Congress urged to advance preparedness bill

Mar 22, 2019 - 02:39 PM
HELP committee

Nearly 70 organizations, including the AHA, today urged congressional leaders to advance the House-passed Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness & Advancing Innovation Act (H.R. 269), legislation that would reauthorize hospital and other federal emergency preparedness programs. A similar version passed the Senate Health Education, Labor & Pensions Committee last year. “The HELP and Energy & Commerce Committees have made tremendous, bipartisan progress on this important legislation, and it would be a setback for our national health security to further delay reauthorization,” the organizations wrote. “The disaster relief package being considered by Congress would be a logical vehicle for PAHPAI.” The groups express particular concern that several preparedness authorities, such as temporary reassignment of state and local personnel and provisions critical to Department of Health and Human Services contracting, have expired. “We believe that time is of the essence in reauthorizing these important authorities,” they said.

Related News Articles

Chairperson's File
Chair File: Inside the Shutdown and Other Key 2025 Priorities
Public
This week brings the fourth week of the federal government shutdown as Congress has yet to pass legislation to fund the government. This shutdown is a bit…
Headline
Shutdown continues with no significant progress toward funding deal
The government shutdown is expected to continue into next week as the Senate is expected to adjourn Oct. 23 with no plans to vote this weekend. The chamber Oct…
Headline
NETEC to award grants to 75 hospitals seeking to become Level 2 special pathogen treatment centers
The National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center announced Oct. 15 that it will award $37.5 million in grants to 75 hospitals seeking to…
Headline
Government funding bill fails 10th time in Senate as chamber adjourns until next week
The Senate Oct. 16 failed for a 10th time to advance the continuing resolution to extend government funding and end the ongoing shutdown. The chamber adjourned…
Chairperson's File
Chair File: Leadership Dialogue — Legislative Outlook and Health Care Advocacy with AHA Executive Vice President Stacey Hughes
Public
There is a saying that is very timely for our field: A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor. As we head into the final months of 2025, hospitals and health…
Headline
Shutdown expected to continue next week as Senate adjourns
The federal government shutdown is expected to continue into next week as the Senate adjourned Oct. 9 after failing to pass spending legislation; senators plan…