§ 294g. Authorization of appropriations
(a)
In general
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this part, $55,600,000 for fiscal year 1998, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 1999 through 2002.
(b)
Allocation
(1)
In general
Of the amounts appropriated under subsection (a) of this section for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall make available—
(B)
not less than $3,765,000 for awards of grants and contracts under section
294b of this title, of which not less than 50 percent of such amount shall be made available for centers described in subsection (a)(1) of such section; and
(2)
Ratable reduction
If amounts appropriated under subsection (a) of this section for any fiscal year are less than the amount required to comply with paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ratably reduce the amount to be made available under each of subparagraphs (A) through (C) of such paragraph accordingly.
(3)
Increase in amounts
If amounts appropriated for a fiscal year under subsection (a) of this section exceed the amount authorized under such subsection for such fiscal year, the Secretary may increase the amount to be made available for programs and activities under this part without regard to the amounts specified in each of subparagraphs (A) through (C) of paragraph (2).
(c)
Obligation of certain amounts
(1)
Area health education center programs
(2)
Sense of Congress
It is the sense of the Congress that—
(B)
the ratio of Federal funding for the model program under section
294a
(a)(2) of this title should increase over time and that Federal funding for other awards under this section shall decrease so that the national program will become entirely comprised of programs that are funded at least 50 percent by State and local partners.