Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Health Care Safety Net Act of 2008

Community health centers program of the Public Health Service Act

(a)

Additional Authorizations of Appropriations for the Health Centers Program of Public Health Service Act

Section 330(r) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b(r)) is amended by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:

(1)

In general

For the purpose of carrying out this section, in addition to the amounts authorized to be appropriated under subsection (d), there are authorized to be appropriated— (A)$2,065,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; (B)$2,313,000,000 for fiscal year 2009; (C)$2,602,000,000 for fiscal year 2010; (D)$2,940,000,000 for fiscal year 2011; and (E)$3,337,000,000 for fiscal year 2012.

(b)

Studies Relating to Community Health Centers

(1)

Definitions

For purposes of this subsection— (A)the term community health center means a health center receiving assistance under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b); and (B)the term medically underserved population has the meaning given that term in such section 330. (2)

School-based health center study

(A)

In general

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall issue a study of the economic costs and benefits of school-based health centers and the impact on the health of students of these centers. (B)

Content

In conducting the study under subparagraph (A), the Comptroller General of the United States shall analyze— (i)the impact that Federal funding could have on the operation of school-based health centers; (ii)any cost savings to other Federal programs derived from providing health services in school-based health centers; (iii)the effect on the Federal Budget and the health of students of providing Federal funds to school-based health centers and clinics, including the result of providing disease prevention and nutrition information; (iv)the impact of access to health care from school-based health centers in rural or underserved areas; and (v)other sources of Federal funding for school-based health centers. (3)

Health care quality study

(A)

In general

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this Act as the Secretary), acting through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, and in collaboration with the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives a report that describes agency efforts to expand and accelerate quality improvement activities in community health centers. (B)

Content

The report under subparagraph (A) shall focus on— (i)Federal efforts, as of the date of enactment of this Act, regarding health care quality in community health centers, including quality data collection, analysis, and reporting requirements; (ii)identification of effective models for quality improvement in community health centers, which may include models that— (I)incorporate care coordination, disease management, and other services demonstrated to improve care; (II)are designed to address multiple, co-occurring diseases and conditions; (III)improve access to providers through non-traditional means, such as the use of remote monitoring equipment; (IV)target various medically underserved populations, including uninsured patient populations; (V)increase access to specialty care, including referrals and diagnostic testing; and (VI)enhance the use of electronic health records to improve quality; (iii)efforts to determine how effective quality improvement models may be adapted for implementation by community health centers that vary by size, budget, staffing, services offered, populations served, and other characteristics determined appropriate by the Secretary; (iv)types of technical assistance and resources provided to community health centers that may facilitate the implementation of quality improvement interventions; (v)proposed or adopted methodologies for community health center evaluations of quality improvement interventions, including any development of new measures that are tailored to safety-net, community-based providers; (vi)successful strategies for sustaining quality improvement interventions in the long-term; and (vii)partnerships with other Federal agencies and private organizations or networks as appropriate, to enhance health care quality in community health centers. (C)

Dissemination

The Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration shall establish a formal mechanism or mechanisms for the ongoing dissemination of agency initiatives, best practices, and other information that may assist health care quality improvement efforts in community health centers. (4)

GAO study on integrated health systems model for the delivery of health care services to medically underserved and uninsured populations

(A)

Study

The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study on integrated health system models of at least 15 sites for the delivery of health care services to medically underserved and uninsured populations. The study shall include an examination of— (i)health care delivery models sponsored by public or private non-profit entities that— (I)integrate primary, specialty, and acute care; and (II)serve medically underserved and uninsured populations; and (ii)such models in rural and urban areas. (B)

Report

Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to Congress a report on the study conducted under subparagraph (A). The report shall include— (i)an evaluation of the models, as described in subparagraph (A), in— (I)expanding access to primary, preventive, and specialty services for medically underserved and uninsured populations; and (II)improving care coordination and health outcomes; (III)increasing efficiency in the delivery of quality health care; and (IV)conducting some combination of the following services— (aa)outreach activities; (bb)case management and patient navigation services; (cc)chronic care management; (dd)transportation to health care facilities; (ee)development of provider networks and other innovative models to engage local physicians and other providers to serve the medically underserved within a community; (ff)recruitment, training, and compensation of necessary personnel; (gg)acquisition of technology for the purpose of coordinating care; (hh)improvements to provider communication, including implementation of shared information systems or shared clinical systems; (ii)determination of eligibility for Federal, State, and local programs that provide, or financially support the provision of, medical, social, housing, educational, or other related services; (jj)development of prevention and disease management tools and processes; (kk)translation services; (ll)development and implementation of evaluation measures and processes to assess patient outcomes; (mm)integration of primary care and mental health services; and (nn)carrying out other activities that may be appropriate to a community and that would increase access by the uninsured to health care, such as access initiatives for which private entities provide non-Federal contributions to supplement the Federal funds provided through the grants for the initiatives; and (ii)an assessment of— (I)challenges, including barriers to Federal programs, encountered by such entities in providing care to medically underserved and uninsured populations; and (II)advantages and disadvantages of such models compared to other models of care delivery for medically underserved and uninsured populations, including— (aa)quality measurement and quality outcomes; (bb)administrative efficiencies; and (cc)geographic distribution of federally-supported clinics compared to geographic distribution of integrated health systems. (5)

GAO study on volunteer enhancement

(A)

In general

Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study, and submit a report to Congress, concerning the implications of extending Federal Tort Claims Act (chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code) coverage to health care professionals who volunteer to furnish care to patients of health centers. (B)

Content

In conducting the study under subparagraph (A), the Comptroller General of the United States shall analyze— (i)the potential financial implications for the Federal Government of such an extension, including any increased funding needed for current health center Federal Tort Claims Act coverage; (ii)an estimate of the increase in the number of health care professionals at health centers, and what types of such professionals would most likely volunteer given the extension of Federal Tort Claims Act coverage; (iii)the increase in services provided by health centers as a result of such an increase in health care professionals, and in particular the effect of such action on the ability of health centers to secure specialty and diagnostic services needed by their uninsured and other patients; (iv)the volume of patient workload at health centers and how volunteer health care professionals may help address the patient volume; (v)the most appropriate manner of extending such coverage to volunteer health care professionals at health centers, including any potential difference from the mechanism currently used for health care professional volunteers at free clinics; (vi)State laws that have been shown to encourage physicians and other health care providers to provide charity care as an agent of the State; and (vii)other policies, including legislative or regulatory changes, that have the potential to increase the number of volunteer health care staff at health centers and the financial implications of such policies, including the cost savings associated with the ability to provide more services in health centers rather than more expensive sites of care. (c)

Recognition of high poverty

(1)

In General

Section 330(c) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(3)

Recognition of high poverty

(A)

In general

In making grants under this subsection, the Secretary may recognize the unique needs of high poverty areas. (B)

High poverty area defined

For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term high poverty area means a catchment area which is established in a manner that is consistent with the factors in subsection (k)(3)(J), and the poverty rate of which is greater than the national average poverty rate as determined by the Bureau of the Census.

(2)

Effective Date

The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall apply to grants made on or after January 1, 2009.

National health service corps

(a)

Funding

(1)

Reauthorization of National Health Service Corps Program

Section 338(a) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254k(a)) is amended by striking 2002 through 2006 and inserting 2008 through 2012. (2)

Scholarship and loan repayment programs

Subsection (a) of section 338H of such Act (42 U.S.C. 254q) is amended by striking appropriated $146,250,000 and all that follows through the period and inserting the following:

appropriated— (1)for fiscal year 2008, $131,500,000; (2)for fiscal year 2009, $143,335,000; (3)for fiscal year 2010, $156,235,150; (4)for fiscal year 2011, $170,296,310; and (5)for fiscal year 2012, $185,622,980.

(b)

Elimination of 6-Year Demonstration Requirement

Section 332(a)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254e(a)(1)) is amended by striking Not earlier than 6 years and all that follows through purposes of this section.. (c)

Assignment to Shortage Area

Section 333(a)(1)(D)(ii) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254f(a)(1)(D)(ii)) is amended— (1)in subclause (IV), by striking and; (2)in subclause (V), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and (3)by adding at the end the following:

(VI)the entity demonstrates willingness to support or facilitate mentorship, professional development, and training opportunities for Corps members.

(d)

Professional Development and Training

Subsection (d) of section 336 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254h–1) is amended to read as follows:

(d)

Professional Development and Training

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall assist Corps members in establishing and maintaining professional relationships and development opportunities, including by— (A)establishing appropriate professional relationships between the Corps member involved and the health professions community of the geographic area with respect to which the member is assigned; (B)establishing professional development, training, and mentorship linkages between the Corps member involved and the larger health professions community, including through distance learning, direct mentorship, and development and implementation of training modules designed to meet the educational needs of offsite Corps members; (C)establishing professional networks among Corps members; or (D)engaging in other professional development, mentorship, and training activities for Corps members, at the discretion of the Secretary. (2)

Assistance in establishing professional relationships

In providing such assistance under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall focus on establishing relationships with hospitals, with academic medical centers and health professions schools, with area health education centers under section 751, with health education and training centers under section 752, and with border health education and training centers under such section 752. Such assistance shall include assistance in obtaining faculty appointments at health professions schools. (3)

Supplement not supplant

Such efforts under this subsection shall supplement, not supplant, non-government efforts by professional health provider societies to establish and maintain professional relationships and development opportunities.

(e)

Eligibility of the District of Columbia and territories for the State Loan Repayment Program

(1)

In general

Section 338I(h) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254q–1(h)) is amended by striking several States and inserting 50 States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, Palau, the Marshall Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. (2)

Authorization of appropriations

Section 338I(i)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 254q–1(i)(1)) is amended by striking 2002 and all that follows through the period and inserting 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012..

Reauthorization of rural health care programs

Section 330A(j) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254c(j)) is amended by striking $40,000,000 and all that follows through the period and inserting $45,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012..

Reauthorization of primary dental health workforce programs

Section 340G(f) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 256g(f)) is amended— (1)by striking $50,000,000 and inserting $25,000,000; and (2)by striking 2002 and inserting 2008.

Emergency response coordination of primary care providers

(a)

In general

Subtitle B of title XXVIII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh–10 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

2815.

Emergency response coordination of primary care providers

The Secretary, acting through Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, and in coordination with the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, shall (1)provide guidance and technical assistance to health centers funded under section 330 and to State and local health departments and emergency managers to integrate health centers into State and local emergency response plans and to better meet the primary care needs of populations served by health centers during public health emergencies; and (2)encourage employees at health centers funded under section 330 to participate in emergency medical response programs including the National Disaster Medical System authorized in section 2812, the Volunteer Medical Reserve Corps authorized in section 2813, and the Emergency System for Advance Registration of Health Professions Volunteers authorized in section 319I.

(b)

Sense of the Congress

It is the Sense of Congress that the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to the extent permitted by law, utilize the existing authority provided under the Federal Tort Claims Act for health centers funded under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b) in order to establish expedited procedures under which such health centers and their health care professionals that have been deemed eligible for Federal Tort Claims Act coverage are able to respond promptly in a coordinated manner and on a temporary basis to public health emergencies outside their traditional service area and sites, and across State lines, as necessary and appropriate.

Revision of the timeframe for the recognition of certain designations in certifying rural health clinics under the Medicare program

(a)

In general

The second sentence of section 1861(aa)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(aa)(2)) is amended by striking 3-year period and inserting 4-year period in the matter in clause (i) preceding subclause (I). (b)

Effective date

The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.