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Revisions to the definition of 'eligible entity' to specify separate definitions for grants under subsection (b)(1) and grants under subsection (b)(2). For (b)(1) it adds entities providing or supporting health care services in rural areas, frontier areas, health professional shortage areas, medically underserved areas, to medically underserved populations, or Native Americans (including Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations), and may include entities leading or capable of leading technology-enabled collaborative learning models; for (b)(2) it defines eligible entities as public or nonprofit private entities leading or capable of leading the model described in subsection (b)(2)(A) for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
Amends subsection (b) to add paragraph (2), establishing 'Project ECHO grants for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia care' including a requirement that the Secretary award one or more grants (to evaluate, develop, and expand tech-enabled collaborative learning models to improve retention and increase access to diagnosis and dementia care) not later than 1 year after enactment of the paragraph.
Amends application requirements to require eligible entities seeking grants under subsection (b) to submit applications that include plans to assess effects of technology-enabled collaborative learning and capacity building models on patient outcomes and providers, and—for applications for grants under subsection (b)(2)—assurances that funds received will supplement and not supplant funds from other sources.
Amends reporting by eligible entities: revises the first sentence to replace references to 'this section' with 'subsection (b)(1)' and to require entities awarded grants under subsection (b)(2) (and adjusts the cross-reference from subsection (b) to subsection (b)(1)), and inserts additional text after the first sentence (text to be included as specified).
Redesignates existing paragraphs and subparagraphs for clarity, revises paragraph (1) language regarding the report timeline, and adds paragraph (2) requiring the Secretary to prepare and submit an updated version of the report described in paragraph (1) not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of subsection (b)(2), submit it to the named Senate and House committees, and post it on the Department of Health and Human Services website.
Revises authorization of appropriations to authorize $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2032 (other than for grants under subsection (b)(2)), and to authorize $1,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2027 through 2032 for grants under subsection (b)(2).
Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Introduced June 5, 2025 by Troy Balderson · Last progress June 5, 2025
Reauthorizes and updates the Project ECHO grant program and creates a new, dedicated Project ECHO grant authority for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. It requires the Secretary to award grants that use technology‑enabled collaborative learning (tele‑mentoring and case‑based learning) to improve early diagnosis, dementia care, and provider retention.
The law defines eligible applicants and health professionals, sets application and reporting requirements, authorizes specific funding levels, and sets deadlines including a 1‑year deadline to award the Alzheimer’s grants and a 4‑year deadline for an updated report to the Secretary.