To amend the Public Health Service Act to ensure appropriate care by certain 340B covered entities for victims of sexual assault, and for other purposes.

Bill: 116-hr-461
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Griffith, H. Morgan [R-VA-9]
Introduced: 2019-01-10
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Crime victims

Emergency medical services and trauma care

Government information and archives

Health care coverage and access

Health facilities and institutions

Hospital care

Sex offenses
Latest action: action_date: 2019-01-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-01-10
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>This bill requires hospitals with emergency departments to be equipped with sexual assault forensic examiners as a condition of participation in the 340B drug pricing program (i.e., a program that allows entities to receive covered outpatient drugs at reduced prices from manufacturers). </p> <p>Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services must designate the hospital as a facility in which a sexual assault forensic examiner is available or on call 24-7. Hospitals that do not receive this designation after one year must take action to become designated within the following year. They must also implement an interim policy that allows emergency department patients to choose to be transferred free of charge to already-designated facilities. </p>

tv_txt: I 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 461 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 10, 2019 Mr. Griffith (for himself, Mr. Walden , and Mr. Carter of Georgia ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To amend the Public Health Service Act to ensure appropriate care by certain 340B covered entities for victims of sexual assault, and for other purposes.

1. Requirements for certain 340 B covered entities relating to hospital care for victims of sexual assault (a) In general Section 340B(a) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 256b(a) ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (4)(L)— (A) in clause (ii), by striking and at the end; (B) in clause (iii), by striking the period at the end and adding ; and ; and (C) by adding at the end the following new clause: (iv) in the case of such a hospital that has an emergency department and, as of the date that is 12 months after the date of enactment of this clause, has not been designated as a SAFE-ready facility under paragraph (11)(B)— (I) takes such actions as necessary to become so designated not later than the date that is 24 months after such date of enactment; and (II) during the period beginning on the date that is 12 months after such date of enactment and ending on the date that such hospital becomes so designated, has adopted and enforces a policy, with respect to visits to the emergency department of such hospital during such period, to ensure compliance with the requirements of paragraph (11) and meets the requirements of such paragraph. ; and (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (11) Requirements of certain covered entities relating to examination and treatment for victims of sexual assault (A) In general In the case of a covered entity described in paragraph (4)(L) that has an emergency department and, as of the date that is 12 months after the date of enactment of this paragraph, has not been designated as a SAFE-ready facility under subparagraph (B), for purposes of clause (iv)(II) of such paragraph, the requirements of this paragraph, with respect to visits to the emergency department of such entity during the period described in such clause (iv)(II), are the following: (i) Treatment If any individual comes to the emergency department of such entity for treatment relating to sexual assault, the entity shall— (I) inform the individual that the entity is not a SAFE-ready facility; (II) provide the name and location of the closest SAFE-ready facility to the entity; (III) inform the individual that the individual may elect— (aa) to receive treatment at the entity; or (bb) to be stabilized and transferred to the facility described in subclause (II); and (IV) in the case that the individual elects to be transferred under subclause (III)(bb)— (aa) obtain the individual’s written consent for the transfer; (bb) contact the facility described in subclause (II) to confirm that a sexual assault forensic examiner is available at the facility; and (cc) stabilize and transfer the individual, at no cost, to such facility using official transportation of the entity. (ii) Plans regarding staff training and transfers to SAFE-ready facilities Not later than the date that is 12 months after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the entity shall develop and implement— (I) a plan to train relevant personnel on sexual assault forensic evidence collection; and (II) a plan for transferring individuals to SAFE-ready facilities, in accordance with the requirements of clause (i)(IV). (B) SAFE-ready designation (i) In general The Secretary shall designate a covered entity described in paragraph (4)(L) as a SAFE-ready facility if the entity employs or contracts with sexual assault forensic examiners such that a sexual assault forensic examiner is available or on call 24 hours per day, every day of the year. (ii) Publication of data The Secretary shall publish on the public website of the Department of Health and Human Services a list of each covered entity designated as a SAFE-ready facility under this subparagraph, including the address of such entity. The Secretary shall update such list annually. (C) Definition In this paragraph, the term sexual assault forensic examiner means— (i) a trained sexual assault nurse examiner; or (ii) a physician with specialized training on conducting a medical-forensic examination. . (b) Conforming amendment Section 340B(a)(4)(M) of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 256b(a)(4)(M) ) is amended by striking meet the requirements of subparagraph (L), including the disproportionate share adjustment percentage requirement under clause (ii) of such subparagraph, and inserting meet the requirements of clauses (i) through (iii) of subparagraph (L) .