Reauthorization of Project ECHO Grant Program; Project ECHO grants for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia care

(a)

Definitions

Section 330N(a)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254c–20(a)(1)) is amended to read as follows:

(1)

Eligible entity

The term eligible entity means—(A)in the case of a grant under subsection (b)(1), an entity that provides, or supports the provision of, health care services in rural areas, frontier areas, health professional shortage areas, or medically underserved areas, or to medically underserved populations or Native Americans, including Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations, and which may include entities leading, or capable of leading, a technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building model or engaging in technology-enabled collaborative training of participants in such model; and(B)in the case of a grant under subsection (b)(2), a public or nonprofit private entity that is leading, or is capable of leading, a model described in subsection (b)(2)(A) for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

(b)

Grants

Section 330N(b) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254c–20(b)) is amended—(1)by striking Established.—The Secretary and inserting

Established.—(1)

In general

The Secretary

; and

(2)by adding at the end the following:

(2)

Project ECHO grants for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia care

(A)

In general

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Secretary shall award 1 or more grants to eligible entities to evaluate, develop, and, as appropriate, expand the use of technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models for eligible health care professionals to improve retention of health care providers and to increase access to early and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and quality dementia care.(B)

Eligible health care professional defined

In this paragraph, the term eligible health care professional means a health care professional who—(i)provides primary care services, including such services provided—(I)in rural areas, frontier areas, health professional shortage areas, or medically underserved areas; or(II)to medically underserved populations or Native Americans; and(ii)is licensed, registered, or certified in accordance with applicable law regarding the provision of such services.

(c)

Supplement not supplant

Section 330N(f) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254c–20(f)) is amended to read as follows:

(f)

Application

An eligible entity that seeks to receive a grant under subsection (b) shall submit to the Secretary an application, at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. Such application shall include—(1)plans to assess the effect of technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models on patient outcomes and health care providers; and(2)in the case of an application submitted for a grant under subsection (b)(2), assurances that funds received under such grant shall supplement and not supplant funds received from any other source.

(d)

Reports

(1)

By eligible entities

Section 330N(e) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254c–20(e)) is amended—(A)in the first sentence—(i)by striking this section and inserting subsection (b)(1), and shall require entities awarded a grant under subsection (b)(2),; and(ii)by striking subsection (b). and inserting subsection (b)(1).; and (B)by inserting after the first sentence the following: Each entity awarded a grant under subsection (b)(2) shall submit to the Advisory Council on Alzheimer’s Research, Care, and Services a report containing such collected information..(2)

By Secretary

Section 330N(j) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254c–20(j)) is amended—(A)in paragraph (2), by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (C) as clauses (i) through (iii), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly;(B)by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (3) as subparagraphs (A) through (C), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly;(C)by striking Not later than 4 years after and inserting the following:

(1)

In general

Not later than 4 years after

; and

(D)by adding at the end the following:

(2)

Update to report

Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of subsection (b)(2), the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, and post on the internet website of the Department of Health and Human Services, an updated version of the report described in paragraph (1).

(e)

Authorization of appropriations

Section 330N(k) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254c–20(k)) is amended to read as follows:

(k)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section—(1)other than with respect to grants under subsection (b)(2), $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2031; and(2)with respect to grants under subsection (b)(2), $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031.