§247a. Family support groups for Alzheimer's disease patients

(a) Establishment; priorities

Subject to available appropriations, the Secretary, acting through the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institutes of Health, and the Administration on Aging, shall promote the establishment of family support groups to provide, without charge, educational, emotional, and practical support to assist individuals with Alzheimer's disease or a related memory disorder and members of the families of such individuals. In promoting the establishment of such groups, the Secretary shall give priority to-

(1) university medical centers and other appropriate health care facilities which receive Federal funds from the Secretary and which conduct research on Alzheimer's disease or provide services to individuals with such disease; and

(2) community-based programs which receive funds from the Secretary, acting through the Administration on Aging.

(b) National network to coordinate groups

The Secretary shall promote the establishment of a national network to coordinate the family support groups described in subsection (a).

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, §316, as added Pub. L. 99–319, title IV, §401, May 23, 1986, 100 Stat. 489 ; amended Pub. L. 103–43, title XX, §2008(a), June 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 210 .)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 247a, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, §316, as added Nov. 10, 1978, Pub. L. 95–626, title II, §208(a), 92 Stat. 3586 ; amended Aug. 13, 1981, Pub. L. 97–35, title XXI, §2193(a)(1)(A), 95 Stat. 826 , related to lead-based paint poisoning prevention programs, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 97–35, title XXI, §2193(b)(1), Aug. 13, 1981, 95 Stat. 827 .

Another prior section 247a, act July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, §316, as added Oct. 30, 1970, Pub. L. 91–515, title II, §281, 84 Stat. 1307 , provided for establishment, composition, qualifications of members, terms of office, vacancies, reappointment, compensation, travel expenses, and functions of National Advisory Council on Comprehensive Health Planning Programs, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 93–641, §5(d), Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2275 .

Amendments

1993-Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 103–43 struck out subsec. (c) which read as follows: "The Secretary shall report to Congress, not later than one year after May 23, 1986, on family support groups and the network of such groups established pursuant to this section."