House Committee on Energy and Commerce Hon. John Dingell, Chairman Hon. Norman F. Lent, then Ranking Minority Member Hon. Philip R. Sharp, Chairman, Subcommittee on Energy and Power Hon. Carlos J. Moorehead, Ranking Minority Member House Committee on Government Operations Hon. Mike Synar, Chairman, Subcommittee on Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources Hon. James H. Scheuer, then Chairman, Subcommittee on Natural Resources, Agricultural Drug Labeling in Developing Countries May 1993 This report evaluates the prescribing information—"labeling”—that U.S. multinational pharmaceutical companies include with drugs they sell in developing countries. Two-thirds of the labeling for a random sample of drugs from four countries failed to provide the information a physician would need to use the drug safely and effectively. Reliance on this labeling information alone could lead to serious or life-threatening medical problems, or at best, ineffective treatment. The options identified by OTA include, among others, reviving interest in an international code of conduct for drug labeling and requiring U.S.-based companies to provide the same information they provide in the United States with their products in developing countries. Requested by: Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources Hon. Edward M. Kennedy, Ranking Minority Member (now Chairman) House Committee on Energy and Commerce Hon. John Dingell, Chairman Hon. Henry Waxman, Chairman, Subcommittee on Health and the Environment Access to Over-the-Road Buses for Persons with Disabilities May 1993 As part of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Congress instructed OTA to analyze the complex issues of access for all persons to over-the-road buses (OTRBs)—buses with a high passenger deck that are commonly used in fixed-route intercity service, as well as for charter and tour trips. This report examines OTRB accessibility technologies, develops a definition of an accessible OTRB, estimates the cost of purchasing and operating such an OTRB, and investigates several other issues, including the state of the OTRB industry and the demand for accessible OTRB service. In addition, the report explores some options for Congress. Based on this analysis, OTA finds that the implementation of accessible OTRB service is both practical and achievable. Requested by: Mandated under Public Law 101-336 The 1992 World Administrative Radio Conference: Technology and Public Implications June 1993 This report examines the outcomes and implications of the 1992 World Administrative Radio OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT 93 support new radio-based technologies and applications—including digital audio broadcasting, lowEarth orbiting satellites, and personal communications services—as well as existing services such as high-frequency broadcasting and satellite-delivered mobile communications. The agreements reached at WARC-92 have profound implications for American consumers and businesses, U.S. competitiveness in radiocommunication systems and services, and overall U.S. radiocommunication policy. The report complements and expands on a November 1991 background paper done by OTA, The 1992 World Administrative Radio Conference: Issues for U.S. International Spectrum Policy. That study concentrated on the U.S. WARC preparation process in the larger context of international radiocommunication policymaking. The current study presents an in-depth analysis of the radio technologies considered at WARC-92, discusses the issues involved in the implementation of the conference's decisions, and identifies lessons learned as a result of the WARC-92 preparation and negotiation process. The report presents various options for improving U.S. radiocommunication policymaking, both for future WARC preparations and as part of an overall plan for increasing the cohesiveness and focus of U.S. radio policy efforts. Requested by: Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Hon. Ernest Hollings, Chairman House Committee on Energy and Commerce Hon. John Dingell, Chairman Defense Conversion: Redirecting R&D U.S. defense needs have changed fundamentally since the end of the Cold War. The Nation has begun the transition to an economy less devoted to defense, and further deep, sustained defense cuts are to be expected. The challenge is to keep dislocation of workers and communities to a minimum, and take advantage of opportunities to channel human and technological resources into building a stronger economy. The first report of this assessment (After the Cold War: Living With Lower Defense Spending) discussed the effects of lower defense spending on workers, communities, and companies. It considered options for easing the transition for displaced workers and hardhit communities, and for investing in technology development and diffusion to promote growth and open new opportunities for displaced workers and defense-dependent communities. The second and final report of the assessment focuses on redirecting federally funded research and development from military to commercial or dual-use activities. The report addresses the short-term problems that must be solved in order to maintain industry interest in cooperative research and development agreements. In addition, it addresses the longer-term issue of whether or not and how the Nation might craft new technology-based national initiatives to take up some of the economic slack left by declining defense spending. As illustrations, the report considers how high-speed ground transportation (maglev and steel-wheel trains) and clean cars could contribute to the national technology base, stimulate industrial development, and create good jobs. Requested by: Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Hon. Claiborne Pell, Chairman Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources 94 OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Hon. Ernest F. Hollings Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources Hon. Orrin Hatch, then Ranking Minority Member Senate Committee on Armed Services Hon. Jeff Bingaman, Chairman, Subcommittee on Defense, Industry and Technology House Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs Hon. Morris Udall, Chairman House Committee on Government Operations Hon. John Conyers, Jr., Chairman Hon. Doug Barnard, Jr., then Chairman, Subcommittee on Commerce, Consumer and Monetary Affairs An Inconsistent Picture: A Compilation of Analyses of Economic Impacts of Competing Approaches to Health Care Reform by Experts and Stakeholders June 1993 In this report, OTA compiles available analyses of the anticipated impact of selected approaches to health care reform-single payer, play-or-pay, individual vouchers or tax credits, and managed competition on national health care spending and savings; Federal, State and local budgets; employers; employment; households; other costs in the economy; and administrative costs. OTA found that the analyses of the approaches and their variants are typically not comparable to one another; thus, the resulting quantitative estimates do not provide a consistent basis for projecting the potential economic impacts or proposed reforms. In order to assist policymakers as they compare available analyses, the report provides a checklist of key questions to ask regarding the various approaches or proposals and analyses of them. Requested by: Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources Hon. Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman House Committee on Energy and Commerce Hon. John Dingell, Chairman Endorser: Hon. Charles Grassley, TAB member Energy Efficiency Technologies for Central and Eastern Europe Technology transfer to improve the efficiency of energy use is a highly cost-effective way to OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT 95 Requested by: Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Hon. Quentin N. Burdick, then Chairman Hon. Joseph I. Lieberman House Committee on Foreign Affairs Hon. Dante B. Fascell, then Chairman Hon. Lee H. Hamilton (now Chairman) House Committee on Energy and Commerce Hon. John Dingell, Chairman Hon. Norman F. Lent, then Ranking Minority Member Hon. Philip R. Sharp, Chairman, Subcommittee on Energy and Power Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Hon. Claiborne Pell, Chairman Hon. Jesse Helms, Ranking Minority Member Hon. Joseph Biden, Jr., Chairman, Subcommittee on European Affairs Hon. Larry Pressler, then Ranking Minority Member Who Goes There: Friend or Foe? July 1993 This report examines the causes of fratricide, or “friendly fire," in combat and ways to reduce this tragic loss of life. Better identification, using both beacons and improved sensors, is obviously one way to reduce fratricides due to mistaken identification. Other equipment, although not designed primarily to reduce fratricide, will have that additional benefit. For example, improved communication and navigation equipment will make military units less likely to fire mistakenly on their nearby friends. Not all measures will require new equipment; changes in training, tactics, and doctrine can also reduce fratricide. Requested by: House Armed Services Committee Hon. Les Aspin, Chairman Hon. Bill Dickenson, Ranking Minority Member Adult Literacy and New Technologies: Tools for a Lifetime Improving adult literacy in America is critical to the Nation's social and economic well-being. Computer, video, and telecommunications technologies can play an important role in addressing this complex issue. The report examines America's literacy problem, shows how standards and requirements for literacy have increased over time, and documents the large number of Americans in need. The report focuses on the unique instructional needs of adult learners, now only partly met by the patchwork of adult literacy programs. The report analyzes how Federal policies have created an expanded but fragmented system and considers how technology could help overcome some 96 OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT Finally, the report considers why the potential of technology is not being exploited, identifying significant barriers that inhibit wider and more sophisticated uses. A future in which new applications of technology serve more adults and enable them to learn anyplace, anytime, is sketched. Options for Congress center on building a base of technology for literacy, improving the system of adult literacy education, experimenting with new alternatives, and rethinking the Federal role. Requested by: House Committee on Education and Labor Hon. Augustus F. Hawkins, then Chairman Hon. William F. Goodling, Ranking Republican Member Hon. William D. Ford, member (now Chairman) Hon. Thomas C. Sawyer, member Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources Hon. Edward M. Kennedy, Chairman Hon. Orrin G. Hatch Endorsed by: Joint Economic Committee Hon. Lee H. Hamilton, Chairman Hon. William V. Roth, Jr., Ranking Republican Member The Future of Remote Sensing from Space: Civilian Satellite Systems and Applications This report is the first major publication of an on-going assessment of Earth Observation Systems. It examines the future of civilian remote sensing satellites and systems. In particular, it provides a guide to the sensors and systems operating today and those planned for the future. The report also explores issues of innovation in remote sensing technology and briefly examines the many applications of remotely sensed data. In addition, the report examines the use of civilian data for military purposes, although it does not investigate the potential civilian use of classified remotely sensed data acquired for national security purposes. Requested by: House Committee on Science, Space and Technology Hon. George E. Brown, Jr., Chairman Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation Hon. Ernest F. Hollings, Chairman Hon. Albert Gore, Jr., then Chairman, Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Space Hon. Larry Pressler, Ranking Member Water for Walker Lake September 1993 The surface elevation of Walker Lake has fallen about 120 feet since the early 1900's, due largely to agriculture diversions and OTA was asked if any steps could be taken to prevent this continuing decline in lake levels. The decline in water levels has reached the point that a number of experts believe that the Lahontan cutthroat trout, the basis for recreational fishing in the lake, are seriously threatened by increasing concentrations of dissolved solids in the lake. In this report, OTA concludes that there are many technical opportunities to increase the inflow of water to Walker Lake, and thus to decrease the concentrations of total dissolved solids. But for this to happen it will first require that the various interest groups in the Walker Lake watershed |