42 USC 280g-12 - Primary Care Extension Program

U.S Code last checked for updates: Feb 22, 2025

§ 280g–12.

Primary Care Extension Program

(a)

Establishment, purpose and definition

(1)

In general

(2)

Purpose

(3)

Definitions

In this section:

(A)

Health Extension Agent

(B)

Primary care provider

(b)

Grants to establish State Hubs and local Primary Care Extension Agencies

(1)

Grants

(2)

Composition of Hubs

A Hub established by a State pursuant to paragraph (1)—

(A)

shall consist of, at a minimum, the State health department, the entity responsible for administering the State Medicaid program (if other than the State health department), the State-level entity administering the Medicare program, and the departments that train providers in primary care in 1 or more health professions schools in the State; and

(B)

may include entities such as hospital associations, primary care practice-based research networks, health professional societies, State primary care associations, State licensing boards, organizations with a contract with the Secretary under section 1320c–2 of this title, consumer groups, and other appropriate entities.

(c)

State and local activities

(1)

Hub activities

Hubs established under a grant under subsection (b) shall—

(A)

submit to the Secretary a plan to coordinate functions with quality improvement organizations and area health education centers if such entities are members of the Hub not described in subsection (b)(2)(A);

(B)

contract with a county- or local-level entity that shall serve as the Primary Care Extension Agency to administer the services described in paragraph (2);

(C)

organize and administer grant funds to county- or local-level Primary Care Extension Agencies that serve a catchment area, as determined by the State; and

(D)

organize State-wide or multistate networks of local-level Primary Care Extension Agencies to share and disseminate information and practices.

(2)

Local Primary Care Extension Agency activities

(A)

Required activities

Primary Care Extension Agencies established by a Hub under paragraph (1) shall—

(i)

assist primary care providers to implement a patient-centered medical home to improve the accessibility, quality, and efficiency of primary care services, including health homes;

(ii)

develop and support primary care learning communities to enhance the dissemination of research findings for evidence-based practice, assess implementation of practice improvement, share best practices, and involve community clinicians in the generation of new knowledge and identification of important questions for research;

(iii)

participate in a national network of Primary Care Extension Hubs and propose how the Primary Care Extension Agency will share and disseminate lessons learned and best practices; and

(iv)

develop a plan for financial sustainability involving State, local, and private contributions, to provide for the reduction in Federal funds that is expected after an initial 6-year period of program establishment, infrastructure development, and planning.

(B)

Discretionary activities

Primary Care Extension Agencies established by a Hub under paragraph (1) may—

(i)

provide technical assistance, training, and organizational support for community health teams established under section 256a–1 1

 See References in Text note below.

of this title;

(ii)

collect data and provision of primary care provider feedback from standardized measurements of processes and outcomes to aid in continuous performance improvement;

(iii)

collaborate with local health departments, community health centers, tribes and tribal entities, and other community agencies to identify community health priorities and local health workforce needs, and participate in community-based efforts to address the social and primary determinants of health, strengthen the local primary care workforce, and eliminate health disparities;

(iv)

develop measures to monitor the impact of the proposed program on the health of practice enrollees and of the wider community served; and

(v)

participate in other activities, as determined appropriate by the Secretary.

(d)

Federal program administration

(1)

Grants; types

Grants awarded under subsection (b) shall be—

(A)

program grants, that are awarded to State or multistate entities that submit fully-developed plans for the implementation of a Hub, for a period of 6 years; or

(B)

planning grants, that are awarded to State or multistate entities with the goal of developing a plan for a Hub, for a period of 2 years.

(2)

Applications

(3)

Evaluation

(4)

Continuing support

(5)

Limitation

(e)

Requirements on the Secretary

(f)

Authorization of appropriations

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title III, § 399V–1, formerly § 399W, as added, amended, and renumbered § 399V–1, Pub. L. 111–148, title V, § 5405, title X, § 10501(f)(1), (2), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 649, 996.)

cite as: 42 USC 280g-12