U.S. Sen. Richard Burr’s (R-NC) bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the nation’s all-hazards preparedness and response law to combat public health threats received approval from the full U.S. Senate on May 16.
“I am pleased my Senate colleagues joined me in supporting this legislation that ensures America’s biodefenses are ready for the public health challenges of the 21st century,” said bill sponsor Sen. Burr, who authored the original bill in 2006.
The Senate’s passage followed discharge of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing (PAHPA) Innovation Act of 2019, S. 1379, by the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, which had been considering it since Sens. Burr and Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced the bill on May 8.
The proposal is the companion bill to the same-named H.R. 269, introduced by U.S. Reps. Susan Brooks (R-IN) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA) on Jan. 8 and approved that day by the U.S. House of Representatives.
Following Senate approval of the combined versions, the bill now heads back to the House to reconcile any differences before heading to the president’s desk for signature to make it law.
“When it comes to combating pandemics or biological attacks, being prepared is everything,” Sen. Burr said. “Today, our nation has an incredible response framework that brings the private and public sectors together to address a range of public health threats, both natural and man-made. As these threats grow increasingly complex, however, it is critical that our capability to respond keeps pace.”
The original 2006 PAHPA, led by Sen. Burr and U.S. Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA), established the nation’s framework to prepare for and respond to public health threats that could result in a public health emergency. It was last reauthorized in 2013 and is slated to expire on Sept. 30.
The new measure would reauthorize PAHPA again and contains a sweeping number of provisions that would build upon its existing policies and programs.