---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 300mm–4"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "300mm–4"
heading: "Clinical Centers of Excellence and Data Centers"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/300mm-4"
units:
  - "Chapter 6A — Public Health Service"
  - "Subchapter XXXI — World Trade Center Health Program"
  - "Part A — Establishment of Program; Advisory Committee"
---

# §300mm–4. Clinical Centers of Excellence and Data Centers

- (a) **In general—**
  - (1) **Contracts with Clinical Centers of Excellence—** The [WTC Program Administrator](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=16-A) shall, subject to [subsection (b)(1)(B)](#b-1-B), enter into contracts with Clinical Centers of Excellence (as defined in [subsection (b)(1)(A)](#b-1-A))—
    - (A) for the provision of monitoring and [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11) benefits and [initial health evaluation](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=6) benefits under part B;
    - (B) for the provision of outreach and retention activities to individuals eligible for such monitoring and [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11) benefits, for [initial health evaluation](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=6) benefits, and for followup to individuals who are enrolled in the monitoring [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4);
    - (C) for the provision of counseling for benefits under part B, with respect to [WTC-related health conditions](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=17), for individuals eligible for such benefits;
    - (D) for the provision of counseling for benefits for [WTC-related health conditions](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=17) that may be available under workers’ compensation or other benefit [programs](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) for work-related injuries or illnesses, health insurance, disability insurance, or other insurance plans or through public or private social [service](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) [agencies](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) and assisting eligible individuals in applying for such benefits;
    - (E) for the provision of translational and interpretive [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) for [program](/usc/42/274l–1.md?p=4) [participants](/usc/42/300gg–91.md?p=d-11) who are not English language proficient; and
    - (F) for the collection and reporting of data, including claims data, in accordance with [section 300mm–3 of this title](/usc/42/300mm–3.md).
  - (2) **Contracts with Data Centers—**
    - (A) **In general—** The [WTC Program Administrator](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=16-A) shall enter into contracts with one or more [Data Centers](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=3) (as defined in [subsection (b)(2)](#b-2))—
      - (i) for receiving, analyzing, and reporting to the [WTC Program Administrator](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=16-A) on data, in accordance with [section 300mm–3 of this title](/usc/42/300mm–3.md), that have been collected and reported to such [Data Centers](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=3) by the corresponding Clinical Centers of Excellence under [subsection (b)(1)(B)(iii)](#b-1-B-iii);
      - (ii) for the development of monitoring, [initial health evaluation](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=6), and [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11) protocols, with respect to [WTC-related health conditions](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=17);
      - (iii) for coordinating the outreach and retention activities conducted under [paragraph (1)(B)](#a-1-B) by each corresponding [Clinical Center of Excellence](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=3);
      - (iv) for establishing criteria for the credentialing of medical [providers](/usc/42/299b–21.md?p=8) participating in the nationwide network under [section 300mm–23 of this title](/usc/42/300mm–23.md);
      - (v) for coordinating and administering the activities of the [WTC Health Program Steering Committees](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=14) established under [section 300mm–1(b)](/usc/42/300mm–1.md?p=b)[^1] of this title; and
      - (vi) for meeting periodically with the corresponding Clinical Centers of Excellence to obtain input on the analysis and reporting of data collected under [clause (i)](#a-2-A-i) and on the development of monitoring, [initial health evaluation](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=6), and [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11) protocols under [clause (ii)](#a-2-A-ii).
    - (B) **Medical provider selection—** The medical [providers](/usc/42/299b–21.md?p=8) under [subparagraph (A)(iv)](#a-2-A-iv) shall be selected by the [WTC Program Administrator](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=16-A) on the basis of their experience treating or diagnosing the health conditions included in the [list of WTC-related health conditions](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=7).
    - (C) **Clinical discussions—** In carrying out [subparagraph (A)(ii)](#a-2-A-ii), a [Data Center](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=3) shall engage in clinical discussions across the [WTC Program](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=15) to guide [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11) approaches for individuals with a [WTC-related health condition](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=17).
    - (D) **Transparency of data—** A contract entered into under this subsection with a [Data Center](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=3) shall require the [Data Center](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=3) to make any data collected and reported to such Center under [subsection (b)(1)(B)(iii)](#b-1-B-iii) available to health researchers and others as provided in the CDC/ATSDR Policy on Releasing and Sharing Data.
  - (3) **Authority for contracts to be class specific—** A contract entered into under this subsection with a [Clinical Center of Excellence](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=3) or a [Data Center](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=3) may be with respect to one or more class of [enrolled WTC responders](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=4), [screening-eligible WTC survivors](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=10), or [certified-eligible WTC survivors](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=2).
  - (4) **Use of cooperative agreements—** Any contract under this subchapter between the [WTC Program Administrator](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=16-A) and a [Data Center](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=3) or a [Clinical Center of Excellence](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=3) may be in the form of a cooperative agreement.
  - (5) **Review on feasibility of consolidating Data Centers—** Not later than July 1, 2011, the [Comptroller General](/usc/42/300x–64.md?p=b-1) of the United States shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate a report on the feasibility of consolidating [Data Centers](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=3) into a single [Data Center](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=3).
- (b) **Centers of Excellence—**
  - (1) **Clinical Centers of Excellence—**
    - (A) **Definition—** For purposes of this subchapter, the term “[Clinical Center of Excellence](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=3)” means a Center that demonstrates to the satisfaction of the [Administrator](/usc/42/300bb–8.md?p=4) that the Center—
      - (i) uses an integrated, centralized [health care provider](/usc/42/300aa–33.md?p=1) approach to create a comprehensive suite of health [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) under this subchapter that are accessible to [enrolled WTC responders](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=4), [screening-eligible WTC survivors](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=10), or [certified-eligible WTC survivors](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=2);
      - (ii) has experience in caring for [WTC responders](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=18) and [screening-eligible WTC survivors](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=10) or includes [health care providers](/usc/42/300aa–33.md?p=1) who have been trained pursuant to [section 300mm–23(c) of this title](/usc/42/300mm–23.md?p=c);
      - (iii) employs [health care provider](/usc/42/300aa–33.md?p=1) staff with expertise that includes, at a minimum, occupational medicine, environmental medicine, [trauma](/usc/42/300d–31.md?p=4)-related psychiatry and psychology, and social [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) counseling; and
      - (iv) meets such other requirements as specified by the [Administrator](/usc/42/300bb–8.md?p=4).
    - (B) **Contract requirements—** The [WTC Program Administrator](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=16-A) shall not enter into a contract with a [Clinical Center of Excellence](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=3) under [subsection (a)(1)](#a-1) unless the Center agrees to do each of the following:
      - (i) Establish a formal mechanism for consulting with and receiving input from representatives of eligible populations receiving monitoring and [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11) benefits under part B from such Center.
      - (ii) Coordinate monitoring and [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11) benefits under part B with routine [medical care](/usc/42/300gg–91.md?p=a-2) provided for the [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11) of conditions other than [WTC-related health conditions](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=17).
      - (iii) Collect and report to the corresponding [Data Center](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=3) data, including claims data, in accordance with [section 300mm–3(b) of this title](/usc/42/300mm–3.md?p=b).
      - (iv) Have in place safeguards against fraud that are satisfactory to the [Administrator](/usc/42/300bb–8.md?p=4), in consultation with the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human [Services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a).
      - (v) Treat or refer for [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11) all individuals who are [enrolled WTC responders](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=4) or [certified-eligible WTC survivors](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=2) with respect to such Center who present themselves for [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11) of a [WTC-related health condition](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=17).
      - (vi) Have in place safeguards, consistent with [section 300mm–3(d) of this title](/usc/42/300mm–3.md?p=d), to ensure the confidentiality of an individual’s individually identifiable health information, including requiring that such information not be disclosed to the individual’s [employer](/usc/42/300gg–91.md?p=d-6) without the authorization of the individual.
      - (vii) Use amounts paid under [subsection (c)(1)](#c-1) only for costs incurred in carrying out the activities described in [subsection (a)](#a), other than those described in [subsection (a)(1)(A)](#a-1-A).
      - (viii) Utilize [health care providers](/usc/42/300aa–33.md?p=1) with occupational and environmental medicine expertise to conduct physical and mental health assessments, in accordance with protocols developed under [subsection (a)(2)(A)(ii)](#a-2-A-ii).
      - (ix) Communicate with [WTC responders](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=18) and screening-eligible and [certified-eligible WTC survivors](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=2) in appropriate languages and conduct outreach activities with relevant stakeholder worker or community associations.
      - (x) Meet all the other applicable requirements of this subchapter, including [regulations](/usc/42/201.md?p=d) implementing such requirements.
    - (C) **Transition rule to ensure continuity of care—** The [WTC Program Administrator](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=16-A) shall to the maximum extent feasible ensure continuity of care in any period of transition from monitoring and [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11) of an [enrolled WTC responder](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=4) or [certified-eligible WTC survivor](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=2) by a [provider](/usc/42/299b–21.md?p=8) to a [Clinical Center of Excellence](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=3) or a [health care provider](/usc/42/300aa–33.md?p=1) participating in the nationwide network under [section 300mm–23 of this title](/usc/42/300mm–23.md).
  - (2) **Data Centers—** For purposes of this subchapter, the term “[Data Center](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=3)” means a Center that the [WTC Program Administrator](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=16-A) determines has the capacity to carry out the responsibilities for a [Data Center](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=3) under [subsection (a)(2)](#a-2).
  - (3) **Corresponding centers—** For purposes of this subchapter, a [Clinical Center of Excellence](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=3) and a [Data Center](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=3) shall be treated as “corresponding” to the extent that such Clinical Center and [Data Center](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=3) serve the same population group.
- (c) **Payment for infrastructure costs—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [WTC Program Administrator](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=16-A) shall reimburse a [Clinical Center of Excellence](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=3) for the fixed infrastructure costs of such Center in carrying out the activities described in part B at a rate negotiated by the [Administrator](/usc/42/300bb–8.md?p=4) and such Centers. Such negotiated rate shall be fair and appropriate and take into account the number of [enrolled WTC responders](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=4) receiving [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) from such Center under this subchapter.
  - (2) **Fixed infrastructure costs—** For purposes of [paragraph (1)](#c-1), the term “fixed infrastructure costs” means, with respect to a [Clinical Center of Excellence](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=3), the costs incurred by such Center that are not otherwise reimbursable by the [WTC Program Administrator](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=16-A) under [section 300mm–22(c) of this title](/usc/42/300mm–22.md?p=c) for patient evaluation, monitoring, or [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11) but which are needed to operate the [WTC program](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=15) such as the costs involved in outreach to [participants](/usc/42/300gg–91.md?p=d-11) or recruiting [participants](/usc/42/300gg–91.md?p=d-11), data collection and analysis, social [services](/usc/42/201.md?p=a) for counseling patients on other available assistance outside the [WTC program](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=15), and the development of [treatment](/usc/42/11851.md?p=11) protocols. Such term does not include costs for new [construction](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=7) or other capital costs.
- (d) **GAO analysis—** Not later than July 1, 2011, the [Comptroller General](/usc/42/300x–64.md?p=b-1) shall submit to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate an analysis on whether Clinical Centers of Excellence with which the [WTC Program Administrator](/usc/42/300mm–5.md?p=16-A) enters into a contract under this section have financial systems that will allow for the timely submission of claims data for purposes of [section 300mm–3 of this title](/usc/42/300mm–3.md) and subsections [(a)(1)(F)](#a-1-F) and [(b)(1)(B)(iii)](#b-1-B-iii).

## Footnotes

[^1]: See References in Text note below.

## Source credit

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title XXXIII, § 3305, as added Pub. L. 111–347, title I, § 101, Jan. 2, 2011, 124 Stat. 3630; amended Pub. L. 114–113, div. O, title III, § 302(c), Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2998.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### References in Text

Section 300mm–1(b) of this title, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(A)(v), was in the original “section 3002(b)” and was translated as meaning section 3302(b) of act July 1, 1944, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

### Amendments

2015—Subsec. (a)(1)(B). Pub. L. 114–113, § 302(c)(1)(A), inserted “and retention” after “outreach”.

Subsec. (a)(2)(A)(iii). Pub. L. 114–113, § 302(c)(1)(B), inserted “and retention” after “outreach”.

Subsec. (b)(1)(B)(vi). Pub. L. 114–113, § 302(c)(2), substituted “section 300mm–3(d)” for “section 300mm–3(c)”.