Index for HR3962: Affordable Health Care for America Act

To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes.

Mr. Dingell (for himself, Mr. Rangel, Mr. Waxman, Mr. George Miller of California, Mr. Stark, Mr. Pallone, and Mr. Andrews) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Education and Labor, Oversight and Government Reform, and the Budget, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

Part D of title VII (42 U.S.C. 294 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

“(a) Program.—The Secretary shall establish an innovations in interdisciplinary care training program consisting of awarding grants and contracts under subsection (b).

“(b) Training programs.—The Secretary shall award grants to, or enter into contracts with, eligible entities—

“(1) to test, develop, and evaluate health professional training programs (including continuing education) designed to promote—

“(A) the delivery of health services through interdisciplinary and team-based models, which may include patient-centered medical home models, medication therapy management models, and models integrating physical, mental, or oral health services; and

“(B) coordination of the delivery of health care within and across settings, including health care institutions, community-based settings, and the patient’s home; and

“(2) to implement such training programs developed under paragraph (1) or otherwise.

“(c) Eligibility.—To be eligible for a grant or contract under subsection (b), an entity shall be—

“(1) an accredited health professions school or program;

“(2) an academic health center;

“(3) a public or private nonprofit entity (including an area health education center or a geriatric education center); or

“(4) a consortium of 2 or more entities described in paragraphs (1) through (3).

“(d) Preferences.—In awarding grants and contracts under this section, the Secretary shall give preference to entities that have a demonstrated record of at least one of the following:

“(1) Training a high or significantly improved percentage of health professionals who serve in underserved communities.

“(2) Broad interdisciplinary team-based collaborations.

“(3) Addressing health disparities.

“(e) Report.—The Secretary shall submit to the Congress an annual report on the program carried out under this section.

“(f) Definitions.—In this section:

“(1) The term ‘health disparities’ has the meaning given the term in section 3171.

“(2) The term ‘interdisciplinary’ means collaboration across health professions and specialties, which may include public health, nursing, allied health, dietetics or nutrition, and appropriate health specialties.”.