II 110th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3587 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 25 (legislative day, September 17), 2008 Mrs. Clinton introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works A BILL To direct the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to provide grants to hospitals and nonprofit health care institutions for use in improving building and maintenance operations to engage in environmentally sustainable practices.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Greening the Healthcare Workforce Act of 2008.

2.

Definitions

In this Act: (1)

Administrator

The term Administrator means the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, acting in conjunction with the Secretary. (2)

Eligible entity

The term eligible entity means a nonprofit hospital or nonprofit health care institution, as identified by the Administrator, that submits an application described in section 3(b). (3)

Green guide

The term Green Guide means the most recent Green Guide for Health Care. (4)

Secretary

The term Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

3.

Grant program

(a)

In general

The Administrator shall establish a program to provide grants to eligible entities for use in improving building and maintenance operations to engage in environmentally sustainable practices, including for— (1)the training of employees in environmentally sound waste management practices, such as those recommended by the Green Guide, or other consensus-based recommendations, as the Administrator determines to be appropriate; (2)the training of employees in environmentally sound chemical management practices, such as those recommended by the Green Guide, or other consensus-based recommendations, as the Administrator determines to be appropriate; (3)the conduct of activities to reduce use of mercury-containing medical supplies, and ensure proper disposal of any mercury-containing medical supplies; (4)the conduct of minor improvements to both grounds and facilities to improve energy efficiency, reduce water waste, and improve indoor air quality, such as those recommended by the Green Guide, or other consensus-based recommendations, as the Administrator determines to be appropriate; and (5)the conduct of other activities, as approved by the Administrator, that would assist in reducing the environmental pollution and waste of eligible entities. (b)

Application

To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an eligible entity shall submit to the Administrator an application in such form, at such time, and containing such information as the Administrator may require, including— (1)demonstrated evidence that the eligible entity has evaluated the environmental policies, analyzed the building and maintenance operations, and identified areas of improvement of the eligible entity that could increase energy efficiency, reduce waste, and improve environmental health for patients, employees, and visitors to the eligible entity; (2)demonstrated evidence of existing efforts by the eligible entity to address environmental pollution, reduce waste, and increase energy efficiency; and (3)a detailed plan for the use of grant funding, including a description of the manner in which outcomes will be measured to demonstrate improvements to the environment as a result of the use of the grant funding. (c)

Report

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Administrator shall submit to Congress and make available to the public (including on the website of the Environmental Protection Agency) a report that describes the progress made in carrying out this Act during the period covered by the report. (d)

Authorization of appropriations

There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2013.