Think Differently Database Act

Bill: 118-hr-670
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Molinaro, Marcus J. [R-NY-19]
Introduced: 2023-01-31
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Government information and archives

Health care coverage and access

Health promotion and preventive care

Hereditary and development disorders

Internet, web applications, social media

Medicaid

Mental health
Latest action: action_date: 2025-01-04
text: Became Public Law No: 118-225.

Summaries:
action_date: 2023-01-31
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p><b>Think Differently Database Act</b></p> <p>This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish an online clearinghouse of resources and other information for individuals with an intellectual disability (and their caregivers and families) that is searchable by zip code. In particular, the clearinghouse must include information about (1) community-based services and long-term support services available through Medicaid; and (2) how to obtain health care, mental health care, and other relevant services.</p> <p>HHS must also promote awareness of the resources in the clearinghouse.</p>

action_date: 2024-12-16
action_desc: Reported to House
text: <p><strong>Think Differently Database Act</strong></p><p>This bill requires the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish a website with resources about Medicaid for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers. The website must include information about eligibility, points of contact, and covered long-term services and associated wait lists. The CMS must promote the website to appropriate individuals, such as by collaborating with the Social Security Administration.<br/></p>

action_date: 2025-01-04
action_desc: Public Law
text: <p><strong>Think Differently Database Act</strong></p><p>This act&nbsp;requires the Centers for Medicare &amp; Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish a website with resources about Medicaid for individuals with disabilities and their caregivers. The website must include information about eligibility, points of contact, covered long-term services, and wait lists for certain home- and community-based services. The CMS must promote the website to appropriate individuals, such as by collaborating with the Social Security Administration.</p>

tv_txt: II 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 670 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES December 18 (legislative day, December 16), 2024 Received AN ACT To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a website to promote awareness of available resources for individuals with disabilities, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Think Differently Database Act . 2. Promoting awareness of available resources for individuals with disabilities (a) In general Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the Secretary ) shall establish and update periodically a publicly available website to provide information with respect to resources and information for people with a disability and the caregivers and families of such people. Such website shall include— (1) information on eligibility to receive medical assistance under a State plan under the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq. ) (or a waiver of such plan) based on a disability, including general information about eligibility under subclauses (XIII), (XV), (XVI), and (XIX) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii) ); (2) which States offer eligibility under subclauses (XIII), (XV), (XVI), and (XIX) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii) ); (3) each State’s specific eligibility requirements, if applicable, under subclauses (XIII), (XV), (XVI), and (XIX) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii) ); (4) information about how to contact each State’s Medicaid office for information about Medicaid, including links and phone numbers for State contacts; (5) general information on Medicaid-covered long-term services and supports that may be available to individuals eligible for medical assistance under a State plan under the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq. ) (or a waiver of such plan); and (6) where applicable, the average amount of time that individuals newly enrolled in a State’s waiver program for home and community-based services in the past 12 months were on the list of individuals waiting to enroll in such waiver program, in such a manner and process as described in section 441.311(d)(1)(iii) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations. (b) Promotion The Secretary shall, as applicable and appropriate, identify and disseminate promotional activities to improve, among people with a disability and the caretakers and families of such people, the awareness of the resources included in the website established under subsection (a), such as through collaboration with the Social Security Administration during its annual updates to the Red Book. (c) Model In establishing the website under this section, the Secretary may use the website thinkdifferently.net as a model. (d) Nonapplication of Paperwork Reduction Act Chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 ), shall not apply to the implementation of this section.

Passed the House of Representatives December 17, 2024. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: I One Hundred Eighteenth Congress of the United States of America At the Second Session Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday, the third day of January, two thousand and twenty-four H. R. 670 AN ACT To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a website to promote awareness of available resources for individuals with disabilities, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Think Differently Database Act . 2. Promoting awareness of available resources for individuals with disabilities (a) In general Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the Secretary ) shall establish and update periodically a publicly available website to provide information with respect to resources and information for people with a disability and the caregivers and families of such people. Such website shall include— (1) information on eligibility to receive medical assistance under a State plan under the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq. ) (or a waiver of such plan) based on a disability, including general information about eligibility under subclauses (XIII), (XV), (XVI), and (XIX) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii) ); (2) which States offer eligibility under subclauses (XIII), (XV), (XVI), and (XIX) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii) ); (3) each State’s specific eligibility requirements, if applicable, under subclauses (XIII), (XV), (XVI), and (XIX) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii) ); (4) information about how to contact each State’s Medicaid office for information about Medicaid, including links and phone numbers for State contacts; (5) general information on Medicaid-covered long-term services and supports that may be available to individuals eligible for medical assistance under a State plan under the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq. ) (or a waiver of such plan); and (6) where applicable, the average amount of time that individuals newly enrolled in a State’s waiver program for home and community-based services in the past 12 months were on the list of individuals waiting to enroll in such waiver program, in such a manner and process as described in section 441.311(d)(1)(iii) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations. (b) Promotion The Secretary shall, as applicable and appropriate, identify and disseminate promotional activities to improve, among people with a disability and the caretakers and families of such people, the awareness of the resources included in the website established under subsection (a), such as through collaboration with the Social Security Administration during its annual updates to the Red Book. (c) Model In establishing the website under this section, the Secretary may use the website thinkdifferently.net as a model. (d) Nonapplication of Paperwork Reduction Act Chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 ), shall not apply to the implementation of this section.

Speaker of the House of Representatives. Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate.

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 670 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AN ACT To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a website to promote awareness of available resources for individuals with disabilities, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Think Differently Database Act . 2. Promoting awareness of available resources for individuals with disabilities (a) In general Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the Secretary ) shall establish and update periodically a publicly available website to provide information with respect to resources and information for people with a disability and the caregivers and families of such people. Such website shall include— (1) information on eligibility to receive medical assistance under a State plan under the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq. ) (or a waiver of such plan) based on a disability, including general information about eligibility under subclauses (XIII), (XV), (XVI), and (XIX) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii) ); (2) which States offer eligibility under subclauses (XIII), (XV), (XVI), and (XIX) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii) ); (3) each State’s specific eligibility requirements, if applicable, under subclauses (XIII), (XV), (XVI), and (XIX) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii) ); (4) information about how to contact each State’s Medicaid office for information about Medicaid, including links and phone numbers for State contacts; (5) general information on Medicaid-covered long-term services and supports that may be available to individuals eligible for medical assistance under a State plan under the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq. ) (or a waiver of such plan); and (6) where applicable, the average amount of time that individuals newly enrolled in a State’s waiver program for home and community-based services in the past 12 months were on the list of individuals waiting to enroll in such waiver program, in such a manner and process as described in section 441.311(d)(1)(iii) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations. (b) Promotion The Secretary shall, as applicable and appropriate, identify and disseminate promotional activities to improve, among people with a disability and the caretakers and families of such people, the awareness of the resources included in the website established under subsection (a), such as through collaboration with the Social Security Administration during its annual updates to the Red Book. (c) Model In establishing the website under this section, the Secretary may use the website thinkdifferently.net as a model. (d) Nonapplication of Paperwork Reduction Act Chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 ), shall not apply to the implementation of this section.

Passed the House of Representatives December 17, 2024. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.

tv_txt: IB Union Calendar No. 714 118th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 670 [Report No. 118–874] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 31, 2023 Mr. Molinaro (for himself and Ms. Sherrill ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce December 16, 2024 Additional sponsors: Mr. Ryan , Mr. Trone , Ms. Kuster , Mr. Pappas , Mr. Lawler , Mr. Tonko , Mr. Langworthy , Mrs. Houchin , Mr. LaLota , Ms. Meng , Mr. D'Esposito , Mr. Higgins of New York , Ms. Sewell , Mr. Lieu , Mr. Gottheimer , Ms. Craig , Mrs. Dingell , Mr. Carbajal , Mr. Landsman , Mr. Phillips , Ms. Blunt Rochester , Mr. Jackson of North Carolina , Mrs. González-Colón , Mr. Williams of New York , and Ms. Norton December 16, 2024 Reported with amendments, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on January 31, 2023 A BILL To amend title IV of the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a clearinghouse on intellectual disabilities, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Think Differently Database Act . 2. Promoting awareness of available resources for individuals with disabilities (a) In general Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (in this section referred to as the Secretary ) shall establish and update periodically a publicly-available website to provide information with respect to resources and information for people with a disability and the caregivers and families of such people. Such website shall include— (1) information on eligibility to receive medical assistance under a State plan under the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq. ) (or a waiver of such plan) based on a qualifying disability, including— (A) general information about eligibility under subclauses (XIII), (XV), (XVI), and (XIX) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(ii) ); (B) which States offer Medicaid buy-in programs; and (C) the specific eligibility requirements of each such program; (2) information about how to contact each State’s Medicaid office for information about Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program eligibility, including links and phone numbers for State contacts; (3) information on Medicaid-covered long-term services and supports available to individuals eligible for medical assistance under a State plan under the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq. ) (or a waiver of such plan); and (4) where applicable, the duration of wait lists to receive the services described in paragraph (3). (b) Promotion The Secretary shall, as applicable and appropriate, identify and disseminate promotional activities to improve, among people with a disability and the caretakers and families of such people, the awareness of the resources included in the website established under subsection (a), such as through collaboration with the Social Security Administration during its annual updates to the Red Book. (c) Model In establishing the website under this section, the Secretary may use the website thinkdifferently.net as a model. (d) Nonapplication of Paperwork Reduction Act Chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code (commonly referred to as the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 ), shall not apply to the implementation of this section.

Amend the title so as to read: A bill to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a website to promote awareness of available resources for individuals with disabilities, and for other purposes .

December 16, 2024 Reported with amendments, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed

tv_txt: I 118th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 670 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 31, 2023 Mr. Molinaro (for himself and Ms. Sherrill ) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce A BILL To amend title IV of the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a clearinghouse on intellectual disabilities, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Think Differently Database Act . 2. Clearinghouse on intellectual disabilities Subpart 7 of part C of title IV of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 285g et seq. ) is amended by inserting after section 450 ( 42 U.S.C. 285g–2 ) the following: 450A. Clearinghouse on intellectual disabilities (a) In general The Secretary, in consultation with the Director of NIH and the Director of the Institute, shall establish within the Department of Health and Human Services, a publicly-available clearinghouse to provide information with respect to resources and information for people with an intellectual disability and the caregivers and families of such people. Such clearinghouse shall include— (1) information on individual community-based services and long-term support services available to individuals eligible for medical assistance under a State plan under the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act (or a waiver of such plan); (2) information on how to obtain health care, mental health care, and other relevant services; and (3) a searchable database of such resources that may be searched by postal zip code. (b) Promotion The Secretary shall, as applicable and appropriate, identify and disseminate promotional activities to improve, among people with an intellectual disability and the caretakers and families of such people, the awareness of the resources included in the clearinghouse established under subsection (a). (c) Model In establishing the clearinghouse under this section, the Secretary may use the website thinkdifferently.net as a model. .