text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``Women and Alcohol Research Equity 
  Act of 1996''.
  
  SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
  
      The Congress finds as follows with respect to the United States:
              (1) One of every 4 alcoholics receiving treatment is a 
          woman.
              (2) In fiscal year 1995, the National Institute on Alcohol 
          Abuse and Alcoholism had a total research budget of 
          $191,186,000, and $43,997,080 of the budget (approximately 23 
          percent) was available for research on alcohol abuse and 
          alcoholism among women. There are selected areas where alcohol 
          contributes to a more rapid and severe development of disease 
          in women than in men, and research on women exclusively in 
          these areas is important.
              (3) According to data collected during the years 1980 
          through 1993 (in the survey known as the National Drug and 
          Alcoholism Treatment Unit Survey), women represent 
          approximately 30 percent of the clients presenting for alcohol 
          problems in traditional public treatment facilities. A recent 
          study has shown that women are more likely than men to use 
          nontraditional health care systems for alcohol-related 
          problems. No data exists to count women in nontraditional 
          treatment settings; therefore, it is not possible to know 
          whether women are overrepresented or underrepresented in all 
          treatment settings in proportion to their numbers (30 percent).
              (4) Alcohol use by pregnant women is the leading known 
          cause of mental retardation in newborns. Fetal alcohol syndrome 
          (FAS), which is marked by dysfunction of the central nervous 
          system and by prenatal and postnatal growth deficiency and 
          facial malformations, strikes 1 to 3 out of every 1,000 
          newborns, or 3,600 to 10,000 babies a year, depending upon the 
          national birth-rate. The incidence of less severe fetal alcohol 
          effects (FAE) is at least 3 times that of fetal alcohol 
          syndrome. For Black Americans, the risk of FAS remains about 
          sevenfold higher than for whites, even after adjustment for the 
          frequency of maternal alcohol intake, occurrence of chronic 
          alcohol problems, and parity. Among Native Americans, the 
          incidence of FAS varies among different cultures; some are 
          similar to the overall U.S. population, while a much higher 
          prevalence is reported for others. Research is also needed on 
          the male contribution to birth abnormalities related to 
          alcohol.
              (5) Most treatment programs do not provide child care or 
          adequate alternatives for women entering treatment.
              (6) The death rate of female alcoholics is 50 to 100 
          percent higher than for male alcoholics. Proportionately more 
          alcoholic women die of cirrhosis of the liver than do alcoholic 
          men. Additionally, the combined effects of estrogen and alcohol 
          may impact not only liver damage but osteoporosis as well.
              (7) The interval between onset of drinking-related problems 
          and entry into treatment appears to be shorter for women than 
          for men. Further, studies of women alcoholics in treatment 
          suggest that they often experience greater physiological 
          impairment earlier in their drinking careers, despite having 
          consumed less alcohol than men. These findings suggest that the 
          development of consequences associated with heavy drinking may 
          be accelerated or ``telescoped'' in women.
              (8) Women become intoxicated faster than men. This may be 
          due to a different enzyme and hormonal activity in women than 
          in women.
              (9) Chronic, heavy drinking contributes to menstrual 
          disorders, fertility problems, and premature menopause.
              (10) Alcohol use may be associated with an increased risk 
          of breast cancer. Research indicates that the incidence of 
          breast cancer increases when a woman consumes 1 ounce or more 
          of absolute alcohol daily.
              (11) The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 
          has identified areas for future research on alcohol abuse and 
          alcoholism among women. As a result of stimulating research 
          applications during the years 1993 through 1995, such 
          Institute's portfolio on women and children has increased by 
          $17,997,000, or more than 69 percent, over the fiscal year 1992 
          base of $26,000,000.
  
  SEC. 3. PROVISIONS REGARDING INCREASE IN AMOUNT OF FUNDS EXPENDED FOR 
                RESEARCH ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM AMONG WOMEN.
  
      Section 464H(d) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
  285n(d)) is amended by adding at the end the following paragraph:
              ``(3) Women's health.--
                      ``(A) For fiscal year 1997, of the first 
                  $191,186,000 appropriated under paragraph (1), the 
                  Director of the Institute shall obligate not less than 
                  $43,997,080 for the purpose of carrying out under this 
                  subpart projects of research on alcohol abuse and 
                  alcoholism among women.
                      ``(B) In addition to the authorization of 
                  appropriations established in paragraph (1), there are 
                  authorized to be appropriated for carrying out the 
                  purpose specified in subparagraph (A) $25,000,000 for 
                  fiscal year 1997, and such sums as may be necessary for 
                  each of the fiscal years 1998 and 1999.''.
target: Women and Alcohol Research Equity Act of 1996 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require that $44 million of the first $191 million appropriated to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism be obligated for research on alcohol abuse and alcoholism among women.  Authorizes appropriations (in addition to the existing authorization of appropriations for the Institute) for such research regarding women.
feat_title: Women and Alcohol Research Equity Act of 1996