1. Short title This Act may be cited as the 21st Century Hospitals Act . 2. HHS study on hospital infrastructure (a) Study The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with State departments of health and other public health entities, shall conduct a study on the state of hospital infrastructure in the United States. (b) Topics The study under subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) An assessment of barriers to accessing capital for infrastructure at hospitals serving vulnerable populations, such as hospitals described in section 1886(d)(5)(F)(i) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395ww(d)(5)(F)(i) , relating to disproportionate share payments), sole community hospitals (as defined in section 1886(d)(5)(D)(iii) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395ww(d)(5)(F)(i) ), critical access hospitals (as defined in section 1861(mm)(1) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1395x(mm)(1) ), and public hospitals, including— (A) recommendations for addressing such barriers, which may include recommendations for grants or low-cost borrowing vehicles; (B) analysis of the impact of such barriers on managing infrastructure at such hospitals, including with respect to life-safety issues and emergency preparedness; and (C) identification of public funds that are available for— (i) bringing such hospitals into compliance with applicable laws; and (ii) ensuring that such hospitals and the communities they serve are appropriately prepared for responding to emergencies including public health emergencies. (2) An assessment of the state of health information technology at hospitals in the United States, including— (A) the state of electronic medical records and the dependence of hospitals and health systems on technology that is outdated or debunked