42 U.S.C. § 287c–21

(a) In general The general purposes of the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (in this subpart referred to as the “Center”) are the conduct and support of basic and applied research (including both intramural and extramural research), research training, the dissemination of health information, and other programs with respect to identifying, investigating, and validating complementary and integrative health, diagnostic and prevention modalities, disciplines and systems. The Center shall be headed by a director, who shall be appointed by the Secretary. The Director of the Center shall report directly to the Director of NIH. (b) Advisory council The Secretary shall establish an advisory council for the Center in accordance with section 284a of this title , except that at least half of the members of the advisory council who are not ex officio members shall include practitioners licensed in one or more of the major systems with which the Center is concerned, and at least 3 individuals representing the interests of individual consumers of complementary and integrative health. (c) Integration of new and non-traditional approaches In carrying out subsection (a), the Director of the Center shall, as appropriate, study the integration of new and non-traditional approaches to health care treatment and consumption, including but not limited to non-traditional treatment, diagnostic and prevention systems, modalities, and disciplines. (d) Appropriate scientific expertise and coordination with institutes and Federal agencies The Director of the Center, after consultation with the advisory council for the Center and the division of research grants, shall ensure that scientists with appropriate expertise in research on complementary and integrative health are incorporated into the review, oversight, and management processes of all research projects and other activities funded by the Center. In carrying out this subsection, the Director of the Center, as necessary, may establish review groups with appropriate scientific expertise. The Director of the Center shall coordinate efforts with other Institutes and Federal agencies to ensure appropriate scientific input and management. (e) Evaluation of various disciplines and systems In carrying out subsection (a), the Director of the Center shall identify and evaluate complementary and integrative health, diagnostic and prevention modalities in each of the disciplines and systems with which the Center is concerned, including each discipline and system in which accreditation, national certification, or a State license is available. (f) Ensuring high quality, rigorous scientific review In order to ensure high quality, rigorous scientific review of complementary and alternative, diagnostic and prevention modalities, disciplines and systems, the Director of the Center shall conduct or support the following activities: (1) Outcomes research and investigations. (2) Epidemiological studies. (3) Health services research. (4) Basic science research. (5) Clinical trials. (6) Other appropriate research and investigational activities. The Director of NIH, in coordination with the Director of the Center, shall designate specific personnel in each Institute to serve as full-time liaisons with the Center in facilitating appropriate coordination and scientific input. (g) Data system; information clearinghouse (1) Data system The Director of the Center shall establish a bibliographic system for the collection, storage, and retrieval of worldwide research relating to complementary and integrative health, diagnostic and prevention modalities, disciplines and systems. Such a system shall be regularly updated and publicly accessible. (2) Clearinghouse The Director of the Center shall establish an information clearinghouse to facilitate and enhance, through the effective dissemination of information, knowledge and understanding of integrative health treatment, diagnostic and prevention practices by health professionals, patients, industry, and the public. (h) Research centers The Director of the Center, after consultation with the advisory council for the Center, shall provide support for the development and operation of multipurpose centers to conduct research and other activities described in subsection (a) with respect to complementary and integrative health, diagnostic and prevention modalities, disciplines and systems. The provision of support for the development and operation of such centers shall include accredited complementary and integrative health research and education facilities. (i) Availability of resources After consultation with the Director of the Center, the Director of NIH shall ensure that resources of the National Institutes of Health, including laboratory and clinical facilities, fellowships (including research training fellowship and junior and senior clinical fellowships), and other resources are sufficiently available to enable the Center to appropriately and effectively carry out its duties as described in subsection (a). The Director of NIH, in coordination with the Director of the Center, shall designate specific personnel in each Institute to serve as full-time liaisons with the Center in facilitating appropriate coordination and scientific input. (j) Availability of appropriations Amounts appropriated to carry out this section for fiscal year 1999 are available for obligation through September 30, 2001 . Amounts appropriated to carry out this section for fiscal year 2000 are available for obligation through September 30, 2001 .