Health Amendments of 1981

Health Amendments of 1981 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to eliminate the National Center for Health Care Technology and the National Council on Health Care Technology. Transfers certain health care technology activities to the renamed National Center for Health Care Technology and Health Services Research.

Authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to participate in international health care technology activities. Authorizes (rather than requires) the Secretary to carry out health technology activities and fund health services research centers. Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982-1984 for health research and technology and health statistics.

Permits approval without peer review of research and technology grants of $50,000 or less (currently $35,000 or less).

Repeals: (1) the authority establishing the Cooperative Health Statistics System; and (2) the requirement that the Secretary, acting through the National Center for Health Statistics, develop executive guidelines concerning the effect of employment conditions and the environment on public health.

Makes discretionary (currently mandatory) the Secretary's authority to train persons in the areas of health statistics, research and technology.

Limits the release of health statistics, research, or technology information.

Authorizes appropriations for National Research Service Awards for fiscal years 1982-1984. Directs that special consideration be given to physicians who agree to do at least two years of biomedical research. Exempts the first 12 months of service from the payback provision. States that such Awards cover tuition and fees. Permits a recipient to meet his or her service obligation by working for a Federal agency or State or local entity if authorized by the Secretary. Eliminates the service obligation for undergraduate recipients.

Amends the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 to: (1) eliminate the provision establishing the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry; (2) require the Secretary to provide technical assistance and advice to the Environmental Protection Agency relating to toxic substances.

Amends the Public Health Service Act to broaden the Secretary's authority to engage in cooperative health endeavors. Increases from 45 days to six months the maximum time period for aiding States or localities during health emergencies. Requires the Secretary to consider State, local, or private resource sources in determining the amount of such assistance.

Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 1982-1984 for: (1) immunization programs; and (2) medical libraries. Makes discretionary (currently mandatory) the Secretary's authority to make grants for special scientific projects and for research and development in medical library science.

Makes additional special pay for Public Health Service Commissioned Corps physicians discretionary.

Revises language regarding Hansen's disease (leprosy). Permits treatment in non-Public Health Service facilities.

Eliminates or reduces specified health reporting requirements.