[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5392 Introduced in House (IH)]

111th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 5392

  To establish a Council on Integration of Health Care Education, to 
 provide for implementation of the recommendations of the Council, and 
                          for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                              May 25, 2010

  Mr. Kennedy (for himself and Mr. Sullivan) introduced the following 
 bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and 
in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be 
subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration 
  of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee 
                               concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  To establish a Council on Integration of Health Care Education, to 
 provide for implementation of the recommendations of the Council, and 
                          for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Council on Integration of Health 
Care Education Act of 2010''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Behavioral health provider.--The term ``behavioral 
        health provider''--
                    (A) means an individual who provides clinical care 
                (in accordance with applicable State law) specializing 
                in the diagnosis or treatment of behavioral health, 
                including such an individual specializing in substance 
                use, addiction, and dependence disorders; and
                    (B) includes a psychiatrist, nurse practitioner (as 
                defined in section 1861(aa)(5)(A) of the Social 
                Security Act), physician assistant (as defined in 
                section 1861(aa)(5)(A) of such Act), clinical 
                psychologist (as used in section 1861(ii) of such Act), 
                clinical social worker (as defined in section 1861(hh) 
                of such Act), psychiatric nurse, licensed professional 
                counselor, marriage and family therapist, pastoral 
                counselor, psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, and 
                any other individual determined to be appropriate by 
                the Secretary.
            (2) Council.--The term ``Council'' means the Council on 
        Integration of Health Care Education.
            (3) Health care professional.--The term ``health care 
        professional''--
                    (A) means an individual who provides clinical 
                health care (in accordance with applicable State law) 
                other than a behavioral health provider; and
                    (B) includes (other than a behavioral health 
                provider) a physician (as defined in section 1861(r) of 
                the Social Security Act), nurse practitioner (as 
                defined in section 1861(aa)(5)(A) of the Social 
                Security Act), physician assistant (as defined in 
                section 1861(aa)(5)(A) of the Social Security Act), 
                clinical nurse specialist (as defined in section 
                1861(aa)(5)(B) of the Social Security Act), certified 
                nurse-midwife (as defined in section 1861(gg) of the 
                Social Security Act), and any other individual 
                determined to be appropriate by the Secretary.
            (4) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        ``institution of higher education'' has the same meaning given 
        such term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
        (20 U.S.C. 1001).
            (5) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Health and Human Services.

SEC. 3. COUNCIL ON INTEGRATION OF HEALTH CARE EDUCATION.

    (a) Establishment.--There is established in the Office of the 
Secretary the Council on Integration of Health Care Education.
    (b) Recommendations.--The Council shall develop and publish not 
later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, and 
may periodically revise as appropriate thereafter, recommendations for 
the purpose of strengthening the capacity of health care professionals 
and behavioral health providers to deliver integrated, comprehensive 
health care. The recommendations shall identify--
            (1) the core competencies to be required of each type of 
        health care professional and behavioral health provider with 
        respect to mental health and substance use prevention and 
        treatment services in order to carry out their respective scope 
        of practice;
            (2) the appropriate methods for incorporating such 
        competencies into the curricula of institutions of higher 
        education, and of continuing education, for health care 
        professionals and behavioral health providers;
            (3) the appropriate methods for incorporating such 
        competencies into the licensure and certification requirements 
        for health care professionals and behavioral health providers; 
        and
            (4) the appropriate methods for incorporating such 
        competencies into the accreditation process for institutions of 
        higher education providing terminal education for health care 
        professionals and behavioral health providers.
    (c) Reporting.--
            (1) By the council.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
        of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the 
        Council shall submit to the Secretary and the appropriate 
        committees of the Congress, and to the Council on Graduate 
        Medical Education when appropriate, and make publicly 
        available, a report on the recommendations under subsection (b) 
        and the implementation of such recommendations. Each such 
        report shall include--
                    (A) a description of current and future needs 
                related to the successful integration core competencies 
                for mental health and substance use disorders into 
                health care professional and behavioral health provider 
                education and education curricula beyond medical 
                education;
                    (B) an identification of goals, outcome measures, 
                and timeframes for addressing the needs described in 
                subparagraph (A);
                    (C) a detailed plan for implementing the 
                recommendations under subsection (b); and
                    (D) an evaluation of the extent to which such plan 
                has been implemented.
            (2) By the secretary.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
        of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the 
        Secretary shall submit a report to the Congress on the 
        activities of the Council.
    (d) Members.--
            (1) Composition; voting; chair.--The Council shall be 
        composed of the ex officio members specified in paragraph (2) 
        and the members appointed under paragraph (3). All of the 
        members of the Council shall be voting members. The Council 
        shall elect a chair from among its members.
            (2) Ex officio members.--The Council shall include the 
        following ex officio members (or their designees)--
                    (A) the Secretary;
                    (B) the Administrator of the Health Resources and 
                Services Administration;
                    (C) the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & 
                Medicaid Services;
                    (D) the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and 
                Mental Health Services Administration; and
                    (E) the Director of the Office of National Drug 
                Control Policy.
            (3) Appointed members.--
                    (A) In general.--The Council shall include members 
                to be appointed by the Secretary (in consultation with 
                the other ex officio members of the Council and without 
                regard to the civil service laws) who are not employees 
                of the Federal Government. The Secretary shall appoint 
                a sufficient number of members under this subparagraph 
                to ensure that the Council is composed of not less than 
                20 members, including both ex officio members under 
                paragraph (2) and members appointed under this 
                paragraph.
                    (B) Other selection criteria.--In appointing 
                members of the Council under this paragraph, the 
                Secretary shall ensure--
                            (i) inclusion of both urban and rural 
                        members;
                            (ii) adequate representation of men and 
                        women;
                            (iii) a range of members from a variety of 
                        practice settings and having expertise in 
                        prevention and treatment across the lifespan;
                            (iv) adequate representation of racial, 
                        ethnic, religious, and economic diversity;
                            (v) an equal distribution of the members 
                        appointed under subparagraph (A) between those 
                        specializing in mental health services and 
                        those specializing in substance use disorders;
                            (vi) diverse representation from addition 
                        and psychiatry specialty sectors;
                            (vii) diverse representation of allopathic 
                        and osteopathic physicians;
                            (viii) adequate representation of health 
                        care professionals and behavioral health 
                        providers who provide direct patient care to 
                        individuals with co-occurring mental health or 
                        substance use disorders and physical health 
                        conditions;
                            (ix) adequate representation of health care 
                        and behavioral health (including substance use) 
                        faculty who have demonstrated expertise in 
                        curriculum development; and
                            (x) inclusion of a health or behavioral 
                        health (including substance use) consumer.
                    (C) Terms.--
                            (i) In general.--Subject to subparagraph 
                        (D)(ii), each member of the Council under this 
                        paragraph shall be appointed for a term of 4 
                        years.
                            (ii) Vacancies.--Any member of the Council 
                        appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before 
                        the expiration of the term for which the 
                        member's predecessor was appointed shall be 
                        appointed only for the remainder of that term. 
                        A member may serve after the expiration of that 
                        member's term until a successor has taken 
                        office.
                    (D) Initial members.--
                            (i) Appointment.--The Secretary shall 
                        appoint the initial members of the Council 
                        under this paragraph not less than 90 days 
                        after the date of the enactment of this Act.
                            (ii) Terms.--As designated by the Secretary 
                        at the time of appointment, of the initial 
                        members of the Council under this paragraph, 
                        \1/4\ shall be appointed for terms of 1 year, 
                        \1/4\ shall be appointed for terms of 2 years, 
                        \1/4\ shall be appointed for terms of 3 years, 
                        and \1/4\ shall be appointed for terms of 4 
                        years.
    (e) Staff.--The Secretary shall provide the Council with such 
professional and clerical staff, such information, and the services of 
such consultants as may be necessary to assist the Council in carrying 
out effectively its functions under this section.
    (f) Administration.--
            (1) Travel expenses.--Members shall receive travel 
        expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in 
        accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5, United 
        States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of 
        business in performance of services for the Council.
            (2) Other resources.--The Council shall have reasonable 
        access to materials, resources, statistical data, and other 
        information such Council determines to be necessary to carry 
        out its duties from agencies of the executive and legislative 
        branches of the Federal Government. The chair of the Council 
        shall make requests for such access in writing when necessary.
            (3) Prohibition against compensation of federal 
        employees.--Members of the Council who are officers or 
        employees of the Federal Government shall not receive 
        additional pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of their 
        service on the Council.
    (g) Meetings.--The Council shall conduct at least 3 meetings each 
year.
    (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this section, 
there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary 
for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2016.

SEC. 4. IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COUNCIL.

    (a) Health Care and Behavioral Health Workforce Continuing 
Education.--
            (1) In general.--Beginning 1 year after submission of the 
        first report of the Council under section 3(c)(1), the 
        Secretary may make grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements 
        to public or private nonprofit entities for the purpose of 
        implementing the recommendations of the Council on continuing 
        education for health care professionals and behavioral health 
        providers.
            (2) Eligibility.--To receive a grant, contract, or 
        cooperative agreement under this subsection, a public or 
        private nonprofit entity shall demonstrate expertise in 
        providing continuing education for health care professionals 
        and behavioral health providers.
            (3) Priority.--In awarding grants, contracts, and 
        cooperative agreements under this subsection, the Secretary 
        shall give priority to entities that propose to implement 
        continuing education--
                    (A) in interdisciplinary settings; or
                    (B) in collaboration with a diverse representation 
                of health care professionals and behavioral health 
                providers who have no direct affiliation with the 
                receiving entity as determined by the Secretary.
            (4) Geographic distribution.--The Secretary shall ensure 
        that grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements under this 
        subsection are awarded to entities throughout the United States 
        to ensure the availability of continuing education in mental 
        health and substance abuse prevention and treatment services.
            (5) Duration of awards.--The period of a grant, contract, 
        or cooperative agreement under this subsection shall not exceed 
        3 years.
            (6) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized 
        to be appropriated $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2012 and such 
        sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2013 through 
        2016.
    (b) Health Care and Behavioral Health Workforce Education 
Curricula.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary shall make grants, 
        contracts, or cooperative agreements to public or nonprofit 
        private institutions of higher education for the purpose of 
        implementing the recommendations of the Council on education 
        curricula for health care professionals and behavioral health 
        providers.
            (2) Priority.--In awarding grants, contracts, and 
        cooperative agreements under this subsection, the Secretary 
        shall give priority to applicants that demonstrate 
        willingness--
                    (A) to integrate the recommendations of the Council 
                on curricula across academic disciplines;
                    (B) to coordinate the use of Federal and non-
                Federal resources for purposes of such integration; or
                    (C) to incorporate other evidence-based 
                recommendations that further the integration of 
                behavioral health in health care.
            (3) Geographic distribution.--The Secretary shall ensure 
        that grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements under this 
        subsection are awarded to institutions of higher education 
        throughout the United States to ensure the availability and 
        improvement of education curricula for health care 
        professionals and behavioral health providers.
            (4) Duration of awards.--The period of a grant, contract, 
        or cooperative agreement under this subsection shall not exceed 
        3 years.
            (5) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized 
        to be appropriated $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2012 and such 
        sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2013 through 
        2016.
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