NIH Office of Autoimmune Diseases Act of 1998
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (3 Nov 1998): Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.
What this bill does
H.R. 4873, the NIH Office of Autoimmune Diseases Act of 1998, would amend the Public Health Service Act to create an Office of Autoimmune Diseases within the Office of the Director at the National Institutes of Health. The office would be led by a director appointed by the NIH Director and tasked with setting a research agenda covering biomedical, psychosocial, and rehabilitative aspects of autoimmune diseases, including their disproportionate impact on women; coordinating research across NIH institutes; promoting adequate funding allocation; and producing a biennial report on ongoing and needed research. The office would also serve as the principal advisor on autoimmune diseases to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, NIH leadership, the CDC, and the FDA. An Autoimmune Diseases Coordinating Committee would be established to coordinate NIH activities, including liaisons from other federal health agencies.
The bill lists examples of covered conditions—rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, juvenile-onset diabetes, Sjogren's syndrome, and scleroderma—while allowing the Secretary to add others. It would primarily affect NIH's internal research structure and, indirectly, patients, researchers, and advocacy groups focused on autoimmune conditions. It authorizes $750,000 for fiscal year 1999 and unspecified amounts thereafter.
Introduced by Rep. Henry Waxman on October 20, 1998, in the 105th Congress, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Commerce. It received no further action or vote before that Congress ended, meaning it did not become law.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
NIH Office of Autoimmune Diseases Act of 1998 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to establish within the Office of the Director of NIH the Office of Autoimmune Diseases (Office), whose Director shall: (1) serve as principal advisor on autoimmune diseases to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Assistant Secretary for Health, the Director of NIH; and (2) advise the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Commissioner of Food and Drugs. Instructs the Director of NIH to ensure that: (1) an Autoimmune Disease Coordinating Committee is in operation to coordinate the autoimmune disease activities of the National Institutes of Health; and (2) it includes liaison members from other Federal health agencies. Authorizes appropriations.
Timeline
3 Nov 1998
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 4873 do?
- H.R. 4873, the NIH Office of Autoimmune Diseases Act of 1998, would amend the Public Health Service Act to create an Office of Autoimmune Diseases within the Office of the Director at the National Institutes of Health. The office would be led by a director appointed by the NIH Director and tasked with setting a research agenda covering biomedical, psychosocial, and rehabilitative aspects of autoimmune diseases, including their disproportionate impact on women; coordinating research across NIH institutes; promoting adequate funding allocation; and producing a biennial report on ongoing and needed research. The office would also serve as the principal advisor on autoimmune diseases to the Secretary of Health and Human Services, NIH leadership, the CDC, and the FDA. An Autoimmune Diseases Coordinating Committee would be established to coordinate NIH activities, including liaisons from other federal health agencies. The bill lists examples of covered conditions—rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, juvenile-onset diabetes, Sjogren's syndrome, and scleroderma—while allowing the Secretary to add others. It would primarily affect NIH's internal research structure and, indirectly, patients, researchers, and advocacy groups focused on autoimmune conditions. It authorizes $750,000 for fiscal year 1999 and unspecified amounts thereafter. Introduced by Rep. Henry Waxman on October 20, 1998, in the 105th Congress, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Commerce. It received no further action or vote before that Congress ended, meaning it did not become law.
- Has H.R. 4873 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 4873. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 4873?
- H.R. 4873 was sponsored by Rep. Waxman, Henry A. [D-CA-29] (D-CA), with 0 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 4873?
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Health and Environment. (3 Nov 1998).
Related bills in Health
Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Reauthorization Act of 2026
Choices for Increased Mobility Act of 2026
Access to Medical Supplies Act
Lower Premiums, Faster Payments Act
Bill100 mirrors the public U.S. legislative record from Congress.gov and GovTrack and adds plain-English AI summaries. It is an information tool, not legal, compliance or lobbying advice, and it is not affiliated with the U.S. Congress or any government agency. AI summaries can simplify or omit detail — every bill links to the official source; verify there before you rely on it.