Improving State, Local, and Tribal Public Health Data

Pub. L. 117–328, div. FF, title II, § 2213(e), Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 5737, provided that:

“(1)

In general.—

The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the ‘Secretary’) shall award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to eligible entities for purposes of identifying, developing, or disseminating best practices in electronic health information and the use of designated data standards and implementation specifications, including privacy standards, to improve the quality and completeness of data, including demographic data used for public health purposes.

“(2)

Eligible entities.—

To be eligible to receive an award under this subsection an entity shall—

“(A)

be a health care provider, academic medical center, community-based organization, State, local governmental entity, Indian Tribe or Tribal organization (as such terms are defined in section 4 of the Indian Self Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304)), urban Indian organization (as defined in section 4 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1603)), or other appropriate public or private nonprofit entity, or a consortia of any such entities; and

“(B)

submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

“(3)

Activities.—

Entities receiving awards under this subsection shall use such award to develop and test best practices for training health care providers to use standards and implementation specifications that assist in the capture, access, exchange, and use of electronic health information, deidentified as applicable, such as demographic information, disability status, veteran status, and functional status. Such activities shall include, at a minimum—

“(A)

improving, understanding, and using data standards and implementation specifications;

“(B)

developing or identifying methods to improve communication with patients in a culturally- and linguistically-appropriate manner, including to better capture information related to demographics of such individuals;

“(C)

developing methods for accurately categorizing and recording patient responses using available data standards;

“(D)

educating providers regarding the utility of such information for public health purposes and the importance of accurate collection and recording of such data; and

“(E)

providing information regarding how data will be deidentified if used for such public health purposes, as applicable and appropriate.

“(4)

Reporting.—

“(A)

Reporting by award recipients.—

Each recipient of an award under this subsection shall submit to the Secretary a report on the results of best practices identified, developed, or disseminated through such award.

“(B)

Report to congress.—

Not later than 1 year after the completion of the program under this subsection, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress on the success of best practices developed under such program, opportunities for further dissemination of such best practices, and recommendations for improving the capture, access, exchange, and use of information to improve public health and reduce health disparities.

“(5)

Non-duplication of efforts.—

The Secretary shall ensure that the activities and programs carried out under this subsection are free of unnecessary duplication of effort.”