Health Centers Amendments

(Reported to House from the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce with amendment, H. Rept. 95-1186)

Health Centers Amendments - =Title I: Public Health Service Act Amendments= - Amends the Public Health Service Act to remove preventive dental services from the category of primary health services provided by migrant health centers and to designate such services as supplemental health services. Adds pharmaceutical services to the category of primary health services provided by such centers. Removes public health services from the supplemental health services provided by such centers and adds social services.

Provides guidelines for the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to use in determining the amount of grants made to migrant health centers.

Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1981 for migrant health centers.

Removes preventive dental services from the primary health services provided by community health centers and adds pharmaceutical services. Includes preventive dental services in the supplemental health services provided by community health centers.

Provides guidelines for the Secretary to follow in determining the amount of grants made to community health centers.

Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1981 for community health centers.

Authorizes the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to make grants to provide technical assistance for the planning, developing, or operation of migrant health centers, community health centers, or any other centers for the delivery of primary health care.

Directs the Secretary to establish a Primary Health Care Advisory Committee to make recommendations to the Secretary regarding the capabilities of applicants for such grants, the renewal of such grants, and the required evaluation of the effectiveness of entities assisted by such grants.

Authorizes the Secretary to make grants for demonstration projects related to health services in rural medically underserved areas.

Extends the authority of the Secretary to guarantee to non-Federal lenders payment of the principal of and interest on loans made to health maintenance organizations for planning projects through September 30, 1979.

Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1980 for health maintenance organizations.

=Title II: Mental Health Programs= - Community Mental Health Centers Amendments - Sets forth a schedule under which a community mental health center will provide, within three years of its establishment, the full range of mental health services required to be provided by such a center under the Community Mental Health Centers Act.

Amends the Public Health Service Act to add to the list of subjects deserving priority consideration in the formulation of national health planning goals: (1) the elimination of inappropriate placement in institutions of persons with mental health problems and the improvement of the quality of care provided in institutions providng mental health services; and (2) the assurance of access to community mental health centers and other mental health care providers for needed mental health services, and the emphasis on outpatient care as a preferable alternative to inpatient mental health services.

Requires the health systems plan of each health systems agency established under the Public Health Service Act to include goals for the delivery of mental health services. States that such goals shall be developed with the assistance of persons knowledgeable and experienced in the delivery of such services.

Authorizes State Health Coordinating Councils, in advising State health planning and development agencies, to use the assistance of persons knowledgeable in the delivery of mental health services.

Requires that State plans under the Comprehensive Mental Abuse and Alcoholism Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation Act of 1970 and the Drug Abuse and Treatment Act of 1972 be consistent with the State health plans in effect under the Public Health Service Act as amended by this Title.

Authorizes the Secretary to make annual supplemental support grants to community mental health centers to assist such centers in meeting the costs of providing specified consultation and education services.

Repeals the program of financial distress grants for community mental health centers effective October 1, 1980.

Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1981 for consultation and education services provided by community mental health centers. Repeals such services effective October 1, 1980.

Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1980 for conversion grants for community mental health centers. Repeals such grants effective October 1, 1980.

Extends the authorization of appropriations through fiscal year 1981 for: (1) grants to plan community health center programs; (2) grants for initial operation of community health centers; (3) programs of the National Center for the Prevention and Control of Rape.

Authorizes community mental health centers to carryover unobligated funds to the next succeeding year to be used for the same purposes for which such grant was made but only if the center is eligible to receive a grant for such succeeding year. Stipulates that the amount of a grant for such a center for any year shall be reduced by the amount of unobligated funds carried over.

Requires the State mental health authority to: (1) establish minimum standards for the maintenance and operation of community mental health centers; (2) establish a program for community mental health centers within the State; and (3) designate a State advisory council to consult with it in carrying out its functions under this Act and the Public Health Service Act.

Requires the Secretary to make grants to State mental health authorities to assist them in meeting the costs of carrying out State mental health programs. Requires each State, in order to receive such grants, to submit an application containing specified assurances. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 1981 for such grants.