; 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 a budget for the total expenditures to be made for covered health care items and services under this Act. (2) Division of budget into components The national health budget shall consist of the following components: (A) An operating budget. (B) A capital expenditures budget. (C) A special projects budget. (D) Quality assessment activities under title V. (E) Health professional education expenditures. (F) Administrative costs, including costs related to the operation of regional offices. (G) A reserve fund. (H) Prevention and public health activities. (3) Allocation among components The Secretary shall allocate the funds received for purposes of carrying out this Act among the components described in paragraph (2) in a manner that ensures— (A) that the operating budget allows for every participating provider in the Medicare for All Program to meet the needs of their respective patient populations; (B) that the special projects budget is sufficient to meet the health care needs within areas described in paragraph (2)(C) through the construction, renovation, and staffing of health care facilities in a reasonable timeframe; (C) a fair allocation for quality assessment activities