nologies (that provide for the asyn-
chronous transmission of health care in-
formation in single or multimedia for-
mats) in the provision of telehealth serv-
ices for which payment may be made 
under the Medicare program. Such study 
shall include an assessment of the feasi-
bility, advisability, and the costs of ex-
panding the use of such technologies for 
use in the diagnosis and treatment of cer-
tain conditions. 
(2) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months 
after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary shall submit to Con-
gress a report on the study conducted 
under paragraph (1) and shall include in 
such report such recommendations for 
legislation or administration action as 
the Secretary determines appropriate. 
(c) EXPANSION OF TELEHEALTH SERVICES.— 
(1) STUDY.—The Secretary of Health 
and Human Services, in coordination 
with the Office for the Advancement of 
Telehealth, the Agency for Healthcare Re-
search and Quality, and the Centers for 
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Medicare and Medicaid Services, shall 
conduct a study to determine the feasi-
bility, advisability, and the costs of— 
(A) including coverage and pay-
ment for home health-related tele-
health services as part of home 
health services under title XVIII of 
the Social Security Act; and 
(B) expanding the list of sites de-
scribed in paragraph (4)(C)(ii) of sec-
tion 1834(m) of the Social Security 
Act (42 U.S.C. 1395m(m)) to include 
county mental health clinics or other 
publicly funded mental health facili-
ties for the purpose of payment under 
such section for the provision of tele-
health services at such clinics or fa-
cilities. 
(2) SPECIFICS
OF
STUDY.—Such study 
shall demonstrate whether the changes 
described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of 
paragraph (1) will result in the following: 
(A) Enhanced health outcomes for 
individuals with one or more chronic 
conditions. 
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(B) Health outcomes for individ-
uals furnished telehealth services or 
home health-related telehealth serv-
ices that are at least comparable to 
the health outcomes for individuals 
furnished similar items and services 
by a health care provider at the same 
location of the individual or at the 
home of the individual, respectively. 
(C) Facilitation of communication 
of more accurate clinical information 
between health care providers. 
(D) Closer monitoring of individ-
uals by health care providers. 
(E) Overall reduction in expendi-
tures for health care items and serv-
ices. 
(F) Improved access to health 
care. 
(3) HOME HEALTH-RELATED TELEHEALTH 
SERVICES DEFINED.—For purposes of this 
subsection, the term ‘‘home health-re-
lated telehealth services’’ means tech-
nology-based professional consultations, 
patient monitoring, patient training serv-
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ices, clinical observation, patient assess-
ment, and any other health services that 
utilize telecommunications technologies. 
Such term does not include a tele-
communication that consists solely of a 
telephone audio conversation, facsimile, 
electronic text mail, or consultation be-
tween two health care providers. 
(4) REPORT.—Not later than 18 months 
after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary shall submit to Con-
gress a report on the study conducted 
under subparagraph (1) and shall include 
in such report such recommendations for 
legislation or administration action as 
the Secretary determines appropriate. 
Amend the title so as to read: ‘‘A bill to promote a 
better health information system.’’. 
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Union Calendar No. 347 
109TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 4157 
[Report No. 109–601, Parts I and II] 
A BILL 
To amend the Social Security Act to encourage the 
dissemination, security, confidentiality, and use-
fulness of health information technology. 
JULY 26, 2006 
Reported from the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
with amendments 
JULY 26, 2006 
Reported from the Committee on Ways and Means with 
an amendment; committed to the Committee of the 
Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered 
to be printed 
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