A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a National Institute on Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases.

(Measure passed Senate, amended)

Amends title IV (National Research Institutes) of the Public Health Service Act to establish a National Institute on Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Sets forth the Institute's research and training functions and diseases program plan.

Requires the Director of the Institute to establish a data system and an information clearinghouse.

Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish: (1) an Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Disease Interagency Coordinating Committee; and (2) a Skin Diseases Interagency Coordinating Committee. Requires such Committees to: (1) meet at least four times a year; and (2) report annually to the Secretary and the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases demonstration projects. States that patient data and recordkeeping shall be standardized.

Provides for the development, modernization, and operation of new and existing arthritis and musculoskeletal disease centers. Establishes five-year renewable support periods.

Requires biennial Institute reports to the Secretary.

Requires a study of: (1) NIH research and structural effectiveness; and (2) the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Prohibits the establishment of any new national research institutes until at least six months after the submission of the NIH report required by this Act.