RESEARCH RELATING TO WOMEN VETERANS.

SEC. 102. RESEARCH RELATING TO WOMEN VETERANS. (a) Inclusion of Women and Minorities in Clinical Research Projects.— Section 7303 is amended— (1) by transferring the text of subsection (c) to the end of subsection (a)(1); and (2) by striking out “(c)” and inserting in lieu thereof the following: “(c) (1) In conducting or supporting clinical research, the Secretary shall ensure that, whenever possible and appropriate— “(A) women who are veterans are included as subjects in each project of such research; and “(B) members of minority groups who are veterans are included as subjects of such research. “(2) In the case of a project of clinical research in which women or members of minority groups will under paragraph (1) be included as subjects of the research, the Secretary shall ensure that the project is designed and carried out so as to provide for a valid analysis of whether the variables being tested in the research108 STAT. 4786 affect women or members of minority groups, as the case may be, differently than other persons who are subjects of the research.”. (b) Health Research.— (1) Such section is further amended by adding after subsection (c), as added by subsection (a), the following new subsection: “(d) (1) The Secretary, in carrying out the Secretary’s responsibilities under this section, shall foster and encourage the initiation and expansion of research relating to the health of veterans who are women. “(2) In carrying out this subsection, the Secretary shall consult with the following to assist the Secretary in setting research priorities: “(A) Officials of the Department assigned responsibility for women’s health programs and sexual trauma services. “(B) The members of the Advisory Committee on Women Veterans. “(C) Members of appropriate task forces and working groups within the Department (including the Women Veterans Working Group and the Task Force on Treatment of Women Who Stiffer Sexual Abuse).”. (2) Section 109 of the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992 (Public Law 102–585; 38 U.S.C. 7303 note) is repealed. (c) Population Study.— Section 110(a) of the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992 (Public Law 102–585; 106 Stat. 4948) is amended by adding at the end of paragraph (3) the following: “If it is feasible to do so within the amounts available for the conduct of the study, the Secretary shall ensure that the sample referred to in paragraph (1) constitutes a representative sampling (as determined by the Secretary) of the ages, the ethnic, social and economic backgrounds, the enlisted and officer grades, and the branches of service of all veterans who are women.”.