Public Law 90-574 passed in October 1968, extending Regional Medical Programs (RMP) for another two years. The new law also expanded some of the activities of RMP, for example, by granting permission to dentists to refer patients to RMP and allowing Federal hospitals to participate in the program. By 1969, forty-four Regional Medical Programs were operational. This period ended with the passage in October 1970 of Public Law 90-115, which once again extended the life of RMP.