CARING for Social Determinants Act of 2021
Bill: H.R.3894 | Sponsor: Rep. Blunt Rochester, Lisa (D-DE)
Policy area: Health

Summary:
Collecting and Analyzing Resources Integral and Necessary for Guidance for Social Determinants Act of 2021 or the CARING for Social Determinants Act of 2021
This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to periodically update specified guidance to help states address social determinants of health (e.g., socioeconomic factors) under Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

To require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to issue and 
disseminate guidance to States to clarify strategies to address social 
 determinants of health under the Medicaid program and the Children's 
           Health Insurance Program, and for other purposes.

    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 ``Collecting and Analyzing Resources 
Integral and Necessary for Guidance for Social Determinants Act of 
2021'' or the ``CARING for Social Determinants Act of 2021''.

SEC. 2. REQUIREMENT TO ISSUE GUIDANCE TO CLARIFY STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS 
              SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH IN THE MEDICAID PROGRAM AND 
              THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM.

    Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, 
and not less frequently than once every 3 years thereafter, the 
Secretary of Health and Human Services shall update the State Health 
Office letter 21-001, issued on January 7, 2021, to clarify strategies 
to address social determinants of health under the Medicaid program and 
the Children's Health Insurance Program. Such update shall include the 
following:
            (1) Guidance to State Medicaid agencies regarding the 
        strategies that States can implement under authorities in 
        existence as of such update under title XIX of the Social 
        Security Act, title XXI of such Act, or section 1115 of such 
        Act to address social determinants of health in the provision 
        of health care, including strategies specifically targeting 
        children receiving medical assistance under a State plan under 
        title XIX of such Act (or a waiver of such plan) or child 
        health assistance under a State child health plan under title 
        XXI of such Act.
            (2) Guidance on how States can encourage and incentivize 
        managed care entities to address social determinants of health 
        through contracts with such entities.
            (3) Updated examples from States with respect to how States 
        are addressing social determinants of health in the provision 
        of health care under the Medicaid program under title XIX of 
        the Social Security Act and the Children's Health Insurance 
        Program under title XXI of such Act, including through payment 
        models.

            Passed the House of Representatives December 8, 2021.

            Attest:

                                             CHERYL L. JOHNSON,

                                                                 Clerk.