Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act of 2021

To reauthorize a program for early detection, diagnosis, and treatment regarding deaf and hard-of-hearing newborns, infants, and young children, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act of 2021 2. Reauthorization of program for early detection, diagnosis, and treatment regarding deaf and hard-of-hearing newborns, infants, and young children Section 399M(f) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 280g–1(f) (1) in paragraph (1), by striking $17,818,000 for fiscal year 2018, $18,173,800 for fiscal year 2019, $18,628,145 for fiscal year 2020, $19,056,592 for fiscal year 2021, and $19,522,758 for fiscal year 2022 $17,818,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026 (2) in paragraph (2), by striking $10,800,000 for fiscal year 2018, $11,026,800 for fiscal year 2019, $11,302,470 for fiscal year 2020, $11,562,427 for fiscal year 2021, and $11,851,488 for fiscal year 2022 $16,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026 (3) in paragraph (3), by striking fiscal years 2011 through 2015 fiscal years 2022 through 2026 3. GAO study on State early hearing detection and intervention programs (a) In general The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct a study reviewing State early hearing detection and intervention (in this section referred to as EHDI (1) analyze how information collected through such programs informs what is known about EHDI activities to ensure that newborns, infants, and young children have access to timely hearing screenings and early interventions, including information on any disparities in such access; (2) analyze what is known about how parents use State EHDI websites to seek health and programmatic guidance related to their child’s hearing loss diagnosis; and (3) identify efforts and any promising practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Health Resources and Services Administration, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, and State EHDI programs— (A) to address disparities in outreach for, or access to, timely hearing screenings and early interventions; and (B) to ensure that EHDI follow-up services are communicated and made available to medically underserved populations, including racial and ethnic minorities. (b) Report Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall— (1) complete the study under subsection (a) and submit a report on the results of the study to— (A) the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives; and (B) the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate; and (2) make such report publicly available. December 8, 2021 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

Summary: Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Act of 2021 This bill reauthorizes through FY2026 various activities carried out by the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders that support screening and early intervention services for newborns, infants, and young children who are deaf or hard of hearing. The Government Accountability Office must also conduct a study of state early hearing detection and intervention programs, including with respect to disparities in accessing the programs.