115 HR 1605 IH: Physician Assistant Education Public Health Initiatives Act of 2017 U.S. House of Representatives 2017-03-17 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I115th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 1605IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESMarch 17, 2017Ms. Bass introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concernedA BILLTo amend the Public Health Service Act to provide loan repayment incentives for physician assistants, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Physician Assistant Education Public Health Initiatives Act of 2017.

2.

Improvement activity credit for service as a clinical preceptor for physician assistant training

Section 1848(q)(2)(B)(iii) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–4(q)(2)(B)(iii)) is amended by adding at the end the following new subclause: (VII)The subcategory of workforce development, such as through service as a preceptor at a clinical training site for students training to become physician assistants..

3.

Reauthorization of primary care training and enhancement programs

Section 747(c) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 293k(c)) is amended— (1)in paragraph (1), by inserting after 2014 the following: and each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022; and (2)in paragraph (2), by striking Fifteen and inserting At least 15.

4.

Grants for research on physician assistant education

(a)

In general

The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall provide grants to eligible entities to fund eligible researchers to increase research on physician assistant education. (b)

Application

An eligible entity desiring a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (c)

Condition of receipt

As a condition of receipt of a grant under this section, an entity shall each year award not fewer than eight eligible researchers funds to support physician assistant education research. (d)

Report requirement

An entity receiving a grant under this section shall provide to the Secretary with respect to each year that such entity receives funds under this section a report on the activities conducted using such funds, including— (1)the number of researchers supported during such year by such entity using such funds; (2)a list of the researchers counted under paragraph (1), organized by researcher, including— (A)the institution such researcher is affiliated with; and (B)the research topic of such researcher; (3)citations to published clinical and scientific research by researchers described in paragraph (1) that is attributable to support under this section; (4)an evaluation of the benefits of grants under this section; and (5)any other information the Secretary may request. (e)

Definitions

In this section: (1)

Eligible entity

The term eligible entity means an organization that— (A)is a nonprofit organization; and (B)has demonstrated expertise in physician assistant education and faculty development. (2)

Eligible researcher

The term eligible researcher means, with respect to an eligible entity, a researcher that— (A)has demonstrated expertise in physician assistant education and faculty development; and (B)at such time and in such manner as such entity may require, provides such entity with a research proposal on improving physician assistant education and faculty development. (3)

Physician assistant education

The term physician assistant education means selecting, educating, and graduating students in accredited graduate physician assistant educational programs. (4)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services. (f)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2022.