[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 130, 114th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


Public Law 114-270
114th Congress

An Act


 
To require studies and reports examining the use of, and opportunities
to use, technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building
models to improve programs of the Department of Health and Human
Services, and for other purposes. <>

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, <>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Expanding Capacity for Health
Outcomes Act'' or the ``ECHO Act''.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:
(1) Health professional shortage area.--The term ``health
professional shortage area'' means a health professional
shortage area designated under section 332 of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254e).
(2) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has the meaning
given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(3) Medically underserved area.--The term ``medically
underserved area'' has the meaning given the term ``medically
underserved community'' in section 799B of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295p).
(4) Medically underserved population.--The term ``medically
underserved population'' has the meaning given the term in
section 330(b) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
254b(b)).
(5) Native americans.--The term ``Native Americans'' has the
meaning given the term in section 736 of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 293) and includes Indian tribes and
tribal organizations.
(6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Health and Human Services.
(7) Technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity
building model.--The term ``technology-enabled collaborative
learning and capacity building model'' means a distance health
education model that connects specialists with multiple other
health care professionals through simultaneous interactive
videoconferencing for the purpose of facilitating case-based
learning, disseminating best practices, and evaluating outcomes.
(8) Tribal organization.--The term ``tribal organization''
has the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian

[[Page 1396]]

Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C.
5304).
SEC. 3. EXAMINATION AND REPORT ON TECHNOLOGY-ENABLED COLLABORATIVE
LEARNING AND CAPACITY BUILDING MODELS.

(a) Examination.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall examine technology-
enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models and
their impact on--
(A) addressing mental and substance use disorders,
chronic diseases and conditions, prenatal and maternal
health, pediatric care, pain management, and palliative
care;
(B) addressing health care workforce issues, such as
specialty care shortages and primary care workforce
recruitment, retention, and support for lifelong
learning;
(C) the implementation of public health programs,
including those related to disease prevention,
infectious disease outbreaks, and public health
surveillance;
(D) the delivery of health care services in rural
areas, frontier areas, health professional shortage
areas, and medically underserved areas, and to medically
underserved populations and Native Americans; and
(E) addressing other issues the Secretary determines
appropriate.
(2) Consultation.--In the examination required under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall consult public and private
stakeholders with expertise in using technology-enabled
collaborative learning and capacity building models in health
care settings.

(b) Report.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the
Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives, and post on the appropriate website of the
Department of Health and Human Services, a report based on the
examination under subsection (a).
(2) Contents.--The report required under paragraph (1) shall
include findings from the examination under subsection (a) and
each of the following:
(A) <>  An analysis of--
(i) the use and integration of technology-
enabled collaborative learning and capacity
building models by health care providers;
(ii) the impact of such models on health care
provider retention, including in health
professional shortage areas in the States and
communities in which such models have been
adopted;
(iii) the impact of such models on the quality
of, and access to, care for patients in the States
and communities in which such models have been
adopted;
(iv) the barriers faced by health care
providers, States, and communities in adopting
such models;
(v) the impact of such models on the ability
of local health care providers and specialists to
practice

[[Page 1397]]

to the full extent of their education, training,
and licensure, including the effects on patient
wait times for specialty care; and
(vi) efficient and effective practices used by
States and communities that have adopted such
models, including potential cost-effectiveness of
such models.
(B) <>  A list of such
models that have been funded by the Secretary in the 5
years immediately preceding such report, including the
Federal programs that have provided funding for such
models.
(C) <>  Recommendations to
reduce barriers for using and integrating such models,
and opportunities to improve adoption of, and support
for, such models as appropriate.
(D) Opportunities for increased adoption of such
models into programs of the Department of Health and
Human Services that are in existence as of the report.
(E) <>  Recommendations
regarding the role of such models in continuing medical
education and lifelong learning, including the role of
academic medical centers, provider organizations, and
community providers in such education and lifelong
learning.

Approved December 14, 2016.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 2873:
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CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 162 (2016):
Nov. 29, considered and passed Senate.
Dec. 6, considered and passed House.