H.R. 2364 — what changed

Part B of title III of the Public Health Service Act is amended by inserting after section 317U (42 U.S.C. 247b–23) the following new section:

“317V. Synthetic Opioids Public Awareness Campaign

changed “(a) In general—Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Secretary shall provide for the planning and implementation of a public education campaign to raise public awareness of synthetic opioids (including fentanyl and its analogues). Such campaign shall include the dissemination of information that—

“(1) promotes awareness about the potency and dangers of fentanyl and its analogues and other synthetic opioids;

changed “(2) explains services provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (and any entity providing such services under a contract entered into with such agencies) with respect to the abuse misuse of opioids, particularly as such services relate to the provision of alternative, non-opioid pain management treatments; and

“(3) relates generally to opioid use and pain management.

“(b) Use of media—The campaign under subsection (a) may be implemented through the use of television, radio, internet, in-person public communications, and other commercial marketing venues and may be targeted to specific age groups.

changed “(c) Consultation—In coordinating Consideration of report findings—In planning and implementing the public education campaign under subsection (a), the Secretary, acting through the Director Secretary shall consult with take into consideration the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use to provide ongoing advice on findings of the effectiveness report required under section 7001 of information disseminated through the campaign.SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act (Public Law 115–271).

changed “(d) Requirement of Campaign—The Consultation—In coordinating the campaign implemented under subsection (a) (a), the Secretary shall not be duplicative of any other Federal efforts relating consult with the Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use to eliminating provide ongoing advice on the abuse effectiveness of opioids.information disseminated through the campaign.

changed “(e) EvaluationRequirement of Campaign—The campaign implemented under subsection (a) shall not be duplicative of any other Federal efforts relating to eliminating the misuse of opioids.

changed “(1) In general—The Secretary, acting through the Director, shall ensure that the campaign implemented under subsection (a) is subject to an independent evaluation, beginning 2 years after the date of the enactment of this section, and every 2 years thereafter.“(f) Evaluation

added “(1) In general—The Secretary shall ensure that the campaign implemented under subsection (a) is subject to an independent evaluation, beginning 2 years after the date of the enactment of this section, and every 2 years thereafter.

“(2) Measures and benchmarks—For purposes of an evaluation conducted pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—

“(A) establish baseline measures and bench­marks to quantitatively evaluate the impact of the campaign under this section; and

“(B) conduct qualitative assessments regarding the effectiveness of strategies employed under this section.

removed “(f) Report—The Secretary, acting through the Director, shall, beginning 2 years after the date of the enactment of this section, and every 2 years thereafter, submit to Congress a report on the effectiveness of the campaign implemented under subsection (a) towards meeting the measures and benchmarks established under subsection (e)(2).

changed “(g) Dissemination of Information Through Providers—The Secretary, acting through the Director, shall develop and implement a plan for Report—The Secretary shall, beginning 2 years after the dissemination date of information related to synthetic opioids, to health care providers who participate in Federal programs, including programs administered by the Department enactment of Health this section, and Human Services, the Indian Health Service, the Department of Veterans Affairs, every 2 years thereafter, submit to Congress a report on the Department effectiveness of Defense, and the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Medicare program campaign implemented under title XVIII of subsection (a) towards meeting the Social Security Act, measures and the Medicaid program benchmarks established under title XIX of such Act.”subsection (e)(2).

added “(h) Dissemination of Information Through Providers—The Secretary shall develop and implement a plan for the dissemination of information related to synthetic opioids, to health care providers who participate in Federal programs, including programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Indian Health Service, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, and the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act, and the Medicaid program under title XIX of such Act.”