Authorization of appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2019 through 2023. 3403. Research on cultural and language competence (a) In general The Secretary, acting through the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, shall expand research concerning language access in the provision of health care services. (b) Eligibility The Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality may conduct the research described in subsection (a) or enter into contracts with other individuals or organizations to conduct such research. (c) Use of funds Research conducted under this section shall be designed to do one or more of the following: (1) To identify the barriers to mental and behavioral services that are faced by individuals with limited-English proficiency. (2) To identify health care providers’ and health administrators’ attitudes, knowledge, and awareness of the barriers to quality health care services that are faced by individuals with limited-English proficiency. (3) To identify optimal approaches for delivering language access. (4) To identify best practices for data collection, including— (A) the collection by providers of health care services and health-care-related services of data on the race, ethnicity, and primary language of recipients of such services, taking into account existing research conducted by the Government or private sector