(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.
