42 U.S.C. § 256i — Community-based collaborative care network program

(a) In general. The Secretary may award grants to eligible groups to support "community-based collaborative care networks" that meet the rules in subsection (b). (b) Community-based collaborative care networks. (1) A network is a group of health care providers, even within one organization, sharing one governing structure, that together give coordinated, integrated health care to low-income people, in a form the Secretary defines. (2) A network must include a hospital meeting the standards in section 1396r-4(b)(1) and every federally qualified health center in the community - unless that kind of provider doesn't exist locally, refuses to join, or sets unreasonable conditions on joining. (3) In choosing which networks to fund, the Secretary favors those offering the widest range of services to low-income people, including the widest range of providers who already serve many low-income patients, and those that include a county or city health department. (c) Application. (1) A qualifying network must apply to the Secretary. (2) In later years, the Secretary may renew grants for past recipients based on how well they performed. (d) Use of funds. (1) Grantees may use the money to: (A) help low-income people access and use health services, enroll in coverage programs, and find a regular primary care provider or medical home; (B) provide case management and care management; (C) do health outreach, including through neighborhood health workers; (D) provide transportation; (E) expand capacity through telehealth, after-hours, or urgent care; and (F) provide direct patient care. (2) For grantees that are also Health Resources and Services Administration grant recipients, the Secretary may cap how much grant money goes to direct care, or add other requirements. (e) Authorization of appropriations. Congress may spend whatever amount is needed to run this section, for each year from 2011 through 2015.