NIH 1998 Almanac/The Organization/NHLBI/
National Heart, Lung, & Blood Institute: NHLBI Legislative Chronology
June 16, 1948--The National Heart Act (P.L. 80-655) authorized NHI. The act’s
purpose was "To improve the health of the people of the United States through the
conduct of researches, investigations, experiments, and demonstrations relating to the
cause, prevention, and method of diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the heart and
circulation; assist and foster such researches and other activities by public and private
agencies, and promote the coordination of all such researches and activities and the
useful application of their results; provide training in matters relating to heart
diseases, including refresher courses for physicians; and develop, and assist States and
other agencies in use of the most effective methods of prevention, diagnosis, and
treatment of heart diseases."
June 25, 1948--The Second Deficiency Appropriation Act of 1948 (P.L. 80-785)
appropriated "For an additional amount, Fiscal year 1949 for ‘National Institute
of Health, operating expenses,’ $500,000: Provided, that appropriations under
said head for the Fiscal year 1949 shall be available for carrying out the purposes of the
National Heart Act, including erection of temporary structures for storage of equipment
and supplies and housing of animals."
June 29, 1949--The Labor-Federal Security Appropriation Act 1950 (P.L. 141)
appropriated $10,725,000 for expenses necessary to carry out purposes of the National
Heart Act, including grants-in-aid for drawing plans, erection of buildings, and
acquisition of land therefor, and, in addition to the appropriated, authorized "the
Surgeon General, upon recommendations of the National Advisory Heart Council, to approve
applications for research and training grants, including grants for drawing plans,
erection of buildings, and acquisition of land therefor, not to exceed a total of
$5,350,000, for periods beyond the current Fiscal year, and such grants shall, if approved
during the current Fiscal year, constitute a contractual obligation of the Federal
Government."
August 15, 1950--The Omnibus Act of 1950 (P.L. 81-692) provided for termination of
all appointments to heart and other councils on September 30, and for appointment of a
full new membership on October 1, 1950. The act established uniformity in composition and
term of office for all councils.
December 30, 1963--House Joint Resolution 848 (P.L. 88-254) was approved, that
authorized and requested the President to issue an annual proclamation designating
February as American Heart Month, inviting governors of states and territories to issue
similar proclamations.
October 6, 1965--P.L. 89-199 provided supplemental appropriations for FY 1966 to
implement recommendations of the President’s Commission on Heart Disease, Cancer, and
Stroke that fall within existing legislative authorities. NHI received funds to expand
training programs and plan research centers.
May 16, 1972--The National Sickle Cell Anemia Control Act (P.L. 92-294) established
a national program for diagnosis, control, and treatment of and research in sickle cell
anemia. The act did not mention NHLI but had special pertinence because NHLI was
designated to coordinate the National Sickle Cell Disease Program.
September 19, 1972--The National Heart, Blood Vessel, Lung, and Blood Act of 1972
(P.L. 92-423) enlarged institute authority to advance the national attack on heart, blood
vessel, lung, and blood diseases. The act provided for expanded, intensified, and
coordinated institute activities in accordance with a comprehensive, specified National
Heart, Blood Vessel, Lung, and Blood Disease Program to be planned by the director and the
Advisory Council.
Other provisions include establishment of prevention and control programs; development
of 15 new centers for basic and clinical research, training, demonstration, and prevention
programs for heart, blood vessel, and blood diseases; and development of 15 such centers
for chronic lung diseases.
June 25, 1976--Title I of the Health Research and Health Services Amendments of
1976 (P.L. 94-278) redesignated NHLI as NHLBI to advance the national attack on heart,
blood vessel, lung, and blood diseases, and to conduct research in use of blood and blood
products and in management of blood resources. The NHLBI director and the institute
Advisory Council continue to plan the national program under the basic P.L. 92-423
provisions with some refinements.
August 1, 1977--The Biomedical Research Extension Act of 1977 (P.L. 95-83)
reauthorized NHLBI, with continued emphasis on both the national program and related
prevention and dissemination activities.
December 17, 1980--The Health Programs Extension Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-538)
reauthorized NHLBI, with continued emphasis on both the national program and related
prevention programs.
September 20, and November 4, 1988--The National Bone Marrow Donor Registry
(P.L. 100-436, P.L. 100-607) was established. With enactment of these authorization and
appropriation measures, NHLBI was given the task of developing an implementation plan for
the voluntary bone marrow registry.
November 4, 1988--The Health Omnibus Extension Act of 1988 (P.L. 100-607)
reauthorized NHLBI.
June 10, 1993--The NIH Revitalization Act of 1993 (P.L. 103-43) established a
National Center on Sleep Disorders within NHLBI.
