ECHO 2019 Act

To amend the Public Health Service Act to expand the capacity to improve health outcomes and increase access to specialized care. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Expanding Capacity for Health Outcomes Act of 2019 ECHO 2019 Act 2. Expanding capacity for health outcomes Title III of the Public Health Service Act is amended by inserting after section 399I ( 42 U.S.C. 280f–1 399I-1. Expanding capacity for health outcomes (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Eligible entity The term eligible entity (2) Health professional shortage area The term health professional shortage area (3) Indian tribes and tribal organizations The terms Indian tribes tribal organizations (4) Medically underserved population The term medically underserved population (5) Native Americans The term Native Americans (6) Technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building model The term technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building model (b) Program established The Secretary shall, as appropriate, award grants to evaluate, develop, and, as appropriate, expand the use of technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models, to increase access to health care services, such as those to address chronic diseases and conditions, mental health, substance use disorders, prenatal and maternal health, pediatric care, pain management, palliative care, and other specialty care in medically underserved areas and for medically underserved populations. (c) Use of funds Grants awarded under subsection (b) shall, as appropriate, be used for— (1) equipment to support the use and expansion of technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models, including for hardware and software that enables distance learning, health care provider support, and the secure exchange of electronic health information; (2) support for health care providers and other professionals that provide or assist in the provision of services through such models; (3) the development and acquisition of instructional programming, and the training of health care providers and other professionals that provide or assist in the provision of services through such models; (4) information collection and evaluation activities to study the impact of such models on patient outcomes and health care providers, and to identify best practices for the expansion and use of such models; and (5) other activities consistent with achieving the objectives of the grants awarded under this section, as determined by the Secretary. (d) Length of grants Grants awarded under subsection (b) shall be for a period of up to 5 years. (e) Application An eligible entity that seeks to receive a grant under subsection (b) shall submit to the Secretary an application, at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. Such application criteria shall include an evaluation of patient outcomes and health care providers resulting from technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models. (f) Technical assistance The Secretary shall provide (either directly through the Department of Health and Human Services or by contract) technical assistance to eligible entities, including recipients of grants under subsection (b), on the development, use, and evaluation of technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models in order to expand access to health care services provided by such entities, including for medically underserved areas and to medically underserved populations. (g) Report by Secretary Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of this section, the Secretary shall prepare and 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, and post on the internet website of the Department of Health and Human Services, a report including, at minimum— (1) a description of any new and continuing grants awarded to entities under subsection (b) and the specific purpose and amounts of such grants; (2) an overview of— (A) the evaluations conducted under subsections (b) or (f); and (B) technical assistance provided under subsection (f); and (3) a description of any significant findings or developments in patient outcomes and health care providers and best practices for eligible entities expanding, using, or evaluating technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models. (h) Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024. .

Summary: Expanding Capacity for Health Outcomes Act of 2019 or the ECHO 2019 Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a grant program that supports the implementation of certain educational, specialty health care technology in rural or medically underserved areas. Specifically, HHS must award grants to health care entities serving rural areas, health-professional shortage areas, medically underserved populations, or Native Americans for specified videoconferencing technology that connects health professionals with specialists (e.g., chronic-disease, mental-health, and substance-use disorder specialists).