -5,000 Grants to States.......................................... 12,517 18,473 15,740 +3,223 -2,733 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Foreign Labor Certification................... 54,004 77,970 70,237 +16,233 -7,733 One-Stop Career Centers/Labor Market Information.............. 52,059 48,880 52,059 ................ +3,179 Work Incentives Grants........................................ 14,393 ................ 14,393 ................ +14,393 ========================================================================================= Total, State Unemployment & Employment Services......... 3,307,370 2,782,914 3,692,363 +384,993 +909,449 Federal Funds....................................... 88,935 48,880 89,335 +400 +40,455 Trust Funds......................................... (3,218,435) (2,734,034) (3,603,028) (+384,593) (+868,994) ADVANCES TO THE UI AND OTHER TRUST FUNDS\2\................... 437,000 422,000 422,000 -15,000 ................ PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION Adult Employment and Training................................. 42,683 48,544 42,683 ................ -5,861 Trust Funds............................................... 7,709 8,655 7,709 ................ -946 Youth Employment and Training................................. 10,789 12,932 10,789 ................ -2,143 Employment Security........................................... 6,243 3,705 3,705 -2,538 ................ Trust Funds............................................... 34,168 37,023 37,023 +2,855 ................ Apprenticeship Services....................................... 21,166 23,130 21,166 ................ -1,964 Executive Direction........................................... 6,025 7,734 6,025 ................ -1,709 Trust Funds............................................... 2,053 2,288 2,053 ................ -235 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Program Administration........................... 130,836 144,011 131,153 +317 -12,858 Federal Funds....................................... 86,906 96,045 84,368 -2,538 -11,677 Trust Funds......................................... 43,930 47,966 46,785 +2,855 -1,181 ========================================================================================= Total, Employment and Training Administration........... 8,861,799 7,718,648 9,394,797 +532,998 +1,676,149 Federal Funds....................................... 5,599,434 4,936,648 5,744,984 +145,550 +808,336 Current Year.................................... (3,827,434) (3,164,648) (3,972,984) (+145,550) (+808,336) Fiscal year 2010................................ (1,772,000) (1,772,000) (1,772,000) ................ ................ Trust Funds......................................... 3,262,365 2,782,000 3,649,813 +387,448 +867,813 EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SECURITY ADMINISTRATION SALARIES AND EXPENSES Enforcement and Participant Assistance\3\..................... 116,590 122,792 116,590 ................ -6,202 Policy and Compliance Assistance.............................. 17,545 18,851 17,545 ................ -1,306 Executive Leadership, Program Oversight and Admin............. 5,178 6,228 5,178 ................ -1,050 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, EBSA............................................. 139,313 147,871 139,313 ................ -8,558 PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION\3\ Pension insurance activities.................................. (74,884) (68,548) (68,548) (-6,336) ................ Pension plan termination...................................... (218,553) (240,406) (240,406) (+21,853) ................ Operational support........................................... (133,210) (135,768) (135,768) (+2,558) ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, PBGC (Program level)............................. (426,647) (444,722) (444,722) (+18,075) ................ EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS ADMINISTRATION SALARIES AND EXPENSES Enforcement of Wage and Hour Standards........................ 175,658 193,092 193,092 +17,434 ................ Office of Labor-Management Standards.......................... 44,938 58,256 44,938 ................ -13,318 Federal Contractor EEO Standards Enforcement.................. 81,001 89,013 81,001 ................ -8,012 Federal Programs for Workers' Compensation.................... 100,086 108,031 100,086 ................ -7,945 Trust Funds............................................... 2,022 2,179 2,022 ................ -157 Program Direction and Support................................. 17,220 18,089 17,220 ................ -869 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, ESA salaries and expenses........................ 420,925 468,660 438,359 +17,434 -30,301 Federal Funds....................................... 418,903 466,481 436,337 +17,434 -30,144 Trust Funds......................................... 2,022 2,179 2,022 ................ -157 SPECIAL BENEFITS Federal employees' compensation benefits...................... 200,000 160,000 160,000 -40,000 ................ Longshore and harbor workers' benefits........................ 3,000 3,000 3,000 ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Special Benefits................................. 203,000 163,000 163,000 -40,000 ................ SPECIAL BENEFITS FOR DISABLED COAL MINERS Benefit payments.............................................. 271,000 245,000 245,000 -26,000 ................ Administration................................................ 5,221 5,130 5,130 -91 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, fiscal year 2009 program level................ 276,221 250,130 250,130 -26,091 ................ Less funds advanced in prior year................... -68,000 -62,000 -62,000 +6,000 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Current Year, fiscal year 2009................... 208,221 188,130 188,130 -20,091 ................ New advances, 1st quarter fiscal year 2010.......... 62,000 56,000 56,000 -6,000 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Special Benefits for Disabled Coal Miners........ 270,221 244,130 244,130 -26,091 ................ ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES, ENERGY EMPLOYEES OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESS COMPENSATION FUND Part B Administrative Expenses................................ 49,387 49,654 49,654 +267 ................ BLACK LUNG DISABILITY TRUST FUND Benefit payments and interest on advances..................... 1,009,763 1,014,317 1,014,317 +4,554 ................ Employment Standards Admin., Salaries and expenses............ 32,761 32,308 32,308 -453 ................ Departmental Management, Salaries and expenses................ 24,785 24,694 24,694 -91 ................ Departmental Management, Inspector General.................... 335 325 325 -10 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Black Lung Disability......................... 1,067,644 1,071,644 1,071,644 +4,000 ................ Treasury Department Administrative Costs...................... 356 356 356 ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Black Lung Disability Trust Fund................. 1,068,000 1,072,000 1,072,000 +4,000 ................ ========================================================================================= Total, Employment Standards Administration.............. 2,011,533 1,997,444 1,967,143 -44,390 -30,301 Federal Funds....................................... 2,009,511 1,995,265 1,965,121 -44,390 -30,144 Current year.................................... (1,947,511) (1,939,265) (1,909,121) (-38,390) (-30,144) Fiscal year 2010................................ (62,000) (56,000) (56,000) (-6,000) ................ Trust Funds......................................... 2,022 2,179 2,022 ................ -157 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION (OSHA) SALARIES AND EXPENSES Safety and Health Standards................................... 16,597 17,204 17,204 +607 ................ Federal Enforcement........................................... 182,136 194,000 195,000 +12,864 +1,000 State Programs................................................ 89,502 91,093 91,093 +1,591 ................ Technical Support............................................. 21,681 22,632 22,632 +951 ................ Compliance Assistance: Federal Assistance........................................ 71,390 76,541 71,390 ................ -5,151 State Consultation Grants................................. 52,425 54,531 52,425 ................ -2,106 Training Grants........................................... 9,939 ................ 9,939 ................ +9,939 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Compliance Assistance......................... 133,754 131,072 133,754 ................ +2,682 Safety and Health Statistics.................................. 31,522 34,128 34,128 +2,606 ................ Executive Direction and Administration........................ 10,809 11,545 10,809 ................ -736 ========================================================================================= Total, OSHA............................................. 486,001 501,674 504,620 +18,619 +2,946 MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION SALARIES AND EXPENSES Coal Enforcement.............................................. 150,123 144,982 154,491 +4,368 +9,509 Metal/Non-Metal Enforcement................................... 74,420 82,427 82,427 +8,007 ................ Standards Development......................................... 3,180 2,831 2,831 -349 ................ Assessments................................................... 6,134 5,948 6,134 ................ +186 Educational Policy and Development............................ 36,239 36,366 38,605 +2,366 +2,239 Technical Support............................................. 29,476 29,117 30,117 +641 +1,000 Program evaluation and information resources [PEIR]........... 15,936 16,514 16,514 +578 ................ Program Administration........................................ 16,339 13,876 15,776 -563 +1,900 ========================================================================================= Total, Mine Safety and Health Administration............ 331,847 332,061 346,895 +15,048 +14,834 BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS SALARIES AND EXPENSES Employment and Unemployment Statistics........................ 167,542 183,906 183,906 +16,364 ................ Labor Market Information...................................... 75,721 78,264 82,764 +7,043 +4,500 Prices and Cost of Living..................................... 177,986 198,464 198,464 +20,478 ................ Compensation and Working Conditions........................... 82,251 86,281 87,281 +5,030 +1,000 Productivity and Technology................................... 10,870 11,706 11,706 +836 ................ Executive Direction and Staff Services........................ 30,431 34,185 34,185 +3,754 ................ ========================================================================================= Total, Bureau of Labor Statistics....................... 544,801 592,806 598,306 +53,505 +5,500 Federal Funds....................................... 469,080 514,542 515,542 +46,462 +1,000 Trust Funds......................................... 75,721 78,264 82,764 +7,043 +4,500 OFFICE OF DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT POLICY SALARIES AND EXPENSES......................................... 26,679 12,441 26,679 ................ +14,238 DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT SALARIES AND EXPENSES Executive Direction........................................... 22,831 29,714 22,831 ................ -6,883 Departmental IT Crosscut...................................... 19,651 29,846 22,659 +3,008 -7,187 Departmental Management Crosscut.............................. 491 758 758 +267 ................ Legal Services................................................ 89,020 100,532 100,532 +11,512 ................ Trust Funds............................................... 303 327 327 +24 ................ International Labor Affairs................................... 81,074 14,822 86,074 +5,000 +71,252 Administration and Management................................. 32,291 34,370 32,291 ................ -2,079 Adjudication.................................................. 27,056 30,064 27,056 ................ -3,008 Women's Bureau................................................ 9,660 10,237 10,237 +577 ................ Civil Rights Activities....................................... 6,332 7,038 6,332 ................ -706 Chief Financial Officer....................................... 5,243 5,775 5,243 ................ -532 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Salaries and expenses............................ 293,952 263,483 314,340 +20,388 +50,857 Federal Funds....................................... 293,649 263,156 314,013 +20,364 +50,857 Trust Funds......................................... 303 327 327 +24 ................ OFFICE OF JOB CORPS Administration................................................ 28,079 29,374 28,872 +793 -502 Operations.................................................... 878,733 834,325 916,684 +37,951 +82,359 Advance from prior year................................... (580,675) (591,000) (591,000) (+10,325) ................ Fiscal year 2010.......................................... 591,000 591,000 591,000 ................ ................ Construction and Renovation................................... 12,694 10,000 13,960 +1,266 +3,960 Advance from prior year................................... (98,253) (100,000) (100,000) (+1,747) ................ Fiscal year 2010.......................................... 100,000 100,000 100,000 ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Job Corps........................................ 1,610,506 1,564,699 1,650,516 +40,010 +85,817 Current Year........................................ (919,506) (873,699) (959,516) (+40,010) (+85,817) Fiscal year 2010.................................... (691,000) (691,000) (691,000) ................ ................ VETERANS EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING State administration, Grants.................................. 161,894 168,894 168,894 +7,000 ................ Federal Administration........................................ 33,282 34,625 34,625 +1,343 ................ National Veterans Training Institute.......................... 1,949 1,949 1,949 ................ ................ Homeless Veterans Program..................................... 23,620 25,620 25,620 +2,000 ................ Veterans Workforce Investment Programs........................ 7,351 7,351 7,351 ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Veterans Employment and Training................. 228,096 238,439 238,439 +10,343 ................ Federal Funds....................................... 30,971 32,971 32,971 +2,000 ................ Trust Funds......................................... 197,125 205,468 205,468 +8,343 ................ OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL Program Activities............................................ 68,848 76,326 76,326 +7,478 ................ Trust Funds............................................... 5,542 5,815 5,815 +273 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Office of the Inspector General.................. 74,390 82,141 82,141 +7,751 ................ Federal funds....................................... 68,848 76,326 76,326 +7,478 ................ Trust funds......................................... 5,542 5,815 5,815 +273 ................ ========================================================================================= Total, Departmental Management.......................... 2,206,944 2,148,762 2,285,436 +78,492 +136,674 Federal Funds....................................... 2,003,974 1,937,152 2,073,826 +69,852 +136,674 Current Year.................................... (1,312,974) (1,246,152) (1,382,826) (+69,852) (+136,674) Fiscal year 2010................................ (691,000) (691,000) (691,000) ................ ................ Trust Funds......................................... 202,970 211,610 211,610 +8,640 ................ ========================================================================================= Total, Title I, Department of Labor..................... 14,608,917 13,451,707 15,263,189 +654,272 +1,811,482 Federal Funds....................................... 11,065,839 10,377,654 11,316,980 +251,141 +939,326 Current Year.................................... (8,540,839) (7,858,654) (8,797,980) (+257,141) (+939,326) Fiscal year 2010................................ (2,525,000) (2,519,000) (2,519,000) (-6,000) ................ Trust Funds......................................... 3,543,078 3,074,053 3,946,209 +403,131 +872,156 TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES Bureau of Primary Health Care Community health centers...................................... 2,065,022 2,091,792 2,215,022 +150,000 +123,230 Free Clinics Medical Malpractice.............................. 39 40 39 ................ -1 National Hansen's Disease Program............................. 15,693 16,109 16,109 +416 ................ Buildings and Facilities.................................. 157 100 100 -57 ................ Payment to Hawaii, treatment of Hansen's...................... 1,961 1,976 1,976 +15 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Bureau of Primary Health Care................. 2,082,872 2,110,017 2,233,246 +150,374 +123,229 Bureau of Health Professions National Health Service Corps: Field placements.......................................... 39,736 25,729 39,736 ................ +14,007 Recruitment............................................... 83,741 95,230 95,230 +11,489 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, National Health Service Corps................. 123,477 120,959 134,966 +11,489 +14,007 Health Professions Health Professions, Training for Diversity: Centers of excellence..................................... 12,773 ................ 12,773 ................ +12,773 Health careers opportunity program........................ 9,825 ................ 9,825 ................ +9,825 Faculty loan repayment.................................... 1,266 ................ 1,266 ................ +1,266 Scholarships for disadvantaged students................... 45,842 ................ 45,842 ................ +45,842 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Training for Diversity........................ 69,706 ................ 69,706 ................ +69,706 Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry............... 47,998 ................ 48,851 +853 +48,851 Interdisciplinary Community-Based Linkages: Area health education centers............................. 28,180 ................ 28,180 ................ +28,180 Allied health and other disciplines....................... 8,803 ................ 8,803 ................ +8,803 Geriatric programs........................................ 30,997 ................ 30,997 ................ +30,997 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Interdisciplinary Community Linkages.......... 67,980 ................ 67,980 ................ +67,980 Public health, preventive medicine and dental programs........ 8,273 ................ 9,000 +727 +9,000 Nursing Programs: Advanced Education Nursing................................ 61,875 ................ 67,000 +5,125 +67,000 Nurse education, practice, and retention.................. 36,640 37,291 37,291 +651 ................ Nursing workforce diversity............................... 15,826 16,107 16,107 +281 ................ Loan repayment and scholarship program.................... 30,512 43,744 30,512 ................ -13,232 Comprehensive geriatric education......................... 3,333 3,392 5,742 +2,409 +2,350 Nursing faculty loan program.............................. 7,860 9,319 11,000 +3,140 +1,681 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Nursing programs.............................. 156,046 109,853 167,652 +11,606 +57,799 ========================================================================================= Subtotal, Health Professions............................ 350,003 109,853 363,189 +13,186 +253,336 Children's Hospitals Graduate Medical Education............... 301,646 ................ 310,000 +8,354 +310,000 Patient Navigator............................................. 2,948 ................ 4,000 +1,052 +4,000 National Practitioner Data Bank............................... 18,570 18,900 18,900 +330 ................ User Fees................................................. -18,570 -18,900 -18,900 -330 ................ Health Care Integrity and Protection Data Bank................ 3,758 ................ 3,758 ................ +3,758 User Fees................................................. -3,758 ................ -3,758 ................ -3,758 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Bureau of Health Professions.................. 778,074 230,812 812,155 +34,081 +581,343 Maternal and Child Health Bureau Maternal and Child Health Block Grant......................... 664,268 664,268 664,268 ................ ................ Sickle cell anemia demonstration program...................... 2,653 2,184 3,500 +847 +1,316 Traumatic Brain Injury........................................ 8,754 ................ 8,754 ................ +8,754 Autism and other developmental disorders...................... 36,354 36,354 42,000 +5,646 +5,646 Newborn screening............................................. 1,887 1,887 1,887 ................ ................ Congenital disabilities....................................... ................ ................ 1,000 +1,000 +1,000 Healthy Start................................................. 99,744 99,744 99,744 ................ ................ Universal Newborn Hearing..................................... 11,790 ................ 11,790 ................ +11,790 Emergency medical services for children....................... 19,454 ................ 20,000 +546 +20,000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Maternal and Child Health Bureau.............. 844,904 804,437 852,943 +8,039 +48,506 HIV/AIDS Bureau Ryan White AIDS Programs: Emergency Assistance...................................... 627,149 619,424 619,424 -7,725 ................ Comprehensive Care Programs............................... 1,195,248 1,209,487 1,209,487 +14,239 ................ AIDS Drug Assistance Program [ADAP] (NA).............. (794,376) (814,546) (800,422) (+6,046) (-14,124) Early Intervention Program................................ 198,754 198,754 198,754 ................ ................ Children, Youth, Women, and Families...................... 73,690 73,690 73,690 ................ ................ AIDS Dental Services...................................... 12,857 12,857 12,857 ................ ................ Education and Training Centers............................ 34,094 28,700 34,094 ................ +5,394 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Ryan White AIDS programs...................... 2,141,792 2,142,912 2,148,306 +6,514 +5,394 Evaluation Tap Funding (NA)............................... (25,000) (25,000) (25,000) ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Ryan White AIDs program level................. (2,166,792) (2,167,912) (2,173,306) (+6,514) (+5,394) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, HIV/AIDS Bureau............................... 2,141,792 2,142,912 2,148,306 +6,514 +5,394 Healthcare Systems Bureau Organ Transplantation......................................... 22,646 23,049 25,049 +2,403 +2,000 National Cord Blood Inventory................................. 8,843 11,966 12,000 +3,157 +34 Bone Marrow Program........................................... 23,517 22,701 23,517 ................ +816 Office of Pharmacy Affairs.................................... ................ ................ 2,940 +2,940 +2,940 Poison control................................................ 26,528 10,000 26,528 ................ +16,528 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Healthcare systems bureau..................... 81,534 67,716 90,034 +8,500 +22,318 Rural Health Programs Rural outreach grants......................................... 48,031 ................ 51,434 +3,403 +51,434 Rural Health Research......................................... 8,584 8,737 9,000 +416 +263 Rural Hospital Flexibility Grants............................. 37,865 ................ 39,200 +1,335 +39,200 Delta Health Initiative....................................... 24,563 ................ 25,000 +437 +25,000 Rural and community access to emergency devices............... 1,461 ................ 1,461 ................ +1,461 State Offices of Rural Health................................. 7,999 8,141 7,999 ................ -142 Black lung clinics............................................ 5,788 5,886 7,200 +1,412 +1,314 Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program............ 1,884 1,904 2,000 +116 +96 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Rural health programs......................... 136,175 24,668 143,294 +7,119 +118,626 Denali Commission............................................. 38,597 ................ 39,283 +686 +39,283 Family Planning............................................... 299,981 299,981 299,981 ................ ................ Health care-related facilities and activities................. 304,475 ................ 170,597 -133,878 +170,597 Telehealth.................................................... 6,700 6,819 8,000 +1,300 +1,181 Parklawn replacement.......................................... ................ 36,062 5,000 +5,000 -31,062 Program management............................................ 141,087 141,087 141,087 ................ ................ ========================================================================================= Total, Health resources and services.................... 6,856,191 5,864,511 6,943,926 +87,735 +1,079,415 Total, Health resources & services program level........ (6,881,191) (5,889,511) (6,968,926) (+87,735) (+1,079,415) Total, Evaluation tap funding....................... (25,000) (25,000) (25,000) ................ ................ HEALTH EDUCATION ASSISTANCE LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT HEAL Liquidating account...................................... (1,000) (1,000) (1,000) ................ ................ HEAL Program management....................................... 2,847 2,906 2,847 ................ -59 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, HEAL............................................. 2,847 2,906 2,847 ................ -59 VACCINE INJURY COMPENSATION PROGRAM TRUST FUND Post-fiscal year 1988 claims.................................. 119,000 257,424 257,424 +138,424 ................ HRSA administration........................................... 5,404 4,528 7,000 +1,596 +2,472 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund........... 124,404 261,952 264,424 +140,020 +2,472 ========================================================================================= Total, Health Resources & Services Administration....... 6,983,442 6,129,369 7,211,197 +227,755 +1,081,828 Total, HRSA program level............................... (7,009,442) (6,155,369) (7,237,197) (+227,755) (+1,081,828) CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION DISEASE CONTROL, RESEARCH, AND TRAINING Infectious Diseases........................................... 1,891,742 1,857,183 1,896,742 +5,000 +39,559 Evaluation Tap Funding.................................... (12,794) (12,794) (12,794) ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Infectious disease program level.............. (1,904,536) (1,869,977) (1,909,536) (+5,000) (+39,559) Health Promotion Chronic disease prevention, health promotion and genomics..... 833,827 805,321 855,661 +21,834 +50,340 Birth defects, developmental disabilities, disability and 127,366 126,752 133,905 +6,539 +7,153 health....................................................... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Health promotion program level................ 961,193 932,073 989,566 +28,373 +57,493 Health Information and Service................................ 89,867 132,970 284,355 +194,488 +151,385 Evaluation Tap Funding.................................... (186,910) (151,385) ................ (-186,910) (-151,385) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Health Information and Service................ (276,777) (284,355) (284,355) (+7,578) ................ Environmental Health and Injury Environmental health.......................................... 154,486 136,606 156,665 +2,179 +20,059 Injury prevention and control................................. 134,837 134,266 136,837 +2,000 +2,571 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Environmental health and injury............... (289,323) (270,872) (293,502) (+4,179) (+22,630) Occupational Safety and health\4\............................. 230,486 183,573 240,461 +9,975 +56,888 Energy employees occupational illness compensation 55,358 55,358 55,358 ................ ................ program\5\............................................... World Trade Center (emergency)............................ 56,500 ................ ................ -56,500 ................ Evaluation Tap Funding.................................... (94,969) (87,480) (94,969) ................ (+7,489) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Program level................................. (437,313) (326,411) (390,788) (-46,525) (+64,377) Global health................................................. 302,371 302,025 312,301 +9,930 +10,276 Terrorism preparedness and response........................... 1,479,454 1,419,264 1,508,123 +28,669 +88,859 Public health research........................................ ................ ................ ................ ................ ................ Evaluation Tap Funding.................................... (31,000) (31,000) (31,000) ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Public health research program level.......... (31,000) (31,000) (31,000) ................ ................ Public health improvement and leadership...................... 224,899 182,143 203,448 -21,451 +21,305 Preventive health and health services block grant............. 97,270 ................ 97,270 ................ +97,270 Buildings and facilities...................................... 55,022 ................ 150,000 +94,978 +150,000 Business services............................................. 371,847 337,906 337,906 -33,941 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Centers for Disease Control...................... 6,105,332 5,673,367 6,369,032 +263,700 +695,665 Discretionary....................................... 6,049,974 5,618,009 6,313,674 +263,700 +695,665 Evaluation Tap Funding (NA)......................... (325,673) (282,659) (138,763) (-186,910) (-143,896) ========================================================================================= Total, Centers for Disease Control program level........ (6,431,005) (5,956,026) (6,507,795) (+76,790) (+551,769) Discretionary....................................... 6,375,647 5,900,668 6,452,437 +76,790 +551,769 NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH National Cancer Institute..................................... 4,805,088 4,809,819 4,958,594 +153,506 +148,775 National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute..................... 2,922,112 2,924,942 3,006,344 +84,232 +81,402 National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research.......... 390,158 390,535 401,405 +11,247 +10,870 National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney 1,706,684 1,708,487 1,755,881 +49,197 +47,394 Diseases [NIDDK]............................................. Juvenile diabetes (mandatory)............................. (150,000) (150,000) (150,000) ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, NIDDK......................................... (1,856,684) (1,858,487) (1,905,881) (+49,197) (+47,394) National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke......... 1,543,901 1,545,397 1,588,405 +44,504 +43,008 National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases......... 4,265,896 4,268,778 4,388,828 +122,932 +120,050 Global HIV/AIDS Fund Transfer............................. 294,759 300,000 300,000 +5,241 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, NIAID......................................... 4,560,655 4,568,778 4,688,828 +128,173 +120,050 National Institute of General Medical Sciences................ 1,935,808 1,937,690 1,991,609 +55,801 +53,919 Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & 1,254,708 1,255,920 1,290,873 +36,165 +34,953 Human Development............................................ National Eye Institute........................................ 667,116 667,764 687,346 +20,230 +19,582 National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences........... 642,253 642,875 660,767 +18,514 +17,892 National Institute on Aging................................... 1,047,260 1,048,278 1,077,448 +30,188 +29,170 National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin 508,586 509,080 523,246 +14,660 +14,166 Diseases..................................................... National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication 394,138 395,047 406,000 +11,862 +10,953 Disorders.................................................... National Institute of Nursing Research........................ 137,476 137,609 141,439 +3,963 +3,830 National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism............ 436,259 436,681 448,834 +12,575 +12,153 National Institute on Drug Abuse.............................. 1,000,700 1,001,672 1,029,539 +28,839 +27,867 National Institute of Mental Health........................... 1,405,476 1,406,841 1,445,987 +40,511 +39,146 National Human Genome Research Institute...................... 486,779 487,878 501,411 +14,632 +13,533 National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering... 298,645 300,254 307,254 +8,609 +7,000 National Center for Research Resources........................ 1,149,446 1,160,473 1,192,576 +43,130 +32,103 National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.... 121,577 121,695 125,082 +3,505 +3,387 National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities..... 199,569 199,762 205,322 +5,753 +5,560 John E. Fogarty International Center.......................... 66,558 66,623 68,476 +1,918 +1,853 National Library of Medicine.................................. 320,507 323,046 329,996 +9,489 +6,950 Evaluation Tap Funding.................................... (8,200) (8,200) (8,200) ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, NLM........................................... 328,707 331,246 338,196 +9,489 +6,950 Office of the Director........................................ 1,109,099 1,056,797 1,275,281 +166,182 +218,484 Common fund............................................... (495,608) (533,877) (568,119) (+72,511) (+34,242) Buildings and Facilities...................................... 118,966 125,581 146,581 +27,615 +21,000 ========================================================================================= Total, National Institutes of Health [NIH].............. 29,229,524 29,229,524 30,254,524 +1,025,000 +1,025,000 Global HIV/AIDS Fund Transfer....................... -294,759 -300,000 -300,000 -5,241 ................ Evaluation Tap Funding.............................. (8,200) (8,200) (8,200) ................ ................ Total, NIH, Program Level............................... (28,942,965) (28,937,724) (29,962,724) (+1,019,759) (+1,025,000) SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION [SAMHSA] SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES Mental Health: Programs of Regional and National Significance............ 299,279 155,319 311,782 +12,503 +156,463 Mental Health block grant................................. 399,735 399,735 399,735 ................ ................ Evaluation Tap Funding................................ (21,039) (21,039) (21,039) ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Program level............................. (420,774) (420,774) (420,774) ................ ................ Children's Mental Health.................................. 102,260 114,486 102,260 ................ -12,226 Grants to States for the Homeless [PATH].................. 53,313 59,687 59,687 +6,374 ................ Protection and Advocacy................................... 34,880 34,000 35,880 +1,000 +1,880 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Mental Health................................. 889,467 763,227 909,344 +19,877 +146,117 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Program level................................. (910,506) (784,266) (930,383) (+19,877) (+146,117) Substance Abuse Treatment: Programs of Regional and National Significance............ 395,544 325,656 378,988 -16,556 +53,332 Evaluation Tap Funding................................ (4,300) (11,192) (6,000) (+1,700) (-5,192) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Program level............................. (399,844) (336,848) (384,988) (-14,856) (+48,140) Substance Abuse block grant............................... 1,679,528 1,699,391 1,699,391 +19,863 ................ Evaluation Tap Funding................................ (79,200) (79,200) (79,200) ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Program level............................. (1,758,728) (1,778,591) (1,778,591) (+19,863) ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Substance Abuse Treatment................. 2,075,072 2,025,047 2,078,379 +3,307 +53,332 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Program level............................. (2,158,572) (2,115,439) (2,163,579) (+5,007) (+48,140) Substance Abuse Prevention: Programs of Regional and National 194,120 158,040 191,271 -2,849 +33,231 Significance................................................. Program Management............................................ 75,381 75,381 77,381 +2,000 +2,000 Evaluation Tap funding (NA)............................... (17,750) (21,750) (22,750) (+5,000) (+1,000) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Program level................................. 93,131 97,131 100,131 +7,000 +3,000 St. Elizabeth's Hospital--Environmental remediation........... ................ 772 772 +772 ................ Data evaluation............................................... ................ 2,500 2,500 +2,500 ................ ========================================================================================= Total, SAMHSA........................................... 3,234,040 3,024,967 3,259,647 +25,607 +234,680 Evaluation Tap funding.............................. (122,289) (133,181) (128,989) (+6,700) (-4,192) Total, SAMHSA program level............................. (3,356,329) (3,158,148) (3,388,636) (+32,307) (+230,488) AGENCY FOR HEALTHCARE RESEARCH AND QUALITY HEALTHCARE RESEARCH AND QUALITY Research on Health Costs, Quality, and Outcomes: Federal Funds............................................. ................ ................ 90,598 +90,598 +90,598 Evaluation Tap funding (NA)............................... (276,564) (267,664) (185,966) (-90,598) (-81,698) Clinical effectiveness research (NA).................. (30,000) (30,000) (30,000) ................ ................ Patient safety research (NA).......................... (78,934) (76,875) (76,875) (-2,059) ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Program level............................. (276,564) (267,664) (276,564) ................ (+8,900) Medical Expenditures Panel Surveys: Federal Funds............................................. ................ ................ ................ ................ ................ Evaluation Tap funding (NA)............................... (55,300) (55,300) (55,300) ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Medical Expenditures Panel Surveys............ (55,300) (55,300) (55,300) ................ ................ Program Support: Federal Funds............................................. ................ ................ ................ ................ ................ Evaluation Tap funding (NA)............................... (2,700) (2,700) (2,700) ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Program support............................... (2,700) (2,700) (2,700) ................ ................ ========================================================================================= Total, AHRQ............................................. ................ ................ 90,598 +90,598 +90,598 Evaluation Tap funding (NA)......................... (334,564) (325,664) (243,966) (-90,598) (-81,698) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, AHRQ program level............................... (334,564) (325,664) (334,564) ................ (+8,900) ========================================================================================= Total, Public Health Service appropriation.............. 45,552,338 44,057,227 47,184,998 +1,632,660 +3,127,771 Total, Public Health Service program level.............. (46,074,305) (44,532,931) (47,430,916) (+1,356,611) (+2,897,985) CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES GRANTS TO STATES FOR MEDICAID Medicaid current law benefits................................. 194,058,667 203,558,372 203,558,372 +9,499,705 ................ State and local administration................................ 10,124,800 10,303,098 10,303,098 +178,298 ................ Vaccines for Children......................................... 2,702,206 2,766,230 2,766,230 +64,024 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Medicaid program level........................ 206,885,673 216,627,700 216,627,700 +9,742,027 ................ Less funds advanced in prior year................... -65,257,617 -67,292,669 -67,292,669 -2,035,052 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Grants to States for medicaid.................... 141,628,056 149,335,031 149,335,031 +7,706,975 ................ New advance, 1st quarter............................ 67,292,669 71,700,038 71,700,038 +4,407,369 ................ State Children's Health Insurance program shortfall payment ................ ................ ................ ................ ................ [SCHIP] (emergency).......................................... PAYMENTS TO HEALTH CARE TRUST FUNDS Supplemental medical insurance................................ 140,704,000 147,716,000 147,716,000 +7,012,000 ................ Hospital insurance for the uninsured.......................... 269,000 351,000 351,000 +82,000 ................ Federal uninsured payment..................................... 237,000 263,000 263,000 +26,000 ................ Program management............................................ 192,000 206,000 206,000 +14,000 ................ General revenue for Part D benefit............................ 46,299,000 44,999,000 44,999,000 -1,300,000 ................ General revenue for Part D administration..................... 744,000 547,000 547,000 -197,000 ................ HCFAC reimbursement........................................... ................ 198,000 198,000 +198,000 ................ Quinquennial adjustment....................................... ................ 1,028,000 1,028,000 +1,028,000 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Payments to Trust Funds, current law.......... 188,445,000 195,308,000 195,308,000 +6,863,000 ................ Less funds advanced in prior year................... ................ ................ ................ ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Payments to Trust Funds, current law............. 188,445,000 195,308,000 195,308,000 +6,863,000 ................ PROGRAM MANAGEMENT Research, Demonstration, Evaluation........................... 31,300 31,300 33,530 +2,230 +2,230 Medicare Operations........................................... 2,158,906 2,339,729 2,300,729 +141,823 -39,000 Revitalization plan........................................... ................ ................ ................ ................ ................ State Survey and Certification................................ 281,186 293,128 293,128 +11,942 ................ High risk insurance pools..................................... 49,127 ................ ................ -49,127 ................ Federal Administration........................................ 631,132 643,187 643,187 +12,055 ................ ========================================================================================= Total, Program management, Limitation on new BA......... 3,151,651 3,307,344 3,270,574 +118,923 -36,770 Survey and Certification user fee................... ................ (-35,000) ................ ................ (+35,000) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Program management, program level................ (3,151,651) (3,272,344) (3,270,574) (+118,923) (-1,770) HEALTH CARE FRAUD AND ABUSE CONTROL Part D drug benefit/medicare advantage [MIP].................. ................ 147,038 147,038 +147,038 ................ HHS Office of Inspector General............................... ................ 18,967 18,967 +18,967 ................ Department of Justice......................................... ................ 18,967 18,967 +18,967 ................ Medicaid/SCHIP................................................ ................ 13,028 13,028 +13,028 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control.............. ................ 198,000 198,000 +198,000 ................ ========================================================================================= Total, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services........ 400,517,376 419,848,413 419,811,643 +19,294,267 -36,770 Federal funds....................................... 397,365,725 416,343,069 416,343,069 +18,977,344 ................ Current year.................................... (330,073,056) (344,643,031) (344,643,031) (+14,569,975) ................ New advance, fiscal year 2010................... (67,292,669) (71,700,038) (71,700,038) (+4,407,369) ................ Trust Funds......................................... 3,151,651 3,505,344 3,468,574 +316,923 -36,770 ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES PAYMENTS TO STATES FOR CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT AND FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS Payments to territories....................................... 35,000 35,000 35,000 ................ ................ Repatriation.................................................. 1,000 1,000 1,000 ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Welfare payments.............................. 36,000 36,000 36,000 ................ ................ Child Support Enforcement: State and local administration............................ 3,468,970 3,215,078 3,215,078 -253,892 ................ Federal incentive payments................................ 483,000 498,000 498,000 +15,000 ................ Access and visitation..................................... 10,000 10,000 10,000 ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Child Support Enforcement..................... 3,961,970 3,723,078 3,723,078 -238,892 ................ ========================================================================================= Total, Family support payments program level............ 3,997,970 3,759,078 3,759,078 -238,892 ................ Less funds advanced in previous years............... -1,000,000 -1,000,000 -1,000,000 ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Family support payments, current year............ 2,997,970 2,759,078 2,759,078 -238,892 ................ New advance, 1st quarter, fiscal year 2010.......... 1,000,000 1,000,000 1,000,000 ................ ................ LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE [LIHEAP] Formula grants................................................ 1,980,000 1,700,000 1,980,000 ................ +280,000 Contingency fund.............................................. 340,328 300,000 590,328 +250,000 +290,328 Emergency allocation.......................................... 250,000 ................ ................ -250,000 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, LIHEAP........................................... 2,570,328 2,000,000 2,570,328 ................ +570,328 REFUGEE AND ENTRANT ASSISTANCE Transitional and Medical Services............................. 296,057 287,000 287,000 -9,057 ................ Victims of Trafficking........................................ 9,814 9,814 9,814 ................ ................ Social Services............................................... 154,005 154,005 154,005 ................ ................ Preventive Health............................................. 4,748 4,748 4,748 ................ ................ Targeted Assistance........................................... 48,590 48,590 48,590 ................ ................ Unaccompanied minors.......................................... 132,600 114,070 120,070 -12,530 +6,000 Victims of Torture............................................ 9,817 9,817 10,817 +1,000 +1,000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Refugee and entrant assistance................... 655,631 628,044 635,044 -20,587 +7,000 PAYMENTS TO STATES FOR THE CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT Child Care and Development Block Grant........................ 2,062,081 2,062,081 2,137,081 +75,000 +75,000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Child Care and Development Block Grant........... 2,062,081 2,062,081 2,137,081 +75,000 +75,000 SOCIAL SERVICES BLOCK GRANT (TITLE XX)........................ 1,700,000 1,700,000 1,700,000 ................ ................ CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SERVICES PROGRAMS Programs for Children, Youth and Families: Head Start, current funded................................ 5,489,176 5,637,771 5,715,771 +226,595 +78,000 Advance from prior year............................... (1,388,800) (1,388,800) (1,388,800) ................ ................ Fiscal year 2010...................................... 1,388,800 1,388,800 1,388,800 ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Head Start, program level................. 6,877,976 7,026,571 7,104,571 +226,595 +78,000 Consolidated Runaway, Homeless Youth Program.............. 96,128 96,128 96,128 ................ ................ Prevention grants to reduce abuse of runaway youth........ 17,221 17,221 17,221 ................ ................ Child Abuse State Grants.................................. 26,535 26,535 26,535 ................ ................ Child Abuse Discretionary Activities...................... 27,135 27,135 27,575 +440 +440 Home Visitation Initiative................................ 10,000 10,000 12,000 +2,000 +2,000 Community based child abuse prevention.................... 41,689 41,689 41,689 ................ ................ Abandoned Infants Assistance.............................. 11,628 11,628 11,628 ................ ................ Child Welfare Services.................................... 281,744 281,744 281,744 ................ ................ Child Welfare Training.................................... 7,207 7,207 7,207 ................ ................ Adoption Opportunities.................................... 26,379 26,379 26,379 ................ ................ Adoption Incentive........................................ 4,323 19,674 15,000 +10,677 -4,674 Adoption Awareness........................................ 12,453 12,453 12,453 ................ ................ Compassion Capital Fund................................... 52,688 75,000 42,688 -10,000 -32,312 Social Services and Income Maintenance Research............... 15,194 ................ 6,575 -8,619 +6,575 Evaluation tap funding.................................... (6,000) (5,762) (5,762) (-238) ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Program level................................. (21,194) (5,762) (12,337) (-8,857) (+6,575) Developmental Disabilities Programs: State Councils............................................ 72,482 72,482 74,482 +2,000 +2,000 Protection and Advocacy................................... 39,024 39,024 40,024 +1,000 +1,000 Voting access for individuals with disabilities........... 17,410 17,410 17,410 ................ ................ Developmental Disabilities Projects of National 14,162 14,162 14,162 ................ ................ Significance............................................. University Centers for Excellence in Developmental 36,943 36,943 38,943 +2,000 +2,000 Disabilities............................................. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Developmental disabilities programs........... 180,021 180,021 185,021 +5,000 +5,000 Native American Programs...................................... 45,523 45,523 45,523 ................ ................ Community Services: Community Services Block Grant Act programs: Grants to States for Community Services............... 653,800 ................ 653,800 ................ +653,800 Economic Development.................................. 31,467 ................ 31,467 ................ +31,467 Rural Community Facilities............................ 7,860 ................ 8,500 +640 +8,500 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Community Services Block Grant............ 693,127 ................ 693,767 +640 +693,767 Job Opportunities for Low-Income Individuals.......... 5,288 ................ 5,288 ................ +5,288 Individual Development Account Initiative............. 24,025 24,025 24,025 ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Community Services........................ 722,440 24,025 723,080 +640 +699,055 Domestic Violence Hotline..................................... 2,918 2,918 3,500 +582 +582 Family Violence/Battered Women's Shelters..................... 122,552 122,552 125,000 +2,448 +2,448 Mentoring Children of Prisoners............................... 48,628 50,000 48,628 ................ -1,372 Independent Living Training Vouchers.......................... 45,351 45,351 45,351 ................ ................ Abstinence Education.......................................... 108,900 136,664 80,417 -28,483 -56,247 Evaluation Tap Funding.................................... (4,500) (4,410) (4,410) (-90) ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Program level................................. (113,400) (141,074) (84,827) (-28,573) (-56,247) Faith-Based Center............................................ 1,362 1,362 1,362 ................ ................ Disaster human services case management....................... ................ 10,000 ................ ................ -10,000 Program Direction............................................. 184,496 195,430 196,930 +12,434 +1,500 ========================================================================================= Total, Children and Families Services Programs.......... 8,970,491 8,493,210 9,184,205 +213,714 +690,995 Current Year........................................ (7,581,691) (7,104,410) (7,795,405) (+213,714) (+690,995) Fiscal year 2010.................................... (1,388,800) (1,388,800) (1,388,800) ................ ................ Evaluation Tap funding.............................. (10,500) (10,172) (10,172) (-328) ................ Total, Program level.................................... 8,980,991 8,503,382 9,194,377 +213,386 +690,995 PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES............................ 345,000 345,000 345,000 ................ ................ Discretionary Funds....................................... 63,311 63,311 73,311 +10,000 +10,000 PAYMENTS TO STATES FOR FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION ASSISTANCE Foster Care................................................... 4,581,000 4,449,000 4,449,000 -132,000 ................ Adoption Assistance........................................... 2,156,000 2,283,000 2,283,000 +127,000 ................ Independent living............................................ 140,000 140,000 140,000 ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Payments to States............................... 6,877,000 6,872,000 6,872,000 -5,000 ................ Less Advances from Prior Year....................... -1,810,000 -1,776,000 -1,776,000 +34,000 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, payments, current year................... 5,067,000 5,096,000 5,096,000 +29,000 ................ New Advance, 1st quarter.................... 1,776,000 1,800,000 1,800,000 +24,000 ................ ========================================================================================= Total, Administration for Children & Families........... 27,207,812 25,946,724 27,300,047 +92,235 +1,353,323 Current year........................................ (23,043,012) (21,757,924) (23,111,247) (+68,235) (+1,353,323) Fiscal year 2010.................................... (4,164,800) (4,188,800) (4,188,800) (+24,000) ................ Evaluation Tap funding.............................. (10,500) (10,172) (10,172) (-328) ................ Total, Administration for Children & Families........... 27,218,312 25,956,896 27,310,219 +91,907 +1,353,323 ADMINISTRATION ON AGING AGING SERVICES PROGRAMS Grants to States: Supportive Services and Centers........................... 351,348 351,348 361,348 +10,000 +10,000 Preventive Health......................................... 21,026 ................ 21,026 ................ +21,026 Protection of Vulnerable Older Americans--Title VII....... 20,633 20,633 22,133 +1,500 +1,500 Family Caregivers......................................... 153,439 153,439 155,000 +1,561 +1,561 Native American Caregivers Support........................ 6,316 6,316 6,316 ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Caregivers.................................. 159,755 159,755 161,316 +1,561 +1,561 Nutrition: Congregate Meals...................................... 410,716 410,716 434,269 +23,553 +23,553 Home Delivered Meals.................................. 193,858 193,858 205,005 +11,147 +11,147 Nutrition Services Incentive Program.................. 153,429 153,429 162,207 +8,778 +8,778 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Nutrition................................. 758,003 758,003 801,481 +43,478 +43,478 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Grants to States.......................... 1,310,765 1,289,739 1,367,304 +56,539 +77,565 Grants for Native Americans................................... 26,898 26,898 26,898 ................ ................ Program Innovations........................................... 14,655 32,918 10,102 -4,553 -22,816 Aging Network Support Activities.............................. 31,589 13,133 43,692 +12,103 +30,559 Alzheimer's Disease Demonstrations............................ 11,464 ................ 11,464 ................ +11,464 Program Administration........................................ 18,064 18,696 18,696 +632 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Administration on Aging.......................... 1,413,435 1,381,384 1,478,156 +64,721 +96,772 OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY GENERAL DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT General Departmental Management: Federal Funds............................................. 173,952 182,743 179,992 +6,040 -2,751 Trust Funds............................................... 5,691 5,851 5,851 +160 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal................................................ 179,643 188,594 185,843 +6,200 -2,751 Adolescent Family Life (Title XX)............................. 29,778 30,307 29,778 ................ -529 Minority health............................................... 48,738 42,686 49,988 +1,250 +7,302 Office of Women's Health...................................... 31,033 28,458 31,033 ................ +2,575 Minority HIV/AIDS............................................. 50,984 51,891 50,984 ................ -907 Afghanistan................................................... 5,789 5,789 5,789 ................ ................ Transformation of the Commissioned Corps...................... 4,119 30,159 10,000 +5,881 -20,159 Embryo adoption awareness campaign............................ 3,930 1,980 4,200 +270 +2,220 Evaluation tap funding [ASPE] (NA)............................ (46,756) (46,756) (46,756) ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, General Departmental Management.................. 354,014 379,864 367,615 +13,601 -12,249 Federal Funds....................................... (348,323) (374,013) (361,764) (+13,441) (-12,249) Trust Funds......................................... 5,691 5,851 5,851 +160 ................ Evaluation tap funding.............................. (46,756) (46,756) (46,756) ................ ................ OFFICE OF MEDICARE HEARINGS AND APPEALS....................... 63,864 65,344 63,864 ................ -1,480 OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL COORDINATOR FOR HEALTH INFORMATION 41,661 18,151 60,561 +18,900 +42,410 TECHNOLOGY................................................... Evaluation tap funding.................................... (18,900) (48,000) ................ (-18,900) (-48,000) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Health Information Tech. program level........... (60,561) (66,151) (60,561) ................ (-5,590) OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL Inspector General Federal Funds............................... 43,231 46,058 46,058 +2,827 ................ HIPAA funding (NA)........................................ (169,736) (193,965) (193,965) (+24,229) ................ Medicaid integrity program: Deficit Reduction Act (Public Law (25,000) (25,000) (25,000) ................ ................ 109-171) (NA)................................................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Inspector General program level.................. (237,967) (265,023) (265,023) (+27,056) ................ OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS: Federal Funds............................................. 31,075 36,785 36,785 +5,710 ................ Trust Funds............................................... 3,224 3,314 3,314 +90 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Office for Civil Rights.......................... 34,299 40,099 40,099 +5,800 ................ RETIREMENT PAY AND MEDICAL BENEFITS FOR COMMISSIONED OFFICERS Retirement payments........................................... 311,904 339,352 339,352 +27,448 ................ Survivors benefits............................................ 18,725 19,474 19,474 +749 ................ Dependents' medical care...................................... 66,549 75,868 75,868 +9,319 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Medical benefits for Commissioned Officers....... 397,178 434,694 434,694 +37,516 ................ PUBLIC HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES EMERGENCY FUND Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Operations/preparedness and emergency operations.............. 27,536 49,207 27,536 ................ -21,671 National disaster medical system.............................. 45,999 53,000 45,999 ................ -7,001 Hospital Preparedness Grants.................................. 423,399 361,660 361,660 -61,739 ................ Advanced research and development............................. 101,544 275,000 175,000 +73,456 -100,000 Bioshield management.......................................... 21,243 22,360 21,743 +500 -617 International early warning surveillance...................... 8,690 9,030 8,690 ................ -340 Policy, strategic planning, and communications................ 4,292 5,330 4,292 ................ -1,038 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, AS for Preparedness and Response.............. 632,703 775,587 644,920 +12,217 -130,667 Assistant Secretary for Resources and Technology.............. 8,906 11,980 8,906 ................ -3,074 Office of Public Health and Science........................... 9,578 15,110 9,578 ................ -5,532 Office of the Secretary Pandemic influenza preparedness............................... 74,809 585,091 585,091 +510,282 ................ All other Office of the Secretary activities.................. 3,263 8,063 3,263 ................ -4,800 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Office of the Secretary....................... 78,072 593,154 588,354 +510,282 -4,800 ========================================================================================= Total, PHSSEF........................................... 729,259 1,395,831 1,251,758 +522,499 -144,073 ========================================================================================= Total, Office of the Secretary.......................... 1,663,506 2,380,041 2,264,649 +601,143 -115,392 Federal Funds....................................... 1,590,727 2,305,532 2,191,620 +600,893 -113,912 Trust Funds......................................... 72,779 74,509 73,029 +250 -1,480 ========================================================================================= Total, Title II, Dept of Health & Human Services........ 476,354,467 493,613,789 498,039,493 +21,685,026 +4,425,704 Federal Funds....................................... 473,130,037 490,033,936 494,497,890 +21,367,853 +4,463,954 Current year.................................... (401,672,568) (414,145,098) (418,609,052) (+16,936,484) (+4,463,954) Emergency appropriations.................... (306,500) ................ ................ (-306,500) ................ Fiscal year 2010................................ (71,457,469) (75,888,838) (75,888,838) (+4,431,369) ................ Trust Funds......................................... 3,224,430 3,579,853 3,541,603 +317,173 -38,250 TITLE III--DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION EDUCATION FOR THE DISADVANTAGED Grants to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs): Basic Grants: Advance from prior year............................... (1,353,584) (633,827) (633,827) (-719,757) ................ Forward funded........................................ 5,960,189 5,960,119 5,632,145 -328,044 -327,974 Current funded........................................ 3,930 4,000 4,000 +70 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Basic grants current year appropriations.. 5,964,119 5,964,119 5,636,145 -327,974 -327,974 Subtotal, Basic grants total funds available.... (7,317,703) (6,597,946) (6,269,972) (-1,047,731) (-327,974) Basic Grants fiscal year 2010 Advance..................... 633,827 633,827 961,801 +327,974 +327,974 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Basic grants, program level................... 6,597,946 6,597,946 6,597,946 ................ ................ Concentration Grants: Advance from prior year............................... (1,365,031) (1,365,031) (1,365,031) ................ ................ Fiscal year 2010 Advance.............................. 1,365,031 1,365,031 1,365,031 ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Concentration Grants program level........ 1,365,031 1,365,031 1,365,031 ................ ................ Targeted Grants: Forward funded........................................ ................ 406,026 ................ ................ -406,026 Advance from prior year............................... (2,332,343) (2,967,949) (2,967,949) (+635,606) ................ Fiscal year 2010 Advance.............................. 2,967,949 2,967,949 3,283,462 +315,513 +315,513 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Targeted Grants program level............. 2,967,949 3,373,975 3,283,462 +315,513 -90,513 Education Finance Incentive Grants: Advance from prior year............................... (2,332,343) (2,967,949) (2,967,949) (+635,606) ................ Fiscal year 2010 Advance.............................. 2,967,949 2,967,949 3,283,462 +315,513 +315,513 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Education Finance Incentive Grants........ 2,967,949 2,967,949 3,283,462 +315,513 +315,513 ========================================================================================= Subtotal, Grants to LEAs, program level............. 13,898,875 14,304,901 14,529,901 +631,026 +225,000 Even Start.................................................... 66,454 ................ 66,454 ................ +66,454 School improvement grants..................................... 491,265 491,265 491,265 ................ ................ Reading First State Grants.................................... 393,012 1,000,000 ................ -393,012 -1,000,000 Early Reading First........................................... 112,549 112,549 112,549 ................ ................ Striving readers\6\........................................... 35,371 100,000 35,371 ................ -64,629 Math Now...................................................... ................ 95,000 ................ ................ -95,000 Literacy through School Libraries............................. 19,145 19,145 19,145 ................ ................ Pell grants for Kids.......................................... ................ 300,000 ................ ................ -300,000 State Agency Programs: Migrant................................................... 379,771 399,771 389,771 +10,000 -10,000 Neglected and Delinquent/High Risk Youth.................. 48,927 51,927 48,927 ................ -3,000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, State Agency programs......................... 428,698 451,698 438,698 +10,000 -13,000 Evaluation.................................................... 9,167 9,167 9,167 ................ ................ Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration..................... 1,605 ................ ................ -1,605 ................ Migrant Education: High School Equivalency Program........................... 18,226 18,226 18,226 ................ ................ College Assistance Migrant Program........................ 15,108 15,108 15,108 ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Migrant Education............................. 33,334 33,334 33,334 ................ ................ ========================================================================================= Total, Education for the disadvantaged.................. 15,489,475 16,917,059 15,735,884 +246,409 -1,181,175 Current Year........................................ (7,554,719) (8,982,303) (6,842,128) (-712,591) (-2,140,175) Fiscal year 2010.................................... (7,934,756) (7,934,756) (8,893,756) (+959,000) (+959,000) Subtotal, forward funded........................ (7,376,594) (8,409,108) (6,663,933) (-712,661) (-1,745,175) IMPACT AID Basic Support Payments........................................ 1,105,535 1,105,535 1,105,535 ................ ................ Payments for Children with Disabilities....................... 48,602 48,602 48,602 ................ ................ Facilities Maintenance (sec. 8008)............................ 4,864 4,864 4,864 ................ ................ Construction (sec. 8007)...................................... 17,509 17,509 17,509 ................ ................ Payments for Federal Property (sec. 8002)..................... 64,208 64,208 64,208 ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Impact aid....................................... 1,240,718 1,240,718 1,240,718 ................ ................ SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS State Grants for Improving Teacher Quality.................... 1,500,249 1,400,248 1,500,249 ................ +100,001 Advance from prior year................................... (1,435,000) (1,435,000) (1,435,000) ................ ................ Fiscal year 2010.......................................... 1,435,000 1,435,000 1,435,000 ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, State Grants for Improving Teacher Quality, 2,935,249 2,835,248 2,935,249 ................ +100,001 program level.......................................... Mathematics and Science Partnerships.......................... 178,978 178,978 178,978 ................ ................ Educational Technology State Grants........................... 267,494 ................ 267,494 ................ +267,494 Supplemental Education Grants................................. 17,687 17,687 17,687 ................ ................ 21st Century Community Learning Centers....................... 1,081,166 800,000 1,081,166 ................ +281,166 State Assessments/Enhanced Assessment Instruments............. 408,732 408,732 410,732 +2,000 +2,000 Javits gifted and talented education.......................... 7,463 ................ 7,463 ................ +7,463 Foreign language assistance................................... 25,655 25,655 27,000 +1,345 +1,345 Education for Homeless Children and Youth..................... 64,067 64,067 64,067 ................ ................ Training and Advisory Services (Civil Rights)................. 6,989 6,989 6,989 ................ ................ Education for Native Hawaiians................................ 33,315 ................ 33,315 ................ +33,315 Alaska Native Education Equity................................ 33,315 ................ 33,315 ................ +33,315 Rural Education............................................... 171,854 171,854 171,854 ................ ................ Comprehensive Centers......................................... 57,113 57,113 57,113 ................ ................ ========================================================================================= Total, School improvement programs...................... 5,289,077 4,566,323 5,292,422 +3,345 +726,099 Current Year........................................ (3,854,077) (3,131,323) (3,857,422) (+3,345) (+726,099) Fiscal year 2010.................................... (1,435,000) (1,435,000) (1,435,000) ................ ................ Subtotal, forward funded................................ (3,672,540) (3,023,879) (3,674,540) (+2,000) (+650,661) INDIAN EDUCATION Grants to Local Educational Agencies.......................... 96,613 96,613 96,613 ................ ................ Federal Programs: Special Programs for Indian Children...................... 19,060 19,060 19,060 ................ ................ National Activities....................................... 3,891 3,891 3,891 ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Federal Programs.............................. 22,951 22,951 22,951 ................ ................ ========================================================================================= Total, Indian Education................................. 119,564 119,564 119,564 ................ ................ INNOVATION AND IMPROVEMENT Troops-to-Teachers............................................ 14,389 14,389 14,389 ................ ................ Transition to Teaching........................................ 43,707 43,707 43,707 ................ ................ Writing instruction........................................... 23,581 ................ 23,581 ................ +23,581 Teaching of Traditional American History...................... 117,904 50,000 120,000 +2,096 +70,000 School Leadership............................................. 14,474 ................ 19,220 +4,746 +19,220 Advanced Credentialing........................................ 9,649 ................ 10,649 +1,000 +10,649 Adjunct Teacher Corps......................................... ................ 10,000 ................ ................ -10,000 Charter Schools Grants........................................ 211,031 236,031 216,031 +5,000 -20,000 Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities.............. ................ 36,611 ................ ................ -36,611 Voluntary Public School Choice................................ 25,819 25,819 25,819 ................ ................ Magnet Schools Assistance..................................... 104,829 104,829 104,829 ................ ................ Fund for the Improvement of Education [FIE]................... 253,551 52,300 196,337 -57,214 +144,037 Teacher Incentive Fund Current funded......................... 97,270 200,000 97,270 ................ -102,730 Ready-to-Learn television..................................... 23,831 23,831 27,000 +3,169 +3,169 Congressional Fellowships..................................... 1,942 ................ 1,942 ................ +1,942 Advanced Placement & International Baccalaureate program...... ................ 70,000 43,540 +43,540 -26,460 Advanced Placement............................................ 43,540 ................ ................ -43,540 ................ ========================================================================================= Total, Innovation and Improvement....................... 985,517 867,517 944,314 -41,203 +76,797 SAFE SCHOOLS AND CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities: State Grants, forward funded.............................. 294,759 100,000 294,759 ................ +194,759 National Programs............................................. 137,664 181,963 128,164 -9,500 -53,799 Alcohol Abuse Reduction....................................... 32,423 ................ 33,000 +577 +33,000 Mentoring Programs............................................ 48,544 ................ 48,544 ................ +48,544 Character education........................................... 23,824 ................ ................ -23,824 ................ Elementary and Secondary School Counseling.................... 48,617 ................ 52,000 +3,383 +52,000 Carol M. White Physical Education Program..................... 75,655 ................ 78,000 +2,345 +78,000 Civic Education............................................... 31,917 ................ 31,917 ................ +31,917 ========================================================================================= Total, Safe Schools and Citizenship Education........... 693,403 281,963 666,384 -27,019 +384,421 Current Year........................................ (693,403) (281,963) (666,384) (-27,019) (+384,421) Subtotal, Forward funded................................ (294,759) (100,000) (294,759) ................ (+194,759) ENGLISH LANGUAGE ACQUISITION Current funded................................................ 45,003 ................ ................ -45,003 ................ Forward funded................................................ 655,392 730,000 730,000 +74,608 ................ ========================================================================================= Total, English Language Acquisition..................... 700,395 730,000 730,000 +29,605 ................ SPECIAL EDUCATION State Grants: Grants to States Part B current year...................... 4,091,067 3,637,067 3,777,067 -314,000 +140,000 Part B advance from prior year........................ (5,424,200) (6,856,444) (6,856,444) (+1,432,244) ................ Grants to States Part B (fiscal year 2010)................ 6,856,444 7,647,444 7,647,444 +791,000 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Grants to States, program level............... 10,947,511 11,284,511 11,424,511 +477,000 +140,000 Preschool Grants.......................................... 374,099 374,099 374,099 ................ ................ Grants for Infants and Families........................... 435,654 435,654 443,200 +7,546 +7,546 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, State grants, program level................... 11,757,264 12,094,264 12,241,810 +484,546 +147,546 IDEA National Activities (current funded): State personnel development............................... 22,598 48,000 48,000 +25,402 ................ Technical Assistance and Dissemination.................... 48,049 48,049 49,049 +1,000 +1,000 Personnel Preparation..................................... 88,153 88,153 93,153 +5,000 +5,000 Parent Information Centers................................ 26,528 26,528 27,528 +1,000 +1,000 Technology and Media Services............................. 39,301 30,949 40,301 +1,000 +9,352 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, IDEA special programs......................... 224,629 241,679 258,031 +33,402 +16,352 Special Olympics.............................................. 11,790 ................ 11,790 ................ +11,790 ========================================================================================= Total, Special education................................ 11,993,683 12,335,943 12,511,631 +517,948 +175,688 Current Year........................................ (5,137,239) (4,688,499) (4,864,187) (-273,052) (+175,688) Fiscal year 2010.................................... (6,856,444) (7,647,444) (7,647,444) (+791,000) ................ Subtotal, Forward funded................................ (4,900,820) (4,446,820) (4,594,366) (-306,454) (+147,546) REHABILITATION SERVICES AND DISABILITY RESEARCH Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants........................ 2,874,043 2,974,635 2,974,635 +100,592 ................ Client Assistance State grants................................ 11,576 11,576 11,576 ................ ................ Training...................................................... 37,766 37,766 37,766 ................ ................ Demonstration and training programs........................... 10,151 8,826 8,901 -1,250 +75 Migrant and seasonal farmworkers.............................. 2,239 ................ 2,239 ................ +2,239 Recreational programs......................................... 2,474 ................ 2,474 ................ +2,474 Protection and advocacy of individual rights [PAIR]........... 16,201 16,201 17,201 +1,000 +1,000 Projects with industry........................................ 19,197 ................ 19,197 ................ +19,197 Supported employment State grants............................. 29,181 ................ 29,181 ................ +29,181 Independent living: State grants.............................................. 22,193 22,193 22,193 ................ ................ Centers................................................... 73,334 73,334 73,334 ................ ................ Services for older blind individuals...................... 32,320 32,320 32,320 ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Independent living............................ 127,847 127,847 127,847 ................ ................ Program Improvement........................................... 622 800 622 ................ -178 Evaluation.................................................... 1,447 1,947 1,447 ................ -500 Helen Keller National Center for Deaf/Blind Youth and Adults.. 8,362 7,862 8,362 ................ +500 National Inst. Disability and Rehab. Research [NIDRR]......... 105,741 105,741 107,741 +2,000 +2,000 Assistive Technology.......................................... 29,920 25,655 29,920 ................ +4,265 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Discretionary programs........................ 402,724 344,221 404,474 +1,750 +60,253 ========================================================================================= Total, Rehabilitation services.......................... 3,276,767 3,318,856 3,379,109 +102,342 +60,253 SPECIAL INSTITUTIONS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES AMERICAN PRINTING HOUSE FOR THE BLIND......................... 21,616 21,616 22,500 +884 +884 NATIONAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF [NTID]: Operations................................................ 58,020 58,020 60,825 +2,805 +2,805 Construction.............................................. 1,675 1,175 1,175 -500 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, NTID............................................. 59,695 59,195 62,000 +2,305 +2,805 GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY: Operations................................................ 113,384 113,384 118,000 +4,616 +4,616 Construction.............................................. ................ 6,000 6,000 +6,000 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Gallaudet........................................ 113,384 119,384 124,000 +10,616 +4,616 ========================================================================================= Total, Special Institutions for Persons with 194,695 200,195 208,500 +13,805 +8,305 Disabilities........................................... CAREER AND ADULT EDUCATION Career Education: Basic State Grants/Secondary & Technical Education: State Grants, current funded.......................... 369,911 ................ 369,911 ................ +369,911 Advance from prior year............................... (791,000) (791,000) (791,000) ................ ................ Fiscal year 2010...................................... 791,000 ................ 791,000 ................ +791,000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Basic State Grants, program level......... 1,160,911 ................ 1,160,911 ................ +1,160,911 Tech-Prep Education State Grants.......................... 102,923 ................ 102,923 ................ +102,923 National Programs......................................... 7,860 ................ 7,860 ................ +7,860 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Careeer Education............................. 1,271,694 ................ 1,271,694 ................ +1,271,694 Adult Education: State Grants/Adult basic and literacy education: State Grants, current funded.......................... 554,122 554,122 554,122 ................ ................ National Programs: National Leadership Activities........................ 6,878 14,000 6,878 ................ -7,122 National Institute for Literacy....................... 6,468 6,468 6,468 ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, National programs......................... 13,346 20,468 13,346 ................ -7,122 ========================================================================================= Subtotal, Adult education........................... 567,468 574,590 567,468 ................ -7,122 Smaller Learning Communities, current funded.................. 4,006 ................ ................ -4,006 ................ Smaller Learning Communities, forward funded.................. 76,102 ................ ................ -76,102 ................ State Grants for Incarcerated Youth Offenders................. 22,372 ................ 24,000 +1,628 +24,000 ========================================================================================= Total, Career and adult education....................... 1,941,642 574,590 1,863,162 -78,480 +1,288,572 Current Year........................................ (1,150,642) (574,590) (1,072,162) (-78,480) (+497,572) Fiscal year 2010.................................... (791,000) ................ (791,000) ................ (+791,000) Subtotal, forward funded................................ (1,146,636) (574,590) (1,072,162) (-74,474) (+497,572) STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Pell Grants--maximum grant (NA)............................... (4,241) (4,310) (4,310) (+69) ................ Pell Grants................................................... 14,215,000 16,941,000 16,890,000 +2,675,000 -51,000 Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants........... 757,465 ................ 757,465 ................ +757,465 Federal Work Study............................................ 980,492 980,492 980,492 ................ ................ Federal Perkins loan cancellations............................ 64,327 ................ 70,000 +5,673 +70,000 LEAP program.................................................. 63,852 ................ 63,852 ................ +63,852 ========================================================================================= Total, Student Financial Assistance..................... 16,081,136 17,921,492 18,761,809 +2,680,673 +840,317 LOANS FOR SHORT-TERM TRAINING PROGRAM......................... ................ 3,000 ................ ................ -3,000 STUDENT AID ADMINISTRATION.................................... 695,843 714,000 704,843 +9,000 -9,157 HIGHER EDUCATION Aid for Institutional Development: Strengthening Institutions................................ 78,146 78,146 78,146 ................ ................ Hispanic Serving Institutions............................. 93,256 74,442 74,442 -18,814 ................ Mandatory Funding (non-add)........................... (100,000) (100,000) (100,000) ................ ................ Strengthening Historically Black Colleges [HBCUs]......... 238,095 153,095 153,095 -85,000 ................ Mandatory Funding (non-add)........................... (85,000) (85,000) (85,000) ................ ................ Strengthening Historically Black Graduate Institutions.... 56,903 56,903 56,903 ................ ................ Strengthening Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving 11,579 ................ ................ -11,579 ................ Institutions............................................. Mandatory Funding (non-add)........................... (15,000) (15,000) (15,000) ................ ................ Strengthening Tribal Colleges............................. 23,158 ................ ................ -23,158 ................ Mandatory Funding (non-add)........................... (30,000) (30,000) (30,000) ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Aid for Institutional development......... 501,137 362,586 362,586 -138,551 ................ International Education and Foreign Language: Domestic Programs......................................... 93,941 94,941 93,941 ................ -1,000 Overseas Programs......................................... 13,372 13,372 13,372 ................ ................ Institute for International Public Policy................. 1,670 1,670 1,670 ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, International Education & Foreign Lang........ 108,983 109,983 108,983 ................ -1,000 Fund for the Improvement of Postsec. Ed. [FIPSE].............. 120,333 37,433 63,652 -56,681 +26,219 Minority Science and Engineering Improvement.................. 8,577 8,577 8,577 ................ ................ Tribally Controlled Postsec Voc/Tech Institutions............. 7,546 ................ 7,546 ................ +7,546 Federal TRIO Programs......................................... 828,178 828,178 838,178 +10,000 +10,000 GEAR UP....................................................... 303,423 303,423 308,423 +5,000 +5,000 Byrd Honors Scholarships...................................... 40,284 ................ 41,000 +716 +41,000 Javits Fellowships............................................ 9,530 9,844 9,530 ................ -314 Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need................. 29,542 32,517 29,542 ................ -2,975 Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants............................ 33,662 ................ 47,540 +13,878 +47,540 BA Degrees in STEM & Critical Foreign Languages............... 983 ................ 983 ................ +983 MA Degrees in STEM & Critical Foreign Languages............... 983 ................ 983 ................ +983 Child Care Access Means Parents in School..................... 15,534 15,534 15,534 ................ ................ Advancing America thru foreign language partnerships.......... ................ 24,000 ................ ................ -24,000 Demonstration in Disabilities/Higher Education................ 6,755 ................ 6,755 ................ +6,755 Underground Railroad Program.................................. 1,945 ................ 1,945 ................ +1,945 GPRA data/HEA program evaluation.............................. 609 1,609 609 ................ -1,000 B.J. Stupak Olympic Scholarships.............................. 953 ................ 953 ................ +953 Thurgood Marshall Legal education opportunities............... 2,895 ................ 2,895 ................ +2,895 ========================================================================================= Total, Higher education................................. 2,021,852 1,733,684 1,856,214 -165,638 +122,530 HOWARD UNIVERSITY Academic Program.............................................. 200,834 200,699 200,834 ................ +135 Endowment Program............................................. 3,464 3,600 3,464 ................ -136 Howard University Hospital.................................... 28,946 28,946 28,946 ................ ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Howard University................................ 233,244 233,245 233,244 ................ -1 COLLEGE HOUSING AND ACADEMIC FACILITIES LOANS [CHAFL]......... 473 461 461 -12 ................ HBCU CAPITAL FINANCING PROGRAM HBCU Federal Administration................................... 185 354 354 +169 ................ HBCU Loan Subsidies........................................... ................ 10,000 10,000 +10,000 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, HBCU Capital Financing Program................... 185 10,354 10,354 +10,169 ................ INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES Research, development and dissemination....................... 159,696 167,196 167,535 +7,839 +339 Statistics.................................................... 88,449 104,593 88,449 ................ -16,144 Regional Educational Laboratories............................. 65,569 67,569 67,569 +2,000 ................ Research in special education................................. 70,585 70,585 70,585 ................ ................ Special education studies and evaluations..................... 9,460 9,460 9,460 ................ ................ Statewide data systems........................................ 48,293 100,000 100,000 +51,707 ................ Assessment: National Assessment....................................... 98,121 130,121 130,121 +32,000 ................ National Assessment Governing Board....................... 5,932 8,723 8,723 +2,791 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Assessment.................................... 104,053 138,844 138,844 +34,791 ................ ========================================================================================= Total, IES.............................................. 546,105 658,247 642,442 +96,337 -15,805 DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION: Salaries and Expenses..................................... 409,211 436,500 420,000 +10,789 -16,500 Building Modernization.................................... 2,063 7,939 7,939 +5,876 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Program administration........................... 411,274 444,439 427,939 +16,665 -16,500 OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS....................................... 89,612 101,040 89,612 ................ -11,428 OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL............................... 50,849 54,539 54,539 +3,690 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Departmental management.......................... 551,735 600,018 572,090 +20,355 -27,928 Total: No Child Left Behind Act......................... 24,393,685 24,665,134 24,604,822 +211,137 -60,312 ========================================================================================= Total, Title III, Department of Education............... 62,055,509 63,027,229 65,473,145 +3,417,636 +2,445,916 Current Year........................................ (45,038,309) (46,010,029) (46,705,945) (+1,667,636) (+695,916) Emergency appropriations........................ ................ ................ ................ ................ ................ Fiscal year 2010.................................... (17,017,200) (17,017,200) (18,767,200) (+1,750,000) (+1,750,000) TITLE IV--RELATED AGENCIES COMMITTEE FOR PURCHASE FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR SEVERELY 4,907 5,094 5,094 +187 ................ DISABLED..................................................... CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE OPERATING EXPENSES Domestic Volunteer Service Programs: Volunteers in Service to America [VISTA].................. 93,800 91,618 93,800 ................ +2,182 National Senior Volunteer Corps: Foster Grandparents Program........................... 108,999 68,174 108,999 ................ +40,825 Senior Companion Program.............................. 46,144 46,144 46,144 ................ ................ Retired Senior Volunteer Program...................... 58,642 59,685 58,642 ................ -1,043 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Senior Volunteers......................... 213,785 174,003 213,785 ................ +39,782 ========================================================================================= Subtotal, Domestic Volunteer Service Programs....... 307,585 265,621 307,585 ................ +41,964 National and Community Service Programs: National service trust.................................... 122,539 132,110 132,110 +9,571 ................ AmeriCorps grants......................................... 256,805 274,185 271,007 +14,202 -3,178 Innovation, assistance, and other activities.............. 18,893 20,460 18,893 ................ -1,567 Evaluation................................................ 3,891 4,500 3,891 ................ -609 National Civilian Community Corps......................... 23,782 9,836 27,500 +3,718 +17,664 Learn and Serve America: K-12 and Higher Ed............... 37,459 32,099 37,459 ................ +5,360 State Commission Administrative Grants.................... 11,790 12,642 11,790 ................ -852 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, National & Community Service Programs......... 475,159 485,832 502,650 +27,491 +16,818 Salaries and expenses......................................... 67,759 71,715 71,715 +3,956 ................ Office of the Inspector General............................... 5,828 6,512 6,512 +684 ................ ========================================================================================= Total, Corp. for National and Community Service......... 856,331 829,680 888,462 +32,131 +58,782 CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING: Fiscal year 2011 (current) with fiscal year 2010 420,000 ................ 430,000 +10,000 +430,000 comparable............................................... Fiscal year 2010 advance with fiscal year 2009 comparable (400,000) (420,000) (420,000) (+20,000) ................ (NA)..................................................... Rescission of fiscal year 2010 funds (NA)............. ................ (-220,000) ................ ................ (+220,000) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, fiscal year 2010 program level............ 400,000 200,000 420,000 +20,000 +220,000 Fiscal year 2009 advance with fiscal year 2008 comparable (393,012) (400,000) (400,000) (+6,988) ................ (NA)..................................................... Rescission of fiscal year 2009 funds (NA)............. ................ (-200,000) ................ ................ (+200,000) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, fiscal year 2009 program level............ 393,012 200,000 400,000 +6,988 +200,000 Digitalization program, current funded.................... 29,181 ................ 29,181 ................ +29,181 Previously appropriated funds (NA).................... ................ (40,000) ................ ................ (-40,000) Interconnection, current funded........................... 26,283 ................ 26,283 ................ +26,283 Previously appropriated funds (NA).................... ................ (27,000) ................ ................ (-27,000) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, fiscal year 2009 appropriation............ 55,464 ................ 55,464 ................ +55,464 FEDERAL MEDIATION AND CONCILIATION SERVICE.................... 43,035 44,826 44,826 +1,791 ................ FEDERAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION.............. 7,955 8,653 8,653 +698 ................ INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES...................... 263,508 271,246 258,960 -4,548 -12,286 MEDICARE PAYMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION.......................... 10,560 11,403 11,403 +843 ................ NATIONAL COMMISSION ON LIBRARIES AND INFO SCIENCE............. 393 ................ ................ -393 ................ NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY................................ 3,059 3,206 3,206 +147 ................ NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD................................ 251,762 262,595 262,595 +10,833 ................ NATIONAL MEDIATION BOARD...................................... 12,685 12,432 12,992 +307 +560 OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION.............. 10,509 11,186 11,186 +677 ................ RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD Dual Benefits Payments Account................................ 77,620 72,000 72,000 -5,620 ................ Less Income Tax Receipts on Dual Benefits..................... -6,000 -5,000 -5,000 +1,000 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, Dual Benefits................................. 71,620 67,000 67,000 -4,620 ................ Federal Payment to the RR Retirement Account.................. 150 150 150 ................ ................ Limitation on Administration.................................. 101,882 105,463 105,463 +3,581 ................ Inspector General......................................... 7,048 7,806 7,806 +758 ................ SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Payments to Social Security Trust Funds....................... 28,140 20,406 20,406 -7,734 ................ SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME Federal benefit payments...................................... 40,675,000 42,027,000 42,027,000 +1,352,000 ................ Beneficiary services.......................................... 36,000 3,000 3,000 -33,000 ................ Research and demonstration.................................... 26,651 35,000 35,000 +8,349 ................ Administration................................................ 3,018,520 3,149,000 3,164,875 +146,355 +15,875 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, SSI program level............................. 43,756,171 45,214,000 45,229,875 +1,473,704 +15,875 Less funds advanced in prior year................... -16,810,000 -14,800,000 -14,800,000 +2,010,000 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, regular SSI current year...................... 26,946,171 30,414,000 30,429,875 +3,483,704 +15,875 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, SSI, current request............................. 26,946,171 30,414,000 30,429,875 +3,483,704 +15,875 New advance, 1st quarter, fiscal year 2010.......... 14,800,000 15,400,000 15,400,000 +600,000 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, SSI program...................................... 41,746,171 45,814,000 45,829,875 +4,083,704 +15,875 LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES OASDI Trust Funds............................................. 4,910,772 5,138,500 5,163,625 +252,853 +25,125 Economic Stimulus (Public Law 110-185) (emergency)........ 31,000 ................ ................ -31,000 ................ HI/SMI Trust Funds............................................ 1,679,661 1,869,000 1,878,000 +198,339 +9,000 Social Security Advisory Board................................ 2,000 2,000 2,000 ................ ................ SSI........................................................... 3,018,520 2,931,500 2,947,375 -71,145 +15,875 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, regular LAE................................... 9,641,953 9,941,000 9,991,000 +349,047 +50,000 Additional Program Integrity Funding: OASDI Trust Funds......................................... ................ 217,500 217,500 +217,500 ................ SSI....................................................... ................ 22,500 22,500 +22,500 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, additional CDR funding........................ ................ 240,000 240,000 +240,000 ................ User Fees: SSI User Fee activities................................... 132,642 145,000 145,000 +12,358 ................ SSPA User Fee Activities.................................. 983 1,000 1,000 +17 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal, User fees..................................... 133,625 146,000 146,000 +12,375 ................ ========================================================================================= Total, Limitation on Administrative Expenses............ 9,775,578 10,327,000 10,377,000 +601,422 +50,000 OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL Federal Funds................................................. 25,989 28,000 28,000 +2,011 ................ Trust Funds................................................... 65,926 70,127 70,127 +4,201 ................ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Office of the Inspector General.................. 91,915 98,127 98,127 +6,212 ................ Adjustment: Trust fund transfers from general revenues........ -3,018,520 -3,149,000 -3,164,875 -146,355 -15,875 ========================================================================================= Total, Social Security Administration................... 48,623,284 53,110,533 53,160,533 +4,537,249 +50,000 Federal funds....................................... 41,964,925 46,008,406 46,024,281 +4,059,356 +15,875 Current year.................................... (27,164,925) (30,608,406) (30,624,281) (+3,459,356) (+15,875) New advances, 1st quarter....................... (14,800,000) (15,400,000) (15,400,000) (+600,000) ................ Trust funds......................................... 6,658,359 7,102,127 7,136,252 +477,893 +34,125 Total, Title IV, Related Agencies....................... 50,744,152 54,751,273 55,333,793 +4,589,641 +582,520 Federal Funds....................................... 43,966,303 47,524,474 48,072,869 +4,106,566 +548,395 Current Year.................................... (28,746,303) (32,124,474) (32,242,869) (+3,496,566) (+118,395) Fiscal year 2010 Advance........................ (14,800,000) (15,400,000) (15,400,000) (+600,000) ................ Fiscal year 2011 Advance........................ (420,000) ................ (430,000) (+10,000) (+430,000) Trust Funds......................................... 6,777,849 7,226,799 7,260,924 +483,075 +34,125 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\Funding from the Dislocated Worker National Reserve. \2\Two year availability. \3\Does not include a $7 million transfer from PBGC in the fiscal year 2007 Supp that is available through fiscal year 2008. \4\Includes Mine Safety and Health. \5\Funds formerly provided by the Department of Labor through interagency agreement. \6\Funding for Striving readers was first forward funded in the fiscal year 2006 conference agreement.