42 U.S.C. § 254c-8 : US Code - Section 254C-8: Healthy start for infants

Search 42 U.S.C. § 254c-8 : US Code - Section 254C-8: Healthy start for infants

(a) In general
(1) Continuation and expansion of program
The Secretary, acting through the Administrator of the Health
Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health
Bureau, shall under authority of this section continue in effect
the Healthy Start Initiative and may, during fiscal year 2001 and
subsequent years, carry out such program on a national basis.
(2) Definition
For purposes of paragraph (1), the term "Healthy Start
Initiative" is a reference to the program that, as an initiative
to reduce the rate of infant mortality and improve perinatal
outcomes, makes grants for project areas with high annual rates
of infant mortality and that, prior to the effective date of this
section, was a demonstration program carried out under section
241 of this title.
(3) Additional grants
Effective upon increased funding beyond fiscal year 1999 for
such Initiative, additional grants may be made to States to
assist communities with technical assistance, replication of
successful projects, and State policy formation to reduce infant
and maternal mortality and morbidity.
(b) Requirements for making grants
In making grants under subsection (a) of this section, the
Secretary shall require that applicants (in addition to meeting all
eligibility criteria established by the Secretary) establish, for
project areas under such subsection, community-based consortia of
individuals and organizations (including agencies responsible for
administering block grant programs under title V of the Social
Security Act [42 U.S.C. 701 et seq.], consumers of project
services, public health departments, hospitals, health centers
under section 254b of this title, and other significant sources of
health care services) that are appropriate for participation in
projects under subsection (a) of this section.
(c) Coordination
Recipients of grants under subsection (a) of this section shall
coordinate their services and activities with the State agency or
agencies that administer block grant programs under title V of the
Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 701 et seq.] in order to promote
cooperation, integration, and dissemination of information with
Statewide systems and with other community services funded under
the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant.
(d) Rule of construction
Except to the extent inconsistent with this section, this section
may not be construed as affecting the authority of the Secretary to
make modifications in the program carried out under subsection (a)
of this section.
(e) Additional services for at-risk pregnant women and infants
(1) In general
The Secretary may make grants to conduct and support research
and to provide additional health care services for pregnant women
and infants, including grants to increase access to prenatal
care, genetic counseling, ultrasound services, and fetal or other
surgery.
(2) Eligible project area
The Secretary may make a grant under paragraph (1) only if the
geographic area in which services under the grant will be
provided is a geographic area in which a project under subsection
(a) of this section is being carried out, and if the Secretary
determines that the grant will add to or expand the level of
health services available in such area to pregnant women and
infants.
(3) Evaluation by Government Accountability Office
(A) In general
During fiscal year 2004, the Comptroller General of the
United States shall conduct an evaluation of activities under
grants under paragraph (1) in order to determine whether the
activities have been effective in serving the needs of pregnant
women with respect to services described in such paragraph. The
evaluation shall include an analysis of whether such activities
have been effective in reducing the disparity in health status
between the general population and individuals who are members
of racial or ethnic minority groups. Not later than January 10,
2004, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on
Commerce in the House of Representatives, and to the Committee
on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions in the Senate, a
report describing the findings of the evaluation.
(B) Relation to grants regarding additional services for at-
risk pregnant women and infants
Before the date on which the evaluation under subparagraph
(A) is submitted in accordance with such subparagraph -
(i) the Secretary shall ensure that there are not more than
five grantees under paragraph (1); and
(ii) an entity is not eligible to receive grants under such
paragraph unless the entity has substantial experience in
providing the health services described in such paragraph.
(f) Funding
(1) General program
(A) Authorization of appropriations
For the purpose of carrying out this section (other than
subsection (e) of this section), there are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the
fiscal years 2001 through 2005.
(B) Allocations
(i) Program administration
Of the amounts appropriated under subparagraph (A) for a
fiscal year, the Secretary may reserve up to 5 percent for
coordination, dissemination, technical assistance, and data
activities that are determined by the Secretary to be
appropriate for carrying out the program under this section.
(ii) Evaluation
Of the amounts appropriated under subparagraph (A) for a
fiscal year, the Secretary may reserve up to 1 percent for
evaluations of projects carried out under subsection (a) of
this section. Each such evaluation shall include a
determination of whether such projects have been effective in
reducing the disparity in health status between the general
population and individuals who are members of racial or
ethnic minority groups.
(2) Additional services for at-risk pregnant women and infants
(A) Authorization of appropriations
For the purpose of carrying out subsection (e) of this
section, there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as
may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2001 through
2005.
(B) Allocation for community-based mobile health units
Of the amounts appropriated under subparagraph (A) for a
fiscal year, the Secretary shall make available not less than
10 percent for providing services under subsection (e) of this
section (including ultrasound services) through visits by
mobile units to communities that are eligible for services
under subsection (a) of this section.