Public health activities to support hepatitis c elimination

(a) State awards (1) Definition of covered individual In this subsection, the term covered individual means an individual within the covered population (as defined in section 4(a)) who is at increased risk of hepatitis C virus infection. (2) Awards (A) In general The Secretary shall make grants to, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, States and, as appropriate, political subdivisions of States, for purposes of facilitating access to hepatitis C virus screening, diagnosis, treatment, and related wraparound services for covered individuals. (B) Designated lead entities A State or political subdivision of a State receiving an award under subparagraph (A) may designate a lead entity, such as an institution of higher education, that demonstrates the capacity to fulfill the requirements of the award, to manage the award. (3) Use of funds A State or political subdivision of a State that receives an award under paragraph (2)(A) shall use funds received pursuant to such award— (A) to improve outreach to covered individuals, which may include activities to increase awareness of the risks of hepatitis C virus and the availability of curative treatments; (B) to increase rates of screening for, diagnosis of, and treatment of hepatitis C virus among covered individuals; (C) to support the coordination and provision of appropriate health care and social services to covered individuals to improve health outcomes relating to hepatitis C virus infection; and (D) improve, as appropriate, other public health capacities and capabilities relating to hepatitis C virus prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment, and outbreak preparedness and response. (4) Applications (A) In general A State or political subdivision of a State seeking to receive an award under paragraph (2)(A) shall submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (B) Awards to other entities In the case of a State that does not submit an application for an award under subparagraph (A), the Secretary may make an award to an entity within such State, such as an institution of higher education, that demonstrates the capacity to fulfill the requirements of the award. (5) Partnerships A State or political subdivision of a State or an entity described in paragraph (4)(B) that receives an award under this subsection shall carry out the activities described in paragraph (3) through partnerships with entities located in such State or political subdivision of a State, including through subawards to public and private entities such as— (A) local public health departments; (B) community-based organizations; and (C) health care providers and health care facilities. (6) Allocation formula (A) In general The Secretary shall establish a formula to allocate funds under this subsection among States and political subdivisions of States. (B) Considerations In establishing the formula under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall consider— (i) the relative incidence of hepatitis C virus, and morbidity and mortality associated with hepatitis C virus within each State; and (ii) the anticipated covered population (as defined in section 4(a)), within each State. (b) Other awards (1) In general The Secretary shall make grants, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements, in accordance with paragraphs (4) through (8). (2) Use of funds Funds received pursuant to an award under paragraph (1) may be used by the recipient to carry out the activities described in subparagraphs (A) through (D) of subsection (a)(3), as applicable, in addition to applicable activities described in paragraphs (4) through (8). (3) Coordination The Secretary shall ensure that awards made under paragraph (1) are coordinated with the activities of the Hepatitis C Elimination Program established under section 3(a). (4) Opioid treatment programs and certified community behavioral health clinics The Secretary shall make awards described in paragraph (1) to opioid treatment programs and certified community behavioral health clinics, as determined eligible by the Secretary, to support hepatitis C virus testing and treatment at such programs and clinics. (5) Tribal areas The Secretary shall make awards described in paragraph (1) to Indian health programs and health facilities located in Tribal areas for hepatitis C virus testing, linkage to care, and treatment. (6) Community health centers The Secretary shall make awards described in paragraph (1) to health centers eligible for awards under section 330 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b)— (A) to expand access to hepatitis C virus testing, case management, and treatment; and (B) to build capacity— (i) to track anticipated referrals for hepatitis C treatment for patients within the target population of the health center; and (ii) to provide hepatitis C treatment to individuals within the covered population (as defined in section 4(a)). (7) Correctional facilities (A) In general The Secretary shall make awards described in paragraph (1) to entities described in subparagraph (B) to provide diagnostic testing and treatment to individuals in State and local correctional systems and to facilitate continued care for individuals who began receiving hepatitis C treatment while in custody and who require continued hepatitis C treatment after being released from custody. (B) Recipients The Secretary may make awards under this paragraph to State, local, or territorial health departments, State or local correctional systems, and community-based organizations. (8) Ryan white clinics (A) In general The Secretary shall establish a pilot program under which the Secretary shall make awards described in paragraph (1) to not more than 25 eligible entities for the purposes of providing care at facilities that receive funding under title XXVI of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300ff–11 et seq.) to individuals infected with hepatitis C virus, without regard to whether such infection is a co-occurring condition (as defined in section 2689 of such Act (42 U.S.C. 300ff–88)). (B) Eligible entities To be eligible to receive an award under the pilot program established under subparagraph (A), an entity shall be a recipient of an award under part A, B, or C of title XXVI of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300ff–11 et seq.). (C) Requirements An eligible entity that receives an award under this paragraph shall use the award funds to provide core medical services and support services relevant to individuals with hepatitis C virus. (c) Technical assistance The Secretary, in consultation with the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, shall provide technical assistance to States and other eligible entities seeking awards under this section. (d) Coordination The Secretary shall issue guidance to States regarding ensuring that— (1) patients in need of the care of a specialist for hepatitis C management are appropriately referred for specialty services; (2) existing hepatitis B virus screening, vaccination services, programs, and activities are coordinated with activities carried out under this section to support linkage to care for patients with hepatitis B virus; and (3) activities carried out under this section are coordinated with other existing Federal efforts relating to hepatitis C prevention, such as treatment for opioid use disorder, carried out by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Department of Defense. (e) Hepatitis c point-of-Care testing (1) Point-of-care testing The Secretary may— (A) enter into agreements with vendors for the purpose of purchasing and distributing in vitro diagnostic point-of-care tests to facilitate hepatitis C virus diagnosis and treatment; (B) provide for the distribution of hepatitis C in vitro diagnostic point-of-care tests to entities receiving an award under subsections (a) and (b); and (C) set conditions, including reporting and effective use requirements, for entities receiving hepatitis C in vitro diagnostic point-of-care tests under this subsection. (2) Diagnostic test development Of the amounts made available to carry out this section, the Secretary may use not more than $20,000,000 to support development of diagnostic point-of-care tests to facilitate hepatitis C diagnosis and treatment, including point-of-care hepatitis B tests to facilitate timely hepatitis C treatment. (f) Provider training network The Secretary, in consultation with the interagency working group established under section 3(d), shall award 1 or more contracts to eligible public or private entities to establish a national network to provide training and technical assistance on implementing hepatitis C prevention, diagnostic testing, care, coordination, and treatment in support of the Hepatitis C Elimination Program established under section 3(a). (g) Public awareness and education (1) In general The Secretary shall carry out a national public awareness and education campaign relating to hepatitis C virus treatment and the activities carried out under this Act. (2) Materials In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall— (A) tailor information to priority populations for hepatitis C virus; and (B) consult with the advisory committee established under section 3(c).