,i #aaith ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #ifhb ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,july #ad1 #bjbf,mrs4 ,miller-,meeks 7for herself1 ,ms4 ,de,gette1 ,mr4 ,johnson of ,georgia1 and ,mr4 ,bacon7 introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,energy and ,commerce1 and in addition to the ,committees on the ,judiciary1 ,natural ,resources1 and ,ways and ,means1 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 require the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services to carry out activities to eliminate hepatitis ,c virus in the ,united ,states4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,cure ,hepatitis ,c ,act of #bjbf4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,correctional facility ,the term correctional facility has the meaning given that term in section #ija of title ,i of the ,omnibus ,crime ,control and ,safe ,streets ,act of #aifh 7#cd ,u4,s4,c4 #ajbea74 7#b7 ,hepatitis ,c treatment ,the term hepatitis ,c treatment means a direct acting antiviral drug approved under section #eje of the ,federal ,food1 ,drug1 and ,cosmetic ,act 7#ba ,u4,s4,c4 #cee7 for the treatment of hepatitis ,c virus infection4 7#c7 ,indian health program ,the term ,indian health program has the meaning given the term in section #d of the ,indian ,health ,care ,improvement ,act 7#be ,u4,s4,c4 #afjc74 7#d7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services4 7#e7 ,state ,the term ,state means-- 7,a7 each of the several ,states of the ,united ,states2 7,b7 the ,district of ,columbia2 7,c7 the ,commonwealth of ,puerto ,rico2 7,d7 ,guam2 7,e7 ,american ,samoa2 7,f7 the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands2 7,g7 the ,federated ,states of ,micronesia2 7,h7 the ,republic of the ,marshall ,islands2 7,i7 the ,republic of ,palau2 and 7,j7 the ,united ,states ,virgin ,islands4 7#f7 ,state or local correctional system ,the term ,state or local correctional system means a department1 agency1 or other instrumentality of a ,state or unit of local government 7as such term is defined in section #ija of title ,i of the ,omnibus ,crime ,control and ,safe ,streets ,act of #aifh 7#cd ,u4,s4,c4 #ajbea77 that operates or contracts for the operation of #a or more correctional facilities4 #c4 ,hepatitis ,c ,elimination ,program 7a7 ,establishment ,not later than #ij days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall establish a program1 to be known as the ,hepatitis ,c ,elimination ,program 7referred to in this section as the ,program71 under which the ,secretary shall coordinate activities under this ,act for the purposes of eliminating hepatitis ,c virus4 7b7 ,strategy and implementation plan ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall issue a national strategy and implementation plan to carry out activities under this ,act1 including-- 7#a7 a description of priority populations that experience higher rates of hepatitis ,c virus infection and related adverse health outcomes2 7#b7 an inventory of all relevant ,federal strategies1 plans1 policies1 and programs relating to hepatitis ,c virus1 including an assessment of any gaps within1 or areas of duplication between1 such strategies1 plans1 policies1 and programs2 7#c7 specific goals1 objectives1 and strategies to improve the prevention1 detection1 and treatment of hepatitis ,c virus in order to achieve the goals of the ,program2 and 7#d7 performance metrics to assess progress toward achieving each goal1 strategy1 and objective identified under paragraph 7#c74 7c7 ,advisory committee 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall establish an advisory committee to advise the ,secretary with respect to the ,program4 7#b7 ,membership ,the advisory committee established under paragraph 7#a7 shall be composed of-- 7,a7 individuals with lived experience with hepatitis ,c virus2 7,b7 clinicians2 7,c7 ,state and local public health officials2 7,d7 pharmacists2 7,e7 representatives of drug and diagnostic test manufacturers2 7,f7 representatives of health plans and health insurance issuers2 and 7,g7 others individuals engaged in the ,program4 7d7 ,interagency working group 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall establish an interagency working group to support the development1 implementation1 evaluation1 and improvement of the ,program4 7#b7 ,membership ,the interagency working group shall include the following individuals or their designees3 7,a7 ,the ,director of the ,centers for ,disease ,control and ,prevention4 7,b7 ,the ,administrator of the ,health ,resources and ,services ,administration4 7,c7 ,the ,administrator of the ,centers for ,medicare ,medicaid ,services4 7,d7 ,the ,assistant ,secretary for ,mental ,health and ,substance ,use4 7,e7 ,the ,director of the ,indian ,health ,service4 7,f7 ,the ,commissioner of ,food and ,drugs4 7,g7 ,the ,assistant ,secretary for ,health4 7,h7 ,the ,director of the ,bureau of ,prisons4 7,i7 ,the heads of such other relevant ,federal departments and agencies1 as the ,secretary designates4 7e7 ,hepatitis ,c dashboard ,the ,secretary shall establish and maintain a publicly available dashboard for purposes of monitoring progress toward achieving the goals of the ,program1 including performance metrics established pursuant to subsection 7b77#d74 7f7 ,stakeholder engagement ,in carrying out this ,act1 the ,secretary shall consult with all relevant stakeholders1 which may include through public meetings1 publication of notices in the ,federal ,register1 and other strategies4 7g7 ,reports ,not later than #ij days after the date of issuance of the strategy and implementation plan under subsection 7b71 and annually thereafter until ,september #cj1 #bjcb1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committees on ,finance1 ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions1 and ,appropriations of the ,senate and the ,committees on ,energy and ,commerce1 ,ways and ,means1 and ,appropriations of the ,house of ,representatives a report that describes the progress of activities carried out under this ,act and the amendments made by this ,act4 #d4 ,provision of ,hepatitis ,c treatments to certain populations 7a7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,covered population ,the term covered population means the population of individuals determined under subsection 7b77#b74 7#b7 ,minimum essential coverage ,the term minimum essential coverage means health insurance coverage under a public or private plan that constitutes minimum essential coverage under section #ejjj;,a7f77#a7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf4 7#c7 ,participating ,state or local correctional system ,the term participating ,state or local correctional system means a ,state or local correctional system that opts to participate in the program under subsection 7b77#c77;,a74 7#d7 ,program ,the term program means the subscription program for hepatitis ,c treatments established under subsection 7b77#a74 7#e7 ,registered pharmacy2 registered site of dispensing ,the terms registered pharmacy and registered site of dispensing mean a pharmacy or site of dispensing1 respectively1 that enters into an agreement with the ,secretary under subsection 7b77#e77;,b74 7b7 ,subscription program for purchase of hepatitis c treatments for covered populations 7#a7 ,establishment 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall establish a subscription program for hepatitis ,c treatments under which-- 7i7 the ,secretary-- 7,i7 shall enter into agreements with #a or more drug manufacturers for the purchase of hepatitis ,c treatments under a subscription model described in paragraph 7#d72 and 7,,ii7 shall provide for the distribution of hepatitis ,c treatments purchased under such agreements among registered pharmacies and registered sites of dispensing1 participating ,state and local correctional systems1 the ,bureau of ,prisons1 and facilities of the ,indian ,health ,service1 in accordance with paragraph 7#e72 and 7ii7 each individual within the covered population1 in receiving hepatitis ,c treatments that were purchased under such an agreement1 is entitled to receive the treatments without cost-sharing4 7,b7 ,program prohibition 7i7 ,in general ,health care providers1 pharmacies1 and sites of dispensing shall not utilize any other ,federal drug discount program1 including the drug discount program under section #cdj;,b of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bef;b71 with respect to hepatitis ,c treatments obtained through the program4 7ii7 ,enforcement ,to ensure compliance with clause 7i71 the ,secretary shall-- 7,i7 ensure that relevant data1 including data on health care providers1 pharmacies1 manufacturers1 and sites of dispensing participating in the program1 is available for administration of the drug discount program under such section #cdj;,b2 7,,ii7 provide necessary resources1 from the amounts made available to the ,secretary under this section1 to carry out program audit1 oversight1 and administrative activities2 7,,iii7 supplement existing audit guidance issued pursuant to section #cdj;,b7a77#e77;,c7 of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bef;b7a77#e77;,c77 to give notice to relevant health care providers1 pharmacies1 and sites of dispensing related to the prohibition and its enforcement2 and 7,,iv7 audit1 at the ,secretary's expense1 the records of any participating health care provider or registered pharmacy or registered site of dispensing to ensure compliance with the requirements under this subsection4 7,c7 ,effect ,nothing in this paragraph shall prohibit a covered entity 7as defined in section #cdj;,b7a77#d7 of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bef;b7a77#d777 that receives hepatitis ,c treatments under the program from purchasing hepatitis ,c treatments pursuant to an agreement under section #cdj;,b7a77#a7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bef;b7a77#a771 provided that such covered entity complies with subparagraph 7,b77i74 7#b7 ,covered population 7,a7 ,in general ,subject to subparagraph 7,b71 the covered population of individuals entitled to receive hepatitis ,c treatment under the program in accordance with paragraph 7#a77;,a77ii7 is composed of individuals who have been diagnosed with hepatitis ,c infection and who-- 7i7 subject to paragraph 7#c77;,a7-- 7,i7 are enrolled in medical assistance under a ,state ,medicaid program that is participating in the program2 7,,ii7 are enrolled in child health assistance or pregnancy-related assistance under a ,state ,,chip program that is participating in the program2 or 7,,iii7 7aa7 are confined in a correctional facility operated by or on behalf of a participating ,state or local correctional system2 or 7bb7 were confined in a correctional facility operated by or on behalf of a participating ,state or local correctional system1 and who1 at the time of release from confinement1 had started but not completed a course of hepatitis ,c treatment2 7ii7 7,i7 are confined in a facility operated by or on behalf of the ,bureau of ,prisons2 or 7,,ii7 were confined in a facility operated by or on behalf of the ,bureau of ,prisons1 and who1 at the time of release from confinement1 had started but not completed a course of hepatitis ,c treatment2 7iii7 are without minimum essential coverage2 or 7iv7 receive health care services through an ,indian health program4 7,b7 ,requirements 7i7 ,medicaid and chip ,in the case of an individual described in subclause 7,i7 or 7,,ii7 of subparagraph 7,a77i71 the ,state ,medicaid or ,,chip program1 as applicable1 shall coordinate with registered pharmacies and registered sites of dispensing to verify such individual's enrollment in the ,state ,medicaid program or ,state ,,chip program1 as applicable1 before the dispensing of a hepatitis ,c treatment to the individual in accordance with paragraph 7#a77;,a77ii74 7ii7 ,bureau of prisons ,the ,director of the ,bureau of ,prisons shall issue a policy regarding determining which individuals in the custody of the ,bureau of ,prisons are eligible to receive hepatitis ,c treatment in accordance with paragraph 7#a77;,a77ii74 7iii7 ,individuals without minimum essential coverage 7,i7 ,in general ,in the case of an individual described in subparagraph 7,a77iii71 a health care provider designated under subclause 7,,ii7 shall-- 7aa7 assess whether such individual qualifies as an individual without minimum essential coverage2 and 7bb7 if such individual qualifies as an individual without minimum essential coverage1 authorize such individual to receive hepatitis ,c treatment in accordance with paragraph 7#a77;,a77ii74 7,,ii7 ,designation of health care providers ,the ,secretary1 in consultation with ,state public health departments1 shall designate health care providers for purposes of subclause 7,i74 7,,iii7 ,list ,for purposes of verifying whether an individual is authorized under subclause 7,i77bb71 the ,secretary shall maintain1 and make available to registered pharmacies and registered sites of dispensing that are dispensing hepatitis ,c treatment under the program1 a list of health care providers designated under subclause 7,,ii74 7,,iv7 ,guidance ,the ,secretary shall issue guidance for health care providers designated under subclause 7,,ii7 to make determinations under subclause 7,i77aa7 based on relevant best practices from the program under title ,,xxvi of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cjj;ff-#aa et seq42 commonly referred to as the ,ryan ,white ,,hiv_/,,aids ,program7 and the program under section #aibh of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acifs2 commonly referred to as the ,vaccines for ,children program74 7iv7 ,indian health service ,the ,director of the ,indian ,health ,service shall issue a policy regarding determining which individuals described in subparagraph 7,a77iv7 are eligible to receive hepatitis ,c treatment in accordance with paragraph 7#a77;,a77ii74 7#c7 ,program participation 7,a7 ,in general ,each ,state ,medicaid or ,,chip agency or ,state or local correctional system that seeks to participate in the program shall-- 7i7 for the applicable covered population described in subclauses 7,i7 through 7,,iii7 of paragraph 7#b77;,a77i71 opt into the program by notifying the ,secretary by the end of such reasonable period as the ,secretary may establish2 7ii7 submit to the ,secretary a letter of intent for participation for the #e-year term of the agreement entered into under paragraph 7#d72 7iii7 agree to not impose prior authorization requirements for screening and treatment for hepatitis ,c virus with respect to hepatitis ,c treatments obtained pursuant to the program2 7iv7 in the case of a ,state or local correctional system1 agree to provide to individuals described in paragraph 7#b77;,a77i77,,iii71 upon release from confinement-- 7,i7 the remainder of the course of hepatitis ,c treatment2 and 7,,ii7 a referral to ongoing care2 and 7v7 agree to such other conditions relating to participation in the program as the ,secretary may establish4 7,b7 ,required participation ,the ,bureau of ,prisons and the ,indian ,health ,service shall participate in the program4 7,c7 ,correctional facilities operated on behalf of participating state or local correctional systems ,a ,state or local correctional system that seeks to participate in the program shall agree to provide hepatitis ,c treatment to an individual in the covered population who is or was confined in a correctional facility operated by or on behalf of the ,state or local correctional system4 7#d7 ,procurement of hepatitis c drugs 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall enter into an agreement with #a or more drug manufacturers for the purchase of hepatitis ,c treatments under a subscription model described in subparagraph 7,b74 7,b7 ,subscription model described ,under a subscription model described in this subparagraph1 the ,secretary shall enter into an agreement under which #a or more drug manufacturers agree to provide as many units of hepatitis ,c treatment as the ,secretary requires for the term of the agreement for an amount specified in the agreement1 to be paid annually for the term of the agreement4 7,c7 ,term ,the term of an agreement under subparagraph 7,a7 shall be #e years4 7,d7 ,solicitation of bids 7i7 ,in general ,subject to clause 7ii71 in seeking to enter into an agreement under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,secretary shall-- 7,i7 use competitive procedures to solicit bids from drug manufacturers to provide #ajj percent of the hepatitis ,c treatments for the covered population1 as specified by the ,secretary under clause 7iii72 and 7,,ii7 select #a or more drug manufacturers whose bid or bids represent the best value to the ,federal ,government1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7ii7 ,awarding multiple agreements ,in selecting drug manufacturers with which to enter into an agreement under clause 7i71 the ,secretary may enter into an agreement with-- 7,i7 a single drug manufacturer to provide #ajj percent of the hepatitis ,c treatments for the covered population1 for the total amount specified in the bid submitted by the drug manufacturer2 or 7,,ii7 7aa7 the drug manufacturer with the best bid1 as determined by the ,secretary1 to provide #gj percent of the hepatitis ,c treatments for the covered population1 for an amount that is #gj percent of the total amount specified in the bid submitted by the drug manufacturer2 and 7bb7 the drug manufacturer with the second-best bid1 as determined by the ,secretary1 to provide #cj percent of the hepatitis ,c treatments for the covered population1 for an amount that is #cj percent of the total amount specified in the bid submitted by the drug manufacturer described in item 7aa74 7iii7 ,required information ,prior to beginning the contracting process under this paragraph1 and in any case not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall specify the covered population1 and a reasonable estimate of the size of that population1 to support the development of bids by interested drug manufacturers under this subparagraph4 7#e7 ,distribution of hepatitis c drugs to program participants 7,a7 ,in general ,in providing for distribution of hepatitis ,c treatments procured pursuant to #a or more agreements under paragraph 7#d71 the ,secretary may-- 7i7 provide in such an agreement that the drug manufacturer shall-- 7,i7 distribute1 or provide for the distribution of1 such hepatitis ,c treatments to registered pharmacies and registered sites of dispensing1 ,state and local correctional systems1 the ,indian ,health ,service1 and the ,bureau of ,prisons2 7,,ii7 provide data about distribution in the form and manner prescribed by the ,secretary2 and 7,,iii7 meet such other conditions relating to such distribution as are prescribed by the ,secretary2 or 7ii7 enter into a separate agreement for the distribution of such hepatitis ,c treatments to registered pharmacies and registered sites of dispensing1 ,state and local correctional systems1 the ,indian ,health ,service1 and the ,bureau of ,prisons4 7,b7 ,registered pharmacies and registered sites of dispensing ,a retail pharmacy or site of dispensing that seeks to receive hepatitis ,c treatments under subparagraph 7,a7 shall become a registered pharmacy or registered site of dispensing by entering into an agreement with the ,secretary under which such retail pharmacy or site of dispensing shall agree-- 7i7 to dispense hepatitis ,c treatments to individuals described in clauses 7i77,i71 7i77,,ii71 and 7iii7 of paragraph 7#b77;,a72 and 7ii7 to such conditions as the ,secretary may establish for the program4 7,c7 ,advance stock ,in providing for the distribution of hepatitis ,c treatments under an agreement entered into under paragraph 7#d71 the ,secretary shall provide for the provision of advance stock of such hepatitis ,c treatments to registered pharmacies1 registered sites of dispensing1 participating ,state and local correctional systems1 facilities of the ,bureau of ,prisons1 and facilities of the ,indian ,health ,service with high volumes of patients in need of hepatitis ,c treatments1 as determined by the ,secretary4 7,d7 ,dispensing fees ,the ,secretary shall pay1 based on customary and usual fees for the region1 reasonable dispensing fees to registered pharmacies that dispense hepatitis ,c treatments to individuals within the covered population4 7,e7 ,requirement to use existing inventory ,registered sites of dispensing1 participating ,state and local correctional systems1 facilities of the ,bureau of ,prisons1 and facilities of the ,indian ,health ,service shall use unexpired1 on-hand inventory of previously purchased hepatitis ,c treatments1 if any1 before dispensing hepatitis ,c treatments received under subparagraph 7,a7 to individuals within the covered population4 7c7 ,exclusion from medicaid best price and average manufacturer price calculation ,section #aibg of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acifr-#h7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7c77#a77;,c77i7-- 7,a7 in subclause 7,v71 by striking 2 and and inserting a semicolon2 7,b7 in subclause 7,,vi71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following new subclause3 7,,vii7 any prices charged under the subscription program for hepatitis ,c treatments established under section #d7;b7 of the ,cure ,hepatitis ,c ,act of #bjbf4 2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7k77#a77;,b77i7-- 7,a7 in subclause 7,,iv71 by inserting a semicolon at the end2 7,b7 in subclause 7,,vii71 by striking 2 and and inserting a semicolon2 7,c7 in subclause 7,,viii71 by striking the period at the end and inserting 2 and2 and 7,d7 by adding at the end the following new subclause3 7,,ix7 any prices charged under the subscription program for hepatitis ,c treatments established under section #d7;b7 of the ,cure ,hepatitis ,c ,act of #bjbf4 4 7d7 ,funding ,to carry out this section1 there is authorized to be appropriated1 and there is appropriated1 to the ,secretary1 out of any amounts in the ,treasury not otherwise appropriated1 #e1ejj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbg1 to remain available through fiscal year #bjcc4 #e4 ,public health activities to support hepatitis c elimination 7a7 ,state awards 7#a7 ,definition of covered individual ,in this subsection1 the term covered individual means an individual within the covered population 7as defined in section #d7;a77 who is at increased risk of hepatitis ,c virus infection4 7#b7 ,awards 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall make grants to1 or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with1 ,states and1 as appropriate1 political subdivisions of ,states1 for purposes of facilitating access to hepatitis ,c virus screening1 diagnosis1 treatment1 and related wraparound services for covered individuals4 7,b7 ,designated lead entities ,a ,state or political subdivision of a ,state receiving an award under subparagraph 7,a7 may designate a lead entity1 such as an institution of higher education1 that demonstrates the capacity to fulfill the requirements of the award1 to manage the award4 7#c7 ,use of funds ,a ,state or political subdivision of a ,state that receives an award under paragraph 7#b77;,a7 shall use funds received pursuant to such award-- 7,a7 to improve outreach to covered individuals1 which may include activities to increase awareness of the risks of hepatitis ,c virus and the availability of curative treatments2 7,b7 to increase rates of screening for1 diagnosis of1 and treatment of hepatitis ,c virus among covered individuals2 7,c7 to support the coordination and provision of appropriate health care and social services to covered individuals to improve health outcomes relating to hepatitis ,c virus infection2 and 7,d7 improve1 as appropriate1 other public health capacities and capabilities relating to hepatitis ,c virus prevention1 detection1 diagnosis1 treatment1 and outbreak preparedness and response4 7#d7 ,applications 7,a7 ,in general ,a ,state or political subdivision of a ,state seeking to receive an award under paragraph 7#b77;,a7 shall submit to the ,secretary an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require4 7,b7 ,awards to other entities ,in the case of a ,state that does not submit an application for an award under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,secretary may make an award to an entity within such ,state1 such as an institution of higher education1 that demonstrates the capacity to fulfill the requirements of the award4 7#e7 ,partnerships ,a ,state or political subdivision of a ,state or an entity described in paragraph 7#d77;,b7 that receives an award under this subsection shall carry out the activities described in paragraph 7#c7 through partnerships with entities located in such ,state or political subdivision of a ,state1 including through subawards to public and private entities such as-- 7,a7 local public health departments2 7,b7 community-based organizations2 and 7,c7 health care providers and health care facilities4 7#f7 ,allocation formula 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall establish a formula to allocate funds under this subsection among ,states and political subdivisions of ,states4 7,b7 ,considerations ,in establishing the formula under subparagraph 7,a71 the ,secretary shall consider-- 7i7 the relative incidence of hepatitis ,c virus1 and morbidity and mortality associated with hepatitis ,c virus within each ,state2 and 7ii7 the anticipated covered population 7as defined in section #d7;a771 within each ,state4 7b7 ,other awards 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall make grants1 or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements1 in accordance with paragraphs 7#d7 through 7#h74 7#b7 ,use of funds ,funds received pursuant to an award under paragraph 7#a7 may be used by the recipient to carry out the activities described in subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,d7 of subsection 7a77#c71 as applicable1 in addition to applicable activities described in paragraphs 7#d7 through 7#h74 7#c7 ,coordination ,the ,secretary shall ensure that awards made under paragraph 7#a7 are coordinated with the activities of the ,hepatitis ,c ,elimination ,program established under section #c7;a74 7#d7 ,opioid treatment programs and certified community behavioral health clinics ,the ,secretary shall make awards described in paragraph 7#a7 to opioid treatment programs and certified community behavioral health clinics1 as determined eligible by the ,secretary1 to support hepatitis ,c virus testing and treatment at such programs and clinics4 7#e7 ,tribal areas ,the ,secretary shall make awards described in paragraph 7#a7 to ,indian health programs and health facilities located in ,tribal areas for hepatitis ,c virus testing1 linkage to care1 and treatment4 7#f7 ,community health centers ,the ,secretary shall make awards described in paragraph 7#a7 to health centers eligible for awards under section #ccj of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bed;b7-- 7,a7 to expand access to hepatitis ,c virus testing1 case management1 and treatment2 and 7,b7 to build capacity-- 7i7 to track anticipated referrals for hepatitis ,c treatment for patients within the target population of the health center2 and 7ii7 to provide hepatitis ,c treatment to individuals within the covered population 7as defined in section #d7;a774 7#g7 ,correctional facilities 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall make awards described in paragraph 7#a7 to entities described in subparagraph 7,b7 to provide diagnostic testing and treatment to individuals in ,state and local correctional systems and to facilitate continued care for individuals who began receiving hepatitis ,c treatment while in custody and who require continued hepatitis ,c treatment after being released from custody4 7,b7 ,recipients ,the ,secretary may make awards under this paragraph to ,state1 local1 or territorial health departments1 ,state or local correctional systems1 and community-based organizations4 7#h7 ,ryan white clinics 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall establish a pilot program under which the ,secretary shall make awards described in paragraph 7#a7 to not more than #be eligible entities for the purposes of providing care at facilities that receive funding under title ,,xxvi of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cjj;ff-#aa et seq47 to individuals infected with hepatitis ,c virus1 without regard to whether such infection is a co-occurring condition 7as defined in section #bfhi of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cjj;ff-#hh774 7,b7 ,eligible entities ,to be eligible to receive an award under the pilot program established under subparagraph 7,a71 an entity shall be a recipient of an award under part ,a1 ,b1 or ,c of title ,,xxvi of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cjj;ff-#aa et seq474 7,c7 ,requirements ,an eligible entity that receives an award under this paragraph shall use the award funds to provide core medical services and support services relevant to individuals with hepatitis ,c virus4 7c7 ,technical assistance ,the ,secretary1 in consultation with the heads of other relevant ,federal agencies1 shall provide technical assistance to ,states and other eligible entities seeking awards under this section4 7d7 ,coordination ,the ,secretary shall issue guidance to ,states regarding ensuring that-- 7#a7 patients in need of the care of a specialist for hepatitis ,c management are appropriately referred for specialty services2 7#b7 existing hepatitis ,b virus screening1 vaccination services1 programs1 and activities are coordinated with activities carried out under this section to support linkage to care for patients with hepatitis ,b virus2 and 7#c7 activities carried out under this section are coordinated with other existing ,federal efforts relating to hepatitis ,c prevention1 such as treatment for opioid use disorder1 carried out by the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services1 the ,department of ,veterans ,affairs1 and the ,department of ,defense4 7e7 ,hepatitis c point-of-,care testing 7#a7 ,point-of-care testing ,the ,secretary may-- 7,a7 enter into agreements with vendors for the purpose of purchasing and distributing in vitro diagnostic point-of-care tests to facilitate hepatitis ,c virus diagnosis and treatment2 7,b7 provide for the distribution of hepatitis ,c in vitro diagnostic point-of-care tests to entities receiving an award under subsections 7a7 and 7b72 and 7,c7 set conditions1 including reporting and effective use requirements1 for entities receiving hepatitis ,c in vitro diagnostic point-of-care tests under this subsection4 7#b7 ,diagnostic test development ,of the amounts made available to carry out this section1 the ,secretary may use not more than #bj1jjj1jjj to support development of diagnostic point-of-care tests to facilitate hepatitis ,c diagnosis and treatment1 including point-of-care hepatitis ,b tests to facilitate timely hepatitis ,c treatment4 7f7 ,provider training network ,the ,secretary1 in consultation with the interagency working group established under section #c7;d71 shall award #a or more contracts to eligible public or private entities to establish a national network to provide training and technical assistance on implementing hepatitis ,c prevention1 diagnostic testing1 care1 coordination1 and treatment in support of the ,hepatitis ,c ,elimination ,program established under section #c7;a74 7g7 ,public awareness and education 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall carry out a national public awareness and education campaign relating to hepatitis ,c virus treatment and the activities carried out under this ,act4 7#b7 ,materials ,in carrying out paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall-- 7,a7 tailor information to priority populations for hepatitis ,c virus2 and 7,b7 consult with the advisory committee established under section #c7;c74 #f4 ,funding 7a7 ,in general ,to carry out sections #c and #e1 there is authorized to be appropriated1 and there is appropriated1 to the ,secretary1 out of any amounts in the ,treasury not otherwise appropriated1 #d1bhc1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbg1 to remain available through fiscal year #bjcc4 7b7 ,administrative expenses ,of the amount made available under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary may not use more than #e percent for administrative expenses of the ,hepatitis ,c ,elimination ,program established under section #c7;a74 7c7 ,bureau of prisons ,of the amount appropriated under subsection 7a71 the ,secretary shall transfer #be1jjj1jjj to the ,director of the ,federal ,bureau of ,prisons for purposes of expenses of the ,bureau of ,prisons to carry out sections #c and #e4 #g4 ,increasing access to treatments for hepatitis ,c in the ,medicare program 7a7 ,in general ,section #ahfj;,d-#b of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aciew-#ajb7;b77 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7b7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a77;,a71 by striking and 7#i7 and inserting 1 7#i71 and 7#aj72 7,b7 in paragraph 7#b77;,a71 by striking and 7#i7 and inserting 1 7#i71 and 7#aj72 and 7,c7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#aj7 ,elimination of cost-sharing for direct acting antivirals for the treatment of hepatitis c 7,a7 ,in general ,for plan years #bjbh through #bjcb1 subject to subparagraph 7,b71 with respect to a covered part ,d drug that is a direct acting antiviral for the treatment of hepatitis ,c-- 7i7 the deductible under paragraph 7#a7 shall not apply2 and 7ii7 there shall be no coinsurance or other cost-sharing under this part with respect to such drug4 7,b7 ,authority to delay implementation ,if the ,secretary determines that it is not feasible to implement subparagraph 7,a7 for plan year #bjbh1 subparagraph 7,a7 shall be applied by substituting #bjbi for #bjbh4 2 and 7#b7 in subsection 7c71 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#g7 ,treatment of cost-sharing for direct acting antivirals for the treatment of hepatitis c ,the coverage is provided in accordance with subsection 7b77#aj74 4 7b7 ,conforming amendments to cost-,sharing for low-,income individuals ,section #ahfj;,d-#ad7;a7 of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aciew-#aad7;a77 is amended-- 7#a7 in paragraph 7#a77;,d71 in each of clauses 7ii7 and 7iii71 by striking paragraph 7#f7 and inserting paragraphs 7#f7 and 7#g72 and 7#b7 by adding at the end the following new paragraph3 7#g7 ,no application of cost-sharing or deductible for direct acting antivirals for the treatment of hepatitis c 7,a7 ,in general ,for plan years #bjbh through #bjcb1 subject to subparagraph 7,b71 with respect to a covered part ,d drug that is a direct acting antiviral for the treatment of hepatitis ,c-- 7i7 the deductible under section #ahfj;,d-#b7;b77#a7 shall not apply2 and 7ii7 there shall be no cost-sharing under this section with respect to such drug4 7,b7 ,authority to delay implementation ,if the ,secretary determines that it is not feasible to implement subparagraph 7,a7 for plan year #bjbh1 subparagraph 7,a7 shall be applied by substituting #bjbi for #bjbh4 4 #h4 ,other matters 7a7 ,application of provisions ,amounts appropriated pursuant to this ,act and the amendments made by this ,act shall be subject to the requirements contained in ,public ,law #aah-dg for funds provided under division ,d of such ,public ,law4 7b7 ,rule of construction ,nothing in this ,act shall supersede section #daf of the ,controlled ,substances ,act 7#ba ,u4,s4,c4 #hef74 #i4 ,rulemaking authority ,the ,secretary may issue regulations to carry out this ,act4