Health Omnibus Program Extension Act

WRITTEN BY - Sen. James Brown (D-Dixie)

101st Congress of the United States

COSPONSORS

IN BRIEF

To provide awareness about HIV/AIDS and prepare commissions to study policies concerning the disease.

## Section 1. Name of Bill

This Bill will be known as the Health Omnibus Program Extension Act (HOPE Act) for the duration of this bill, in all debates, and following enactment by the executive branch will carry the same title.

## Section 2. Findings and Definitions

FINDINGS

1. Whereas, HIV/AIDS was officially recognized on June 5, 1981.
2. Whereas, HIV/AIDS poses a serious threat to the medical well-being of teenagers and young adolescents.
3. Whereas, a commission so far has not been created to study the effects of HIV/AIDS nor developing policies to provide awareness, prevention, and potential cures for HIV/AIDS

DEFINITIONS

1. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) - A retrovirus spread primarily by unprotected sex, contaminated needles or blood transfusions, or from infected mothers onto offspring during pregnancy; a spectrum of conditions
2. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) - An advanced stage of HIV, with an increased risk of developing various viral-induced cancers, pneumonia, etc.
3. National Institute of Health (NIH) - The primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and public health research
4. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention - The national public health agency
5. Food & Drug Administration - U.S. federal agency tasked to survey the regulation and supervision of food safety, tobacco & caffeine products, over-the-counter drugs, etc.
6. Home and Community-Based Health Services - Skilled health services provided in the patient’s home requiring a written plan of care by a healthcare professional.
7. Subacute Care - Medical and health care services for individuals with acute care episodes that are less intensive than the level of care provided in hospice care, acute care hospitals, and other long-term health facilities.

## Section 3. Research Programs

Upon the passage of this legislation, the following changes would be created and amended to the Public Health Service Act:

1. The National Commission on AIDS shall be established, with the aim of promoting the development of a national consensus on policy concerning acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
	1. The commission shall report its findings to the CDC, the NIH, and Congress every 4 years.
2. Title 23 (XXIII) - The CDC, the NIH, and other health-related bodies within the United States government, shall establish research in regards to AIDS, including establishing surveying protocols for clinical research, clinical toxicology, and therapeutic drug monitoring.
3. Title 2 (II) - Establishing the following programs with respect to AIDS:
	1. The Division of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, within the NIH, to establish a clinical research review committee for AIDS
	2. Establishing clinical trial units (CTI) at the NIH
	3. Establishing the use of investigational new drugs within the FDA with respect to AIDS
	4. Establishing community-based evaluations of experimental therapies in regards to AIDS
	5. Establishing research centers by public and non-profit entities, including data banks on research information, clinical trials, & treatments, as well as toll-free telecommunications for health care entities, all in regards to AIDS research.
	6. Establishing the National Blood Resource Education Program, providing information about safe blood transfusions, requirements on donating blood, and awareness of patients with infected blood.
	7. Establishing research training including fellowships and programs conducted by the NIH
	8. Establishing programs in respect to minority health and AIDS

## Section 4. Health Services

1. Title 24 (XXIV) - Establishing $25 million in formula grants to U.S. states and territories for home and community-based health services in regards to AIDS.
	1. Eligible individuals: Individuals medically or chronically dependent due to infection of the HIV/AIDS virus
2. (With respect to Title 24) - Establishing subacute care for individuals with HIV/AIDS
3. (With respect to Title 24) - Establishing $5 million in grants to U.S. states and territories for anonymous testing of HIV/AIDS
4. (With respect to Title 24) - The CDC/NIH shall establish requirements and protocols surrounding counseling before and after testing results, for positive/negative results, & prevention counseling for positive individuals.

## Section 5. Prevention

1. Establishing $50 million in formula grants to U.S. states and territories for creating prevention programs regarding HIV/AIDS, including:
	1. Educational and informational programs to prevent, reduce exposure to, and about the transmission of HIV/AIDS
	2. Educational and information programs surrounding promiscuous sexual activity, the dangers surrounding HIV infection with substance abuse, and the benefits of abstinence from substance abuse and sex.
	3. Educational and information programs acquiring such grants shall not be utilized to encourage or directly promote heterosexual or homosexual endeavors nor substance abuse experimentation.

## Section 6. Funding

1. Upon the passage of this legislation, all grants shown above would be provided annually over a period of 4 years

TOTAL BILL IMPLEMENTATION COST - $80 million annually for 4 years

* Section 4a - $25 million
* Section 4c - $5 million
* Section 5a - $50 million