82n CONGRESS

ist Srssion

. 3339

 

 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Marcx 20, 1951

Mr. Foearry introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce

 

To provide for a survey of sickness in the United States.

  

Whereas the latest information on the number of persons in the
| country suffering from such diseases as heart disease, cancer,
diabetes, rheumatism, arthritis, and other disabling diseases,
injuries, and handicapping conditions is now fifteen years

old and seriously out-of-date; and

Whereas such information is urgently needed for (1) an ap-
praisal of the true state of health of our citizens, and (2)
for the effective planning of any programs to improve their
health, and (3) for research in the field of chronic diseases,
and (4) for an evaluation of the impact of long illness upon
the economic status of families with members so afflicted,
and (5) for measurement of the numbers of persons in the
working ages so disabled as to be unable to perform gainful

work: Therefore
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2

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
That the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service in
the Federal Security Agency is authorized and directed (1)
to make a survey of the population of the United States by
the most reliable means, to determine, (a) the number,
age, sex, ability to work, and usual occupation of persons
afflicted with chronic or other disease or injury or handi-
capping condition; (b) the type of disease or injury of
each person so afflicted; (c) the length of time that each
such person has been prevented from carrying on his usual
occupation or activities; and (2) to report to the Congress,
within twelve months after the date of enactment of this Act,

the results of such survey.

‘Sxo. 2. To assist in carrying out the provisions of this

Act, the Administrator of the Federal Security Agency, on

the request of the Surgeon General of the Public Health
Service, shall request the cooperation of the State health
departments in the various States, and other Federal, State,
and local government agencies. The Surgeon General may
consult with nongovernmental associations and experts in
planning the survey and preparing the required report.
SEC. 8. There are authorized to be appropriated such
sums, not exceeding in the aggregate $750,000, as may be

necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.