National Bone Marrow Registry Reauthorization Act of 1998
Latest Action
Became Public Law No: 105-196.
Official Summary
National Bone Marrow Registry Reauthorization Act of 1998 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to set forth the purpose of the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry and impose requirements regarding its board of directors. Sets forth program functions, including regarding collection, analysis, and publication of data on donor searches. Mandates implementation of a plan to effectuate efficiencies between the Registry and donor centers. Requires the Registry to: (1) recruit donors; (2) give priority to recruiting populations underrepresented among potential donors; and (3) consider racial and ethnic minority groups underrepresented. Requires the Registry to maintain an office of patient advocacy meeting specified requirements, including providing case management. Allows the office to provide information on the process of receiving a bone marrow transplant, including the posttransplant process. Mandates maintenance of a scientific registry regarding patients who have received marrow from an unrelated donor. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the Registry provisions. Mandates a study of the Registry and report to the Congress by the Comptroller General regarding specified aspects of the Registry. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services, by a specified period after the effective date of this Act, to ensure that the office of patient advocacy (mandated by this Act) is in compliance with certain requirements.
GovScope Watchdog™
AI Government Intelligence™The National Bone Marrow Registry Reauthorization Act of 1998 amends the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize and update the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry. It establishes requirements for the Registry's board of directors and outlines program functions including data collection, analysis, and publication related to donor searches. The Act mandates efforts to improve efficiency between the Registry and donor centers, prioritizes recruitment of donors from underrepresented populations including racial and ethnic minorities, and requires maintenance of a patient advocacy office to provide case management and transplant information. Additionally, it requires a scientific registry for patients who have received marrow transplants from unrelated donors, authorizes appropriations for these activities, and mandates a study and report by the Comptroller General on the Registry's operations. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is tasked with ensuring compliance with the patient advocacy office requirements within a specified timeframe.
This law reauthorizes and strengthens the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry by improving governance, donor recruitment, patient advocacy, and oversight through mandated studies and reporting.
- Amends the Public Health Service Act to set governance and operational requirements for the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry.
- Mandates recruitment efforts focusing on underrepresented populations, including racial and ethnic minorities.
- Requires establishment of a patient advocacy office to provide case management and transplant process information.
- Authorizes funding to support Registry activities and mandates a Comptroller General study and report on the Registry.
- Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to ensure compliance with patient advocacy office standards.
['Patients in need of bone marrow transplants', 'Potential bone marrow donors, especially from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups', 'National Bone Marrow Donor Registry and affiliated donor centers', 'Health and Human Services agencies overseeing transplant and donor programs', 'Healthcare providers involved in bone marrow transplantation']
['Implementation challenges in coordinating efficiencies between the Registry and donor centers', 'Costs associated with recruitment efforts, maintaining patient advocacy offices, and conducting mandated studies', 'Oversight complexity due to multiple requirements including data collection, reporting, and compliance enforcement', 'Ensuring equitable recruitment and representation of diverse populations as mandated']
The bill was enacted during the 105th Congress and signed into law on July 16, 1998, reflecting ongoing federal efforts to support bone marrow transplantation programs. It builds on existing public health legislation by reauthorizing and enhancing the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry's functions and oversight mechanisms.
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['Improved donor recruitment from diverse populations may increase transplant match rates and patient outcomes over time.', 'Enhanced data collection and reporting could inform future policy decisions and research on bone marrow transplantation.', 'The establishment of patient advocacy offices may improve patient support and navigation through the transplant process, potentially affecting healthcare delivery standards.']
The Act includes multiple oversight provisions such as mandated studies and reporting to Congress, and requires compliance monitoring by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Transparency is supported through data publication requirements and the establishment of a patient advocacy office. However, the full bill text is not provided, limiting detailed analysis of enforcement mechanisms and specific funding levels.
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