Healthy Start Reauthorization Act of 2019

To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the Healthy Start program. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Healthy Start Reauthorization Act of 2019 2. Reauthorization of healthy start program Section 330H of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 254c–8 (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking , during fiscal year 2001 and subsequent years, (B) in paragraph (2), by inserting or increasing above the national average areas with high (2) in subsection (b)— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking consumers of project services, public health departments, hospitals, health centers under section 330 participants and former participants of project services, public health departments, hospitals, health centers under section 330, State substance abuse agencies (B) in paragraph (2)— (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking such as low birthweight including poor birth outcomes (such as low birthweight and preterm birth) and social determinants of health (ii) by redesignating subparagraph (B) as subparagraph (C); (iii) by inserting after subparagraph (A), the following: (B) Communities with— (i) high rates of infant mortality or poor perinatal outcomes; or (ii) high rates of infant mortality or poor perinatal outcomes in specific subpopulations within the community. ; and (iv) in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated)— (I) by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) as clauses (ii) and (iii), respectively; (II) by inserting before clause (ii) (as so redesignated) the following: (i) collaboration with the local community in the development of the project; ; (III) in clause (ii) (as so redesignated), by striking and (IV) in clause (iii) (as so redesignated), by striking the period and inserting ; and (V) by adding at the end the following: (iv) the use and collection of data demonstrating the effectiveness of such program in decreasing infant mortality rates and improving perinatal outcomes, as applicable, or the process by which new applicants plan to collect this data. ; (3) in subsection (c)— (A) by striking Recipients of grants (1) In general Recipients of grants ; and (B) by adding at the end the following: (2) Other programs The Secretary shall ensure coordination of the program carried out pursuant to this section with other programs and activities related to the reduction of the rate of infant mortality and improved perinatal and infant health outcomes supported by the Department. ; (4) in subsection (e)— (A) in paragraph (1), by striking appropriated— appropriated $135,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2020 through 2024. (B) in paragraph (2)(B), by adding at the end the following: “Evaluations may also include, to the extent practicable, information related to— (i) progress toward achieving any grant metrics or outcomes related to reducing infant mortality rates, improving perinatal outcomes, or reducing the disparity in health status; (ii) recommendations on potential improvements that may assist with addressing gaps, as applicable and appropriate; and (iii) the extent to which the grantee coordinated with the community in which the grantee is located in the development of the project and delivery of services, including with respect to technical assistance and mentorship programs. ; and (5) by adding at the end the following: (f) GAO report (1) In general Not later than 4 years after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct an independent evaluation, and submit to the appropriate Committees of Congress a report, concerning the Healthy Start program under this section. (2) Evaluation In conducting the evaluation under paragraph (1), the Comptroller General shall consider, as applicable and appropriate, information from the evaluations under subsection (e)(2)(B). (3) Report The report described in paragraph (1) shall review, assess, and provide recommendations, as appropriate, on the following: (A) The allocation of Healthy Start program grants by the Health Resources and Services Administration, including considerations made by such Administration regarding disparities in infant mortality or perinatal outcomes among urban and rural areas in making such awards. (B) Trends in the progress made toward meeting the evaluation criteria pursuant to subsection (e)(2)(C), including programs which decrease infant mortality rates and improve perinatal outcomes, programs that have not decreased infant mortality rates or improved perinatal outcomes, and programs that have made an impact on disparities in infant mortality or perinatal outcomes. (C) The ability of grantees to improve health outcomes for project participants, promote the awareness of the Healthy Start program services, incorporate and promote family participation, facilitate coordination with the community in which the grantee is located, and increase grantee accountability through quality improvement, performance monitoring, evaluation, and the effect such metrics may have toward decreasing the rate of infant mortality and improve perinatal outcomes. (D) The extent to which such Federal programs are coordinated across agencies and the identification of opportunities for improved coordination in such Federal programs and activities. .

Summary: Healthy Start Reauthorization Act of 2019 This bill modifies and reauthorizes through FY2024 the Healthy Start program, which provides grants that support interventions to improve women’s health before, during, and after pregnancy. Further, the bill requires the Health Resources and Services Administration to consider communities with high rates of infant mortality when awarding grants and requires the Government Accountability Office to evaluate the program’s health outcomes.