117 HR 5561 RH: Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act of 2021 U.S. House of Representatives 2021-12-08 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

IBUnion Calendar No. 149117th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 5561[Report No. 117–208]IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESOctober 12, 2021Mr. Guthrie (for himself and Ms. Matsui) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and CommerceDecember 8, 2021Additional sponsor: Mr. KilmerDecember 8, 2021Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printedStrike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italicFor text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on October 12, 2021A BILLTo reauthorize a program for early detection, diagnosis, and treatment regarding deaf and hard-of-hearing newborns, infants, and young children, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act of 2021.

2.

Reauthorization of program for early detection, diagnosis, and treatment regarding deaf and hard-of-hearing newborns, infants, and young children

Section 399M(f) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g–1(f)) is amended—(1)in paragraph (1), by striking $17,818,000 for fiscal year 2018, $18,173,800 for fiscal year 2019, $18,628,145 for fiscal year 2020, $19,056,592 for fiscal year 2021, and $19,522,758 for fiscal year 2022 and inserting $17,818,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026;(2)in paragraph (2), by striking $10,800,000 for fiscal year 2018, $11,026,800 for fiscal year 2019, $11,302,470 for fiscal year 2020, $11,562,427 for fiscal year 2021, and $11,851,488 for fiscal year 2022 and inserting $16,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026; and(3)in paragraph (3), by striking fiscal years 2011 through 2015 and inserting fiscal years 2022 through 2026.

3.

GAO study on State early hearing detection and intervention programs

(a)

In general

The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study reviewing State early hearing detection and intervention (in this section referred to as EHDI) programs. Such study shall—(1)analyze how information collected through such programs informs what is known about EHDI activities to ensure that newborns, infants, and young children have access to timely hearing screenings and early interventions, including information on any disparities in such access;(2)analyze what is known about how parents use State EHDI websites to seek health and programmatic guidance related to their child’s hearing loss diagnosis; and(3)identify efforts and any promising practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Health Resources and Services Administration, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, and State EHDI programs—(A)to address disparities in outreach for, or access to, timely hearing screenings and early interventions; and(B)to ensure that EHDI follow-up services are communicated and made available to medically underserved populations, including racial and ethnic minorities.(b)

Report

Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall—(1) complete the study under subsection (a) and submit a report on the results of the study to—(A)the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives; and(B)the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate; and(2)make such report publicly available.

December 8, 2021Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed