,i #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #hbje ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,september #aa1 #bjbj,ms4 ,castor of ,florida 7for herself1 ,ms4 ,underwood1 and ,ms4 ,haaland7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce1 and in addition to the ,committees on ,natural ,resources1 and ,oversight and ,reform1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to amend the ,public ,health ,service ,act to expand1 enhance1 and improve applicable public health data systems used by the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,ensuring ,transparent ,honest ,information on ,,covid-#ai ,act or the ,,ethic ,act4 #b4 ,required reporting by ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 or territorial governments regarding ,,covid-#ai 7a7 ,in general ,as a condition on receipt of funds through a covered grant or cooperative agreement1 a ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 or territorial government shall agree to direct the appropriate ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 or territorial governmental entity 7including any public health department thereof7 to report to the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention1 with respect to the jurisdiction involved and ,,covid-#ai-- 7#a7 on a daily basis1 the information listed in subsection 7c72 and 7#b7 on a weekly basis1 the information listed in subsection 7d74 7b7 ,tribal waiver 7#a7 ,review and disposition ,upon the receipt of a written request from a ,tribal government1 or consortia thereof1 for a waiver of the conditions specified in paragraphs 7#a7 and 7#b7 of subsection 7a71 the ,director of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention shall1 not later than #cj days after receipt of such request1 approve or deny it4 7#b7 ,denials ,in the case of a denial of a request under paragraph 7#a71 the ,director of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention shall-- 7,a7 provide to the requestor a written explanation of the reasons for the denial2 and 7,b7 provide the requestor with an opportunity to correct any deficiencies in the request4 7c7 ,covered grant or cooperative agreement ,for purposes of this section1 a covered grant or cooperative agreement is any grant or cooperative agreement awarded under any of the following laws 7including any amendment made thereby73 7#a7 ,this ,act4 7#b7 ,the ,coronavirus ,preparedness and ,response ,supplemental ,appropriations ,act1 #bjbj 7,public ,law #aaf-abc74 7#c7 ,the ,families ,first ,coronavirus ,response ,act 7,public ,law #aaf-abg74 7#d7 ,the ,,cares ,act 7,public ,law #aaf-acf74 7#e7 ,the ,paycheck ,protection ,program and ,health ,care ,enhancement ,act 7,public ,law #aaf-aci74 7d7 ,daily reporting ,the information to be reported daily pursuant to subsection 7a77#a7 consists of the following3 7#a7 ,demographic characteristics1 including1 in a de-identified1 disaggregated1 and stratified manner1 race1 ethnicity1 age1 sex1 geographic region1 and other relevant factors of individuals tested for or diagnosed with ,,covid-#ai1 to the extent such information is available4 7#b7 ,the number of adults with a confirmed case of ,,covid-#ai who are hospitalized in an intensive care bed4 7#c7 ,the number of adults with a suspected case of ,,covid-#ai who are hospitalized in an intensive care bed4 7#d7 ,the number of adults with a confirmed case of ,,covid-#ai who are hospitalized in an inpatient care bed4 7#e7 ,the number of adults with a suspected case of ,,covid-#ai who are hospitalized in an inpatient care bed4 7#f7 ,the number of children with a confirmed case of ,,covid-#ai who are hospitalized in an intensive care bed4 7#g7 ,the number of children with a suspected case of ,,covid-#ai who are hospitalized in an intensive care bed4 7#h7 ,the number of children with a confirmed case of ,,covid-#ai who are hospitalized in an inpatient care bed4 7#i7 ,the number of children with a suspected case of ,,covid-#ai who are hospitalized in an inpatient care bed4 7#aj7 ,out of the maximum number of beds for which hospitals are licensed to operate1 the percentage occupied by confirmed or suspected ,,covid-#ai patients4 7#aa7 ,total staffed hospital beds4 7#ab7 ,the numbers of diagnostic and serological tests administered for ,,covid-#ai1 disaggregated and stratified by-- 7,a7 the type of test2 and 7,b7 the testing positivity rate of each type of test4 7#ac7 ,the median turnaround time for diagnostic tests stratified by molecular and antigen tests4 7#ad7 ,the percentage of new cases of ,,covid-#ai linked to at least one other case1 and if such new cases are part of a known outbreak1 identification of such outbreak4 7#ae7 ,the rate of transmission of ,,covid-#ai4 7#af7 ,the number of confirmed and probable deaths as a result of ,,covid-#ai1 de-identified and stratified by race1 ethnicity1 age1 sex1 geographic region1 and other relevant factors4 7#ag7 ,such other information as the ,director of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention deems to be relevant4 7e7 ,weekly reporting ,the information to be reported weekly pursuant to subsection 7a77#b7 consists of the following3 7#a7 ,new infections of health care workers not confirmed to have contracted ,,covid-#ai outside of the workplace4 7#b7 ,the median time between collection of specimens for diagnostic tests for ,,covid-#ai and isolation of cases4 7#c7 ,the percentage of new cases of ,,covid-#ai among quarantined contacts4 7#d7 ,such other information as the ,director of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention deems to be relevant4 7f7 ,public posting of reported data ,on a daily basis1 the ,director of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention shall make the information reported pursuant to this section1 excluding personally identifiable information1 publicly available on the website of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention4 7g7 ,applicability ,the condition on funding in subsection 7a7 applies with respect to the obligation and expenditure by the ,federal ,government of funds through a covered grant or cooperative agreement on or after the date of enactment of this ,act1 including with respect to covered grants and cooperative agreements awarded before such date4 #c4 ,public health data system transformation ,subtitle ,c of title ,,xxviii of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cjj;hh-#ca et seq47 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #bhbc4 ,public health data system transformation 7a7 ,expanding ,,cdc and public health department capabilities 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary1 acting through the ,director of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention1 shall-- 7,a7 conduct activities to expand1 enhance1 and improve applicable public health data systems used by the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention1 related to the interoperability and improvement of such systems 7including as it relates to preparedness for1 prevention and detection of1 and response to public health emergencies72 and 7,b7 award grants or cooperative agreements to ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 or territorial public health departments for the expansion and modernization of public health data systems1 to assist public health departments in-- 7i7 assessing current data infrastructure capabilities and gaps to improve and increase consistency in data collection1 storage1 and analysis and1 as appropriate1 to improve dissemination of public health-related information2 7ii7 improving secure public health data collection1 transmission1 exchange1 maintenance1 and analysis2 7iii7 improving the secure exchange of data between the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention1 ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 and territorial public health departments1 public health organizations1 and health care providers1 including by public health officials in multiple jurisdictions within such ,state1 as appropriate1 and by simplifying and supporting reporting by health care providers1 as applicable1 pursuant to ,state law1 including through the use of health information technology2 7iv7 enhancing the interoperability of public health data systems 7including systems created or accessed by public health departments7 with health information technology1 including with health information technology certified under section #cjja7;c77#e72 7v7 supporting and training data systems1 data science1 and informatics personnel2 7vi7 supporting earlier disease and health condition detection1 such as through near real-time data monitoring1 to support rapid public health responses2 7vii7 supporting activities within the applicable jurisdiction related to the expansion and modernization of electronic case reporting2 and 7viii7 developing and disseminating information related to the use and importance of public health data4 7#b7 ,data standards ,in carrying out paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary1 acting through the ,director of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention1 shall1 as appropriate and in consultation with the ,national ,coordinator for ,health ,information ,technology and the ,director of the ,indian ,health ,service1 designate data and technology standards 7including standards for interoperability7 for public health data systems1 with deference given to standards published by consensus-based standards development organizations with public input and voluntary consensus-based standards bodies4 7#c7 ,tribal consultation ,the ,director of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention1 the ,national ,coordinator for ,health ,information ,technology1 and ,director of the ,indian ,health ,service1 shall jointly consult with ,indian ,tribes and ,tribal organizations prior to designating the data and technology standards under paragraph 7#b74 7#d7 ,public-private partnerships ,the ,secretary may develop and utilize public-private partnerships for technical assistance1 training1 and related implementation support for ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 and territorial public health departments1 and the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention1 on the expansion and modernization of electronic case reporting and public health data systems1 as applicable4 7b7 ,requirements 7#a7 ,health information technology standards ,the ,secretary may not award a grant or cooperative agreement under subsection 7a77#a77;,b7 unless the applicant uses or agrees to use standards endorsed by the ,national ,coordinator for ,health ,information ,technology pursuant to section #cjja7;c77#a7 or adopted by the ,secretary under section #cjjd4 7#b7 ,waiver ,the ,secretary may waive the requirement under paragraph 7#a7 with respect to an applicant if the ,secretary determines that the activities under subsection 7a77#a77;,b7 cannot otherwise be carried out within the applicable jurisdiction4 7#c7 ,application ,a ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 or territorial health department applying for a grant or cooperative agreement under this section shall submit an application to the ,secretary at such time and in such manner as the ,secretary may require4 ,such application shall include information describing-- 7,a7 the activities that will be supported by the grant or cooperative agreement2 and 7,b7 how the modernization of the public health data systems involved will support or impact the public health infrastructure of the health department1 including a description of remaining gaps1 if any1 and the actions needed to address such gaps4 7c7 ,strategy and implementation plan ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,secretary1 acting through the ,director of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention1 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 ,representatives a coordinated strategy and an accompanying implementation plan that identifies and demonstrates the measures the ,secretary will utilize to-- 7#a7 update and improve applicable public health data systems used by the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention2 and 7#b7 carry out the activities described in this section to support the improvement of ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 and territorial public health data systems4 7d7 ,consultation ,the ,secretary1 acting through the ,director of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention1 shall consult with ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 and territorial health departments1 professional medical and public health associations1 associations representing hospitals or other health care entities1 health information technology experts1 and other appropriate public or private entities regarding the implementation of the grant program under subsection 7a7 and the development of the coordinated strategy and accompanying implementation plan under subsection 7c74 7e7 ,technical assistance and training ,in carrying out this section1 the ,secretary may provide technical assistance and training related to-- 7#a7 the exchange of information by public health data systems used by relevant health care and public health entities at the local1 ,state1 ,federal1 ,tribal1 and territorial levels2 or 7#b7 the development and utilization of public-private partnerships for implementation support applicable to this section4 7f7 ,report to ,congress ,not later than #a year after the date of enactment of this section1 the ,secretary shall submit a report to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives that includes-- 7#a7 a description of any barriers to-- 7,a7 public health authorities implementing interoperable public health data systems and electronic case reporting2 7,b7 the exchange of information pursuant to electronic case reporting2 or 7,c7 reporting by health care providers using such public health data systems1 as appropriate1 and pursuant to ,state law2 7#b7 an assessment of the potential public health impact of implementing electronic case reporting and interoperable public health data systems2 and 7#c7 a description of the activities carried out pursuant to this section4 7g7 ,electronic case reporting ,in this section1 the term electronic case reporting means the automated identification1 generation1 and bilateral exchange of reports of health events among electronic health record or health information technology systems and public health authorities4 7h7 ,authorization of appropriations ,to carry out this section1 there is authorized to be appropriated #dej1jjj1jjj1 to remain available until expended4 7i7 ,tribal set-,aside ,of the amounts authorized under subsection 7h71 no less than #c percent1 but up to #e percent of such funds1 shall be reserved for noncompetitive grants or cooperative agreements to ,indian ,tribes and ,tribal organizations 7as those terms are defined under section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act74 4 #d4 ,core public health infrastructure for ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 and territorial health departments 7a7 ,program ,the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services 7in this section referred to as the ,secretary71 acting through the ,director of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention1 shall establish a core public health infrastructure program consisting of awarding grants under subsection 7b74 7b7 ,grants 7#a7 ,award ,for the purpose of addressing core public health infrastructure needs1 the ,secretary-- 7,a7 shall award a grant to each ,state health department2 7,b7 shall award grants to1 or enter into cooperative agreements with1 ,indian ,tribes and ,tribal organizations on a noncompetitive basis2 and 7,c7 may award grants on a competitive basis to ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 or territorial health departments4 7#b7 ,allocation ,of the total amount of funds awarded as grants under this subsection for a fiscal year-- 7,a7 not less than #ej percent shall be for grants to ,state health departments under paragraph 7#a77;,a72 7,b7 not less than #e percent shall be for grants awarded to1 or cooperative agreements with1 ,indian ,tribes and ,tribal organizations under paragraph 7#a77;,b72 and 7,c7 not less than #cj percent shall be for grants to ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 or territorial health departments under paragraph 7#a77;,c74 7c7 ,use of funds ,a ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 or territorial health department receiving a grant under subsection 7b7 shall use the grant funds to address core public health infrastructure needs1 including those identified in the accreditation process under subsection 7g74 7d7 ,formula grants to state health departments ,in making grants under subsection 7b77#a77;,a71 the ,secretary shall award funds to each ,state health department in accordance with-- 7#a7 a formula based on population size1 burden of preventable disease and disability1 and core public health infrastructure gaps1 including those identified in the accreditation process under subsection 7g72 and 7#b7 application requirements established by the ,secretary1 including a requirement that the ,state health department submit a plan that demonstrates to the satisfaction of the ,secretary that the ,state's health department will-- 7,a7 address its highest priority core public health infrastructure needs2 and 7,b7 as appropriate1 allocate funds to local health departments within the ,state4 7e7 ,formula ,grants to ,indian ,tribes and ,tribal ,organizations ,in making grants under subsection 7b77#a77;,b71 the ,secretary shall coordinate with the ,director of the ,indian ,health ,service to award funds to ,indian ,tribes and ,tribal organizations according to-- 7#a7 a formula that ensures baseline funding on a noncompetitive basis for each ,indian ,tribe or ,tribal organization1 or a consortia thereof1 that submits an application2 and 7#b7 awards funds above the baseline according to population size1 gaps in public health infrastructure1 or other criteria derived through consultation with ,indian ,tribes and ,tribal organizations4 7f7 ,competitive grants to ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 and territorial health departments ,in making grants under subsection 7b77#a77;,c71 the ,secretary shall give priority to applicants demonstrating core public health infrastructure needs identified in the accreditation process under subsection 7g74 7g7 ,maintenance of effort 7#a7 ,in general ,except as provided in paragraph 7#b71 the ,secretary may award a grant to an entity under subsection 7b7 only if the entity demonstrates to the satisfaction of the ,secretary that-- 7,a7 funds received through the grant will be expended only to supplement1 and not supplant1 non-,federal and ,federal funds otherwise available to the entity for the purpose of addressing core public health infrastructure needs2 and 7,b7 with respect to activities for which the grant is awarded1 the entity will maintain expenditures of non-,federal amounts for such activities at a level not less than the level of such expenditures maintained by the entity for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which the entity receives the grant4 7#b7 ,exception ,the requirement under paragraph 7#a7 shall not apply with respect to a grant awarded under subsection 7b77#a77;,b74 7h7 ,establishment of a public health accreditation program 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 develop1 and periodically review and update1 standards for voluntary accreditation of ,state1 local1 ,tribal1 and territorial health departments and public health laboratories for the purpose of advancing the quality and performance of such departments and laboratories2 and 7,b7 implement a program to accredit such health departments and laboratories in accordance with such standards4 7#b7 ,cooperative agreement ,the ,secretary may enter into a cooperative agreement with a private nonprofit entity to carry out paragraph 7#a74 7i7 ,report ,the ,secretary shall submit to the ,congress an annual report on progress being made to accredit entities under subsection 7g71 including-- 7#a7 a strategy1 including goals and objectives1 for accrediting entities under subsection 7g7 and achieving the purpose described in subsection 7g77#a77;,a72 7#b7 identification of gaps in research related to core public health infrastructure2 and 7#c7 recommendations of priority areas for such research4 7j7 ,definition ,in this section1 the term core public health infrastructure includes-- 7#a7 workforce capacity and competency2 7#b7 laboratory systems2 7#c7 testing capacity1 including test platforms1 mobile testing units1 and personnel2 7#d7 health information1 health information systems1 and health information analysis2 7#e7 disease surveillance2 7#f7 contact tracing2 7#g7 communications2 7#h7 financing2 7#i7 other relevant components of organizational capacity2 and 7#aj7 other related activities4 7k7 ,authorization of appropriations ,to carry out this section1 there is authorized to be appropriated #f1jjj1jjj1jjj1 to remain available until expended4 #e4 ,core public health infrastructure and activities for ,,cdc 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services 7in this section referred to as the ,secretary71 acting through the ,director of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention1 shall expand and improve the core public health infrastructure and activities of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention to address unmet and emerging public health needs4 7b7 ,report ,the ,secretary shall submit to the ,congress an annual report on the activities funded through this section4 7c7 ,definition ,in this section1 the term core public health infrastructure has the meaning given to such term in section #c4 7d7 ,authorization of appropriations ,to carry out this section1 there is authorized to be appropriated #a1jjj1jjj1jjj1 to remain available until expended4 #f4 ,modernization of ,state and local health inequities data 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #f months after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services 7in this section referred to as the ,secretary71 acting through the ,director of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention1 shall award grants to ,state1 local1 and territorial health departments in order to support the modernization of data collection methods and infrastructure for the purposes of increasing data related to health inequities1 such as racial1 ethnic1 socioeconomic1 sex1 gender1 and disability disparities4 ,the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 provide guidance1 technical assistance1 and information to grantees under this section on best practices regarding culturally competent1 accurate1 and increased data collection and transmission2 and 7#b7 track performance of grantees under this section to help improve their health inequities data collection by identifying gaps and taking effective steps to support ,states1 localities1 and territories in addressing the gaps4 7b7 ,report ,not later than #a year after the date on which the first grant is awarded under this section1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives and the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate an initial report detailing-- 7#a7 nationwide best practices for ensuring ,states and localities collect and transmit health inequities data2 7#b7 nationwide trends which hinder the collection and transmission of health inequities data2 7#c7 ,federal best practices for working with ,states and localities to ensure culturally competent1 accurate1 and increased data collection and transmission2 and 7#d7 any recommended changes to legislative or regulatory authority to help improve and increase health inequities data collection4 7c7 ,final report ,not later than ,december #ca1 #bjbc1 the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 update and finalize the initial report under subsection 7b72 and 7#b7 submit such final report to the committees specified in such subsection4 7d7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #ajj1jjj1jjj1 to remain available until expended4 #g4 ,tribal funding to research health inequities including ,,covid-#ai 7a7 ,in general ,not later than #f months after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,director of the ,indian ,health ,service1 in coordination with ,tribal epidemiology centers and other ,federal agencies1 as appropriate1 shall conduct or support research and field studies for the purposes of improved understanding of ,tribal health inequities among ,american ,indians and ,alaska ,natives1 including with respect to-- 7#a7 disparities related to ,,covid-#ai2 7#b7 public health surveillance and infrastructure regarding unmet needs in ,indian country and ,urban ,indian communities2 7#c7 population-based health disparities2 7#d7 barriers to health care services2 7#e7 the impact of socioeconomic status2 and 7#f7 factors contributing to ,tribal health inequities4 7b7 ,consultation1 confer1 and coordination ,in carrying out this section1 the ,director of the ,indian ,health ,service shall-- 7#a7 consult with ,indian ,tribes and ,tribal organizations2 7#b7 confer with ,urban ,indian organizations2 and 7#c7 coordinate with the ,director of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention and the ,director of the ,national ,institutes of ,health4 7c7 ,process ,not later than #fj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,director of the ,indian ,health ,service shall establish a nationally representative panel to establish processes and procedures for the research and field studies conducted or supported under subsection 7a74 ,the ,director shall ensure that1 at a minimum1 the panel consists of the following individuals3 7#a7 ,elected ,tribal leaders or their designees4 7#b7 ,tribal public health practitioners and experts from the national and regional levels4 7d7 ,duties ,the panel established under subsection 7c7 shall1 at a minimum-- 7#a7 advise the ,director of the ,indian ,health ,service on the processes and procedures regarding the design1 implementation1 and evaluation of1 and reporting on1 research and field studies conducted or supported under this section2 7#b7 develop and share resources on ,tribal public health data surveillance and reporting1 including best practices2 and 7#c7 carry out such other activities as may be appropriate to establish processes and procedures for the research and field studies conducted or supported under subsection 7a74 7e7 ,report ,not later than #a year after expending all funds made available to carry out this section1 the ,director of the ,indian ,health ,service1 in coordination with the panel established under subsection 7c71 shall submit an initial report on the results of the research and field studies under this section to-- 7#a7 the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce and the ,committee on ,natural ,resources of the ,house of ,representatives2 and 7#b7 the ,committee on ,indian ,affairs and the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate4 7f7 ,tribal data sovereignty ,the ,director of the ,indian ,health ,service shall ensure that all research and field studies conducted or supported under this section are tribally directed and carried out in a manner which ensures ,tribal-direction of all data collected under this section-- 7#a7 according to ,tribal best practices regarding research design and implementation1 including by ensuring the consent of the ,tribes involved to public reporting of ,tribal data2 7#b7 according to all relevant and applicable ,tribal1 professional1 institutional1 and ,federal standards for conducting research and governing research ethics2 7#c7 with the prior and informed consent of any ,indian ,tribe participating in the research or sharing data for use under this section2 and 7#d7 in a manner that respects the inherent sovereignty of ,indian ,tribes1 including ,tribal governance of data and research4 7g7 ,final report ,not later than ,december #ca1 #bjbc1 the ,director of the ,indian ,health ,service shall-- 7#a7 update and finalize the initial report under subsection 7e72 and 7#b7 submit such final report to the committees specified in such subsection4 7h7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,the terms ,indian ,tribe and ,tribal organization have the meanings given to such terms in section #d of the ,indian ,self-,determination and ,education ,assistance ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #ecjd74 7#b7 ,the term ,urban ,indian organization has the meaning given to such term in section #d of the ,indian ,health ,care ,improvement ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #afjc74 7i7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #be1jjj1jjj1 to remain available until expended4 #h4 ,study examining public health data and infrastructure necessary during and after the ,,covid-#ai public health emergency 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services 7in this section referred to as the ,secretary7 shall seek to enter into a contract with the ,national ,academies of ,sciences1 ,engineering1 and ,medicine 7referred to in this section as the ,national ,academies7 not later than #cj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 under which the ,national ,academies agree to conduct a study with stakeholders from ,federal agencies1 ,state1 ,tribal1 territorial1 and local governments1 research institutions1 industry1 and nonprofit organizations that would review the current system for public health data infrastructure and reporting and provide recommendations on needed data and system improvements for future pandemics and ongoing public health needs4 7b7 ,submission of report ,the contract under subsection 7a7 shall require that the study under such subsection be completed1 and a report on the resulting recommendations be submitted to the ,secretary1 the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce of the ,house of ,representatives1 not later than #ab months after the date the contract was executed4 7c7 ,study topics ,the contract under subsection 7a7 shall require the study under such subsection to-- 7#a7 review the current public health data systems and the reporting structure for ,federal1 ,state1 ,tribal1 territorial1 and local public health information1 including vital records2 7#b7 review current standards for reporting1 quality controls1 and transparency of the data2 7#c7 examine data gaps and barriers to timely and accurate reporting and identify ways to fill those gaps2 7#d7 examine how systems can be accessed and used by a wide range of users1 including external researchers2 7#e7 examine how different data systems interact and how different data sources can be integrated2 7#f7 examine nontraditional data sources or alternative data gathering methods that could be used to complement traditionally collected data2 7#g7 identify needed improvements to the public health data systems and structure1 especially with regard to the needs of ,tribal systems2 7#h7 identify core elements of a minimum data set that might be used for ,state population surveillance1 including demographic components that are necessary to ensure health equity in public health decision making2 7#i7 examine how surveillance systems can be explicitly designed to ensure vulnerable populations 7which may include racial and ethnic minorities1 immigrants1 individuals in nursing homes1 other institutionalized populations1 and individuals experiencing homelessness7 are included in reporting2 7#aj7 consider how traditional and nontraditional data might be used to promote health equity across the ,united ,states and reduce racial1 ,tribal1 and other demographic disparities2 7#aa7 examine data gaps and barriers to collecting1 analyzing1 and using demographic data to characterize the ,,covid-#ai pandemic for public health action and research to improve public health actions and identify ways to fill those gaps2 and 7#ab7 report on what is known based on existing data about how ,,covid-#ai is impacting subgroups of the population with respect to access to testing and treatment 7hospitalization and access to drugs and medical equipment71 and health outcomes 7morbidity and mortality74 7d7 ,disaggregation of data ,to the extent feasible1 the contract under subsection 7a7 shall require data to be disaggregated by race1 ethnicity1 age1 gender1 disability1 geography1 language1 socioeconomic status1 and other factors4