; or (2) funds designated for capital expenditures for operating expenditures. (d) Payments for special projects (1) In general The Secretary shall allocate to each regional director, from amounts made available for special projects pursuant to section 601(a)(2)(C), such sums determined appropriate by the Secretary for purposes of funding projects described in such section, including the construction, renovation, or staffing of health care facilities in rural, underserved, or health professional or medical shortage areas within such region and to address health disparities, including racial, ethnic, national origin, primary language use, age, disability, sex, including gender identity and sexual orientation, geography, or socioeconomic health disparities. Each regional director shall, prior to distributing such funds in accordance with paragraph (2), present a budget describing how such funds will be distributed to the Secretary. (2) Distribution A regional director shall distribute funds to providers operating in the region of such director’s jurisdiction in a manner determined appropriate by the director. (e) Prohibition on financial incentive metrics in payment determinations The Secretary may not utilize any quality metrics or standards for the purposes of establishing provider payment methodologies, programs, modifiers, or adjustments for provider payments under this title. 616. Office of Health Equity Title XVII of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 300u et seq. ) is amended by adding at the end the following: 1712. Office of Health Equity (a) In general There is established, in the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services, an Office of Health Equity, to be headed by a Director, to ensure coordination and collaboration across the programs and activities of the Department of Health and Human Services with respect to ensuring health equity. (b) Monitoring, tracking, and availability of data (1) In general In carrying out subsection (a), the Director of the Office of Health Equity shall