[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2873 Referred in House (RFH)]
<DOC>
114th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 2873
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
November 29, 2016
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To require studies and reports examining the use of, and opportunities
to use, technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building
models to improve programs of the Department of Health and Human
Services, 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 ``Expanding Capacity for Health
Outcomes Act'' or the ``ECHO Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Health professional shortage area.--The term ``health
professional shortage area'' means a health professional
shortage area designated under section 332 of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254e).
(2) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has the
meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(3) Medically underserved area.--The term ``medically
underserved area'' has the meaning given the term ``medically
underserved community'' in section 799B of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295p).
(4) Medically underserved population.--The term ``medically
underserved population'' has the meaning given the term in
section 330(b) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
254b(b)).
(5) Native americans.--The term ``Native Americans'' has
the meaning given the term in section 736 of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 293) and includes Indian tribes and
tribal organizations.
(6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Health and Human Services.
(7) Technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity
building model.--The term ``technology-enabled collaborative
learning and capacity building model'' means a distance health
education model that connects specialists with multiple other
health care professionals through simultaneous interactive
videoconferencing for the purpose of facilitating case-based
learning, disseminating best practices, and evaluating
outcomes.
(8) Tribal organization.--The term ``tribal organization''
has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
SEC. 3. EXAMINATION AND REPORT ON TECHNOLOGY-ENABLED COLLABORATIVE
LEARNING AND CAPACITY BUILDING MODELS.
(a) Examination.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall examine technology-
enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models and
their impact on--
(A) addressing mental and substance use disorders,
chronic diseases and conditions, prenatal and maternal
health, pediatric care, pain management, and palliative
care;
(B) addressing health care workforce issues, such
as specialty care shortages and primary care workforce
recruitment, retention, and support for lifelong
learning;
(C) the implementation of public health programs,
including those related to disease prevention,
infectious disease outbreaks, and public health
surveillance;
(D) the delivery of health care services in rural
areas, frontier areas, health professional shortage
areas, and medically underserved areas, and to
medically underserved populations and Native Americans;
and
(E) addressing other issues the Secretary
determines appropriate.
(2) Consultation.--In the examination required under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult public and private
stakeholders with expertise in using technology-enabled
collaborative learning and capacity building models in health
care settings.
(b) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 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, and post on the appropriate website of the
Department of Health and Human Services, a report based on the
examination under subsection (a).
(2) Contents.--The report required under paragraph (1)
shall include findings from the examination under subsection
(a) and each of the following:
(A) An analysis of--
(i) the use and integration of technology-
enabled collaborative learning and capacity
building models by health care providers;
(ii) the impact of such models on health
care provider retention, including in health
professional shortage areas in the States and
communities in which such models have been
adopted;
(iii) the impact of such models on the
quality of, and access to, care for patients in
the States and communities in which such models
have been adopted;
(iv) the barriers faced by health care
providers, States, and communities in adopting
such models;
(v) the impact of such models on the
ability of local health care providers and
specialists to practice to the full extent of
their education, training, and licensure,
including the effects on patient wait times for
specialty care; and
(vi) efficient and effective practices used
by States and communities that have adopted
such models, including potential cost-
effectiveness of such models.
(B) A list of such models that have been funded by
the Secretary in the 5 years immediately preceding such
report, including the Federal programs that have
provided funding for such models.
(C) Recommendations to reduce barriers for using
and integrating such models, and opportunities to
improve adoption of, and support for, such models as
appropriate.
(D) Opportunities for increased adoption of such
models into programs of the Department of Health and
Human Services that are in existence as of the report.
(E) Recommendations regarding the role of such
models in continuing medical education and lifelong
learning, including the role of academic medical
centers, provider organizations, and community
providers in such education and lifelong learning.
Passed the Senate November 29, 2016.
Attest:
JULIE E. ADAMS,
Secretary.