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OCR for page 95
A
PUBLIC LAW 106525--NOV. 22, 2000 114 STAT. 2495
Public Law 106525
106th Congress
An Act
To amend the Public Health Service Act to improve the health of minority individ- Nov. 22, 2000
uals. [S. 1880]
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled, Minority Health
and Health
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. Disparities
(a) SHORT TITLE.--This Act may be cited as the ``Minority Research and
Education Act of
Health and Health Disparities Research and Education Act of 2000''. 2000.
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.--The table of contents of this Act 42 USC 202 note.
is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
TITLE I--IMPROVING MINORITY HEALTH AND REDUCING HEALTH DIS-
PARITIES THROUGH NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH; ESTABLISH-
MENT OF NATIONAL CENTER
Sec. 101. Establishment of National Center on Minority Health and Health Dis-
parities.
Sec. 102. Centers of excellence for research education and training.
Sec. 103. Extramural loan repayment program for minority health disparities re-
search.
Sec. 104. General provisions regarding the Center.
Sec. 105. Report regarding resources of National Institutes of Health dedicated to
minority and other health disparities research.
TITLE II--HEALTH DISPARITIES RESEARCH BY AGENCY FOR HEALTHCARE
RESEARCH AND QUALITY
Sec. 201. Health disparities research by Agency for Healthcare Research and Qual-
ity.
TITLE III--DATA COLLECTION RELATING TO RACE OR ETHNICITY
Sec. 301. Study and report by National Academy of Sciences.
TITLE IV--HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION
Sec. 401. Health professions education in health disparities.
Sec. 402. National conference on health professions education and health dispari-
ties.
Sec. 403. Advisory responsibilities in health professions education in health dispari-
ties and cultural competency.
TITLE V--PUBLIC AWARENESS AND DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION ON
HEALTH DISPARITIES
Sec. 501. Public awareness and information dissemination.
TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
Sec. 601. Departmental definition regarding minority individuals.
Sec. 602. Conforming provision regarding definitions.
Sec. 603. Effective date.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 42 USC 287c31
note.
The Congress finds as follows:
95
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96 EXAMINING THE HEALTH DISPARITIES RESEARCH PLAN OF THE NIH
114 STAT. 2496 PUBLIC LAW 106525--NOV. 22, 2000
(1) Despite notable progress in the overall health of the
Nation, there are continuing disparities in the burden of illness
and death experienced by African Americans, Hispanics, Native
Americans, Alaska Natives, and Asian Pacific Islanders, com-
pared to the United States population as a whole.
(2) The largest numbers of the medically underserved are
white individuals, and many of them have the same health
care access problems as do members of minority groups. Nearly
20,000,000 white individuals live below the poverty line with
many living in nonmetropolitan, rural areas such as
Appalachia, where the high percentage of counties designated
as health professional shortage areas (47 percent) and the
high rate of poverty contribute to disparity outcomes. However,
there is a higher proportion of racial and ethnic minorities
in the United States represented among the medically under-
served.
(3) There is a national need for minority scientists in
the fields of biomedical, clinical, behavioral, and health services
research. Ninety percent of minority physicians educated at
Historically Black Medical Colleges live and serve in minority
communities.
(4) Demographic trends inspire concern about the Nation's
ability to meet its future scientific, technological, and
engineering workforce needs. Historically, non-Hispanic white
males have made up the majority of the United States scientific,
technological, and engineering workers.
(5) The Hispanic and Black population will increase signifi-
cantly in the next 50 years. The scientific, technological, and
engineering workforce may decrease if participation by under-
represented minorities remains the same.
(6) Increasing rates of Black and Hispanic workers can
help ensure a strong scientific, technological, and engineering
workforce.
(7) Individuals such as underrepresented minorities and
women in the scientific, technological, and engineering
workforce enable society to address its diverse needs.
(8) If there had not been a substantial increase in the
number of science and engineering degrees awarded to women
and underrepresented minorities over the past few decades,
the United States would be facing even greater shortages in
scientific, technological, and engineering workers.
(9) In order to effectively promote a diverse and strong
21st century scientific, technological, and engineering
workforce, Federal agencies should expand or add programs
that effectively overcome barriers such as educational transition
from one level to the next and student requirements for finan-
cial resources.
(10) Federal agencies should work in concert with the pri-
vate nonprofit sector to emphasize the recruitment and reten-
tion of qualified individuals from ethnic and gender groups
that are currently underrepresented in the scientific, techno-
logical, and engineering workforce.
(11) Behavioral and social sciences research has increased
awareness and understanding of factors associated with health
care utilization and access, patient attitudes toward health
services, and risk and protective behaviors that affect health
and illness. These factors have the potential to then be modified
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APPENDIX A 97
PUBLIC LAW 106525--NOV. 22, 2000 114 STAT. 2497
to help close the health disparities gap among ethnic minority
populations. In addition, there is a shortage of minority behav-
ioral science researchers and behavioral health care profes-
sionals. According to the National Science Foundation, only
15.5 percent of behavioral research-oriented psychology doc-
torate degrees were awarded to minority students in 1997.
In addition, only 17.9 percent of practice-oriented psychology
doctorate degrees were awarded to ethnic minorities.
TITLE I--IMPROVING MINORITY
HEALTH AND REDUCING HEALTH DIS-
PARITIES THROUGH NATIONAL INSTI-
TUTES OF HEALTH; ESTABLISHMENT
OF NATIONAL CENTER
SEC. 101. ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL CENTER ON MINORITY
HEALTH AND HEALTH DISPARITIES.
(a) IN GENERAL.--Part E of title IV of the Public Health Service
Act (42 U.S.C. 287 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end
the following subpart:
``Subpart 6--National Center on Minority Health and Health
Disparities
``SEC. 485E. PURPOSE OF CENTER. 42 USC 287c31.
``(a) IN GENERAL.--The general purpose of the National Center
on Minority Health and Health Disparities (in this subpart referred
to as the `Center') is the conduct and support of research, training,
dissemination of information, and other programs with respect to
minority health conditions and other populations with health
disparities.
``(b) PRIORITIES.--The Director of the Center shall in expending
amounts appropriated under this subpart give priority to conducting
and supporting minority health disparities research.
``(c) MINORITY HEALTH DISPARITIES RESEARCH.--For purposes
of this subpart:
``(1) The term `minority health disparities research' means
basic, clinical, and behavioral research on minority health
conditions (as defined in paragraph (2)), including research
to prevent, diagnose, and treat such conditions.
``(2) The term `minority health conditions', with respect
to individuals who are members of minority groups, means
all diseases, disorders, and conditions (including with respect
to mental health and substance abuse)--
``(A) unique to, more serious, or more prevalent in
such individuals;
``(B) for which the factors of medical risk or types
of medical intervention may be different for such individ-
uals, or for which it is unknown whether such factors
or types are different for such individuals; or
``(C) with respect to which there has been insufficient
research involving such individuals as subjects or insuffi-
cient data on such individuals.
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98 EXAMINING THE HEALTH DISPARITIES RESEARCH PLAN OF THE NIH
114 STAT. 2498 PUBLIC LAW 106525--NOV. 22, 2000
``(3) The term `minority group' has the meaning given the
term `racial and ethnic minority group' in section 1707.
``(4) The terms `minority' and `minorities' refer to individ-
uals from a minority group.
``(d) HEALTH DISPARITY POPULATIONS.--For purposes of this
subpart:
``(1) A population is a health disparity population if, as
determined by the Director of the Center after consultation
with the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and
Quality, there is a significant disparity in the overall rate
of disease incidence, prevalence, morbidity, mortality, or sur-
vival rates in the population as compared to the health status
of the general population.
``(2) The Director shall give priority consideration to deter-
mining whether minority groups qualify as health disparity
populations under paragraph (1).
``(3) The term `health disparities research' means basic,
clinical, and behavioral research on health disparity populations
(including individual members and communities of such popu-
lations) that relates to health disparities as defined under
paragraph (1), including the causes of such disparities and
methods to prevent, diagnose, and treat such disparities.
``(e) COORDINATION OF ACTIVITIES.--The Director of the Center
shall act as the primary Federal official with responsibility for
coordinating all minority health disparities research and other
health disparities research conducted or supported by the National
Institutes of Health, and--
``(1) shall represent the health disparities research program
of the National Institutes of Health, including the minority
health disparities research program, at all relevant Executive
branch task forces, committees and planning activities; and
``(2) shall maintain communications with all relevant Public
Health Service agencies, including the Indian Health Service,
and various other departments of the Federal Government to
ensure the timely transmission of information concerning
advances in minority health disparities research and other
health disparities research between these various agencies for
dissemination to affected communities and health care pro-
viders.
``(f) COLLABORATIVE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND BUDGET.--
``(1) IN GENERAL.--Subject to the provisions of this section
and other applicable law, the Director of NIH, the Director
of the Center, and the directors of the other agencies of the
National Institutes of Health in collaboration (and in consulta-
tion with the advisory council for the Center) shall--
Deadline. ``(A) establish a comprehensive plan and budget for
the conduct and support of all minority health disparities
research and other health disparities research activities
of the agencies of the National Institutes of Health (which
plan and budget shall be first established under this sub-
section not later than 12 months after the date of the
enactment of this subpart);
``(B) ensure that the plan and budget establish prior-
ities among the health disparities research activities that
such agencies are authorized to carry out;
``(C) ensure that the plan and budget establish objec-
tives regarding such activities, describes the means for
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APPENDIX A 99
PUBLIC LAW 106525--NOV. 22, 2000 114 STAT. 2499
achieving the objectives, and designates the date by which
the objectives are expected to be achieved;
``(D) ensure that, with respect to amounts appropriated
for activities of the Center, the plan and budget give pri-
ority in the expenditure of funds to conducting and sup-
porting minority health disparities research;
``(E) ensure that all amounts appropriated for such
activities are expended in accordance with the plan and
budget;
``(F) review the plan and budget not less than annually,
and revise the plan and budget as appropriate;
``(G) ensure that the plan and budget serve as a broad,
binding statement of policies regarding minority health
disparities research and other health disparities research
activities of the agencies, but do not remove the responsi-
bility of the heads of the agencies for the approval of
specific programs or projects, or for other details of the
daily administration of such activities, in accordance with
the plan and budget; and
``(H) promote coordination and collaboration among the
agencies conducting or supporting minority health or other
health disparities research.
``(2) CERTAIN COMPONENTS OF PLAN AND BUDGET.--With
respect to health disparities research activities of the agencies
of the National Institutes of Health, the Director of the Center
shall ensure that the plan and budget under paragraph (1)
provide for--
``(A) basic research and applied research, including
research and development with respect to products;
``(B) research that is conducted by the agencies;
``(C) research that is supported by the agencies;
``(D) proposals developed pursuant to solicitations by
the agencies and for proposals developed independently
of such solicitations; and
``(E) behavioral research and social sciences research,
which may include cultural and linguistic research in each
of the agencies.
``(3) MINORITY HEALTH DISPARITIES RESEARCH.--The plan
and budget under paragraph (1) shall include a separate state-
ment of the plan and budget for minority health disparities
research.
``(g) PARTICIPATION IN CLINICAL RESEARCH.--The Director of
the Center shall work with the Director of NIH and the directors
of the agencies of the National Institutes of Health to carry out
the provisions of section 492B that relate to minority groups.
``(h) RESEARCH ENDOWMENTS.--
``(1) IN GENERAL.--The Director of the Center may carry
out a program to facilitate minority health disparities research
and other health disparities research by providing for research
endowments at centers of excellence under section 736.
``(2) ELIGIBILITY.--The Director of the Center may provide
for a research endowment under paragraph (1) only if the
institution involved meets the following conditions:
``(A) The institution does not have an endowment that
is worth in excess of an amount equal to 50 percent of
the national average of endowment funds at institutions
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100 EXAMINING THE HEALTH DISPARITIES RESEARCH PLAN OF THE NIH
114 STAT. 2500 PUBLIC LAW 106525--NOV. 22, 2000
that conduct similar biomedical research or training of
health professionals.
``(B) The application of the institution under paragraph
(1) regarding a research endowment has been recommended
pursuant to technical and scientific peer review and has
been approved by the advisory council under subsection
(j).
``(i) CERTAIN ACTIVITIES.--In carrying out subsection (a), the
Director of the Center--
``(1) shall assist the Director of the National Center for
Research Resources in carrying out section 481(c)(3) and in
committing resources for construction at Institutions of
Emerging Excellence;
``(2) shall establish projects to promote cooperation among
Federal agencies, State, local, tribal, and regional public health
agencies, and private entities in health disparities research;
and
``(3) may utilize information from previous health initiatives
concerning minorities and other health disparity populations.
``(j) ADVISORY COUNCIL.--
``(1) IN GENERAL.--The Secretary shall, in accordance with
section 406, establish an advisory council to advise, assist,
consult with, and make recommendations to the Director of
the Center on matters relating to the activities described in
subsection (a), and with respect to such activities to carry
out any other functions described in section 406 for advisory
councils under such section. Functions under the preceding
sentence shall include making recommendations on budgetary
allocations made in the plan under subsection (f), and shall
include reviewing reports under subsection (k) before the
reports are submitted under such subsection.
``(2) MEMBERSHIP.--With respect to the membership of the
advisory council under paragraph (1), a majority of the members
shall be individuals with demonstrated expertise regarding
minority health disparity and other health disparity issues;
representatives of communities impacted by minority and other
health disparities shall be included; and a diversity of health
professionals shall be represented. The membership shall in
addition include a representative of the Office of Behavioral
and Social Sciences Research under section 404A.
``(k) ANNUAL REPORT.--The Director of the Center shall prepare
an annual report on the activities carried out or to be carried
out by the Center, and shall submit each such report to the Com-
mittee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate,
the Committee on Commerce of the House of Representatives, the
Secretary, and the Director of NIH. With respect to the fiscal
year involved, the report shall--
``(1) describe and evaluate the progress made in health
disparities research conducted or supported by the national
research institutes;
``(2) summarize and analyze expenditures made for activi-
ties with respect to health disparities research conducted or
supported by the National Institutes of Health;
``(3) include a separate statement applying the require-
ments of paragraphs (1) and (2) specifically to minority health
disparities research; and
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APPENDIX A 101
PUBLIC LAW 106525--NOV. 22, 2000 114 STAT. 2501
``(4) contain such recommendations as the Director con-
siders appropriate.
``(l) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.--For the purpose of
carrying out this subpart, there are authorized to be appropriated
$100,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, and such sums as may be nec-
essary for each of the fiscal years 2002 through 2005. Such
authorization of appropriations is in addition to other authorizations
of appropriations that are available for the conduct and support
of minority health disparities research or other health disparities
research by the agencies of the National Institutes of Health.''.
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.--Part A of title IV of the Public
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 281 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 401(b)(2)-- 42 USC 281.
(A) in subparagraph (F), by moving the subparagraph
two ems to the left; and
(B) by adding at the end the following subparagraph:
``(G) The National Center on Minority Health and Health
Disparities.''; and
(2) by striking section 404.
SEC. 102. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE FOR RESEARCH EDUCATION AND 42 USC 283b.
TRAINING.
Subpart 6 of part E of title IV of the Public Health Service
Act, as added by section 101(a) of this Act, is amended by adding
at the end the following section:
``SEC. 485F. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE FOR RESEARCH EDUCATION 42 USC 287c32.
AND TRAINING.
``(a) IN GENERAL.--The Director of the Center shall make Grants.
awards of grants or contracts to designated biomedical and behav- Contracts.
ioral research institutions under paragraph (1) of subsection (c),
or to consortia under paragraph (2) of such subsection, for the
purpose of assisting the institutions in supporting programs of
excellence in biomedical and behavioral research training for
individuals who are members of minority health disparity popu-
lations or other health disparity populations.
``(b) REQUIRED USE OF FUNDS.--An award may be made under
subsection (a) only if the applicant involved agrees that the grant
will be expended--
``(1) to train members of minority health disparity popu-
lations or other health disparity populations as professionals
in the area of biomedical or behavioral research or both; or
``(2) to expand, remodel, renovate, or alter existing research
facilities or construct new research facilities for the purpose
of conducting minority health disparities research and other
health disparities research.
``(c) CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE.--
``(1) IN GENERAL.--For purposes of this section, a designated
biomedical and behavioral research institution is a biomedical
and behavioral research institution that--
``(A) has a significant number of members of minority
health disparity populations or other health disparity popu-
lations enrolled as students in the institution (including
individuals accepted for enrollment in the institution);
``(B) has been effective in assisting such students of
the institution to complete the program of education or
training and receive the degree involved;
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102 EXAMINING THE HEALTH DISPARITIES RESEARCH PLAN OF THE NIH
114 STAT. 2502 PUBLIC LAW 106525--NOV. 22, 2000
``(C) has made significant efforts to recruit minority
students to enroll in and graduate from the institution,
which may include providing means-tested scholarships
and other financial assistance as appropriate; and
``(D) has made significant recruitment efforts to
increase the number of minority or other members of health
disparity populations serving in faculty or administrative
positions at the institution.
``(2) CONSORTIUM.--Any designated biomedical and behav-
ioral research institution involved may, with other biomedical
and behavioral institutions (designated or otherwise), including
tribal health programs, form a consortium to receive an award
under subsection (a).
``(3) APPLICATION OF CRITERIA TO OTHER PROGRAMS.--In
the case of any criteria established by the Director of the
Center for purposes of determining whether institutions meet
the conditions described in paragraph (1), this section may
not, with respect to minority health disparity populations or
other health disparity populations, be construed to authorize,
require, or prohibit the use of such criteria in any program
other than the program established in this section.
``(d) DURATION OF GRANT.--The period during which payments
are made under a grant under subsection (a) may not exceed
5 years. Such payments shall be subject to annual approval by
the Director of the Center and to the availability of appropriations
for the fiscal year involved to make the payments.
``(e) MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT.--
``(1) IN GENERAL.--With respect to activities for which an
award under subsection (a) is authorized to be expended, the
Director of the Center may not make such an award to a
designated research institution or consortium for any fiscal
year unless the institution, or institutions in the consortium,
as the case may be, agree to maintain expenditures of non-
Federal amounts for such activities at a level that is not less
than the level of such expenditures maintained by the institu-
tions involved for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year
for which such institutions receive such an award.
``(2) USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS.--With respect to any Federal
amounts received by a designated research institution or consor-
tium and available for carrying out activities for which an
award under subsection (a) is authorized to be expended, the
Director of the Center may make such an award only if the
institutions involved agree that the institutions will, before
expending the award, expend the Federal amounts obtained
from sources other than the award.
``(f) CERTAIN EXPENDITURES.--The Director of the Center may
authorize a designated biomedical and behavioral research institu-
tion to expend a portion of an award under subsection (a) for
research endowments.
``(g) DEFINITIONS.--For purposes of this section:
``(1) The term `designated biomedical and behavioral
research institution' has the meaning indicated for such term
in subsection (c)(1). Such term includes any health professions
school receiving an award of a grant or contract under section
736.
``(2) The term `program of excellence' means any program
carried out by a designated biomedical and behavioral research
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APPENDIX A 103
PUBLIC LAW 106525--NOV. 22, 2000 114 STAT. 2503
institution with an award under subsection (a), if the program
is for purposes for which the institution involved is authorized
in subsection (b) to expend the grant.
``(h) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.--For the purpose of
making grants under subsection (a), there are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal
years 2001 through 2005.''.
SEC. 103. EXTRAMURAL LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM FOR MINORITY
HEALTH DISPARITIES RESEARCH.
Subpart 6 of part E of title IV of the Public Health Service
Act, as amended by section 102 of this Act, is amended by adding
at the end the following section:
``SEC. 485G. LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM FOR MINORITY HEALTH 42 USC 287c33.
DISPARITIES RESEARCH.
``(a) IN GENERAL.--The Director of the Center shall establish Contracts.
a program of entering into contracts with qualified health profes-
sionals under which such health professionals agree to engage
in minority health disparities research or other health disparities
research in consideration of the Federal Government agreeing to
repay, for each year of engaging in such research, not more than
$35,000 of the principal and interest of the educational loans of
such health professionals.
``(b) SERVICE PROVISIONS.--The provisions of sections 338B,
338C, and 338E shall, except as inconsistent with subsection (a),
apply to the program established in such subsection to the same
extent and in the same manner as such provisions apply to the
National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program estab-
lished in subpart III of part D of title III.
``(c) REQUIREMENT REGARDING HEALTH DISPARITY POPU-
LATIONS.--The Director of the Center shall ensure that not fewer
than 50 percent of the contracts entered into under subsection
(a) are for appropriately qualified health professionals who are
members of a health disparity population.
``(d) PRIORITY.--With respect to minority health disparities
research and other health disparities research under subsection
(a), the Secretary shall ensure that priority is given to conducting
projects of biomedical research.
``(e) FUNDING.--
``(1) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.--For the purpose
of carrying out this section, there are authorized to be appro-
priated such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal
years 2001 through 2005.
``(2) AVAILABILITY OF APPROPRIATIONS.--Amounts available
for carrying out this section shall remain available until the
expiration of the second fiscal year beginning after the fiscal
year for which the amounts were made available.''.
SEC. 104. GENERAL PROVISIONS REGARDING THE CENTER.
Subpart 6 of part E of title IV of the Public Health Service
Act, as amended by section 103 of this Act, is amended by adding
at the end the following section:
``SEC. 485H. GENERAL PROVISIONS REGARDING THE CENTER. 42 USC 287c34.
``(a) ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT FOR CENTER.--The Secretary,
acting through the Director of the National Institutes of Health,
shall provide administrative support and support services to the
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104 EXAMINING THE HEALTH DISPARITIES RESEARCH PLAN OF THE NIH
114 STAT. 2504 PUBLIC LAW 106525--NOV. 22, 2000
Director of the Center and shall ensure that such support takes
maximum advantage of existing administrative structures at the
agencies of the National Institutes of Health.
``(b) EVALUATION AND REPORT.--
Deadline. ``(1) EVALUATION.--Not later than 5 years after the date
of the enactment of this subpart, the Secretary shall conduct
an evaluation to--
``(A) determine the effect of this subpart on the plan-
ning and coordination of health disparities research pro-
grams at the agencies of the National Institutes of Health;
``(B) evaluate the extent to which this subpart has
eliminated the duplication of administrative resources
among such Institutes, centers and divisions; and
``(C) provide, to the extent determined by the Secretary
to be appropriate, recommendations concerning future
legislative modifications with respect to this subpart, for
both minority health disparities research and other health
disparities research.
``(2) MINORITY HEALTH DISPARITIES RESEARCH.--The evalua-
tion under paragraph (1) shall include a separate statement
that applies subparagraphs (A) and (B) of such paragraph to
minority health disparities research.
Deadline. ``(3) REPORT.--Not later than 1 year after the date on
which the evaluation is commenced under paragraph (1), the
Secretary shall prepare and submit to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and the Com-
mittee on Commerce of the House of Representatives, a report
concerning the results of such evaluation.''.
42 USC 287c31 SEC. 105. REPORT REGARDING RESOURCES OF NATIONAL INSTI-
note. TUTES OF HEALTH DEDICATED TO MINORITY AND OTHER
HEALTH DISPARITIES RESEARCH.
Deadline. Not later than December 1, 2003, the Director of the National
Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (established by
the amendment made by section 101(a)), after consultation with
the advisory council for such Center, shall submit to the Congress,
the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Director
of the National Institutes of Health a report that provides the
following:
(1) Recommendations for the methodology that should be
used to determine the extent of the resources of the National
Institutes of Health that are dedicated to minority health
disparities research and other health disparities research,
including determining the amount of funds that are used to
conduct and support such research. With respect to such meth-
odology, the report shall address any discrepancies between
the methodology used by such Institutes as of the date of
the enactment of this Act and the methodology used by the
Institute of Medicine as of such date.
(2) A determination of whether and to what extent, relative
to fiscal year 1999, there has been an increase in the level
of resources of the National Institutes of Health that are dedi-
cated to minority health disparities research, including the
amount of funds used to conduct and support such research.
The report shall include provisions describing whether and
to what extent there have been increases in the number and
amount of awards to minority serving institutions.
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APPENDIX A 105
PUBLIC LAW 106525--NOV. 22, 2000 114 STAT. 2505
TITLE II--HEALTH DISPARITIES RE-
SEARCH BY AGENCY FOR HEALTH-
CARE RESEARCH AND QUALITY
SEC. 201. HEALTH DISPARITIES RESEARCH BY AGENCY FOR HEALTH-
CARE RESEARCH AND QUALITY.
(a) IN GENERAL.--Part A of title IX of the Public Health Service
Act (42 U.S.C. 299 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 902, by striking subsection (g); and 42 USC 299a.
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 903. RESEARCH ON HEALTH DISPARITIES. 42 USC 299a1.
``(a) IN GENERAL.--The Director shall--
``(1) conduct and support research to identify populations
for which there is a significant disparity in the quality, out-
comes, cost, or use of health care services or access to and
satisfaction with such services, as compared to the general
population;
``(2) conduct and support research on the causes of and
barriers to reducing the health disparities identified in para-
graph (1), taking into account such factors as socioeconomic
status, attitudes toward health, the language spoken, the extent
of formal education, the area or community in which the popu-
lation resides, and other factors the Director determines to
be appropriate;
``(3) conduct and support research and support demonstra-
tion projects to identify, test, and evaluate strategies for
reducing or eliminating health disparities, including develop-
ment or identification of effective service delivery models, and
disseminate effective strategies and models;
``(4) develop measures and tools for the assessment and
improvement of the outcomes, quality, and appropriateness of
health care services provided to health disparity populations;
``(5) in carrying out section 902(c), provide support to
increase the number of researchers who are members of health
disparity populations, and the health services research capacity
of institutions that train such researchers; and
``(6) beginning with fiscal year 2003, annually submit to Reports.
the Congress a report regarding prevailing disparities in health
care delivery as it relates to racial factors and socioeconomic
factors in priority populations.
``(b) RESEARCH AND DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS.--
``(1) IN GENERAL.--In carrying out subsection (a), the
Director shall conduct and support research and support dem-
onstrations to--
``(A) identify the clinical, cultural, socioeconomic,
geographic, and organizational factors that contribute to
health disparities, including minority health disparity
populations, which research shall include behavioral
research, such as examination of patterns of clinical
decisionmaking, and research on access, outreach, and the
availability of related support services (such as cultural
and linguistic services);
``(B) identify and evaluate clinical and organizational
strategies to improve the quality, outcomes, and access
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114 STAT. 2506 PUBLIC LAW 106525--NOV. 22, 2000
to care for health disparity populations, including minority
health disparity populations;
``(C) test such strategies and widely disseminate those
strategies for which there is scientific evidence of effective-
ness; and
``(D) determine the most effective approaches for
disseminating research findings to health disparity popu-
lations, including minority populations.
``(2) USE OF CERTAIN STRATEGIES.--In carrying out this
section, the Director shall implement research strategies and
mechanisms that will enhance the involvement of individuals
who are members of minority health disparity populations or
other health disparity populations, health services researchers
who are such individuals, institutions that train such individ-
uals as researchers, members of minority health disparity popu-
lations or other health disparity populations for whom the
Agency is attempting to improve the quality and outcomes
of care, and representatives of appropriate tribal or other
community-based organizations with respect to health disparity
populations. Such research strategies and mechanisms may
include the use of--
``(A) centers of excellence that can demonstrate, either
individually or through consortia, a combination of multi-
disciplinary expertise in outcomes or quality improvement
research, linkages to relevant sites of care, and a dem-
onstrated capacity to involve members and communities
of health disparity populations, including minority health
disparity populations, in the planning, conduct, dissemina-
tion, and translation of research;
``(B) provider-based research networks, including
health plans, facilities, or delivery system sites of care
(especially primary care), that make extensive use of health
care providers who are members of health disparity popu-
lations or who serve patients in such populations and have
the capacity to evaluate and promote quality improvement;
``(C) service delivery models (such as health centers
under section 330 and the Indian Health Service) to reduce
health disparities; and
``(D) innovative mechanisms or strategies that will
facilitate the translation of past research investments into
clinical practices that can reasonably be expected to benefit
these populations.
``(c) QUALITY MEASUREMENT DEVELOPMENT.--
``(1) IN GENERAL.--To ensure that health disparity popu-
lations, including minority health disparity populations, benefit
from the progress made in the ability of individuals to measure
the quality of health care delivery, the Director shall support
the development of quality of health care measures that assess
the experience of such populations with health care systems,
such as measures that assess the access of such populations
to health care, the cultural competence of the care provided,
the quality of the care provided, the outcomes of care, or other
aspects of health care practice that the Director determines
to be important.
``(2) EXAMINATION OF CERTAIN PRACTICES.--The Director
shall examine the practices of providers that have a record
of reducing health disparities or have experience in providing
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PUBLIC LAW 106525--NOV. 22, 2000 114 STAT. 2507
culturally competent health services to minority health dis-
parity populations or other health disparity populations. In
examining such practices of providers funded under the authori-
ties of this Act, the Director shall consult with the heads
of the relevant agencies of the Public Health Service.
``(3) REPORT.--Not later than 36 months after the date Deadline.
of the enactment of this section, the Secretary, acting through
the Director, shall prepare and submit to the appropriate
committees of Congress a report describing the state-of-the-
art of quality measurement for minority and other health dis-
parity populations that will identify critical unmet needs, the
current activities of the Department to address those needs,
and a description of related activities in the private sector.
``(d) DEFINITION.--For purposes of this section:
``(1) The term `health disparity population' has the meaning
given such term in section 485E, except that in addition to
the meaning so given, the Director may determine that such
term includes populations for which there is a significant dis-
parity in the quality, outcomes, cost, or use of health care
services or access to or satisfaction with such services as com-
pared to the general population.
``(2) The term `minority', with respect to populations, refers
to racial and ethnic minority groups as defined in section 1707.''.
(b) FUNDING.--Section 927 of the Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C. 299c6) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(d) HEALTH DISPARITIES RESEARCH.--For the purpose of car-
rying out the activities under section 903, there are authorized
to be appropriated $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, and such sums
as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2002 through
2005.''.
TITLE III--DATA COLLECTION
RELATING TO RACE OR ETHNICITY
SEC. 301. STUDY AND REPORT BY NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 42 USC 3501
note.
(a) STUDY.--The National Academy of Sciences shall conduct
a comprehensive study of the Department of Health and Human
Services' data collection systems and practices, and any data collec-
tion or reporting systems required under any of the programs
or activities of the Department, relating to the collection of data
on race or ethnicity, including other Federal data collection systems
(such as the Social Security Administration) with which the Depart-
ment interacts to collect relevant data on race and ethnicity.
(b) REPORT.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment Deadline.
of this Act, the National Academy of Sciences shall prepare and
submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
of the Senate and the Committee on Commerce of the House of
Representatives, a report that--
(1) identifies the data needed to support efforts to evaluate
the effects of socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity on access
to health care and other services and on disparity in health
and other social outcomes and the data needed to enforce
existing protections for equal access to health care;
(2) examines the effectiveness of the systems and practices
of the Department of Health and Human Services described
in subsection (a), including pilot and demonstration projects
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114 STAT. 2508 PUBLIC LAW 106525--NOV. 22, 2000
of the Department, and the effectiveness of selected systems
and practices of other Federal, State, and tribal agencies and
the private sector, in collecting and analyzing such data;
(3) contains recommendations for ensuring that the Depart-
ment of Health and Human Services, in administering its entire
array of programs and activities, collects, or causes to be col-
lected, reliable and complete information relating to race and
ethnicity; and
(4) includes projections about the costs associated with
the implementation of the recommendations described in para-
graph (3), and the possible effects of the costs on program
operations.
(c) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.--For the purpose of
carrying out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated
such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001.
TITLE IV--HEALTH PROFESSIONS
EDUCATION
SEC. 401. HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION IN HEALTH DISPARITIES.
(a) IN GENERAL.--Part B of title VII of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 293 et seq.) is amended by inserting after
section 740 the following:
42 USC 293e. ``SEC. 741. GRANTS FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION.
``(a) GRANTS FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION IN HEALTH
DISPARITIES AND CULTURAL COMPETENCY.--
``(1) IN GENERAL.--The Secretary, acting through the
Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Adminis-
tration, may make awards of grants, contracts, or cooperative
agreements to public and nonprofit private entities (including
tribal entities) for the purpose of carrying out research and
demonstration projects (including research and demonstration
projects for continuing health professions education) for training
and education of health professionals for the reduction of
disparities in health care outcomes and the provision of cul-
turally competent health care.
``(2) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.--Unless specifically required other-
wise in this title, the Secretary shall accept applications for
grants or contracts under this section from health professions
schools, academic health centers, State or local governments,
or other appropriate public or private nonprofit entities (or
consortia of entities, including entities promoting multidisci-
plinary approaches) for funding and participation in health
professions training activities. The Secretary may accept
applications from for-profit private entities as determined
appropriate by the Secretary.
``(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.--There are authorized
to be appropriated to carry out subsection (a), $3,500,000 for fiscal
year 2001, $7,000,000 for fiscal year 2002, $7,000,000 for fiscal
year 2003, and $3,500,000 for fiscal year 2004.''.
(b) NURSING EDUCATION.--Part A of title VIII of the Public
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 296 et seq.) is amended--
42 USC 296f. (1) by redesignating section 807 as section 808; and
42 USC 296e1. (2) by inserting after section 806 the following:
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APPENDIX A 109
PUBLIC LAW 106525--NOV. 22, 2000 114 STAT. 2509
``SEC. 807. GRANTS FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION.
``(a) GRANTS FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION IN HEALTH
DISPARITIES AND CULTURAL COMPETENCY.--The Secretary, acting
through the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services
Administration, may make awards of grants, contracts, or coopera-
tive agreements to eligible entities for the purpose of carrying
out research and demonstration projects (including research and
demonstration projects for continuing health professions education)
for training and education for the reduction of disparities in health
care outcomes and the provision of culturally competent health
care. Grants under this section shall be the same as provided
in section 741.''.
``(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.--There are to be
appropriated to carry out subsection (a) such sums as may be
necessary for each of the fiscal years 2001 through 2004.''.
SEC. 402. NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDU- 42 USC 293e
CATION AND HEALTH DISPARITIES. note.
(a) IN GENERAL.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enact- Deadline.
ment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services
(in this section referred to as the ``Secretary''), acting through the
Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration,
shall convene a national conference on health professions education
as a method for reducing disparities in health outcomes.
(b) PARTICIPANTS.--The Secretary shall include in the national
conference convened under subsection (a) advocacy groups and edu-
cational entities as described in section 741 of the Public Health
Service Act (as added by section 401), tribal health programs,
health centers under section 330 of such Act, and other interested
parties.
(c) ISSUES.--The national conference convened under subsection
(a) shall include, but is not limited to, issues that address the
role and impact of health professions education on the reduction
of disparities in health outcomes, including the role of education
on cultural competency. The conference shall focus on methods
to achieve reductions in disparities in health outcomes through
health professions education (including continuing education pro-
grams) and strategies for outcomes measurement to assess the
effectiveness of education in reducing disparities.
(d) PUBLICATION OF FINDINGS.--Not later than 6 months after Deadline.
the national conference under subsection (a) has convened, the Federal Register,
Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register a summary of the publication.
proceedings and findings of the conference.
(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.--There is authorized
to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out
this section.
SEC. 403. ADVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES IN HEALTH PROFESSIONS
EDUCATION IN HEALTH DISPARITIES AND CULTURAL
COMPETENCY.
Section 1707 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300u
6) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b), by adding at the end the following
paragraph:
``(10) Advise in matters related to the development,
implementation, and evaluation of health professions education
in decreasing disparities in health care outcomes, including
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114 STAT. 2510 PUBLIC LAW 106525--NOV. 22, 2000
cultural competency as a method of eliminating health dispari-
ties.'';
(2) in subsection (c)(2), by striking ``paragraphs (1) through
(9)'' and inserting ``paragraphs (1) through (10)''; and
(3) in subsection (d), by amending paragraph (1) to read
as follows:
``(1) RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING LANGUAGE.--
``(A) PROFICIENCY IN SPEAKING ENGLISH.--The Deputy
Assistant Secretary shall consult with the Director of the
Office of International and Refugee Health, the Director
of the Office of Civil Rights, and the Directors of other
appropriate departmental entities regarding recommenda-
tions for carrying out activities under subsection (b)(9).
``(B) HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION REGARDING
HEALTH DISPARITIES.--The Deputy Assistant Secretary
shall carry out the duties under subsection (b)(10) in
collaboration with appropriate personnel of the Department
of Health and Human Services, other Federal agencies,
and other offices, centers, and institutions, as appropriate,
that have responsibilities under the Minority Health and
Health Disparities Research and Education Act of 2000.''.
TITLE V--PUBLIC AWARENESS AND DIS-
SEMINATION OF INFORMATION ON
HEALTH DISPARITIES
42 USC 287c31 SEC. 501. PUBLIC AWARENESS AND INFORMATION DISSEMINATION.
note.
(a) PUBLIC AWARENESS ON HEALTH DISPARITIES.--The Secretary
of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the
``Secretary'') shall conduct a national campaign to inform the public
and health care professionals about health disparities in minority
and other underserved populations by disseminating information
and materials available on specific diseases affecting these popu-
lations and programs and activities to address these disparities.
The campaign shall--
(1) have a specific focus on minority and other underserved
communities with health disparities; and
(2) include an evaluation component to assess the impact
of the national campaign in raising awareness of health dispari-
ties and information on available resources.
(b) DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION ON HEALTH DISPARITIES.--
The Secretary shall develop and implement a plan for the dissemi-
nation of information and findings with respect to health disparities
under titles I, II, III, and IV of this Act. The plan shall--
(1) include the participation of all agencies of the Depart-
ment of Health and Human Services that are responsible for
serving populations included in the health disparities research;
and
(2) have agency-specific strategies for disseminating rel-
evant findings and information on health disparities and
improving health care services to affected communities.
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PUBLIC LAW 106525--NOV. 22, 2000 114 STAT. 2511
TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS
PROVISIONS
SEC. 601. DEPARTMENTAL DEFINITION REGARDING MINORITY
INDIVIDUALS.
Section 1707(g)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
300u6) is amended--
(1) by striking ``Asian Americans and'' and inserting ``Asian
Americans;''; and
(2) by inserting ``Native Hawaiians and other'' before
``Pacific Islanders;''.
SEC. 602. CONFORMING PROVISION REGARDING DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act, the term ``racial and ethnic minority
group'' has the meaning given such term in section 1707 of the
Public Health Service Act.
SEC. 603. EFFECTIVE DATE. 42 USC 281 note.
This Act and the amendments made by this Act take effect
October 1, 2000, or upon the date of the enactment of this Act,
whichever occurs later.
Approved November 22, 2000.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 1880 (H.R. 3250):
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 106986 accompanying H.R. 3250 (Comm. on Commerce).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 146 (2000):
Oct. 26, considered and passed Senate.
Oct. 31, considered and passed House.
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 36 (2000):
Nov. 22, Presidential statement.
Representative terms from entire chapter:
minority health
