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Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-102

§285a–4 President’s Cancer Panel; Establishment, Membership, Etc., Functions

Title 42 › CHAPTER 6A — PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE › SUBCHAPTER III — NATIONAL RESEARCH INSTITUTES › Part C — Specific Provisions Respecting National Research Institutes › subpart 1 — national cancer institute › § 285a–4

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

Creates a President’s Cancer Panel made up of three people the President picks. At least two must be well‑known scientists or doctors. Members serve three‑year terms, but someone who fills a vacancy only serves the rest of that term and may stay until a replacement takes office. If a seat opens, the President must fill it within 90 days. The President names one member to be chair for one year. Panel members are paid each day they work at the same daily rate as a GS‑18 on the federal pay scale and have travel and assignment expenses paid or reimbursed under federal rules (Title 5). The chair calls meetings, at least four times a year, and keeps public transcripts. The Panel must watch how the National Cancer Program is run and report directly to the President. It must tell the President right away about any delays or blockages. The Panel must send periodic progress reports and an annual evaluation to the President, the Secretary, and Congress with suggestions to improve the program, and any other reports the President asks for.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §285a–4

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

(a)(1)The President’s Cancer Panel (here­after in this section referred to as the “Panel”) shall be composed of three persons appointed by the President who by virtue of their training, experience, and background are exceptionally qualified to appraise the National Cancer Program. At least two members of the Panel shall be distinguished scientists or physicians.
(2)(A)Members of the Panel shall be appointed for three-year terms, except that (i) any member appointed to fill a vacancy occurring prior to the expiration of the term for which the member’s predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of such term, and (ii) a member may serve until the member’s successor has taken office. If a vacancy occurs in the Panel, the President shall make an appointment to fill the vacancy not later than 90 days after the date the vacancy occurred.
(B)The President shall designate one of the members to serve as the chairman of the Panel for a term of one year.
(C)Members of the Panel shall each be entitled to receive the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay in effect for grade GS–18 of the General Schedule for each day (including traveltime) during which they are engaged in the actual performance of duties as members of the Panel and shall be paid or reimbursed, in accordance with title 5, for their travel to and from their place of service and for other expenses associated with their assignment.
(3)The Panel shall meet at the call of the chairman, but not less often than four times a year. A transcript shall be kept of the proceedings of each meeting of the Panel, and the chairman shall make such transcript available to the public.
(b)The Panel shall monitor the development and execution of the activities of the National Cancer Program, and shall report directly to the President. Any delays or blockages in rapid execution of the Program shall immediately be brought to the attention of the President. The Panel shall submit to the President periodic progress reports on the National Cancer Program and shall submit to the President, the Secretary, and the Congress an annual evaluation of the efficacy of the Program and suggestions for improvements, and shall submit such other reports as the President shall direct.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Termination of Reporting RequirementsFor termination, effective May 15, 2000, of provisions in subsec. (b) of this section relating to the requirement that the Panel submit to Congress an annual evaluation of the efficacy of the Program and suggestions for improvements, see section 3003 of Pub. L. 104–66, as amended, set out as a note under section 1113 of Title 31, Money and Finance, and page 189 of House Document No. 103–7. Termination of Advisory PanelsAdvisory panels established after Jan. 5, 1973, to terminate not later than the expiration of the 2-year period beginning on the date of their establishment, unless, in the case of a panel established by the President or an officer of the Federal Government, such panel is renewed by appropriate action prior to the expiration of such 2-year period, or in the case of a panel established by the Congress, its duration is otherwise provided by law. See section 1001(2) and 1013 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees. Pub. L. 93–641, § 6, Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2275, set out as a note under section 217a of this title, provided that an advisory committee established pursuant to the Public Health Service Act shall terminate at such time as may be specifically prescribed by an Act of Congress enacted after Jan. 4, 1975. References in Other Laws to GS–16, 17, or 18 Pay RatesReferences in laws to the rates of pay for GS–16, 17, or 18, or to maximum rates of pay under the General Schedule, to be considered references to rates payable under specified sections of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, see section 529 [title I, § 101(c)(1)] of Pub. L. 101–509, set out in a note under section 5376 of Title 5.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 285a–4

Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102