124 STAT. 734 PUBLIC LAW 111–148—MAR. 23, 2010 to clinicians, patients, and the general public. The Institute shall ensure that the research findings— ‘‘(i) convey the findings of research in a manner that is comprehensible and useful to patients and pro- viders in making health care decisions; ‘‘(ii) fully convey findings and discuss consider- ations specific to certain subpopulations, risk factors, and comorbidities, as appropriate; ‘‘(iii) include limitations of the research and what further research may be needed as appropriate; ‘‘(iv) not be construed as mandates for practice guidelines, coverage recommendations, payment, or policy recommendations; and ‘‘(v) not include any data which would violate the privacy of research participants or any confidentiality agreements made with respect to the use of data under this section. ‘‘(B) DEFINITION OF RESEARCH FINDINGS.—In this para- graph, the term ‘research findings’ means the results of a study or assessment. ‘‘(9) ADOPTION.—Subject to subsection (h)(1), the Institute shall adopt the national priorities identified under paragraph (1)(A), the research project agenda established under paragraph (1)(B), the methodological standards developed and updated by the methodology committee under paragraph (6)(C)(i), and any peer-review process provided under paragraph (7) by majority vote. In the case where the Institute does not adopt such processes in accordance with the preceding sentence, the processes shall be referred to the appropriate staff or entity within the Institute (or, in the case of the methodological stand- ards, the methodology committee) for further review. ‘‘(10) ANNUAL REPORTS.—The Institute shall submit an annual report to Congress and the President, and shall make the annual report available to the public. Such report shall contain— ‘‘(A) a description of the activities conducted under this section, research priorities identified under paragraph (1)(A) and methodological standards developed and updated by the methodology committee under paragraph (6)(C)(i) that are adopted under paragraph (9) during the preceding year; ‘‘(B) the research project agenda and budget of the Institute for the following year; ‘‘(C) any administrative activities conducted by the Institute during the preceding year; ‘‘(D) the names of individuals contributing to any peer- review process under paragraph (7), without identifying them with a particular research project; and ‘‘(E) any other relevant information (including informa- tion on the membership of the Board, expert advisory panels, methodology committee, and the executive staff of the Institute, any conflicts of interest with respect to these individuals, and any bylaws adopted by the Board during the preceding year). ‘‘(e) ADMINISTRATION.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (2), the Board shall carry out the duties of the Institute. Public information.
