---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 247b–6"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "247b–6"
heading: "National strategy for combating and eliminating tuberculosis"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/247b-6"
units:
  - "Chapter 6A — Public Health Service"
  - "Subchapter II — General Powers and Duties"
  - "Part B — Federal-State Cooperation"
---

# §247b–6. National strategy for combating and eliminating tuberculosis

- (a) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c), acting through the [Director](/usc/42/11851.md?p=5) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, may make grants to [States](/usc/42/201.md?p=f), political subdivisions, and other public entities for preventive health [service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) for the prevention, control, and elimination of tuberculosis.
- (b) **Research and development; demonstration projects; education and training—** With respect to the prevention, [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11), control, and elimination of tuberculosis, the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) may, directly or through grants to public or [nonprofit](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=3) private entities, carry out the following:
  - (1) Research, with priority given to research and development concerning latent tuberculosis infection, strains of tuberculosis resistant to [drugs](/usc/42/11851.md?p=4), and research concerning cases of tuberculosis that affect certain populations at risk for tuberculosis.
  - (2) Research and development and related activities to develop new tools for the elimination of tuberculosis, including [drugs](/usc/42/11851.md?p=4), diagnostics, vaccines, and public health interventions, such as directly observed therapy and non-pharmaceutical intervention, and methods to enhance detection and response to outbreaks of tuberculosis, including multidrug resistant tuberculosis. The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) is encouraged to give priority to programmatically relevant research so that new tools can be utilized in public health practice.
  - (3) Demonstration [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) for—
    - (A) the development of regional capabilities to prevent, control, and eliminate tuberculosis and prevent multidrug resistant and extensively [drug](/usc/42/11851.md?p=4) resistant strains of tuberculosis;
    - (B) the intensification of efforts to reduce health disparities in the incidence of tuberculosis;
    - (C) the intensification of efforts to control tuberculosis along the United States-Mexico border and among United States-Mexico binational populations, including through expansion of the scope and number of [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) that—
      - (i) detect and treat binational cases of tuberculosis; and
      - (ii) treat high-risk cases of tuberculosis referred from Mexican health departments;
    - (D) the intensification of efforts to prevent, detect, and treat tuberculosis among foreign-born persons who are in the United States;
    - (E) the intensification of efforts to prevent, detect, and treat tuberculosis among populations and settings documented as having a high risk for tuberculosis; and
    - (F) tuberculosis detection, control, and prevention.
  - (4) Public information and education activities.
  - (5) Education, training, clinical skills improvement activities, and workplace exposure prevention for health professionals, including allied health personnel and emergency response [employees](/usc/42/300gg–91.md?p=d-5).
  - (6) Support of Centers to carry out activities under paragraphs [(1)](#b-1) through [(4)](#b-4).
  - (7) Collaboration with international organizations and foreign countries in carrying out such activities.
  - (8) Develop, enhance, and expand information technologies that support tuberculosis control including surveillance and database management systems with cross-jurisdictional capabilities, which shall conform to the standards and implementation specifications for such information technologies as recommended by the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c).
- (c) **Cooperation with providers of primary health services—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) may make a grant under subsection [(a)](#a) or [(b)](#b) only if the applicant for the grant agrees that, in carrying out activities under the grant, the applicant will cooperate with public and [nonprofit](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=3) private [providers](/usc/42/299b–21.md?p=8) of primary health [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) or [substance abuse services](/usc/42/290cc–34.md?p=4), including entities receiving assistance under section [254b](/usc/42/254b.md), [254b](/usc/42/254b.md), or [256a](/usc/42/256a.md) of this title[^1] or under subchapter III–A or XVII.
- (d) **Application for grant—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) may make a grant under subsection [(a)](#a) or [(b)](#b) only if an application for the grant is submitted to the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) and the application, subject to [paragraph (2)](#d-2), is in such form, is made in such manner, and contains such agreements, assurances, and information as the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) determines to be necessary to carry out the subsection involved.
  - (2) **Plan for prevention, control, and elimination—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) may make a grant under [subsection (a)](#a) only if the application under [paragraph (1)](#d-1) contains a plan regarding the prevention, control, and elimination of tuberculosis in the geographic area with respect to which the grant is sought.
  - (3) **Determination of amount of nonfederal contributions—**
    - (A) **Priority—** In awarding grants under subsection [(a)](#a) or [(b)](#b), the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall give highest priority to an applicant that provides assurances that the applicant will contribute non-Federal funds to carry out activities under this section, which may be provided directly or through donations from public or private entities and may be in cash or in kind, including equipment or [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a).
    - (B) **Federal amounts not to be included as contributions—** Amounts provided by the Federal Government, or [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) assisted or subsidized to any significant extent by the Federal Government, may not be included in determining the amount of non-Federal contributions as described in [subparagraph (A)](#d-3-A).
- (e) **Supplies and services in lieu of grant funds—**
  - (1) **In general—** Upon the request of a grantee under subsection [(a)](#a) or [(b)](#b), the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) may, subject to [paragraph (2)](#e-2), provide supplies, equipment, and [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) for the purpose of aiding the grantee in carrying out the subsection involved and, for such purpose, may detail to the [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) any officer or [employee](/usc/42/300gg–91.md?p=d-5) of the Department of Health and Human [Services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a).
  - (2) **Corresponding reduction in payments—** With respect to a request described in [paragraph (1)](#e-1), the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall reduce the amount of payments under the grant involved by an amount equal to the costs of detailing personnel and the fair market value of any supplies, equipment, or [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) provided by the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c). The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall, for the payment of expenses incurred in complying with such request, expend the amounts withheld.
- (f) **Advisory Council—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall establish an [advisory council](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=1) to be known as the [Advisory Council](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=1) for the Elimination of Tuberculosis (in this subsection referred to as the “Council”).
  - (2) **Duties—** The Council shall provide advice and recommendations regarding the elimination of tuberculosis to the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c). In addition, the Council shall, with respect to eliminating such disease, provide to the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) and other appropriate Federal officials advice on—
    - (A) coordinating the activities of the Department of Health and Human [Services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) and other Federal [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) that relate to the disease, including activities under [subsection (b)](#b);
    - (B) responding rapidly and effectively to emerging issues in tuberculosis; and
    - (C) efficiently utilizing the Federal resources involved.
  - (3) **Comprehensive plan—**
    - (A) **In general—** In carrying out [paragraph (2)](#f-2), the Council shall make or update recommendations on the development, revision, and implementation of a comprehensive plan to eliminate tuberculosis in the United States.
    - (B) **Consultation—** In carrying out [subparagraph (A)](#f-3-A), the Council may consult with appropriate public and private entities, which may, subject to the direction or discretion of the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c), include—
      - (i) individuals who are scientists, physicians, laboratorians, and other health professionals, who are not officers or [employees](/usc/42/300gg–91.md?p=d-5) of the Federal Government and who represent the disciplines relevant to tuberculosis elimination;
      - (ii) members of public-private partnerships or private entities established to address the elimination of tuberculosis;
      - (iii) members of national and international nongovernmental organizations whose purpose is to eliminate tuberculosis;
      - (iv) members from the general public who are knowledgeable with respect to tuberculosis elimination including individuals who have or have had tuberculosis; and
      - (v) scientists, physicians, laboratorians, and other health professionals who reside in a foreign country with a substantial incidence or prevalence of tuberculosis, and who represent the specialties and disciplines relevant to the research under consideration.
    - (C) **Certain components of plan—** In carrying out [subparagraph (A)](#f-3-A), the Council shall, subject to the direction or discretion of the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c)—
      - (i) consider recommendations for the involvement of the United States in continuing global and cross-border tuberculosis control activities in countries where a high incidence of tuberculosis directly affects the United States; and
      - (ii) review the extent to which progress has been made toward eliminating tuberculosis.
  - (4) **Biennial report—**
    - (A) **In general—** The Council shall submit a biennial report to the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c), as determined necessary by the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c), on the activities carried under this section. Each such report shall include the opinion of the Council on the extent to which its recommendations regarding the elimination of tuberculosis have been implemented, including with respect to—
      - (i) activities under [subsection (b)](#b); and
      - (ii) the national plan referred to in [paragraph (3)](#f-3).
    - (B) **Public—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall make a report submitted under [subparagraph (A)](#f-4-A) public.
  - (5) **Composition—** The Council shall be composed of—
    - (A) ex officio representatives from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the United States [Agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) for International Development, the [Agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Health Resources and [Services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) Administration, the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission, and other Federal departments and [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) that carry out significant activities related to tuberculosis;
    - (B) [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f) and local tuberculosis control and public health officials;
    - (C) individuals who are scientists, physicians, laboratorians, and other health professionals who represent disciplines relevant to tuberculosis elimination; and
    - (D) members of national and international nongovernmental organizations established to address the elimination of tuberculosis.
  - (6) **Staff, information, and other assistance—** The [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall provide to the Council such staff, information, and other assistance as may be necessary to carry out the duties of the Council.
- (g) **Federal Tuberculosis Task Force—**
  - (1) **Duties—** The Federal Tuberculosis [Task Force](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=3) (in this subsection referred to as the “[Task Force](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=3)”) shall provide to the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) and other appropriate Federal officials advice on research into new tools under [subsection (b)(2)](#b-2), including advice regarding the efficient utilization of the Federal resources involved.
  - (2) **Comprehensive plan for new tools development—** In carrying out [paragraph (1)](#g-1), the [Task Force](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=3) shall make recommendations on the development of a comprehensive plan for the creation of new tools for the elimination of tuberculosis, including [drugs](/usc/42/11851.md?p=4), diagnostics, and vaccines.
  - (3) **Consultation—** In developing the comprehensive plan under [paragraph (1)](#g-1),[^2] the [Task Force](/usc/42/242q–4.md?p=3) shall consult with external parties including representatives from groups such as—
    - (A) scientists, physicians, laboratorians, and other health professionals who represent the specialties and disciplines relevant to the research under consideration;
    - (B) members from public-private partnerships, private entities, or foundations (or both) engaged in activities relevant to research under consideration;
    - (C) members of national and international nongovernmental organizations established to address tuberculosis elimination;
    - (D) members from the general public who are knowledgeable with respect to tuberculosis including individuals who have or have had tuberculosis; and
    - (E) scientists, physicians, laboratorians, and other health professionals who reside in a foreign country with a substantial incidence or prevalence of tuberculosis, and who represent the specialties and disciplines relevant to the research under consideration.
- (h) **Authorization of appropriations—**
  - (1) **General program—**
    - (A) **In general—** For the purpose of carrying out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, $210,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, $220,500,000 for fiscal year 2011, $231,525,000 for fiscal year 2012, and $243,101,250 for fiscal year 2013.
    - (B) **Reservation for emergency grants—** Of the amounts appropriated under [subparagraph (A)](#h-1-A) for a fiscal year, the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) may reserve not more than 25 percent for emergency grants under [subsection (a)](#a) for any geographic area, [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f), political subdivision of a [State](/usc/42/201.md?p=f), or other public entity in which there is, relative to other areas, a substantial number of cases of tuberculosis, multidrug resistant tuberculosis, or extensively [drug](/usc/42/11851.md?p=4) resistant tuberculosis or a substantial rate of increase in such cases.
    - (C) **Priority—** In allocating amounts appropriated under [subparagraph (A)](#h-1-A), the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall give priority to allocating such amounts for grants under [subsection (a)](#a).
    - (D) **Allocation of funds—**
      - (i) **Requirement of formula—** Of the amounts appropriated under [subparagraph (A)](#h-1-A), not reserved under [subparagraph (B)](#h-1-B), and allocated by the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) for grants under [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) shall distribute a portion of such amounts to grantees under [subsection (a)](#a) on the basis of a formula.
      - (ii) **Relevant factors—** The formula developed by the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) under [clause (i)](#h-1-D-i) shall take into account the level of tuberculosis morbidity and case complexity in the respective geographic area and may consider other factors relevant to tuberculosis in such area.
      - (iii) **No change to formula required—** This subparagraph does not require the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) to modify the formula that was used by the [Secretary](/usc/42/201.md?p=c) to distribute funds to grantees under [subsection (a)](#a) for fiscal year 2009.
  - (2) **Limitation—** The authorization of appropriations established in [paragraph (1)](#h-1) for a fiscal year is effective only if the amount appropriated under such paragraph for such year equals or exceeds the amount appropriated to carry out this section for fiscal year 2009.

## Footnotes

[^1]: See References in Text notes below.
[^2]: So in original. Probably should be “paragraph (2),”.

## Source credit

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, § 317E, as added Pub. L. 103–183, title III, § 301(a), Dec. 14, 1993, 107 Stat. 2233; amended Pub. L. 105–392, title IV, §§ 401(b)(1), 405, Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3587, 3588; Pub. L. 107–251, title VI, § 601(a), Oct. 26, 2002, 116 Stat. 1664; Pub. L. 108–163, § 2(m)(1), Dec. 6, 2003, 117 Stat. 2023; Pub. L. 110–392, title I, §§ 101, 111(a), (c), 131, Oct. 13, 2008, 122 Stat. 4196, 4197, 4199, 4200.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

The reference to section 254b of this title the first place appearing, referred to in subsec. (c), was in the original a reference to section 329, meaning section 329 of act July 1, 1944, which was omitted in the general amendment of subpart I (§ 254b et seq.) of part D of this subchapter by Pub. L. 104–299, § 2, Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3626.

Section 256a of this title, referred to in subsec. (c), was repealed by Pub. L. 104–299, § 4(a)(3), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3645.

### Amendments

2008—Pub. L. 110–392, § 101(1), substituted “National strategy for combating and eliminating tuberculosis” for “Preventive health services regarding tuberculosis” in section catchline.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 110–392, § 101(2), amended subsec. (b) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (b) related to research, demonstration projects, education, and training for the purpose of prevention, control, and elimination of tuberculosis.

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 110–392, § 101(3), added par. (3).

Subsec. (f)(2) to (6). Pub. L. 110–392, § 111(a), added pars. (2) to (5), redesignated former par. (5) as (6), and struck out former pars. (2) to (4) which related to general duties, certain activities, and composition of the Council, respectively.

Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 110–392, § 111(c)(2), added subsec. (g). Former subsec. (g) redesignated (h).

Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 110–392, § 131, added subsec. (h) and struck out former subsec. (h) which authorized appropriations for grants, research, demonstration projects, education, and training for fiscal years 1994 to 2002.

Pub. L. 110–392, § 111(c)(1), redesignated subsec. (g) as (h).

2003—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 108–163 substituted “254b” for “254c, 254b(h)” before “, or”.

2002—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 107–251 substituted “254b(h)” for “256”.

1998—Subsec. (g)(1)(A). Pub. L. 105–392, § 405(1)(A), substituted “2002” for “1998”.

Subsec. (g)(1)(B). Pub. L. 105–392, § 405(1)(B), substituted “25 percent” for “$50,000,000”.

Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 105–392, § 405(2), substituted “2002” for “1998”.

Pub. L. 105–392, § 401(b)(1), substituted “carrying out subsection (b)” for “making grants under subsection (b)”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 2003 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 108–163 deemed to have taken effect immediately after the enactment of Pub. L. 107–251, see section 3 of Pub. L. 108–163, set out as a note under section 233 of this title.

### Effective Date of 1998 Amendment

Amendment by section 401(b)(1) of Pub. L. 105–392 deemed to have taken effect immediately after enactment of Pub. L. 103–183, see section 401(e) of Pub. L. 105–392, set out as a note under section 242m of this title.

### Construction of 2008 Amendment

Pub. L. 110–392, title I, § 111(b), Oct. 13, 2008, 122 Stat. 4199, provided that: “With respect to the advisory council under section 317E(f) of the Public Health Service Act [42 U.S.C. 247b–6(f)], the amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this section] may not be construed as terminating the membership on such council of any individual serving as such a member as of the day before the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 13, 2008].”

### Termination of Advisory Councils

Advisory councils established after Jan. 5, 1973, to terminate not later than the expiration of the 2-year period beginning on the date of their establishment, unless, in the case of a council established by the President or an officer of the Federal Government, such council is renewed by appropriate action prior to the expiration of such 2-year period, or in the case of a council established by Congress, its duration is otherwise provided by law. See sections 1001(2) and 1013 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Pub. L. 93–641, § 6, Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2275, set out as a note under section 217a of this title, provided that an advisory committee established pursuant to the Public Health Service Act shall terminate at such time as may be specifically prescribed by an Act of Congress enacted after Jan. 4, 1975.