Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-110

§247b–19 Information and Education

Title 42 › CHAPTER 6A — PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE › SUBCHAPTER II — GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES › Part B — Federal-State Cooperation › § 247b–19

Last updated Sep 23, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary of Health and Human Services must set up a program to teach health workers and the public about muscular dystrophy. The program must give updates on diagnosis and treatment and offer training and continuing education for scientists, doctors, medical students, and other caregivers. The Secretary can use program funds to give stipends to trainees. The Secretary can partner with patient leaders and professional groups to create and update care guidance for children and adults, including Duchenne‑Becker and other forms, using the national transitions survey findings, and can share the guidance widely. Congress may provide whatever money is needed to run the program.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §247b–19

The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)In general
The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this Act as the “Secretary”) shall establish and implement a program to provide information and education on muscular dystrophy to health professionals and the general public, including information and education on advances in the diagnosis and treatment of muscular dystrophy and training and continuing education through programs for scientists, physicians, medical students, and other health professionals who provide care for patients with muscular dystrophy.
(b)Stipends
The Secretary may use amounts made available under this section provides stipends for health professionals who are enrolled in training programs under this section.
(c)Requirements
In carrying out this section, the Secretary may—
(1)partner with leaders in the muscular dystrophy patient community;
(2)cooperate with professional organizations and the patient community in the development and issuance of care considerations for pediatric and adult patients, including acute care considerations, for Duchenne-Becker muscular dystrophy, and various other forms of muscular dystrophy, and in periodic review and updates, as appropriate;
(3)in developing and updating care considerations under paragraph (2), incorporate strategies specifically responding to the findings of the national transitions survey of minority, young adult, and adult communities of muscular dystrophy patients; and
(4)widely disseminate the Duchenne-Becker muscular dystrophy and various other forms of muscular dystrophy care considerations as broadly as possible, including through partnership opportunities with the muscular dystrophy patient community.
(d)Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

This Act, referred to in subsec. (a), is Pub. L. 107–84, Dec. 18, 2001, 115 Stat. 823, known as the Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research and Education

Amendments

of 2001 and also as the MD–CARE Act. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

of 2001 Amendment note set out under section 201 of this title and Tables. Codification Section was enacted as part of the Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research and Education

Amendments

of 2001, also known as the MD–CARE Act, and not as part of the Public Health Service Act which comprises this chapter.

Amendments

2014—Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 113–166, § 4(1), inserted “for pediatric and adult patients, including acute care considerations,” after “issuance of care considerations” and “various” before “other forms of muscular dystrophy” and struck out “and” at end. Subsec. (c)(3), (4). Pub. L. 113–166, § 4(2)–(4), added par. (3), redesignated former par. (3) as (4), and, in par. (4), inserted “various” before “other forms of muscular dystrophy”. 2008—Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 110–361 added subsec. (c) and redesignated former subsec. (c) as (d).

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 247b–19

Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Sep 23, 2026

Release point: 119-110