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Public Health Emergency Response and Accountability Act

USA117th CongressS-2467| Senate 
| Updated: 7/26/2021
Bill Cassidy

Bill Cassidy

Republican Senator

Louisiana

Cosponsors (2)
Tina Smith (Democratic)Brian Schatz (Democratic)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Public Health Emergency Response and Accountability Act This bill modifies funding mechanisms and establishes reporting requirements relating to public health emergencies that are infectious disease outbreaks, bioterrorist attacks, or disasters. Specifically, the bill establishes a formula-based funding mechanism for the Public Health Emergency Fund to automatically provide funding in the event of these types of emergencies. The amounts provided by the bill are designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (PAYGO) and the Senate PAYGO rule. (This excludes the budget effects from being counted for the purposes of enforcing the PAYGO rules.) The bill also puts in place additional reporting requirements concerning these types of public health emergencies. Upon determination of such an emergency, the Department of Health and Human Services must convene a group of federal officials to prepare monthly reports for Congress on emergency response efforts. In addition, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) must issue a report on the governmental response to such an emergency within six months of the emergency's termination. The GAO must also report on the capacity of the public health system to respond effectively to infectious disease outbreaks and how funds for public health emergencies have been expended within the last two years. Finally, the bill exempts the Public Health Emergency Fund from sequestration. (Sequestration is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals.)
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-3309
Public Health Emergency Response and Accountability Act
Jul 26, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Jul 26, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-3309
    Public Health Emergency Response and Accountability Act


  • July 26, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 26, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Health

AppropriationsChemical and biological weaponsCongressional oversightDisaster relief and insuranceEmergency medical services and trauma careEmergency planning and evacuationGovernment studies and investigationsGovernment trust fundsHealth personnelHealth programs administration and fundingHealth technology, devices, suppliesInfectious and parasitic diseasesTerrorism

Public Health Emergency Response and Accountability Act

USA117th CongressS-2467| Senate 
| Updated: 7/26/2021
Public Health Emergency Response and Accountability Act This bill modifies funding mechanisms and establishes reporting requirements relating to public health emergencies that are infectious disease outbreaks, bioterrorist attacks, or disasters. Specifically, the bill establishes a formula-based funding mechanism for the Public Health Emergency Fund to automatically provide funding in the event of these types of emergencies. The amounts provided by the bill are designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (PAYGO) and the Senate PAYGO rule. (This excludes the budget effects from being counted for the purposes of enforcing the PAYGO rules.) The bill also puts in place additional reporting requirements concerning these types of public health emergencies. Upon determination of such an emergency, the Department of Health and Human Services must convene a group of federal officials to prepare monthly reports for Congress on emergency response efforts. In addition, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) must issue a report on the governmental response to such an emergency within six months of the emergency's termination. The GAO must also report on the capacity of the public health system to respond effectively to infectious disease outbreaks and how funds for public health emergencies have been expended within the last two years. Finally, the bill exempts the Public Health Emergency Fund from sequestration. (Sequestration is a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals.)
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-3309
Public Health Emergency Response and Accountability Act
Jul 26, 2021
Introduced in Senate
Jul 26, 2021
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-3309
    Public Health Emergency Response and Accountability Act


  • July 26, 2021
    Introduced in Senate


  • July 26, 2021
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Bill Cassidy

Bill Cassidy

Republican Senator

Louisiana

Cosponsors (2)
Tina Smith (Democratic)Brian Schatz (Democratic)

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

Health

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
AppropriationsChemical and biological weaponsCongressional oversightDisaster relief and insuranceEmergency medical services and trauma careEmergency planning and evacuationGovernment studies and investigationsGovernment trust fundsHealth personnelHealth programs administration and fundingHealth technology, devices, suppliesInfectious and parasitic diseasesTerrorism