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Implementation Date Nears for HHS Emergency Preparedness (EP) Rule [September 15, 2017]
"On November 16, 2017, many U.S. health care entities will be expected to fully comply with new federal emergency preparedness requirements. Emergency Preparedness Requirements for Medicare and Medicaid Participating Providers and Suppliers (the 'EP Rule'), issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), became effective November 16, 2016. In the 2013 proposed rule, CMS said it had concluded that 'the current regulatory patchwork of federal, state, and local laws and guidelines, combined with the various accrediting organization emergency preparedness standards, falls far short of what is needed to require that health care providers and suppliers be adequately prepared for a disaster.' Where federal requirements apply, they may be outmoded, lack sufficient depth, or be inconsistent across facility types."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lister, Sarah A.
2017-09-15
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FY2015 Funding to Counter Ebola and the Islamic State (IS) [Updated March 18, 2015]
From the Summary: "In 2014, two major global threats--the Ebola outbreak in West Africa and the Islamic State (IS) in the Middle East--caused serious concern within the Obama Administration and among Members of Congress. In November 2014, the President requested a total of $11.7 billion for responding to the Ebola crisis and combatting the Islamic State. [...] Both the Ebola and IS requests designated budget authority as either an emergency requirement or Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on Terrorism (OCO/GWOT). Funds designated in this manner would effectively not be subject to the discretionary spending limits established by the Budget Control Act, 2011, as amended (P.L. 112-25), and could, therefore, increase the deficit."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Epstein, Susan B.; Belasco, Amy; Lister, Sarah A. . . .
2015-03-18
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Measles Outbreaks, Vaccine Hesitancy, and Federal Policy Options [Updated June 3, 2019]
From the Document: "As of May 31, 2019, 981 cases of measles across 26 U.S. states have been reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)--the highest annual number of measles cases since 1992 (with no deaths reported)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Sekar, Kavya; Lister, Sarah A.
2019-06-03
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Overview of U.S. Domestic Response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) [Updated March 2, 2020]
From the Background: "This report discusses selected actions taken by the U.S. federal government to quell the introduction and spread of COVID-19 [coronavirus disease 2019] in the United States. The President, the HHS [Health and Human Services] Secretary, and other federal officials have taken several specific actions to address this threat. While some of these actions are based in generally applicable authorities, others may be contingent upon the Secretary or another federal official making a determination or declaration, specific to that action, regarding the existence of a public health emergency or threat. Key actions and their legal basis are discussed in this report."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lister, Sarah A.; Sekar, Kavya; Dabrowska, Agata . . .
2020-03-02
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Overview of U.S. Domestic Response to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) [February 10, 2020]
From the Background: "This report discusses selected actions taken by the federal government to quell the introduction and spread of 2019-nCoV [2019 Novel Coronavirus] in the United States. The HHS [U.S. Department of Health and Human Services] Secretary has taken several specific actions to address the 2019-nCoV threat. While some of these actions are based in generally applicable authorities of the Secretary, other authorities may be contingent upon the Secretary or another federal official making a determination or declaration, specific to that authority, regarding the existence of a public health emergency or threat. Each of the actions taken by the Secretary, its statutory basis, and any distinct declarations and determinations supporting the action is presented in this report."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lister, Sarah A.; Sekar, Kavya; Dabrowska, Agata . . .
2020-02-10
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Another Coronavirus Emerges: U.S. Domestic Response to 2019-nCoV [January 29, 2020]
From the Document: "On December 31, 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) was informed of a cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China. Illnesses have since been linked to a previously unidentified strain of coronavirus, designated 2019 novel Coronavirus, or 2019-nCoV. To date, thousands have been infected, mostly in China, and over 100 have died. The disease has spread to several other countries, including the United States. As the scope of the epidemic widened in China, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated on January 27, 2020, that 'the immediate health risk from the new virus to the general American public is low currently.' With the situation rapidly changing, both WHO and CDC post frequent updates."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lister, Sarah A.; Sekar, Kavya
2020-01-29
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Department of Homeland Security: FY2015 Appropriations [Updated June 2, 2015]
From the Document: "This report describes and analyzes the discretionary appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for fiscal year 2015 (FY2015). It compares the President's request for FY2015 funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the enacted FY2014 appropriations for DHS, the House- and Senate-reported homeland security appropriations measures for FY2015, and the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2015 (P.L. 114-4)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Painter, William L.; Schwemle, Barbara L.; Bjelopera, Jerome P. . . .
2015-06-02
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Department of Homeland Security: FY2013 Appropriations [Updated June 21, 2013]
From the Document: "This report presents an analysis of the discretionary appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for fiscal year 2013 (FY2013). It compares the President's request for FY2013 funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the enacted FY2012 appropriations for DHS, the House-passed and Senate-reported DHS appropriations legislation for FY2013, and the final DHS appropriations legislation included in Division D of P.L. 113-6. It tracks legislative action and congressional issues related to these bills with particular attention paid to discretionary funding amounts. The report does not provide indepth analysis of specific issues related to mandatory funding--such as retirement pay--nor does the report systematically follow any other legislation related to the authorization or amendment of DHS programs, activities, or fee revenues."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Painter, William L.; Schwemle, Barbara L.; Bjelopera, Jerome P. . . .
2013-06-21
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Public Health and Medical Response to Disasters: Federal Authority and Funding [Updated April 29, 2009]
From the Summary: "When there is a catastrophe in the United States, state and local governments lead response activities, invoking state and local legal authorities to support them. When state and local response capabilities are overwhelmed, the President, acting through the Secretary of Homeland Security, can provide assistance to stricken communities, individuals, governments, and not-for-profit groups to assist in response and recovery. Aid is provided under the authority of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the Stafford Act) upon a presidential declaration. The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) also has both standing and emergency authorities in the Public Health Service Act, by which he or she can provide assistance in response to public health and medical emergencies. At this time, however, the Secretary of HHS has limited means to finance activities that are ineligible, for whatever reason, for Stafford Act assistance. [...] This report examines, with respect to public health and medical incidents, (1) the authorities and coordinating mechanisms of the President and the Secretary of HHS in providing routine assistance, and assistance pursuant to the Stafford Act and/or the Public Health Service Act; (2) mechanisms to assure a coordinated federal response to these incidents, and overlaps or gaps in agency responsibilities; and (3) existing mechanisms, potential gaps, and proposals to fund the costs of a response to public health and medical incidents."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lister, Sarah A.
2009-04-29
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Potential Policy Implications of the House Reconciliation Bill (H.R. 3762) [November 13, 2015]
"The FY2016 budget resolution (S.Con.Res. 11) established the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2016 and set forth budgetary levels for FY2017-FY2025. It also included reconciliation instructions for House and Senate committees to submit changes in laws to reduce the federal deficit to their respective budget committees. On October 23, 2015, the House Budget Committee marked up a reconciliation bill containing provisions submitted by three committees--Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Education and the Workforce--pursuant to the reconciliation instructions included in the FY2016 budget resolution. The House reconciliation bill--H.R. 3762, the Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015--would repeal several provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA; P.L. 111-148, as amended). These provisions are as follows: [1] the individual mandate; [2] the employer mandate; [3] the excise tax on high-cost employer-sponsored coverage (the Cadillac tax); [4] the medical device tax; [5] the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB); [6] the auto-enrollment requirement for large employers; and [7] the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF). […] The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) estimate that the House reconciliation bill would reduce federal deficits by $78.1 billion over the 2016-2025 period. This report provides background on the reconciliation process and summarizes the provisions in H.R. 3762, including their projected budgetary impact. It then briefly examines some of the bill's policy implications. The report will be updated as necessary to reflect key legislative developments."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mach, Annie L.; Heisler, Elayne J., 1976-; Lister, Sarah A. . . .
2015-11-13
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Potential Policy Implications of the House Reconciliation Bill (H.R. 3762) [November 10, 2015]
From the Introduction: "On October 23, 2015, the House passed a reconciliation bill containing provisions submitted by three committees--Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Education and Workforce--pursuant to reconciliation instructions included in the FY2016 budget resolution (S.Con.Res. 11). The bill, the Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act of 2015 (H.R. 3762), would repeal several provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA; P.L. 111-148, as amended). It would also restrict federal funding for the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and its affiliates and clinics for a period of one year. This report provides background on the reconciliation process and summarizes the provisions in H.R. 3762, including their projected budgetary impact. It then briefly examines the bill's policy implications. The report will be updated as necessary to reflect key legislative developments."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Mach, Annie L.; Heisler, Elayne J., 1976-; Lister, Sarah A. . . .
2015-11-10
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Zika Response Funding: Request and Congressional Action [September 30, 2016]
"The second session of the 114th Congress has considered whether and how to provide funds to control the spread of the Zika virus throughout the Americas. Zika infection, which is primarily spread by Aedes mosquitoes and sexual contact, has been linked to birth defects and other health concerns. Local transmission of the virus has occurred in Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Florida. [...] This report tracks administrative and congressional action on FY2016 supplemental funding to address the Zika virus. This report incorporates all information from CRS [Congressional Research Service] Report R44549, Supplemental Appropriations for Zika Response: The FY2016 Conference Agreement in Brief with no substantive changes."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Epstein, Susan B.; Lister, Sarah A.
2016-09-30
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Zika Response Funding: Request and Congressional Action [September 1, 2016]
"The second session of the 114th Congress is considering whether and how to provide funds to control the spread of the Zika virus throughout the Americas. Zika infection, which is primarily spread by Aedes mosquitoes and sexual contact, has been linked to birth defects and other health concerns. Local transmission of the virus has occurred in Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Florida. […] A conference agreement to provide $1.1 billion in Zika response funding (H.Rept. 114-640, to accompany H.R. 2577) was filed on June 22 and agreed to by the House on June 23. Amounts to HHS and Department of State/USAID are generally similar to those in the Senate proposal. However, other aspects of the agreement have been the subject of some controversy. […] On August 11, 2016, the Administration reprogrammed $81 million within HHS to continue funding for Zika vaccine efforts. Congress could continue to consider the issue of funding for Zika response during the remainder of the 114th Congress in the context of H.R. 2577, or through the consideration of appropriations associated with other legislative vehicles. This report tracks administrative and congressional action on FY2016 supplemental funding to address the Zika virus. It will be updated as changes occur. This report incorporates all information from CRS Report R44549, Supplemental Appropriations for Zika Response: The FY2016 Conference Agreement in Brief, with no substantive changes. That CRS report is no longer available. Updates of this CRS report will be forthcoming as details become available."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Epstein, Susan B.; Lister, Sarah A.
2016-09-01
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Zika Response Funding: Request and Congressional Action [June 2, 2016]
"In its second session, the 114th Congress is considering whether and how to provide funds to control the spread of the Zika virus throughout the Americas. Zika infection, primarily spread by Aedes mosquitoes, has been linked to severe birth defects and other health concerns. Local transmission of the Zika virus has occurred in American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and transmission is expected on the U.S. mainland this summer, in areas where Aedes mosquitoes are present.
Federal efforts to address the outbreak include research on the infection and its effects, mosquito control measures, and efforts to develop a vaccine. The public health focus, both domestically and elsewhere in the Americas, is to protect pregnant women from infection and prevent birth defects. Administration officials and some in Congress are concerned about the resources needed to prevent widespread Zika infections as the Northern Hemisphere summer approaches.
This report presents the Administration's request for supplemental appropriations for the Zika response, supplemental appropriations measures that have received congressional action, and information about unobligated Ebola supplemental funds as of January 1, 2016 (the most recent publicly available). Updates will be forthcoming as details become available."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Epstein, Susan B.; Lister, Sarah A.
2016-06-02
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Zika Response Funding: Request and Congressional Action [May 20, 2016]
From this CRS report, "The second session of the 114th Congress is considering whether and how to provide funds to control the spread of the Zika virus throughout the Americas. Zika infection, primarily spread by 'Aedes' mosquitoes, has been linked to severe birth defects and other health concerns. Local transmission of the Zika virus has occurred in American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and is expected on the U.S. mainland this summer, in areas where 'Aedes' mosquitoes are present. […]This report will identify the various Zika response funding options and track legislation in the 114th Congress."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Epstein, Susan B.; Lister, Sarah A.
2016-05-20
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Zika Response Funding: In Brief [ April 28, 2016]
"In its second session, the 114th Congress is considering whether and how to provide funds to control the spread of the Zika virus throughout South and Central America. Zika infection, primarily spread by Aedes mosquitoes, has been linked to severe birth defects and other health concerns. Local transmission of the Zika virus has occurred in American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and transmission is expected on the U.S. mainland this summer, in areas where Aedes mosquitoes are present.1
Federal efforts to address the outbreak include research on the infection and its effects, mosquito control measures, and efforts to develop a vaccine. The public health focus, both domestically and elsewhere in the Americas, is to protect pregnant women from infection and prevent birth defects. Administration officials and some in Congress are concerned about the resources needed to prevent widespread Zika infections as the Northern Hemisphere summer approaches. On February 8, 2016, the Obama Administration submitted a request for more than $1.89 billion in supplemental funding to respond to the Zika epidemic, all of which is requested as emergency FY2016 discretionary appropriations, and therefore effectively exempt from spending limits in the Budget Control Act of 2011 (BCA, P.L. 112-25).2 The Administration's request includes $1.509 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), $335 million for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and $41 million for the Department of State."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Epstein, Susan B.; Lister, Sarah A.
2016-04-28
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Zika Response Funding: In Brief [April 14, 2016]
"In its second session, the 114th Congress is considering whether and how to provide funds to control the spread of the Zika virus throughout South and Central America. Zika infection, primarily spread by Aedes mosquitoes, has been linked to severe birth defects and other health concerns. Local transmission of the Zika virus has occurred in American Samoa, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and transmission is expected on the U.S. mainland this summer, in areas where Aedes mosquitoes are present. Federal efforts to address the outbreak include research on the infection and its effects, mosquito control measures, and efforts to develop a vaccine. The public health focus, both domestically and elsewhere in the Americas, is to protect pregnant women from infection and prevent birth defects. Administration officials and some in Congress are concerned about the resources needed to prevent widespread Zika infections as the Northern Hemisphere summer approaches."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Epstein, Susan B.; Lister, Sarah A.
2016-04-14
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U.S. National Health Security: Homeland Security Issues in the 116th Congress [February 11, 2019]
"U.S. National Health Security actions protect the nation's physical and psychological health, limit economic losses, and preserve confidence in government and the national will to pursue its interests when threatened by incidents that result in serious health consequences whether natural, accidental, or deliberate. The strategy aims to ensure the resilience of the nation's public health and health care systems against potential threats, including natural disasters and human-caused incidents, emerging and pandemic infectious diseases, acts of terrorism, and potentially catastrophic risks posed by nation-state actors."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lister, Sarah A.
2019-02-11
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Division A of H.R. 3922: The Championing Healthy Kids Act [November 07, 2017]
"On October 30, 2017, the House Rules Committee posted an amendment in the nature of a substitute for the Community Health And Medical Professionals Improve Our Nation Act of 2017 (CHAMPION Act, H.R. 3922). [...] The amendment in the nature of a substitute is entitled the Continuing Community Health And Medical Professional Programs to Improve Our Nation, Increase National Gains, and Help Ensure Access for Little Ones, Toddlers, and Hopeful Youth by Keeping Insurance Delivery Stable Act of 2017 (CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Act). In revising the language of the CHAMPION Act, the CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Act includes revised language for the CHAMPION Act in Division A. Division A would extend funding for several public health programs that had received directed appropriations through FY2017. It would also make a number of changes to these programs and would provide offsets for the proposed funding extensions. Division B of this act would, among other things, extend funding for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). [...] This report summarizes provisions in Division A of the CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Act. CRS Report R44989, 'Comparison of the Bills to Extend State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Funding', summarizes provisions in Division B."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Heisler, Elayne J., 1976-; Fernandes-Alcantara, Adrienne L.; Fernandez, Bernadette . . .
2017-11-07
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Public Health and Other Related Provisions in P.L 115-271, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act [December 3, 2018]
"On October 24, 2018, President Donald J. Trump signed into law H.R. 6, the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment for Patients and Communities Act (P.L. 115-271; SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act, or the SUPPORT Act). The final agreement on the bill was approved by the House 393-8 on September 28, 2018, and cleared by the Senate by a vote of 98-1 on October 3, 2018. Over the past several years, there has been growing concern among the public and lawmakers in the United States about rising drug overdose deaths. Opioid overdose deaths, in particular, have increased significantly in the past 15 years. In 2015, an estimated 33,091 Americans died of opioid-related overdoses. Provisional data for 2017 estimate 49,068 deaths involving opioids, representing a fourfold increase over 2002 during the beginning of the epidemic. In October of 2017, President Trump declared the opioid epidemic a national public health emergency."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Heisler, Elayne J., 1976-; Duff, Johnathan H.; Bradley, David H. . . .
2018-12-03
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Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (S. 3678): Provisions and Comparison with Current Law and Related Proposals [Updated January 25, 2007]
"Authorities to direct federal preparedness for and response to public health emergencies are found principally in the Public Health Service Act (PHS Act). Two recent laws provided the core of these authorities: P.L. 106-505, the Public Health Threats and Emergencies Act of 2000 (Title I of the Public Health Improvement Act), and P.L. 107-188, the Public Health Security and Bio-terrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002, which reauthorized several existing authorities and created new ones in the aftermath of the 2001 terror attacks. Authority for a number of preparedness and response programs in the PHS Act expires at the end of FY2006, and the 109th Congress is considering re-authorization. Expiring authorities include the position of the Assistant Secretary for Public Health Emergency Preparedness, grants to states to build public health and hospital capacity, and the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS), a national system of medical response teams. Several bills pending in the 109th Congress would address federal leadership for public health and medical preparedness and response, extend authority for certain expiring programs in the PHS Act, or both. These include S. 3678 and S. 3721, both reported in the Senate, and H.R. 5438, reported by the House Energy and Commerce Committee and pending before the House Homeland Security Committee. S. 3678 would extend a number of expiring provisions in the PHS Act. S. 3721, while focused on amending provisions in the Homeland Security Act of 2002, also contains provisions regarding authority and coordination for public health and medical response, as does H.R. 5438. In addition, P.L. 109-295, DHS appropriations for FY2077, signed on October 4, 2006, transferred NDMS from DHS to HHS, effective January 1, 2007."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lister, Sarah A.
2007-01-25
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Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (S. 3678): Provisions and Comparison with Current Law and Related Proposals [Updated August 4, 2006]
"Authorities to direct federal preparedness for and response to public health emergencies are found principally in the Public Health Service Act (PHS Act). Two recent laws provided the core of these authorities: P.L. 106-505, the Public Health Threats and Emergencies Act of 2000 (Title I of the Public Health Improvement Act), and P.L. 107-188, the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002, which reauthorized several existing authorities and created new ones in the aftermath of the 2001 terror attacks. The laws above built upon existing broad authorities allowing or requiring the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to prepare for or respond to outbreaks of infectious disease and other unanticipated health threats. Other laws - such as those creating a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and a program (Project BioShield) to encourage the development of specific countermeasures that would not otherwise have a commercial market - have added to the federal government's slate of preparedness and response authorities as well. Further, the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the Stafford Act, administered by DHS), which authorizes federal assistance and other activities in response to presidentially declared emergencies and major disasters, is also, to some extent, a source of federal authority for the response to public health threats."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lister, Sarah A.
2006-08-04
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Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (S. 3678): Provisions and Comparison with Current Law and Related Proposals [Updated October 10, 2006]
"Authorities to direct federal preparedness for and response to public health emergencies are found principally in the Public Health Service Act (PHS Act). Two recent laws provided the core of these authorities: P.L. 106-505, the Public Health Threats and Emergencies Act of 2000 (Title I of the Public Health Improvement Act), and P.L. 107-188, the Public Health Security and Bio-terrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002, which reauthorized several existing authorities and created new ones in the aftermath of the 2001 terror attacks. Authority for a number of preparedness and response programs in the PHS Act expires at the end of FY2006, and the 109th Congress is considering re-authorization. Expiring authorities include the position of the Assistant Secretary for Public Health Emergency Preparedness, grants to states to build public health and hospital capacity, and the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS), a national system of medical response teams. Several bills pending in the 109th Congress would address federal leadership for public health and medical preparedness and response, extend authority for certain expiring programs in the PHS Act, or both. These include S. 3678 and S. 3721, both reported in the Senate, and H.R. 5438, reported by the House Energy and Commerce Committee and pending before the House Homeland Security Committee. S. 3678 would extend a number of expiring provisions in the PHS Act. S. 3721, while focused on amending provisions in the Homeland Security Act of 2002, also contains provisions regarding authority and coordination for public health and medical response, as does H.R. 5438. In addition, P.L. 109-295, DHS appropriations for FY2077, signed on October 4, 2006, transferred NDMS from DHS to HHS, effective January 1, 2007."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lister, Sarah A.
2006-10-10
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Food Safety in the 111th Congress: H.R. 2749 and S. 510 [December 1, 2010]
The combined efforts of the food industry and government regulatory agencies often are credited with making the U.S. food supply among the safest in the world. Nonetheless, public health officials have estimated that each year in the United States, many millions of people become sick and thousands die from foodborne illnesses caused by any of a number of microbial pathogens and other contaminants. At issue is whether the current food safety system has the resources, authority, and structural organization to safeguard the health of American consumers, who spend more than $1 trillion on food each year. Also at issue is whether federal food safety laws, first enacted in the early 1900s, have kept pace with the significant changes that have occurred in the food production, processing, and marketing sectors since then. [...] This CRS [Congressional Research Service] report discusses several recent food safety incidents and the systemic food safety problems that they illustrate. It also describes the existing food safety legal and regulatory landscape and presents an overview of efforts by the 111th Congress to revise federal food safety authorities and activities, principally at FDA [Food and Drug Administration]. The two bills discussed are those that have passed in the House--H.R. 2749, the Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009--and in the Senate--S. 510, the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. This report also presents a number of selected food safety issues, describing how they are addressed in current law and regulation, and comparing their treatment in each of the bills. Finally, appendixes provide a crosswalk of all provisions in H.R. 2749 and S. 510, followed by a side-by-side comparison of all of these provisions with each other and with current law.
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lister, Sarah A.; Williams, Erin D.; Johnson, Renée
2010-12-01
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Pandemic Influenza: Domestic Preparedness Efforts [Updated February 20, 2007]
From the Introduction: "This report discusses pandemic influenza in general, previous pandemics and their global and domestic impacts, and the possible impacts of another pandemic caused by the H5N1 avian flu strain. It also discusses WHO [World Health Organization] and U.S. preparedness plans and their context in broader emergency preparedness efforts. Finally, the report looks at a number of policy issues in pandemic influenza preparedness and response. While reference is made when relevant to global preparedness efforts and to animal health impacts, this report focuses on U.S. domestic public health preparedness and response planning, and the projected impacts of an influenza pandemic on Americans."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lister, Sarah A.
2007-02-20
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ACA Prevention and Public Health Fund: In Brief [June 9, 2017]
"Section 4002 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA, P.L. 111-148, as amended) established the Prevention and Public Health Fund (PPHF, or 'the Fund') and funded it with a permanent annual appropriation to be administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). The PPHF authority directs the HHS Secretary to transfer amounts from the Fund to HHS agencies for prevention, wellness, and public health activities. [...] The Trump Administration budget proposal for FY2018 would transfer $841 million of the $900 million available to the CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]. The remaining $60 million reflects sequestration. No additional HHS agencies are proposed to receive PPHF funds for FY2018. If PPHF funds were to become unavailable, additional appropriations would be needed to sustain programmatic activities at the levels provided in recent Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS) appropriations acts. [...] The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has estimated the budgetary effects of PPHF repeal as proposed by House-passed H.R. 1628.14 CBO estimated budget authority over the 10-year period of FY2017-FY2026 at $12.0 billion, the sum of annual appropriations to the Fund for those years. It estimated outlays (i.e., the amount that would potentially be saved by the repeal) of $8.8 billion for the same period."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lister, Sarah A.
2017-06-09
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Discretionary Spending Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) [February 8, 2017]
From the Document: "The Affordable Care Act (ACA) authorized many new discretionary grant programs and provided each one with an authorization of appropriations-typically through FY2014 or FY2015-to carry them out. The ACA also reauthorized funding for numerous existing programs with expired authorizations of appropriations, most of which were still receiving annual funding. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that fully funding the discretionary grant programs authorized (or reauthorized) by the ACA, based on the amounts specified in the authorizations of appropriations, would result in appropriations of almost $100 billion over the period FY2012-FY2021. However, the total amount of discretionary funding provided to date falls well below CBO's estimate for two reasons. First, few of the new grant programs authorized by the ACA have received any discretionary appropriations. Second, programs that were reauthorized by the ACA generally have received discretionary appropriations at levels well below the amounts authorized in the law."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Redhead, C. Stephen; Colello, Kirsten J.; Heisler, Elayne J., 1976- . . .
2017-02-08
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Congressional Considerations Related to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma [September 08, 2017]
"This Insight provides a short overview of issues Congress may consider in relation to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. It is not intended to provide up-to-date information on unfolding events. For storm-related updates and the current status of response efforts, see official government sources (e.g., Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and National Weather Service), congressional advisories from government sources, and/or news media [...] As of noon on September 8, in response to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, President Trump has issued major disaster declarations for Texas and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and emergency declarations for Florida, Louisiana, Puerto Rico, and South Carolina through the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (the Stafford Act). Depending on future consequences, major disaster declarations could yet be made for those areas that have already received emergency declarations. These declarations can also be further amended, as has happened for the Texas declaration, to add counties and types of assistance as warranted. The President has also amended the Texas declaration to decrease the state cost share requirements for some of FEMA's Public Assistance (PA) grants being provided through the Stafford Act."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Brown, Jared T.; Carter, Nicole T.; Horn, Diane P. . . .
2017-09-08
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Discretionary Spending Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) [July 16, 2014]
From the Document: "Among the provisions that are intended to strengthen the nation's health care safety net and improve access to care, the ACA permanently reauthorized the federal health centers program and the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). The NHSC provides scholarships and student loan repayments to individuals who agree to a period of service as a primary care provider in a federally designated Health Professional Shortage Area. In addition, the ACA addressed concerns about the current size, specialty mix, and geographic distribution of the health care workforce. It reauthorized and expanded existing health workforce education and training programs under Titles VII and VIII of the Public Health Service Act (PHSA). Title VII supports the education and training of physicians, dentists, physician assistants, and public health workers through grants, scholarships, and loan repayment. The ACA created several new programs to increase training experiences in primary care, in rural areas, and in community-based settings, and provided training opportunities to increase the supply of pediatric subspecialists and geriatricians. It also expanded the nursing workforce development programs authorized under PHSA Title VIII."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Redhead, C. Stephen; Colello, Kirsten J.; Heisler, Elayne J., 1976- . . .
2014-07-16
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Ebola: Basics About the Disease [October 3, 2014]
"In March 2014, global health officials recognized an outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in Guinea, West Africa. In retrospect, officials determined that the outbreak began in December 2013, and spread to the adjacent countries of Liberia and Sierra Leone. In September 2014, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the first EVD case diagnosed in the United States, heightening concerns among some who fear the disease could spread in American communities. This report discusses EVD in general, including symptoms, modes of transmission, incubation period, and treatments; presents projections of the future course of the outbreak; and lists additional CRS [Congressional Research Service] products, including products focused on the situation in West Africa. Unless otherwise cited, information in this report is drawn from Ebola information pages of CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO)."
Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service
Lister, Sarah A.
2014-10-03