(a) In general

The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this Act as the “Secretary”) shall establish and implement a program to provide information and education on muscular dystrophy to health professionals and the general public, including information and education on advances in the diagnosis and treatment of muscular dystrophy and training and continuing education through programs for scientists, physicians, medical students, and other health professionals who provide care for patients with muscular dystrophy.

(b) Stipends

The Secretary may use amounts made available under this section provides ¹ stipends for health professionals who are enrolled in training programs under this section.

(c) Requirements

In carrying out this section, the Secretary may—

(1) partner with leaders in the muscular dystrophy patient community;

(2) cooperate with professional organizations and the patient community in the development and issuance of care considerations for pediatric and adult patients, including acute care considerations, for Duchenne-Becker muscular dystrophy, and various other forms of muscular dystrophy, and in periodic review and updates, as appropriate;

(3) in developing and updating care considerations under paragraph (2), incorporate strategies specifically responding to the findings of the national transitions survey of minority, young adult, and adult communities of muscular dystrophy patients; and

(4) widely disseminate the Duchenne-Becker muscular dystrophy and various other forms of muscular dystrophy care considerations as broadly as possible, including through partnership opportunities with the muscular dystrophy patient community.

(d) Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.