Supporting public health data availability and access

(a)

Designation of public health data standards

Section 2823(a)(2) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300hh–33(a)(2)) is amended—(1)by striking In carrying out and inserting the following:

(A)

In general

In carrying out

;

(2)by striking shall, as appropriate and and inserting shall, not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the Improving DATA in Public Health Act,; and(3)by adding at the end the following:

(B)

Selection of data and technology standards

The standards designated as described in subparagraph (A) may include standards to improve—(i)the exchange of electronic health information for—(I)electronic case reporting;(II)syndromic surveillance;(III)reporting of vital statistics; and(IV)reporting test orders and results electronically, including from laboratories; (ii)automated electronic reporting to relevant public health data systems of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; and(iii)such other use cases as the Secretary determines appropriate.(C)

No duplicative efforts

(i)

In general

In carrying out the requirements of this paragraph, the Secretary, in consultation with the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, may use input gathered (including input and recommendations gathered from the Health Information Technology Advisory Committee), and materials developed, prior to the date of enactment of the Improving DATA in Public Health Act.(ii)

Designation of standards

Consistent with sections 13111 and 13112 of the HITECH Act, the data and technology standards designated pursuant to this paragraph shall align with the standards and implementation specifications previously adopted by the Secretary pursuant to section 3004, as applicable.(D)

Privacy and security

Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as modifying applicable Federal or State information privacy or security law. (E)

Considerations

Standards designated under this paragraph shall include standards and implementation specifications necessary to ensure the appropriate capture, exchange, access, and use, of information regarding race, ethnicity, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability status, veteran status, housing status, age, functional status, and other elements.

(b)

Study on laboratory information standards

(1)

In general

Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology shall conduct a study to review the use of standards for electronic ordering and reporting of laboratory test results.(2)

Areas of concentration

In conducting the study under paragraph (1), the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology shall—(A)determine the extent to which clinical laboratories are using standards for electronic ordering and reporting of laboratory test results;(B)assess trends in laboratory compliance with standards for ordering and reporting laboratory test results and the effect of such trends on the interoperability of laboratory data with public health data systems;(C)identify challenges related to collection and reporting of demographic and other data elements with respect to laboratory test results;(D)identify any challenges associated with using or complying with standards and reporting laboratory test results with data elements identified in standards for electronic ordering and reporting of such results; and(E)review other relevant areas determined appropriate by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.(3)

Report

Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology 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 a report concerning the findings of the study conducted under paragraph (1).(c)

Supporting information sharing through data use agreements

(1)

Interagency data use agreements within the Department of Health and Human Services for public health emergencies

(A)

In general

The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this subsection as the Secretary) shall, as appropriate, facilitate the development of, or updates to, memoranda of understanding, data use agreements, or other applicable interagency agreements regarding appropriate access, exchange, and use of public health data between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, other relevant agencies or offices within the Department of Health and Human Services, and other relevant Federal agencies, in order to prepare for, identify, monitor, and respond to declared or potential public health emergencies.(B)

Requirements

In carrying out activities pursuant to subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall—(i)ensure that the agreements and memoranda of understanding described in such subparagraph—(I)address the methods of granting access to data held by one agency or office with another to support the respective missions of such agencies or offices;(II)consider minimum necessary principles of data sharing for appropriate use;(III)include appropriate privacy and cybersecurity protections; and(IV)are subject to regular updates, as appropriate; (ii)collaborate with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, the Office of the Chief Information Officer, and, as appropriate, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, and other entities within the Department of Health and Human Services; and(iii)consider the terms and conditions of any existing data use agreements with other public or private entities and any need for updates to such existing agreements, consistent with paragraph (2).(2)

Data use agreements with external entities

The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, may update memoranda of understanding, data use agreements, or other applicable agreements and contracts to improve appropriate access, exchange, and use of public health data between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response and external entities, including State, Tribal, and territorial health departments, laboratories, hospitals and other health care providers, electronic health records vendors, and other entities, as applicable and appropriate, in order to prepare for, identify, monitor, and respond to declared or potential public health emergencies.(3)

Report

Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall report to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives on the status of the agreements under this subsection.(d)

Improving information sharing and availability of public health data

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

310B.

Improving information sharing and availability of public health data

(a)

In general

The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, may require the reporting of public health and health care data and information to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by—(1)health care providers and facilities, including pharmacies;(2)public health, clinical, and other laboratories and diagnostic testing entities; (3)State, local, and Tribal health departments; (4)health information exchanges and health information networks; and(5)other entities, as determined by the Secretary.(b)

Content, form, and manner

The Secretary shall prescribe the content, form, manner, and frequency of the reporting of public health and health care data and information required by subsection (a), including necessary demographic data or other data elements that the Secretary determines is necessary for public health surveillance under this section. The Secretary may collaborate with representatives of State, local, and Tribal health departments and other entities, in developing the content, form, manner, and frequency requirement under this subsection. Such requirements shall align with the standards and implementation specifications adopted by the Secretary under section 3004, as applicable.(c)

Decreased burden

The Secretary shall make reasonable efforts to limit public health and health care data and information reported under this section to the minimum necessary information needed to accomplish the intended public health purpose. (d)

Access by relevant public health authorities

The Secretary shall collaborate with representatives of State, local, and Tribal health departments, and entities representing such departments to ensure data collected under this section is accessible, as appropriate, to State, local, or Tribal health authorities. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority to share public health surveillance data with State, local, or Tribal health authorities. (e)

Exemption of certain public health data from disclosure

The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, may exempt from disclosure under section 552(b)(3) of title 5, United States Code, public health data that are collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, if—(1)an individual is identified through such data; or(2)there is at least a very small risk, as determined by current scientific practices or statistical methods, that some combination of the information, the request, and other available data sources or the application of technology could be used to deduce the identity of an individual.

(e)

Improving public health data collection

(1)

In general

The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this subsection as the Secretary) shall award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to eligible entities for purposes of identifying, developing, or disseminating best practices in the collection of electronic health information and the use of designated data standards and implementation specifications to improve the quality and completeness of data, including demographic data, collected, accessed, or used for public health purposes and to address health disparities and related health outcomes.(2)

Eligible entities

To be eligible to receive an award under this subsection an entity shall—(A)be a health care provider, academic medical center, community-based organization, State, local governmental entity, Indian Tribe or Tribal organization (as such terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)), urban Indian organization (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1603)), or other appropriate public or private nonprofit entity, or a consortia of any such entities; and(B)submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.(3)

Activities

Entities receiving awards under this subsection shall use such award to develop and test best practices for training health care providers to use standards and implementation specifications that assist in the capture, access, exchange, and use of electronic health information, including demographic information, disability status, veteran status, housing status, functional status, and other data elements. Such activities shall include, at a minimum—(A)improving, understanding, and using data standards and implementation specifications;(B)developing or identifying methods to improve communication with patients in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner, including to better capture information related to demographics of such individuals;(C)developing methods for accurately categorizing and recording patient responses using available data standards;(D)educating providers regarding the utility of such information for public health purposes and the importance of accurate collection and recording of such data; and(E)other activities, as the Secretary determines appropriate.(4)

Reporting

(A)

Reporting by award recipients

Each recipient of an award under this subsection shall submit to the Secretary a report on the results of best practices identified, developed, or disseminated through such award.(B)

Report to congress

Not later than 1 year after the completion of the program under this subsection, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress on the success of best practices developed under such program, opportunities for further dissemination of such best practices, and recommendations for improving the capture, access, exchange, and use of information to improve public health and reduce health disparities.(5)

Non-duplication of efforts

The Secretary shall ensure that the activities and programs carried out under this subsection are free of unnecessary duplication of effort.(6)

Authorization of appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2025 to carry out this subsection. (f)

Information collection

Section 319D(a) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 247d–4(a)) is amended by adding the following new paragraph:

(5)

Information collection

Subchapter I of chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, shall not apply to information collection by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, that are part of investigations, research, surveillance, or evaluations undertaken for public health purposes.