prevent them from being developed in compliance with the existing statutes, or have features not necessarily covered by these statutes that might cause some questions about the adequacy of the reviews carried out prior to sale by the Department of Interior. Specifically are the data and research on which their environmental reviews are based adequate? Do these reviews effectively account for cumulative impacts for coal development? This analysis will examine the physical nature of the leased tracts to consider environmental problems that may arise when developed, and review the pre-sale analysis used by DOI to evaluate environmental impacts. Requested by: Mandated Study. As directed in the conference report accompanying the Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill for FY 1984, this study is being requested by the Senate Committee on Appropriations with support from the House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Interior Projected Delivery Date to TAB: February 1984 REPRODUCTIVE HAZARDS IN THE WORKPLACE Today there are nearly 60,000 chemicals in use in the United States with an additional 700 to 1,000 introduced into the marketplace each year. The production of synthetic chemicals is increasing faster than our knowledge of the relationship between chemical exposures and chemically induced diseases such as cancer and birth defects. Concern over reproductive hazards in the workplace is increasing not only because more chemicals are being produced that can affect the reproductive capacity of men and women but also because more women are entering the workplace. By 1975, there were 37 million women workers; the projected number is 48.6 million by 1990. The reproductive hazards of some agents, such as smoking, alcohol, anesthetic gases, and lead, are well known. However, the effects of many chemicals are only partially understood from animal studies and many remain to be tested. The available data on the level of reproductive impairment are difficult to interpret because of different definitions of the endpoint and differences in the ease of ascertaining that endpoint. Two examples are the difficulty of ascertaining the incidence of spontaneous abortions and the problem of measuring the prevalence of birth defects because of differences in definition. However, there is some evidence that the level of reproductive impairment is increasing, and that this may be due, in part, to workplace exposure to harmful substances. A major issue in reproductive hazards in the workplace is the differential treatment accorded males and females. Males, females, and the developing fetus have different susceptibilities and different rights. How to treat female workers has an added dimension because the fetus is biologically dependent on the female. Through legislation, both research and regulatory agencies have been established to ascertain the level of potential hazards, evaluate scientific 55 question is the relationship of the standard setting process to the level of scientific knowledge. Another important issue is the relationship between these two and recent and past litigation. This assessment will evaluate the current scientific knowledge base with respect to reproductive hazards in order to outline policy options for the management of reproductive hazards in the workplace. Requested by: House Committee on Science and Technology House Committee on Agriculture, Subcommittee on Department Operations, Research, and Foreign Agriculture Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources (endorsement) Projected Delivery Date to TAB: March 1985 TECHNOLOGY FOR DEVELOPING OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS RESOURCES IN HOSTILE Most of the U.S. offshore oil and gas resources are expected to be found in: (1) Alaska, and (2) deepwater of the continental shelf and in the Gulf of Mexico Oceanic Basin. Up to one-half of the undiscovered recoverable hydrocarbons are expected to lie in deepwater between 668 to 12,888 feet. Operating in arctic and sub-arctic regions requires technologies to withstand ice conditions and high winds and waves. As the petroleum industry moves into hostile environments, questions arise regarding the adequacy of Federal procedures to deal with oil and gas development. These questions include: (1) are procedures adequate for encouraging high-risk development by the industry; (2) can environmental and personnel safety be ensured; (3) is there sufficient information on resource and engineering factors, ice movement and wave and wind conditions to safely administer Federal offshore leasing; (4) are there technological factors that may affect the pace of offshore leasing; (5) are there economic factors that will affect the rate of resource development; and (6) are changes needed in the statutes and regulations to encourage industry's development of offshore resources and protect the environment. Requested by: House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs; and the Subcommittee on Projected Delivery Date to TAB: February 1985 Special Activity of Note PROSPECTIVE PAYMENT ASSESSMENT COMMISSION The Commission is an independent advisory committee mandated under the "Social Security Amendments of 1983" (Public Law 98-21, Section 602) which reforms the Medicare program payment method. Under the Statute, the OTA Director was charged with selecting the fifteen Commission members and completed that task in November 1983. OTA is also required to report annually to Congress on the functioning and progress of the Commission. A fact sheet on the Commission can be found on the next two pages.. 57 The Prospective Payment Assessment Commission Commission Composition of the Commission Duties Functioning Funding OTA's Role Appointment of the Commission For Further The Commission is an independent advisory committee mandated under the "Social Security Amendments of 1983" (Public Law 98-21, §601) which reforms the Medicare program payment method. The Commission will consist of 15 members appointed for 3-year terms. Initial appointments may be for staggered terms. Members of the Commission will have expertise in the provision and financing of health care; in the conduct and interpretation of biomedical, health services, or health economics research; or in the research and development of technological and scientific advances in health care. The Commission makes recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) concerning the appropriate payment rate under the newly passed Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs) system for hospital services in Medicare. The Commission also has broad powers to assess medical technology and the appropriateness of medical practice patterns. The Commission is empowered to collect and assess information on hospital costs and productivity, technological advances, and cost effectiveness of hospital services. It is required to use existing information where possible, but is also given authority to carry out research and to award grants and contracts. It is empowered to employ up to 25 staff members. The bill provides funding for the work of the Commission from the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund (85 percent) and the Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund (15 percent). The bill also provides that the sums necessary shall be appropriated. The OTA Director has the responsibility to select and appoint the Commission members. OTA is also required to report annually to Congress on the functioning and progress of the Commission. OTA solicited nominations widely. A large number of professional, technical. For information on the Commission. call Clyde J. Behney. Health Program (over) Excerpts from the Social Security Amendments of 1983 (Public Law 98-21). From title VI, sec. 601: "(2) The Director of the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as the 'Director' and the 'Office', respectively) shall provide for appointment of a Prospective Payment Assessment Commission (hereinafter in this subsection referred to as the 'Commission') to be composed of independent experts appointed by the Director. "(6) (A) The Commission shall consist of 15 individuals. Members of the Commission shall first be appointed no later than April 1, 1984, for a term of three years, except that the Director may provide initially for such shorter terms as will insure that (on a continuing basis) the terms of no more than seven members expire in any one year. "(B) The membership of the Commission shall provide expertise and experience in the provision and financing of health care, including physicians and registered professional nurses, employers, third party payors, individuals skilled in the conduct and interpretation of biomedical, health services, and health economics research, and individuals having expertise in the research and development of technological and scientific advances in health care. The Director shall seek nominations from a wide range of groups, including "(i) national organizations representing physicians, including medical specialty organizations and registered professional nurses and other skilled health professionals: "(ii) national organizations representing hospitals, including teaching hospitals; "(iii) national organizations representing manufacturers of health care products; and "(iv) national organizations representing the business community, health benefit programs, labor, and the elderly. Review Panel An expert panel made up of people from outside of the Office of Technology Assessment is assisting OTA in reviewing the qualifications of nominees and will make recommendations to the Director concerning appointments to the Commission. The Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) is an analytical arm of the U.S. Congress whose basic function is to help |