under subsection (c). (2) Report Not later than 6 months after the completion of the pilot program under paragraph (1), the Director shall submit to the Secretary and the appropriate committees of Congress a report on the best practices identified through the pilot program, including the lessons learned and challenges encountered with respect to data collection and electronic reporting in long-term care settings, ambulatory surgical centers, and dialysis facilities as well as any recommended health care-associated infections surveillance methods for those settings. (3) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this subsection. (c) Data validation methodology The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shall work with State and local health departments to develop a standard methodology for validating data reported by long-term care facilities to the National Healthcare Safety Network. (d) Study and report (1) In general The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study to evaluate the adequacy of State health departments’ and other State oversight agencies’ methods for external validation of data reported to the National Healthcare Safety Network by health care facilities. (2) Contents In conducting the study under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall— (A) assess the types and frequency of external validation strategies conducted by State departments of health