text: SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
  
      This Act may be cited as the ``Border Health Security Act of 
  2015''.
  
  SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
  
      Congress makes the following findings:
              (1) The United States-Mexico border is an interdependent 
          and dynamic region of more than 15,000,000 people with 
          significant and unique public health challenges.
              (2) These challenges include low rates of health insurance 
          coverage, poor access to health care services, high 
          unemployment rates, low educational attainment, and high rates 
          of dangerous diseases, such as tuberculosis, diabetes, obesity, 
          and other non-communicable diseases.
              (3) As the 2009 novel influenza A (H1N1) pandemic 
          illustrated, diseases do not respect international boundaries, 
          and a strong public health effort at and along the borders is 
          crucial to not only protect and improve the health of Americans 
          but also to help secure the country against threats to 
          biosecurity and other emerging threats.
              (4) For 11 years, the United States-Mexico Border Health 
          Commission has served as a crucial binational institution to 
          address these unique and truly cross-border health issues.
              (5) More than 75 percent of Canadians live within 100 miles 
          of the United States border. The 2003 epidemic of severe acute 
          respiratory syndrome caused more than 250 illnesses in the 
          Greater Toronto Area, just 80 miles from New York.
  
  SEC. 3. UNITED STATES-MEXICO BORDER HEALTH COMMISSION ACT AMENDMENTS.
  
      The United States-Mexico Border Health Commission Act (22 U.S.C. 
  290n et seq.) is amended--
              (1) in section 3--
                      (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``; and'' and 
                  inserting ``;'';
                      (B) in paragraph (2), by striking the period and 
                  inserting a semicolon; and
                      (C) by adding at the end the following:
              ``(3) to cooperate with the Canada-United States Pan-Border 
          Public Health Preparedness Council (referred to in this Act as 
          the `Council'), as appropriate; and
              ``(4) to serve as an independent and objective body to both 
          recommend and implement initiatives that solve border health 
          issues.'';
              (2) in section 5--
                      (A) in subsection (b), by striking ``should be the 
                  leader'' and inserting ``shall be the Chair''; and
                      (B) by adding at the end the following:
      ``(d) Providing Advice and Recommendations.--Members of the 
  Commission and the Council may at any time provide advice or 
  recommendations to the Secretary, Congress, or any Member of Congress 
  concerning issues that are considered by the Commission or Council. 
  Such advice or recommendations may be provided regardless of whether a 
  request for such is made and regardless of whether the member or 
  individual is authorized to provide such advice or recommendations by 
  the Commission or Council or any other Federal official.'';
              (3) by redesignating section 8 as section 12;
              (4) by striking section 7 and inserting the following:
  
  ``SEC. 7. BORDER HEALTH GRANTS.
  
      ``(a) Eligible Entity Defined.--In this section, the term `eligible 
  entity' means a State, public institution of higher education, local 
  government, Indian tribe, tribal organization, urban Indian 
  organization, nonprofit health organization, trauma center, critical 
  access hospital or other hospital that serves rural or other vulnerable 
  communities and populations, faith-based entity, or community health 
  center receiving assistance under section 330 of the Public Health 
  Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b), that is located in the United States-
  Mexico border area or the United States-Canada border area.
      ``(b) Authorization.--From amounts appropriated under section 11, 
  the Secretary, in consultation with members of the Commission and 
  Council and in coordination with the Office of Global Affairs, shall 
  award grants to eligible entities to address priorities and 
  recommendations outlined by the strategic plan and operational work 
  plan of the Commission and the Council, as authorized under section 9, 
  to improve the health of United States-Mexico border area and United 
  States-Canada border area residents.
      ``(c) Application.--An eligible entity that desires a grant under 
  subsection (b) shall submit an application to the Secretary at such 
  time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary 
  may require.
      ``(d) Use of Funds.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under 
  subsection (b) shall use the grant funds for any of the following:
              ``(1) Programs relating to any one or more of the 
          following:
                      ``(A) Maternal and child health.
                      ``(B) Primary care and preventative health.
                      ``(C) Infectious disease testing, monitoring, and 
                  surveillance.
                      ``(D) Public health and public health 
                  infrastructure.
                      ``(E) Health promotion.
                      ``(F) Oral health.
                      ``(G) Behavioral and mental health.
                      ``(H) Substance abuse prevention and harm 
                  reduction.
                      ``(I) Health conditions that have a high prevalence 
                  in the United States-Mexico border area or United 
                  States-Canada border area.
                      ``(J) Medical and health services research.
                      ``(K) Workforce training and development.
                      ``(L) Community health workers and promotoras.
                      ``(M) Health care infrastructure problems in the 
                  United States-Mexico border area or United States-
                  Canada border area (including planning and construction 
                  grants).
                      ``(N) Health disparities in the United States-
                  Mexico border area or United States-Canada border area.
                      ``(O) Environmental health.
                      ``(P) Health education.
                      ``(Q) Outreach and enrollment services with respect 
                  to Federal programs (including programs authorized 
                  under titles XIX and XXI of the Social Security Act (42 
                  U.S.C. 1396 et seq. and 1397aa et seq.)).
                      ``(R) Trauma care.
                      ``(S) Health research with an emphasis on 
                  infectious disease and pressing issues related to 
                  noncommunicable diseases.
                      ``(T) Epidemiology and health research.
                      ``(U) Cross-border health surveillance coordinated 
                  with Mexican Health Authorities or Canadian Health 
                  Authorities.
                      ``(V) Obesity, particularly childhood obesity.
                      ``(W) Crisis communication, domestic violence, 
                  health literacy, or cancer.
                      ``(X) Community-based participatory research on 
                  border health issues.
                      ``(Y) Violence prevention.
                      ``(Z) Cross-border public health preparedness.
              ``(2) Other programs determined appropriate by the 
          Secretary.
      ``(e) Supplement, Not Supplant.--Amounts provided to an eligible 
  entity awarded a grant under subsection (b) shall be used to supplement 
  and not supplant other funds available to the eligible entity to carry 
  out the activities described in subsection (d).
  
  ``SEC. 8. GRANTS FOR EARLY WARNING INFECTIOUS DISEASE SURVEILLANCE 
                (EWIDS) IN THE BORDER AREA.
  
      ``(a) Eligible Entity Defined.--In this section, the term `eligible 
  entity' means a State, local government, Indian tribe, tribal 
  organization, urban Indian organization, trauma center, regional trauma 
  center coordinating entity, or public health entity.
      ``(b) Authorization.--From funds appropriated under section 11, the 
  Secretary shall award grants for Early Warning Infectious Disease 
  Surveillance (EWIDS) to eligible entities for infectious disease 
  surveillance activities in the United States-Mexico border area or 
  United States-Canada border area.
      ``(c) Application.--An eligible entity that desires a grant under 
  this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, 
  in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may 
  require.
      ``(d) Uses of Funds.--An eligible entity that receives a grant 
  under subsection (b) shall use the grant funds, in coordination with 
  State and local all hazards programs, to--
              ``(1) develop and implement infectious disease surveillance 
          plans and networks and public health emergency and readiness 
          assessments and preparedness plans, and purchase items 
          necessary for such plans;
              ``(2) coordinate infectious disease surveillance planning 
          and interjurisdictional risk assessments in the region with 
          appropriate United States-based agencies and organizations and 
          appropriate authorities in Mexico or Canada;
              ``(3) improve infrastructure, including surge capacity, 
          syndromic surveillance, and isolation/decontamination capacity, 
          and policy preparedness, including for mutual assistance and 
          for the sharing of information and resources;
              ``(4) improve laboratory capacity, in order to maintain and 
          enhance capability and capacity to detect potential infectious 
          disease, whether naturally occurring or the result of 
          terrorism;
              ``(5) create and maintain a health alert network, including 
          risk communication and information dissemination that is 
          culturally competent and takes into account the needs of at-
          risk populations, including individuals with disabilities;
              ``(6) educate and train clinicians, epidemiologists, 
          laboratories, and emergency management personnel;
              ``(7) implement electronic data and infrastructure 
          inventory systems to coordinate the triage, transportation, and 
          treatment of multicasualty incident victims;
              ``(8) provide infectious disease testing in the United 
          States-Mexico border area or United States-Canada border area; 
          and
              ``(9) carry out such other activities identified by the 
          Secretary, members of the Commission, members of the Council, 
          State or local public health authorities, representatives of 
          border health offices, or authorities at the United States-
          Mexico or United States-Canada borders.
  
  ``SEC. 9. PLANS, REPORTS, AUDITS, AND BY-LAWS.
  
      ``(a) Strategic Plan.--
              ``(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
          enactment of this section, and every 5 years thereafter, the 
          Commission (including the participation of members representing 
          both the United States and Mexican sections) and the Council 
          (including the participation of members representing both the 
          United States and Canada) shall each prepare a binational 
          strategic plan to guide the operations of the Commission and 
          the Council and submit such plan to the Secretary and Congress.
              ``(2) Requirements.--The binational strategic plan under 
          paragraph (1) shall include--
                      ``(A) health-related priority areas determined most 
                  important by the full membership of the Commission or 
                  Council, as applicable;
                      ``(B) recommendations for goals, objectives, 
                  strategies, and actions designed to address such 
                  priority areas; and
                      ``(C) a proposed evaluation framework with output 
                  and outcome indicators appropriate to gauge progress 
                  toward meeting the objectives and priorities of the 
                  Commission or Council, as applicable.
      ``(b) Work Plan.--Not later than January 1, 2017, and every 2 years 
  thereafter, the Commission and the Council shall develop and approve an 
  operational work plan and budget based on the strategic plan under 
  subsection (a).
      ``(c) GAO Review.--Not later than January 1, 2018, and every 2 
  years thereafter, the Comptroller General of the United States shall 
  conduct an evaluation of the activities conducted by the Commission and 
  the Council based on the operational work plans described in subsection 
  (b) for the previous year and the output and outcome indicators 
  included in the strategic plan described in subsection (a). The 
  evaluation shall include a request for written evaluations from members 
  of the Commission and the Council about barriers and facilitators to 
  executing successfully the work plans of the Commission and the 
  Council.
      ``(d) Biannual Reporting.--The Commission and Council shall each 
  issue a biannual report to the Secretary that provides independent 
  policy recommendations related to border health issues. Not later than 
  3 months following receipt of each such biannual report, the Secretary 
  shall provide to Congress the report and any studies or other materials 
  produced independently by the Commission and Council.
      ``(e) Audits.--The Secretary shall annually prepare an audited 
  financial report to account for all appropriated assets expended by the 
  Commission and Council to address both the strategic and operational 
  work plans for the year involved.
      ``(f) By-Laws.--Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment 
  of this section, the Commission and Council shall develop and approve 
  bylaws to provide fully for compliance with the requirements of this 
  section.
      ``(g) Transmittal to Congress.--The Commission and Council shall 
  submit copies of the operational work plan and by-laws to Congress. The 
  Comptroller General of the United States shall submit a copy of each 
  evaluation completed under subsection (c) to Congress.
  
  ``SEC. 10. COORDINATION.
  
      ``(a) In General.--To the extent practicable and appropriate, 
  plans, systems, and activities to be funded (or supported) under this 
  Act for all hazard preparedness, and general border health, shall be 
  coordinated with Federal, State, and local authorities in Mexico, 
  Canada, and the United States.
      ``(b) Coordination of Health Services and Surveillance.--The 
  Secretary, acting through the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and 
  Response, when appropriate, may coordinate with the Secretary of 
  Homeland Security in establishing a health alert system that--
              ``(1) alerts clinicians and public health officials of 
          emerging disease clusters and syndromes along the United 
          States-Mexico border area and United States-Canada border area; 
          and
              ``(2) warns of health threats, extreme weather conditions, 
          disasters of mass scale, bioterrorism, and other emerging 
          threats along the United States-Mexico border area and United 
          States-Canada border area.
  
  ``SEC. 11. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
  
      ``There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act 
  $7,000,000 for fiscal year 2017 and each succeeding year, subject to 
  the availability of appropriations for such purpose, of which 
  $4,650,000 shall be made available to fund operationally feasible 
  functions, activities, and grants with respect to the United States-
  Mexico border and the border health activities under cooperative 
  agreements with the border health offices of the States of California, 
  Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, and $2,350,000 shall be allocated for 
  the administration of United States activities under this Act on the 
  United States-Canada border and the border health authorities, acting 
  through the Canada-United States Pan-Border Public Health Preparedness 
  Council.''; and
              (5) in section 12 (as so redesignated)--
                      (A) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as 
                  paragraphs (4) and (6), respectively;
                      (B) by inserting after paragraph (2), the 
                  following:
              ``(3) Indians; indian tribe; tribal organization; urban 
          indian organization.--The terms `Indian', `Indian tribe', 
          `tribal organization', and `urban Indian organization' have the 
          meanings given such terms in section 4 of the Indian Health 
          Care Improvement Act (25 U.S.C. 1603).''; and
                      (C) by inserting after paragraph (4), as so 
                  redesignated, the following:
              ``(5) United states-canada border area.--The term `United 
          States-Canada border area' means the area located in the United 
          States and Canada within 100 kilometers of the border between 
          the United States and Canada.''.
target: Border Health Security Act of 2015 This bill amends the United States-Mexico Border Health Commission Act to require the commission to cooperate with the Canada-United States Pan-Border Public Health Preparedness Council and to recommend and implement initiatives that solve border health issues. Members of the commission may provide advice or recommendations to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or Congress without authorization or a request. HHS must award grants: (1) to address the priorities and recommendations of the commission and council to improve the health of border area residents, and (2) for infectious disease surveillance activities in border areas. Every five years, the commission and the council must each prepare a binational strategic plan that includes priority areas, recommendations to address these priority areas, and an evaluation framework to gauge progress. The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response may coordinate with the Department of Homeland Security in establishing a system that alerts clinicians and public health officials to emerging health threats in border areas.
feat_title: Border Health Security Act of 2015