US Codex
Pub. L.
Notes

Title II — Maximizing Delivery: Care, Quality of Life, Survivorship, and Caregiver Support

115th Congress · Approved Jun 5, 2018 · 132 Stat. 1382

TITLE II Maximizing Delivery: Care, Quality of Life, Survivorship, and Caregiver Support

SEC. 201. Cancer Survivorship Programs.

(a)
Pilot Programs To Explore Model Systems of Care for Pediatric Cancer Survivors.—
(1)
In general.— The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this section as the “Secretary”) may make awards to eligible entities to establish pilot programs to develop, study, or evaluate model systems for monitoring and caring for childhood cancer survivors throughout their lifespan, including evaluation of models for transition to adult care and care coordination.
(2)
Awards.—
(A)
Types of entities.— In making awards under this subsection, the Secretary shall, to the extent practicable, include—
(i)
small, medium, and large-sized eligible entities; and
(ii)
sites located in different geographic areas, including rural and urban areas.
(B)
Eligible entities.— In this subsection, the term “eligible entity” means—
(i)
a medical school;
(ii)
a children’s hospital;
(iii)
a cancer center;
(iv)
a community-based medical facility; or
(v)
any other entity with significant experience and expertise in treating survivors of childhood cancers.
(3)
Use of funds.— Funds awarded under this subsection may be used—
(A)
to develop, study, or evaluate one or more models for monitoring and caring for cancer survivors; and
(B)
in developing, studying, and evaluating such models, to give special emphasis to—
(i)
design of models of follow-up care, monitoring, and other survivorship programs (including peer support and mentoring programs);
(ii)
development of models for providing multidisciplinary care;
(iii)
dissemination of information to health care providers about culturally and linguistically appropriate follow-up care for cancer survivors and their families, as appropriate and practicable;
(iv)
development of psychosocial and support programs to improve the quality of life of cancer survivors and their families, which may include peer support and mentoring programs;
(v)
design of systems for the effective transfer of treatment information and care summaries from cancer care providers to other health care providers (including risk factors and a plan for recommended follow-up care);
(vi)
dissemination of the information and programs described in clauses (i) through (v) to other health care providers (including primary care physicians and internists) and to cancer survivors and their families, where appropriate and in accordance with Federal and State law; and
(vii)
development of initiatives that promote the coordination and effective transition of care between cancer care providers, primary care physicians, mental health professionals, and other health care professionals, as appropriate, including models that use a team-based or multi-disciplinary approach to care.
(b)
Workforce Development for Health Care Providers on Medical and Psychosocial Care for Childhood Cancer Survivors.—
(1)
In general.— The Secretary shall, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, conduct a review of the activities of the Department of Health and Human Services related to workforce development for health care providers who treat pediatric cancer patients and survivors. Such review shall include—
(A)
an assessment of the effectiveness of supportive psychosocial care services for pediatric cancer patients and survivors, including pediatric cancer survivorship care patient navigators and peer support programs;
(B)
identification of existing models relevant to providing medical and psychosocial services to individuals surviving pediatric cancers, and programs related to training for health professionals who provide such services to individuals surviving pediatric cancers; and
(C)
recommendations for improving the provision of psychosocial care for pediatric cancer survivors and patients.
(2)
Report.— Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, a report concerning the findings and recommendations from the review conducted under paragraph (1).

SEC. 202. Grants to Improve Care for Pediatric Cancer Survivors.

(a)
In General.— Section 417E of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 285a–11), as amended by section 101, is further amended by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following:

“(b) Improving Care for Pediatric Cancer Survivors.—

“(1) Research on pediatric cancer survivorship.—The Director of NIH, in coordination with ongoing research activities, may continue to conduct or support pediatric cancer survivorship research including in any of the following areas:

“(A) Outcomes of pediatric cancer survivors, including within minority or other medically underserved populations and with respect to health disparities of such outcomes.

“(B) Barriers to follow-up care for pediatric cancer survivors, including within minority or other medically underserved populations.

“(C) The impact of relevant factors, which may include familial, socioeconomic, and other environmental factors, on treatment outcomes and survivorship.

“(D) The development of indicators used for long-term follow-up and analysis of the late effects of cancer treatment for pediatric cancer survivors.

“(E) The identification of, as applicable—

“(i) risk factors associated with the late effects of cancer treatment;

“(ii) predictors of adverse neurocognitive and psychosocial outcomes; and

“(iii) the molecular basis of long-term complications.

“(F) The development of targeted interventions to reduce the burden of morbidity borne by cancer survivors in order to protect such cancer survivors from the late effects of cancer.

“(2) Balanced approach.—In conducting or supporting research under paragraph (1)(A)(i) on pediatric cancer survivors within minority or other medically underserved populations, the Director of NIH shall ensure that such research addresses both the physical and the psychological needs of such survivors, as appropriate.”

SEC. 203. Best Practices for Long-Term Follow-Up Services for Pediatric Cancer Survivors.

The Secretary of Health and Human Services may facilitate the identification of best practices for childhood and adolescent cancer survivorship care, and, as appropriate, may consult with individuals who have expertise in late effects of disease and treatment of childhood and adolescent cancers, which may include—
(1)
oncologists, which may include pediatric oncologists;
(2)
primary care providers engaged in survivorship care;
(3)
survivors of childhood and adolescent cancer;
(4)
parents of children and adolescents who have been diagnosed with and treated for cancer and parents of long-term survivors;
(5)
nurses and social workers;
(6)
mental health professionals;
(7)
allied health professionals, including physical therapists and occupational therapists; and
(8)
others, as the Secretary determines appropriate.

SEC. 204. Technical Amendment.

(a)
In General.— Section 3 of the Hematological Cancer Research Investment and Education Act of 2002 (Public Law 107–172; 116 Stat. 541) is amended by striking “ section 419C” and inserting “ section 417C”.
(b)
Effective Date.— The amendment made by subsection (a) shall take effect as if included in section 3 of the Hematological Cancer Research Investment and Education Act of 2002 (Public Law 107–172; 116 Stat. 541).