This bill, known as the PASTEUR Act of 2026, seeks to address the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance by ensuring the availability of new, life-saving antimicrobial drugs. Its core purpose is to stimulate research, development, and market access for these medicines, maintain high medical care standards, and promote national health system preparedness. The legislation establishes a program allowing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into "subscription-style" contracts with sponsors of eligible antimicrobial drugs. To qualify, a drug must target pathogens identified as urgent or serious threats by the CDC and address an unmet medical need. Applications are scored based on the drug's contributions to patient care, innovative characteristics, and benefits to health systems and public health. Sponsors receiving contracts must ensure the commercial availability and sufficient supply of the drug, track and report resistance data, and implement education strategies for appropriate use. They are also required to maintain a reliable supply chain and adhere to best manufacturing and environmental practices. Annual payments to sponsors will range from $75 million to $300 million , adjusted by net revenue, for a contract term of up to 10 years or until a generic equivalent is marketed. A Critical Need Antimicrobial Advisory Group will be established to consult on scoring methodology and other program aspects, composed of experts in infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and patient advocacy. The bill also includes provisions to encourage appropriate antimicrobial use and combat resistance. This includes a grant program for hospitals and other healthcare facilities to establish or expand antimicrobial stewardship programs, prioritizing those without existing programs or in rural areas. A pilot program will also offer grants to outpatient facilities, such as urgent care centers and retail clinics, for similar stewardship efforts. Furthermore, the bill mandates enhanced surveillance and public reporting of antimicrobial use and resistance data by the CDC, collecting information on infection trends, drug consumption, and diagnostic test usage. To fund these initiatives, the bill authorizes an appropriation of $6 billion for fiscal year 2026 , designated as an emergency requirement, with a portion allocated to support appropriate use and surveillance activities.