(1) Any disincentives in the payment systems under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act that create barriers to kidney transplants and post-transplant care for beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease. (2) The practices used by States with higher than average donation rates and whether those practices and policies could be successfully utilized in other States. (3) Practices and policies that could increase deceased donation rates of minority populations. (4) Whether cultural and policy barriers exist to increasing living donation rates, including an examination of how to better facilitate chained donations. (5) Other areas determined appropriate by the Secretary. (b) Report Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the study conducted under subsection (a), together with such recommendations as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. 102. Enhancing care through new technologies (a) Agreement with National Academy of Sciences The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall seek to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences within six months of the date of the enactment of this Act under which the National Academy of Sciences will conduct a study on the design of payments for renal dialysis services under the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act, including an analysis of whether adjustments to such payments are needed to allow for the incorporation of new technologies and therapies. (b) Contents In conducting the study under subsection (a), the National Academy of Sciences shall evaluate the current payment system for renal dialysis services under the Medicare program, identify barriers to adopting innovative items, services, and therapies, and make recommendations as to how to eliminate such barriers. 103. Understanding current utilization of palliative care services (a) Study (1) In general The Comptroller General of the United States (in this section