[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 844 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

111th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 844

 To amend the Public Health Service Act to prevent and treat diabetes, 
 to promote and improve the care of individuals with diabetes, and to 
reduce health disparities relating to diabetes within racial and ethnic 
  minority groups, including the African-American, Hispanic American, 
    Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, and 
            American Indian and Alaskan Native communities.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 21, 2009

 Mr. Lautenberg (for himself and Mr. Isakson) introduced the following 
  bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, 
                     Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
 To amend the Public Health Service Act to prevent and treat diabetes, 
 to promote and improve the care of individuals with diabetes, and to 
reduce health disparities relating to diabetes within racial and ethnic 
  minority groups, including the African-American, Hispanic American, 
    Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, and 
            American Indian and Alaskan Native communities.

    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 ``Eliminating Disparities in Diabetes 
Prevention Access and Care Act of 2009''.

                 TITLE I--NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

SEC. 101. RESEARCH, TREATMENT, AND EDUCATION.

    (a) In General.--Subpart 3 of part C of title IV of the Public 
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 285c et seq.) is amended by adding at the 
end the following new section:

``SEC. 434B. DIABETES IN MINORITY POPULATIONS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Director of the National Institutes of 
Health shall expand, intensify, and support ongoing research and other 
activities with respect to pre-diabetes and diabetes, particularly type 
2, in minority populations, including research to identify clinical, 
socioeconomic, geographical, cultural, and organizational factors that 
contribute to type 2 diabetes in such populations.
    ``(b) Certain Activities.--Activities under subsection (a) 
regarding type 2 diabetes in minority populations shall include the 
following:
            ``(1) Continuing research on behavior and obesity, 
        including through the obesity research center that is sponsored 
        by the National Institutes of Health.
            ``(2) Research on environmental factors that may contribute 
        to the increase in type 2 diabetes.
            ``(3) Support for new methods to identify environmental 
        triggers and genetic interactions that lead to the development 
        of type 2 diabetes in minority newborns. Such research should 
        follow the newborns through puberty, an increasingly high-risk 
        period for developing type 2 diabetes.
            ``(4) Research to identify genes that predispose 
        individuals to the onset of developing type 1 and type 2 
        diabetes and to the development of complications.
            ``(5) Research to prevent complications in individuals who 
        have already developed diabetes, such as research that attempts 
        to identify the genes that predispose individuals with diabetes 
        to the development of complications.
            ``(6) Research methods and alternative therapies to control 
        blood glucose.
            ``(7) Support of ongoing research efforts examining the 
        level of glycemia at which adverse outcomes develop during 
        pregnancy and to address the many clinical issues associated 
        with minority mothers and fetuses during diabetic and 
        gestational diabetic pregnancies.
    ``(c) Education.--The Director of the National Institutes of Health 
shall--
            ``(1) through the National Center on Minority Health and 
        Health Disparities and the National Diabetes Education 
        Program--
                    ``(A) make grants to programs funded under section 
                485F (relating to centers of excellence) for the 
                purpose of establishing a mentoring program for health 
                care professionals to be more involved in weight 
                counseling, obesity research, and nutrition; and
                    ``(B) provide for the participation of minority 
                health professionals in diabetes-focused research 
                programs; and
            ``(2) make grants for programs to establish a pipeline from 
        high school to professional school that will increase minority 
        representation in diabetes-focused health fields by expanding 
        Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC) program internships 
        and mentoring opportunities for recruitment.
    ``(d) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term `minority 
population' means a racial and ethnic minority group, as defined in 
section 1707(g).
    ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of carrying 
out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as 
are necessary for fiscal year 2010 and each subsequent fiscal year.''.
    (b) Diabetes Mellitus Interagency Coordinating Committee.--Section 
429 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 285c-3) is amended by 
adding at the end the following new subsection:
    ``(c)(1) In each annual report prepared by the Diabetes Mellitus 
Interagency Coordinating Committee, the Committee shall include an 
assessment of the Federal activities and programs related to diabetes 
in minority populations. Such assessment shall--
                    ``(A) compile the current activities of all current 
                Federal health programs to allow for the assessment of 
                their adequacy as a systemic method of addressing the 
                impact of diabetes mellitus on minority populations;
                    ``(B) develop strategic planning activities to 
                develop an effective and comprehensive Federal plan to 
                address diabetes mellitus within minority populations 
                which will involve all appropriate Federal health 
                programs and shall--
                            ``(i) include steps to address issues 
                        including type 1 and type 2 diabetes in 
                        children and the disproportionate impact of 
                        diabetes mellitus on minority populations; and
                            ``(ii) remain consistent with the programs 
                        and activities identified in section 399O, as 
                        well as remaining consistent with the intent of 
                        the Eliminating Disparities in Diabetes 
                        Prevention Access and Care Act of 2009; and
                    ``(C) assess the implementation of such a plan 
                throughout Federal health programs.
            ``(2) For the purposes of this subsection, the term 
        `minority population' means a racial and ethnic minority group, 
        as defined in section 1707(g).
            ``(3) For the purpose of carrying out this subsection, 
        there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are 
        necessary for fiscal year 2010 and each subsequent fiscal 
        year.''.

          TITLE II--CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION

SEC. 201. RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.

    Part B of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 243 
et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 317T the following 
section:

``SEC. 317U. DIABETES IN MINORITY POPULATIONS.

    ``(a) Research and Other Activities.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the 
        Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 
        shall conduct and support research and other activities with 
        respect to diabetes in minority populations.
            ``(2) Certain activities.--Activities under paragraph (1) 
        regarding diabetes in minority populations shall include the 
        following:
                    ``(A) Expanding the National Diabetes Laboratory 
                capacity for translational research and the 
                identification of genetic and immunological risk 
                factors associated with diabetes.
                    ``(B) Enhancing the National Health and Nutrition 
                Examination Survey to include risk factors for type 2 
                diabetes and pre-diabetes with emphasis on eating and 
                dietary habits, and focus, including cultural and 
                socioeconomic factors, on Hispanic American, African-
                American, American Indian and Alaskan Native, and Asian 
                American, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 
                communities.
                    ``(C) Further enhancing the National Health and 
                Nutrition Examination Survey by over-sampling Asian 
                American, Native Hawaiian, and Other Pacific Islanders 
                in appropriate geographic areas to better determine the 
                prevalence of diabetes in such populations as well as 
                to improve the data collection of diabetes penetration 
                disaggregated into major ethnic groups within such 
                populations.
                    ``(D) Within the Division of Diabetes Translation, 
                providing for prevention research to better understand 
                how to influence health care systems changes to improve 
                quality of care being delivered to such populations, 
                and within the Division of Diabetes Translation, 
                carrying out model demonstration projects to design, 
                implement, and evaluate effective diabetes prevention 
                and control intervention for such populations.
                    ``(E) Through the Division of Diabetes Translation, 
                carrying out culturally appropriate community-based 
                interventions designed to address issues and problems 
                experienced by such populations.
                    ``(F) Conducting applied research within the 
                Division of Diabetes Translation to reduce health 
                disparities within such populations with diabetes.
                    ``(G) Conducting applied research on primary 
                prevention within the Division of Diabetes Translation 
                to specifically focus on such populations with pre-
                diabetes.
    ``(b) Education.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the 
        Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 
        shall direct the Division of Diabetes Translation to conduct 
        and support programs to educate the public on the causes and 
        effects of diabetes in minority populations.
            ``(2) Certain activities.--Programs under paragraph (1) 
        regarding education on diabetes in minority populations shall 
        include carrying out public awareness campaigns directed toward 
        such populations to aggressively emphasize the importance and 
        impact of physical activity and diet in regard to diabetes and 
        diabetes-related complications through the National Diabetes 
        Education Program.
    ``(c) Diabetes; Health Promotion, Prevention Activities, and 
Access.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the 
        Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 
        shall carry out culturally appropriate diabetes health 
        promotion and prevention programs for minority populations.
            ``(2) Certain activities.--Activities regarding culturally 
        appropriate diabetes health promotion and prevention programs 
        for minority populations shall include the following:
                    ``(A) Expanding the Diabetes Prevention and Control 
                Program (currently existing in all the States and 
                territories) and providing funds for education and 
                community outreach on diabetes.
                    ``(B) Providing funds for an expansion of the 
                Diabetes Prevention Program Initiative that focuses on 
                physical inactivity and diet and its relation to type 2 
                diabetes within such populations.
                    ``(C) Providing funds to strengthen existing 
                surveillance systems to improve the quality, accuracy, 
                and timeliness of morbidity and mortality diabetes data 
                for such populations.
    ``(d) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term `minority 
population' means a racial and ethnic minority group, as defined in 
section 1707(g).
    ``(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of carrying 
out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as 
are necessary for fiscal year 2010 and each subsequent fiscal year.''.

        TITLE III--HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

SEC. 301. RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.

    Part P of title III of the Public Health Service Act is amended--
            (1) by redesignating the section 399R inserted by section 2 
        of Public Law 110-373 as section 399S;
            (2) by redesignating the section 399R inserted by section 3 
        of Public Law 110-374 as section 399T; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following new section:

``SEC. 399U. PROGRAMS TO EDUCATE HEALTH PROVIDERS ON THE CAUSES AND 
              EFFECTS OF DIABETES IN MINORITY POPULATIONS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Director of 
the Health Resources and Services Administration, shall conduct and 
support programs described in subsection (b) to educate health 
professionals on the causes and effects of diabetes in minority 
populations.
    ``(b) Programs.--Programs described in this subsection, with 
respect to education on diabetes in minority populations, shall include 
the following:
            ``(1) Making grants for diabetes-focused education classes 
        or training programs on cultural sensitivity and patient care 
        within such populations for health care providers.
            ``(2) Providing funds to community health centers for 
        programs that provide diabetes services and screenings.
            ``(3) Providing additional funds for the Health Careers 
        Opportunity Program, Centers for Excellence, and the Minority 
        Faculty Fellowship Program to partner with the Office of 
        Minority Health under section 1707 and the National Institutes 
        of Health to strengthen programs for career opportunities 
        within minority populations focused on diabetes treatment and 
        care.
            ``(4) Developing a diabetes focus within, and providing 
        additional funds for, the National Health Service Corps 
        Scholarship program to place individuals in areas that are 
        disproportionately affected by diabetes and to provide health 
        care services to such areas.
            ``(5) Establishing a diabetes ambassador program for 
        recruitment efforts to increase the number of underrepresented 
        minorities currently serving in student, faculty, or 
        administrative positions in institutions of higher learning, 
        hospitals, and community health centers.
            ``(6) Establishing a loan repayment program that focuses on 
        diabetes care and prevention in minority populations.''.

                     TITLE IV--ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS

SEC. 401. RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.

    Part P of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
280g et seq.), as amended by section 301, is further amended by adding 
at the end the following section:

``SEC. 399V. RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND OTHER ACTIVITIES REGARDING 
              DIABETES IN MINORITY POPULATIONS.

    ``(a) Research and Other Activities.--
            ``(1) In general.--In addition to activities under sections 
        317U and 434B, the Secretary shall conduct and support research 
        and other activities with respect to diabetes within minority 
        populations.
            ``(2) Certain activities.--Activities under paragraph (1) 
        regarding diabetes in minority populations shall include the 
        following:
                    ``(A) Through the National Center on Minority 
                Health and Health Disparities, the Office of Minority 
                Health under section 1707, the Health Resources and 
                Services Administration, the Centers for Disease 
                Control and Prevention, and the Indian Health Service, 
                establishing partnerships within minority populations 
                to conduct studies on cultural, familial, and social 
                factors that may influence health promotion, diabetes 
                management, and prevention.
                    ``(B) Through the Indian Health Service, in 
                collaboration with other appropriate Federal agencies, 
                coordinating the collection of data on ethnic and 
                culturally appropriate diabetes treatment, care, 
                prevention, and services by health care professionals 
                to the American Indian population.
            ``(3) Programs relating to clinical research.--
                    ``(A) Education regarding clinical trials.--The 
                Secretary shall carry out education and awareness 
                programs designed to increase participation of minority 
                populations in clinical trials.
                    ``(B) Minority researchers.--The Secretary shall 
                carry out mentorship programs for minority researchers 
                who are conducting or intend to conduct research on 
                diabetes in minority populations.
                    ``(C) Supplementing clinical research regarding 
                children.--The Secretary shall make grants to 
                supplement clinical research programs to assist such 
                programs in obtaining the services of health 
                professionals and other resources to provide 
                specialized care for children with type 1 and type 2 
                diabetes.
            ``(4) Additional programs.--Activities under paragraph (1) 
        regarding education on diabetes in minority populations shall 
        include providing funds for new and existing diabetes-focused 
        education grants and programs for present and future students 
        and clinicians in the medical field from minority populations, 
        including for the following:
                    ``(A) For Federal and State loan repayment programs 
                for health profession students within communities of 
                color.
                    ``(B) For the Office of Minority Health under 
                section 1707 for training health profession students to 
                focus on diabetes within such populations.
                    ``(C) For State and local entities to establish 
                diabetes awareness week or day every month in schools, 
                nursing homes, and colleges through partnerships with 
                the Office of Minority Health under section 1707 and 
                the Health Resources and Services Administration.
    ``(b) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term `minority 
population' means a racial and ethnic minority group as defined in 
section 1707(g).
    ``(c) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of carrying 
out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as 
are necessary for fiscal year 2010 and each subsequent fiscal year.''.
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