Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act of 2013
The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act of 2013 (Pub. L. 113–5 (text) (PDF), H.R. 307, enacted March 13, 2013) is a law enacted by the 113th United States Congress. The Act amends the Public Health Service Act in order to extend, fund, and improve several programs designed to prepare the United States and health professionals in the event of a pandemic, epidemic, or biological, chemical, radiological, or nuclear accident or attack. The Act clarifies the authority of different American officials, makes it easier to temporarily reassign personnel to respond to emergency situations, and alters the process for testing and producing medical countermeasures. The Act is focused on improving preparedness for any public health emergency.
Long title
An act to reauthorize certain programs under the Public Health Service Act and the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act with respect to public health security and all-hazards preparedness and response, and for other purposes.
Background[edit]
The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act (PAHPRA) of 2013 is a follow-up bill to both the Project Bioshield Act of 2004 and the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act of 2006. These acts were focused on preparing the country to deal with possible Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) attacks, a high-profile concern in the wake of the September 11 attacks.[1] During the 112th United States Congress, the House voted to pass the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act of 2011 (H.R. 2405) in a lame duck session, but the bill did not pass in the Senate and never became law.[2] One doctor also argued that the bill was important because it would help doctors deal with critical patients in the event of natural disasters as well as CBRN attacks.[3]
Congressional Budget Office report[edit]
This summary is based largely on the summary provided by the Congressional Budget Office about H.R. 307 as reported by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on February 14, 2013. The CBO is a public domain source.[5]
Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act of 2013 amends the Public Health Service Act and the United States Code to authorize funding for certain activities carried out by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that would support the readiness of the public health system to address public health and medical emergencies.[5]
Based on information provided by the HHS and the VA, the CBO estimates that implementing the act would cost about $11 billion over the 2014-2018 period, assuming the appropriation of the authorized amounts. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012, included funding totaling about $2 billion in fiscal year 2012 for activities similar to those that would be authorized by H.R. 307. The CBO assumes that amounts appropriated through the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2013, for those activities are similar to 2012 levels.[5]
H.R. 307 also changes the terms for Project Bioshield contracts, which would result in a change in direct spending. Assuming H.R. 307 is enacted this spring, it would decrease direct spending by $58 million over the 2013-2018 period, but would result in no net change in direct spending over the 2013-2023 period. Because the legislation would affect direct spending, pay-as-you-go procedures apply. Enacting H.R. 307 would not affect revenues.[5]
H.R. 307 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA).[5]
Procedural history[edit]
House of Representatives[edit]
The Bill was introduced into the House of Representatives on January 18, 2013.[6] It was sponsored by Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI) and had five original co-sponsors. The Bill was immediately referred to the United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce, the United States House Energy Subcommittee on Health, and the United States House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.[7] On January 22, 2013, the Bill was considered on the House floor, where it was then voted on after a motion to suspend the rules and pass the Bill. The Bill then passed with a vote of 395-29 as Roll Call 24.
Senate[edit]
The Bill was received by the Senate on January 23, 2013.[6] It was referred to the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. On February 14, 2013, the Bill was reported out of Committee "with an amendment in the nature of a substitute".[7] The Senate passed the Bill on February 27, 2013, with Unanimous Consent.
Second vote in the House[edit]
Due to the Senate's amendment, it was necessary to vote on the Bill again in the House of Representatives. The amendment was briefly considered on the floor on March 4, 2013. That evening, the Bill again passed the House, with the Senate amendment this time, under a suspension of the rules.[7] The vote, Roll Call 56, was 370–28.
Presidential signature[edit]
The Bill was presented to President of the United States Barack Obama on March 5, 2013.[7] He signed it into law on March 13, 2013, whereupon it became Public Law 113–5.[8]
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Government.