1.This Act may be cited as the
Wired for Health Care Quality
Act
.
2.Improving health care,
quality, safety, and efficiency
The Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
201 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:
<enum>XXIX</enum><header>Health information technology</header>
<section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6F7078AE669D4AB1A3370FE5DC048C0D" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>2901.</enum><header>Definitions</header><text display-inline="no-display-inline">In this title:</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDa5ea60af686c4c5bb82b67ad0eff8b76"><enum>(1)</enum><header>health care
provider</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term
<term>health care provider</term> means a hospital, skilled nursing facility,
home health entity, health care clinic, federally qualified health center,
group practice (as defined in section 1877(h)(4) of the Social Security Act), a
pharmacist, a pharmacy, a laboratory, a physician (as defined in section
1861(r) of the Social Security Act), a health facility operated by or pursuant
to a contract with the Indian Health Service, a rural health clinic, and any
other category of facility or clinician determined appropriate by the
Secretary.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID64e8357c779041328cd9d141ed419027"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Health
information</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term
<term>health information</term> has the meaning given such term in section
1171(4) of the Social Security Act.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id963129C996314FE88F4493BCE7379918"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Health
insurance plan</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term
<term>health insurance plan</term> means—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id86E7F05581874A2B85CCD2E1851E5430"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a health insurance issuer (as defined in
section 2791(b)(2));</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id342DC39521A54BC2914006F8342E317F"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a group health plan (as defined in section
2791(a)(1)); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idCCFBAA946FC847CC942785DCDAA3ECCF"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a health maintenance organization (as
defined in section 2791(b)(3)).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC747B17D458C48D18AAECE7826AA56D4"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Laboratory</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>laboratory</term> has the
meaning given that term in section 353.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id05FBFBE60BB5454E914A736F14223FB2"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Pharmacist</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>pharmacist</term> has the
meaning given that term in section 804 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic
Act.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id76822790519A4A7AA245DE2EF79E115D"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Qualified
health information technology</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>qualified health information
technology</term> means a computerized system (including hardware, software,
and training) that—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDbd06ce584cd34d12a58479473181fd35"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">protects the privacy and security of health
information;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID084494678b734624b57fb76b40c760a0"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">maintains and provides permitted access to
health information in an electronic format;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5B18AAFC62394B96BD36B47879C20AD6"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">incorporates decision support to reduce
medical errors and enhance health care quality;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id139A2C59CA9347C082D9B332C4011975"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">complies with the standards adopted by the
Federal Government under section 2903; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idEA7A942001F940EC871464461D8E27B4"><enum>(E)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">allows for the reporting of quality
measures under section 2908.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id01CAA886E0EF440FA085EC30FAB0A954"><enum>(7)</enum><header>State</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The term <term>State</term> means each of
the several States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands,
Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.</text>
</paragraph></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id5D51A871AEFC44ACB777BA619C3EB71A" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>2902.</enum><header>Office of the
National Coordinator of Health Information Technology</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID6abbf0e929a143368e55ad8adf34ad7c"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Office of
National Health Information Technology</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There is established within the Office of
the Secretary an Office of the National Coordinator of Health Information
Technology (referred to in this section as the <quote>Office</quote>). The
Office shall be headed by a National Coordinator who shall be appointed by the
President, in consultation with the Secretary, and shall report directly to the
Secretary.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDfa930ae726334c9889ab1b92880b8b7c"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Purpose</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">It shall be the purpose of the Office to
carry out programs and activities to develop a nationwide interoperable health
information technology infrastructure that—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID8aedfa73770940a689b7ad67ef9e48ce"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">ensures that patients' health information
is secure and protected;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDa3cbb3f9ef8041f19402bcf0e88a85d9"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">improves health care quality, reduces
medical errors, and advances the delivery of patient-centered medical
care;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDff25446e6f72412e827d423601d19edb"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">reduces health care costs resulting from
inefficiency, medical errors, inappropriate care, and incomplete
information;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDb63558078f0b44459bab1f5417b3b024"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">ensures that appropriate information to
help guide medical decisions is available at the time and place of care;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID15b43b38bebe46bead70aa58ba301a07"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">promotes a more effective marketplace,
greater competition, and increased choice through the wider availability of
accurate information on health care costs, quality, and outcomes;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID7a967e11462f4e3988366292d3a77610"><enum>(6)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">improves the coordination of care and
information among hospitals, laboratories, physician offices, and other
entities through an effective infrastructure for the secure and authorized
exchange of health care information;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID6695feb7cba74625a3b881432bdf81c3"><enum>(7)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">improves public health reporting and
facilitates the early identification and rapid response to public health
threats and emergencies, including bioterror events and infectious disease
outbreaks;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID73c06a830dd642ffa3b12fc55d75e624"><enum>(8)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">facilitates health research; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id713D4129CA8C4651A2EF045D7DFD3C2C"><enum>(9)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">promotes prevention of chronic
diseases.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDb4c9d4cbbc2a414da8c3fbf68bbe1527"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Duties of the
National Coordinator</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The
National Coordinator shall—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDf0a852b5144c4b838f25f7c552e696fc"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">serve as a member of the public-private
American Health Information Collaborative established under section
2903;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID0c82c89e87434e649c7846d7103a8409"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">serve as the principal advisor to the
Secretary concerning the development, application, and use of health
information technology, and coordinate and oversee the health information
technology programs of the Department;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDcb789d555892402593b8e98eebdeb998"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">facilitate the adoption of a nationwide,
interoperable system for the electronic exchange of health information;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID976783c65aeb493c8f471d144f1dd907"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">ensure the adoption and implementation of
standards for the electronic exchange of health information to reduce cost and
improve health care quality;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID8ed41fb35c5f428a875947c958114b09"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">ensure that health information technology
policy and programs of the Department are coordinated with those of relevant
executive branch agencies (including Federal commissions) with a goal of
avoiding duplication of efforts and of helping to ensure that each agency
undertakes health information technology activities primarily within the areas
of its greatest expertise and technical capability;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID9e660c7514b6426f87ffaaedbe948d9d"><enum>(6)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to the extent permitted by law, coordinate
outreach and consultation by the relevant executive branch agencies (including
Federal commissions) with public and private parties of interest, including
consumers, payers, employers, hospitals and other health care providers,
physicians, community health centers, laboratories, vendors and other
stakeholders;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID49e93b8407514ccdbff81cef2fc94ced"><enum>(7)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">advise the President regarding specific
Federal health information technology programs; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDc476801ada214e218437862496d8dc01"><enum>(8)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">submit the reports described under section
2903(i) (excluding paragraph (4) of such section).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID11cc8cbc6c2a43c89f4c6dd435c5f6b9"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Detail of
Federal employees</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID7fc94a9336fd4b5c9e8b15b1f28b9762"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Upon the request of
the National Coordinator, the head of any Federal agency is authorized to
detail, with or without reimbursement from the Office, any of the personnel of
such agency to the Office to assist it in carrying out its duties under this
section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID2e8793af55954a71a29cd81aca5dd27a"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Effect of
detail</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any detail of
personnel under paragraph (1) shall—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID30a88603d36e4721a635a6ff3331f776"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">not interrupt or otherwise affect the civil
service status or privileges of the Federal employee; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID6ab1850332f14c008017c0eb7add61e0"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">be in addition to any other staff of the
Department employed by the National Coordinator.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID491ffdbb783640b29f58705d007e3039"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Acceptance of
detailees</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Notwithstanding any
other provision of law, the Office may accept detailed personnel from other
Federal agencies without regard to whether the agency described under paragraph
(1) is reimbursed.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idE4BF51DBC308473B8D72BFAD5C7FA2ED"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Rule of
construction</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Nothing in this
section shall be construed to require the duplication of Federal efforts with
respect to the establishment of the Office, regardless of whether such efforts
were carried out prior to or after the enactment of this title.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID25206ad88ddc45d48a52f20920c609e8"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Authorization
of appropriations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There are
authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out the
activities of the Office under this section for each of fiscal years 2006
through 2010.</text>
</subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4C4EFA53B53B4DE6A7595896B04AA4CB" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>2903.</enum><header>American Health
Information Collaborative</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7581F9EF420144B88CBCDA954B19473A"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Purpose</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall establish the
public-private American Health Information Collaborative (referred to in this
section as the <quote>Collaborative</quote>) to—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id24370E6B66944CD4BD2BCC6941056DF4"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">advise the Secretary and recommend specific
actions to achieve a nationwide interoperable health information technology
infrastructure;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id189C05B0B9BC43858ECE43D1A1B285AA"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">serve as a forum for the participation of a
broad range of stakeholders to provide input on achieving the interoperability
of health information technology; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id1A133C875D0D4C9AAD8776395E540FE7"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">recommend standards (including content,
communication, and security standards) for the electronic exchange of health
information for adoption by the Federal Government and voluntary adoption by
private entities.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID98354caa1ebd45dbab8d09753c0fc51b"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Composition</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD6CE7D7806EB49C0803D007017D4099B"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Collaborative
shall be composed of—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID88a226e14c0542f9939e42cecc40f337"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Secretary, who shall serve as the
chairperson of the Collaborative;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDde682d48c362476fab65468be08590e3"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Secretary of Defense, or his or her
designee;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID06af3be73d9c4744ac3be3d1520f6be5"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, or his
or her designee;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC7B6629589AC4DC9B770112FFD31C2A3"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the Secretary of Commerce, or his or her
designee;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDa317f416f0a140b39020fdeb4dcc054e"><enum>(E)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the National Coordinator for Health
Information Technology;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idBF5524FEF17A4D1C85876366041165CF"><enum>(F)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">representatives of other relevant Federal
agencies, as determined appropriate by the Secretary; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDeed69c6991fb409a9365e900aa2e5e13"><enum>(G)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">representatives from each of the following
categories to be appointed by the Secretary from nominations submitted by the
public—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2E3A6DB5B3794B1A8F7C6322416E371D"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">consumer and patient organizations;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id42CD7DC0706B41D0A5F0F369D5364D9E"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">experts in health information privacy and
security;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9592C4F974DB4616B3FDC886D9D6C976"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">health care providers;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID0250dd9fd53840a7830514949adf5eea"><enum>(iv)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">health insurance plans or other third party
payors;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID0889d47dfeba462f90e91dc180989544"><enum>(v)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">standards development organizations;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID50606ea4a13946cf9a9b28b7fbb664f4"><enum>(vi)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">information technology vendors;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD175FFFC844247B39F188EE0AA7999C3"><enum>(vii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">purchasers or employers; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID110f1b37cc07413ab0cc8272e942b1c5"><enum>(viii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">State or local government agencies or
Indian tribe or tribal organizations.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id663AB59DD75E41D5B8075CEA037439C9"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Considerations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In appointing members under paragraph
(1)(G), the Secretary shall select individuals with expertise in—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idA8053CA12CAC4344864EED71B76BFCF2"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">health information privacy;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8C23C511217348DB82186FF3E1989EBC"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">health information security;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idB2CD5149F3554D4D9B1ECF301E3E00D0"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">health care quality and patient safety,
including those individuals with experience in utilizing health information
technology to improve health care quality and patient safety;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9018115CDCDC4DF3A82B9C533FDFB0A0"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">data exchange; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id76EF40A4EC7A4F8495356D9DEFC0D76B"><enum>(E)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">developing health information technology
standards and new health information technology.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idAFA96746561C4AE086E98EBF94195720"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Terms</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Members appointed under paragraph (1)(G)
shall serve for 2 year terms, except that any member appointed to fill a
vacancy for an unexpired term shall be appointed for the remainder of such
term. A member may serve for not to exceed 180 days after the expiration of
such member's term or until a successor has been appointed.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID7b575fa23ccf43698e8467655bac92c1"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Recommendations
and policies</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The
Collaborative shall make recommendations to identify uniform national policies
for adoption by the Federal Government and voluntary adoption by private
entities to support the widespread adoption of health information technology,
including—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID8291c4bdae7b40e0813ed78203e456ea"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">protection of health information through
privacy and security practices;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6D52922D5EF94B269C6448287AFE74D1"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">measures to prevent unauthorized access to
health information;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6CA88E62C13E4EEF82F0379BA23AC4FC"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">methods to facilitate secure patient access
to health information;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC4EECD4997A441CFA04946DC6A21034A"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the ongoing harmonization of industry-wide
health information technology standards;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4BB5FEEABBB546BBA5C2A36E4371CA74"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">recommendations for a nationwide
interoperable health information technology infrastructure;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idEA3FBF23B81F44FCAB042028D22177C3"><enum>(6)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the identification and prioritization of
specific use cases for which heath information technology is valuable,
beneficial, and feasible;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0BBA649E380040DCBB555D6794E5FF40"><enum>(7)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">recommendations for the establishment of an
entity to ensure the continuation of the functions of the Collaborative;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDd14c1207a4eb43bc892510d56eaac277"><enum>(8)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">other policies determined to be necessary
by the Collaborative.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDb91e2d6752fd4148afd683e38afc7ae8"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Standards</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4F0257B6570F4A3193B05E715D307D3D"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Existing
standards</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The standards
adopted by the Consolidated Health Informatics Initiative shall be deemed to
have been recommended by the Collaborative under this section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idDA9E9B6C6F66485890E4E9C678EF29D0"><enum>(2)</enum><header>First year
review</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 1 year
after the date of enactment of this title, the Collaborative shall—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID44e6d318c55545bca955ac75b45f838d"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">review existing standards (including
content, communication, and security standards) for the electronic exchange of
health information, including such standards adopted by the Secretary under
paragraph (2)(A);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID349128e3d3974dd79c620912b8f0506f"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">identify deficiencies and omissions in such
existing standards; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDb55f4bab8bc74007a2da3a255241c5ab"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">identify duplication and overlap in such
existing standards;</text>
</subparagraph><continuation-text commented="no" continuation-text-level="paragraph">and recommend modifications to such
standards as necessary.</continuation-text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDab486c59f1f2433f8e5352de65287790"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Ongoing
review</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Beginning 1 year after
the date of enactment of this title, and annually thereafter, the Collaborative
shall—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD835ED66086A44F48D5E60F4AB1B737D"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">review existing standards (including
content, communication, and security standards) for the electronic exchange of
health information, including such standards adopted by the Secretary under
paragraph (2)(A);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idE831E815694B4DFE90145E8F847EBCCA"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">identify deficiencies and omissions in such
existing standards; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idCAF7CD510CCA4546AD89B305A86DFB82"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">identify duplication and overlap in such
existing standards;</text>
</subparagraph><continuation-text commented="no" continuation-text-level="paragraph">and recommend modifications to such
standards as necessary.</continuation-text></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id16BCD89FF2684310A8F9CEF910406192"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The standards described in this section
shall be consistent with any standards developed pursuant to the Health
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDf4cbd1a720ab4304adee690d2fc93792"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Federal
action</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 60 days
after the issuance of a recommendation from the Collaborative under subsection
(d)(2), the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs, and the Secretary of Defense, in collaboration with representatives of
other relevant Federal agencies, as determined appropriate by the Secretary,
shall jointly review such recommendations. The Secretary shall provide for the
adoption by the Federal Government of any standard or standards contained in
such recommendation.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID5279510f22bc4851b86a6df7aa84888d"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Coordination of
federal spending</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later
than 1 year after the adoption by the Federal Government of a recommendation as
provided for in subsection (e), and in compliance with chapter 113 of title 40,
United States Code, no Federal agency shall expend Federal funds for the
purchase of any form of health information technology or health information
technology system for clinical care or for the electronic retrieval, storage,
or exchange of health information that is not consistent with applicable
standards adopted by the Federal Government under subsection (e).</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID96f57bd994b940a2a637498fc3d1e48f"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Coordination of
federal data collection</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not
later than 3 years after the adoption by the Federal Government of a
recommendation as provided for in subsection (e), all Federal agencies
collecting health data for the purposes of surveillance, epidemiology, adverse
event reporting, research, or for other purposes determined appropriate by the
Secretary shall comply with standards adopted under subsection (e).</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDf6f148c1e0a7408a832b39ba8a279eaf"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Voluntary
adoption</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Any standards
adopted by the Federal Government under subsection (e) shall be voluntary with
respect to private entities.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idB4F1E6C072374D42BA935BDCFD3F59CD"><enum>(i)</enum><header>Reports</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall submit to the Committee
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Committee on Finance of the
Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and
Means of the House of Representatives, on an annual basis, a report
that—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id89093EDAB5294777BFABA5AFD5D18B04"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">describes the specific actions that have
been taken by the Federal Government and private entities to facilitate the
adoption of an interoperable nationwide system for the electronic exchange of
health information;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id50CE06043BB142D1B821FE046A2FE393"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">describes barriers to the adoption of such
a nationwide system;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC39ABB9B6C64453EBF07542CCADFC14E"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">contains recommendations to achieve full
implementation of such a nationwide system; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6DE5976177544D26942EEF86BB0A04F7"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">contains a plan and progress toward the
establishment of an entity to ensure the continuation of the functions of the
Collaborative.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDffc6aba26b9d4f55b0c0330f26d4d710"><enum>(j)</enum><header>Application of
FACA</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Federal Advisory
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall apply to the Collaborative, except that the
term provided for under section 14(a)(2) shall be 5 years.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id181768C6E9F3491E8B58E26D5FDE9C55"><enum>(k)</enum><header>Rule of
construction</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Nothing in this
section shall be construed to require the duplication of Federal efforts with
respect to the establishment of the Collaborative, regardless of whether such
efforts were carried out prior to or after the enactment of this title.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idFEA1849F54F94F1D83D8F060E58395C2"><enum>(l)</enum><header>Authorization
of appropriations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There are
authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this
section for each of fiscal years 2006 through 2010.</text>
</subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idFAC201AD9D404FDD8498FCB2E163EC5D" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>2904.</enum><header>Implementation and
certification of health information standards</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7FF8D71CBD184F78BBE6B5A04AA88D26"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Implementation</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC7099FBB315C41B6B59853FF442218C7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary, based
upon the recommendations of the Collaborative, shall develop criteria to ensure
uniform and consistent implementation of any standards for the electronic
exchange of health information voluntarily adopted by private entities in
technical conformance with such standards adopted under this title.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD98959034D8E4E9989A890959DC31716"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Implementation
assistance</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary may
recognize a private entity or entities to assist private entities in the
implementation of the standards adopted under this title using the criteria
developed by the Secretary under this section.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID10ac6e210806469da786112f6d8766e6"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Certification</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id8CFB617260CE4D66850B33844400D923"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary, based
upon the recommendations of the Collaborative, shall develop criteria to ensure
and certify that hardware, software, and support services that claim to be in
compliance with any standard for the electronic exchange of health information
adopted under this title have established and maintained such compliance in
technical conformance with such standards.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idE042B6172EC54621A84F78276CEC8E38"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Certification
assistance</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary may
recognize a private entity or entities to assist in the certification described
under paragraph (1) using the criteria developed by the Secretary under this
section.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6FBFDD69D36A4C9FAF4CE5C6D055E619"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Delegation
authority</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary,
through consultation with the Collaborative, may delegate the development of
the criteria under subsections (a) and (b) to a private entity.</text>
</subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2BADCE87B902442ABED491E81C616F95" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>2905.</enum><header>Grants to
facilitate the widespread adoption of interoperable health information
technology</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2669BB9E375F412FBAD03A5A23FE27DB"><enum>(a)</enum><header>Competitive
grants to facilitate the widespread adoption of health information
technology</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID923858c69d56401aaf9ac7e0f335594d"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary may
award competitive grants to eligible entities to facilitate the purchase and
enhance the utilization of qualified health information technology systems to
improve the quality and efficiency of health care.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID1f3f8326e9c9477e87504db0bb08aa86"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Eligibility</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">To be eligible to receive a grant under
paragraph (1) an entity shall—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idFCD7EC54CA9E4EF2B17B48C00F02FB6F"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">submit to the Secretary an application at
such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may
require;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id04EFF5568D50435D9698F5319D5B9E66"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">submit to the Secretary a strategic plan
for the implementation of data sharing and interoperability measures;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDa8aaa205b57b4ee3a1c1f0e7c1ede4ea"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">be a—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id22E8CAFF10494CBDBBE39FED7DA990E9"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">not for profit hospital;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD155BE9381D7409C849F3639FEE59E0A"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">group practice (including a single
physician); or</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idFD6888CC11254352B939339011AD4F95"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">another health care provider not described
in clause (i) or (ii);</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idF0F38BE32E69487A94F0280F74563038"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">adopt the standards adopted by the Federal
Government under section 2903;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0BBA4C2248E64E0DB91548426782A212"><enum>(E)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">require that health care providers
receiving such grants implement the measurement system adopted under section
2908 and report to the Secretary on such measures;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDf4aa3b6fb7c547bcae27d0185a870e25"><enum>(F)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">demonstrate significant financial need;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id2CA7B63831C64346A29737DF1FB4CA95"><enum>(G)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">provide matching funds in accordance with
paragraph (4).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD9F9F04DA0A34B5EAFA113FAAD2E695A"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Use of
funds</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Amounts received under
a grant under this subsection shall be used to facilitate the purchase and
enhance the utilization of qualified health information technology
systems.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id78BB465CC4594D3295A1C5BA17EF650A"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Matching
requirement</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">To be eligible
for a grant under this subsection an entity shall contribute non-Federal
contributions to the costs of carrying out the activities for which the grant
is awarded in an amount equal to $1 for each $3 of Federal funds provided under
the grant.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9439BFF2DB9B49D886DC12E61B838A0B"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Preference in
awarding grants</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In awarding
grants under this subsection the Secretary shall give preference to—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4BF5B354472E425F8EEF29F34888CA6F"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">eligible entities that are located in
rural, frontier, and other underserved areas as determined by the Secretary;
and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idBF666FA53F5D488EAD6E76A7CDC369CF"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">eligible entities that will link, to the
extent practicable, the qualified health information system to local or
regional health information networks.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id0883FCCF11D44283BE4690FB983FFAE6"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Competitive
grants to states for the development of state loan programs to facilitate the
widespread adoption of health information technology</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID660fa68bf062403d9c410f29504fa898"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary may
award competitive grants to States for the establishment of State programs for
loans to health care providers to facilitate the purchase and enhance the
utilization of qualified health information technology.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID09f5be4b3e504bec92f29a7275a980b3"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Establishment
of fund</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">To be eligible to
receive a competitive grant under this subsection, a State shall establish a
qualified health information technology loan fund (referred to in this
subsection as a <quote>State loan fund</quote>) and comply with the other
requirements contained in this section. A grant to a State under this
subsection shall be deposited in the State loan fund established by the State.
No funds authorized by other provisions of this title to be used for other
purposes specified in this title shall be deposited in any State loan
fund.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID2eb0029884a048a9a10819aa8f273394"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Eligibility</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">To be eligible to receive a grant under
paragraph (1) a State shall—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDa43927b7c15b4a4f9d8790ff00ae1dbc"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">submit to the Secretary an application at
such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may
require;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDc620a7e1abab401b9cd1bfe8964c2a15"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">submit to the Secretary a strategic plan in
accordance with paragraph (4);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID8f2b1267d087435da74d3793fd8341be"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">establish a qualified health information
technology loan fund in accordance with paragraph (2);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDf92aa6992bd14c0eb75a0a1cf4d1156c"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">require that health care providers
receiving such loans—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idFDDCD08319AB4DB6AA7D34EC467AC13E"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">link, to the extent practicable, the
qualified health information system to a local or regional health information
network; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idE2D972A29DF645C296D4C4D8DC0F6761"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">consult with the Center for Best Practices
established in section 914(d) to access the knowledge and experience of
existing initiatives regarding the successful implementation and effective use
of health information technology;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID392dbcea00724a91befed24c7b03dd91"><enum>(E)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">require that health care providers
receiving such loans adopt the standards adopted by the Federal Government
under section 2903(d);</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idE3EC7FAFA8FC4B64BE2715DB02303CCD"><enum>(F)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">require that health care providers
receiving such loans implement the measurement system adopted under section
2908 and report to the Secretary on such measures; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID6ca9474ff8b5492a93a327a003823b82"><enum>(G)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">provide matching funds in accordance with
paragraph (8).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idB05810CEC40B42458AEA6CDA88CCB88D"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Strategic
plan</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID469d6afef5d7445fb2504fe079157d82"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A State that receives
a grant under this subsection shall annually prepare a strategic plan that
identifies the intended uses of amounts available to the State loan fund of the
State.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDc7ecac278a0d42aaa65832c97b5edc3f"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Contents</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A strategic plan under subparagraph (A)
shall include—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDce463ab9a5274b63abdc0accc2a9d247"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a list of the projects to be assisted
through the State loan fund in the first fiscal year that begins after the date
on which the plan is submitted;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID6b137ca219e44213af2c89e48230c1e2"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a description of the criteria and methods
established for the distribution of funds from the State loan fund; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID0dcdb41dbeb64424b0e342592cdd3061"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a description of the financial status of
the State loan fund and the short-term and long-term goals of the State loan
fund.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID817c676c793d4d95bfc050779652f19e"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Use of
funds</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID5171dce893754ed3ab00b07746bfbe1f"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Amounts deposited in
a State loan fund, including loan repayments and interest earned on such
amounts, shall be used only for awarding loans or loan guarantees, or as a
source of reserve and security for leveraged loans, the proceeds of which are
deposited in the State loan fund established under paragraph (1). Loans under
this section may be used by a health care provider to facilitate the purchase
and enhance the utilization of qualified health information technology.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID18e98a2d6e5c49b19c14a6e8851e53a3"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Amounts received by a State under this
subsection may not be used—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id4345D6B55F2A4D6593B2DFA804AA1426"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">for the purchase or other acquisition of
any health information technology system that is not a qualified health
information technology system;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDe426e97fd32e48b89bbd139c7b621f24"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">to conduct activities for which Federal
funds are expended under this title, or the amendments made by the
<short-title>Wired for Health Care Quality
Act</short-title>; or</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID9e4480b723544df58efcbb5ea0f001a9"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">for any purpose other than making loans to
eligible entities under this section.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDa589d40cb642477397f5a8dc94907ba8"><enum>(6)</enum><header>Types of
assistance</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Except as
otherwise limited by applicable State law, amounts deposited into a State loan
fund under this subsection may only be used for the following:</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID1c733d3777c140dfa89db26b115ce450"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">To award loans that comply with the
following:</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID1bdc0cc5623f432bbb3028273c5af41c"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The interest rate for each loan shall be
less than or equal to the market interest rate.</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID4512af048dfa4298919f76b0430b85b7"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The principal and interest payments on each
loan shall commence not later than 1 year after the loan was awarded, and each
loan shall be fully amortized not later than 10 years after the date of the
loan.</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID46b6234e9629415dab17c7ac071564be"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The State loan fund shall be credited with
all payments of principal and interest on each loan awarded from the
fund.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDbadae7eea85e4b40abe0e2f8dbafaa95"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">To guarantee, or purchase insurance for, a
local obligation (all of the proceeds of which finance a project eligible for
assistance under this subsection) if the guarantee or purchase would improve
credit market access or reduce the interest rate applicable to the obligation
involved.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID06e4b8e99dbb48b5bf2e396fc08e9b4f"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">As a source of revenue or security for the
payment of principal and interest on revenue or general obligation bonds issued
by the State if the proceeds of the sale of the bonds will be deposited into
the State loan fund.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID4637a3928f82448b816c668affb0e7d3"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">To earn interest on the amounts deposited
into the State loan fund.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDe80dc6ef9a0d45a6901e7fbe58bc2de0"><enum>(7)</enum><header>Administration
of state loan funds</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID551749d1daf143a497e569e368b7080d"><enum>(A)</enum><header>Combined
financial administration</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A
State may (as a convenience and to avoid unnecessary administrative costs)
combine, in accordance with State law, the financial administration of a State
loan fund established under this subsection with the financial administration
of any other revolving fund established by the State if otherwise not
prohibited by the law under which the State loan fund was established.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDa567973d9c9943f4bba279d6171ae69a"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Cost of
administering fund</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Each State
may annually use not to exceed 4 percent of the funds provided to the State
under a grant under this subsection to pay the reasonable costs of the
administration of the programs under this section, including the recovery of
reasonable costs expended to establish a State loan fund which are incurred
after the date of enactment of this title.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDefb1f647e14b4b5298c308d61a85c313"><enum>(C)</enum><header>Guidance and
regulations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary
shall publish guidance and promulgate regulations as may be necessary to carry
out the provisions of this subsection, including—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID2cfa467179074a28907b36bb394ed50f"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">provisions to ensure that each State
commits and expends funds allotted to the State under this subsection as
efficiently as possible in accordance with this title and applicable State
laws; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDa37c10317efe4126940fe0de4a3d2c89"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">guidance to prevent waste, fraud, and
abuse.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idED765CD1D7684EC587343FB3740B8DED"><enum>(D)</enum><header>Private sector
contributions</header>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC3D5D5434C0943518EC6F94B9F9627FF"><enum>(i)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A State loan fund
established under this subsection may accept contributions from private sector
entities, except that such entities may not specify the recipient or recipients
of any loan issued under this subsection.</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idB2C1F441AD9C4F18B198D5B669CEFB22"><enum>(ii)</enum><header>Availability
of information</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">A State shall
make publically available the identity of, and amount contributed by, any
private sector entity under clause (i) and may issue letters of commendation or
make other awards (that have no financial value) to any such entity.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDacf6257f17d0446483b8794fcb0999dd"><enum>(8)</enum><header>Matching
requirements</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDe190ec08df9d4f7e8eaf168b090df0c4"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary may not
make a grant under paragraph (1) to a State unless the State agrees to make
available (directly or through donations from public or private entities)
non-Federal contributions in cash toward the costs of the State program to be
implemented under the grant in an amount equal to not less than $1 for each $1
of Federal funds provided under the grant.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID96b9d3dfb98b4124b696eb40134dbc69"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Determination
of amount of non-federal contribution</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In determining the amount of non-Federal
contributions that a State has provided pursuant to subparagraph (A), the
Secretary may not include any amounts provided to the State by the Federal
Government.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDc93834be09114254908dd59fe66e4b9b"><enum>(9)</enum><header>Preference in
awarding grants</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary
may give a preference in awarding grants under this subsection to States that
adopt value-based purchasing programs to improve health care quality.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDba8528f5f3e2471f94c3ff4954fb168f"><enum>(10)</enum><header>Reports</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall annually submit to the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Committee on
Finance of the Senate, and the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the
Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives, a report
summarizing the reports received by the Secretary from each State that receives
a grant under this subsection.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID2883B0EA9B5C49C680AAD803AB864274"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Grants for the
implementation of regional or local health information technology
plans</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID8FB1A61399964C368F94CE0F9A3F69D7"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary may
award competitive grants to eligible entities to implement regional or local
health information plans to improve health care quality and efficiency through
the electronic exchange of health information pursuant to the standards,
protocols, and other requirements adopted by the Secretary under sections 2903
and 2908.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID132614568C724276A4F7E71C458A9906"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Eligibility</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">To be eligible to receive a grant under
paragraph (1) an entity shall—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID704CD992DC6242A4AF7FF265C8DA2DDF"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">demonstrate financial need to the
Secretary;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDFEC2E487FC69450B91B1D3C39D7D901E"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">demonstrate that one of its principal
missions or purposes is to use information technology to improve health care
quality and efficiency;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID777D5A2F3ED14BBFB76247EC702FBB05"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">adopt bylaws, memoranda of understanding,
or other charter documents that demonstrate that the governance structure and
decisionmaking processes of such entity allow for participation on an ongoing
basis by multiple stakeholders within a community, including—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDAEFFA7681FF74D21BD6B4F24D7FFEB40"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">physicians (as defined in section 1861(r)
of the <act-name parsable-cite="SSA">Social Security Act</act-name>), including
physicians that provide services to low income and underserved
populations;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID174AC5050988490180D919F7D4A243C6"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">hospitals (including hospitals that provide
services to low income and underserved populations);</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id24F32A14911D470B85B9E624A5455263"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">pharmacists or pharmacies;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID3E8B6E4BAB7F46C1A3F9C834F41E6D0D"><enum>(iv)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">health insurance plans;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDE6E276C1AC9C4E82BEAAB54F81C131B5"><enum>(v)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">health centers (as defined in section
330(b)) and Federally qualified health centers (as defined in section
1861(aa)(4) of the <act-name parsable-cite="SSA">Social Security
Act</act-name>);</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDE987B651781A48E0A7E911415A338201"><enum>(vi)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">rural health clinics (as defined in section
1861(aa) of the <act-name parsable-cite="SSA">Social Security
Act</act-name>);</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID81D9073E891244EB8DC1A5E2F2B1F46C"><enum>(vii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">patient or consumer organizations;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDE644ACB94EA843C0924E55AF1770A890"><enum>(viii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">employers; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID44842B179F7040479CF011FB2E3F8FD4"><enum>(ix)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any other health care providers or other
entities, as determined appropriate by the Secretary;</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDCF4500DD2CFE4387BED02E463BA4589E"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">adopt nondiscrimination and conflict of
interest policies that demonstrate a commitment to open, fair, and
nondiscriminatory participation in the health information plan by all
stakeholders;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDDE62FEBA4ECF403B89E1353C6DBF2C42"><enum>(E)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">adopt the standards adopted by the
Secretary under section 2903;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id80E06B65832B4FE6B890B5249D18671C"><enum>(F)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">require that health care providers
receiving such loans implement the measurement system adopted under section
2908 and report to the Secretary on such measures;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID2097EDA2990043FA8FE3147C68E12006"><enum>(G)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">facilitate the electronic exchange of
health information within the local or regional area and among local and
regional areas;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID8803F6FF8D264841BC40913FE9439194"><enum>(H)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">prepare and submit to the Secretary an
application in accordance with paragraph (3); and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDF4B71F092CA34BBCBF6EA49BCBC63D55"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">agree to provide matching funds in
accordance with paragraph (5).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDAD9788811E7A465EB9383C9521601356"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Application</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID79080EED5B0D4D5F9BB121F7EE389D79"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">To be eligible to
receive a grant under paragraph (1), an entity shall submit to the Secretary an
application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as
the Secretary may require.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID6BF44CC67A7647928E8C4DF549E5ACF1"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Required
information</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">At a minimum, an
application submitted under this paragraph shall include—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID6A58E03927A04B97B12B89146D8C0307"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">clearly identified short-term and long-term
objectives of the regional or local health information plan;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID6747741B99F6452196BC7977259445EE"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a technology plan that complies with the
standards adopted under section 2903 and that includes a descriptive and
reasoned estimate of costs of the hardware, software, training, and consulting
services necessary to implement the regional or local health information
plan;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID88AFABC2560A4EEC80B91FC1F621DEB0"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a strategy that includes initiatives to
improve health care quality and efficiency, including the use and reporting of
health care quality measures adopted under section 2908;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDED7061E5427140888CDA2C92878F19C3"><enum>(iv)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a plan that describes provisions to
encourage the implementation of the electronic exchange of health information
by all physicians, including single physician practices and small physician
groups participating in the health information plan;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID3EBD3EFE002A4D0388FB8DDA9A092FB0"><enum>(v)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a plan to ensure the privacy and security
of personal health information that is consistent with Federal and State
law;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID06D2FD653D604B4FA8F0C02F6883900C"><enum>(vi)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a governance plan that defines the manner
in which the stakeholders shall jointly make policy and operational decisions
on an ongoing basis; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID3B0DE07D409443A5A983FC4B46D53B3C"><enum>(vii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a financial or business plan that
describes—</text>
<subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID23CBD29B27604E01AA3D877EEA7A28B3"><enum>(I)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the sustainability of the plan;</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID9B80A6A70C2C4072A49270CACDCFFEDD"><enum>(II)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the financial costs and benefits of the
plan; and</text>
</subclause><subclause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID87C77C1F31FB47709F69933ED8D0ECB9"><enum>(III)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the entities to which such costs and
benefits will accrue.</text>
</subclause></clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID7F51457A952C404699C04D1362123240"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Use of
funds</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Amounts received under
a grant under paragraph (1) shall be used to establish and implement a regional
or local health information plan in accordance with this subsection.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID693BF0D8B69449EFB8B1FA2B99EBBB2C"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Matching
requirement</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID76F7675C8A7044478B958A251A6534F0"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary may not
make a grant under this subsection to an entity unless the entity agrees that,
with respect to the costs to be incurred by the entity in carrying out the
infrastructure program for which the grant was awarded, the entity will make
available (directly or through donations from public or private entities)
non-Federal contributions toward such costs in an amount equal to not less than
50 percent of such costs ($1 for each $2 of Federal funds provided under the
grant).</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDCD9054764B5C41918847168482BC8EEB"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Determination
of amount contributed</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Non-Federal contributions required under
subparagraph (A) may be in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including
equipment, technology, or services. Amounts provided by the Federal Government,
or services assisted or subsidized to any significant extent by the Federal
Government, may not be included in determining the amount of such non-Federal
contributions.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID3F0F985471D74BCBAAC3665A7E2ECB39"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Reports</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 1 year after the date on
which the first grant is awarded under this section, and annually thereafter
during the grant period, an entity that receives a grant under this section
shall submit to the Secretary a report on the activities carried out under the
grant involved. Each such report shall include—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDBE955B2B7278477C933A0AEAAA949226"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a description of the financial costs and
benefits of the project involved and of the entities to which such costs and
benefits accrue;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID825CDC0101A442C6B7CFE34957D1D335"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">an analysis of the impact of the project on
health care quality and safety;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID0F17C75C77014BF0B1E47E374693A322"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a description of any reduction in
duplicative or unnecessary care as a result of the project involved;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id23E5565B094F412DB1AB81466A5DB4AA"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a description of the efforts of recipients
under this section to facilitate secure patient access to health information;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id549974869AA54C96B5ACCC9B6BE96E9F"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">other information as required by the
Secretary.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID00da2b8e04464258b9c76df6da98a3a1"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Authorization
of appropriations</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDbe3c0afd43e74946a4341ac4493aa51b"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For the purpose of
carrying out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $125,000,000
for fiscal year 2006, $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, and such sums as may
be necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2010.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDb783c40e9d3f472fb65d759185401beb"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Availability</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Amounts appropriated under paragraph (1)
shall remain available through fiscal year 2010.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id7A07ED4C3CB148089ACD7F007CB82122" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>2906.</enum><header>Demonstration
program to integrate information technology into clinical education</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID7b5e0b29b45a42be973ea098690c69c1"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary may
award grants under this section to carry out demonstration projects to develop
academic curricula integrating qualified health information technology systems
in the clinical education of health professionals. Such awards shall be made on
a competitive basis and pursuant to peer review.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID8a14f3554eda46859ff458df0924073e"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Eligibility</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">To be eligible to receive a grant under
subsection (a), an entity shall—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID01dac213da98451e8aee47483386cb9e"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">submit to the Secretary an application at
such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may
require;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID5648685c2ed04c04be3012446e3d2f5f"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">submit to the Secretary a strategic plan
for integrating qualified health information technology in the clinical
education of health professionals and for ensuring the consistent utilization
of decision support software to reduce medical errors and enhance health care
quality;</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDec76c6a85f744633836f39b0d9fb0efa"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">be—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID2e2a79950b8a4b62bd8de6ce076eb656"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a health professions school;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID4dd01da583324046bc678c004ff889b9"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a school of nursing; or</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idDDB0E630095742D4AD2C01591F53DCE2"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">a graduate medical education
program;</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID6a55afbe881b40c59cbab3076376a6ba"><enum>(4)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">provide for the collection of data
regarding the effectiveness of the demonstration project to be funded under the
grant in improving the safety of patients, the efficiency of health care
delivery, and in increasing the likelihood that graduates of the grantee will
adopt and incorporate health information technology in the delivery of health
care services; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID2cbd3438e51c4ac89a4b9fcf25310c4f"><enum>(5)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">provide matching funds in accordance with
subsection (c).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID540151560a6f4b0b8dad2e371ddd4fb8"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Use of
funds</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id76C88FE45BFE44A3A39269C00B8E5883"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">With respect to a
grant under subsection (a), an eligible entity shall—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID186e9e2c767f405c8e45b1b814454a54"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">use grant funds in collaboration with 2 or
more disciplines; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDfc206430188246c883bb22acc77edd1a"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">use grant funds to integrate qualified
health information technology into community-based clinical education.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idD004310D66A54F25A3C98D2A60F9814D"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Limitation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">An eligible entity shall not use amounts
received under a grant under subsection (a) to purchase hardware, software, or
services.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID7b4a83acb09844d5aaa35e82e87e7b2c"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Matching
funds</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDd1f3dce003a349cdb7b8ce0bd5bc5cee"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary may
award a grant to an entity under this section only if the entity agrees to make
available non-Federal contributions toward the costs of the program to be
funded under the grant in an amount that is not less than $1 for each $2 of
Federal funds provided under the grant.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID0887c5a4765d4be180fce48c8d9f6412"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Determination
of amount contributed</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Non-Federal contributions under paragraph
(1) may be in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including equipment or
services. Amounts provided by the Federal Government, or services assisted or
subsidized to any significant extent by the Federal Government, may not be
included in determining the amount of such contributions.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID5fa93113509b47f19a5f117ef78e054b"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Evaluation</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall take such action as may
be necessary to evaluate the projects funded under this section and publish,
make available, and disseminate the results of such evaluations on as wide a
basis as is practicable.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID0d95e388283143fb9ddcfd5c9e4ab2f2"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Reports</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this title, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Committee on
Finance of the Senate, and the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the
Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives a report
that—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDa14e445cd612468f901471897a32a52d"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">describes the specific projects established
under this section; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDd3e363648fb94bea9ae24e360a97fd9e"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">contains recommendations for Congress based
on the evaluation conducted under subsection (e).</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id9E4240E9BF1A43078F9935E99F302E71"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Authorization
of appropriations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, $5,000,000 for fiscal
year 2007, and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2008
through 2010.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID0f6120219580459a91cad46c1cd19962"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Sunset</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">This section shall not apply after
September 30, 2010.</text>
</subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id6FDEA045570040978D2E7CBD25B20335" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>2907.</enum><header>Licensure and the
electronic exchange of health information</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID5D59C11A43594C3196E7E3025E968B31"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall
carry out, or contract with a private entity to carry out, a study that
examines—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID75AC97C32B3044F987648090F949FD8A"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the variation among State laws that relate
to the licensure, registration, and certification of medical professionals;
and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDBF3D8C87F12D4A2FB21E5B681D5B5924"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">how such variation among State laws impacts
the secure electronic exchange of health information—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID36E42BD4E24F400683C7CDE1229E903C"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">among the States; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDFC6669DA38044C9D9D6022DEF9725437"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">between the States and the Federal
Government.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDC9D7ADDFE32342C2B3196ABC21138DC8"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Report and
recommendations</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Not later
than 1 year after the date of enactment of this title, the Secretary shall
publish a report that—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID332CF7EF75FA4D55B8C30BF371C438B7"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">describes the results of the study carried
out under subsection (a); and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID22971CCB776940E4BB1007F236E66537"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">makes recommendations to States regarding
the harmonization of State laws based on the results of such study.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDb64a597448554a16a940b70677ea77f8" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>2908.</enum><header>Quality measurement
systems</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID8316f23267624d89b2ba165c1b9ac348"><enum>(a)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary of
Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of
Defense, and representatives of other relevant Federal agencies, as determined
appropriate by the Secretary, (referred to in the section as the
<quote>Secretaries</quote>) shall jointly develop a quality measurement system
for the purpose of measuring the quality of care patients receive.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID6a1ee8f189134ddd9ec46a7a435777ae"><enum>(b)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretaries shall ensure that the
quality measurement system developed under subsection (a) comply with the
following:</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDd1e4c9ba97dd426fb14fe8d03bb14d6a"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Measures</header>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDa3bb0be90ae743fc8c42232dc6c42ebb"><enum>(A)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Subject to
subparagraph (B), the Secretaries shall select measures of quality to be used
by the Secretaries under the systems.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDe291d81374fd43539587c55803c86f3b"><enum>(B)</enum><header>Requirements</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In selecting the measures to be used under
each system pursuant to subparagraph (A), the Secretaries shall, to the extent
feasible, ensure that—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDb1a0fb8b8e7e495e87617d8a3b538436"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">such measures are evidence based, reliable
and valid;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID2f1e8b1d4b364f81bc633edf16914bc2"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">such measures include measures of process,
structure, patient experience, efficiency, and equity; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID5c09aed0926d48b7ad1fa05c6bd294b2"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">such measures include measures of overuse,
underuse, and misuse of health care items and services.</text>
</clause></subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id41091EBED0B5405FAF8BD700DAD9B894"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Priorities</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In developing the system under subsection
(a), the Secretaries shall ensure that priority is given to—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idADDCF5F0B55B4A10975BC80FA99C5944"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">measures with the greatest potential impact
for improving the quality and efficiency of care provided under Federal
programs;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idAD2A9E5A9750454B951104FF2DA76AEA"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">measures that may be rapidly implemented by
group health plans, health insurance issuers, physicians, hospitals, nursing
homes, long-term care providers, and other providers; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idBE6B314B72ED4ECBB2F8142D165558F3"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">measures which may inform health care
decisions made by consumers and patients.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDb1f1b1982b7b433f8ce87aa7b84902d7"><enum>(3)</enum><header>Weights of
measures</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretaries
shall assign weights to the measures used by the Secretaries under each system
established under subsection (a).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id691FA6922E8247EA9C8B44651C8C8463"><enum>(4)</enum><header>Risk
adjustment</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretaries
shall establish procedures to account for differences in patient health status,
patient characteristics, and geographic location. To the extent practicable,
such procedures shall recognize existing procedures.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID75c77b1c19fd4e2eb90cb822573f8db1"><enum>(5)</enum><header>Maintenance</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretaries shall, as determined
appropriate, but in no case more often than once during each 12-month period,
update the quality measurement systems developed under subsection (a),
including through—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDc763f378b94a48c887eba43d9162fd48"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the addition of more accurate and precise
measures under the systems and the retirement of existing outdated measures
under the systems; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID0d8f3a21ad87459b97d53c9da9de01e3"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the refinement of the weights assigned to
measures under the systems.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDCB1C9BE0EEC7403A9EA4A7BFA12BA58D"><enum>(c)</enum><header>Required
considerations in developing and updating the systems</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In developing and updating the quality
measurement systems under this section, the Secretaries shall—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID8D349D07BAAB475EADDFA8286542AE5D"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">consult with, and take into account the
recommendations of, the entity that the Secretaries has an arrangement with
under subsection (e);</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDB8828D8C1953403A97FBB97EADBC2097"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">consult with representatives of health care
providers, consumers, employers, and other individuals and groups that are
interested in the quality of health care; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDA76176ADEDCC446FBFB49F23FAD4EF0F"><enum>(3)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">take into account—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID226EDE4F45F942FE8991EEF970E134FD"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any demonstration or pilot program
conducted by the Secretaries relating to measuring and rewarding quality and
efficiency of care;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id32C532BDEE504A31AC5A8C74779D38CD"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any existing activities conducted by the
Secretaries relating to measuring and rewarding quality and efficiency;</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idFF1A6653B0A049AC8B672384D90DF349"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">any existing activities conducted by
private entities including health insurance plans and payors; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID43E1452498F04C88A615ECE00A10B91F"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">the report by the Institute of Medicine of
the National Academy of Sciences under section 238(b) of the Medicare
Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID36AA5F81DF1C48CB943E9DC022106861"><enum>(d)</enum><header>Required
considerations in implementing the systems</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">In implementing the quality measurement
systems under this section, the Secretaries shall take into account the
recommendations of public-private entities—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID35AD8F6CFB614983849D864CB00B31CB"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">that are established to examine issues of
data collection and reporting, including the feasibility of collecting and
reporting data on measures; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID05C016038CFE4DC9ACD01135D4A10CCF"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">that involve representatives of health care
providers, consumers, employers, and other individuals and groups that are
interested in quality of care.</text>
</paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDCA0A7325484E491F86F8BDEC66A50697"><enum>(e)</enum><header>Arrangement
with an entity to provide advice and recommendations</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDCCE8D34D443249D0964D288404087F07"><enum>(1)</enum><header>Arrangement</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">On and after July 1, 2006, the Secretaries
shall have in place an arrangement with an entity that meets the requirements
described in paragraph (2) under which such entity provides the Secretaries
with advice on, and recommendations with respect to, the development and
updating of the quality measurement systems under this section, including the
assigning of weights to the measures under subsection (b)(2).</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID59ED946195C44FA2953B8B006A85596A"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Requirements
described</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The requirements
described in this paragraph are the following:</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID343996C525ED40918E49F9C6FD23CE25"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The entity is a private nonprofit entity
governed by an executive director and a board.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID681100A7673C487EB7428F781AD00A69"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The members of the entity include
representatives of—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDEF701250F3F64F9FA540D16B5C9D5FD4"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">health insurance plans and providers with
experience in the care of individuals with multiple complex chronic conditions
or groups representing such health insurance plans and providers;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID3E6CB67E59AC48D4818A6EC0ABF1B9B9"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">groups representing patients and
consumers;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID975DBA9401774C4DB8297E490510B3AC"><enum>(iii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">purchasers and employers or groups
representing purchasers or employers;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID3F287528D5AF43128C8E64C3EB032733"><enum>(iv)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">organizations that focus on quality
improvement as well as the measurement and reporting of quality
measures;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID4BF7812DD4C94700BEE1666956AFE20F"><enum>(v)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">State government health programs;</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID2AC839ED47EB4ACAB4D5097A82C188BA"><enum>(vi)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">individuals or entities skilled in the
conduct and interpretation of biomedical, health services, and health economics
research and with expertise in outcomes and effectiveness research and
technology assessment; and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDFE96D7B87F7640FDBFE07579EC9D5A6D"><enum>(vii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">individuals or entities involved in the
development and establishment of standards and certification for health
information technology systems and clinical data.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID593A06BAA0FB4C13B2875D67695B4BEF"><enum>(C)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The membership of the entity is
representative of individuals with experience with urban health care issues and
individuals with experience with rural and frontier health care issues.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID687D3B0BDCED405686B6625AC99E53AF"><enum>(D)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">If the entity requires a fee for
membership, the entity shall provide assurances to the Secretaries that such
fees are not a substantial barrier to participation in the entity's activities
related to the arrangement with the Secretaries.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID782EB39D2D194EDC99DCC38C035532B3"><enum>(E)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The entity—</text>
<clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idEAFC6E44574F4FDA992D25CE94D50466"><enum>(i)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">permits any member described in
subparagraph (B) to vote on matters of the entity related to the arrangement
with the Secretary under paragraph (1); and</text>
</clause><clause commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="IDE976212D03B74614AA5E121728DD4D78"><enum>(ii)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">ensures that member voting provides a
balance among disparate stakeholders, so that no member organization described
in subparagraph (B) unduly influences the outcome.</text>
</clause></subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID8F09DEE85CF34C0D91FA2030AB782127"><enum>(F)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">With respect to matters related to the
arrangement with the Secretary under paragraph (1), the entity conducts its
business in an open and transparent manner and provides the opportunity for
public comment.</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID1CAC04AB6B214EC084019690FC39775D"><enum>(G)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The entity operates as a voluntary
consensus standards setting organization as defined for purposes of section
12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 (Public
Law 104–113) and Office of Management and Budget Revised Circular A–119
(published in the Federal Register on February 10, 1998).</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idC0C9296F7F5E427E98D70FDAB74A211B"><enum>(f)</enum><header>Use of quality
measurement system</header>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3D5F437565A54A32955306D4ED62DBCB"><enum>(1)</enum><header>In
general</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">For purposes of
activities conducted or supported by the Secretary under this Act, the
Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, adopt and utilize the measurement
system developed under this section.</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id977C98C641D94B03B0E1A63157C9150B"><enum>(2)</enum><header>Collaborative
agreements</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">With respect to
activities conducted or supported by the Secretary under this Act, the
Secretary may establish collaborative agreements with private entities,
including group health plans and health insurance issuers, providers,
purchasers, consumer organizations, and entities receiving a grant under
section 2908, to—</text>
<subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID2167DDED8B2F4D05AE98DEA6BCBE6520"><enum>(A)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">encourage the use of the health care
quality measures adopted by the Secretary under this section; and</text>
</subparagraph><subparagraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID5F6A91612F6B49AD8ED63150D8B1A09F"><enum>(B)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">foster uniformity between the health care
quality measures utilized by private entities.</text>
</subparagraph></paragraph></subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id88DE4594F1E34E69BD184CF2F735CE3F"><enum>(g)</enum><header>Dissemination
of information</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">Beginning on
January 1, 2008, in order to make comparative quality information available to
health care consumers, health professionals, public health officials,
researchers, and other appropriate individuals and entities, the Secretary
shall provide for the aggregation and analysis of quality measures collected
under section 2905 and the dissemination of recommendations and best practices
derived in part from such analysis.</text>
</subsection><subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id029A42F6BD024B5CABD544484F2897C9"><enum>(h)</enum><header>Technical
assistance</header><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary
shall provide technical assistance to public and private entities to enable
such entities to—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="id3A725776FEF1440EA083344E834C927E"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">implement and use evidence-based guidelines
with the greatest potential to improve health care quality, efficiency, and
patient safety; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idCE6D3434B3384E008D72039363A6E7B0"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">establish mechanisms for the rapid
dissemination of information regarding evidence-based guidelines with the
greatest potential to improve health care quality, efficiency, and patient
safety.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID31dc278fb24e46069daacdd2f0e74fba" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>2909.</enum><header>Applicability of
privacy and security regulations</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID4499d56b62954a8bae082256a46c3d13"><enum></enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The regulations promulgated by the
Secretary under part C of title XI of the Social Security Act and sections 261,
262, 263, and 264 of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of
1996 with respect to the privacy, confidentiality, and security of health
information shall—</text>
<paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID0436e9131da24d9981f41b5e034d46b6"><enum>(1)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">apply to any health information stored or
transmitted in an electronic format on or after the date of enactment of this
title; and</text>
</paragraph><paragraph commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID1e34e40dc3ec4afea1c9e4cc41043e85"><enum>(2)</enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">apply to the implementation of standards,
programs, and activities under this title.</text>
</paragraph></subsection></section><section commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="idB445C660587D4AC7814742633AE932B2" section-type="subsequent-section"><enum>2910.</enum><header>Study of
reimbursement incentives</header>
<subsection commented="no" display-inline="no-display-inline" id="ID764a12b86fae4e6b87d18d178c315274"><enum></enum><text display-inline="yes-display-inline">The Secretary shall carry out, or contract
with a private entity to carry out, a study that examines methods to create
efficient reimbursement incentives for improving health care quality in
Federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, and free
clinics.</text>
</subsection></section>.
3.Health information
technology resource centerSection 914 of the Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C. 299b–3) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(d)Center for Best
Practices
(1)The Secretary, acting
through the Director, shall develop a Center for Best Practices to provide
technical assistance and develop best practices to support and accelerate
efforts to adopt, implement, and effectively use interoperable health
information technology in compliance with section 2903 and 2908.
(2)Center for best
practices
(A)The Center shall
support activities to meet goals, including—
(i)providing for the widespread adoption of
interoperable health information technology;
(ii)providing for the establishment of regional
and local health information networks to facilitate the development of
interoperability across health care settings and improve the quality of health
care;
(iii)the development of solutions to barriers to
the exchange of electronic health information; or
(iv)other activities identified by the States,
local or regional health information networks, or health care stakeholders as a
focus for developing and sharing best practices.
(B)The purpose of the Center is to—
(i)provide a forum for the exchange of
knowledge and experience;
(ii)accelerate the transfer of lessons learned
from existing public and private sector initiatives, including those currently
receiving Federal financial support;
(iii)assemble, analyze, and widely disseminate
evidence and experience related to the adoption, implementation, and effective
use of interoperable health information technology; and
(iv)assure the timely provision of technical
and expert assistance from the Agency and its contractors.
(C)To provide support
for the activities of the Center, the Director shall modify the requirements,
if necessary, that apply to the National Resource Center for Health Information
Technology to provide the necessary infrastructure to support the duties and
activities of the Center and facilitate information exchange across the public
and private sectors.
(3)Technical
assistance telephone number or websiteThe Secretary shall establish a toll-free
telephone number or Internet website to provide health care providers and
patients with a single point of contact to—
(A)learn about Federal grants and technical
assistance services related to interoperable health information
technology;
(B)learn about qualified health information
technology and the quality measurement system adopted by the Federal Government
under sections 2903 and 2908;
(C)learn about regional and local health
information networks for assistance with health information technology;
and
(D)disseminate additional information
determined by the Secretary.
(4)Authorization
of appropriationsThere are
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subsection, such sums as may be
necessary for each of fiscal years 2006 through
2010.
.
4.Reauthorization of
incentive grants regarding telemedicineSection 330L(b) of the Public Health Service
Act (42 U.S.C. 254c–18(b)) is amended by striking 2002 through
2006
and inserting 2006 through 2010
.