; payments; cost containment measures A Budgeting 601. National health budget (a) National health budget (1) In general By not later than September 1 of each year, beginning with the year prior to the date on which benefits first become available as described in section 106(a), the Secretary shall establish a national health budget, which specifies the total expenditures to be made for covered health care services under this Act. (2) Division of budget into components In addition to the cost of covered health services, the national health budget shall consist of at least the following components: (A) Quality assessment activities under title V. (B) Health professional education expenditures. (C) Administrative costs. (D) Innovation, including in accordance with section 1115A of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1315a ). (E) Operating and other expenditures not described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) (referred to in this Act as the operating component ), consisting of amounts not included in the other components. (F) Capital expenditures. (G) Prevention and public health activities. (3) Allocation among components The Secretary shall allocate the budget among the components in a manner that— (A) ensures a fair allocation for quality assessment activities