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[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1576 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 1576

   To amend the Public Health Service Act to improve the health and 
            healthcare of racial and ethnic minority groups.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              June 7, 2007

 Mr. Kennedy (for himself, Mr. Cochran, Mr. Obama, Mr. Bingaman, Mrs. 
  Clinton, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Durbin) introduced the following bill; 
     which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, 
                     Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
   To amend the Public Health Service Act to improve the health and 
            healthcare of racial and ethnic minority groups.

    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 ``Minority Health 
Improvement and Health Disparity Elimination Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
TITLE I--INCREASING DIVERSITY AND CULTURAL COMPETENCY IN THE HEALTHCARE 
                WORKFORCE THROUGH EDUCATION AND TRAINING

Sec. 101. Cultural competency and communication for providers.
Sec. 102. Healthcare workforce composition and placement.
Sec. 103. Workforce training to achieve diversity.
Sec. 104. Mid-career health professions scholarship program.
Sec. 105. Cultural competency training.
Sec. 106. Authorization of appropriations; reauthorizations.
     TITLE II--PROMOTING HEALTH AND HEALTHCARE AWARENESS AND ACCESS

Sec. 201. Care and access.
Sec. 202. Authorization of appropriations.
     TITLE III--RESEARCH TO REDUCE AND ELIMINATE HEALTH DISPARITIES

Sec. 301. Agency for healthcare research and quality.
Sec. 302. Genetic variation and health.
Sec. 303. Evaluations by the Institute of Medicine.
Sec. 304. National Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities 
                            reauthorization.
Sec. 305. Authorization of appropriations.
            TITLE IV--DATA COLLECTION, ANALYSIS, AND QUALITY

Sec. 401. Data collection, analysis, and quality.
      TITLE V--LEADERSHIP, COLLABORATION, AND NATIONAL ACTION PLAN

Sec. 501. Office of Minority Health.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act and the amendments made by this Act:
            (1) Cultural competency.--The term ``culturally 
        competent''--
                    (A) with respect to health-related services, means 
                the ability to provide healthcare tailored to meet the 
                social, cultural, and linguistic needs of patients from 
                diverse backgrounds; and
                    (B) when used to describe education or training, 
                means education or training designed to prepare those 
                receiving the education or training to provide health-
                related services tailored to meet the social, cultural, 
                and linguistic needs of patients from diverse 
                backgrounds.
            (2) Health disparity population.--The term ``health 
        disparity population'' has the meaning given such term in 
        section 903(d)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
        299a-1(d)(1)).
            (3) Health literacy.--The term ``health literacy'' means 
        the degree to which an individual has the capacity to obtain, 
        communicate, process, and understand health information 
        (including the register and language in which the information 
        is provided) and services in order to make appropriate health 
        decisions.
            (4) Indians; indian tribe; tribal organization; urban 
        indian organization.--The terms ``Indian'', ``Indian tribe'', 
        ``tribal organization'', and ``urban Indian organization'' have 
        the meanings given such terms in section 4 of the Indian Health 
        Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1603).
            (5) Minority group.--The term ``minority group'' has the 
        meaning given the term ``racial and ethnic minority group'' in 
        section 1707 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300u-
        6) (as amended by section 501).
            (6) Practice-based research networks.--The term ``practice-
        based research network'' means a group of ambulatory practices 
        devoted principally to the primary care of patients, and 
        affiliated in their mission to investigate questions related to 
        community-based practice and to improve the quality of primary 
        care.
            (7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Health and Human Services.

TITLE I--INCREASING DIVERSITY AND CULTURAL COMPETENCY IN THE HEALTHCARE 
                WORKFORCE THROUGH EDUCATION AND TRAINING

SEC. 101. CULTURAL COMPETENCY AND COMMUNICATION FOR PROVIDERS.

    Title II of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 202 et seq.) 
is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 270. INTERNET CLEARINGHOUSE TO IMPROVE CULTURAL COMPETENCY AND 
              COMMUNICATION BY HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS.

    ``(a) Establishment.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
enactment of the Minority Health Improvement and Health Disparity 
Elimination Act, the Secretary, acting through the Deputy Assistant 
Secretary for Minority Health, shall develop and maintain an Internet 
Clearinghouse within the Office of Minority Health to assist providers 
in improving the health and healthcare of racial and ethnic minority 
groups, with the goal of--
            ``(1) increasing cultural competency;
            ``(2) improving communication between healthcare providers, 
        staff, and their patients, including those patients with low 
        health literacy;
            ``(3) improving healthcare quality and patient 
        satisfaction;
            ``(4) reducing medical errors and healthcare costs; and
            ``(5) reducing duplication of effort regarding translation 
        of materials.
    ``(b) Internet Clearinghouse.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this section the Secretary, acting through the Deputy 
Assistant Secretary for Minority Health, and in consultation with the 
Director of the Office for Civil Rights, shall carry out subsection (a) 
by--
            ``(1) developing and maintaining, through the Office of 
        Minority Health, an accessible library and database on the 
        Internet with easily searchable, clinically-relevant 
        information regarding culturally competent healthcare for 
        racial and ethnic minority groups, including Internet links to 
        additional resources that fulfill the purpose of this section;
            ``(2) developing and making templates for visual aids and 
        standard documents with clear explanations that can help 
        patients and consumers access and make informed decisions about 
        healthcare, including--
                    ``(A) administrative and legal documents, including 
                informed consent and advanced directives;
                    ``(B) clinical information, including information 
                pertaining to treatment adherence, self-management 
                training for chronic conditions, preventing 
                transmission of disease, and discharge instructions;
                    ``(C) patient education and outreach materials, 
                including immunization or screening notices and health 
                warnings; and
                    ``(D) Federal health forms and notices;
            ``(3) ensuring that documents described in paragraph (2) 
        are posted in English and non-English languages and are 
        culturally appropriate;
            ``(4) encouraging healthcare providers to customize such 
        documents for their use;
            ``(5) facilitating access to such documents, including 
        distribution in both paper and electronic formats;
            ``(6) providing technical assistance to healthcare 
        providers with respect to the access and use of information 
        described in paragraph (1) including information to help 
        healthcare providers--
                    ``(A) understand the concept of cultural 
                competence;
                    ``(B) implement culturally competent practices;
                    ``(C) care for patients with low health literacy, 
                including helping such patients understand and 
                participate in healthcare decisions;
                    ``(D) understand and apply Federal guidance and 
                directives regarding healthcare for racial and ethnic 
                minority groups;
                    ``(E) obtain reimbursement for provision of 
                culturally competent services;
                    ``(F) understand and implement bioinformatics and 
                health information technology in order to improve 
                healthcare for racial and ethnic minority groups; and
                    ``(G) conduct other activities determined 
                appropriate by the Secretary;
            ``(7) providing culturally appropriate dissemination 
        strategies to provide educational materials to patients, 
        representatives of community-based organizations, and the 
        public with respect to the access and use of information 
        described in paragraph (1), including--
                    ``(A) information to help such individuals--
                            ``(i) understand the concept of cultural 
                        competence, and the role of cultural competence 
                        in the delivery of healthcare;
                            ``(ii) work with healthcare providers to 
                        implement culturally competent practices;
                            ``(iii) provide options for providers and 
                        consumers to promote increased understanding of 
                        health literacy and self-management concepts, 
                        as well as the benefits of improved provider-
                        patient communications; and
                            ``(iv) understand the concept of low health 
                        literacy, and the barriers it presents to care; 
                        and
                    ``(B) if determined appropriate, materials and 
                information identified by community-based 
                organizations, including other non-profit 
                organizations, that are beneficial in assisting 
                healthcare providers and patients in making decisions 
                regarding health, healthcare, and patient recovery; and
                    ``(C) other material determined appropriate by the 
                Secretary; and
            ``(8) supporting initiatives that the Secretary determines 
        to be useful to fulfill the purposes of the Internet 
        Clearinghouse.
    ``(c) Definitions.--The definitions contained in section 2 of the 
Minority Health Improvement and Health Disparity Elimination Act shall 
apply for purposes of this section.''.

SEC. 102. HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE COMPOSITION AND PLACEMENT.

    (a) In General.--Part F of title VII of the Public Health Service 
Act (42 U.S.C. 295j et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 792 
the following:

``SEC. 793. HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE, EDUCATION, AND TRAINING.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Administrator 
of the Health Resources and Services Administration and the Deputy 
Assistant Secretary for Minority Health, shall establish a database 
that can produce aggregated and disaggregated statistics on health 
professional students, including applicants, matriculates, and 
graduates.
    ``(b) Requirement To Collect Data.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each health professions school described 
        in paragraph (2) that receives Federal funds shall collect race 
        and ethnicity data, primary language data, and where feasible, 
        other health disparity data pursuant to subsection (d), 
        concerning the students described in subsection (a), as well as 
        intended geographical site of practice and intended discipline 
        of practice for graduates. In collecting race and ethnicity 
        data, a school shall--
                    ``(A) at a minimum, use the categories for race and 
                ethnicity established by the Director of the Office of 
                Management and Budget in effect on the date of 
                enactment of the Minority Health Improvement and Health 
                Disparity Elimination Act; and
                    ``(B) if practicable, collect data on additional 
                population groups if such data can be aggregated into 
                the minimum race and ethnicity data categories.
            ``(2) Health professions school.--A health professions 
        school described under this paragraph is a school of medicine 
        or osteopathic medicine, public health, nursing, dentistry, 
        optometry, pharmacy, allied health, podiatric medicine, or 
        veterinary medicine, or a graduate program in mental health 
        practice.
    ``(c) Reporting.--Each school or program described under subsection 
(b), shall, on an annual basis, report data on race and ethnicity and 
primary language collected under this section to the Secretary for 
inclusion in the database established under subsection (a). The 
Secretary shall ensure that such disparity data is reported to Congress 
and made available to the public.
    ``(d) Health Disparity Measures.--The Secretary shall develop, 
report, and disseminate measures of the other health data referenced in 
section 793(b)(1), to ensure uniform and consistent collection and 
reporting of these measures by health professions schools. In 
developing such measures, the Secretary shall take into consideration 
health disparity indicators developed pursuant to section 2901(c).
    ``(e) Use of Data.--Data reported pursuant to subsection (c) shall 
be used by the Secretary to conduct ongoing short- and long-term 
analyses of diversity within health professions schools and the health 
professions. The Secretary shall ensure that such analyses are reported 
to Congress and made available to the public.
    ``(f) Cultural Competency Training.--The Secretary shall mandate 
the collection and reporting of data from health professions schools 
regarding the extent to which cultural competency training is provided 
to health professions students, that may include the duration, content 
and timing of the training, and conduct periodic assessments regarding 
the preparedness of such students to care for patients from racial and 
ethnic minority groups.
    ``(g) Privacy.--The Secretary shall ensure that all data collected 
under this section is protected from inappropriate internal and 
external use by any entity that collects, stores, or receives the data 
and that such data is collected without personally identifiable 
information.
    ``(h) Partnership.--The Secretary may contract with external 
entities to fulfill the requirements under this section if such 
entities have demonstrated expertise and experience collecting, 
analyzing, and reporting data required under this section for health 
professional students.''.
    (b) National Health Service Corps Program.--
            (1) Assignment of corps personnel.--Section 333(a)(3) of 
        the Public Health Service Corps (42 U.S.C. 254f(a)(3)) is 
        amended to read as follows:
            ``(3)(A) In approving applications for assignment of 
        members of the Corps, the Secretary shall not discriminate 
        against application from entities which are not receiving 
        Federal financial assistance under this Act.
            ``(B) In approving such applications, the Secretary shall--
                    ``(i) give preference to applications in which a 
                nonprofit entity or public entity shall provide a site 
                to which Corps members may be assigned; and
                    ``(ii) give highest preference to applications--
                            ``(I) from entities described in clause (i) 
                        that are federally qualified health centers as 
                        defined in section 1905(l)(2)(B) of the Social 
                        Security Act; and
                            ``(II) from entities described in clause 
                        (i) that primarily serve racial and ethnic 
                        minority groups with annual incomes at or below 
                        twice those set forth in the most recent 
                        poverty guidelines issued by the Secretary 
                        pursuant to section 673(2) of the Community 
                        Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 
                        9902(2)).''.
            (2) Priorities in assignment of corps personnel.--Section 
        333A of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254f-1) is 
        amended--
                    (A) in subsection (a)--
                            (i) by redesignating paragraphs (1), (2), 
                        and (3) as paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), 
                        respectively; and
                            (ii) by striking ``shall--'' and inserting 
                        ``shall--
            ``(1) give preference to applications as set forth in 
        subsection (a)(3) of section 333;''; and
                    (B) by striking ``subsection (a)(1)'' each place it 
                appears and inserting ``subsection (a)(2)''.
            (3) Conforming amendment.--Section 338I(c)(3)(B)(ii) of the 
        Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254q-1(c)(3)(B)(ii)) is 
        amended by striking ``section 333A(a)(1)'' and inserting 
        ``section 333A(a)(2)''.

SEC. 103. WORKFORCE TRAINING TO ACHIEVE DIVERSITY.

    (a) Centers of Excellence.--Section 736 of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 293) is amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:
    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall make grants to, and enter 
into contracts with, public and nonprofit private health or educational 
entities, including designated health professions schools described in 
subsection (c), for the purpose of assisting the entities in supporting 
programs of excellence in health professions education for 
underrepresented minorities in health professions.'';
            (2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:
    ``(b) Required Use of Funds.--The Secretary may not make a grant 
under subsection (a) unless the designated health professions school 
agrees, subject to subsection (c)(1)(C), to use the funds awarded under 
the grant to--
            ``(1) 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) establish, strengthen, or expand programs to enhance 
        the academic performance of underrepresented minority in health 
        professions students attending the school;
            ``(3) improve the capacity of such school to train, 
        recruit, and retain underrepresented minority faculty members 
        including the payment of such stipends and fellowships as the 
        Secretary may determine appropriate;
            ``(4) carry out activities to improve the information 
        resources, clinical education, curricula, and cultural and 
        linguistic competence of the graduates of the school, as it 
        relates to minority health issues;
            ``(5) facilitate faculty and student research on health 
        issues particularly affecting racial and ethnic minority 
        groups, including research on issues relating to the delivery 
        of culturally competent healthcare (as defined in section 270);
            ``(6) establish and implement a program to train students 
        of the school in providing health services to racial and ethnic 
        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;
            ``(7) provide stipends as the Secretary determines 
        appropriate, in amounts as the Secretary determines 
        appropriate; and
            ``(8) conduct accountability and other reporting 
        activities, as required by the Secretary in subsection (i).'';
            (3) in subsection (c)--
                    (A) by amending paragraph (1) to read as follows:
            ``(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 
                        underrepresented minority in health professions 
                        students enrolled in the school, including 
                        individuals accepted for enrollment in the 
                        school;
                            ``(ii) has been effective in assisting such 
                        students of the school to complete the program 
                        of education and receive the degree involved;
                            ``(iii) has been effective in recruiting 
                        such students to enroll in and graduate from 
                        the school, including providing scholarships 
                        and other financial assistance to such students 
                        and encouraging such 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 
                        underrepresented minority in health professions 
                        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.'';
                    (B) by amending paragraph (2) to read as follows:
            ``(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 is a school described in section 799B(1).
                    ``(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 underrepresented 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 this 
                paragraph or paragraph (5).''; and
                    (C) by amending paragraphs (3) through (5) to read 
                as follows:
            ``(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) of this section, 
                that the school will, in carrying out the duties 
                described in subsection (b) of this section, 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) of this section, 
                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) of this section, 
                that the school will, in carrying out the duties 
                described in subsection (b) of this section, 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) of this section, 
                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 underrepresented minorities in 
                health professions significantly above the national 
                average for such enrollments of health professions 
                schools.''; and
            (4) by striking subsection (h) and inserting the following:
    ``(h) Formula for Allocations.--
            ``(1) Allocations.--Based on the amount appropriated under 
        section 106(a) of the Minority Health Improvement and Health 
        Disparity Elimination Act for a fiscal year, the following 
        subparagraphs shall apply as appropriate:
                    ``(A) In general.--If the amounts appropriated 
                under section 106(a) of the Minority Health Improvement 
                and Health Disparity Elimination Act 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 section 106(a) of the Minority 
                Health Improvement and Health Disparity Elimination Act 
                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 section 106(a) of the Minority 
                Health Improvement and Health Disparity Elimination Act 
                for a fiscal year exceed $30,000,000 but are less than 
                $40,000,000, 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 
                        excess amount 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).
                    ``(D) Funding in excess of $40,000,000.--If amounts 
                appropriated under section 106(a) of the Minority 
                Health Improvement and Health Disparity Elimination Act 
                for a fiscal year are $40,000,000 or more, the 
                Secretary shall make available--
                            ``(i) not less than $16,000,000 for grants 
                        under subsection (a) to health professions 
                        schools that meet the conditions described in 
                        subsection (c)(2)(A);
                            ``(ii) not less than $16,000,000 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 $8,000,000 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).
            ``(2) 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 grants under this section.
            ``(3) 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 
                center shall, before expending the grant, expend the 
                Federal amounts obtained from sources other than the 
                grant, unless given prior approval from the Secretary.
    ``(i) Evaluations.--
            ``(1) Advisory committee.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the 
                date of enactment of the Minority Health Improvement 
                and Health Disparity Elimination Act, the Secretary 
                shall establish and appoint the members of an advisory 
                committee composed of representatives of government 
                agencies, including the Health Resources and Services 
                Administration, the Office of Minority Health, and the 
                Indian Health Service, community stakeholders and 
                experts in identifying and addressing the health 
                concerns of racial and ethnic minority groups, and 
                designees from health professions schools described in 
                subsection (b).
                    ``(B) Duties.--The advisory committee shall develop 
                and recommend performance measures with which to 
                assess, based on data to be compiled by recipients of 
                grants or contracts under this section or section 736, 
                737, 738, or 739, the extent to which the program 
                described in this section and sections 736, 737, 738, 
                and 739 has met the purpose of this part. The advisory 
                committee shall submit such recommendations to the 
                Administrator of the Health Resources and Services 
                Administration not later than 6 months after the 
                appointment of the advisory committee.
                    ``(C) Notification.--Not later than 30 days after 
                the submission of the recommendations, the 
                Administrator of the Health Resources and Services 
                Administration shall review the recommendations and 
                establish performance measures described in 
                subparagraph (B), and the Administrator shall notify 
                recipients of grants or contracts under this section or 
                section 736, 737, 738, or 739 of the new performance 
                measures and make requirements related to the 
                performance measures publicly available both on the 
                website of the Administration and as part of any 
                notifications of awards released to entities receiving 
                the grants or contracts.
            ``(2) Data collection and annual evaluations.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Administrator of the Health 
                Resources and Services Administration shall collect 
                data on an annual basis from recipients of grants or 
                contracts under this section or section 736, 737, 738, 
                or 739 on the performance measures established under 
                paragraph (1).
                    ``(B) Biannual meeting.--The Administrator of the 
                Health Resources and Services Administration shall 
                convene a meeting of the advisory committee established 
                under paragraph (1) not less than twice per year. At 
                the meeting, the advisory committee shall recommend any 
                necessary changes to such performance measures to 
                improve data collection and short-term evaluation with 
                respect to the programs carried out under this section 
                or section 736, 737, 738, or 739, and provide technical 
                assistance as necessary.
            ``(3) Updates.--The Administrator of the Health Resources 
        and Services Administration shall determine whether to 
        incorporate the recommended changes as described in paragraph 
        (2)(B) and provide technical assistance as necessary. The 
        Administrator shall not penalize a current recipient of a grant 
        or contract under this section or section 736, 737, 738, or 739 
        for failing to comply with the revised data collection or 
        performance measure requirements if the recipient demonstrates 
        an inability to provide additional data mandated under the 
        requirements.
            ``(4) Accountability.--The Administrator shall review and 
        take into consideration performance measurement data previously 
        collected from recipients of grants or contracts under this 
        section or section 736, 737, 738, or 739 when deciding to renew 
        the grants or contracts of such recipients.''.
    (b) Cooperative Agreements for Online Degree Programs at Schools of 
Public Health and Schools of Allied Health.--Part B of title VII of the 
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 293 et seq.) is amended by adding 
at the end the following:

``SEC. 742. COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS FOR ONLINE DEGREE PROGRAMS.

    ``(a) Cooperative Agreements.--The Secretary shall award 
cooperative agreements to accredited schools of public health, schools 
of allied health, and public health programs to design and implement a 
degree program over the Internet (referred to in this section as an 
`online degree program').
    ``(b) Application.--To be eligible to receive a cooperative 
agreement under subsection (a), an accredited school of public health, 
school of allied health, or public health program shall submit an 
application at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
information as the Secretary may require.
    ``(c) Priority.--In awarding cooperative agreements under this 
section, the Secretary shall give priority to any accredited school of 
public health, school of allied health, or public health program that 
serves a disproportionate number of individuals from racial and ethnic 
minority groups.
    ``(d) Requirements.--Awardees shall use an award under subsection 
(a) to design and implement an online degree program that meets the 
following conditions:
            ``(1) Limiting enrollment to individuals who have obtained 
        a secondary school diploma or a recognized equivalent.
            ``(2) Maintaining significant enrollment and graduation of 
        underrepresented minorities in health professions.''.
    (c) Definition.--Part B of title VII of the Public Health Service 
Act (42 U.S.C. 293 et seq.) is amended by inserting after the part 
heading the following:

``SEC. 735A. APPLICATION OF DEFINITION.

    ``The definition contained in section 738(b)(5) shall apply for 
purposes of this part, except that such definition shall also apply in 
the case of references to `underrepresented minority students', 
`underrepresented minority faculty members', `underrepresented minority 
faculty administrators', and `underrepresented minorities in health 
professions'.''.

SEC. 104. MID-CAREER HEALTH PROFESSIONS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

    Subpart 2 of part E of title VII of the Public Health Service Act 
(42 U.S.C. 295 et seq.) is amended--
            (1) in section 770, by inserting ``(other than section 
        771)'' after ``this subpart'';
            (2) by redesignating section 770 as section 771; and
            (3) by inserting after section 769 the following:

``SEC. 770. MID-CAREER HEALTH PROFESSIONS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may make grants to eligible 
schools to award scholarships to eligible individuals to attend the 
school involved, for the purpose of enabling the individuals to make a 
career change from a non-health profession to a health profession.
    ``(b) Application.--To receive a grant under this section, an 
eligible school shall submit to the Secretary an application at such 
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary 
may require.
    ``(c) Use of Funds.--Amounts awarded as a scholarship under this 
section may be expended only for tuition expenses, other reasonable 
educational expenses, and reasonable living expenses incurred in the 
attendance of the school involved.
    ``(d) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Eligible school.--The term `eligible school' means an 
        accredited school of medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, 
        nursing, pharmacy, podiatric medicine, optometry, veterinary 
        medicine, public health, chiropractic, 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.
            ``(2) Eligible individual.--The term `eligible individual' 
        means an individual who is an underrepresented minority who has 
        obtained a secondary school diploma or its recognized 
        equivalent.''.

SEC. 105. CULTURAL COMPETENCY TRAINING.

    Part B of title VII of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 293 
et seq.), as amended by section 104, is amended by adding at the end 
the following:

``SEC. 743. CULTURAL COMPETENCY TRAINING.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, acting through the Administrator 
of the Health Resources and Services Administration and in 
collaboration with the Office of Minority Health and Agency for 
Healthcare Research and Quality, shall support the development, 
evaluation, and dissemination of model curricula for cultural 
competency training for use in health professions schools and 
continuing education programs, and other purposes determined 
appropriate by the Secretary.
    ``(b) Curricula.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary 
shall collaborate with health professional societies, licensing and 
accreditation entities, health professions schools, and experts in 
minority health and cultural competency, community-based organizations, 
and other organizations as determined appropriate by the Secretary. 
Such curricula shall include a focus on cultural competency measures 
and cultural competency self-assessment methodology for health 
providers, systems and institutions.
    ``(c) Dissemination.--
            ``(1) In general.--Such model curricula should be 
        disseminated through the Internet Clearinghouse under section 
        270 and other means as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
            ``(2) Evaluation.--The Secretary shall evaluate adoption 
        and the implementation of cultural competency training 
        curricula, and facilitate inclusion of cultural competency 
        measures in quality measurement systems as appropriate.''.

SEC. 106. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS; REAUTHORIZATIONS.

    (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated--
            (1) such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 
        2008 through 2012, to carry out the amendments made by sections 
        101 and 102 of this title (adding sections 270 and 793 to the 
        Public Health Service Act);
            (2) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and such sums as may 
        be necessary for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012, to 
        carry out the amendments made by section 103(a) (relating to 
        centers of excellence in section 736 of the Public Health 
        Service Act);
            (3) such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 
        2008 through 2012, to carry out the amendments made by section 
        103(b) (adding section 742 to the Public Health Service Act);
            (4) such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 
        2008 through 2012, to carry out the amendments made by section 
        104(b) (adding section 770 to the Public Health Service Act); 
        and
            (5) such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 
        2008 through 2012, to carry out the amendment made by section 
        105 (adding section 743 to the Public Health Service Act).
    (b) Reauthorizations.--The following programs are reauthorized as 
follows:
            (1) Educational assistance in the health professions 
        regarding individuals from disadvantaged background.--Section 
        740(c) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 293a(c)) is 
        amended by striking the first sentence and inserting the 
        following: ``For the purpose of grants and contracts under 
        section 739(a)(1), there is authorized to be appropriated 
        $60,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 and such sums as may be 
        necessary for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012.''.
            (2) Scholarships for disadvantaged students.--Section 
        740(a) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 293a(a)) is 
        amended by striking ``$37,000,000'' and all that follows 
        through ``through 2002'' and inserting ``$51,000,000 for fiscal 
        year 2008, and such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal 
        years 2009 through 2012''.
            (3) Loan repayments and fellowships.--Section 740(b) of the 
        Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 293a(b)) is amended by 
        striking ``$1,100,000'' and all that follows through ``through 
        2002'' and inserting ``$1,700,000 for fiscal year 2008, and 
        such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2009 
        through 2012''.
            (4) Grants for health professions education.--Section 741 
        of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 293e) is amended in 
        subsection (b), by striking ``$3,500,000'' and all that follows 
        through the period and inserting ``such sums as may be 
        necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.''.

     TITLE II--PROMOTING HEALTH AND HEALTHCARE AWARENESS AND ACCESS

SEC. 201. CARE AND ACCESS.

    Part P of title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
280g et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 399R. ACCESS, AWARENESS, AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES.

    ``(a) Demonstration Projects.--The Secretary shall award multiyear 
contracts or competitive grants to eligible entities to support 
demonstration projects designed to improve the health and healthcare of 
racial and ethnic minority groups through improved access to 
healthcare, patient navigators, primary prevention activities, health 
promotion and disease prevention activities, and health literacy 
education and services.
    ``(b) Eligibility.--In this section:
            ``(1) Eligible entity.--The term `eligible entity' means an 
        organization or a community-based consortium.
            ``(2) Organization.--The term `organization' means--
                    ``(A) a hospital, health plan, or clinic;
                    ``(B) an academic institution;
                    ``(C) a State health agency;
                    ``(D) an Indian Health Service hospital or clinic, 
                Indian tribal health facility, or urban Indian 
                facility;
                    ``(E) a nonprofit organization, including a faith-
                based organization or consortium, to the extent that a 
                contract or grant awarded to such an entity is 
                consistent with the requirements of section 1955;
                    ``(F) a primary care practice-based research 
                network; and
                    ``(G) any other similar entity determined to be 
                appropriate by the Secretary.
            ``(3) Community-based consortium.--The term `community-
        based consortium' means a partnership that--
                    ``(A) includes--
                            ``(i) individuals who are representatives 
                        of organizations of racial and ethnic minority 
                        groups;
                            ``(ii) community leaders and leaders of 
                        community-based organizations;
                            ``(iii) healthcare providers, including 
                        providers who treat racial and ethnic minority 
                        groups; and
                            ``(iv) experts in the area of social and 
                        behavioral science, who have knowledge, 
                        training, or practical experience in health 
                        policy, advocacy, cultural or linguistic 
                        competency, or other relevant areas as 
                        determined by the Secretary; and
                    ``(B) is located within a federally- or State-
                designated medically underserved area, a federally 
                designated health provider shortage area, or an area 
                with a significant population of racial and ethnic 
                minorities.
    ``(c) Application.--An eligible entity seeking a contract or grant 
under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such 
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary 
may require, including assurances that the eligible entity will--
            ``(1) target populations that are members of racial and 
        ethnic minority groups and health disparity populations through 
        specific outreach activities;
            ``(2) collaborate with appropriate community organizations 
        and include meaningful community participation in planning, 
        implementation, and evaluation of activities;
            ``(3) demonstrate capacity to promote culturally competent 
        and appropriate care for target populations with consideration 
        for health literacy;
            ``(4) develop a plan for long-term sustainability;
            ``(5) evaluate the effectiveness of activities under this 
        section, within an appropriate time frame, which shall include 
        a focus on quality and outcomes performance measures to ensure 
        that the activities are meeting the intended goals, and that 
        the entity is able to disseminate findings from such 
        evaluations;
            ``(6) provide ongoing outreach and education to the health 
        disparity populations served;
            ``(7) demonstrate coordination between public and private 
        entities; and
            ``(8) assist individuals and groups in accessing public and 
        private programs that will help eliminate disparities in health 
        and healthcare.
    ``(d) Priorities.--In awarding contracts and grants under this 
section, the Secretary shall give priority to applicants that are--
            ``(1) safety net hospitals, defined as hospitals with a low 
        income utilization rate greater than 25 percent (as defined in 
        section 1923(b)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396r-
        4(b)(3)));
            ``(2) a federally qualified health center as defined in 
        section 1905(l)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act with the 
        ability to establish and lead a collaborative partnership;
            ``(3) a community-based consortium as described in 
        subsection (b)(3)(A);
            ``(4) safety net health plans that are in coordination with 
        local health centers;
            ``(5) an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or urban Indian 
        organization; and
            ``(6) other health systems that--
                    ``(A) by legal mandate or explicitly adopted 
                mission, provide patients with access to services 
                regardless of their ability to pay;
                    ``(B) provide care or treatment for a substantial 
                number of patients who are uninsured, are receiving 
                assistance under a State program under title XIX of the 
                Social Security Act, or are members of vulnerable 
                populations, as determined by the Secretary;
                    ``(C) serve a disproportionate percentage of 
                patients from racial and ethnic minority groups;
                    ``(D) provide an assurance that amounts received 
                under the grant or contract will be used to implement 
                strategies that address patients' linguistic needs, 
                where necessary, and recruit and maintain diverse staff 
                and leadership; and
                    ``(E) provide an assurance that amounts received 
                under the grant or contract will be used to support 
                quality improvement activities for patients from racial 
                and ethnic minority groups.
    ``(e) Use of Funds.--An eligible entity shall use such amounts 
received under this section for demonstration projects to--
            ``(1) address health disparities in the United States-
        Mexico Border Area, as defined in section 8 of the United 
        States-Mexico Border Health Commission Act (22 U.S.C. 290n-6), 
        relating to health disparities in the areas of--
                    ``(A) maternal and child health;
                    ``(B) primary care and preventive health, including 
                health education and promotion;
                    ``(C) public health and the built environment;
                    ``(D) oral health;
                    ``(E) behavioral and mental health and substance 
                abuse;
                    ``(F) health conditions that have a 
                disproportionate impact on racial and ethnic minorities 
                and a high prevalence in the Border Area;
                    ``(G) health services research;
                    ``(H) environmental health;
                    ``(I) workforce training and development; or
                    ``(J) other areas determined appropriate by the 
                Secretary;
            ``(2) implement the best practices in disease management, 
        including those that address primary prevention and co-
        occurring chronic conditions, as defined by the public-private 
        partnership established under section 918(b), that target 
        patients with low health literacy, and, as feasible, 
        incorporate health information technology;
            ``(3) evaluate methods for strengthening the health 
        coverage and continuity of coverage of migratory and seasonal 
        agricultural workers, as such terms are defined in section 
        330(g), and workers in other industries with traditionally low 
        rates of employer-sponsored health insurance; and
            ``(4) identify, educate, and enroll eligible patients from 
        racial and ethnic minorities and other health disparity 
        populations into clinical trials.
    ``(f) Report.--Not later than 3 years after the date an entity 
receives a contract or grant under this section and annually 
thereafter, the entity shall provide to the Secretary a report 
containing the results of any evaluation conducted pursuant to 
subsection (c)(5).
    ``(g) Dissemination of Findings.--The Secretary shall, as 
appropriate, disseminate to public and private entities, including 
Congress, the findings made in evaluations described under subsection 
(f).

``SEC. 399S. GRANTS TO PROMOTE POSITIVE HEALTH BEHAVIORS.

    ``(a) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary, in collaboration with the 
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other 
Federal officials determined appropriate by the Secretary, may award 
grants to State or local governments, Indian tribes (including Alaska 
Native villages), tribal organizations, or urban Indian organizations, 
to promote positive health behaviors for racial and ethnic minority 
populations, especially in medically underserved communities.
    ``(b) Use of Funds.--Grants awarded under subsection (a) may be 
used to provide support to community health workers--
            ``(1) to educate, guide, and provide outreach in a 
        community setting regarding health problems prevalent among 
        racial and ethnic minority populations, especially in medically 
        underserved communities;
            ``(2) to educate, guide, and provide experiential learning 
        opportunities that target behavioral risk factors including--
                    ``(A) poor nutrition;
                    ``(B) physical inactivity;
                    ``(C) being overweight or obese;
                    ``(D) tobacco use;
                    ``(E) alcohol and substance use;
                    ``(F) injury and violence;
                    ``(G) risky sexual behavior;
                    ``(H) mental health problems;
                    ``(I) poor oral health;
            ``(3) to educate and provide guidance regarding effective 
        strategies to promote positive health behaviors within the 
        family;
            ``(4) to educate and provide outreach regarding enrollment 
        in health insurance including the State Children's Health 
        Insurance Program under title XXI of the Social Security Act, 
        Medicare under title XVIII of such Act and Medicaid under title 
        XIX of such Act;
            ``(5) to promote community wellness and awareness;
            ``(6) to educate and refer racial and ethnic minorities to 
        appropriate healthcare agencies and community-based programs 
        and organizations in order to increase access to quality 
        healthcare services, including preventive health services; or
            ``(7) to educate, guide, and provide home visitation 
        services to improve maternal and child health outcomes.
    ``(c) Application.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each State or local government, Indian 
        tribe (including Alaska Native villages), tribal organizations, 
        or urban Indian organizations that desires to receive a grant 
        under subsection (a) shall submit an application to the 
        Secretary, at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by 
        such information as the Secretary may require.
            ``(2) Contents.--Each application submitted pursuant to 
        paragraph (1) shall--
                    ``(A) describe the activities for which assistance 
                is sought under this section;
                    ``(B) contain an assurance that, with respect to 
                each community health worker program receiving funds 
                under the grant, such program will provide training and 
                supervision to community health workers to enable such 
                workers to provide authorized program services;
                    ``(C) contain an assurance that the applicant will 
                evaluate the effectiveness of community health worker 
                programs receiving funds under the grant;
                    ``(D) contain an assurance that each community 
                health worker program receiving funds under the grant 
                will provide services in the cultural context most 
                appropriate for the individuals served by the program;
                    ``(E) contain a plan to document and disseminate 
                project descriptions and results to other States and 
                organizations as identified by the Secretary; and
                    ``(F) describe plans to enhance the capacity of 
                individuals to utilize health services and health-
                related social services under Federal, State, and local 
                programs by--
                            ``(i) assisting individuals in establishing 
                        eligibility under the programs and in receiving 
                        the services or other benefits of the programs; 
                        and
                            ``(ii) providing other services as the 
                        Secretary determines to be appropriate, that 
                        may include transportation and translation 
                        services.
    ``(d) Priority.--In awarding grants under subsection (a), the 
Secretary shall give priority to applicants that--
            ``(1) propose to target geographic areas--
                    ``(A) with a high percentage of residents who are 
                eligible for health insurance but are uninsured or 
                underinsured; and
                    ``(B) with a high percentage of families for whom 
                English is not their primary language;
            ``(2) have experience in providing health or health-related 
        social services to individuals who are underserved with respect 
        to such services; and
            ``(3) have documented community activity and experience 
        with community health workers.
    ``(e) Collaboration With Academic Institutions.--The Secretary 
shall encourage community health worker programs receiving funds under 
this section to collaborate with academic institutions. Nothing in this 
section shall be construed to require such collaboration.
    ``(f) Quality Assurance and Cost Effectiveness.--The Secretary 
shall establish guidelines for assuring the quality of the training and 
supervision of community health workers under the programs funded under 
this section and for assuring the cost-effectiveness of such programs.
    ``(g) Monitoring.--The Secretary shall monitor community health 
worker programs identified in approved applications under this section 
and shall determine whether such programs are in compliance with the 
guidelines established under subsection (f).
    ``(h) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary may provide technical 
assistance to community health worker programs identified in approved 
applications under this section with respect to planning, developing, 
and operating programs under the grant.
    ``(i) Report to Congress.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 4 years after the date on 
        which the Secretary first awards grants under subsection (a), 
        the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report regarding the 
        grant project.
            ``(2) Contents.--The report required under paragraph (1) 
        shall include the following:
                    ``(A) A description of the programs for which grant 
                funds were used.
                    ``(B) The number of individuals served under such 
                programs.
                    ``(C) An evaluation of--
                            ``(i) the effectiveness of such programs;
                            ``(ii) the cost of such programs; and
                            ``(iii) the impact of the programs on the 
                        health outcomes of the community residents.
                    ``(D) Recommendations for sustaining the community 
                health worker programs developed or assisted under this 
                section.
                    ``(E) Recommendations regarding training to enhance 
                career opportunities for community health workers.
    ``(j) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) Community health worker.--The term `community health 
        worker' means an individual who promotes health or nutrition 
        within the community in which the individual resides--
                    ``(A) by serving as a liaison between communities 
                and healthcare agencies;
                    ``(B) by providing guidance and social assistance 
                to community residents;
                    ``(C) by enhancing community residents' ability to 
                effectively communicate with healthcare providers;
                    ``(D) by providing culturally and linguistically 
                appropriate health or nutrition education;
                    ``(E) by advocating for individual and community 
                health, including oral and mental, and nutrition needs; 
                and
                    ``(F) by providing referral and follow-up services.
            ``(2) Community setting.--The term `community setting' 
        means a home or a community organization located in the 
        neighborhood in which a participant resides.
            ``(3) Medically underserved community.--The term `medically 
        underserved community' means a community identified by a 
        State--
                    ``(A) that has a substantial number of individuals 
                who are members of a medically underserved population, 
                as defined by section 330(b)(3); and
                    ``(B) a significant portion of which is a health 
                professional shortage area as designated under section 
                332.
            ``(4) Support.--The term `support' means the provision of 
        training, supervision, and materials needed to effectively 
        deliver the services described in subsection (b), reimbursement 
        for services, and other benefits.

``SEC. 399T. GRANTS FOR RACIAL AND ETHNIC APPROACHES TO COMMUNITY 
              HEALTH.

    ``(a) Purpose.--It is the purpose of this section to provide for 
the awarding of grants to assist communities in mobilizing and 
organizing resources in support of effective and sustainable programs 
that will reduce or eliminate disparities in health and healthcare 
experienced by racial and ethnic minority individuals.
    ``(b) Authority To Award Grants.--The Secretary, acting through the 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in consultation with the 
Office of Minority Health, shall award grants to eligible entities to 
assist in designing, implementing, and evaluating culturally and 
linguistically appropriate, evidence-based and community-driven 
sustainable strategies to eliminate racial and ethnic health and 
healthcare disparities.
    ``(c) Eligible Entities.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
this section, an entity shall--
            ``(1) represent a coalition--
                    ``(A) whose principal purpose is to develop and 
                implement interventions to reduce or eliminate a health 
                or healthcare disparity in a targeted racial or ethnic 
                minority group in the community served by the 
                coalition; and
                    ``(B) that includes--
                            ``(i) at least 3 members selected from 
                        among--
                                    ``(I) public health departments;
                                    ``(II) community-based 
                                organizations;
                                    ``(III) university and research 
                                organizations;
                                    ``(IV) Indian tribes, tribal 
                                organizations, urban Indian 
                                organizations, national or regional 
                                Indian organizations, or the Indian 
                                Health Service;
                                    ``(V) organizations serving Native 
                                Hawaiians;
                                    ``(VI) organizations serving 
                                Pacific Islanders; and
                                    ``(VII) interested public or 
                                private healthcare providers or 
                                organizations as deemed appropriate by 
                                the Secretary; and
                            ``(ii) at least 1 member from a community-
                        based organization that represents the targeted 
                        racial or ethnic minority group; and
            ``(2) submit to the Secretary an application at such time, 
        in such manner, and containing such information as the 
        Secretary may require, which shall include--
                    ``(A) a description of the targeted racial or 
                ethnic populations in the community to be served under 
                the grant;
                    ``(B) a description of at least 1 health disparity 
                that exists in the racial or ethnic targeted 
                populations, including infant mortality, breast and 
                cervical cancer screening and management, 
                cardiovascular disease, diabetes, child and adult 
                immunization levels, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis B, 
                tuberculosis, asthma, or other health priority areas as 
                designated by the Secretary; and
                    ``(C) a demonstration of a proven record of 
                accomplishment of the coalition members in serving and 
                working with the targeted community.
    ``(d) Sustainability.--The Secretary shall give priority to an 
eligible entity under this section if the entity agrees that, with 
respect to the costs to be incurred by the entity in carrying out the 
activities for which the grant was awarded, the entity (and each of the 
participating partners in the coalition represented by the entity) will 
maintain its expenditures of non-Federal funds for such activities at a 
level that is not less than the level of such expenditures during the 
fiscal year immediately preceding the first fiscal year for which the 
grant is awarded.
    ``(e) Nonduplication.--Funds provided through this grant program 
should supplement, not supplant, existing Federal funding, and the 
funds should not be used to duplicate the activities of the other 
health disparity grant programs in this Act.
    ``(f) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary may, either directly or 
by grant or contract, provide any entity that receives a grant under 
this section with technical and other non-financial assistance 
necessary to meet the requirements of this section.
    ``(g) Dissemination.--The Secretary shall encourage and enable 
grantees to share best practices, evaluation results, and reports using 
the Internet, conferences, and other pertinent information regarding 
the projects funded by this section, including the outreach efforts of 
the Office of Minority Health and the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention. Such information shall be publicly available, and posted on 
the Internet website of relevant government agencies.
    ``(h) Administrative Burdens.--The Secretary shall make every 
effort to minimize duplicative or unnecessary administrative burdens on 
grantees.

``SEC. 399U. GRANTS FOR HEALTH DISPARITY COLLABORATIVES.

    ``(a) Purpose.--The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of 
the Health Resources and Services Administration, shall award grants to 
eligible entities to assist in implementing systems of primary care 
practices to eliminate disparities in the delivery of healthcare and 
improve the healthcare provided to all patients.
    ``(b) Eligible Entities.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
this section, an entity shall--
            ``(1) be a federally qualified health center as defined in 
        section 1861(aa)(4) or 1905(l)(2)(B) of the Social Security Act 
        with the ability to establish and lead a collaborative 
        partnership; and
            ``(2) submit to the Secretary an application, at such time, 
        in such manner, and containing such information as the 
        Secretary may require, which shall include plans to implement 
        collaboratives in one or more of the following areas:
                    ``(A) Diabetes.
                    ``(B) Asthma.
                    ``(C) Depression.
                    ``(D) Cardiovascular disease.
                    ``(E) Cancer.
                    ``(F) Preventive health, including screenings.
                    ``(G) Perinatal health.
                    ``(H) Patient safety.
                    ``(I) Oral health.
                    ``(J) Finance and redesign of health centers to 
                implement planned care.
                    ``(K) Other areas as designated by the Secretary.
    ``(c) Nonduplication.--Funds provided through this grant program 
should supplement, not supplant, existing Federal funding, and the 
funds should not be used to duplicate the activities of the other 
health disparity grant programs in this Act.
    ``(d) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary may, either directly or 
by grant or contract, provide any entity that receives a grant under 
this section with technical and other non-financial assistance 
necessary to meet the requirements of this section.
    ``(e) Administrative Burdens.--The Secretary shall make every 
effort to minimize duplicative or unnecessary administrative burdens on 
grantees.

``SEC. 399V. HEALTH ACTION ZONES.

    ``(a) Purpose.--The Secretary shall establish the Health Action 
Zone Initiative demonstration program to support comprehensive State, 
tribal, or local initiatives to improve the health of racial and ethnic 
minority groups.
    ``(b) Health Action Zone Initiative Program.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall award Health Action 
        Zone Initiative Program grants to State and local public health 
        agencies and Indian tribes and tribal organizations of eligible 
        communities. Each grant shall be funded for 5 years.
            ``(2) Eligible communities.--
                    ``(A) Identification.--The Secretary shall develop, 
                after opportunity for public review and comment, and 
                implement a metric for identifying and notifying 
                eligible communities pursuant to subparagraph (B), and 
                report such findings to Congress and the public.
                    ``(B) Eligibility.--Eligible communities shall be 
                communities that are most at risk, or at greatest 
                disproportionate risk, for adverse health outcomes, as 
                measured by--
                            ``(i) overall burden of disease and health 
                        conditions;
                            ``(ii) accessibility to and availability of 
                        health and economic resources;
                            ``(iii) proportion of individuals from 
                        racial and ethnic minority groups; and
                            ``(iv) other factors as determined 
                        appropriate by the Secretary.
            ``(3) Agency collaboration.--The Secretary, in 
        collaboration with the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority 
        Health, the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and 
        Prevention, the Administrator of the Health Resources and 
        Services Administration, the Director of the Indian Health 
        Service, the Director of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 
        Services, the Director of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health 
        Services Administration, and heads of other Federal agencies as 
        appropriate, shall determine, with respect to the Health Action 
        Zone Initiative Program--
                    ``(A) core goals, objectives and reasonable time 
                lines for implementing, evaluating and sustaining 
                comprehensive and effective health and healthcare 
                improvement activities in eligible communities;
                    ``(B) current programmatic and research initiatives 
                in which eligible communities may participate;
                    ``(C) existing agency resources that can be 
                targeted to eligible communities; and
                    ``(D) mechanisms to facilitate joint application, 
                or establish a common application, to multiple grant 
                programs, as appropriate.
            ``(4) Applications.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The State and local public 
                health agencies of eligible communities shall jointly 
                submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in 
                such manner, and accompanied by such information as the 
                Secretary may require, including a strategic plan that 
                shall--
                            ``(i) describe the proposed activities 
                        pursuant to paragraph (5);
                            ``(ii) report the extent to which local 
                        institutions and organizations and community 
                        residents have participated in the strategic 
                        plan development;
                            ``(iii) identify established public-private 
                        partnerships, and State, local, and private 
                        resources that will be available;
                            ``(iv) identify Federal funding needed to 
                        support the proposed activities; and
                            ``(v) report the baselines, methods, and 
                        benchmarks for measuring the success of 
                        activities proposed in the strategic plan.
                    ``(B) Community advisory board.--
                            ``(i) In general.--In order to receive a 
                        Health Action Zone Initiative Program grant 
                        under this section, an eligible community shall 
                        have a community advisory board.
                            ``(ii) Members.--
                                    ``(I) Community.--The majority of 
                                the members of a community advisory 
                                board under clause (i) shall be 
                                individuals that will benefit from the 
                                activities or services provided by the 
                                grants under this section.
                                    ``(II) Representatives.--A 
                                community advisory board shall include 
                                representatives from the State health 
                                department and county or local health 
                                department, community-based 
                                organizations, environmental and public 
                                health experts, healthcare 
                                professionals and providers, nonprofit 
                                leaders, community organizers, elected 
                                officials, private payers, employers, 
                                and consumers.
                            ``(iii) Duties.--A community advisory board 
                        shall--
                                    ``(I) oversee the functions and 
                                operations of Health Action Zone 
                                Initiative Program grant activities;
                                    ``(II) assist in the evaluation of 
                                such activities; and
                                    ``(III) prepare an annual report 
                                that describes the progress made 
                                towards achieving stated goals and 
                                recommends time lines and future 
                                courses of action.
            ``(5) Use of funds.--An eligible community that receives a 
        grant under this section shall use the funding to support 
        activities to achieve stated core goals and objectives, 
        pursuant to paragraph (3), which may include initiatives that--
                    ``(A) promote disease prevention and health 
                promotion for racial and ethnic minority groups;
                    ``(B) facilitate partnerships between healthcare 
                providers, public and health agencies, academic 
                institutions, community based or advocacy 
                organizations, elected officials, professional 
                societies, and other stakeholder groups;
                    ``(C) enhance the local capacity for health data 
                collection and reporting in a manner that can be 
                aggregated and disaggregated to enhance understanding 
                of the racial and ethnic diversity of the Health Action 
                Zone;
                    ``(D) coordinate and integrate community-based 
                activities including education, city planning, 
                transportation initiatives, environmental changes, and 
                other related activities at the local level that help 
                improve public health and address health concerns;
                    ``(E) mobilize financial and other resources from 
                the public and private sector to increase local 
                capacity to address health issues;
                    ``(F) support the training of staff in 
                communication and outreach to the general public, 
                particularly those at disproportionate risk for health 
                and healthcare disparities;
                    ``(G) assist eligible communities in meeting 
                Healthy People 2010 objectives; and
                    ``(H) aid eligible communities in providing 
                employment, and cultural and recreational resources 
                that enable healthy lifestyles.
            ``(6) Evaluation.--The Secretary, directly or through 
        contract, shall conduct and report an evaluation of the Health 
        Action Zone Initiative Program that shall be available to the 
        public.
            ``(7) Supplement not supplant.--Grant funds received under 
        this section shall be used to supplement, and not supplant, 
        funding that would otherwise be used for activities described 
        under this section.
    ``(c) Puerto Rico.--For purposes of this section, the term `State' 
includes Puerto Rico.

``SEC. 399W. OUTREACH.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary, in collaboration with the Office 
for Minority Health, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, 
the Indian Health Service, and the Health Resources and Services 
Administration, shall establish a grant program to improve outreach, 
participation, and enrollment by eligible entities with respect to 
available healthcare programs.
    ``(b) Eligibility.--In this section, the term `eligible entity' 
means any of the following:
            ``(1) A State or local government.
            ``(2) A Federal health safety net organization.
            ``(3) A national, local, or community-based public or 
        nonprofit private organization.
            ``(4) A faith-based organization or consortia, to the 
        extent that a grant awarded to such an entity is consistent 
        with the requirements of section 1955 relating to a grant award 
        to non-governmental entities.
            ``(5) An elementary or secondary school.
    ``(c) Definition.--In this section:
            ``(1) Federal health safety net organization.--The term 
        `Federal health safety net organization' means--
                    ``(A) a health program operated by the Indian 
                Health Service, an Indian tribe, tribal organization or 
                urban Indian organization (as those terms are defined 
                in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act 
                (25 U.S.C. 1603);
                    ``(B) a federally qualified health center, as 
                defined in section 1905(l)(2)(B) of the Social Security 
                Act, with the ability to establish and lead a 
                collaborative partnership;
                    ``(C) a safety net hospital, defined as a hospital 
                with a low income utilization rate greater than 25 
                percent (as defined in section 1923(b)(3) of the Social 
                Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396r-4(b)(3)));
                    ``(D) a covered entity described in section 
                340B(a)(4);
                    ``(E) a safety net health plan defined as a managed 
                care organization that--
                            ``(i) is exempt from or not subject to 
                        Federal income tax, or is owned by an entity or 
                        entities exempt from or not subject to Federal 
                        income tax; and
                            ``(ii) enrolls not less than 75 percent of 
                        its members in a plan or program funded in 
                        whole or in part under a Federal, State, or 
                        local healthcare program (other than a program 
                        for government employees); and
                    ``(F) any other entity or a consortium that serves 
                children under a federally funded program, including 
                the special supplemental nutrition program for women, 
                infants, and children (WIC) established under section 
                17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786), 
                the head start and early head start programs under the 
                Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.), the school 
                lunch program established under the Richard B. Russell 
                National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1751 et seq.), and 
                an elementary or secondary school.
            ``(2) Indians; indian tribe; tribal organization; urban 
        indian organization.--The terms `Indian', `Indian tribe', 
        `tribal organization', and `urban Indian organization' have the 
        meanings given such terms in section 4 of the Indian Health 
        Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1603).
    ``(d) Priority for Award of Grants.--
            ``(1) In general.--In making grants under subsection (a), 
        the Secretary shall give priority to--
                    ``(A) eligible entities that propose to target 
                geographic areas with high rates of--
                            ``(i) eligible but unenrolled children, 
                        including such children who reside in rural 
                        areas; or
                            ``(ii) racial and ethnic minorities and 
                        health disparity populations, including those 
                        proposals that address cultural and linguistic 
                        barriers to enrollment; and
                    ``(B) eligible entities that plan to engage in 
                outreach efforts with respect to individuals described 
                in subparagraph (A) and that are--
                            ``(i) safety net hospitals, defined as 
                        hospitals with a low income utilization rate 
                        greater than 25 percent (as defined in section 
                        1923(b)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 
                        U.S.C. 1396r-4(b)(3)));
                            ``(ii) federally qualified health centers 
                        as defined in section 1905(1)(2)(B) of the 
                        Social Security Act with the ability to 
                        establish and lead a collaborative partnership;
                            ``(iii) community-based consortiums as 
                        described in section 399R(b) (3)(A) and (4);
                            ``(iv) safety net health plans that are in 
                        coordination with local health centers;
                            ``(v) Indian tribes, tribal organizations, 
                        or urban Indian organizations;
                            ``(vi) other health systems that as 
                        described in section 399R(d)(5); or
                            ``(vii) faith-based organizations or 
                        consortia.
            ``(2) Ten percent set aside for outreach to indian 
        children.--An amount equal to 10 percent of the funds 
        appropriated under section 202(3) of the Minority Health 
        Improvement and Health Disparity Elimination Act to carry out 
        this section for a fiscal year shall be used by the Secretary 
        to award grants to health programs operated by the Indian 
        Health Service, an Indian tribe, tribal organization, or urban 
        Indian organization (as those terms are defined in section 4 of 
        the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1603)) for 
        outreach to, and enrollment of, children who are Indians.

``SEC. 399X. DELTA HEALTH INITIATIVE.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall award a grant to fund the 
Delta Health Initiative Rural Health, Education, and Workforce 
Infrastructure Demonstration Program for the purpose of addressing 
longstanding, unmet health needs in the Mississippi Delta, including 
health education, access and research, and job training.
    ``(b) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this 
section, an entity shall--
            ``(1) include a nonprofit alliance of not less than 4 
        academic institutions that have a history of collaboration, 
        along with their State Hospital Association and 2 community-
        based organizations;
            ``(2) solicit and fund proposals from local governments, 
        hospitals, healthcare clinics, academic institutions, and rural 
        public health-related entities and organizations for research 
        development, educational programs, healthcare services, job 
        training, planning, construction, and the equipment of public 
        health-related facilities;
            ``(3) have experience working with federally qualified 
        health centers and local health departments; and
            ``(4) have experience in diabetes education and management, 
        promoting healthy communities, health education, and wellness.
    ``(c) Definition.--In this section, the term `alliance' means an 
entity composed of--
            ``(1) an academic health and research center;
            ``(2) at least 2 regional universities;
            ``(3) a school of nursing; and
            ``(4) a strong economic development entity, as determined 
        by the Secretary.
    ``(d) Federal Interest in Property.--With respect to funds used 
under this subsection for construction or alteration of property, the 
Federal interest in the property shall last for a period of 1 year 
following completion or until the Federal Government is compensated for 
its proportionate interest in the property use changes or the property 
is transferred or sold, whichever time period is less. At the 
conclusion of such period, the notice of Federal interest in such 
property shall be removed.''.

SEC. 202. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated--
            (1) such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 
        2008 through 2012, to carry out section 399R of the Public 
        Health Service Act (as added by section 201);
            (2) $52,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, and such sums as may 
        be necessary for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012, to 
        carry out section 399T of the Public Health Service Act (as 
        added by section 201); and
            (3) such sums as necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 
        through 2012, to carry out sections 399S, 399U, 399V, 399W, and 
        399X of the Public Health Service Act (as added by section 
        201).

     TITLE III--RESEARCH TO REDUCE AND ELIMINATE HEALTH DISPARITIES

SEC. 301. AGENCY FOR HEALTHCARE RESEARCH AND QUALITY.

    (a) In General.--Part B of title IX of the Public Health Service 
Act (42 U.S.C. 299b et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:

``SEC. 918. ENHANCED RESEARCH WITH RESPECT TO HEALTHCARE DISPARITIES.

    ``(a) Accelerating the Elimination of Disparities.--
            ``(1) Strategic plan.--The Secretary, acting through the 
        Director, and in collaboration with the Deputy Assistant 
        Secretary for Minority Health, shall develop a strategic plan 
        regarding research supported by the agency to improve 
        healthcare and eliminate healthcare disparities among racial 
        and ethnic minority groups. In developing such plan, the 
        Secretary shall--
                    ``(A) determine which areas of research focus would 
                have the greatest impact on healthcare improvement and 
                elimination of disparities, taking into consideration 
                the overall health status of various populations, 
                disproportionate burden of diseases or health 
                conditions, and types of interventions for which data 
                on effectiveness is limited;
                    ``(B) establish measurable goals and objectives 
                which will allow assessment of progress;
                    ``(C) solicit public review and comment from 
                experts in healthcare, minority health and health 
                disparities, health services research, and other areas 
                as determined appropriate by the Secretary;
                    ``(D) incorporate recommendations from the 
                Institute of Medicine, pursuant to section 303 of the 
                Minority Health Improvement and Health Disparity 
                Elimination Act, as appropriate;
                    ``(E) complete such plan within 12 months of 
                enactment of the Minority Health Improvement and Health 
                Disparity Elimination Act; and
                    ``(F) update such plan and report on progress in 
                meeting established goals and objectives incorporating 
                recommendations from the Institute of Medicine as 
                described in section 303(b) and (c) of the Minority 
                Health Improvement and Health Disparity Elimination Act 
                not less than every 2 years and include in annual 
                performance budget submissions, an update of progress 
                in meeting plan goals and objectives;
                    ``(G) ensure coordination and integration with the 
                National Plan to Improve Minority Health and Eliminate 
                Health Disparities, as described in section 1707(c) and 
                other Department-wide initiatives, as feasible; and
                    ``(H) report the plan to the Congress and make 
                available to the public in print and electronic format.
            ``(2) Establishment of grants.--The Secretary, acting 
        through the Director, and in collaboration with the Deputy 
        Assistant Secretary for Minority Health, may award grants or 
        contracts to eligible entities for research to improve the 
        health of racial and ethnic minority groups.
            ``(3) Application; eligible entities.--
                    ``(A) Application.--To receive a grant or contract 
                under this section, an eligible entity shall submit to 
                the Secretary an application at such time, in such 
                manner, and containing such information as the 
                Secretary may require.
                    ``(B) Eligible entities.--To be eligible to receive 
                a grant or contract under this section, an entity shall 
                be a health center, hospital, health system, community 
                clinic, university, community-based organization, or 
                other health entity determined appropriate by the 
                Secretary, that--
                            ``(i) by legal mandate or explicitly 
                        adopted mission, provides patients with access 
                        to services regardless of their ability to pay;
                            ``(ii) provides care or treatment for a 
                        substantial number of patients who are 
                        uninsured, are receiving assistance under a 
                        State program under title XIX of the Social 
                        Security Act, or are members of vulnerable 
                        populations, as determined by the Secretary;
                            ``(iii) serves a disproportionate 
                        percentage of patients from racial and ethnic 
                        minority groups;
                            ``(iv) provides an assurance that amounts 
                        received under the grant or contract will be 
                        used to implement strategies that address 
                        patients' linguistic needs, where necessary, 
                        and recruit and maintain diverse staff and 
                        leadership; and
                            ``(v) include a focus on community-based 
                        participation in research and demonstrations, 
                        as well as research analysis, interpretation, 
                        solutions and partnerships for patients from 
                        racial and ethnic minority groups.
                    ``(C) Preference.--Consortia of 3 or more eligible 
                entities, particularly those entities that partner with 
                health plans, shall be given a preference for grant or 
                contract funding.
            ``(4) Research.--The research funded under paragraph (2), 
        with respect to racial and ethnic minority groups, shall--
                    ``(A) prioritize the translation of existing 
                research into practical interventions for improving 
                health and healthcare and reducing disparities;
                    ``(B) target areas of need as identified in the 
                strategic plan pursuant to subsection (a)(1), the 
                National Healthcare Disparities Report published by the 
                Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Unequal 
                Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in 
                Health Care Report, and other relevant reports by the 
                Institute of Medicine, and other reports issued by 
                Federal health agencies;
                    ``(C) include a focus on community-based 
                participatory research solutions and partnerships as 
                appropriate;
                    ``(D) expand practice-based research networks 
                (primary care and larger delivery systems) to include 
                networks of delivery sites serving large numbers of 
                minority and health disparity populations including--
                            ``(i) public hospitals and private non-
                        profit hospitals;
                            ``(ii) health centers;
                            ``(iii) health plans;
                            ``(iv) an Indian tribe, tribal 
                        organization, or urban Indian organization; and
                            ``(v) other sites as determined appropriate 
                        by the Director.
            ``(5) Dissemination of research findings.--To ensure that 
        findings from the research described in paragraph (4) are 
        disseminated and applied promptly, the Director shall--
                    ``(A) develop outreach and training programs for 
                healthcare providers with respect to the practical and 
                effective interventions that result from research 
                programs carried out with grants or contracts awarded 
                under this section; and
                    ``(B) provide technical assistance for the 
                implementation of evidence-based practices that will 
                improve health and healthcare and reduce disparities.
    ``(b) Realizing the Potential of Disease Management.--
            ``(1) Public-private sector partnership to assess 
        effectiveness of existing disease management strategies.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a 
                public-private partnership to identify, evaluate, and 
                disseminate effective disease management strategies, 
                tailored to improve healthcare and health outcomes for 
                patients from racial and ethnic minority groups. Such 
                strategies shall reflect established healthcare quality 
                standards and benchmarks and other evidence-based 
                recommendations.
                    ``(B) Partnership composition.--The partnership's 
                members shall include the following:
                            ``(i) Representatives from the following:
                                    ``(I) The Office of Minority 
                                Health.
                                    ``(II) The Centers for Disease 
                                Control and Prevention.
                                    ``(III) The Agency for Healthcare 
                                Research and Quality.
                                    ``(IV) The Centers for Medicare and 
                                Medicaid Services.
                                    ``(V) The Health Resources and 
                                Services Administration.
                                    ``(VI) The Indian Health Service.
                                    ``(VII) The Substance Abuse and 
                                Mental Health Services Administration.
                                    ``(VIII) The Office of Behavioral 
                                Health.
                                    ``(IX) Other agencies as designated 
                                by the Secretary.
                            ``(ii) Representatives of health plans, 
                        employers, or other private entities that have 
                        implemented disease management programs.
                            ``(iii) Representatives of hospitals; 
                        community health centers; large, small, or solo 
                        provider groups; or other organizations that 
                        provide healthcare and have implemented disease 
                        management programs.
                            ``(iv) Representatives of national minority 
                        advocacy organizations, as well as community-
                        based representatives who have been involved 
                        with establishing, implementing, or evaluating 
                        health promotion, disease prevention and 
                        disease management programs.
                            ``(v) Other individuals as designated by 
                        the Secretary.
                    ``(C) Partnership duties.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Not later than 18 months 
                        after the date of enactment of the Minority 
                        Health Improvement and Health Disparity 
                        Elimination Act, the partnership shall release 
                        a best practices report with respect to disease 
                        management practices, with a particular focus 
                        on the following:
                                    ``(I) Self-management training.
                                    ``(II) Increasing patient 
                                participation in and satisfaction with 
                                healthcare encounters.
                                    ``(III) Helping patients use 
                                quality performance and cost 
                                information to choose appropriate 
                                healthcare providers for their care.
                                    ``(IV) Interventions outside of a 
                                traditional healthcare environment, 
                                including the workplace, school, 
                                community, or home.
                                    ``(V) Interventions utilizing 
                                community health workers and case 
                                managers.
                                    ``(VI) Interventions that implement 
                                integrated disease management and 
                                treatment strategies to address 
                                multiple chronic co-occurring 
                                conditions.
                                    ``(VII) Other interventions as 
                                identified by the Secretary.
            ``(2) Report.--
                    ``(A) In general.--Not later than September 30, 
                2010, the partnership shall submit to the Secretary and 
                the relevant committees of Congress a report that 
                describes the extent to which the activities and 
                research funded under this section have been successful 
                in reducing and eliminating disparities in health and 
                healthcare in targeted populations.
                    ``(B) Availability.--The Secretary shall ensure 
                that the report is made available on the Internet 
                websites of the Office of Minority Health, the Agency 
                for Healthcare Research and Quality, and other agencies 
                as appropriate.''.
    (b) Annual Reports.--The Secretary, acting through the Director of 
the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, shall continue to carry 
out the reporting requirements of sections 903(a)(6) and 913(b)(2) of 
the Public Health Service Act.

SEC. 302. GENETIC VARIATION AND HEALTH.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall ensure that any current, 
proposed, or future research and programmatic activities regarding 
genomics include focus on genetic variation within and between 
populations, with a focus on racial and ethnic minority populations, 
that may affect risk of disease or response to drug therapy and other 
treatments, in order to ensure that all populations are able to derive 
full benefit from genomic tests and treatments that may improve their 
health and healthcare. The Secretary shall encourage, with respect to 
racial and ethnic minority populations, efforts to--
            (1) increase awareness, access, availability, and 
        utilization of genomic tests and treatments;
            (2) determine and monitor appropriateness of use of genomic 
        tests and treatments;
            (3) increase awareness of the importance of knowing one's 
        family history and the relationships between genes, the social 
        and physical environment, and health; and
            (4) expand genomics research that would help to--
                    (A) improve tests to facilitate earlier and more 
                accurate diagnoses;
                    (B) enhance the safety of drugs, particularly for 
                drugs that pose an elevated risk for adverse drug 
                events in such populations;
                    (C) increase the effectiveness of drugs, 
                particularly for diseases and conditions that 
                disproportionately affect such populations; and
                    (D) augment the current understanding of the 
                interactions between genomic, social and physical 
                environmental factors, and their influence on the 
                causality, prevention, control, and treatment of 
                diseases common in such populations.
    (b) Genetic Variation, Environment, and Health Summit.--
            (1) Summit.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Human 
        Genome Research Institute, in collaboration with the Director 
        of the Office of Genomics and Disease Prevention at the Centers 
        for Disease Control and Prevention, the Director of the Office 
        of Behavioral and Social Science Research at the National 
        Institutes of Health, and the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the 
        Office of Minority Health, shall convene a Summit for the 
        purpose of providing leadership and guidance to Secretary, 
        Congress, and other public and private entities on current and 
        future areas of focus for genomics research, including 
        translation of findings from such research, relating to 
        improving the health of racial and ethnic minority populations 
        and reducing health disparities.
            (2) Participation.--The Summit shall include--
                    (A) representatives from the Federal health 
                agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, 
                the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the 
                Office of Minority Health, the Food and Drug 
                Administration, the Health Resources and Services 
                Administration, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid 
                Services, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health 
                Services Administration, and additional agencies and 
                departments as determined appropriate by the Secretary;
                    (B) independent experts and stakeholders from 
                relevant industry and academic institutions, 
                particularly those that have demonstrated expertise in 
                both genomics and minority health and serve a 
                disproportionate number of racial and ethnic minority 
                patients; and
                    (C) leaders of community organizations and Indian 
                tribal epidemiology centers that work to reduce and 
                eliminate health disparities.
            (3) Report.--Not later than 90 days after the conclusion of 
        the Summit, the Director of the National Human Genome Research 
        Institute shall submit to Congress and make available to the 
        public a report detailing recommendations on--
                    (A) an appropriate description of human diversity, 
                incorporating available information on genetics, for 
                use in genomic research and programs operated or 
                supported by the Federal Government;
                    (B) guiding ethics, principles, and protocols for 
                the inclusion and designation of racial and ethnic 
                minority populations in genomics research, particularly 
                clinical trials programs operated or supported by the 
                Federal Government;
                    (C) ways to increase awareness of, access to, and 
                utilization of effective pharmacogenomic and other 
                genetic screening and services for racial and ethnic 
                minority populations;
                    (D) research opportunities and funding support in 
                the area of genomic variation that may improve the 
                health and healthcare of minority populations;
                    (E) ways to enhance integration of Federal 
                Government-wide efforts and activities pertaining to 
                genetic variation, environment, and health; and
                    (F) need for additional privacy protections in 
                preventing stigmatization and inappropriate use of 
                genetic information.
    (c) Pharmacogenomics and Emerging Issues Advisory Committee.--
            (1) In general.--The Secretary, under section 222 of the 
        Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 217a), shall convene and 
        consult an advisory committee on issues relating to 
        pharmacogenomics (referred to in this subsection as the 
        ``Advisory Committee'').
            (2) Duties.--
                    (A) In general.--The Advisory Committee shall 
                advise and make recommendations to the Secretary, 
                through the Commissioner of Food and Drugs and in 
                consultation with the Director of the National 
                Institutes of Health, on the evolving science of 
                pharmacogenomics and inter-individual variability in 
                drug response, as it relates to the health of racial 
                and ethnic minorities.
                    (B) Matters considered.--The recommendations under 
                subparagraph (A) shall include recommendations on--
                            (i) the ethics, design, and analysis of 
                        clinical trials involving racial and ethnic 
                        minorities conducted under section 351, 409I, 
                        or 499 of the Public Health Service Act or 
                        section 505(i), 505A, 505B, or 515(g) of the 
                        Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act;
                            (ii) general policy and guidance with 
                        respect to the development, approval or 
                        clearance, and labeling of medical products for 
                        racial and ethnic minorities;
                            (iii) the role of pharmacogenomics during 
                        the development of drugs, biological products, 
                        and diagnostics;
                            (iv) the understanding of inter-individual 
                        variability in drug response;
                            (v) diagnostics or treatments for diseases 
                        or conditions common in racial and ethnic 
                        minorities; and
                            (vi) the identification of other areas of 
                        unmet medical need.
            (3) Composition.--The Advisory Committee shall include--
                    (A) experts in the fields of--
                            (i) minority health and health disparities;
                            (ii) genomics;
                            (iii) pharmaceutical and diagnostic 
                        research and development;
                            (iv) ethical, legal, and social issues 
                        relating to clinical trials; and
                            (v) bioinformatics and information 
                        technology;
                    (B) representatives from minority health 
                organizations and relevant patient organizations; and
                    (C) other experts as deemed appropriate by the 
                Secretary.
            (4) Coordination with other advisory committees.--The 
        Advisory Committee may consult and coordinate with other 
        advisory committees of the Department of Health and Human 
        Services as determined appropriate by the Secretary.
            (5) Recommendations.--The Advisory Committee shall submit 
        recommendations to the Secretary with respect to each of the 
        matters described under paragraph (2)(B) prior to the 
        development of the report by the Secretary as described under 
        paragraph (6).
            (6) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary--
                    (A) shall, acting through the Commissioner of Food 
                and Drugs and in consultation with the Director of the 
                National Institutes of Health, and taking into 
                consideration the recommendations of the Advisory 
                Committee submitted under paragraph (5), submit to the 
                Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of 
                the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of 
                the House of Representatives, a report on the evolving 
                science of pharmacogenomics as it relates to racial and 
                ethnic minorities, including a review of the guidance 
                of the Food and Drug Administration on the 
                participation of racial and ethnic minorities in 
                clinical trials; and
                    (B) shall ensure that such report is made publicly 
                available in both paper and electronic formats.

SEC. 303. EVALUATIONS BY THE INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE.

    (a) Health Disparities Summit.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 270 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Institute of Medicine shall convene 
        a summit on health disparities (referred to this section as the 
        ``Summit'').
            (2) Purpose.--The purposes of the Summit include--
                    (A) reviewing current activities of the Federal 
                Government in addressing health and healthcare 
                disparities as experienced by racial and ethnic 
                minority populations, and the outcomes of those 
                activities, as practicable; and
                    (B) assessing progress made since the 2002 
                Institute of Medicine National Healthcare Disparities 
                Report and the 2002 Institute of Medicine Unequal 
                Treatment: Confronting Racial and Ethnic Disparities in 
                Health Care.
            (3) Areas of focus.--The Summit shall examine the 
        activities of the Federal Government to reduce and eliminate 
        health disparities, with a focus on--
                    (A) education and training, including health 
                professions programs that increase minority 
                representation in medicine, the health professions, and 
                health-related research careers;
                    (B) aggregated and disaggregated data collection 
                and analysis, including successful strategies to 
                collect and report data on minority small or sub-
                populations for whom data are limited;
                    (C) coordination among agencies and departments in 
                addressing healthcare disparities;
                    (D) research into the causes of and strategies to 
                eliminate health disparities; and
                    (E) programs that increase access to care and 
                improve health outcomes for health disparity 
                populations.
            (4) Participation.--Summit participants shall include--
                    (A) representatives of the Federal Government;
                    (B) experts with research experience in identifying 
                and addressing healthcare disparities among racial and 
                ethnic minority groups; and
                    (C) representatives from community-based 
                organizations, Indian tribal epidemiology centers, and 
                nonprofit groups that address the issues of racial and 
                ethnic minority groups.
            (5) Summit proceedings.--Not later than 180 days after the 
        conclusion of the Summit, the Secretary shall offer to enter 
        into a contract with the Institute of Medicine to publish a 
        report summarizing the discussions of the Summit and review of 
        current Federal activities to address healthcare disparities 
        for racial and ethnic minority groups.
    (b) National Plan To Eliminate Disparities.--
            (1) Plan.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Institute of Medicine shall develop 
        an evidence-based, strategic, national plan to eliminate 
        disparities which shall--
                    (A) include goals, interventions, and resources 
                needed to eliminate disparities;
                    (B) establish a reasonable timetable to reach 
                selected priorities;
                    (C) inform and complement the National Plan to 
                Improve Minority Health and Eliminate Health 
                Disparities, pursuant to section 1707(c)(2) of the 
                Public Health Service Act (as added by section 501 of 
                this Act); and
                    (D) inform the development of criteria for 
                evaluation of the effectiveness of programs authorized 
                under this Act (and the amendments made by this Act), 
                pursuant to subsection (c).
            (2) Report.--The Secretary shall offer to enter into a 
        contract with the Institute of Medicine to publish the National 
        Plan to Eliminate Disparities.
    (c) Institute of Medicine Evaluation.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 3 years after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall offer to enter into 
        a contract with the Institute of Medicine to evaluate the 
        effectiveness of the programs authorized under this Act (and 
        the amendments made by this Act) in addressing and reducing 
        health disparities experienced by racial and ethnic minority 
        groups. In making such an evaluation, the Institute of Medicine 
        shall consult--
                    (A) representatives of the Federal Government;
                    (B) experts with research and policy experience in 
                identifying and addressing healthcare disparities among 
                racial and ethnic minority groups; and
                    (C) representatives from community-based 
                organizations and nonprofit groups that address racial 
                and ethnic minority health disparity issues.
            (2) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the Secretary 
        enters into the contract under paragraph (1), the Institute of 
        Medicine shall submit to the Secretary and relevant committees 
        of Congress a report that contains the results of the 
        evaluation described under such subparagraph, and any 
        recommendations of such Institute.
            (3) Response.--Not later than 180 days after the date the 
        Institute of Medicine submits the report under this subsection, 
        the Secretary shall publish a response to such recommendations, 
        which shall be provided to the relevant committees of Congress 
        and made publicly available through the Internet Clearinghouse 
        under section 270 of the Public Health Service Act (as added by 
        section 101).
    (d) Health Information Technology.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
        enactment of this Act, the Secretary, acting through the 
        Director of the National Library of Medicine and the head of 
        the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information 
        Technology and in consultation with the Director of the Office 
        of Mental Health and the Director of the Agency for Healthcare 
        Research and Quality, shall offer to enter into a contract with 
        the Institute of Medicine to study and make recommendations 
        regarding the use of health information technology and 
        bioinformatics to improve the health and healthcare of racial 
        and ethnic minority groups.
            (2) Study.--The study under paragraph (1), with respect to 
        increasing access and quality of healthcare for racial and 
        ethnic minority groups, shall assess and make recommendations 
        regarding--
                    (A) effective applications of health information 
                technology, including telemedicine and telepsychiatry;
                    (B) status of development of health information 
                technology standards that will permit healthcare 
                information of the type required to support patient 
                care;
                    (C) inclusion of organizations with expertise in 
                minority health and health disparities in the 
                development and implementation of health information 
                technology policies, standards, applications, and 
                monitoring;
                    (D) priority areas for research to improve the 
                dissemination, management, and use of biomedical 
                knowledge that address identified and unmet needs;
                    (E) educational and training needs and 
                opportunities to assist health professionals understand 
                and apply health information technology;
                    (F) ways to increase recruitment and retention of 
                racial and ethnic minorities into the field of medical 
                informatics; and
                    (G) ways to increase and ensure the privacy of 
                health information technology.
            (3) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the Secretary 
        enters into the contract under paragraph (1), the Institute of 
        Medicine shall submit to the Secretary and relevant committees 
        of Congress a report that contains the findings and 
        recommendations of this study.

SEC. 304. NATIONAL CENTER FOR MINORITY HEALTH AND HEALTH DISPARITIES 
              REAUTHORIZATION.

    Section 485E of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 287c-31) 
is amended--
            (1) by striking subsection (e) and inserting the following:
    ``(e) Duties of the Director.--
            ``(1) Interagency coordination of minority health and 
        health disparities activities.--With respect to minority health 
        and health disparities, the Director of the Center shall plan, 
        coordinate, and evaluate research and other activities 
        conducted or supported by the agencies of the National 
        Institutes of Health. In carrying out the preceding sentence, 
        the Director of the Center shall evaluate the minority health 
        and health disparity activities of each of such agencies and 
        shall provide for the timely periodic re-evaluation of such 
        activities.
            ``(2) Consultations.--The Director of the Center shall 
        carry out this subpart (including developing and revising the 
        plan and budget required in subsection (f)) in consultation 
        with the Directors of the agencies (or a designee of the 
        Directors) of the National Institutes of Health, with the 
        advisory councils of the agencies, and with the advisory 
        council established under section (j).
            ``(3) 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 shall--
                    ``(A) 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;
                    ``(B) 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 healthcare 
                providers;
                    ``(C) undertake research to further refine and 
                develop the conceptual, definitional, and 
                methodological issues involved in health disparities 
                research and to further the understanding of the cause 
                of disparities; and
                    ``(D) engage with national and community-based 
                organizations and health provider groups, led by and 
                serving racial and ethnic minorities, to--
                            ``(i) increase education, awareness, and 
                        participation with respect to the Center's 
                        activities and areas of research focus; and
                            ``(ii) accelerate the translation of 
                        research findings into programs including those 
                        carried out by community-based 
                        organizations.'';
            (2) in subsection (f)--
                    (A) by striking the subsection heading and 
                inserting the following:
    ``(f) Comprehensive Plan for Research; Budget Estimate; Allocation 
of Appropriations.--'';
                    (B) in paragraph (1)--
                            (i) by striking the matter preceding 
                        subparagraph (A) and subparagraph (A) and 
                        inserting the following:
            ``(1) In general.--Subject to the provisions of this 
        section and other applicable law, the Director of the Center, 
        in consultation with the Director of NIH, the Directors of the 
        other agencies of the National Institutes of Health, and the 
        advisory council established under subsection (j) shall--
                    ``(A) annually review and revise a comprehensive 
                plan (referred to in this section as `the Plan') and 
                budget for the conduct and support of all minority 
                health and health disparities research and other health 
                disparities research activities of the agencies of the 
                National Institutes of Health that includes time-based 
                targeted objectives with measurable outcomes and assure 
                that the annual review and revision of the Plan uses an 
                established trans-NIH process subject to timely review, 
                approval, and dissemination;'';
                            (ii) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``, 
                        with respect to amounts appropriated for 
                        activities of the Center,'';
                            (iii) by striking subparagraph (F) and 
                        inserting the following:
                    ``(F) ensure that the Plan and budget are presented 
                to and considered by the Director in a clear and timely 
                process during the formulation of the overall annual 
                budget for the National Institutes of Health;'';
                            (iv) by redesignating subparagraphs (G) and 
                        (H) as subparagraphs (I) and (J), respectively; 
                        and
                            (v) by inserting after subparagraph (F), 
                        the following:
                    ``(G) annually submit to Congress a report on the 
                progress made with respect to the Plan;
                    ``(H) creating and implementing a plan for the 
                systematic review of research activities supported by 
                the National Institutes of Health that are within the 
                mission of both the Center and other agencies of the 
                National Institutes of Health, by establishing 
                mechanisms for--
                            ``(i) tracking minority health and health 
                        disparity research conducted within the 
                        agencies and assessing the appropriateness of 
                        this research with regard to the overall goals 
                        and objectives of the Plan;
                            ``(ii) the early identification of 
                        applications and proposals for grants, 
                        contracts, and cooperative agreements 
                        supporting extramural training, research, and 
                        development, that are submitted to the agencies 
                        and that are within the mission of the Center;
                            ``(iii) providing the Center with the 
                        written descriptions and scientific peer review 
                        results of such applications and proposals;
                            ``(iv) enabling the agencies to consult 
                        with the Director of the Center prior to final 
                        approval of such applications and proposals; 
                        and
                            ``(v) reporting to the Director of the 
                        Center all such applications and proposals that 
                        are approved for funding by the agencies;''; 
                        and
                    (C) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) in subparagraph (D), by striking 
                        ``and'' at the end;
                            (ii) in subparagraph (E), by striking the 
                        period and inserting ``; and''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(F) the number and type of personnel needs of the 
                Center.'';
            (3) in subsection (h)--
                    (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``endowments at 
                centers of excellence under section 736.'' and 
                inserting the following: ``endowments at--
                    ``(A) centers of excellence under section 736; and
                    ``(B) centers of excellence under section 485F.''; 
                and
                    (B) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``average'' 
                and inserting ``median'';
            (4) by redesignating subsections (k) and (l) as subsections 
        (m) and (n), respectively;
            (5) by inserting after subsection (j), the following:
    ``(k) Representation of Minorities Among Researchers.--The 
Secretary, in collaboration with the Director of the Center, shall 
determine, by means of the collection and reporting of aggregated and 
disaggregated data, the extent to which racial and ethnic minority 
groups are represented among senior physicians and scientists of the 
national research institutes and among physicians and scientists 
conducting research with funds provided by such institutes, and as 
appropriate, carry out activities to increase the extent of such 
representation, including developing a pipeline of minority researchers 
interested in the study of health and health disparities, as well as 
attracting minority scientists in social and behavioral science fields 
who can bring their expertise to the study of health disparities.
    ``(l) Cancer Research.--The Secretary, in collaboration with the 
Director of the Center, shall designate and support a cancer 
prevention, control, and population science center to address the 
significantly elevated rate of morbidity and mortality from cancer in 
racial and ethnic minority populations. Such designated center shall be 
housed within an existing, stand-alone cancer center at a historically 
black college and university that has a demonstrable commitment to and 
expertise in cancer research in the basic, clinical, and population 
sciences.'';
            (6) in subsection (l)(1) (as so redesignated), by inserting 
        before the semicolon the following: ``, with a particular focus 
        on evaluation of progress made toward fulfillment of the goals 
        of the Plan''; and
            (7) by striking subsection (m) (as so redesignated).

SEC. 305. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) Sections 301, 302, and 303.--There are authorized to be 
appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 
2008 through 2012, to carry out sections 301, 302, and 303 (and the 
amendments made by such sections).
    (b) Section 304.--
            (1) In general.--There are authorized to be appropriated 
        $240,000,000 for fiscal year 2008, such sums as may be 
        necessary for each of fiscal years 2009 through 2012, to carry 
        out section 304.
            (2) Allocation of funds.--Subject to section 485E of the 
        Public Health Service Act (as amended by section 304) and other 
        applicable law, the Director of the Center under such section 
        485E shall direct all amounts appropriated for activities under 
        such section and in collaboration with the Director of National 
        Institutes of Health and the directors of other institutes and 
        centers of the National Institutes of Health.
            (3) Management of allocations.--All amounts allocated or 
        expended for minority health and health disparities research 
        activities under this subsection shall be reported 
        programmatically to and approved by the Director of the Center 
        under such section 485E, in accordance with the Plan described 
        under such section 485E.

            TITLE IV--DATA COLLECTION, ANALYSIS, AND QUALITY

SEC. 401. DATA COLLECTION, ANALYSIS, AND QUALITY.

    The Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 201 et seq.) is amended by 
adding at the end the following:

          ``TITLE XXX--DATA COLLECTION, ANALYSIS, AND QUALITY

``SEC. 3001. DATA COLLECTION, ANALYSIS, AND QUALITY.

    ``(a) Data Collection and Reporting.--The Secretary shall ensure 
that not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of the Minority 
Health Improvement and Health Disparity Elimination Act any ongoing or 
new federally conducted or supported health programs (including 
surveys) achieve the--
            ``(1) collection and reporting of data by race and 
        ethnicity using, at a minimum, Office of Management and Budget 
        standards in effect on the date of enactment of the Minority 
        Health Improvement and Health Disparity Elimination Act;
            ``(2) collection and reporting of data by geographic 
        location, socioeconomic position (such as employment, income, 
        and education), primary language, and, when determined 
        practicable by the Secretary, health literacy;
            ``(3) if practicable, collection and reporting of race and 
        ethnicity data on additional population groups if such data can 
        be aggregated into the minimum race and ethnicity data 
        categories; and
            ``(4) collection and reporting of data at the smallest 
        practicable geographic level such as State, local, or 
        institutional levels if such data can be aggregated.
    ``(b) Data Analysis and Dissemination.--
            ``(1) Data analysis.--
                    ``(A) In general.--For each federally conducted or 
                supported program, the Secretary shall analyze data 
                collected under subsection (a) to detect and monitor 
                trends in disparities in health and healthcare, 
                including those reported under subparagraph (B), for 
                racial and ethnic minority groups at the Federal and 
                State levels, and examine the interaction between 
                various disparity indicators.
                    ``(B) Quality analysis.--The Secretary shall ensure 
                that the analyses under subparagraph (A) incorporate 
                data reported according to quality measurement systems.
            ``(2) Quality measures.--When the Secretary, by statutory 
        or regulatory authority, adopts and implements any quality 
        measures or any quality measurement system, the Secretary shall 
        ensure the quality measures or quality measurement system 
        comply with the following:
                    ``(A) Measures.--Measures selected shall, to the 
                extent practicable--
                            ``(i) assess the effectiveness, timeliness, 
                        patient self-management, patient centeredness, 
                        equity, and efficiency of care received by 
                        patients, including patients from racial and 
                        ethnic minority groups;
                            ``(ii) are evidence-based, reliable, and 
                        valid; and
                            ``(iii) include measures of clinical 
                        processes and outcomes, patient experience and 
                        efficiency.
                    ``(B) Consultation.--In selecting quality measures 
                or a quality measurement system or systems for adoption 
                and implementation, the Secretary shall consult with--
                            ``(i) individuals from racial and ethnic 
                        minority groups; and
                            ``(ii) experts in the identification and 
                        elimination of disparities in health and 
                        healthcare among racial and ethnic minority 
                        groups.
            ``(3) Dissemination.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall make the 
                measures, data, and analyses described in paragraphs 
                (1) and (2) available to--
                            ``(i) the Office of Minority Health;
                            ``(ii) the National Center on Minority 
                        Health and Health Disparities;
                            ``(iii) the Agency for Healthcare Research 
                        and Quality for inclusion in the Agency's 
                        reports;
                            ``(iv) the Centers for Disease Control and 
                        Prevention;
                            ``(v) the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid 
                        Services;
                            ``(vi) the Indian Health Service;
                            ``(vii) other agencies within the 
                        Department of Health and Human Services;
                            ``(viii) the public through posting on the 
                        Secretary's Internet website; and
                            ``(ix) other entities as determined 
                        appropriate by the Secretary.
                    ``(B) Additional research.--The Secretary may, as 
                the Secretary determines appropriate, make the 
                measures, data, and analysis described in paragraphs 
                (1) and (2) available for additional research, 
                analysis, and dissemination to non-governmental 
                entities and the public.
    ``(c) Research.--
            ``(1) Disparity indicators.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary shall award grants 
                or contracts for research to develop appropriate 
                methods, indicators, and measures that will enable the 
                detection and assessment of disparities in healthcare. 
                Such research shall prioritize research with respect to 
                the following:
                            ``(i) Race and ethnicity.
                            ``(ii) Geographic location (such as 
                        geocoding).
                            ``(iii) Socioeconomic position (such as 
                        income or education level).
                            ``(iv) Health literacy.
                            ``(v) Cultural competency.
                            ``(vi) Additional measures as determined 
                        appropriate by the Secretary.
                    ``(B) Applied research.--The Secretary shall use 
                the results of the research from grants awarded under 
                subparagraph (A) to improve the data collection 
                described under subsection (a).
            ``(2) Strategic partnerships to encourage and improve data 
        collection.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary may award not more 
                than 20 grants to eligible entities for the purposes 
                of--
                            ``(i) enhancing and improving methods for 
                        the collection, reporting, analysis, and 
                        dissemination of data, as required under the 
                        Minority Health Improvement and Health 
                        Disparity Elimination Act; and
                            ``(ii) encouraging the collection, 
                        reporting, analysis, and dissemination of data 
                        to identify and address disparities in health 
                        and healthcare.
                    ``(B) Definition of eligible entity.--In this 
                paragraph, the term `eligible entity' means a health 
                plan, federally qualified health center, hospital, 
                rural health clinic, academic institution, policy 
                research organization, or other entity, including an 
                Indian Health Service hospital or clinic, Indian tribal 
                health facility, or urban Indian facility, that the 
                Secretary determines to be appropriate.
                    ``(C) Application.--An eligible entity desiring a 
                grant under this paragraph shall submit an application 
                to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and 
                containing such information as the Secretary may 
                require.
                    ``(D) Priority in awarding grants.--In awarding 
                grants under this paragraph, the Secretary shall give 
                priority to eligible entities that represent 
                collaboratives with--
                            ``(i) hospitals, health plans, or health 
                        centers; and
                            ``(ii) at least 1 community-based 
                        organization or patient advocacy group.
                    ``(E) Use of funds.--An eligible entity that 
                receives a grant under this paragraph shall use grant 
                funds to--
                            ``(i) collect, analyze, or report data by 
                        race, ethnicity, geographic location, 
                        socioeconomic position, health literacy, 
                        primary language, or other health disparity 
                        indicator;
                            ``(ii) conduct and report analyses of 
                        quality of healthcare and disparities in health 
                        and healthcare for racial and ethnic minority 
                        groups, including disparities in diagnosis, 
                        management and treatment, and health outcomes 
                        for acute and chronic disease;
                            ``(iii) improve health data collection, 
                        analysis, and reporting for subpopulations and 
                        categories;
                            ``(iv) modify, implement, and evaluate use 
                        of health information technology systems that 
                        facilitate data collection, analysis and 
                        reporting for racial and ethnic minority 
                        groups, and support healthcare interventions;
                            ``(v) develop educational programs to 
                        inform patients, providers, purchasers, and 
                        other individuals served about the legality and 
                        importance of the collection, analysis, and 
                        reporting of data by race, ethnicity, 
                        socioeconomic position, geographic location, 
                        and health literacy, for eliminating 
                        disparities in health; and
                            ``(vi) evaluate the activities conducted 
                        under this paragraph.
    ``(d) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary may provide technical 
assistance to promote compliance with the data collection and reporting 
requirements of the Minority Health Improvement and Health Disparity 
Elimination Act.
    ``(e) Privacy and Security.--The Secretary shall ensure all 
appropriate privacy and security protections for health data collected, 
reported, analyzed, and disseminated pursuant to the Minority Health 
Improvement and Health Disparity Elimination Act.
    ``(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of carrying 
out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as 
may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2008 through 2012.''.

      TITLE V--LEADERSHIP, COLLABORATION, AND NATIONAL ACTION PLAN

SEC. 501. OFFICE OF MINORITY HEALTH.

    Section 1707 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300u-6) is 
amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 1707. OFFICE OF MINORITY HEALTH.

    ``(a) Duties.--With respect to racial and ethnic minority groups, 
the Secretary, acting through the Deputy Assistant Secretary, shall 
carry out the following:
            ``(1) Coordinate and provide input on activities within the 
        Public Health Service that relate to disease prevention, health 
        promotion, health service delivery, health workforce, and 
        research concerning racial and ethnic minority groups. The 
        Secretary shall ensure that the heads of each of the agencies 
        of the Service collaborate with the Deputy Assistant Secretary 
        on the development and conduct of such activities.
            ``(2) Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
        the Minority Health Improvement and Health Disparity 
        Elimination Act, develop and implement a comprehensive 
        Department-wide plan to improve minority health and eliminate 
        health disparities in the United States, to be known as the 
        National Plan to Improve Minority Health and Eliminate Health 
        Disparities, (referred to in this section as the `National 
        Plan'). With respect to development and implementation of the 
        National Plan, the Secretary shall carry out the following:
                    ``(A) Consult with the following:
                            ``(i) The Director of the Centers for 
                        Disease Control and Prevention.
                            ``(ii) The Director of the National 
                        Institutes of Health.
                            ``(iii) The Director of the National Center 
                        on Minority Health and Health Disparities of 
                        the National Institutes of Health.
                            ``(iv) The Director of the Agency for 
                        Healthcare Research and Quality.
                            ``(v) The National Coordinator for Health 
                        Information Technology.
                            ``(vi) The Administrator of the Health 
                        Resources and Services Administration.
                            ``(vii) The Administrator of the Centers 
                        for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
                            ``(viii) The Director of the Office for 
                        Civil Rights.
                            ``(ix) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
                            ``(x) The Administrator of the Substance 
                        Abuse and Mental Health Services 
                        Administration.
                            ``(xi) The Secretary of Defense.
                            ``(xii) The Commissioner of the Food and 
                        Drug Administration.
                            ``(xiii) The Director of the Indian Health 
                        Service.
                            ``(xiv) The Secretary of Education.
                            ``(xv) The Secretary of Labor.
                            ``(xvi) The heads of other public and 
                        private entities, as determined appropriate by 
                        the Secretary.
                    ``(B) Review and integrate existing information and 
                recommendations as appropriate, such as Healthy People 
                2010, Institute of Medicine studies, and Surgeon 
                General Reports.
                    ``(C) Ensure inclusion of measurable short- and 
                long-range goals and objectives, a description of the 
                means for achieving such goals and objectives, and a 
                designated date by which such goals and objectives are 
                expected to be achieved.
                    ``(D) Ensure that all amounts appropriated for such 
                activities are expended in accordance with the National 
                Plan.
                    ``(E) Review the National Plan on at least an 
                annual basis, and report to the public and appropriate 
                committees of Congress on progress.
                    ``(F) Revise such Plan as appropriate.
                    ``(G) Ensure that the National Plan will serve as a 
                binding statement of policy with respect to the 
                agencies' activities related to improving health and 
                eliminating disparities in health and healthcare.
            ``(3) Work with Federal agencies and departments outside of 
        the Department of Health and Human Services as appropriate to 
        maximize resources available to increase understanding about 
        why disparities exist, and effective ways to improve health and 
        eliminate health disparities.
            ``(4) In cooperation with the appropriate agencies, support 
        research, demonstrations, and evaluations to test new and 
        innovative models for--
                    ``(A) expanding healthcare access;
                    ``(B) improving healthcare quality;
                    ``(C) increasing educational opportunity in the 
                field of healthcare; and
                    ``(D) increasing the capacity of racial and ethnic 
                minority organizations to improve health and eliminate 
                health disparities.
            ``(5) Develop mechanisms that support better dissemination 
        of information, education, prevention, and service delivery to 
        individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, including 
        individuals who are members of racial or ethnic minority 
        groups.
            ``(6) Increase awareness of disparities in healthcare, and 
        knowledge and understanding of health risk factors, and ways to 
        reduce and eliminate health disparities, among healthcare 
        providers, health plans, and the public.
            ``(7) Advise in matters related to the development, 
        implementation, and evaluation of health professions education 
        on improving healthcare outcomes and decreasing disparities in 
        healthcare outcomes, with a focus on cultural competence.
            ``(8) Assist healthcare professionals, community and 
        advocacy organizations, academic medical centers and other 
        health entities and public health departments in the design and 
        implementation of programs that will improve health outcomes by 
        strengthening the patient-provider relationship.
            ``(9) Carry out programs to improve access to healthcare 
        services and to improve the quality of healthcare services for 
        individuals with low health literacy.
            ``(10) Facilitate the classification and collection of 
        healthcare data to allow for ongoing analysis to identify and 
        determine the causes of disparities and the monitoring of 
        progress toward improving health and eliminating health 
        disparities.
            ``(11) Ensure that the National Center for Health 
        Statistics collects data on the health status of each racial or 
        ethnic minority group pursuant to section 2901.
            ``(12) Support a national minority health resource center 
        to carry out the following:
                    ``(A) Facilitate the exchange of information 
                regarding matters relating to health information and 
                health promotion, preventive health services, and 
                education in the appropriate use of healthcare.
                    ``(B) Facilitate access to such information.
                    ``(C) Assist in the analysis of issues and problems 
                relating to such matters.
                    ``(D) Provide technical assistance with respect to 
                the exchange of such information (including 
                facilitating the development of materials for such 
                technical assistance).
            ``(13) Support a center for cultural and linguistic 
        competence to carry out the following:
                    ``(A) With respect to individuals who lack 
                proficiency in speaking the English language, enter 
                into contracts with public and nonprofit private 
                providers of primary health services for the purpose of 
                increasing the access of such individuals to such 
                services by developing and carrying out programs to 
                improve health literacy and cultural competency.
                    ``(B) Carry out programs to improve access to 
                healthcare services for individuals with limited 
                proficiency in speaking the English language. 
                Activities under this subparagraph shall include 
                developing and evaluating model projects.
            ``(14) At the discretion of the Director, support a center 
        or program for the improvement of geographic minority health 
        and health disparities to carry out the following for rural 
        disadvantaged minority populations:
                    ``(A) Increase awareness on health care issues 
                impacting and effective interventions for these 
                populations.
                    ``(B) Increase access to quality healthcare.
                    ``(C) Increase access to quality healthcare 
                personnel available to provide services to these 
                populations.
                    ``(D) Improve health care outcomes.
                    ``(E) Develop a model that can be replicated to 
                address national policies and programs to improve the 
                health of these rural disadvantaged minority 
                communities. This model should include research, health 
                services, education/awareness, and health information 
                components, with priority given to existing programs or 
                programs in areas with the most need and have a 
                Community Advisory Board to provide recommendations on 
                projects to benefit the health of minority populations.
            ``(15) Enter into interagency agreements with other 
        agencies of the Public Health Service, as appropriate.
            ``(16) Collaborate with the Office for Civil Rights to--
                    ``(A) assist healthcare providers with application 
                of guidance and directives regarding healthcare for 
                racial and ethnic minority groups, including--
                            ``(i) reviewing cases that have been closed 
                        without a finding of discrimination with the 
                        Office of Inspector General and the Office for 
                        Civil Rights to determine if there exists a 
                        pattern or practice of activities that could 
                        lead to discrimination, and if such a pattern 
                        or practice is identified, provide technical 
                        assistance or education, as applicable, to the 
                        relevant provider or to a group of providers 
                        located within a particular geographic area;
                            ``(ii) biannually publishing information on 
                        cases filed with the Office for Civil Rights 
                        which have resulted in a finding of 
                        discrimination, including the name and location 
                        of the entity found to have discriminated, and 
                        any findings and agreements entered into 
                        between the Office for Civil Rights and the 
                        entity; and
                            ``(iii) monitoring and analysis of trends 
                        in cases reported to the Office for Civil 
                        Rights to ensure that the Office of Minority 
                        Health acts to educate and assist healthcare 
                        providers as necessary; and
                    ``(B) provide technical assistance or education, as 
                applicable, to the relevant provider or to a group of 
                providers located within a particular geographic area.
            ``(17) Promote and expand efforts to increase racial and 
        ethnic minority enrollment in clinical trials.
            ``(18) Establish working groups--
                    ``(A) to examine and report recommendations to the 
                Secretary regarding--
                            ``(i) emergency preparedness and response 
                        for underserved populations;
                            ``(ii) development and implementation of 
                        health information technology that can assist 
                        providers to deliver culturally competent 
                        healthcare;
                            ``(iii) outreach and education of health 
                        disparity groups about new Federal health 
                        programs, as appropriate, including the 
                        programs under part D of title XVIII of the 
                        Social Security Act and chronic care management 
                        programs under the Medicare Prescription Drug, 
                        Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (and 
                        the amendments made by such Act);
                            ``(iv) leadership development in public 
                        health;
                            ``(v) the training of behavioral and social 
                        science researchers to address health 
                        disparities; and
                            ``(vi) other emerging health issues at the 
                        discretion of the Secretary; and
                    ``(B) that include representation from the relevant 
                health agencies, centers and offices, as well as public 
                and private entities as appropriate.
    ``(b) Advisory Committee.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish an 
        advisory committee to be known as the Advisory Committee on 
        Minority Health (in this subsection referred to as the 
        `Committee').
            ``(2) Duties.--The Committee shall provide advice to the 
        Deputy Assistant Secretary carrying out this section, including 
        advice on the development of goals and specific program 
        activities under subsection (c) for racial and ethnic minority 
        groups and health disparity population.
            ``(3) Chair.--The chairperson of the Committee shall be 
        selected by the Secretary from among the members of the voting 
        members of the Committee. The term of office of the chairperson 
        shall be 2 years.
            ``(4) Composition.--
                    ``(A) The Committee shall be composed of 12 voting 
                members appointed in accordance with subparagraph (B), 
                and nonvoting, ex-officio members designated in 
                subparagraph (C).
                    ``(B) The voting members of the Committee shall be 
                appointed by the Secretary from among individuals who 
                are not officers or employees of the Federal Government 
                and who have expertise regarding issues of minority 
                health and health disparities. Racial and ethnic 
                minority groups shall be appropriately represented 
                among such members.
                    ``(C) The nonvoting, ex officio members of the 
                Committee shall be such officials of the Department of 
                Health and Human Services, including the Director of 
                the Office of Minority Health and the Office for Civil 
                Rights, and other officials as the Secretary determines 
                to be appropriate.
                    ``(D) The Secretary shall provide an opportunity 
                for the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on 
                Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate to 
                submit to the Secretary names of potential Committee 
                members under this section for consideration.
            ``(5) Terms.--Each member of the Committee shall serve for 
        a term of 4 years, except that the Secretary shall initially 
        appoint a portion of the members to terms of 1 year, 2 years, 
        and 3 years.
            ``(6) Vacancies.--If a vacancy occurs on the Committee, a 
        new member shall be appointed by the Secretary within 90 days 
        from the date that the vacancy occurs, and serve for the 
        remainder of the term for which the predecessor of such member 
        was appointed. The vacancy shall not affect the power of the 
        remaining members to execute the duties of the Committee.
            ``(7) Compensation.--Members of the Committee who are 
        officers or employees of the United States shall serve without 
        additional compensation. Members of the Committee who are not 
        officers or employees of the United States shall receive 
        compensation, for each day (including travel time) they are 
        engaged in the performance of the functions of the Committee. 
        Such compensation may not be in an amount in excess of the 
        daily equivalent of the annual maximum rate of basic pay 
        payable under the General Schedule for positions above GS-15 
        under title 5, United States Code.
    ``(c) Certain Requirements Regarding Duties.--
            ``(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 for Civil Rights, and the 
                Directors of other appropriate departmental entities 
                regarding recommendations for carrying out activities 
                under subsection (c)(9).
                    ``(B) Health professions education regarding health 
                disparities.--The Deputy Assistant Secretary shall 
                carry out the duties under subsection (a)(7) 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.
            ``(2) Equitable allocation regarding activities.--In 
        carrying out subsection (b), the Secretary shall ensure that 
        services provided under such subsection are equitably allocated 
        among all groups served under this section by the Secretary.
            ``(3) Cultural competency of services.--The Secretary shall 
        ensure that information and services provided pursuant to 
        subsection (c) consider the unique cultural or linguistic 
        issues facing such populations and are provided in the 
        language, educational, and cultural context that is most 
        appropriate for the individuals for whom the information and 
        services are intended.
            ``(4) Agency coordination.--In carrying out subsection (c), 
        the Secretary shall ensure that new or existing agency offices 
        of minority health report current and proposed activities to 
        the Deputy Assistant Secretary, and provide, to the extent 
        practicable, an opportunity for input in the development of 
        such activities by the Deputy Assistant Secretary.
    ``(d) Grants and Contracts Regarding Duties.--
            ``(1) In general.--In carrying out subsection (c), the 
        Secretary acting through the Deputy Assistant Secretary, may 
        make awards of grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts to 
        public and nonprofit private entities.
            ``(2) Process for making awards.--The Deputy Assistant 
        Secretary shall ensure that awards under paragraph (1) are 
        made, to the extent practicable, only on a competitive basis, 
        and that a grant is awarded for a proposal only if the proposal 
        has been recommended for such an award through a process of 
        peer review.
            ``(3) Evaluation and dissemination.--The Deputy Assistant 
        Secretary, directly or through contracts with public and 
        private entities, shall provide for evaluations of projects 
        carried out with awards made under paragraph (1) during the 
        preceding 2 fiscal years. The report shall be included in the 
        report required under subsection (g) for the fiscal year 
        involved.
    ``(e) State Offices of Minority Health.--The Deputy Assistant 
Secretary shall assist the voluntary establishment and functions of 
State offices of minority health in order to expand and coordinate 
State efforts to improve the health of racial and ethnic minority 
groups.
            ``(1) Priorities.--The Deputy Assistant Secretary may 
        facilitate, with respect to racial and ethnic minority groups--
                    ``(A) integration and coordination of State and 
                national efforts, including those pertaining to the 
                National Plan pursuant to subsection (b);
                    ``(B) strategic plan development within States to 
                assess and respond to local health concerns;
                    ``(C) education and engagement of key stakeholders 
                within States, including representatives from public 
                health agencies, hospitals, clinics, provider groups, 
                elected officials, community-based organizations, 
                advocacy groups, media, and the private sector;
                    ``(D) development and implementation of accepted 
                standards, core competencies, and minimum 
                infrastructure requirements for State offices;
                    ``(E) access to State level health data for racial 
                and ethnic minority groups, which may include State 
                data collection and analysis;
                    ``(F) development, implementation, and evaluation 
                of State programs and policies, as appropriate;
                    ``(G) communication and networking among States to 
                share effective policies, programs and practices with 
                respect to increasing access and quality of care;
                    ``(H) recognition and reporting of State successes 
                and challenges; and
                    ``(I) identification of Federal grant programs and 
                other funding for which States could apply to carry out 
                health improvement activities.
            ``(2) Resources.--The Deputy Assistant Secretary may 
        provide grants and technical assistance for the voluntary 
        establishment or capacity development of State offices of 
        minority health.
            ``(3) Collaboration.--To the extent practicable, the Deputy 
        Assistant Secretary may encourage and facilitate collaboration 
        between State offices of minority health and State offices 
        addressing the needs of other health disparity or disadvantaged 
        populations, including offices of rural health.
            ``(4) Definition.--For the purpose of this subsection, 
        `State offices of minority health' include offices, councils, 
        commissions, or advisory panels designated by States or 
        territories to address the health of minority populations.
    ``(f) Reports.--
            ``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of the Minority Health Improvement and Health 
        Disparity Elimination Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
        appropriate committees of Congress, a report on the National 
        Plan developed under subsection (c).
            ``(2) Report on activities.--Not later than February 1 of 
        fiscal year 2009 and of each second year thereafter, the 
        Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of 
        Congress, a report describing the activities carried out under 
        this section during the preceding 2 fiscal years and evaluating 
        the extent to which such activities have been effective in 
        improving the health of racial and ethnic minority groups. Each 
        such report shall include the biennial reports submitted under 
        subsection (f)(3) for such years by the heads of the Public 
        Health Service agencies.
            ``(3) Agency reports.--Not later than February 1, 2009, and 
        on a biannual basis thereafter, the heads of the Public Health 
        Service shall submit to the Deputy Assistant Secretary a report 
        that summarizes the minority health and health disparity 
        activities of each of the respective agencies.
    ``(g) Definitions.--In this section:
            ``(1) The term `racial and ethnic minority group' means 
        American Indians (including Alaska Natives, Eskimos, and 
        Aleuts), Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific 
        Islanders, Blacks, and Hispanics.
            ``(2) The term `Hispanic' means individuals whose origin is 
        Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American, or of 
        any other Spanish-speaking country.
    ``(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--For the purpose of carrying 
out this section, there are authorized to be appropriated $110,000,000 
for fiscal year 2008, such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal 
years 2009 through 2012.''.
                                 <all>
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