Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2015

To amend the Public Health Service Act to coordinate Federal congenital heart disease research efforts and to improve public education and awareness of congenital heart disease, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2015 2. National congenital heart disease surveillance system Section 399V–2 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 280g–13 399V–2. National congenital heart disease research, surveillance, and awareness (a) In general The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, shall— (1) enhance and expand research and surveillance infrastructure to study and track the epidemiology of congenital heart disease (in this section referred to as CHD (2) plan and implement a public outreach and education campaign regarding CHD across the lifespan; and (3) award grants to eligible entities to undertake the activities described in subsections (b) and (c). (b) National congenital heart disease cohort study (1) In general The Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shall plan, develop, implement, and submit one or more reports to the Congress on a cohort study to improve understanding of the epidemiology of CHD across the lifespan, from birth to adulthood, with particular interest in the following: (A) Health care utilization and natural history of those affected by CHD. (B) Demographic factors associated with CHD, such as age, race, ethnicity, gender, and family history of individuals who are diagnosed with the disease. (C) Outcome measures, such that analysis of the outcome measures will allow derivation of evidence-based best practices and guidelines for CHD patients. (2) Permissible considerations The study under this subsection may— (A) gather data on the health outcomes of a diverse population of those affected by CHD; (B) consider health disparities among those affected by CHD which may include the consideration of prenatal exposures; and (C) incorporate behavioral, emotional, and educational outcomes of those affected by CHD. (3) Public access Subject to paragraph (4), the data generated from the study under this subsection shall be made available to the public, including CHD researchers. (4) Patient privacy The Secretary shall ensure that the study under this subsection is carried out in a manner that complies with the requirements applicable to a covered entity under the regulations promulgated pursuant to section 264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. (c) Congenital heart disease awareness campaign (1) In general The Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shall establish and implement an awareness, outreach, and education campaign regarding CHD across the lifespan. The information expressed through such campaign shall— (A) emphasize that CHD is the most prevalent birth defect; (B) identify CHD as a condition that affects those diagnosed throughout their lives; and (C) promote the need for pediatric, adolescent, and adult individuals with CHD to seek and maintain lifelong, specialized care. (2) Permissible activities The campaign under this subsection may— (A) utilize collaborations or partnerships with other agencies, health care professionals, and patient advocacy organizations that specialize in the needs of individuals with CHD; and (B) include the use of print, film, and electronic materials distributed via television, radio, Internet, and other commercial marketing venues. (d) Eligibility for grants To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (a)(3), an entity shall— (1) be a public or private nonprofit entity with specialized experience in CHD; and (2) submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (e) Authorization of appropriations To carry out this section, there is authorized to be appropriated $4,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2016 through 2020. . 3. Congenital heart disease research Section 425 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 285b–8 425. Congenital heart disease (a) In general The Director of the Institute may expand, intensify, and coordinate research and related activities of the Institute with respect to congenital heart disease, which may include congenital heart disease research with respect to— (1) causation of congenital heart disease, including genetic causes; (2) long-term outcomes in individuals with congenital heart disease, including infants, children, teenagers, adults, and elderly individuals; (3) diagnosis, treatment, and prevention; (4) studies using longitudinal data and retrospective analysis to identify effective treatments and outcomes for individuals with congenital heart disease; and (5) identifying barriers to lifelong care for individuals with congenital heart disease. (b) Coordination of research activities The Director of the Institute may coordinate research efforts related to congenital heart disease among multiple research institutions and may develop research networks. (c) Minority and medically underserved communities In carrying out the activities described in this section, the Director of the Institute shall consider the application of such research and other activities to minority and medically underserved communities. (d) Report from NIH Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2015 (1) outlining the ongoing research efforts of the National Institutes of Health regarding congenital heart disease; and (2) identifying— (A) future plans for research regarding congenital heart disease; and (B) the areas of greatest need for such research. .

Summary: Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2015 This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to replace the authorization for a National Congenital Heart Disease Surveillance System with a requirement for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), regarding congenital heart disease, to enhance and expand research and surveillance infrastructure, and plan and implement a public outreach and education campaign. (Congenital heart disease is a condition caused by a heart defect that is present at birth.) The CDC must award grants to nonprofit entities to conduct: (1) a cohort study of congenital heart disease, from birth to adulthood, that considers health care utilization, demographic factors, and outcomes; and (2) an awareness, outreach, and education campaign regarding congenital heart disease. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute must report on its ongoing research efforts regarding congenital heart disease, future plans for such research, and areas of greatest need for such research.