Legislation, and the programs operated under that legislation, for Federal support of construction and modernization of hospitals and other health facilities, beginning with the Hospital Survey and Construction Act of 1946. The original law, which has been amended frequently, provided for surveying State needs, developing plans for construction of hospitals and public health centers, and assisting in constructing and equipping them. Until the late 1960s, most of the amendments expanded the program in dollar amounts and scope. More recently, the administration has attempted to terminate the program while the Congress has sought to restructure it toward support of outpatient facilities, facilities to serve areas deficient in health services, and training facilities for health and allied health professions. Under, the National Health Planning and Resources Development Act of 1974, the Hill-Burton program will be administered by the State health planning and development agency. The purpose of the existing Hill-Burton programs was modified by to allow assistance in the form of grants, loans or loan guarantees for the following purposes only: modernization of health facilities; construction of outpatient health facilities; construction of inpatient facilities in areas which have experienced recent rapid population growth; and conversion of existing medical facilities for the provision of new health services.