Dr. Curreri is a member of the Physician Payment Review Commission, created by Congress in 1986 to advise lawmakers on payment of doctors under Medicare.

After more than 20 years of advising lawmakers on the most complex scientific and technical issues, a small Congressional agency will soon cease to exist, but it is vigorously pursuing its mission to the last.

We examine how taxpayer dollars are spent and advise lawmakers and agency heads on ways to make government work better.

The panel was created by Congress in 1986 to advise lawmakers on payment of doctors under Medicare.

Congress created the bipartisan commission in 1990 to help advise lawmakers on immigration issues.

In 1989, for example, the center advised lawmakers that mandatory sentencing provisions of an antidrug bill would, among other things, increase the prison population by more than 400 in five years.

Dr. Shimberg advised officials and lawmakers in the United States, Europe, Asia and elsewhere on his research.

In 1972 the Council for Equality was established to advise lawmakers on methods for realizing full legal equality for women.

Paul McNulty, a former head of policy development at the Justice Department who helped advise Republican lawmakers, said the money was too scattered to be effective.

The 10-member Council on Environmental Quality, which under the county charter advises lawmakers on environmental issues, has a record of approving plans it reviews.