text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``Uterine Fibroid Research and 
  Education Act of 2003''.
  
  SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
  
      Congress finds as follows:
              (1) The development of uterine fibroids is a common and 
          significant health problem, affecting women of all ages, racial 
          backgrounds, and socioeconomic levels.
              (2) It has been estimated that between 20 and 30 percent of 
          women of reproductive age have uterine fibroids, though not all 
          have been diagnosed. Studies indicate the prevalence could be 
          much higher.
              (3) Symptomatic uterine fibroids can cause heavy bleeding, 
          pain, and reproductive problems, including infertility. There 
          is no known cause of uterine fibroids.
              (4) Uterine fibroids are the most common indication for 
          hysterectomy, accounting for approximately one-third of 
          hysterectomies, or 200,000 procedures annually.
              (5) African American women are 2 to 3 times more likely to 
          develop uterine fibroids than women of other racial groups.
              (6) The estimated annual charges for inpatient care for 
          uterine fibroids totaled more than $2,000,000,000 in 1997.
              (7) The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found a 
          ``remarkable lack of high quality evidence supporting the 
          effectiveness of most interventions for symptomatic fibroids''.
  
  SEC. 3. RESEARCH WITH RESPECT TO UTERINE FIBROIDS.
  
      (a) In General.--The Director of the National Institutes of Health 
  (in this section referred to as the ``Director of NIH'') shall expand, 
  intensify, and coordinate programs for the conduct and support of 
  research with respect to uterine fibroids.
      (b) Administration.--
              (1) In general.--The Director of NIH shall carry out this 
          section through the appropriate institutes, offices, and 
          centers, including the National Institute of Child Health and 
          Human Development, the National Institute of Environmental 
          Health Sciences, the Office of Research on Women's Health, the 
          National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, and 
          any other agencies that the Director of NIH determines to be 
          appropriate.
              (2) Coordination of activities.--The Office of Research on 
          Women's Health shall coordinate activities under paragraph (1) 
          among the institutes, offices, and centers of the National 
          Institutes of Health.
      (c) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of carrying 
  out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 
  for each of the fiscal years 2004 through 2008.
  
  SEC. 4. INFORMATION AND EDUCATION WITH RESPECT TO UTERINE FIBROIDS.
  
      (a) Uterine Fibroids Public Education Program.--
              (1) In general.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services 
          (referred to in this section as the ``Secretary''), acting 
          through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and 
          Prevention, shall develop and disseminate to the public 
          information regarding uterine fibroids, including information 
          on--
                      (A) the incidence and prevalence of uterine 
                  fibroids;
                      (B) the elevated risk for minority women; and
                      (C) the availability, as medically appropriate, of 
                  a range of treatment options for symptomatic uterine 
                  fibroids.
              (2) Dissemination.--The Secretary may disseminate 
          information under paragraph (1) directly, or through 
          arrangements with nonprofit organizations, consumer groups, 
          institutions of higher education (as defined in section 101 of 
          the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)), Federal, 
          State, or local agencies, or the media.
              (3) Authorization of appropriations.--For the purpose of 
          carrying out this subsection, there are authorized to be 
          appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the 
          fiscal years 2004 through 2008.
      (b) Uterine Fibroids Information Program for Health Care 
  Providers.--
              (1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the 
          Administrator of the Health Resources and Services 
          Administration, shall develop and disseminate to health care 
          providers information on uterine fibroids, including 
          information on the elevated risk for minority women and the 
          range of available options for the treatment of symptomatic 
          uterine fibroids.
              (2) Authorization of appropriations.--For the purpose of 
          carrying out this subsection, there are authorized to be 
          appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the 
          fiscal years 2004 through 2008.
      (c) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term 
  ``minority'', with respect to women, means women who are members of 
  racial or ethnic minority groups within the meaning of section 1707 of 
  the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300u-6).
target: Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2003 - Directs the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to expand, intensify, and coordinate programs for the conduct and support of research with respect to uterine fibroids. Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and disseminate to the public information regarding uterine fibroids, including on: (1) the elevated risk for minority women; and (2) the availability of a range of treatment options. Directs the Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, to develop and disseminate to health care providers information on uterine fibroids, including on: (1) the elevated risk for minority women; and (2) and treatment options.
feat_title: To provide for uterine fibroid research and education, and for other purposes.