Leveraging Integrated Networks in Communities To Address Social Needs Act of 2021
Bill: H.R.6072 | Sponsor: Rep. Kildee, Daniel T. (D-MI)
Policy area: Social Welfare

Summary:
Leveraging Integrated Networks in Communities To Address Social Needs Act of 2021 or the LINC To Address Social Needs Act of 2021
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to award states competitive grants for technology networks that coordinate the provision of health care and social services (e.g., nutritional assistance, housing, and transportation).
States must use the grants to support statewide or regional public-private partnerships in establishing or enhancing such networks. The bill outlines requirements concerning the governance structure of the networks, privacy and security, and related matters.
The Government Accountability Office must evaluate the impact of these networks on health outcomes, access to services, and related factors.

To establish a program to assist States in establishing or enhancing 
  community integration network infrastructure for health and social 
                               services.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Leveraging Integrated Networks in 
Communities To Address Social Needs Act of 2021'' or the ``LINC To 
Address Social Needs Act of 2021''.

SEC. 2. PROGRAM TO SUPPORT ESTABLISHMENT OR ENHANCEMENT OF STATE 
              COMMUNITY INTEGRATION NETWORK INFRASTRUCTURE.

    (a) Grant Program.--The Secretary shall award grants on a 
competitive basis to States to support such States, through public-
private partnerships, to establish new or enhance existing community 
integration network infrastructure through authorized activities under 
subsection (b).
    (b) Authorized Activities.--A State, acting through the public-
private partnership entered into under subsection (d)(1), shall use a 
grant under this section to carry out activities and services to 
establish new or enhance existing community integration network 
infrastructure, on a statewide basis through direct network operations 
or collaborations among multiple associated entities, which may include 
such entities that operate regionally. Such activities and services 
shall include--
            (1) establishing a new or enhancing an existing 
        interoperable technology network that--
                    (A) enables the coordination of public and private 
                providers and payors of services for individuals in the 
                State, including services such as--
                            (i) nutritional assistance;
                            (ii) housing;
                            (iii) health care, including telehealth 
                        services (including through audio-only 
                        services), preventive health intervention, 
                        chronic disease management, and behavioral 
                        health care;
                            (iv) transportation;
                            (v) job training;
                            (vi) child development or care;
                            (vii) caregiving and respite care;
                            (viii) disability assistance;
                            (ix) independent living services or 
                        independent living core services;
                            (x) care coordination;
                            (xi) domestic violence screening; and
                            (xii) other services, as determined by the 
                        State;
                    (B) prioritizes--
                            (i) partnerships for the use of technology 
                        that align with the guidelines established 
                        under subsection (c)(3); and
                            (ii) connectivity with appropriate existing 
                        technology networks developed by public or 
                        private organizations in the State that comply 
                        with, as applicable, standards adopted by the 
                        Secretary under section 3004 of the Public 
                        Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300jj-14), for 
                        the purposes described in subparagraph (A), and
                    (C) ensures that--
                            (i) reasonable measures are taken to 
                        promote connectivity and interoperable exchange 
                        among associated entities;
                            (ii) appropriate privacy and security 
                        protections are in place, in accordance with 
                        applicable Federal and State privacy laws; and
                            (iii) appropriate accessibility measures 
                        are in place, in accordance with applicable 
                        Federal and State law, including the Americans 
                        with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 
                        et seq.) and section 508 of the Rehabilitation 
                        Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794(d));
            (2) connecting associated entities for purposes of 
        communication, service coordination and consumer assistance, 
        referral and capacity management, outcome tracking, 
        interoperability, eligibility determination, and related 
        services;
            (3) providing technical assistance and supporting 
        associated entities in connecting and participating in the 
        community integration network infrastructure;
            (4) planning for and implementing actions designed to 
        create sustainable funding models to support long-term access 
        to community integration network infrastructure;
            (5) designing and implementing a financial structure to 
        make the community integration network infrastructure 
        financially self-sustaining not later than 4 years after 
        receiving funds under this section; and
            (6) evaluating the use of any funds provided under this 
        section.
    (c) Award of Grants.--
            (1) In general.--A grant under this Act shall be awarded 
        under such terms and conditions as the Secretary shall 
        prescribe, including the guidelines established under paragraph 
        (3) and, as determined feasible and appropriate by the 
        Secretary, that the State shall utilize, where available, 
        health information technology systems and products that meet 
        standards and implementation specifications adopted under 
        section 3004 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300jj-
        14).
            (2) Minimizing administrative burden.--The Secretary shall 
        seek to minimize the administrative burden of such terms and 
        conditions and ensure programmatic flexibility for unique State 
        needs.
            (3) Guidelines.--The Secretary shall--
                    (A) consult relevant stakeholders, including 
                community-based organizations, regarding basic 
                functionalities, technical capacities, and data 
                standards needed for interoperable community 
                integration network infrastructure and the distinct 
                governance and management functionalities of the 
                associated social care delivery system; and
                    (B) based on such consultations, establish 
                guidelines for awarding grants under this section, 
                including application requirements.
    (d) Application.--A State desiring a grant under this section 
shall--
            (1) enter into a public-private partnership with one or 
        more--
                    (A) private, nonprofit, or philanthropic 
                organizations, including such organizations in rural 
                areas, centers for independent living, area agencies on 
                aging, and Aging and Disability Resource Centers; or
                    (B) Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, or urban 
                Indian organizations within the State; and
            (2) submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in 
        such manner, and containing or accompanied by such information 
        as the Secretary may require, including--
                    (A) a description of the agency or department in 
                the State government that will coordinate with and 
                oversee the partnership established under paragraph 
                (1);
                    (B) a plan for the establishment or enhancement of 
                a community integration network infrastructure 
                including--
                            (i) the proposed transparent and 
                        competitive process for selecting any new 
                        operational components of the community 
                        integration network infrastructure;
                            (ii) the planned governance structure (in 
                        accordance with subsection (f)) within the 
                        community integration network infrastructure;
                            (iii) proposed associated entities and 
                        services to be included in the community 
                        integration network infrastructure;
                            (iv) accessing and electronically linking, 
                        as feasible, relevant data to create community 
                        integration network infrastructure, including a 
                        description of intended sources of data; and
                            (v) the use of standards and implementation 
                        specifications developed by national standards 
                        organizations, as feasible, and coordination 
                        with such organizations overall;
                    (C) assurances that the funds awarded under this 
                section will be used solely to carry out authorized 
                activities as described in subsection (b) and other 
                related activities;
                    (D) potential options, including public-private 
                partnerships in addition to the partnership described 
                in paragraph (1), for making the community integration 
                network infrastructure financially self-sustaining not 
                later than 4 years after receiving funds under this 
                section; and
                    (E) a description of the objectives and outcome 
                goals of developing the community integration network 
                infrastructure, including--
                            (i) one or more health outcomes;
                            (ii) one or more other important social 
                        outcomes;
                            (iii) improved access to health care or 
                        social services; and
                            (iv) how progress toward the outcomes 
                        described in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) will 
                        be measured through internal performance 
                        metrics.
    (e) Separate Tribal Infrastructure.--Nothing in this section shall 
preclude Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, or urban Indian 
organizations from establishing a community integration network 
infrastructure that is separate from any other public-private 
partnership receiving funding under this section, provided that such 
infrastructure is interoperable with the community integration network 
infrastructure of each applicable State that receives a grant under 
subsection (a).
    (f) Planned Governance Structure of Community Integration Network 
Infrastructure.--Community integration network infrastructure 
established or enhanced using a grant under subsection (a) shall have a 
planned governance structure that is based on a shared governance model 
providing collaborative representation for different types of 
associated entities, including associated entities that provide social 
services.
    (g) Evaluation.--The Secretary may conduct an evaluation of grants 
awarded under this section, including regarding activities and services 
to establish new or enhance existing community integration network 
infrastructure and the operations of such community integration network 
infrastructure.
    (h) Federal Matches.--Grant funds made available to States under 
subsection (a) shall be deemed a non-Federal source for purposes of any 
requirement for matching Federal funds with non-Federal funds, 
including the requirement applicable to State expenditures on 
technology that are reimbursable under section 1903(a) of the Social 
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396b(a)).
    (i) Electronic Health Records.--No State receiving a grant under 
this section shall be required to incorporate electronic health records 
into the State's community integration network infrastructure supported 
by such grant.
    (j) Authorization of Appropriations.--
            (1) In general.--
                    (A) Total amount.--To carry out this section (other 
                than subsection (g)), there is authorized to be 
                appropriated $150,000,000 for the period of fiscal 
                years 2022 to 2026.
                    (B) Administration.--Of the amounts appropriated 
                pursuant to subparagraph (A), up to $10,000,000 may be 
                used for administrative expenses.
            (2) Evaluation.--There is authorized to be appropriated 
        such sums as may be necessary to carry out subsection (g) for 
        fiscal year 2022.
            (3) Duration of availability.--Amounts appropriated under 
        this subsection shall remain available until the date that is 5 
        years after the date of enactment of this Act.
    (k) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Aging and disability resource center.--The term ``Aging 
        and Disability Resource Center'' has the meaning given such 
        term in section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 
        U.S.C. 3002).
            (2) Area agency on aging.--The term ``area agency on 
        aging'' has the meaning given such term in section 102 of the 
        Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3002).
            (3) Associated entities.--The term ``associated entities'' 
        means any--
                    (A) community-based organization that maintains 
                community resource directories, accepts referrals from, 
                or provides referrals to, health care organizations, or 
                that provides services such as--
                            (i) nutritional assistance;
                            (ii) housing;
                            (iii) health care, including telehealth 
                        services (including through audio-only 
                        services), preventive health intervention, 
                        chronic disease management, and behavioral 
                        health care;
                            (iv) transportation;
                            (v) job training;
                            (vi) child development or care;
                            (vii) caregiving and respite care;
                            (viii) disability assistance;
                            (ix) independent living services or 
                        independent living core services;
                            (x) care coordination; and
                            (xi) domestic violence screening;
                    (B) public, or nonprofit or for-profit, private 
                health care provider organization;
                    (C) public or private funded payor of health care 
                services, including home- or community-based services;
                    (D) State, local, territorial, or Tribal health and 
                social services agency;
                    (E) State public housing authority or housing 
                finance agency;
                    (F) public health information exchange or public 
                health information network, as defined by the 
                Secretary; or
                    (G) other similar entity, as designated by the 
                State.
            (4) Center for independent living.--The term ``center for 
        independent living'' has the meaning given to such term in 
        section 702 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 796a).
            (5) Community integration network infrastructure.--The term 
        ``community integration network infrastructure'' means 
        infrastructure, existing on statewide basis with direct network 
        operations or through collaborations among multiple associated 
        entities, used to enable the coordination, alignment, and 
        connection, of associated entities in a State, including such 
        entities that operate regionally, for purposes of 
        communication, service coordination, interoperable information 
        exchange across health care and community-based organizations, 
        and referral management of services, with respect to services 
        such as--
                    (A) nutritional assistance;
                    (B) housing;
                    (C) health care, including telehealth services 
                (including through audio-only services), preventive 
                health intervention, chronic disease management, and 
                behavioral health care;
                    (D) transportation;
                    (E) job training;
                    (F) child development or care;
                    (G) caregiving and respite care;
                    (H) disability assistance;
                    (I) independent living services or independent 
                living core services;
                    (J) care coordination; and
                    (K) other similar services, as designated by the 
                State.
            (6) Indian tribe and tribal organization.--The terms 
        ``Indian Tribe'' and ``Tribal organization'' have the meanings 
        given to the terms `Indian tribe' and `tribal organization' in 
        section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education 
        Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
            (7) Independent living services; independent living core 
        services.--The terms ``independent living services'' and 
        ``independent living core services'' have the meanings given to 
        such terms in section 7 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 
        U.S.C. 705).
            (8) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' refers to the 
        Secretary of Health and Human Services.
            (9) State.--The term ``State'' means a State, territory, or 
        the District of Columbia.
            (10) Urban indian organization.--The term ``urban Indian 
        organization'' has the meaning given to the term in section 4 
        of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1603).

SEC. 3. EVALUATION, REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

    (a) Evaluation.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct an evaluation that--
            (1) measures the overall impact of the community 
        integration network infrastructure established or enhanced 
        using funds received under section 2, with respect to--
                    (A) changes in individual and population health 
                outcomes;
                    (B) changes in access to health care or social 
                services;
                    (C) the degree of data sharing using the community 
                integration network infrastructure established or 
                enhanced using funds received under section 2;
                    (D) the effectiveness of service coordination;
                    (E) the cost-effectiveness of the provision of 
                services;
                    (F) any results or anticipated results on overall 
                health and social services spending;
                    (G) patient and consumer satisfaction with service 
                coordination process and services received;
                    (H) the degree of sustainability of the community 
                integration network infrastructure; and
                    (I) any other relevant factors; and
            (2) describes how the funds received under section 2 were 
        used.
    (b) Report and Recommendations.--Not later than 5 years after the 
date the first grant under this Act is awarded, the Comptroller General 
of the United States shall--
            (1)(A) submit a report on the evaluation conducted under 
        subsection (a) to Congress; and
            (B) make such report publicly available; and
            (2) based on the evaluation conducted under subsection (a), 
        make recommendations to States and Indian Tribes, Tribal 
        organizations, or urban Indian organizations, on how to improve 
        and sustain community integration network infrastructure 
        established or enhanced using funds received under section 2.
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