Compilation of report abstracts for publications in the Office of Technology Assessment "Health Technology Case Studies Series" which provide background information on technologies related to healthcare and medicine.

This report discusses the copyright protection laws and the surrounding issues.

A report by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) that "synthesizes OTA's technical analyses of acid rain and other transported pollutants, and presents policy alternatives for congressional considerations" (p. iii).

A technical memorandum by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) that discusses the "major issues constraining the development and transfer of sustainable technologies for low-resource food producers" (p. iii).

A study by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) that "examines present conditions and future needs of the Nation's airports, with emphasis on possible solutions to problems of operational capacity and air travel delay" (p. iii).

This report offers statements by the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board, TAAC Chairman, and the Director of OTA. It also discusses OTAs work in progress, organization and operations.

Workshop proceedings gathered by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) that cover the topic of space weapons and arms control as discussed during hearings.

A study by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) that covers "the essential technical issues surrounding the selection and acquisition of infrastructure in space" (p. iii).

A report by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) that "assesses the competitive position of the United States with respect to Japan and four European countries believed to be the major competitors in the commercial development of 'new biotechnology'" (p. iii).

This report presents an analysis of information technology management practices in selected state governments.The focus is on approaches of strategic management in central state governments.

An assessment by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) that looks "not only at robots but also at related computer-based technologies for design, production, and management" and "the technologies of programmable automation, their uses, and future capabilities" (p. iii).

A background paper by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) that "describes and assesses current concepts for directed-energy ballistic missile defense in space" (p. 3).

A report by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) that "describes the technologies now and likely to be available to providers and users of financial services" (p. iii).

An assessment by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) that "addresses the recent controversy surrounding the implementation of the environmental protection aspects of the Federal coal leasing program" (p. iii).

This report discusses government (public) information, both published and unpublished, which Federal Government either does or does not make public."Public information", is collected and/or developed at Government expenses or as required by public law, and not considered to be classified, personal, or otherwise subject to exemption from the Freedom of Information Act or the Privacy Act.

A report by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) that is a "background to an analysis of Federal policies regarding the medical devices industry" (p. 4).

This report discusses the model of dementia economics, the occurrences of dementia, patterns of care for the demented patient,and the cost of care.

This report presents the results of an empirical study which profiles the information and technology practices of seven federal agencies/programs as they relate to three civil liberties areas: the collection of personal or company information; the provision of public information; and access to agency decision-making.

A case study by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) that presents "what is currently known about ICUs in terms of the distribution of ICU beds, the costs of maintaining ICUs, the characteristics of ICU patients and the outcome of ICU care" (p. 3).

A study by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) that "presents an analysis of the contact lens industry in the United States, emphasizing the role of economics and public policy in shaping past and future development" (p. 3).

An assessment by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) that "focuses on how Federal Government policies affect innovations in wheelchair characteristics" (p. 3).

A case study by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) that analyzes the hemodialysis equipment and supplies industry and how it has been shaped by Federal policy.

A case study by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) that "focuses on amputees and the social policies that bear on their use of the Boston Elbow" (p. 3).

A case study by the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA) that provides "a vehicle for gaining insight into the impact that Federal policies have had on the development of NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) imaging as a modality, on the industry that manufactures the imagers, on the hospitals and medical centers that might consider acquiring NMR imagers, and on a public interested not only in the timely introduction of valuable innovations, but also in protection from unsafe devices and rapid increases in health care costs" (p. 3).