United States. Regional Medical Programs Service

In October 1965 the Heart Disease, Cancer and Stroke Amendment (PL 89-239) authorizing the establishment and maintenance of Regional Medical Programs was signed. Its purpose was "to encourage and assist in the establishment of regional cooperative arrangements among medical schools, research institutions, and hospitals for research and training, including continuing education, and for related demonstration of patient care..." (Sec. 900, PL 89-239). Fifty-six regions were established, covering the nation, including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico. Most programs were located at or near university medical schools. First conceived in the report of the President's Commission on Heart Disease, Cancer and Stroke, chaired by Dr. Michael E. DeBakey, the report, "A national program to conquer heart disease, cancer, and stroke," Dec. 1964, recommended instituting regional cooperative arrangements to make the latest advances from biomedical research available to benefit the health of the American people. Believing it had negligible effect on the nation's health care, the Nixon administration limited the program's funding in the 1973 budget, intending to phase it out. Continuing resolutions kept the program afloat until its demise in 1976.

From the description of Regional Medical Programs Service collection, 1948-1993 (bulk 1966-1978; 1991-1993). (National Library of Medicine). WorldCat record id: 50155464

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