To facilitate the service of health care professionals in areas of sub-Saharan Africa, and other parts of the world, that are severely affected by HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

May 14, 2003

Mr. ALEXANDER introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations

To facilitate the service of health care professionals in areas of sub-Saharan Africa, and other parts of the world, that are severely affected by HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

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 `AIDS Corps Act of 2003'.

SEC. 2. AIDS CORPS.

(a) IN GENERAL- The President shall establish a pilot program to demonstrate the feasibility of facilitating the service of health care professionals from the United States in those areas of sub-Saharan Africa and other parts of the world that are severely affected by HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

(b) ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS- To be eligible to participate in the pilot program established under subsection (a), an individual shall--

(1) be a citizen of the United States or an alien who is lawfully residing in the United States;

(2) be a trained health care professional who meets the educational and licensure requirements necessary to be such a professional (including a physician, nurse, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, or other type of health care professional), or other individual determined to be appropriate by the President;

(3) enter into an agreement with the President to provide services of the type described in subsection (c) for a period of not less than 2 months and not more than 2 years; and

(4) meet such other requirements as the President determines appropriate.

(c) REQUIRED SERVICES- A participant in the program established under this section shall--

(1) provide on-the-job training to medical and other personnel in the area in which the participant is serving to strengthen the basic health care system of the affected countries;

(2) provide health care educational training for residents of the area in which the participant is serving;

(3) provide basic health care services for those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria in the area in which the participant is serving; and

(4) carry out other activities determined appropriate by the President.

(d) RECRUITMENT- The President shall ensure that information on the program established under subsection (a) is widely distributed to the public, including distribution through schools for health professionals, hospitals, clinics, and nongovernmental organizations working in the areas of international health and aid.

(e) PLACEMENT OF PARTICIPANTS- In assigning participants in the program established under subsection (a), the President shall--

(1) to the maximum extent practicable, ensure that such participants serve in the poorest areas of affected countries, where health care needs are likely to be the greatest; and

(2) consult with relevant officials of affected countries at both the national and local level as well as with local community leaders and organizations.

(f) INCENTIVES- The President may offer such incentives as the President determines to be necessary to encourage individuals to participate in the program established under subsection (a), including--

(1) partial payment of principal, interest, and related expenses on Government and commercial loans for educational expenses relating to professional health training;

(2) where permissible, the deferment of repayments on loans described in paragraph (1);

(3) ensuring the provision of the retirement benefits of participants if participation in the program would otherwise jeopardize the receipt of such benefits; and

(4) other incentives determined appropriate by the President.

(g) COVERAGE OF PARTICIPANTS UNDER THE FEDERAL TORT CLAIMS ACT- A participant in the program established under subsection (a) shall be deemed to be an employee of the United States Government for purposes of--

(1) chapter 171 of title 28, United States Code, and any other Federal tort liability law;

(2) sections 5584 and 5732 of title 5, United States Code; and

(3) section 3342 of title 31, United States Code.

(h) REPORT- Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the President shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that describes the steps taken under subsection (a) to establish the program, including--

(1) the process of recruitment, including the venues for recruitment, the number of candidates recruited, the incentives offered, if any, and the cost of those incentives;

(2) the process, including the criteria used, for the selection of participants;

(3) the number of participants placed, the countries in which they were placed, and why those countries were selected; and

(4) the potential for expansion of the program.

(i) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS-

(1) IN GENERAL- In addition to amounts otherwise available for such purpose, there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2004 through 2008.

(2) AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS- Amounts appropriated under paragraph (1) shall remain available until expended.

END