,,ii #aadth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #cahi ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,july #ac1 #bjaf ,mr4 ,franken 7for himself and ,ms4 ,heitkamp7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to improve access to health care in rural areas1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,connecting ,rural ,americans to ,care ,act of #bjaf4 #b4 ,table of contents ,the table of contents for this ,act is as follows3 ,sec4 #a4 ,short title4 ,sec4 #b4 ,table of contents4 ,,title ,i--,transportation ,sec4 #aja4 ,reimbursement for no-load travel costs incurred by volunteers providing non-emergency medical transportation to ,medicaid beneficiaries4 ,sec4 #ajb4 ,pilot program for innovative coordinated access and mobility4 ,sec4 #ajc4 ,prioritization of projects that increase access to transportation for medical purposes in rural areas4 ,,title ,,ii--,health information technology in rural areas ,sec4 #bja4 ,interagency task force on rural health information technology4 ,sec4 #bjb4 ,rural health care program of the ,,fcc4 ,i ,transportation #aja4 ,reimbursement for no-load travel costs incurred by volunteers providing non-emergency medical transportation to ,medicaid beneficiaries 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services shall publish an interim final rule to revise the ,medicaid transportation regulations at sections #dca4ec and #ddj4agj of title #db1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 as necessary1 to-- 7#a7 allow a ,state plan for medical assistance under title ,,xix of the ,social ,security ,act to provide1 at the option of the ,state1 reimbursement for costs attributable to providing no-load volunteer travel services to individuals eligible for medical assistance under the ,state plan who require transportation to receive non-emergency medical treatment2 and 7#b7 require any ,state plan that opts to provide reimbursement for the costs described in paragraph 7#a7 to establish oversight procedures to monitor-- 7,a7 access to no-load volunteer travel services for individuals eligible for medical assistance under the ,state plan2 7,b7 complaints relating to no-load volunteer travel services by individuals eligible for medical assistance under the ,state plan2 and 7,c7 the timeliness of such travel services4 7b7 ,no-,load volunteer travel service ,for purposes of subsection 7a71 the term no-load volunteer travel service means travel services that-- 7#a7 are provided by a person who1 as determined by a ,state1 local1 or tribal government1 provides such services on a volunteer basis 7referred to in this subsection as a volunteer72 and 7#b7 are necessary for the volunteer to-- 7,a7 travel from the originating location of the volunteer to the location of an individual who is eligible for medical assistance under the ,state ,medicaid plan and requires transportation to receive non-emergency medical treatment 7including1 for purposes of an individual who requested transportation to receive non-emergency medical treatment and subsequently refused such transportation or was not present at the requested pick-up location1 any travel that is necessary for the volunteer to return to their originating location72 7,b7 for purposes of an individual who has been provided transportation by the volunteer to receive non-emergency medical treatment and is required to remain at the treatment location overnight or for an extended period of time 7as determined appropriate by a ,state1 local1 or tribal government71 return to the originating location of the volunteer and1 following the completion of such treatment1 travel back to the treatment location2 and 7,c7 following any transportation that is necessary to return an individual who has received non-emergency medical treatment to their pick-up location1 return to the originating location of the volunteer4 #ajb4 ,pilot program for innovative coordinated access and mobility 7a7 ,removal of funding from ,highway ,trust ,fund ,section #ecch of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7a7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a7-- 7i7 in the matter preceding subparagraph 7,a71 by striking sections #cjjf7;b7 and inserting 1 for fiscal year #bjaf1 section #cjjf7;b72 7ii7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking #i1ecd1gjf1jdc and inserting #i1eca1gjf1djc2 7iii7 in subparagraph 7,c71 by striking #i1gcc1cec1djg and inserting #i1gcj1ajc1djg2 7iv7 in subparagraph 7,d71 by striking #i1ici1chj1jcj and inserting #i1ice1hhj1jcj2 and 7v7 in subparagraph 7,e71 by striking #aj1aej1cdh1dfb and inserting #aj1adf1hdh1dfb2 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#b77;,e71 by striking 1 #c1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjag1 #c1bej1jjj for fiscal year #bjah1 #c1ejj1jjj for fiscal year #bjai and #c1ejj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbj2 7#b7 by redesignating subsections 7e7 through 7h7 as subsections 7f7 through 7i71 respectively2 and 7#c7 by inserting after subsection 7d7 the following3 7e7 ,access and mobility grants ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the pilot program for innovative coordinated access and mobility under section #cjjf7;b7 of the ,federal ,public ,transportation ,act of #bjae-- 7#a7 #f1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjag2 7#b7 #f1ejj1jjj for fiscal year #bjah2 7#c7 #g1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjai2 and 7#d7 #g1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbj4 4 7b7 ,application priority ,section #cjjf7;b7 of the ,federal ,public ,transportation ,act of #bjae 7#di ,u4,s4,c4 #ecaj note2 ,public ,law #aab-ada7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7#g7 ,priority for eligible projects in rural areas ,in selecting eligible recipients to participate in the pilot program under this subsection1 the ,secretary shall give priority to applications submitted by eligible recipients to carry out eligible projects that serve individuals living in rural areas4 4 #ajc4 ,prioritization of projects that increase access to transportation for medical purposes in rural areas ,section #ecaa7;b77#c7 of title #di1 ,united ,states ,code1 is amended by adding at the end the following3 7,d7 ,projects for medical transportation ,the ,secretary may1 when appropriate1 use amounts made available under subparagraph 7,b7 to prioritize and carry out projects that increase access to transportation for medical purposes in rural areas4 4 ,,ii ,health information technology in rural areas #bja4 ,interagency task force on rural health information technology ,title ,,xxx of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cjj;jj et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #cjbb4 ,interagency task force on rural health information technology 7a7 ,establishment ,the ,president shall establish an ,interagency ,task ,force on ,rural ,health ,information ,technology 7referred to in this section as the ,task ,force74 7b7 ,membership 7#a7 ,composition ,the ,president shall appoint members of the ,task ,force1 which shall include-- 7,a7 a representative from the ,office of ,rural ,development of the ,department of ,agriculture2 7,b7 representatives from the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services1 including-- 7i7 a representative from the ,office of the ,national ,coordinator for ,health ,information ,technology established under section #cjja7;a72 7ii7 a representative from the ,office of ,rural ,health ,policy of the ,health ,resources and ,services ,administration2 7iii7 a representative from the ,indian ,health ,service2 7iv7 a representative from the ,substance ,abuse and ,mental ,health ,services ,administration2 7v7 a representative from the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention2 7vi7 a representative from the ,centers for ,medicare ,medicaid ,services2 and 7vii7 a representative from the ,agency for ,healthcare ,research and ,quality2 7,c7 representatives from other ,federal agencies1 including-- 7i7 a representative from the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs2 7ii7 a representative from the ,department of ,labor2 7iii7 a representative from the ,department of ,education2 7iv7 a representative from the ,federal ,communications ,commission2 7v7 a representative from the ,department of ,transportation2 and 7vi7 a representative from the ,department of ,commerce2 and 7,d7 any other representatives from ,federal1 ,state1 or private sector entities as determined appropriate by the ,president1 including the ,appalachian ,regional ,commission1 the ,delta ,regional ,authority1 the ,national ,rural ,health ,association1 the ,national ,governors ,association1 and the ,national ,rural ,economic ,developers ,association4 7#b7 ,chairperson ,the ,secretary shall serve as the chairperson of the ,task ,force4 7#c7 ,appointment 7,a7 ,deadline ,all initial members of the ,task ,force shall be appointed not later than #a year after the date of enactment of the ,connecting ,rural ,americans to ,care ,act of #bjaf4 7,b7 ,period of appointment2 vacancies ,each member of the ,task ,force shall be appointed for a term of #d years with the opportunity for reappointment4 ,any vacancy in the ,task ,force shall not affect its powers1 but shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made4 7c7 ,activities 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,task ,force shall carry out each of the following activities3 7,a7 ,measure and evaluate progress in ,federal1 ,state1 local1 and tribal efforts to expand health information technology infrastructure in rural areas4 7,b7 ,collaborate with the ,broadband ,opportunity ,council1 or any other successor1 similar1 or relevant ,federal interagency entity that addresses delivery of financial and technical assistance to rural health care providers for the implementation of broadband technology and development of health information technology infrastructure4 7,c7 ,provide recommendations on best practices to increase internet access in rural areas for the purpose of improving the delivery of health care services4 7,d7 ,align1 across ,federal agencies and departments1 evaluation metrics for measures to expedite the development and implementation of health information technologies in rural areas in accordance with paragraph 7#b74 7#b7 ,aligning metrics ,in carrying out the activity described in paragraph 7#a77;,d71 the ,task ,force shall1 to the extent practicable1 consider how evaluation metrics for ,federal measures described in such paragraph align with the evaluation metrics for ,state and local measures to reduce administrative burden4 7d7 ,reporting ,not later than #b years after the date of enactment of the ,connecting ,rural ,americans to ,care ,act of #bjaf1 and every #c years thereafter1 the ,task ,force shall publish a report 7to be known as the ,health ,care ,information ,technology ,infrastructure ,status ,report7 that-- 7#a7 describes the current state of the connectivity gap in the ,united ,states1 with a special emphasis on rural areas1 to inform the use of ,federal programs providing support for the implementation of broadband technology and the development and adoption of health information technology infrastructure1 particularly in rural areas2 and 7#b7 includes recommendations on ways to increase access to health information technology in rural areas1 especially areas that are designated as-- 7,a7 a health professional shortage area by the ,secretary under section #ccb2 and 7,b7 an area without access to advanced telecommunications capability1 as identified by the ,federal ,communications ,commission in the county-based appendix to the most recent ,broadband ,progress ,report adopted by the ,federal ,communications ,commission as required under section #gjf of the ,telecommunications ,act of #aiif 7#dg ,u4,s4,c4 #acjb74 7e7 ,meetings ,the ,task ,force shall meet at the call of the chairperson1 not less than #b times each year4 7f7 ,powers of the task force 7#a7 ,hearings ,the ,task ,force may1 for the purpose of carrying out this section1 hold hearings1 sit and act at times and places1 take testimony1 and receive evidence as the ,task ,force considers appropriate4 7#b7 ,information from ,federal agencies ,the ,task ,force may secure directly from any department or agency of the ,united ,states information necessary to enable it to carry out its duties under this section4 ,upon request of the chairperson of the ,task ,force1 the head of that department or agency shall furnish that information to the ,task ,force4 7g7 ,task ,force personnel matters 7#a7 ,travel expenses ,a member of the ,task ,force shall be allowed reasonable travel expenses1 including per diem in lieu of subsistence1 at rates for employees of agencies under subchapter ,i of chapter #eg of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 while away from the member's home or regular place of business in the performance of services for the ,task ,force4 7#b7 ,staff 7,a7 ,in general ,the chairperson of the ,task ,force may1 without regard to the civil service laws 7including regulations71 appoint and terminate an executive director and such other additional personnel as may be necessary to enable the ,task ,force to perform the duties of the ,task ,force1 except that the employment of an executive director shall be subject to confirmation by the ,task ,force4 7,b7 ,compensation ,the chairperson of the ,task ,force may fix the compensation of the executive director and other personnel without regard to chapter #ea and subchapter ,,iii of chapter #ec of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 relating to classification of positions and ,general ,schedule pay rates1 except that the rate of pay for the executive director and other personnel may not exceed the rate payable for level ,v of the ,executive ,schedule under section #ecaf of that title4 7#c7 ,detail of ,government employees ,any ,federal ,government employee may be detailed to the ,task ,force without reimbursement1 and such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege4 7#d7 ,procurement ,the chairperson of the ,task ,force may procure temporary and intermittent services under section #caji7;b7 of title #e1 ,united ,states ,code1 at rates for individuals which do not exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level ,v of the ,executive ,schedule under section #ecaf of that title4 7h7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section4 4 #bjb4 ,rural health care program of the ,,fcc 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section-- 7#a7 the term ,commission means the ,federal ,communications ,commission2 and 7#b7 the term ,healthcare ,connect ,fund means the ,healthcare ,connect ,fund of the ,commission under subpart ,g of part #ed of title #dg1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations4 7b7 ,simplifying the application process of the ,healthcare ,connect ,fund 7#a7 ,in general ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,commission shall institute and refer to a ,federal-,state ,joint ,board under section #daj7;c7 of the ,communications ,act of #aicd 7#dg ,u4,s4,c4 #daj7;c77 a proceeding to-- 7,a7 review the process for submitting a request for services under the ,healthcare ,connect ,fund2 and 7,b7 make recommendations to the ,commission on ways that the ,commission can simplify the process described in subparagraph 7,a74 7#b7 ,implementation of recommendations ,not later than #a year after the date on which the ,federal-,state ,joint ,board makes recommendations to the ,commission under paragraph 7#a77;,b71 the ,commission shall implement those recommendations4 7c7 ,health care provider ,section #bed7;h77#g77;,b7 of the ,communications ,act of #aicd 7#dg ,u4,s4,c4 #bed7;h77#g77;,b77 is amended-- 7#a7 in clause 7vii71 by striking and at the end2 7#b7 by redesignating clause 7viii7 as clause 7ix72 7#c7 by inserting after clause 7vii7 the following3 7viii7 any other entities that provide health care and remote patient management1 as determined by the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services2 and 2 and 7#d7 in clause 7ix71 as so redesignated1 by striking through 7vii7 and inserting through 7viii74 7d7 ,code of ,federal ,regulations ,the ,commission shall amend section #ed4fcc7;a7 of title #dg1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations-- 7#a7 by striking ,all health care providers and inserting the following3 7#a7 ,in general ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 all health care providers 2 7#b7 in paragraph 7#a71 as so designated-- 7,a7 by striking a #fe percent and inserting not less than an #he percent2 and 7,b7 by striking #ce percent and inserting not more than #ae percent2 and 7#c7 by adding at the end the following3 7#b7 ,tribal lands ,the ,federal ,communications ,commission may decrease the percentage of the total cost of eligible expenses that a health care provider is required to contribute under paragraph 7#a71 including by eliminating the requirement that the health care provider contribute any percentage of that cost1 if the health care provider is located on ,tribal lands1 as defined in section #ed4djj1 or any successor regulation4 4