(a)
(1) In order to carry out more effectively the primary function of the Administration and in order to contribute to the Nation’s knowledge about disease and disability, the Secretary shall carry out a program of medical research in connection with the provision of medical care and treatment to veterans. Funds appropriated to carry out this section shall remain available until expended.
(2) Such program of medical research shall include biomedical research, mental illness research, prosthetic and other rehabilitative research, and health-care-services research.
(3)
Such program shall stress—
(A) research into spinal-cord injuries and other diseases that lead to paralysis of the lower extremities; and
(B) research into injuries and illnesses particularly related to service.
(4) In carrying out such research program, the Secretary shall act in cooperation with the entities described in section 7302(d) of this title.
(c)
(1)
In conducting or supporting clinical research, the Secretary shall ensure that, whenever possible and appropriate—
(A) women who are veterans are included as subjects in each project of such research; and
(B) members of minority groups who are veterans are included as subjects of such research.
(2) In the case of a project of clinical research in which women or members of minority groups will under paragraph (1) be included as subjects of the research, the Secretary shall ensure that the project is designed and carried out so as to provide for a valid analysis of whether the variables being tested in the research affect women or members of minority groups, as the case may be, differently than other persons who are subjects of the research.
References in Text
Section 204(b)(3) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, referred to in subsec. (b), is classified to section 764(b)(3) of Title 29, Labor.
Amendments
2003—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 108–170 struck out subsec. (e) which read as follows: “Amounts for the activities of the field offices of the Office of Research Compliance and Assurance of the Department shall be derived from amounts appropriated for the Veterans Health Administration for Medical Care (rather than from amounts appropriated for the Veterans Health Administration for Medical and Prosthetic Research).”
2002—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 107–135 added subsec. (e).
1998—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–220 substituted “section 204(b)(3) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973” for “section 204(b)(2) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 762(b)(2))”.
1994—Pub. L. 103–452 transferred text of subsec. (c) to the end of subsec. (a)(1), struck out subsec. (c) designation, and added new subsecs. (c) and (d).
1992—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 102–405 substituted “Under Secretary for Health” for “Chief Medical Director”.
Applicability to Fiscal Year 2002
Pub. L. 107–135, title II, § 205(b), Jan. 23, 2002, 115 Stat. 2460, related to transfer of appropriations for fiscal year 2002 to carry out subsec. (e) of this section for that fiscal year.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Research
Pub. L. 102–405, title I, § 122(a), Oct. 9, 1992, 106 Stat. 1981, provided that:
“In carrying out research and awarding grants under chapter 73 of title 38, United States Code, the Secretary shall assign a high priority to the conduct of research on mental illness, including research regarding (1) post-traumatic stress disorder, (2) post-traumatic stress disorder in association with substance abuse, and (3) the treatment of those disorders.”
Research Relating to Women Veterans’ Health
Pub. L. 102–585, title I, § 109, Nov. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 4948, provided for initiation and expansion of research relating to health of women veterans and authorization of appropriations for fiscal years 1993 through 1995 to carry out such studies, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–452, title I, § 102(b)(2), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4786.