#aadth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #bhgc ,,an ,,act ,to require studies and reports examining the use of1 and opportunities to use1 technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models to improve programs of the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,expanding ,capacity for ,health ,outcomes ,act or the ,,echo ,act4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,health professional shortage area ,the term health professional shortage area means a health professional shortage area designated under section #ccb of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bed;e74 7#b7 ,indian tribe ,the term ,indian tribe has the meaning given the term in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74 7#c7 ,medically underserved area ,the term medically underserved area has the meaning given the term medically underserved community in section #gii;,b of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #biep74 7#d7 ,medically underserved population ,the term medically underserved population has the meaning given the term in section #ccj7;b7 of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bed;b7b774 7#e7 ,native ,americans ,the term ,native ,americans has the meaning given the term in section #gcf of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bic7 and includes ,indian tribes and tribal organizations4 7#f7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services4 7#g7 ,technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building model ,the term technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building model means a distance health education model that connects specialists with multiple other health care professionals through simultaneous interactive videoconferencing for the purpose of facilitating case-based learning1 disseminating best practices1 and evaluating outcomes4 7#h7 ,tribal organization ,the term tribal organization has the meaning given the term in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74 #c4 ,examination and report on technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models 7a7 ,examination 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall examine technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models and their impact on-- 7,a7 addressing mental and substance use disorders1 chronic diseases and conditions1 prenatal and maternal health1 pediatric care1 pain management1 and palliative care2 7,b7 addressing health care workforce issues1 such as specialty care shortages and primary care workforce recruitment1 retention1 and support for lifelong learning2 7,c7 the implementation of public health programs1 including those related to disease prevention1 infectious disease outbreaks1 and public health surveillance2 7,d7 the delivery of health care services in rural areas1 frontier areas1 health professional shortage areas1 and medically underserved areas1 and to medically underserved populations and ,native ,americans2 and 7,e7 addressing other issues the ,secretary determines appropriate4 7#b7 ,consultation ,in the examination required under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall consult public and private stakeholders with expertise in using technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models in health care settings4 7b7 ,report 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #b years after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives1 and post on the appropriate website of the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services1 a report based on the examination under subsection 7a74 7#b7 ,contents ,the report required under paragraph 7#a7 shall include findings from the examination under subsection 7a7 and each of the following3 7,a7 ,an analysis of-- 7i7 the use and integration of technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models by health care providers2 7ii7 the impact of such models on health care provider retention1 including in health professional shortage areas in the ,states and communities in which such models have been adopted2 7iii7 the impact of such models on the quality of1 and access to1 care for patients in the ,states and communities in which such models have been adopted2 7iv7 the barriers faced by health care providers1 ,states1 and communities in adopting such models2 7v7 the impact of such models on the ability of local health care providers and specialists to practice to the full extent of their education1 training1 and licensure1 including the effects on patient wait times for specialty care2 and 7vi7 efficient and effective practices used by ,states and communities that have adopted such models1 including potential cost-effectiveness of such models4 7,b7 ,a list of such models that have been funded by the ,secretary in the #e years immediately preceding such report1 including the ,federal programs that have provided funding for such models4 7,c7 ,recommendations to reduce barriers for using and integrating such models1 and opportunities to improve adoption of1 and support for1 such models as appropriate4 7,d7 ,opportunities for increased adoption of such models into programs of the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services that are in existence as of the report4 7,e7 ,recommendations regarding the role of such models in continuing medical education and lifelong learning1 including the role of academic medical centers1 provider organizations1 and community providers in such education and lifelong learning4 ,passed the ,senate ,november #bi1 #bjaf4,secretary