42 USC 294g - Authorization of appropriations

(a) In general 
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part, $55,600,000 for fiscal year 1998, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 1999 through 2002.
(b) Allocation 

(1) In general 
Of the amounts appropriated under subsection (a) of this section for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall make available
(A) not less than $28,587,000 for awards of grants and contracts under section 294a of this title;
(B) not less than $3,765,000 for awards of grants and contracts under section 294b of this title, of which not less than 50 percent of such amount shall be made available for centers described in subsection (a)(1) of such section; and
(C) not less than $22,631,000 for awards of grants and contracts under sections 294c, 294d, and 294e of this title.
(2) Ratable reduction 
If amounts appropriated under subsection (a) of this section for any fiscal year are less than the amount required to comply with paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ratably reduce the amount to be made available under each of subparagraphs (A) through (C) of such paragraph accordingly.
(3) Increase in amounts 
If amounts appropriated for a fiscal year under subsection (a) of this section exceed the amount authorized under such subsection for such fiscal year, the Secretary may increase the amount to be made available for programs and activities under this part without regard to the amounts specified in each of subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (2).
(c) Obligation of certain amounts 

(1) Area health education center programs 
Of the amounts made available under subsection (b)(1)(A) of this section for each fiscal year, the Secretary may obligate for awards under section 294a (a)(2) of this title
(A) not less than 23 percent of such amounts in fiscal year 1998;
(B) not less than 30 percent of such amounts in fiscal year 1999;
(C) not less than 35 percent of such amounts in fiscal year 2000;
(D) not less than 40 percent of such amounts in fiscal year 2001; and
(E) not less than 45 percent of such amounts in fiscal year 2002.
(2) Sense of Congress 
It is the sense of the Congress that
(A) every State have an area health education center program in effect under this section; and
(B) the ratio of Federal funding for the model program under section 294a (a)(2) of this title should increase over time and that Federal funding for other awards under this section shall decrease so that the national program will become entirely comprised of programs that are funded at least 50 percent by State and local partners.