§1397h Program for Early Detection of Certain Medical Conditions Related to Environmental Health Hazards

Summary

The Secretary must create a grant program that pays organizations to do two things: screen people who are at risk for health problems from hazardous pollution at certain Superfund sites, and share public information about the screening, how to detect, prevent, and treat those conditions, and the Medicare benefits available under section 1395rr–1 for people who are diagnosed. Eligible groups that can apply include hospitals or community health centers, Federally qualified health centers, Indian Health Service facilities, National Cancer Institute cancer centers, state or local agencies, nonprofits, and others the Secretary approves. Key terms: “at‑risk individual” — someone who lived a total of 6 months in an area covered by a public health emergency declaration during a period ending not less than 10 years before their screening application and before certain cleanup decisions for Operating Units 4 and 7, or who meets other criteria the Secretary sets, and who has an application for screening; “emergency declaration” — a public health emergency under section 9604(a); “environmental health condition” — includes asbestosis and related pleural conditions (diagnosed by qualified x‑ray/CT readings or other standards), mesothelioma and certain cancers of listed organs (diagnosed by pathology, cytology, or other standards), and any other condition the Secretary finds caused by exposure at an applicable Superfund site. The words hazardous substance, pollutant, contaminant, and Superfund site use the meanings in sections 9601 and 9605. The program does not change other health coverage rules. Funding provided is $23,000,000 for fiscal years 2010–2014 and $20,000,000 for each later five‑year period, and the money stays available until spent. Most other grant rules in the subchapter do not apply, except section 1397d(a) applies similarly but will not stop grantees from doing the authorized screenings.