HR 1669 IHCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for integration of mental health services and mental health treatment outreach teams, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

March 23, 2007

Mr. KENNEDY (for himself and Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and CommerceCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for integration of mental health services and mental health treatment outreach teams, and for other purposes.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Positive Aging Act of 2007'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS TO SUPPORT INTEGRATION OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN PRIMARY CARE SETTINGS.

Subpart 3 of part B of title V of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290bb-31 et seq.) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in section 520(b)--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in paragraph (14), by striking `and' after the semicolon;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in paragraph (15), by striking the period at the end and inserting `; and'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(16) conduct the demonstration projects specified in section 520K.'; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

`SEC. 520K. PROJECTS TO DEMONSTRATE INTEGRATION OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN PRIMARY CARE SETTINGS.

`(a) In General- The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Center for Mental Health Services, shall award grants to public and private nonprofit entities for projects to demonstrate ways of integrating mental health services for older adults into primary care settings, such as health centers receiving a grant under section 330 (or determined by the Secretary to meet the requirements for receiving such a grant), other Federally qualified health centers, primary care clinics, and private practice sites.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b) Requirements- In order to be eligible for a grant under this section, the project to be carried out by the entity shall provide for collaborative care within a primary care setting, provided by licensed mental health professionals with appropriate training and experience in the treatment of older adults, in which screening, assessment, and intervention services are combined into an integrated service delivery model, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) screening services by a mental health professional with at least a masters degree in an appropriate field of training;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) referrals for necessary prevention, intervention, follow-up care, consultations, and care planning oversight for mental health and other service needs, as indicated; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) adoption and implementation of evidence-based intervention and treatment protocols (to the extent such protocols are available) for mental disorders prevalent in older adults including, but not limited to, mood and anxiety disorders, dementias of all kinds (including the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia), psychotic disorders, and substance-related disorders.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c) Considerations in Awarding Grants- In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary, to the extent feasible, shall ensure that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) projects are funded in a variety of geographic areas, including urban and rural areas; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) a variety of populations, including racial and ethnic minorities and low-income populations, are served by projects funded under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(d) Duration- A project may receive funding pursuant to a grant under this section for a period of up to 3 years, with an extension period of 2 additional years at the discretion of the Secretary.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(e) Application- To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a public or private nonprofit entity shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) submit an application to the Secretary (in such form, containing such information, and at such time as the Secretary may specify); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) agree to report to the Secretary standardized clinical and behavioral data and other performance data necessary to evaluate patient outcomes and to facilitate evaluations across participating projects.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(f) Evaluation- Not later than July 31 of the second calendar year after the date of enactment of this section, and July 31 of every year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report evaluating the projects receiving awards under this section for the year involved.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(g) Supplement, Not Supplant- Funds made available under this section shall supplement, and not supplant, other Federal, State, or local funds available to an entity to carry out activities described in this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(h) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section for fiscal year 2008 and each fiscal year thereafter.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY-BASED MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT OUTREACH TEAMS.

Subpart 3 of part B of title V of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290bb-31 et seq.), as amended by section 2, is further amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

`SEC. 520L. GRANTS FOR COMMUNITY-BASED MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT OUTREACH TEAMS.

`(a) In General- The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Center for Mental Health Services, shall award grants to public or private nonprofit entities that are community-based providers of geriatric mental health services, to support the establishment and maintenance by such entities of multi-disciplinary geriatric mental health outreach teams in community settings where older adults reside or receive social services. Entities eligible for such grants include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) mental health service providers of a State or local government;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) outpatient programs of private, nonprofit hospitals;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) community mental health centers meeting the criteria specified in section 1913(c); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) other community-based providers of mental health services.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(b) Requirements- To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an entity shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) adopt and implement, for use by its mental health outreach team, evidence-based intervention and treatment protocols (to the extent such protocols are available) for mental disorders prevalent in older adults including, but not limited to, mood and anxiety disorders, dementias of all kinds (including the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia), psychotic disorders, and substance-related disorders, relying to the greatest extent feasible on protocols that have been developed--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) by or under the auspices of the Secretary; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) by academicians;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) provide screening for mental disorders, diagnostic services, referrals for treatment, and case management and coordination through such teams; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) coordinate and integrate the services provided by such team with the services of social service, mental health, and medical providers at the site or sites where the team is based in order to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(A) improve patient outcomes; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(B) to ensure, to the maximum extent feasible, the continuing independence of older adults who are residing in the community.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c) Cooperative Arrangements With Sites Serving as Bases for Outreach- An entity receiving a grant under this section may enter into an agreement with a person operating a site at which a geriatric mental health outreach team of the entity is based, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) senior centers;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) adult day care programs;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) assisted living facilities; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) recipients of grants to provide services to older adults under the Older Americans Act of 1965, under which such person provides (and is reimbursed by the entity, out of funds received under the grant, for) any supportive services, such as transportation and administrative support, that such person provides to an outreach team of such entity.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(d) Considerations in Awarding Grants- In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary, to the extent feasible, shall ensure that--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) projects are funded in a variety of geographic areas, including urban and rural areas; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) a variety of populations, including racial and ethnic minorities and low-income populations, are served by projects funded under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(e) Application- To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, an entity shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) submit an application to the Secretary (in such form, containing such information, at such time as the Secretary may specify); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) agree to report to the Secretary standardized clinical and behavioral data and other performance data necessary to evaluate patient outcomes and to facilitate evaluations across participating projects.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(f) Coordination- The Secretary shall provide for appropriate coordination of programs and activities receiving funds pursuant to a grant under this section with programs and activities receiving funds pursuant to grants under section 520K and sections 381, 422, and 423 of the Older Americans Act of 1965.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(g) Evaluation- Not later than July 31 of the second calendar year after the date of enactment of this section, and July 31 of every year thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report evaluating the projects receiving awards under this section for such year.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(h) Supplement, Not Supplant- Funds made available under this section shall supplement, and not supplant, other Federal, State, or local funds available to an entity to carry out activities described in this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(i) Authorization of Appropriations- There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this section for fiscal year 2008 and each fiscal year thereafter.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. DESIGNATION OF DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR OLDER ADULT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

Section 520 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290bb-31) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(c) Deputy Director for Older Adult Mental Health Services in Center for Mental Health Services- The Director, after consultation with the Administrator, shall designate a Deputy Director for Older Adult Mental Health Services, who shall be responsible for the development and implementation of initiatives of the Center to address the mental health needs of older adults. Such initiatives shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(1) research on prevention and identification of mental disorders in the older adult population;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(2) innovative demonstration projects for the delivery of community-based mental health services for older adults;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(3) support for the development and dissemination of evidence-based practice models, including models to address substance-related disorders in older adults; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) development of model training programs for mental health professionals and care givers serving older adults.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 5. MEMBERSHIP OF ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR THE CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

Section 502(b)(3) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290aa-1(b)(3)) is amended by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(C) In the case of the advisory council for the Center for Mental Health Services, the members appointed pursuant to subparagraphs (A) and (B) shall include representatives of older adults or their families, and professionals with an expertise in geriatric mental health.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 6. PROJECTS OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE TARGETING SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN OLDER ADULTS.

Section 509(b)(2) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290bb-2(b)(2)) is amended by inserting before the period the following: `, and to providing treatment for older adults with substance-related disorders'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 7. CRITERIA FOR STATE PLANS UNDER COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES BLOCK GRANTS.

(a) In General- Section 1912(b)(4)of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300x-2(b)(4)) is amended to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





`(4) TARGETED SERVICES TO OLDER INDIVIDUALS, INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE HOMELESS, AND INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN RURAL AREAS- The plan describes the State's outreach to and services for older individuals, individuals who are homeless, and individuals living in rural areas, and how community-based services will be provided to these individuals.'.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Effective Date- The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to State plans submitted on or after the date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink