[Congressional Bills 114th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 674 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

114th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 674

           To expand programs with respect to women's health.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 4, 2015

Mrs. Murray (for herself, Ms. Mikulski, and Mrs. Boxer) introduced the 
 following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on 
                 Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
           To expand programs with respect to women's health.

    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 ``21st Century Women's Health Act of 
2015''.

SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

    It is the purpose of this Act to provide women with affordable 
access to comprehensive health care, including preventive services 
(such as contraception and breast cancer screenings), to improve 
maternal health, and to ensure that a woman has the same benefits and 
services no matter what part of the United States she lives in, all 
which is critical to improving the health and well-being of women, 
children, their families, society as a whole, and is an essential part 
of a woman's economic security and opportunity.

SEC. 3. STRENGTHENING FAMILY PLANNING.

    (a) In General.--Title X of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 300 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 1003 the 
following:

``SEC. 1003A. GRANTS FOR FACILITIES IMPROVEMENTS.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary is authorized to make grants to 
and enter into contracts with public or nonprofit private entities to 
plan, develop, or make improvements to facilities carrying out family 
planning service projects, and expand preventive health services, under 
section 1001.
    ``(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section, $50,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2016 through 2019.''.
    (b) Funding.--There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
programs under title X of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300 
et seq.), $327,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2019.

SEC. 4. ENSURING PARITY IN WOMEN'S HEALTH COVERAGE UNDER MEDICAID.

    (a) State Plan Requirement.--Section 1902(a) of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)) is amended by inserting after paragraph (77) 
the following:
            ``(78) provide that the State shall, at a minimum and in 
        addition to any other preventive care and screenings required 
        under this title, provide medical assistance for preventive 
        care and screenings required under section 2713(a) of the 
        Public Health Service Act, including evidence-based items or 
        services required under section 2713(a)(1) of such Act, 
        evidence-informed preventive care and screenings required under 
        section 2713(a)(3) of such Act, and additional preventive care 
        and screenings required for women under section 2713(a)(4) of 
        such Act and as provided for in comprehensive guidelines 
        supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration, 
        and shall not impose any copayment, coinsurance, deductible, 
        cost-sharing, or similar charge for such preventive care and 
        screenings;''.
    (b) Application to Managed Care.--Section 1932(b) of such Act (42 
U.S.C. 1396u-2(b)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
            ``(9) Parity in women's health coverage.--Each medicaid 
        managed care organization shall at a minimum and in addition to 
        any other preventive care and screenings required under a 
        contract with the State under section 1903(m), provide medical 
        assistance for preventive care and screenings required under 
        section 2713(a) of the Public Health Service Act, including 
        evidence-based items or services required under section 
        2713(a)(1) of such Act, evidence-informed preventive care and 
        screenings required under section 2713(a)(3) of such Act, and 
        additional preventive care and screenings required for women 
        under section 2713(a)(4) of such Act and as provided for in 
        comprehensive guidelines supported by the Health Resources and 
        Services Administration, and shall not impose any copayment, 
        coinsurance, deductible, cost-sharing, or similar charge for 
        such preventive care and screenings.''.
    (c) Application to Benchmark Benefit Plans.--Section 1937(b)(5) of 
such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396u-7(b)(5)) is amended by inserting ``and, 
effective January 1, 2016, must provide, at a minimum and in addition 
to any other preventive care and screenings required under this 
section, preventive care and screenings, required under section 2713(a) 
of the Public Health Service Act, including evidence-based items or 
services required under section 2713(a)(1) of such Act, evidence-
informed preventive care and screenings required under section 
2713(a)(3) of such Act, and additional preventive care and screenings 
required for women under section 2713(a)(4) of such Act and as provided 
for in comprehensive guidelines supported by the Health Resources and 
Services Administration, and shall not impose any copayment, 
coinsurance, deductible, cost-sharing or similar charge for such 
preventive care and screenings'' before the period.
    (d) Parity in Coverage of All FDA-Approved Forms of 
Contraception.--Section 1905(a)(4)(C) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
1396d(a)(4)(C)) is amended by inserting ``, including family planning 
services and supplies that are required under section 2713(a) of the 
Public Health Service Act and as provided for in comprehensive 
guidelines supported by the Health Resources and Services 
Administration for purposes of section 2713(a)(4) of such Act,'' before 
``furnished''.
    (e) Conforming Amendments Prohibiting Cost-Sharing.--
            (1) In general.--Subsections (a)(2)(D) and (b)(2)(D) of 
        section 1916 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396o) are each amended by 
        inserting ``and items and services required under section 
        1902(a)(78),'' before ``or''.
            (2) Alternative authority.--Section 1916A(b)(3)(B) of such 
        Act (42 U.S.C. 1396o-1(b)(3)(B)) is amended by adding at the 
        end the following:
                            ``(xi) Items and services required under 
                        section 1902(a)(78).''.
    (f) Application to Waivers.--
            (1) Limitation of waiver authority.--Notwithstanding 
        section 1115(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1315(a)), 
        subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary of Health and Human 
        Services may not grant a waiver under section 1115 of the 
        Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1315) or otherwise of the 
        requirements imposed under the amendments made by this section.
            (2) Exception for current waivers.--The amendments made by 
        this section shall not apply to any waiver granted to a State 
        under section 1115 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1315) 
        or otherwise which relates to the provision of medical 
        assistance under a State plan under title XIX of such Act (42 
        U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) that is in effect as of the date of 
        enactment of this Act before the expiration (determined without 
        regard to any extensions) of the waiver to the extent such 
        amendments are inconsistent with the waiver.
    (g) Effective Date.--
            (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and 
        (3), the amendments made by this section shall be effective 
        with respect to items or services furnished on or after the 
        date of enactment of this Act.
            (2) Benchmark and managed care plans.--The amendments made 
        by subsections (b) and (c) shall apply to plan years beginning 
        on or after January 1, 2016.
            (3) Transition rule.--In the case of a State plan under 
        title XIX or XXI of the Social Security Act, which the 
        Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires 
        State legislation in order for the respective plan to meet any 
        requirement imposed by amendments made by this section, the 
        respective plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with 
        the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its 
        failure to meet such an additional requirement before the first 
        day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of 
        the first regular session of the State legislature that begins 
        after the date of enactment of this section. For purposes of 
        the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year 
        legislative session, each year of the session shall be 
        considered to be a separate regular session of the State 
        legislature.

SEC. 5. ACCESS TO WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS.

    Part B of title VIII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
296j et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 812. DEMONSTRATION GRANTS FOR NURSE PRACTITIONER TRAINING 
              PROGRAM.

    ``(a) Establishment of Program.--The Secretary shall establish a 
demonstration program (referred to in this section as the `program') to 
award grants to eligible entities for the training of nurse 
practitioners specializing in women's health care for careers as 
providers in health centers that receive assistance under title X 
(referred to in this section as `health centers').
    ``(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the program is to enable each grant 
recipient to--
            ``(1) provide new nurse practitioners with clinical 
        training to enable such practitioners to serve as providers in 
        health centers;
            ``(2) train new nurse practitioners to work under a model 
        of care that is consistent with the principles set forth by the 
        Report Providing Quality Family Planning Services of the 
        Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and
            ``(3) establish a model of training for nurse practitioners 
        that specialize in women's health care that may be replicated 
        nationwide.
    ``(c) Grants.--Under the program, the Secretary shall award 3-year 
grants to eligible entities that meet the requirements established by 
the Secretary, for the purpose of operating the nurse practitioner 
programs described in subsection (a) at such entities.
    ``(d) Eligible Entities.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
this section, an entity shall be--
            ``(1) a health center that receives funding under section 
        1001; and
            ``(2) submit to the Secretary an application at such time, 
        in such manner, and containing such information as the 
        Secretary may require.
    ``(e) Eligibility of Nurse Practitioners.--
            ``(1) In general.--To be eligible for acceptance into a 
        training program carried out by an eligible entity under a 
        grant under this section, an individual shall--
                    ``(A) be licensed, or eligible for licensure, in 
                the State in which the program is being carried out as 
                an advanced practice registered nurse or advanced 
                practice nurse and be eligible or board-certified as a 
                nurse practitioner; and
                    ``(B) demonstrate commitment to a career as a 
                provider in a health center.
            ``(2) Preference.--In accepting individuals into a training 
        program under this section, a grant recipient shall give 
        preference to bilingual applicants that meet the requirements 
        described in paragraph (1).
    ``(f) Grant Amount.--Each grant awarded under this section shall be 
in an amount not to exceed $600,000 per year. A grant recipient may 
carry over funds from 1 fiscal year to another without obtaining 
approval from the Secretary.
    ``(g) Technical Assistance Grants.--The Secretary may award 
technical assistance grants to 1 or more health centers that have 
demonstrated expertise in establishing a nurse practitioner residency 
training program. Such technical assistance grants shall be for the 
purpose of providing technical assistance to other recipients of grants 
under subsection (c).
    ``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--To carry out this section, 
there is authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2016 through 2019.''.

SEC. 6. COMPASSIONATE ASSISTANCE AND AWARENESS FOR SURVIVORS OF RAPE.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Emergency contraception.--The term ``emergency 
        contraception'' means a drug or device (as such terms are 
        defined in section 201 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic 
        Act (21 U.S.C. 321)), or drug regimen that--
                    (A) is used postcoitally;
                    (B) prevents pregnancy primarily by preventing or 
                delaying ovulation, and does not terminate an 
                established pregnancy; and
                    (C) is approved by the Food and Drug 
                Administration.
            (2) Health care provider.--The term ``health care 
        provider'' means an individual who is licensed or certified 
        under State law to provide health care services and who is 
        operating within the scope of such license. Such term shall 
        include a pharmacist.
            (3) Hospital.--The term ``hospital'' means--
                    (A) a hospital as defined in section 1861(e) of the 
                Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x(e));
                    (B) a critical access hospital as defined in 
                section 1861(mm)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
                1395x(mm)(1)); and
                    (C) a health clinic located on the campus of an 
                institution of higher education.
            (4) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given such 
        term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1001(a)).
            (5) Nonprofits.--The term ``nonprofits (other than 
        institutions of higher education)'' means a community-based 
        organization, other than an institution of higher education, 
        with experience in providing evidence-based effective programs, 
        strategies, and policies to prevent sexual violence, intimate 
        partner violence, and other forms of violence on the campus of 
        institutions of higher education.
            (6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Health and Human Services.
            (7) Sexual assault.--
                    (A) In general.--The term ``sexual assault'' means 
                a sexual act (as defined in subparagraphs (A) through 
                (C) of section 2246(2) of title 18, United States Code) 
                where the victim involved does not consent or lacks the 
                capacity to consent.
                    (B) Application of provisions.--The definition in 
                subparagraph (A) shall apply to all individuals.
    (b) Survivors of Sexual Assault; Provision by Hospitals of 
Emergency Contraception Without Charge.--
            (1) In general.--Federal funds may not be provided to a 
        hospital unless such hospital complies with the conditions 
        specified in paragraph (2) in the case of--
                    (A) any woman who arrives at the hospital and 
                states that she is a victim of sexual assault, or is 
                accompanied by someone who states she is a victim of 
                sexual assault; and
                    (B) any woman who arrives at the hospital whom 
                hospital personnel have reason to believe is a victim 
                of sexual assault.
            (2) Assistance for victims.--The conditions specified in 
        this subsection regarding a hospital and a woman described in 
        paragraph (1) are as follows:
                    (A) The hospital promptly provides the woman with 
                medically and factually accurate and unbiased written 
                and oral information about emergency contraception, 
                including information explaining that--
                            (i) some forms of emergency contraception 
                        have been approved by the Food and Drug 
                        Administration as over-the-counter medications 
                        for all women without age restrictions and such 
                        contraception is a safe and effective way to 
                        prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse 
                        or contraceptive failure if taken in a timely 
                        manner;
                            (ii) emergency contraception is more 
                        effective the sooner it is taken; and
                            (iii) emergency contraception does not 
                        cause an abortion and cannot interrupt an 
                        established pregnancy.
                    (B) The hospital promptly offers emergency 
                contraception to the woman, and promptly provides such 
                contraception to her at the hospital on her request.
                    (C) The information provided pursuant to 
                subparagraph (A) is in clear and concise language, is 
                readily comprehensible, and meets such conditions 
                regarding the provision of the information in languages 
                other than English as the Secretary may establish.
                    (D) The services described in subparagraphs (A) 
                through (C) are not denied because of the inability of 
                the woman or her family to pay for the services.
            (3) Effective date; agency criteria.--This subsection shall 
        take effect upon the expiration of the 180-day period beginning 
        on the date of the enactment of this Act. Not later than 30 
        days prior to the expiration of such period, the Secretary 
        shall publish in the Federal Register criteria for carrying out 
        this section.
    (c) Survivors of Campus Sexual Assault; Provision by Community-
Based Organizations and Nonprofits (Other Than Institutions of Higher 
Education) of Emergency Contraception and Sexual Assault Prevention 
Programs.--Nonprofits (other than institutions of higher education) 
shall provide for campus programs focused on effective prevention 
strategies that include--
            (1) the implementation of a comprehensive prevention 
        strategy based on evidence-based research that identifies 
        strategies to prevent sexually violent behavior;
            (2) the use of risk and protective factors through the 
        provision of training to students on sexual violence and 
        prevention and the provision of campus outreach on preventing 
        sexual violence and information about emergency contraception; 
        and
            (3) the coordination of activities with campus-based health 
        facilities to ensure prompt access to medically and factually 
        accurate and unbiased written and oral information about 
        emergency contraception and assistance as determined under 
        subsection (b)(2).
    (d) Emergency Contraception Education and Information Programs.--
            (1) Emergency contraception public education program.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the 
                Director of the Centers for Disease Control and 
                Prevention, shall develop and disseminate to the public 
                information on emergency contraception.
                    (B) Dissemination.--The Secretary may disseminate 
                information on emergency contraception under 
                subparagraph (A) directly or through arrangements with 
                health agencies, professional and nonprofit 
                organizations, consumer groups, institutions of higher 
                education, clinics, the media, and Federal, State, and 
                local agencies.
                    (C) Information.--The information on emergency 
                contraception disseminated under subparagraph (A) shall 
                include, at a minimum, the most current evidence-based 
                and evidence-informed standards of care with respect to 
                emergency contraception and an explanation of the 
                proper, use, safety, efficacy, and availability of such 
                contraception, and the availability of counseling with 
                respect to such contraception.
            (2) Emergency contraception information program for health 
        care providers.--
                    (A) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the 
                Administrator of the Health Resources and Services 
                Administration and in consultation with major medical 
                and public health organizations, shall develop and 
                disseminate to health care providers information on 
                emergency contraception.
                    (B) Information.--The information disseminated 
                under subparagraph (A) shall include, at a minimum--
                            (i) information describing the most current 
                        evidence-based and evidence-informed standards 
                        of care, proper use, safety, efficacy, and 
                        availability of emergency contraception, and 
                        the availability of counseling with respect to 
                        such contraception;
                            (ii) recommendations regarding the use of 
                        such contraception in appropriate cases;
                            (iii) recommendations for health care 
                        providers working in emergency rooms to consult 
                        with survivors of sexual assault, once such 
                        survivors are clinically stable, regarding 
                        options for emergency contraception and to 
                        provide any necessary follow-up care and 
                        referral services; and
                            (iv) information explaining how to obtain 
                        copies of the information developed under 
                        paragraph (1) for distribution to the patients 
                        of the providers.
            (3) Authorization of appropriations.--There are authorized 
        to be appropriated to carry out this section, such sums as may 
        be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2016 through 2020.
            (4) Study.--The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality 
        shall conduct a study of access of survivors of sexual assault 
        to emergency contraception in each State and nationally, to 
        make access and care safer, of higher quality, and more 
        accessible, equitable, and affordable.

SEC. 7. IMPROVED CUSTOMER SERVICE AND PROTECTIONS FOR WOMEN.

    Title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 241 et seq.) 
is amended by adding at the end the following:

                        ``PART W--WOMEN'S HEALTH

``SEC. 399OO. OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSPERSON ON WOMEN'S HEALTH.

    ``(a) Establishment.--There is established within the Office of 
Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services an Office of 
the Ombudsperson on Women's Health (in this section referred to as the 
`Office'). The Office shall be headed by an Ombudsperson who is 
appointed by the Secretary and reports directly to the Secretary.
    ``(b) Deadline for Designation of Ombudsperson.--Not later than 180 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall 
designate an individual to serve as the Ombudsperson of the Office on 
Women's Health (referred to in this part as the `Ombudsperson').
    ``(c) Duties of Office.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Ombudsperson, in coordination (as 
        defined in paragraph (4)) with major medical, public health, 
        and legal organizations, agencies within the Department of 
        Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor, and 
        consumer organizations shall develop recommendations to 
        identify and better assist women in accessing health and human 
        services.
            ``(2) Additional duties.--The Office shall--
                    ``(A) serve as the coordinator for the Department 
                of Health and Human Services for complaints and issues 
                with respect to the provision of health services to 
                women that involve any administrative body within the 
                Department of Health and Human Services, including the 
                Office on Women's Health, the Office of Population 
                Affairs, the Centers for Disease Control and 
                Prevention, the National Institutes of Health, the Food 
                and Drug Administration, the Office of Adolescent 
                Health, the Health Resources and Services 
                Administration, the Office of Civil Rights, and the 
                Center for Consumer Information and Insurance 
                Oversight, and shall consult with the Department of 
                Labor regarding such complaints and issues, in order to 
                refer women to the appropriate agency for her complaint 
                and issue;
                    ``(B) collect data and information about the 
                complaints concerning health services for women that 
                are received across the Department by the Ombudsperson 
                and other agencies;
                    ``(C) help to coordinate assistance for women among 
                the various administrative bodies of the Department of 
                Health and Human Services;
                    ``(D) maintain and publicize a toll-free telephone 
                number for women seeking assistance regarding issues 
                related to a health service, and to report complaints;
                    ``(E) provide assistance within the Department of 
                Health and Human Services, and in consultation with the 
                Secretary of Labor, when there are barriers to getting 
                information about a complaint, or accessing services or 
                benefits;
                    ``(F) issue reports on how women's health care 
                issues are addressed and handled within the Department 
                of Health and Human Services and track what agencies 
                are being responsive to complaints in order to improve 
                customer service and improve women's access to health 
                services;
                    ``(G) work with other administrative bodies of the 
                Department of Health and Human Services to address 
                issues identified through fact-finding and inquiries;
                    ``(H) Work with external stakeholders, such as 
                pharmacies, providers, community-based organizations, 
                clinics, and hospitals, to ensure that there is 
                information regarding the cost-sharing and preventive 
                services, including access to all Food and Drug 
                Administration approved forms of contraception made 
                available under the Patient Protection and Affordable 
                Care Act (Public Law 111-148); and
                    ``(I) submit an annual report to Congress in 
                accordance with subsection (e).
            ``(3) Responsibilities of the ombudsperson.--In carrying 
        out the duties of the Office, the Ombudsperson shall--
                    ``(A) evaluate each complaint received by the 
                Office objectively;
                    ``(B) maintain confidentiality of any matter 
                related to complaints, including the identities of the 
                complainants and witnesses; and
                    ``(C) ensure that any action taken by the 
                Ombudsperson, and other offices of the Department of 
                Health and Human Services, with respect to such a 
                matter does not negatively affect the ability of any 
                woman to receive health care or benefits under a law 
                administered by the Secretary.
            ``(4) Coordination.--To better identify and address issues 
        related to health care for women, the Ombudsperson shall 
        coordinate efforts with respect to such issues among--
                    ``(A) all entities within the Department of Health 
                and Human Services;
                    ``(B) the Department of Labor; and
                    ``(C) any other Federal agency with jurisdiction 
                over matters related to access to health care services 
                for women.
            ``(5) Public meetings.--The Ombudsperson shall convene a 
        public meeting quarterly to ensure communication and 
        coordination of services for women.
    ``(d) Consultation.--In carrying out the duties of the Office, the 
Ombudsperson, as appropriate, shall consult with State offices of 
health insurance consumer assistance and health insurance ombudsman 
programs for which a State has received a grant under section 2793.
    ``(e) Annual Reports.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than September 30 of each 
        year, the Office shall submit a report to Congress on the 
        actions taken by the Office over the preceding year and the 
        objectives of those actions. Such report shall be provided by 
        the Ombudsperson directly to Congress without any prior comment 
        or amendment by the Secretary.
            ``(2) Contents.--Each report submitted under paragraph (1) 
        shall include, with respect to the preceding year--
                    ``(A) statistical information, by region, on the 
                volume of complaints received by the Office, the 
                general nature of complaints, general information on 
                complainants, and the percentage of complaints that 
                resulted in a fact-finding inquiry;
                    ``(B) a summary of problems encountered by 
                complainants, including information on the most 
                pervasive or serious types of problems encountered by 
                complainants, including an enumeration of actions that 
                the Office has taken in response to such problems;
                    ``(C) policy recommendations that the Office made 
                to the Department of Health and Human Services and the 
                Department of Labor to remedy continual problems or 
                address areas of concerns that are reported to the 
                Office to better inform policymaking, including an 
                enumeration of actions that the Office has taken in 
                response to such problems or concerns; and
                    ``(D) such other information as the Office 
                considers relevant.
            ``(3) Report from the secretary.--The Ombudsperson shall 
        seek comment from the Secretary on the report prepared for 
        submission under paragraph (1), and the Ombudsperson shall 
        submit to Congress the comments of the Secretary together with 
        the annual report under paragraph (1).
            ``(4) Other reports.--Nothing in this subsection shall be 
        construed to preclude the Office from issuing additional 
        reports on the activities of the Office.
    ``(f) Network Adequacy Study.--
            ``(1) Study.--The Ombudsperson shall conduct a study on the 
        network adequacy for women's health services. Such study shall 
        include--
                    ``(A) an analysis of the number of in-network 
                providers for women's health services across the United 
                States, including State-by-State information on waiting 
                times and distance traveled;
                    ``(B) an analysis of the availability of women's 
                health services, including contraception counseling and 
                reproductive health services;
                    ``(C) the identification of geographic areas in 
                which there may be a shortage of providers, clinics, 
                and hospitals that are able to provide women with the 
                full reproductive services;
                    ``(D) a comparison of information provided to women 
                concerning in-network and out-of-network providers;
                    ``(E) an analysis of factors related to women's 
                health care access that identifies geographic gaps, 
                health center availability, and barriers to providing 
                such care in training, expertise, and stocking of 
                drugs;
                    ``(F) information on a State's balance billing 
                policies as related to consumers and providers; and
                    ``(G) a State-by-State comparison of accessibility, 
                essential community providers, and transparency of 
                information.
            ``(2) Report.--Not later than January 1, 2017, the 
        Ombudsperson shall submit a report to Congress on the study 
        conducted under paragraph (1). The report shall include the 
        recommendations of the Ombudsperson with respect to network 
        adequacy for women.''.

SEC. 8. NATIONAL WOMEN'S HEALTH AWARENESS CAMPAIGN.

    Title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 241g et 
seq.), as amended by section 7, is further amended by adding at the end 
the following:

``SEC. 399OO-1. WOMEN'S PREVENTIVE HEALTH AWARENESS CAMPAIGN.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, in cooperation with the Director 
of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Administrator of 
the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Director of the 
Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight, the Director 
of the Office of Women's Health, the Director of the National 
Institutes of Health, the Commissioner of Food and Drugs, and the 
Ombudsperson of the Office of Women's Health, shall coordinate and 
provide for a national public outreach and education campaign to raise 
public awareness, including among providers, of preventive health 
services for women and families, including contraception coverage made 
available under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Public 
Law 111-148).
    ``(b) Dissemination of Information.--The outreach and awareness 
campaign shall include the media campaign under subsection (c) and the 
Internet website under subsection (d), and shall provide for the 
dissemination of information that--
            ``(1) describes the guidelines for preventive services for 
        women, including the most up-to-date recommendations on 
        domestic violence screenings and counseling, breast cancer, 
        cervical cancer, and other diseases that disproportionately 
        impact women, available from the United States Preventive 
        Services Task Force and major medical and public health 
        organizations;
            ``(2) promotes well-woman visits for health assessments 
        which include screenings, evaluations, counseling, 
        immunizations, breastfeeding services and supplies, and 
        prenatal visits, as appropriate;
            ``(3) increases awareness of domestic violence screenings 
        and counseling made available, and ensure that women are able 
        to access and utilize such screenings and counseling;
            ``(4) explains the preventive services for women that are 
        required under section 2713 to be covered without cost-sharing 
        by a group health plan or a health insurance issuer offering 
        group or individual health insurance coverage that is not a 
        grandfathered plan (as defined in section 1251(e) of the 
        Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act);
            ``(5) provides broad information for women, pharmacists, 
        pharmacies, and providers to ensure full access to all Food and 
        Drug Administration-approved forms of contraception and 
        preventive services that are covered in accordance with section 
        2713 without cost-sharing;
            ``(6) addresses health disparities in preventive care for 
        women;
            ``(7) informs women about what to do if they are denied 
        entitled benefits and services by making them aware of the 
        Office of the Ombudsperson of the Office on Women's Health 
        under section 399OO; and
            ``(8) provides robust information about access to health 
        care providers through both private and public health insurance 
        programs, including information regarding an employer's 
        contraceptive coverage policy.
    ``(c) Media Campaign.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date 
        of enactment of the 21st Century Women's Health Act of 2015, 
        the Secretary shall establish and implement a national media 
        campaign to disseminate the information described in subsection 
        (b).
            ``(2) Requirements.--The campaign described in paragraph 
        (1)--
                    ``(A) shall provide information about the updated 
                guidelines for women's preventive services described in 
                subsection (b)(1), promote well-woman visits described 
                in subsection (b)(2), and provide information on the 
                preventive services for women described in subsection 
                (b)(3); and
                    ``(B) may include the use of television, radio, 
                Internet, and other commercial marketing venues.
    ``(d) Internet Website.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with 
        private sector experts, or through a contract with a private 
        entity such as a medical association or non-profit 
        organization, shall establish an Internet website to--
                    ``(A) disseminate information on preventive health 
                services for women and families directly or through 
                health agencies, professional and nonprofit 
                organizations, consumer groups, institutions of higher 
                education, clinics, the media, or Federal, State, and 
                local agencies; and
                    ``(B) provide information and resources about the 
                updated guidelines for women's preventive services, 
                promote well-woman visits, and provide information on 
                women's preventive services.
            ``(2) Reporting tool.--The Secretary, acting through the 
        Ombudsperson on Women's Health appointed under section 399OO, 
        shall develop and operate a consumer-focused reporting tool on 
        the Internet website established under paragraph (1) that 
        enables women and families to report instances of being 
        inappropriately charged for, or not being provided, benefits 
        under section 2713.
            ``(3) Guidance and policy.--The Ombudsperson shall use 
        information obtained through the website to develop 
        recommendations on policy and implementation with respect to 
        the benefits and services under section 2713, to ensure that 
        women and families receive such benefits and services as 
        afforded by the law.
    ``(e) Funding.--From any funds otherwise made available to the 
Department of Health and Human Services, the Secretary may allocate 
such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section.''.

SEC. 9. REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES ACCESS.

    Title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 241g et 
seq.), as amended by section 8, is further amended by adding at the end 
the following:

``SEC. 399OO-2. STUDY AND REPORT ON WOMEN'S HEALTH CARE ACCESS TO THE 
              FULL RANGE OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE SERVICES.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall conduct a study on women's 
access to the full range of reproductive health care services across 
the United States, and, not later than January 1, 2017, and every 5 
years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress on 
such study.
    ``(b) Contents.--The study and report under subsection (a) shall 
include--
            ``(1) identification and analysis of how State laws 
        regarding abortion access, including facility requirements 
        including admitting privileges, insurance coverage limitations, 
        mandatory delays, gestational limits, medication restrictions, 
        and parental notification and consent impact a women's access 
        to reproductive family planning services;
            ``(2) identification of geographic areas in which such 
        State laws and practices have a strong impact on access to 
        family planning services for women and their families;
            ``(3) analysis of factors related to reproductive health 
        services that impact women, children, and families, such as the 
        ability to work, children's access to health insurance, access 
        to health coverage, and the State's role in making these 
        services available to women and families;
            ``(4) analysis of how women's access to family planning 
        services in such geographic areas correlate with maternity-
        related health outcomes, including the rates of infant 
        mortality, premature births, birth weight, burden of sexually 
        transmitted infections, and other measures deemed appropriate; 
        and
            ``(5) the recommendations of the Secretary with respect to 
        the necessary coverage of services to ensure full access to 
        reproductive services and best practices for States.''.

SEC. 10. MATERNAL HEALTH ACCOUNTABILITY.

    (a) Purposes.--The purposes of this section are the following:
            (1) To establish governmental accountability and a shared 
        responsibility between States and the Federal Government to 
        identify opportunities for improvement in quality of care and 
        system changes, and to educate and inform health institutions 
        and professionals, women, and families about preventing 
        pregnancy-related deaths and complications and reducing 
        disparities.
            (2) To develop a model for States to operate maternal 
        mortality reviews and assess the various factors that may have 
        contributed to maternal mortality, including quality of care, 
        racial disparities, and systemic problems in the delivery of 
        health care, and to develop appropriate interventions to reduce 
        and prevent such deaths.
    (b) Uniform State Maternal Mortality Review Committees on 
Pregnancy-Related Deaths.--
            (1) Condition of receipt of payments from allotment under 
        maternal and child health service block grant.--Title III of 
        the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 241g et seq.), as 
        amended by section 9, is further amended by adding at the end 
        the following:

``SEC. 399OO-3. UNIFORM STATE MATERNAL MORTALITY REVIEW COMMITTEES ON 
              PREGNANCY-RELATED DEATHS.

    ``(a) Grants.--
            ``(1) In general.--For each of fiscal years 2016 through 
        2022, the Secretary shall, subject to paragraph (3) and in 
        accordance with the criteria established under paragraph (2), 
        award grants to States to--
                    ``(A) carry out the activities described in 
                subsection (b)(1);
                    ``(B) establish a State maternal mortality review 
                committee, in accordance with subsection (b)(2), to 
                carry out the activities described in subsection 
                (b)(2)(A), and to establish the processes described in 
                subsection (b)(1);
                    ``(C) ensure the State department of health carries 
                out the applicable activities described in subsection 
                (b)(3), with respect to pregnancy-related deaths 
                occurring within the State during such fiscal year;
                    ``(D) provide for public disclosure of information, 
                in accordance with subsection (c); and
                    ``(E) collect, analyze, and report to the Secretary 
                cases of maternal morbidity, including reports of 
                maternal morbidity data on admissions to an intensive 
                care unit or the transfusion of more than three units 
                of blood products.
            ``(2) Criteria.--The Secretary shall establish criteria for 
        determining eligibility for and the amount of a grant awarded 
        to a State under paragraph (1). Such criteria shall provide 
        that in the case of a State that receives such a grant for a 
        fiscal year and is determined by the Secretary to have not used 
        such grant in accordance with this section, such State shall 
        not be eligible for such a grant for any subsequent fiscal 
        year.
            ``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--For purposes of 
        carrying out the grant program under this section, including 
        for administrative purposes, there is authorized to be 
        appropriated $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 
        2022.
    ``(b) Pregnancy-Related Death Review.--
            ``(1) Review of pregnancy-related death and pregnancy-
        associated death cases.--For purposes of subsection (a), with 
        respect to a State that receives a grant under subsection (a), 
        the following shall apply:
                    ``(A) Mandatory reporting of pregnancy-related 
                deaths.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The State shall, through 
                        the State maternal mortality review committee, 
                        develop a process, separate from any reporting 
                        process established by the State department of 
                        health prior to the date of the enactment of 
                        this section, that provides for mandatory and 
                        confidential case reporting by individuals and 
                        entities described in clause (ii) of pregnancy-
                        related deaths to the State department of 
                        health.
                            ``(ii) Individuals and entities 
                        described.--Individuals and entities described 
                        in this clause include each of the following:
                                    ``(I) Health care providers.
                                    ``(II) Medical examiners.
                                    ``(III) Medical coroners.
                                    ``(IV) Hospitals.
                                    ``(V) Free-standing birth centers.
                                    ``(VI) Other health care 
                                facilities.
                                    ``(VII) Any other individuals 
                                responsible for completing death 
                                certificates.
                                    ``(VIII) Any other appropriate 
                                individuals or entities specified by 
                                the Secretary.
                    ``(B) Voluntary reporting of pregnancy-related and 
                pregnancy-associated deaths.--
                            ``(i) The State shall, through the State 
                        maternal mortality review committee, develop a 
                        process for and encourage, separate from any 
                        reporting process established by the State 
                        department of health prior to the date of the 
                        enactment of this section, voluntary and 
                        confidential case reporting by individuals 
                        described in clause (ii) of pregnancy-
                        associated deaths to the State department of 
                        health.
                            ``(ii) The State shall, through the State 
                        maternal mortality review committee, develop a 
                        process for voluntary and confidential 
                        reporting by family members of the deceased and 
                        by other individuals on possible pregnancy-
                        related and pregnancy-associated deaths to the 
                        State department of health. Such process shall 
                        include--
                                    ``(I) making publicly available on 
                                the Internet website of the State 
                                department of health a telephone 
                                number, Internet Web link, and email 
                                address for such reporting; and
                                    ``(II) publicizing to local 
                                professional organizations, community 
                                organizations, and social services 
                                agencies the availability of the 
                                telephone number, Internet Web link, 
                                and email address made available under 
                                subclause (I).
                    ``(C) Development of case-finding.--The State, 
                through the vital statistics unit of the State, shall 
                annually identify pregnancy-related and pregnancy-
                associated deaths occurring in such State during the 
                year involved by--
                            ``(i) matching all death records, with 
                        respect to such year, for women of childbearing 
                        age to live birth certificates and infant death 
                        certificates to identify deaths of women that 
                        occurred during pregnancy and within one year 
                        after the end of a pregnancy;
                            ``(ii) identifying deaths reported during 
                        such year as having an underlying or 
                        contributing cause of death related to 
                        pregnancy, regardless of the time that has 
                        passed between the end of the pregnancy and the 
                        death;
                            ``(iii) collecting data from medical 
                        examiner and coroner reports; and
                            ``(iv) any other methods the States may 
                        devise to identify maternal deaths, such as 
                        through review of a random sample of reported 
                        deaths of women of childbearing age to 
                        ascertain cases of pregnancy-related and 
                        pregnancy-associated deaths that are not 
                        discernable from a review of death certificates 
                        alone.
                When feasible and for purposes of effectively 
                collecting and obtaining data on pregnancy-related and 
                pregnancy-associated deaths, the State shall adopt the 
                most recent standardized birth and death certificates, 
                as issued by the National Center for Vital Health 
                Statistics, including the recommended checkbox section 
                for pregnancy on the death certificates.
                    ``(D) Case investigation and development of case 
                summaries.--Following receipt of reports by the State 
                department of health pursuant to subparagraph (A) or 
                (B) and collection by the vital statistics unit of the 
                State of possible cases of pregnancy-related and 
                pregnancy-associated deaths pursuant to subparagraph 
                (C), the State, through the State maternal mortality 
                review committee established under subsection (a), 
                shall investigate each case, utilizing the case 
                abstraction form described in subsection (c), and 
                prepare de-identified case summaries, which shall be 
                reviewed by the committee and included in applicable 
                reports. For purposes of subsection (a), under the 
                processes established under subparagraphs (A), (B), and 
                (C), a State department of health or vital statistics 
                unit of a State shall provide to the State maternal 
                mortality review committee access to information 
                collected pursuant to such subparagraphs as necessary 
                to carry out this subparagraph. Data and information 
                collected for the case summary and review are for 
                purposes of public health activities, in accordance 
                with HIPAA privacy and security law (as defined in 
                section 3009(a)(2)). Such case investigations shall 
                include data and information obtained through--
                            ``(i) medical examiner and autopsy reports 
                        of the woman involved;
                            ``(ii) medical records of the woman, 
                        including such records related to health care 
                        prior to pregnancy, prenatal and postnatal 
                        care, labor and delivery care, emergency room 
                        care, hospital discharge records, and any care 
                        delivered up until the time of death of the 
                        woman for purposes of public health activities, 
                        in accordance with HIPAA privacy and security 
                        law (as defined in section 3009(a)(2));
                            ``(iii) oral and written interviews of 
                        individuals directly involved in the maternal 
                        care of the woman during and immediately 
                        following the pregnancy of the woman, including 
                        health care, mental health, and social service 
                        providers, as applicable;
                            ``(iv) optional oral or written interviews 
                        of the family of the woman;
                            ``(v) socioeconomic and other relevant 
                        background information about the woman;
                            ``(vi) information collected in 
                        subparagraph (C)(i); and
                            ``(vii) other information on the cause of 
                        death of the woman, such as social services and 
                        child welfare reports.
            ``(2) State maternal mortality review committees.--
                    ``(A) Duties.--
                            ``(i) Required committee activities.--For 
                        purposes of subsection (a), a maternal 
                        mortality review committee established by a 
                        State pursuant to a grant under such subsection 
                        shall carry out the following pregnancy-related 
                        death and pregnancy-associated death review 
                        activities:
                                    ``(I) With respect to a case of 
                                pregnancy-related or pregnancy-
                                associated death of a woman, review the 
                                case summaries prepared under 
                                subparagraphs (A), (B), (C), and (D) of 
                                paragraph (1).
                                    ``(II) Review aggregate statistical 
                                reports developed by the vital 
                                statistics unit of the State under 
                                paragraph (1)(C) regarding pregnancy-
                                related and pregnancy-associated deaths 
                                to identify trends, patterns, and 
                                disparities in adverse outcomes and 
                                address medical, non-medical, and 
                                system-related factors that may have 
                                contributed to such pregnancy-related 
                                and pregnancy-associated deaths and 
                                disparities.
                                    ``(III) Develop recommendations, 
                                based on the review of the case 
                                summaries under paragraph (1)(D) and 
                                aggregate statistical reports under 
                                subclause (II), to improve maternal 
                                care, social and health services, and 
                                public health policy and institutions, 
                                including with respect to improving 
                                access to maternal care, improving the 
                                availability of social services, and 
                                eliminating disparities in maternal 
                                care and outcomes.
                            ``(ii) Optional committee activities.--For 
                        purposes of subsection (a), a maternal 
                        mortality review committee established by a 
                        State under such subsection may present 
                        findings and recommendations regarding a 
                        specific case or set of circumstances directly 
                        to a health care facility or its local or State 
                        professional organization for the purpose of 
                        instituting policy changes, educational 
                        activities, or otherwise improving the quality 
                        of care provided by the facilities.
                    ``(B) Composition of maternal mortality review 
                committees.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Each State maternal 
                        mortality review committee established pursuant 
                        to a grant under subsection (a) shall be multi-
                        disciplinary, consisting of health care and 
                        social service providers, public health 
                        officials, other persons with professional 
                        expertise on maternal health and mortality, and 
                        patient and community advocates who represent 
                        those communities within such State that are 
                        the most affected by maternal mortality. 
                        Membership on such a committee of a State shall 
                        be reviewed annually by the State department of 
                        health to ensure that membership representation 
                        requirements are being fulfilled in accordance 
                        with this paragraph.
                            ``(ii) Required membership.--Each such 
                        review committee shall include--
                                    ``(I) representatives from medical 
                                specialties providing care to pregnant 
                                and postpartum patients, including 
                                obstetricians (including generalists 
                                and maternal fetal medicine 
                                specialists), and family practice 
                                physicians;
                                    ``(II) certified nurse midwives, 
                                certified midwives, and advanced 
                                practice nurses;
                                    ``(III) hospital-based registered 
                                nurses;
                                    ``(IV) representatives of the State 
                                department of health maternal and child 
                                health department;
                                    ``(V) social service providers or 
                                social workers;
                                    ``(VI) the chief medical examiners 
                                or designees;
                                    ``(VII) facility representatives, 
                                such as from hospitals or free-standing 
                                birth centers; and
                                    ``(VIII) community or patient 
                                advocates who represent those 
                                communities within the State that are 
                                the most affected by maternal 
                                mortality.
                            ``(iii) Additional members.--Each such 
                        review committee may also include 
                        representatives from other relevant academic, 
                        health, social service, or policy professions, 
                        or community organizations, on an ongoing 
                        basis, or as needed, as determined beneficial 
                        by the review committee, including--
                                    ``(I) anesthesiologists;
                                    ``(II) emergency physicians;
                                    ``(III) pathologists;
                                    ``(IV) epidemiologists or 
                                biostatisticians;
                                    ``(V) intensivists;
                                    ``(VI) vital statistics officers;
                                    ``(VII) nutritionists;
                                    ``(VIII) mental health 
                                professionals;
                                    ``(IX) substance abuse treatment 
                                specialists;
                                    ``(X) representatives of relevant 
                                advocacy groups;
                                    ``(XI) academics;
                                    ``(XII) representatives of 
                                beneficiaries of the State plan under 
                                the Medicaid program under title XIX;
                                    ``(XIII) paramedics;
                                    ``(XIV) lawyers;
                                    ``(XV) risk management specialists;
                                    ``(XVI) representatives of the 
                                departments of health or public health 
                                of major cities in the State involved; 
                                and
                                    ``(XVII) policymakers.
                            ``(iv) Diverse community membership.--The 
                        composition of such a committee, with respect 
                        to a State, shall include--
                                    ``(I) representatives from diverse 
                                communities, particularly those 
                                communities within such State most 
                                severely affected by pregnancy-related 
                                deaths or pregnancy-associated deaths 
                                and by a lack of access to relevant 
                                maternal care services, from community 
                                maternal child health organizations, 
                                and from minority advocacy groups;
                                    ``(II) members, including health 
                                care providers, from different 
                                geographic regions in the State, 
                                including any rural, urban, and tribal 
                                areas; and
                                    ``(III) health care and social 
                                service providers who work in 
                                communities that are diverse with 
                                regard to race, ethnicity, immigration 
                                status, Indigenous status, and English 
                                proficiency.
                            ``(v) Maternal mortality review staff.--
                        Staff of each such review committee shall 
                        include--
                                    ``(I) vital health statisticians, 
                                maternal child health statisticians, or 
                                epidemiologists;
                                    ``(II) a coordinator of the State 
                                maternal mortality review committee, to 
                                be designated by the State; and
                                    ``(III) administrative staff.
                    ``(C) Option for states to form regional maternal 
                mortality reviews.--States with a low rate of 
                occurrence of pregnancy-associated or pregnancy-related 
                deaths may choose to partner with one or more 
                neighboring States to fulfill the activities described 
                in paragraph (1)(C). In such a case, with respect to 
                States in such a partnership, any requirement under 
                this section relating to the reporting of information 
                related to such activities shall be deemed to be 
                fulfilled by each such State if a single such report is 
                submitted for the partnership.
            ``(3) State department of health activities.--For purposes 
        of subsection (a), a State department of health of a State 
        receiving a grant under such subsection shall--
                    ``(A) in consultation with the maternal mortality 
                review committee of the State and in conjunction with 
                relevant professional organizations, develop a plan for 
                ongoing health care provider education, based on the 
                findings and recommendations of the committee, in order 
                to improve the quality of maternal care; and
                    ``(B) take steps to widely disseminate the findings 
                and recommendations of the State maternal mortality 
                review committees of the State and to implement the 
                recommendations of such committee.
    ``(c) Public Disclosure of Information.--
            ``(1) In general.--For fiscal year 2016 or a subsequent 
        fiscal year, each State receiving a grant under this section 
        for such year shall, subject to paragraph (3), provide for the 
        public disclosure, and submission to the information 
        clearinghouse established under paragraph (2), of the 
        information relating to the findings for such year of the State 
        maternal mortality review committee established by the State 
        under this section.
            ``(2) Information clearinghouse.--The Secretary shall 
        establish an information clearinghouse, that shall be 
        administered by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control 
        and Prevention, that will maintain findings and recommendations 
        submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) and provide such findings 
        and recommendations for public review and research purposes by 
        State health departments, maternal mortality review committees, 
        and health providers and institutions.
            ``(3) Confidentiality of information.--In no case shall any 
        individually identifiable health information be provided to the 
        public, or submitted to the information clearinghouse, under 
        paragraph (1).
    ``(d) Confidentiality of Review Committee Proceedings.--
            ``(1) In general.--All proceedings and activities of a 
        State maternal mortality review committee under this section, 
        opinions of members of such a committee formed as a result of 
        such proceedings and activities, and records obtained, created, 
        or maintained pursuant to this section, including records of 
        interviews, written reports, and statements procured by the 
        Department of Health and Human Services or by any other person, 
        agency, or organization acting jointly with the Department, in 
        connection with morbidity and mortality reviews under this 
        section, shall be confidential, and not subject to discovery, 
        subpoena, or introduction into evidence in any civil, criminal, 
        legislative, or other proceeding. Such records shall not be 
        open to public inspection.
            ``(2) Testimony of members of committee.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Members of a State maternal 
                mortality review committee under this section may not 
                be questioned in any civil, criminal, legislative, or 
                other proceeding regarding information presented in, or 
                opinions formed as a result of, a meeting or 
                communication of the committee.
                    ``(B) Clarification.--Nothing in this subsection 
                shall be construed to prevent a member of such a 
                committee from testifying regarding information that 
                was obtained independent of such member's participation 
                on the committee, or that is public information.
            ``(3) Availability of information for research purposes.--
        Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit the publishing by 
        such a committee or the Department of Health and Human Services 
        of statistical compilations and research reports that--
                    ``(A) are based on confidential information, 
                relating to morbidity and mortality review; and
                    ``(B) do not contain identifying information or any 
                other information that could be used to ultimately 
                identify the individuals concerned.
    ``(e) Definitions.--For purposes of this section:
            ``(1) Pregnancy-associated death.--The term `pregnancy-
        associated death' means the death of a woman while pregnant or 
        during the one-year period following the date of the end of 
        pregnancy, irrespective of the cause of such death.
            ``(2) Pregnancy-related death.--The term `pregnancy-related 
        death' means the death of a woman while pregnant or during the 
        one-year period following the date of the end of pregnancy, 
        irrespective of the duration or site of the pregnancy, from any 
        cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its 
        management, but not from any accidental or incidental cause.
            ``(3) Woman of childbearing age.--The term `woman of 
        childbearing age' means a woman who is at least 10 years of age 
        and not more than 54 years of age.''.
    (c) NIH Workshop and Research Plan Development on Severe Maternal 
Morbidity.--
            (1) Workshop.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services, 
        acting through the Director of NIH and in consultation with the 
        Administrator of the Health Resources and Services 
        Administration, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control 
        and Prevention, the heads of other Federal agencies that 
        administer Federal health programs, and relevant national 
        professional organizations dealing with maternal morbidity, 
        shall organize a national workshop to identify definitions for 
        severe maternal morbidity and make recommendations for a 
        research plan to identify and monitor severe maternal morbidity 
        in the United States.
            (2) Research plan and data collection protocols.--The 
        Secretary, taking into account the findings of the workshop 
        under paragraph (1), shall develop uniform definitions of 
        severe maternal morbidity, a research plan on severe maternal 
        morbidity, and possible data collection protocols to assist 
        States in identifying and monitoring cases of severe maternal 
        morbidity and to develop recommendations on addressing such 
        cases.
            (3) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall prepare and submit 
        to the appropriate committees of Congress a report concerning 
        the definitions and research plan developed under this section.
            (4) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        to be appropriated for fiscal year 2016--
                    (A) $50,000 to carry out paragraph (1); and
                    (B) $100,000 to carry out paragraph (2).
    (d) Eliminating Disparities in Maternity Health Outcomes.--Part B 
of title III of the Public Health Service Act is amended by inserting 
after section 317T of such Act (42 U.S.C. 247b-22) the following new 
section:

``SEC. 317U. ELIMINATING DISPARITIES IN MATERNITY HEALTH OUTCOMES.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall, in consultation with 
relevant national stakeholder organizations, such as national medical 
specialty organizations, national maternal child health organizations, 
and national health disparity organizations, carry out the following 
activities to eliminate disparities in maternal health outcomes:
            ``(1) Conduct research into the determinants and the 
        distribution of disparities in maternal care, health risks, and 
        health outcomes, and improve the capacity of the performance 
        measurement infrastructure to measure such disparities.
            ``(2) Expand access to services that have been demonstrated 
        to improve the quality and outcomes of maternity care for 
        vulnerable populations.
            ``(3) Establish a demonstration project to compare the 
        effectiveness of interventions to reduce disparities in 
        maternity services and outcomes, and implement and assessing 
        effective interventions.
    ``(b) Scope and Selection of States for Demonstration Project.--The 
demonstration project under subsection (a)(3) shall be conducted in no 
more than 8 States, which shall be selected by the Secretary based on--
            ``(1) applications submitted by States, which specify which 
        regions and populations the State involved will serve under the 
        demonstration project;
            ``(2) criteria designed by the Secretary to ensure that, as 
        a whole, the demonstration project is, to the greatest extent 
        possible, representative of the demographic and geographic 
        composition of communities most affected by disparities;
            ``(3) criteria designed by the Secretary to ensure that a 
        variety of type of models are tested through the demonstration 
        project and that such models include interventions that have an 
        existing evidence base for effectiveness; and
            ``(4) criteria designed by the Secretary to assure that the 
        demonstration projects and models will be carried out in 
        consultation with local and regional provider organizations, 
        such as community health centers, hospital systems, and medical 
        societies representing providers of maternity services.
    ``(c) Duration of Demonstration Project.--The demonstration project 
under subsection (a)(3) shall begin on January 1, 2015, and end on 
December 31, 2019.
    ``(d) Grants for Evaluation and Monitoring.--The Secretary may make 
grants to States and health care providers participating in the 
demonstration project under subsection (a)(3) for the purpose of 
collecting data necessary for the evaluation and monitoring of such 
project.
    ``(e) Reports.--
            ``(1) State reports.--Each State that participates in the 
        demonstration project under subsection (a)(3) shall report to 
        the Secretary, in a time, form, and manner specified by the 
        Secretary, the data necessary to--
                    ``(A) monitor the--
                            ``(i) outcomes of the project;
                            ``(ii) costs of the project; and
                            ``(iii) quality of maternity care provided 
                        under the project; and
                    ``(B) evaluate the rationale for the selection of 
                the items and services included in any bundled payment 
                made by the State under the project.
            ``(2) Final report.--Not later than December 31, 2020, the 
        Secretary shall submit to Congress a report on the results of 
        the demonstration project under subsection (a)(3).''.
                                 <all>