As ordered reported by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on February 13, 2013
S. 252 would amend provisions of the Public Health Service Act that authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct research and education activities relating to preterm labor and delivery and infant mortality. Those activities would be implemented by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The bill also would authorize the Secretary to establish a council that would provide advice and recommendations on research, education, and programs on preterm birth through the Department of Health and Human Services.
For the activities described above, the bill would authorize the appropriation of about $10 million a year for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2018. CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost $4 million in 2014 and $42 million over the 2014-2018 period, assuming the appropriation of the authorized amounts. Pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply to this legislation because it would not affect direct spending or revenues.
The bill contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.