HR 5592

110th CONGRESS
2d Session

H. R. 5592

To establish grant programs to improve the health of border area residents and for bioterrorism preparedness in the border area, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 11, 2008

Mr. REYES (for himself, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. CUELLAR, Mr. RODRIGUEZ, Mr. ORTIZ, and Mr. HINOJOSA) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

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A BILL

To establish grant programs to improve the health of border area residents and for bioterrorism preparedness in the border area, 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 `Border Health Security Act of 2008'.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

In this Act:

(1) BORDER AREA- The term `border area' has the meaning given the term `United States-Mexico Border Area' in section 8 of the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission Act (22 U.S.C. 290n-6).

(2) SECRETARY- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

SEC. 3. BORDER HEALTH GRANTS.

(a) Eligible Entity Defined- In this section, the term `eligible entity' means a State, public institution of higher education, local government, tribal government, nonprofit health organization, or community health center receiving assistance under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b), that is located in the border area.

(b) Authorization- From funds appropriated under subsection (f), the Secretary, acting through the United States members of the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission, shall award grants to eligible entities to address priorities and recommendations to improve the health of border area residents that are established by--

(1) the United States members of the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission;

(2) the State border health offices; and

(3) the Secretary.

(c) Application- An eligible entity that desires a grant under subsection (b) shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

(d) Use of Funds- An eligible entity that receives a grant under subsection (b) shall use the grant funds for--

(1) programs relating to--

(A) maternal and child health;

(B) primary care and preventative health;

(C) public health and public health infrastructure;

(D) health promotion;

(E) oral health;

(F) behavioral and mental health;

(G) substance abuse;

(H) health conditions that have a high prevalence in the border area;

(I) medical and health services research;

(J) workforce training and development;

(K) community health workers or promotoras;

(L) health care infrastructure problems in the border area (including planning and construction grants);

(M) health disparities in the border area;

(N) environmental health;

(O) health education; and

(P) outreach and enrollment services with respect to Federal programs (including programs authorized under titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq. and 1397aa et seq.)); and

(2) other programs determined appropriate by the Secretary.

(e) Supplement, Not Supplant- Amounts provided to an eligible entity awarded a grant under subsection (b) shall be used to supplement and not supplant other funds available to the eligible entity to carry out the activities described in subsection (d).

(f) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2009 and each succeeding fiscal year.

SEC. 4. BORDER BIOTERRORISM PREPAREDNESS GRANTS.

(a) Eligible Entity Defined- In this section, the term `eligible entity' means a State, local government, tribal government, or public health entity.

(b) Authorization- From funds appropriated under subsection (e), the Secretary shall award grants to eligible entities for bioterrorism preparedness in the border area.

(c) Application- An eligible entity that desires a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

(d) Uses of Funds- An eligible entity that receives a grant under subsection (b) shall use the grant funds to, in coordination with State and local bioterrorism programs--

(1) develop and implement bioterror preparedness plans and readiness assessments and purchase items necessary for such plans;

(2) coordinate bioterrorism and emergency preparedness planning in the region;

(3) improve infrastructure, including syndrome surveillance and laboratory capacity;

(4) create a health alert network, including risk communication and information dissemination;

(5) educate and train clinicians, epidemiologists, laboratories, and emergency personnel; and

(6) carry out other such activities identified by the Secretary, the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission, State and local public health offices, and border health offices.

(e) Authorization of Appropriations- There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $25,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 and such sums as may be necessary for each succeeding fiscal year.

SEC. 5. UNITED STATES-MEXICO BORDER HEALTH COMMISSION ACT AMENDMENTS.

The United States-Mexico Border Health Commission Act (22 U.S.C. 290n et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

`There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2009 and such sums as may be necessary for each succeeding fiscal year.'.

SEC. 6. COORDINATION OF HEALTH SERVICES AND SURVEILLANCE.

The Secretary may coordinate with the Secretary of Homeland Security in establishing a health alert system that--

(1) alerts clinicians and public health officials of emerging disease clusters and syndromes along the border area; and

(2) is alerted to signs of health threats or bioterrorism along the border area.

SEC. 7. BINATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE AND HEALTH INSURANCE.

(a) In General- The Secretary shall enter into a contract with the Institute of Medicine for the conduct of a study concerning binational public health infrastructure and health insurance efforts. In conducting such study, the Institute shall solicit input from border health experts and health insurance issuers.

(b) Report- Not later than 1 year after the date on which the Secretary enters into the contract under subsection (a), the Institute of Medicine shall submit to the Secretary and the appropriate committees of Congress a report concerning the study conducted under such contract. Such report shall include the recommendations of the Institute on ways to expand or improve binational public health infrastructure and health insurance efforts.

SEC. 8. PROVISION OF RECOMMENDATIONS AND ADVICE TO CONGRESS.

Section 5 of the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission Act (22 U.S.C. 290n-3) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(d) Providing Advice and Recommendations to Congress- A member of the Commission, or an individual who is on the staff of the Commission, may at any time provide advice or recommendations to Congress concerning issues that are considered by the Commission. Such advice or recommendations may be provided whether or not a request for such advice or recommendations is made by a member of Congress and regardless of whether the member or individual is authorized to provide such advice or recommendations by the Commission or any other Federal official.'.

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