S.1754
One
Hundred Fifth Congress of the United States of America AT THE SECOND
SESSION Begun and held at the City of Washington on Tuesday, the
twenty-seventh day of January, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-eight
An Act
To amend the
Public Health Service Act to consolidate and reauthorize health
professions and minority and disadvantaged health education programs,
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; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) SHORT TITLE- This Act may be cited as the Health Professions
Education Partnerships Act of 1998'.
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS- The table of contents of this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--HEALTH
PROFESSIONS EDUCATION AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
Subtitle A--Health
Professions Education Programs
SEC. 101. UNDER-REPRESENTED
MINORITY HEALTH PROFESSIONS GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) IN GENERAL-
Part B of title VII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C.
293 et seq.) is amended to read as follows:
PART B--HEALTH
PROFESSIONS TRAINING FOR DIVERSITY
SEC. 736. CENTERS
OF EXCELLENCE.
(a) IN GENERAL-
The Secretary shall make grants to, and enter into contracts with,
designated health professions schools described in subsection (c),
and other public and nonprofit health or educational entities, for
the purpose of assisting the schools in supporting programs of excellence
in health professions education for under-represented minority individuals.
(b) REQUIRED
USE OF FUNDS- The Secretary may not make a grant under subsection
(a) unless the designated health professions school involved agrees,
subject to subsection (c)(1)(C), to expend the grant--
(1) to develop
a large competitive applicant pool through linkages with institutions
of higher education, local school districts, and other community-based
entities and establish an education pipeline for health professions
careers;
(2) to establish,
strengthen, or expand programs to enhance the academic performance
of under-represented minority students attending the school;
(3) to improve
the capacity of such school to train, recruit, and retain under-represented
minority faculty including the payment of such stipends and fellowships
as the Secretary may determine appropriate;
(4) to carry
out activities to improve the information resources, clinical education,
curricula and cultural competence of the graduates of the school,
as it relates to minority health issues;
(5) to facilitate
faculty and student research on health issues particularly affecting
under-represented minority groups, including research on issues
relating to the delivery of health care;
(6) to carry
out a program to train students of the school in providing health
services to a significant number of under-represented minority individuals
through training provided to such students at community-based health
facilities that--
(A) provide
such health services; and
(B) are located
at a site remote from the main site of the teaching facilities of
the school; and
(7) to provide
stipends as the Secretary determines appropriate, in amounts as
the Secretary determines appropriate.
(c) CENTERS
OF EXCELLENCE-
(1) DESIGNATED
SCHOOLS-
(A) IN GENERAL-
The designated health professions schools referred to in subsection
(a) are such schools that meet each of the conditions specified
in subparagraphs (B) and (C), and that--
(i) meet each
of the conditions specified in paragraph (2)(A);
(ii) meet each
of the conditions specified in paragraph (3);
(iii) meet
each of the conditions specified in paragraph (4); or
(iv) meet each
of the conditions specified in paragraph (5).
(B) GENERAL
CONDITIONS- The conditions specified in this subparagraph are that
a designated health professions school--
(i) has a significant
number of under-represented minority individuals enrolled in the
school, including individuals accepted for enrollment in the school;
(ii) has been
effective in assisting under-represented minority students of the
school to complete the program of education and receive the degree
involved;
(iii) has been
effective in recruiting under-represented minority individuals to
enroll in and graduate from the school, including providing scholarships
and other financial assistance to such individuals and encouraging
under-represented minority students from all levels of the educational
pipeline to pursue health professions careers; and
(iv) has made
significant recruitment efforts to increase the number of under-represented
minority individuals serving in faculty or administrative positions
at the school.
(C) CONSORTIUM-
The condition specified in this subparagraph is that, in accordance
with subsection (e)(1), the designated health profession school
involved has with other health profession schools (designated or
otherwise) formed a consortium to carry out the purposes described
in subsection (b) at the schools of the consortium.
(D) APPLICATION
OF CRITERIA TO OTHER PROGRAMS- In the case of any criteria established
by the Secretary for purposes of determining whether schools meet
the conditions described in subparagraph (B), this section may not,
with respect to racial and ethnic minorities, be construed to authorize,
require, or prohibit the use of such criteria in any program other
than the program established in this section.
(2) CENTERS
OF EXCELLENCE AT CERTAIN HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES-
(A) CONDITIONS-
The conditions specified in this subparagraph are that a designated
health professions school--
(i) is a school
described in section 799B(1); and
(ii) received
a contract under section 788B for fiscal year 1987, as such section
was in effect for such fiscal year.
(B) USE OF
GRANT- In addition to the purposes described in subsection (b),
a grant under subsection (a) to a designated health professions
school meeting the conditions described in subparagraph (A) may
be expended--
(i) to develop
a plan to achieve institutional improvements, including financial
independence, to enable the school to support programs of excellence
in health professions education for under-represented minority individuals;
and
(ii) to provide
improved access to the library and informational resources of the
school.
(C) EXCEPTION-
The requirements of paragraph (1)(C) shall not apply to a historically
black college or university that receives funding under paragraphs
(2) or (5).
(3) HISPANIC
CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE- The conditions specified in this paragraph
are that--
(A) with respect
to Hispanic individuals, each of clauses (i) through (iv) of paragraph
(1)(B) applies to the designated health professions school involved;
(B) the school
agrees, as a condition of receiving a grant under subsection (a),
that the school will, in carrying out the duties described in subsection
(b), give priority to carrying out the duties with respect to Hispanic
individuals; and
(C) the school
agrees, as a condition of receiving a grant under subsection (a),
that--
(i) the school
will establish an arrangement with 1 or more public or nonprofit
community based Hispanic serving organizations, or public or nonprofit
private institutions of higher education, including schools of nursing,
whose enrollment of students has traditionally included a significant
number of Hispanic individuals, the purposes of which will be to
carry out a program--
(I) to identify
Hispanic students who are interested in a career in the health profession
involved; and
(II) to facilitate
the educational preparation of such students to enter the health
professions school; and
(ii) the school
will make efforts to recruit Hispanic students, including students
who have participated in the undergraduate or other matriculation
program carried out under arrangements established by the school
pursuant to clause (i)(II) and will assist Hispanic students regarding
the completion of the educational requirements for a degree from
the school.
(4) NATIVE
AMERICAN CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE- Subject to subsection (e), the conditions
specified in this paragraph are that--
(A) with respect
to Native Americans, each of clauses (i) through (iv) of paragraph
(1)(B) applies to the designated health professions school involved;
(B) the school
agrees, as a condition of receiving a grant under subsection (a),
that the school will, in carrying out the duties described in subsection
(b), give priority to carrying out the duties with respect to Native
Americans; and
(C) the school
agrees, as a condition of receiving a grant under subsection (a),
that--
(i) the school
will establish an arrangement with 1 or more public or nonprofit
private institutions of higher education, including schools of nursing,
whose enrollment of students has traditionally included a significant
number of Native Americans, the purpose of which arrangement will
be to carry out a program--
(I) to identify
Native American students, from the institutions of higher education
referred to in clause (i), who are interested in health professions
careers; and
(II) to facilitate
the educational preparation of such students to enter the designated
health professions school; and
(ii) the designated
health professions school will make efforts to recruit Native American
students, including students who have participated in the undergraduate
program carried out under arrangements established by the school
pursuant to clause (i) and will assist Native American students
regarding the completion of the educational requirements for a degree
from the designated health professions school.
(5) OTHER CENTERS
OF EXCELLENCE- The conditions specified in this paragraph are--
(A) with respect
to other centers of excellence, the conditions described in clauses
(i) through (iv) of paragraph (1)(B); and
(B) that the
health professions school involved has an enrollment of under-represented
minorities above the national average for such enrollments of health
professions schools.
(d) DESIGNATION
AS CENTER OF EXCELLENCE-
(1) IN GENERAL-
Any designated health professions school receiving a grant under
subsection (a) and meeting the conditions described in paragraph
(2) or (5) of subsection (c) shall, for purposes of this section,
be designated by the Secretary as a Center of Excellence in Under-Represented
Minority Health Professions Education.
(2) HISPANIC
CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE- Any designated health professions school
receiving a grant under subsection (a) and meeting the conditions
described in subsection (c)(3) shall, for purposes of this section,
be designated by the Secretary as a Hispanic Center of Excellence
in Health Professions Education.
(3) NATIVE
AMERICAN CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE- Any designated health professions
school receiving a grant under subsection (a) and meeting the conditions
described in subsection (c)(4) shall, for purposes of this section,
be designated by the Secretary as a Native American Center of Excellence
in Health Professions Education. Any consortium receiving such a
grant pursuant to subsection (e) shall, for purposes of this section,
be so designated.
(e) AUTHORITY
REGARDING NATIVE AMERICAN CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE- With respect to
meeting the conditions specified in subsection (c)(4), the Secretary
may make a grant under subsection (a) to a designated health professions
school that does not meet such conditions if--
(1) the school
has formed a consortium in accordance with subsection (d)(1); and
(2) the schools
of the consortium collectively meet such conditions, without regard
to whether the schools individually meet such conditions.
(f) 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 Secretary and to the availability
of appropriations for the fiscal year involved to make the payments.
(g) DEFINITIONS-
In this section:
(1) DESIGNATED
HEALTH PROFESSIONS SCHOOL-
(A) IN GENERAL-
The term health professions school' means, except as provided in
subparagraph (B), a school of medicine, a school of osteopathic
medicine, a school of dentistry, a school of pharmacy, or a graduate
program in behavioral or mental health.
(B) EXCEPTION-
The definition established in subparagraph (A) shall not apply to
the use of the term designated health professions school' for purposes
of subsection (c)(2).
(2) PROGRAM
OF EXCELLENCE- The term program of excellence' means any program
carried out by a designated health professions school with a grant
made under subsection (a), if the program is for purposes for which
the school involved is authorized in subsection (b) or (c) to expend
the grant.
(3) NATIVE
AMERICANS- The term Native Americans' means American Indians, Alaskan
Natives, Aleuts, and Native Hawaiians.
(h) FUNDING-
(1) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS- For the purpose of making grants under subsection
(a), there are authorized to be appropriated $26,000,000 for fiscal
year 1998, and such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal
years 1999 through 2002.
(2) ALLOCATIONS-
Based on the amount appropriated under paragraph (1) for a fiscal
year, one of the following subparagraphs shall apply:
(A) IN GENERAL-
If the amounts appropriated under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year
are $24,000,000 or less--
(i) the Secretary
shall make available $12,000,000 for grants under subsection (a)
to health professions schools that meet the conditions described
in subsection (c)(2)(A); and
(ii) and available
after grants are made with funds under clause (i), the Secretary
shall make available--
(I) 60 percent
of such amount for grants under subsection (a) to health professions
schools that meet the conditions described in paragraph (3) or (4)
of subsection (c) (including meeting the conditions under subsection
(e)); and
(II) 40 percent
of such amount for grants under subsection (a) to health professions
schools that meet the conditions described in subsection (c)(5).
(B) FUNDING
IN EXCESS OF $24,000,000- If amounts appropriated under paragraph
(1) for a fiscal year exceed $24,000,000 but are less than $30,000,000--
(i) 80 percent
of such excess amounts shall be made available for grants under
subsection (a) to health professions schools that meet the requirements
described in paragraph (3) or (4) of subsection (c) (including meeting
conditions pursuant to subsection (e)); and
(ii) 20 percent
of such excess amount shall be made available for grants under subsection
(a) to health professions schools that meet the conditions described
in subsection (c)(5).
(C) FUNDING
IN EXCESS OF $30,000,000- If amounts appropriated under paragraph
(1) for a fiscal year are $30,000,000 or more, the Secretary shall
make available--
(i) not less
than $12,000,000 for grants under subsection (a) to health professions
schools that meet the conditions described in subsection (c)(2)(A);
(ii) not less
than $12,000,000 for grants under subsection (a) to health professions
schools that meet the conditions described in paragraph (3) or (4)
of subsection (c) (including meeting conditions pursuant to subsection
(e));
(iii) not less
than $6,000,000 for grants under subsection (a) to health professions
schools that meet the conditions described in subsection (c)(5);
and
(iv) after
grants are made with funds under clauses (i) through (iii), any
remaining funds for grants under subsection (a) to health professions
schools that meet the conditions described in paragraph (2)(A),
(3), (4), or (5) of subsection (c).
(3) NO LIMITATION-
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as limiting the centers
of excellence referred to in this section to the designated amount,
or to preclude such entities from competing for other grants under
this section.
(4) MAINTENANCE
OF EFFORT-
(A) IN GENERAL-
With respect to activities for which a grant made under this part
are authorized to be expended, the Secretary may not make such a
grant to a center of excellence for any fiscal year unless the center
agrees 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 center for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal
year for which the school receives such a grant.
(B) USE OF
FEDERAL FUNDS- With respect to any Federal amounts received by a
center of excellence and available for carrying out activities for
which a grant under this part is authorized to be expended, the
Secretary may not make such a grant to the center for any fiscal
year unless the center agrees that the center will, before expending
the grant, expend the Federal amounts obtained from sources other
than the grant.
SEC. 737. SCHOLARSHIPS
FOR DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS.
(a) IN GENERAL-
The Secretary may make a grant to an eligible entity (as defined
in subsection (d)(1)) under this section for the awarding of scholarships
by schools to any full-time student who is an eligible individual
as defined in subsection (d). Such scholarships may be expended
only for tuition expenses, other reasonable educational expenses,
and reasonable living expenses incurred in the attendance of such
school.
(b) PREFERENCE
IN PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIPS- The Secretary may not make a grant to
an entity under subsection (a) unless the health professions and
nursing schools involved agree that, in providing scholarships pursuant
to the grant, the schools will give preference to students for whom
the costs of attending the schools would constitute a severe financial
hardship and, notwithstanding other provisions of this section,
to former recipients of scholarships under sections 736 and 740(d)(2)(B)
(as such sections existed on the day before the date of enactment
of this section).
(c) AMOUNT
OF AWARD- In awarding grants to eligible entities that are health
professions and nursing schools, the Secretary shall give priority
to eligible entities based on the proportion of graduating students
going into primary care, the proportion of underrepresented minority
students, and the proportion of graduates working in medically underserved
communities.
(d) DEFINITIONS-
In this section:
(1) ELIGIBLE
ENTITIES- The term eligible entities' means an entity that--
(A) is a school
of medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, nursing (as defined
in section 801), pharmacy, podiatric medicine, optometry, veterinary
medicine, public health, chiropractic, or allied health, a school
offering a graduate program in behavioral and mental health practice,
or an entity providing programs for the training of physician assistants;
and
(B) is carrying
out a program for recruiting and retaining students from disadvantaged
backgrounds, including students who are members of racial and ethnic
minority groups.
(2) ELIGIBLE
INDIVIDUAL- The term eligible individual' means an individual who--
(A) is from
a disadvantaged background;
(B) has a financial
need for a scholarship; and
(C) is enrolled
(or accepted for enrollment) at an eligible health professions or
nursing school as a full-time student in a program leading to a
degree in a health profession or nursing.
SEC. 738. LOAN
REPAYMENTS AND FELLOWSHIPS REGARDING FACULTY POSITIONS.
(a) LOAN REPAYMENTS-
(1) ESTABLISHMENT
OF PROGRAM- The Secretary shall establish a program of entering
into contracts with individuals described in paragraph (2) under
which the individuals agree to serve as members of the faculties
of schools described in paragraph (3) in consideration of the Federal
Government agreeing to pay, for each year of such service, not more
than $20,000 of the principal and interest of the educational loans
of such individuals.
(2) ELIGIBLE
INDIVIDUALS- The individuals referred to in paragraph (1) are individuals
from disadvantaged backgrounds who--
(A) have a
degree in medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, nursing, or
another health profession;
(B) are enrolled
in an approved graduate training program in medicine, osteopathic
medicine, dentistry, nursing, or other health profession; or
(C) are enrolled
as full-time students--
(i) in an accredited
(as determined by the Secretary) school described in paragraph (3);
and
(ii) in the
final year of a course of a study or program, offered by such institution
and approved by the Secretary, leading to a degree from such a school.
(3) ELIGIBLE
HEALTH PROFESSIONS SCHOOLS- The schools described in this paragraph
are schools of medicine, nursing (as schools of nursing are defined
in section 801), osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, allied
health, podiatric medicine, optometry, veterinary medicine, or public
health, or schools offering graduate programs in behavioral and
mental health.
(4) REQUIREMENTS
REGARDING FACULTY POSITIONS- The Secretary may not enter into a
contract under paragraph (1) unless--
(A) the individual
involved has entered into a contract with a school described in
paragraph (3) to serve as a member of the faculty of the school
for not less than 2 years; and
(B) the contract
referred to in subparagraph (A) provides that--
(i) the school
will, for each year for which the individual will serve as a member
of the faculty under the contract with the school, make payments
of the principal and interest due on the educational loans of the
individual for such year in an amount equal to the amount of such
payments made by the Secretary for the year;
(ii) the payments
made by the school pursuant to clause (i) on behalf of the individual
will be in addition to the pay that the individual would otherwise
receive for serving as a member of such faculty; and
(iii) the school,
in making a determination of the amount of compensation to be provided
by the school to the individual for serving as a member of the faculty,
will make the determination without regard to the amount of payments
made (or to be made) to the individual by the Federal Government
under paragraph (1).
(5) APPLICABILITY
OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS- The provisions of sections 338C, 338G, and
338I shall apply to the program established in paragraph (1) to
the same extent and in the same manner as such provisions apply
to the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program established
in subpart III of part D of title III, including the applicability
of provisions regarding reimbursements for increased tax liability
and regarding bankruptcy.
(6) WAIVER
REGARDING SCHOOL CONTRIBUTIONS- The Secretary may waive the requirement
established in paragraph (4)(B) if the Secretary determines that
the requirement will impose an undue financial hardship on the school
involved.
(b) FELLOWSHIPS-
(1) IN GENERAL-
The Secretary may make grants to and enter into contracts with eligible
entities to assist such entities in increasing the number of underrepresented
minority individuals who are members of the faculty of such schools.
(2) APPLICATIONS-
To be eligible to receive a grant or contract under this subsection,
an entity shall provide an assurance, in the application submitted
by the entity, that--
(A) amounts
received under such a grant or contract will be used to award a
fellowship to an individual only if the individual meets the requirements
of paragraphs (3) and (4); and
(B) each fellowship
awarded pursuant to the grant or contract will include--
(i) a stipend
in an amount not exceeding 50 percent of the regular salary of a
similar faculty member for not to exceed 3 years of training; and
(ii) an allowance
for other expenses, such as travel to professional meetings and
costs related to specialized training.
(3) ELIGIBILITY-
To be eligible to receive a grant or contract under paragraph (1),
an applicant shall demonstrate to the Secretary that such applicant
has or will have the ability to--
(A) identify,
recruit and select underrepresented minority individuals who have
the potential for teaching, administration, or conducting research
at a health professions institution;
(B) provide
such individuals with the skills necessary to enable them to secure
a tenured faculty position at such institution, which may include
training with respect to pedagogical skills, program administration,
the design and conduct of research, grants writing, and the preparation
of articles suitable for publication in peer reviewed journals;
(C) provide
services designed to assist such individuals in their preparation
for an academic career, including the provision of counselors; and
(D) provide
health services to rural or medically underserved populations.
(4) REQUIREMENTS-
To be eligible to receive a grant or contract under paragraph (1)
an applicant shall--
(A) provide
an assurance that such applicant will make available (directly through
cash donations) $1 for every $1 of Federal funds received under
this section for the fellowship;
(B) provide
an assurance that institutional support will be provided for the
individual for the second and third years at a level that is equal
to the total amount of institutional funds provided in the year
in which the grant or contract was awarded;
(C) provide
an assurance that the individual that will receive the fellowship
will be a member of the faculty of the applicant school; and
(D) provide
an assurance that the individual that will receive the fellowship
will have, at a minimum, appropriate advanced preparation (such
as a master's or doctoral degree) and special skills necessary to
enable such individual to teach and practice.
(5) DEFINITION-
For purposes of this subsection, the term underrepresented minority
individuals' means individuals who are members of racial or ethnic
minority groups that are underrepresented in the health professions
including nursing.
SEC. 739. EDUCATIONAL
ASSISTANCE IN THE HEALTH PROFESSIONS REGARDING INDIVIDUALS FROM
DISADVANTAGED BACKGROUNDS.
(a) IN GENERAL-
(1) AUTHORITY
FOR GRANTS- For the purpose of assisting individuals from disadvantaged
backgrounds, as determined in accordance with criteria prescribed
by the Secretary, to undertake education to enter a health profession,
the Secretary may make grants to and enter into contracts with schools
of medicine, osteopathic medicine, public health, dentistry, veterinary
medicine, optometry, pharmacy, allied health, chiropractic, and
podiatric medicine, public and nonprofit private schools that offer
graduate programs in behavioral and mental health, programs for
the training of physician assistants, and other public or private
nonprofit health or educational entities to assist in meeting the
costs described in paragraph (2).
(2) AUTHORIZED
EXPENDITURES- A grant or contract under paragraph (1) may be used
by the entity to meet the cost of--
(A) identifying,
recruiting, and selecting individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds,
as so determined, for education and training in a health profession;
(B) facilitating
the entry of such individuals into such a school;
(C) providing
counseling, mentoring, or other services designed to assist such
individuals to complete successfully their education at such a school;
(D) providing,
for a period prior to the entry of such individuals into the regular
course of education of such a school, preliminary education and
health research training designed to assist them to complete successfully
such regular course of education at such a school, or referring
such individuals to institutions providing such preliminary education;
(E) publicizing
existing sources of financial aid available to students in the education
program of such a school or who are undertaking training necessary
to qualify them to enroll in such a program;
(F) paying
such scholarships as the Secretary may determine for such individuals
for any period of health professions education at a health professions
school;
(G) paying
such stipends as the Secretary may approve for such individuals
for any period of education in student-enhancement programs (other
than regular courses), except that such a stipend may not be provided
to an individual for more than 12 months, and such a stipend shall
be in an amount determined appropriate by the Secretary (notwithstanding
any other provision of law regarding the amount of stipends);
(H) carrying
out programs under which such individuals gain experience regarding
a career in a field of primary health care through working at facilities
of public or private nonprofit community-based providers of primary
health services; and
(I) conducting
activities to develop a larger and more competitive applicant pool
through partnerships with institutions of higher education, school
districts, and other community-based entities.
(3) DEFINITION-
In this section, the term regular course of education of such a
school' as used in subparagraph (D) includes a graduate program
in behavioral or mental health.
(b) REQUIREMENTS
FOR AWARDS- In making awards to eligible entities under subsection
(a)(1), the Secretary shall give preference to approved applications
for programs that involve a comprehensive approach by several public
or nonprofit private health or educational entities to establish,
enhance and expand educational programs that will result in the
development of a competitive applicant pool of individuals from
disadvantaged backgrounds who desire to pursue health professions
careers. In considering awards for such a comprehensive partnership
approach, the following shall apply with respect to the entity involved:
(1) The entity
shall have a demonstrated commitment to such approach through formal
agreements that have common objectives with institutions of higher
education, school districts, and other community-based entities.
(2) Such formal
agreements shall reflect the coordination of educational activities
and support services, increased linkages, and the consolidation
of resources within a specific geographic area.
(3) The design
of the educational activities involved shall provide for the establishment
of a competitive health professions applicant pool of individuals
from disadvantaged backgrounds by enhancing the total preparation
(academic and social) of such individuals to pursue a health professions
career.
(4) The programs
or activities under the award shall focus on developing a culturally
competent health care workforce that will serve the unserved and
underserved populations within the geographic area.
(c) EQUITABLE
ALLOCATION OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE- The Secretary, to the extent
practicable, shall ensure that services and activities under subsection
(a) are adequately allocated among the various racial and ethnic
populations who are from disadvantaged backgrounds.
(d) MATCHING
REQUIREMENTS- The Secretary may require that an entity that applies
for a grant or contract under subsection (a), provide non-Federal
matching funds, as appropriate, to ensure the institutional commitment
of the entity to the projects funded under the grant or contract.
As determined by the Secretary, such non-Federal matching funds
may be provided directly or through donations from public or private
entities and may be in cash or in-kind, fairly evaluated, including
plant, equipment, or services.
SEC. 740. AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATION.
(a) SCHOLARSHIPS-
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out section 737,
$37,000,000 for fiscal year 1998, and such sums as may be necessary
for each of the fiscal years 1999 through 2002. Of the amount appropriated
in any fiscal year, the Secretary shall ensure that not less than
16 percent shall be distributed to schools of nursing.
(b) LOAN REPAYMENTS
AND FELLOWSHIPS- For the purpose of carrying out section 738, there
is authorized to be appropriated $1,100,000 for fiscal year 1998,
and such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 1999
through 2002.
(c) EDUCATIONAL
ASSISTANCE IN HEALTH PROFESSIONS REGARDING INDIVIDUALS FOR DISADVANTAGED
BACKGROUNDS- For the purpose of grants and contracts under section
739(a)(1), there is authorized to be appropriated $29,400,000 for
fiscal year 1998, and such sums as may be necessary for each of
the fiscal years 1999 through 2002. The Secretary may use not to
exceed 20 percent of the amount appropriated for a fiscal year under
this subsection to provide scholarships under section 739(a)(2)(F).
(d) REPORT-
Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this part,
the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the appropriate committees
of Congress a report concerning the efforts of the Secretary to
address the need for a representative mix of individuals from historically
minority health professions schools, or from institutions or other
entities that historically or by geographic location have a demonstrated
record of training or educating underrepresented minorities, within
various health professions disciplines, on peer review councils.'.
(b) REPEAL-
(1) IN GENERAL-
Section 795 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295n) is
repealed.
(2) NONTERMINATION
OF AUTHORITY- The amendments made by this section shall not be construed
to terminate agreements that, on the day before the date of enactment
of this Act, are in effect pursuant to section 795 of the Public
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 795) as such section existed on such
date. Such agreements shall continue in effect in accordance with
the terms of the agreements. With respect to compliance with such
agreements, any period of practice as a provider of primary health
services shall be counted towards the satisfaction of the requirement
of practice pursuant to such section 795.
(c) CONFORMING
AMENDMENTS- Section 481A(c)(3)(D)(i) of the Public Health Service
Act (42 U.S.C. 287a-2(c)(3)(D)(i)) is amended by striking section
739' and inserting part B of title VII'.
SEC. 102. TRAINING
IN PRIMARY CARE MEDICINE AND DENTISTRY.
Part C of title
VII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 293 et seq.) is
amended--
(1) in the
part heading by striking PRIMARY HEALTH CARE' and inserting FAMILY
MEDICINE, GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE, GENERAL PEDIATRICS, PHYSICIAN
ASSISTANTS, GENERAL DENTISTRY, AND PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY';
(2) by repealing
section 746 (42 U.S.C. 293j);
(3) in section
747 (42 U.S.C. 293k)--
(A) by striking
the section heading and inserting the following:
SEC. 747. FAMILY
MEDICINE, GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE, GENERAL PEDIATRICS, GENERAL
DENTISTRY, PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY, AND PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS.';
(B) in subsection
(a)--
(i) in paragraph
(1)--
(I) by inserting
, internal medicine, or pediatrics' after family medicine'; and
(II) by inserting
before the semicolon the following: that emphasizes training for
the practice of family medicine, general internal medicine, or general
pediatrics (as defined by the Secretary)';
(ii) in paragraph
(2), by inserting , general internal medicine, or general pediatrics'
before the semicolon;
(iii) in paragraphs
(3) and (4), by inserting (including geriatrics), general internal
medicine or general pediatrics' after family medicine';
(iv) in paragraph
(3), by striking and' at the end thereof;
(v) in paragraph
(4), by striking the period and inserting a semicolon; and
(vii) by adding
at the end thereof the following new paragraphs:
(5) to meet
the costs of projects to plan, develop, and operate or maintain
programs for the training of physician assistants (as defined in
section 799B), and for the training of individuals who will teach
in programs to provide such training; and
(6) to meet
the costs of planning, developing, or operating programs, and to
provide financial assistance to residents in such programs, of general
dentistry or pediatric dentistry.
For purposes
of paragraph (6), entities eligible for such grants or contracts
shall include entities that have programs in dental schools, approved
residency programs in the general or pediatric practice of dentistry,
approved advanced education programs in the general or pediatric
practice of dentistry, or approved residency programs in pediatric
dentistry.';
(C) in subsection
(b)--
(i) in paragraphs
(1) and (2)(A), by inserting , general internal medicine, or general
pediatrics' after family medicine';
(ii) in paragraph
(2)--
(I) in subparagraph
(A), by striking or' at the end; and
(II) in subparagraph
(B), by striking the period and inserting ; or'; and
(iii) by adding
at the end the following:
(3) PRIORITY
IN MAKING AWARDS- In making awards of grants and contracts under
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give priority to any qualified
applicant for such an award that proposes a collaborative project
between departments of primary care.';
(D) by redesignating
subsections (c) and (d) as subsections (d) and (e), respectively;
(E) by inserting
after subsection (b), the following new subsection:
(c) PRIORITY-
(1) IN GENERAL-
With respect to programs for the training of interns or residents,
the Secretary shall give priority in awarding grants under this
section to qualified applicants that have a record of training the
greatest percentage of providers, or that have demonstrated significant
improvements in the percentage of providers, which enter and remain
in primary care practice or general or pediatric dentistry.
(2) DISADVANTAGED
INDIVIDUALS- With respect to programs for the training of interns,
residents, or physician assistants, the Secretary shall give priority
in awarding grants under this section to qualified applicants that
have a record of training individuals who are from disadvantaged
backgrounds (including racial and ethnic minorities underrepresented
among primary care practice or general or pediatric dentistry).
(3) SPECIAL
CONSIDERATION- In awarding grants under this section the Secretary
shall give special consideration to projects which prepare practitioners
to care for underserved populations and other high risk groups such
as the elderly, individuals with HIV-AIDS, substance abusers, homeless,
and victims of domestic violence.'; and
(F) in subsection
(e) (as so redesignated by subparagraph (D))--
(i) in paragraph
(1), by striking $54,000,000' and all that follows and inserting
$78,300,000 for fiscal year 1998, and such sums as may be necessary
for each of the fiscal years 1999 through 2002.'; and
(ii) by striking
paragraph (2) and inserting the following:
(2) ALLOCATION-
(A) IN GENERAL-
Of the amounts appropriated under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year,
the Secretary shall make available--
(i) not less
than $49,300,000 for awards of grants and contracts under subsection
(a) to programs of family medicine, of which not less than $8,600,000
shall be made available for awards of grants and contracts under
subsection (b) for family medicine academic administrative units;
(ii) not less
than $17,700,000 for awards of grants and contracts under subsection
(a) to programs of general internal medicine and general pediatrics;
(iii) not less
than $6,800,000 for awards of grants and contracts under subsection
(a) to programs relating to physician assistants; and
(iv) not less
than $4,500,000 for awards of grants and contracts under subsection
(a) to programs of general or pediatric dentistry.
(B) RATABLE
REDUCTION- If amounts appropriated under paragraph (1) for any fiscal
year are less than the amount required to comply with subparagraph
(A), the Secretary shall ratably reduce the amount to be made available
under each of clauses (i) through (iv) of such subparagraph accordingly.';
and
(4) by repealing
sections 748 through 752 (42 U.S.C. 293l through 293p) and inserting
the following:
SEC. 748. ADVISORY
COMMITTEE ON TRAINING IN PRIMARY CARE MEDICINE AND DENTISTRY.
(a) ESTABLISHMENT-
The Secretary shall establish an advisory committee to be known
as the Advisory Committee on Training in Primary Care Medicine and
Dentistry (in this section referred to as the Advisory Committee').
(b) COMPOSITION-
(1) IN GENERAL-
The Secretary shall determine the appropriate number of individuals
to serve on the Advisory Committee. Such individuals shall not be
officers or employees of the Federal Government.
(2) APPOINTMENT-
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act,
the Secretary shall appoint the members of the Advisory Committee
from among individuals who are health professionals. In making such
appointments, the Secretary shall ensure a fair balance between
the health professions, that at least 75 percent of the members
of the Advisory Committee are health professionals, a broad geographic
representation of members and a balance between urban and rural
members. Members shall be appointed based on their competence, interest,
and knowledge of the mission of the profession involved.
(3) MINORITY
REPRESENTATION- In appointing the members of the Advisory Committee
under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall ensure the adequate representation
of women and minorities.
(c) TERMS-
(1) IN GENERAL-
A member of the Advisory Committee shall be appointed for a term
of 3 years, except that of the members first appointed--
(A) 1/3 of
such members shall serve for a term of 1 year;
(B) 1/3 of
such members shall serve for a term of 2 years; and
(C) 1/3 of
such members shall serve for a term of 3 years.
(2) VACANCIES-
(A) IN GENERAL-
A vacancy on the Advisory Committee shall be filled in the manner
in which the original appointment was made and shall be subject
to any conditions which applied with respect to the original appointment.
(B) FILLING
UNEXPIRED TERM- An individual chosen to fill a vacancy shall be
appointed for the unexpired term of the member replaced.
(d) DUTIES-
The Advisory Committee shall--
(1) provide
advice and recommendations to the Secretary concerning policy and
program development and other matters of significance concerning
the activities under section 747; and
(2) not later
than 3 years after the date of enactment of this section, and annually
thereafter, prepare and submit to the Secretary, and the Committee
on Labor and Human Resources of the Senate, and the Committee on
Commerce of the House of Representatives, a report describing the
activities of the Committee, including findings and recommendations
made by the Committee concerning the activities under section 747.
(e) MEETINGS
AND DOCUMENTS-
(1) MEETINGS-
The Advisory Committee shall meet not less than 2 times each year.
Such meetings shall be held jointly with other related entities
established under this title where appropriate.
(2) DOCUMENTS-
Not later than 14 days prior to the convening of a meeting under
paragraph (1), the Advisory Committee shall prepare and make available
an agenda of the matters to be considered by the Advisory Committee
at such meeting. At any such meeting, the Advisory Council shall
distribute materials with respect to the issues to be addressed
at the meeting. Not later than 30 days after the adjourning of such
a meeting, the Advisory Committee shall prepare and make available
a summary of the meeting and any actions taken by the Committee
based upon the meeting.
(f) COMPENSATION
AND EXPENSES-
(1) COMPENSATION-
Each member of the Advisory Committee shall be compensated at a
rate equal to the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay
prescribed for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section
5315 of title 5, United States Code, for each day (including travel
time) during which such member is engaged in the performance of
the duties of the Committee.
(2) EXPENSES-
The members of the Advisory Committee shall be allowed travel expenses,
including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for
employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title
5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places
of business in the performance of services for the Committee.
(g) FACA- The
Federal Advisory Committee Act shall apply to the Advisory Committee
under this section only to the extent that the provisions of such
Act do not conflict with the requirements of this section.'.
SEC. 103. INTERDISCIPLINARY,
COMMUNITY-BASED LINKAGES.
Part D of title
VII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 294 et seq.) is
amended to read as follows:
PART D--INTERDISCIPLINARY,
COMMUNITY-BASED LINKAGES
SEC. 750. GENERAL
PROVISIONS.
(a) COLLABORATION-
To be eligible to receive assistance under this part, an academic
institution shall use such assistance in collaboration with 2 or
more disciplines.
(b) ACTIVITIES-
An entity shall use assistance under this part to carry out innovative
demonstration projects for strategic workforce supplementation activities
as needed to meet national goals for interdisciplinary, community-based
linkages. Such assistance may be used consistent with this part--
(1) to develop
and support training programs;
(2) for faculty
development;
(3) for model
demonstration programs;
(4) for the
provision of stipends for fellowship trainees;
(5) to provide
technical assistance; and
(6) for other
activities that will produce outcomes consistent with the purposes
of this part.
SEC. 751. AREA
HEALTH EDUCATION CENTERS.
(a) AUTHORITY
FOR PROVISION OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE-
(1) ASSISTANCE
FOR PLANNING, DEVELOPMENT, AND OPERATION OF PROGRAMS-
(A) IN GENERAL-
The Secretary shall award grants to and enter into contracts with
schools of medicine and osteopathic medicine, and incorporated consortia
made up of such schools, or the parent institutions of such schools,
for projects for the planning, development and operation of area
health education center programs that--
(i) improve
the recruitment, distribution, supply, quality and efficiency of
personnel providing health services in underserved rural and urban
areas and personnel providing health services to populations having
demonstrated serious unmet health care needs;
(ii) increase
the number of primary care physicians and other primary care providers
who provide services in underserved areas through the offering of
an educational continuum of health career recruitment through clinical
education concerning underserved areas in a comprehensive health
workforce strategy;
(iii) carry
out recruitment and health career awareness programs to recruit
individuals from underserved areas and under-represented populations,
including minority and other elementary or secondary students, into
the health professions;
(iv) prepare
individuals to more effectively provide health services to underserved
areas or underserved populations through field placements, preceptorships,
the conduct of or support of community-based primary care residency
programs, and agreements with community-based organizations such
as community health centers, migrant health centers, Indian health
centers, public health departments and others;
(v) conduct
health professions education and training activities for students
of health professions schools and medical residents;
(vi) conduct
at least 10 percent of medical student required clinical education
at sites remote to the primary teaching facility of the contracting
institution; and
(vii) provide
information dissemination and educational support to reduce professional
isolation, increase retention, enhance the practice environment,
and improve health care through the timely dissemination of research
findings using relevant resources.
(B) OTHER ELIGIBLE
ENTITIES- With respect to a State in which no area health education
center program is in operation, the Secretary may award a grant
or contract under subparagraph (A) to a school of nursing.
(C) PROJECT
TERMS-
(i) IN GENERAL-
Except as provided in clause (ii), the period during which payments
may be made under an award under subparagraph (A) may not exceed--
(I) in the
case of a project, 12 years or
(II) in the
case of a center within a project, 6 years.
(ii) EXCEPTION-
The periods described in clause (i) shall not apply to projects
that have completed the initial period of Federal funding under
this section and that desire to compete for model awards under paragraph
(2)(A).
(2) ASSISTANCE
FOR OPERATION OF MODEL PROGRAMS-
(A) IN GENERAL-
In the case of any entity described in paragraph (1)(A) that--
(i) has previously
received funds under this section;
(ii) is operating
an area health education center program; and
(iii) is no
longer receiving financial assistance under paragraph (1);
the Secretary
may provide financial assistance to such entity to pay the costs
of operating and carrying out the requirements of the program as
described in paragraph (1).
(B) MATCHING
REQUIREMENT- With respect to the costs of operating a model program
under subparagraph (A), an entity, to be eligible for financial
assistance under subparagraph (A), shall make available (directly
or through contributions from State, county or municipal governments,
or the private sector) recurring non-Federal contributions in cash
toward such costs in an amount that is equal to not less than 50
percent of such costs.
(C) LIMITATION-
The aggregate amount of awards provided under subparagraph (A) to
entities in a State for a fiscal year may not exceed the lesser
of--
(i) $2,000,000;
or
(ii) an amount
equal to the product of $250,000 and the aggregate number of area
health education centers operated in the State by such entities.
(b) REQUIREMENTS
FOR CENTERS-
(1) GENERAL
REQUIREMENT- Each area health education center that receives funds
under this section shall encourage the regionalization of health
professions schools through the establishment of partnerships with
community-based organizations.
(2) SERVICE
AREA- Each area health education center that receives funds under
this section shall specifically designate a geographic area or medically
underserved population to be served by the center. Such area or
population shall be in a location removed from the main location
of the teaching facilities of the schools participating in the program
with such center.
(3) OTHER REQUIREMENTS-
Each area health education center that receives funds under this
section shall--
(A) assess
the health personnel needs of the area to be served by the center
and assist in the planning and development of training programs
to meet such needs;
(B) arrange
and support rotations for students and residents in family medicine,
general internal medicine or general pediatrics, with at least one
center in each program being affiliated with or conducting a rotating
osteopathic internship or medical residency training program in
family medicine (including geriatrics), general internal medicine
(including geriatrics), or general pediatrics in which no fewer
than 4 individuals are enrolled in first-year positions;
(C) conduct
and participate in interdisciplinary training that involves physicians
and other health personnel including, where practicable, public
health professionals, physician assistants, nurse practitioners,
nurse midwives, and behavioral and mental health providers; and
(D) have an
advisory board, at least 75 percent of the members of which shall
be individuals, including both health service providers and consumers,
from the area served by the center.
(c) CERTAIN
PROVISIONS REGARDING FUNDING-
(1) ALLOCATION
TO CENTER- Not less than 75 percent of the total amount of Federal
funds provided to an entity under this section shall be allocated
by an area health education center program to the area health education
center. Such entity shall enter into an agreement with each center
for purposes of specifying the allocation of such 75 percent of
funds.
(2) OPERATING
COSTS- With respect to the operating costs of the area health education
center program of an entity receiving funds under this section,
the entity shall make available (directly or through contributions
from State, county or municipal governments, or the private sector)
non-Federal contributions in cash toward such costs in an amount
that is equal to not less than 50 percent of such costs, except
that the Secretary may grant a waiver for up to 75 percent of the
amount of the required non-Federal match in the first 3 years in
which an entity receives funds under this section.
SEC. 752. HEALTH
EDUCATION AND TRAINING CENTERS.
(a) IN GENERAL-
To be eligible for funds under this section, a health education
training center shall be an entity otherwise eligible for funds
under section 751 that--
(1) addresses
the persistent and severe unmet health care needs in States along
the border between the United States and Mexico and in the State
of Florida, and in other urban and rural areas with populations
with serious unmet health care needs;
(2) establishes
an advisory board comprised of health service providers, educators
and consumers from the service area;
(3) conducts
training and education programs for health professions students
in these areas;
(4) conducts
training in health education services, including training to prepare
community health workers; and
(5) supports
health professionals (including nursing) practicing in the area
through educational and other services.
(b) ALLOCATION
OF FUNDS- The Secretary shall make available 50 percent of the amounts
appropriated for each fiscal year under section 752 for the establishment
or operation of health education training centers through projects
in States along the border between the United States and Mexico
and in the State of Florida.
SEC. 753. EDUCATION
AND TRAINING RELATING TO GERIATRICS.
(a) GERIATRIC
EDUCATION CENTERS-
(1) IN GENERAL-
The Secretary shall award grants or contracts under this section
to entities described in paragraphs (1), (3), or (4) of section
799B, and section 853(2), for the establishment or operation of
geriatric education centers.
(2) REQUIREMENTS-
A geriatric education center is a program that--
(A) improves
the training of health professionals in geriatrics, including geriatric
residencies, traineeships, or fellowships;
(B) develops
and disseminates curricula relating to the treatment of the health
problems of elderly individuals;
(C) supports
the training and retraining of faculty to provide instruction in
geriatrics;
(D) supports
continuing education of health professionals who provide geriatric
care; and
(E) provides
students with clinical training in geriatrics in nursing homes,
chronic and acute disease hospitals, ambulatory care centers, and
senior centers.
(b) GERIATRIC
TRAINING REGARDING PHYSICIANS AND DENTISTS-
(1) IN GENERAL-
The Secretary may make grants to, and enter into contracts with,
schools of medicine, schools of osteopathic medicine, teaching hospitals,
and graduate medical education programs, for the purpose of providing
support (including residencies, traineeships, and fellowships) for
geriatric training projects to train physicians, dentists and behavioral
and mental health professionals who plan to teach geriatric medicine,
geriatric behavioral or mental health, or geriatric dentistry.
(2) REQUIREMENTS-
Each project for which a grant or contract is made under this subsection
shall--
(A) be staffed
by full-time teaching physicians who have experience or training
in geriatric medicine or geriatric behavioral or mental health;
(B) be staffed,
or enter into an agreement with an institution staffed by full-time
or part-time teaching dentists who have experience or training in
geriatric dentistry;
(C) be staffed,
or enter into an agreement with an institution staffed by full-time
or part-time teaching behavioral mental health professionals who
have experience or training in geriatric behavioral or mental health;
(D) be based
in a graduate medical education program in internal medicine or
family medicine or in a department of geriatrics or behavioral or
mental health;
(E) provide
training in geriatrics and exposure to the physical and mental disabilities
of elderly individuals through a variety of service rotations, such
as geriatric consultation services, acute care services, dental
services, geriatric behavioral or mental health units, day and home
care programs, rehabilitation services, extended care facilities,
geriatric ambulatory care and comprehensive evaluation units, and
community care programs for elderly mentally retarded individuals;
and
(F) provide
training in geriatrics through one or both of the training options
described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (3).
(3) TRAINING
OPTIONS- The training options referred to in subparagraph (F) of
paragraph (2) shall be as follows:
(A) A 1-year
retraining program in geriatrics for--
(i) physicians
who are faculty members in departments of internal medicine, family
medicine, gynecology, geriatrics, and behavioral or mental health
at schools of medicine and osteopathic medicine;
(ii) dentists
who are faculty members at schools of dentistry or at hospital departments
of dentistry; and
(iii) behavioral
or mental health professionals who are faculty members in departments
of behavioral or mental health; and
(B) A 2-year
internal medicine or family medicine fellowship program providing
emphasis in geriatrics, which shall be designed to provide training
in clinical geriatrics and geriatrics research for--
(i) physicians
who have completed graduate medical education programs in internal
medicine, family medicine, behavioral or mental health, neurology,
gynecology, or rehabilitation medicine;
(ii) dentists
who have demonstrated a commitment to an academic career and who
have completed postdoctoral dental training, including postdoctoral
dental education programs or who have relevant advanced training
or experience; and
(iii) behavioral
or mental health professionals who have completed graduate medical
education programs in behavioral or mental health.
(4) DEFINITIONS-
For purposes of this subsection:
(A) The term
graduate medical education program' means a program sponsored by
a school of medicine, a school of osteopathic medicine, a hospital,
or a public or private institution that--
(i) offers
postgraduate medical training in the specialties and subspecialties
of medicine; and
(ii) has been
accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education
or the American Osteopathic Association through its Committee on
Postdoctoral Training.
(B) The term
post-doctoral dental education program' means a program sponsored
by a school of dentistry, a hospital, or a public or private institution
that--
(i) offers
post-doctoral training in the specialties of dentistry, advanced
education in general dentistry, or a dental general practice residency;
and
(ii) has been
accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation.
(c) GERIATRIC
FACULTY FELLOWSHIPS-
(1) ESTABLISHMENT
OF PROGRAM- The Secretary shall establish a program to provide Geriatric
Academic Career Awards to eligible individuals to promote the career
development of such individuals as academic geriatricians.
(2) ELIGIBLE
INDIVIDUALS- To be eligible to receive an Award under paragraph
(1), an individual shall--
(A) be board
certified or board eligible in internal medicine, family practice,
or psychiatry;
(B) have completed
an approved fellowship program in geriatrics; and
(C) have a
junior faculty appointment at an accredited (as determined by the
Secretary) school of medicine or osteopathic medicine.
(3) LIMITATIONS-
No Award under paragraph (1) may be made to an eligible individual
unless the individual--
(A) has submitted
to the Secretary an application, at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Secretary may require, and the
Secretary has approved such application; and
(B) provides,
in such form and manner as the Secretary may require, assurances
that the individual will meet the service requirement described
in subsection (e).
(4) AMOUNT
AND TERM-
(A) AMOUNT-
The amount of an Award under this section shall equal $50,000 for
fiscal year 1998, adjusted for subsequent fiscal years to reflect
the increase in the Consumer Price Index.
(B) TERM- The
term of any Award made under this subsection shall not exceed 5
years.
(5) SERVICE
REQUIREMENT- An individual who receives an Award under this subsection
shall provide training in clinical geriatrics, including the training
of interdisciplinary teams of health care professionals. The provision
of such training shall constitute at least 75 percent of the obligations
of such individual under the Award.
SEC. 754. QUENTIN
N. BURDICK PROGRAM FOR RURAL INTERDISCIPLINARY TRAINING.
(a) GRANTS-
The Secretary may make grants or contracts under this section to
help entities fund authorized activities under an application approved
under subsection (c).
(b) USE OF
AMOUNTS-
(1) IN GENERAL-
Amounts provided under subsection (a) shall be used by the recipients
to fund interdisciplinary training projects designed to--
(A) use new
and innovative methods to train health care practitioners to provide
services in rural areas;
(B) demonstrate
and evaluate innovative interdisciplinary methods and models designed
to provide access to cost-effective comprehensive health care;
(C) deliver
health care services to individuals residing in rural areas;
(D) enhance
the amount of relevant research conducted concerning health care
issues in rural areas; and
(E) increase
the recruitment and retention of health care practitioners from
rural areas and make rural practice a more attractive career choice
for health care practitioners.
(2) METHODS-
A recipient of funds under subsection (a) may use various methods
in carrying out the projects described in paragraph (1), including--
(A) the distribution
of stipends to students of eligible applicants;
(B) the establishment
of a post-doctoral fellowship program;
(C) the training
of faculty in the economic and logistical problems confronting rural
health care delivery systems; or
(D) the purchase
or rental of transportation and telecommunication equipment where
the need for such equipment due to unique characteristics of the
rural area is demonstrated by the recipient.
(3) ADMINISTRATION-
(A) IN GENERAL-
An applicant shall not use more than 10 percent of the funds made
available to such applicant under subsection (a) for administrative
expenses.
(B) TRAINING-
Not more than 10 percent of the individuals receiving training with
funds made available to an applicant under subsection (a) shall
be trained as doctors of medicine or doctors of osteopathy.
(C) LIMITATION-
An institution that receives a grant under this section shall use
amounts received under such grant to supplement, not supplant, amounts
made available by such institution for activities of the type described
in subsection (b)(1) in the fiscal year preceding the year for which
the grant is received.
(c) APPLICATIONS-
Applications submitted for assistance under this section shall--
(1) be jointly
submitted by at least two eligible applicants with the express purpose
of assisting individuals in academic institutions in establishing
long-term collaborative relationships with health care providers
in rural areas; and
(2) designate
a rural health care agency or agencies for clinical treatment or
training, including hospitals, community health centers, migrant
health centers, rural health clinics, community behavioral and mental
health centers, long-term care facilities, Native Hawaiian health
centers, or facilities operated by the Indian Health Service or
an Indian tribe or tribal organization or Indian organization under
a contract with the Indian Health Service under the Indian Self-Determination
Act.
(d) DEFINITIONS-
For the purposes of this section, the term rural' means geographic
areas that are located outside of standard metropolitan statistical
areas.
SEC. 755. ALLIED
HEALTH AND OTHER DISCIPLINES.
(a) IN GENERAL-
The Secretary may make grants or contracts under this section to
help entities fund activities of the type described in subsection
(b).
(b) ACTIVITIES-
Activities of the type described in this subsection include the
following:
(1) Assisting
entities in meeting the costs associated with expanding or establishing
programs that will increase the number of individuals trained in
allied health professions. Programs and activities funded under
this paragraph may include--
(A) those that
expand enrollments in allied health professions with the greatest
shortages or whose services are most needed by the elderly;
(B) those that
provide rapid transition training programs in allied health fields
to individuals who have baccalaureate degrees in health-related
sciences;
(C) those that
establish community-based allied health training programs that link
academic centers to rural clinical settings;
(D) those that
provide career advancement training for practicing allied health
professionals;
(E) those that
expand or establish clinical training sites for allied health professionals
in medically underserved or rural communities in order to increase
the number of individuals trained;
(F) those that
develop curriculum that will emphasize knowledge and practice in
the areas of prevention and health promotion, geriatrics, long-term
care, home health and hospice care, and ethics;
(G) those that
expand or establish interdisciplinary training programs that promote
the effectiveness of allied health practitioners in geriatric assessment
and the rehabilitation of the elderly;
(H) those that
expand or establish demonstration centers to emphasize innovative
models to link allied health clinical practice, education, and research;
(I) those that
provide financial assistance (in the form of traineeships) to students
who are participants in any such program; and
(i) who plan
to pursue a career in an allied health field that has a demonstrated
personnel shortage; and
(ii) who agree
upon completion of the training program to practice in a medically
underserved community;
that shall
be utilized to assist in the payment of |