To amend title XXI of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to promote innovative outreach and enrollment efforts under the State children's health insurance program, and for other purposes.

August 3, 2001

Mr. BINGAMAN (for himself, Mr. LUGAR, Mr. TORRICELLI, and Mr. CORZINE) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance

To amend title XXI of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants to promote innovative outreach and enrollment efforts under the State 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 `Children's Health Coverage Improvement Act of 2001'.

SEC. 2. GRANTS TO PROMOTE INNOVATIVE OUTREACH AND ENROLLMENT EFFORTS UNDER SCHIP.

(a) IN GENERAL- Section 2104(f) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1397dd(f)) is amended--

(1) by striking `The Secretary' and inserting the following:

`(1) IN GENERAL- Subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary'; and

(2) by adding at the end the following:

`(2) GRANTS TO PROMOTE INNOVATIVE OUTREACH AND ENROLLMENT EFFORTS-

`(A) IN GENERAL- Prior to any redistribution under paragraph (1) of unexpended allotments made to States under subsection (b) or (c) for fiscal year 2000 and any fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary shall--

`(i) reserve from such unexpended allotments the lesser of $100,000,000 or the total amount of such unexpended allotments for grants under this paragraph for the fiscal year in which the redistribution occurs; and

`(ii) subject to subparagraph (B), use such reserved funds to make grants to local and community-based public or nonprofit organizations (including organizations involved in pediatric advocacy, local and county governments, public health departments, Federally-qualified health centers, children's hospitals, and hospitals defined as disproportionate share hospitals under the State plan under title XIX) to conduct innovative outreach and enrollment efforts that are consistent with section 2102(c) and to promote parents' understanding of the importance of health insurance coverage for children.

`(B) PRIORITY FOR GRANTS IN CERTAIN AREAS- In making grants under subparagraph (A)(ii), the Secretary shall give priority to grant applicants that propose to target the outreach and enrollment efforts funded under the grant to geographic areas--

`(i) with high rates of eligible but unenrolled children, including such children who reside in rural areas; or

`(ii) with high rates of families for whom English is not their primary language.

`(C) APPLICATIONS- An organization that desires to receive a grant under this paragraph shall submit an application to the Secretary in such form and manner, and containing such information, as the Secretary may decide.'.

(b) EXTENDING USE OF OUTSTATIONED WORKERS TO ACCEPT TITLE XXI APPLICATIONS- Section 1902(a)(55) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(55)) is amended by inserting `, and applications for child health assistance under title XXI' after `(a)(10)(A)(ii)(IX)'.

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