I
111th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 5392
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 25, 2010
Mr. Kennedy (for himself and Mr. Sullivan) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, 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
A BILL
To establish a Council on Integration of Health Care Education, to provide for implementation of the recommendations of the Council, and for other purposes.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the
Council on Integration of Health Care
Education Act of 2010
.
Definitions
In this Act:
Behavioral health provider
The term behavioral health provider—
means an individual who provides clinical care (in accordance with applicable State law) specializing in the diagnosis or treatment of behavioral health, including such an individual specializing in substance use, addiction, and dependence disorders; and
includes a psychiatrist, nurse practitioner (as defined in section 1861(aa)(5)(A) of the Social Security Act), physician assistant (as defined in section 1861(aa)(5)(A) of such Act), clinical psychologist (as used in section 1861(ii) of such Act), clinical social worker (as defined in section 1861(hh) of such Act), psychiatric nurse, licensed professional counselor, marriage and family therapist, pastoral counselor, psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, and any other individual determined to be appropriate by the Secretary.
Council
The term Council means the Council on Integration of Health Care Education.
Health care professional
The term health care professional—
means an individual who provides clinical health care (in accordance with applicable State law) other than a behavioral health provider; and
includes (other than a behavioral health provider) a physician (as defined in section 1861(r) of the Social Security Act), nurse practitioner (as defined in section 1861(aa)(5)(A) of the Social Security Act), physician assistant (as defined in section 1861(aa)(5)(A) of the Social Security Act), clinical nurse specialist (as defined in section 1861(aa)(5)(B) of the Social Security Act), certified nurse-midwife (as defined in section 1861(gg) of the Social Security Act), and any other individual determined to be appropriate by the Secretary.
Institution of higher education
The term institution of higher education has the same meaning given such term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001).
Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Council on Integration of Health Care Education
Establishment
There is established in the Office of the Secretary the Council on Integration of Health Care Education.
Recommendations
The Council shall develop and publish not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, and may periodically revise as appropriate thereafter, recommendations for the purpose of strengthening the capacity of health care professionals and behavioral health providers to deliver integrated, comprehensive health care. The recommendations shall identify—
the core competencies to be required of each type of health care professional and behavioral health provider with respect to mental health and substance use prevention and treatment services in order to carry out their respective scope of practice;
the appropriate methods for incorporating such competencies into the curricula of institutions of higher education, and of continuing education, for health care professionals and behavioral health providers;
the appropriate methods for incorporating such competencies into the licensure and certification requirements for health care professionals and behavioral health providers; and
the appropriate methods for incorporating such competencies into the accreditation process for institutions of higher education providing terminal education for health care professionals and behavioral health providers.
Reporting
By the Council
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Council shall submit to the Secretary and the appropriate committees of the Congress, and to the Council on Graduate Medical Education when appropriate, and make publicly available, a report on the recommendations under subsection (b) and the implementation of such recommendations. Each such report shall include—
a description of current and future needs related to the successful integration core competencies for mental health and substance use disorders into health care professional and behavioral health provider education and education curricula beyond medical education;
an identification of goals, outcome measures, and timeframes for addressing the needs described in subparagraph (A);
a detailed plan for implementing the recommendations under subsection (b); and
an evaluation of the extent to which such plan has been implemented.
By the Secretary
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Congress on the activities of the Council.
Members
Composition; voting; chair
The Council shall be composed of the ex officio members specified in paragraph (2) and the members appointed under paragraph (3). All of the members of the Council shall be voting members. The Council shall elect a chair from among its members.
Ex officio members
The Council shall include the following ex officio members (or their designees)—
the Secretary;
the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration;
the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services;
the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration; and
the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
Appointed members
In general
The Council shall include members to be appointed by the Secretary (in consultation with the other ex officio members of the Council and without regard to the civil service laws) who are not employees of the Federal Government. The Secretary shall appoint a sufficient number of members under this subparagraph to ensure that the Council is composed of not less than 20 members, including both ex officio members under paragraph (2) and members appointed under this paragraph.
Other selection criteria
In appointing members of the Council under this paragraph, the Secretary shall ensure—
inclusion of both urban and rural members;
adequate representation of men and women;
a range of members from a variety of practice settings and having expertise in prevention and treatment across the lifespan;
adequate representation of racial, ethnic, religious, and economic diversity;
an equal distribution of the members appointed under subparagraph (A) between those specializing in mental health services and those specializing in substance use disorders;
diverse representation from addition and psychiatry specialty sectors;
diverse representation of allopathic and osteopathic physicians;
adequate representation of health care professionals and behavioral health providers who provide direct patient care to individuals with co-occurring mental health or substance use disorders and physical health conditions;
adequate representation of health care and behavioral health (including substance use) faculty who have demonstrated expertise in curriculum development; and
inclusion of a health or behavioral health (including substance use) consumer.
Terms
In general
Subject to subparagraph (D)(ii), each member of the Council under this paragraph shall be appointed for a term of 4 years.
Vacancies
Any member of the Council appointed to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for which the member’s predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of that term. A member may serve after the expiration of that member’s term until a successor has taken office.
Initial members
Appointment
The Secretary shall appoint the initial members of the Council under this paragraph not less than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Terms
As designated by the Secretary at the time of appointment, of the initial members of the Council under this paragraph, 1/4 shall be appointed for terms of 1 year, 1/4 shall be appointed for terms of 2 years, 1/4 shall be appointed for terms of 3 years, and 1/4 shall be appointed for terms of 4 years.
Staff
The Secretary shall provide the Council with such professional and clerical staff, such information, and the services of such consultants as may be necessary to assist the Council in carrying out effectively its functions under this section.
Administration
Travel expenses
Members shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with sections 5702 and 5703 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in performance of services for the Council.
Other resources
The Council shall have reasonable access to materials, resources, statistical data, and other information such Council determines to be necessary to carry out its duties from agencies of the executive and legislative branches of the Federal Government. The chair of the Council shall make requests for such access in writing when necessary.
Prohibition against compensation of federal employees
Members of the Council who are officers or employees of the Federal Government shall not receive additional pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of their service on the Council.
Meetings
The Council shall conduct at least 3 meetings each year.
Authorization of appropriations
To carry out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2016.
Implementation of recommendations of the Council
Health care and behavioral health workforce continuing education
In general
Beginning 1 year after submission of the first report of the Council under section 3(c)(1), the Secretary may make grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to public or private nonprofit entities for the purpose of implementing the recommendations of the Council on continuing education for health care professionals and behavioral health providers.
Eligibility
To receive a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this subsection, a public or private nonprofit entity shall demonstrate expertise in providing continuing education for health care professionals and behavioral health providers.
Priority
In awarding grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to entities that propose to implement continuing education—
in interdisciplinary settings; or
in collaboration with a diverse representation of health care professionals and behavioral health providers who have no direct affiliation with the receiving entity as determined by the Secretary.
Geographic distribution
The Secretary shall ensure that grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements under this subsection are awarded to entities throughout the United States to ensure the availability of continuing education in mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment services.
Duration of awards
The period of a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this subsection shall not exceed 3 years.
Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2012 and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2016.
Health care and behavioral health workforce education curricula
In general
The Secretary shall make grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to public or nonprofit private institutions of higher education for the purpose of implementing the recommendations of the Council on education curricula for health care professionals and behavioral health providers.
Priority
In awarding grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements under this subsection, the Secretary shall give priority to applicants that demonstrate willingness—
to integrate the recommendations of the Council on curricula across academic disciplines;
to coordinate the use of Federal and non-Federal resources for purposes of such integration; or
to incorporate other evidence-based recommendations that further the integration of behavioral health in health care.
Geographic distribution
The Secretary shall ensure that grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements under this subsection are awarded to institutions of higher education throughout the United States to ensure the availability and improvement of education curricula for health care professionals and behavioral health providers.
Duration of awards
The period of a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement under this subsection shall not exceed 3 years.
Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 for fiscal year 2012 and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2013 through 2016.