1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Ensuring Children’s Access to Specialty Care Act of 2019”.
Ensuring Children’s Access to Specialty Care Act of 2019
A BILL
To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for the participation of pediatric subspecialists in the National Health Service Corps program, and for other purposes.
2. Participation of pediatric subspecialties in National Health Service Corps
Primary health services definition— Section 331(a)(3)(D) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254d(a)(3)(D)) is amended by inserting “(and pediatric subspecialties and special qualifications in pediatrics)” after “pediatrics”.
Behavioral and mental health professionals definition— Section 331(a)(3)(E)(i) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254d(a)(3)(E)(i)) is amended by inserting “(including pediatric subspecialists thereof)” after “psychiatrists”.
Health professional shortage areas— Section 332(a) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254e(a)) is amended—
in paragraph (1)(B), by inserting “(including such a population group of children and adolescents)” after “shortage”; and
in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting “pediatric subspecialty medical residency or fellowship training site,” after “health department,”.
Loan repayment program— Subparagraph (B) of section 338B(b)(1) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254l–1(b)(1)) is amended by inserting “(including a pediatric subspecialty residency or fellowship training program)” before the semicolon.