I
106TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 2739
To provide for the continuation of the demonstration program, known as
the Healthy Start Initiative, that is carried out by the Secretary of
Health and Human Services as a program of grants to reduce the
rate of infant mortality.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
AUGUST 5, 1999
Mr. CUMMINGS (for himself, Ms. KILPATRICK, Ms. PELOSI, Ms. BROWN of
Florida, Mr. SCOTT, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mr. HILLIARD, Mrs.
MALONEY of New York, Mr. OWENS, Mr. MEEKS of New York, Mr.
CLAY, Mr. PAYNE, Mrs. JONES of Ohio, Ms. DELAURO, Mr. FROST, Mr.
STARK, and Mr. COYNE) introduced the following bill; which was referred
to the Committee on Commerce
A BILL
To provide for the continuation of the demonstration pro-
gram, known as the Healthy Start Initiative, that is
carried out by the Secretary of Health and Human Serv-
ices as a program of grants to reduce the rate of infant
mortality.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Healthy Start Initia-
tive Continuation Act’’.
SEC. 2. CONTINUATION OF HEALTHY START PROGRAM.
Title V of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 701
et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following
section:
‘‘HEALTHY START FOR INFANTS
‘‘SEC. 511. (a) IN GENERAL.—
‘‘(1) CONTINUATION AND EXPANSION OF PRO-
GRAM.—The Secretary, acting through the Adminis-
trator of the Health Resources and Services Admin-
istration, shall under authority of this section con-
tinue in effect the Healthy Start Initiative and may,
during fiscal year 2000 and subsequent years, carry
out such program on a national basis.
‘‘(2) DEFINITION.—For purposes of paragraph
(1), the term ‘Healthy Start Initiative’ is a reference
to the program that, as an initiative to reduce the
rate of infant mortality and improve perinatal out-
comes, makes grants for project areas with high an-
nual rates of infant mortality and that, prior to the
effective date of this section, was a demonstration
program carried out under section 301 of the Public
Health Service Act.
‘‘(b) REQUIREMENTS FOR CONSORTIA IN MAKING
GRANTS.—In making grants under subsection (a), the
Secretary shall require that applicants (in addition to
meeting all eligibility criteria established by the Secretary)
establish, for project areas under such subsection, commu-
nity-based consortia of individuals (including consumers of
project services) and organizations (including public
health departments, hospitals, health centers under sec-
tion 330 of the Public Health Service Act, or other signifi-
cant sources of health care services) that are appropriate
for participation in projects under subsection (a).
‘‘(c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Except to the extent
inconsistent with subsection (b), this section may not be
construed as affecting the authority of the Secretary to
make modifications in the program carried out under sub-
section (a).
‘‘(d) FEDERAL RESERVES.—
‘‘(1) PROGRAM
ADMINISTRATION.—The Sec-
retary may reserve up to 5 percent of amounts ap-
propriated annually under this section for coordina-
tion, dissemination, technical assistance, and data
activities under paragraphs (2) through (5) of sec-
tion 509(a) that are determined by the Secretary to
be appropriate for carrying out the program under
this section.
‘‘(2) EVALUATION.—The Secretary may reserve
up to 1 percent of amounts appropriated annually
under this section for evaluation of projects carried
out under subsection (a).
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—For the
purpose of carrying out this section, there are authorized
to be appropriated $115,000,000 for fiscal year 2000,
$155,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, $250,000,000 for fis-
cal year 2002, and $300,000,000 for each of the fiscal
years 2003 through 2005.’’.
SEC. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act takes effect October 1, 1999, or upon the
date of the enactment of this Act, whichever occurs later.
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