Bioterrorism Preparedness
Authorization Legislation
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Related Resources
AAMC Documents
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The president signed the bioterrorism bill into law (P.L.
107-188) on June 12 after the House and Senate approved the
conference report (H. Rpt. 107-481) on May 22 and May 23,
respectively. The report reconciles the differences between
the original bioterrorism bills (S. 1765 and H.R. 3448), passed
in December.
The $4.6 billion bill includes $1.15 billion for stockpiling
vaccines and antibiotics, authorizes the increased protection
of the food supply, and establishes new federal oversight
of drinking water treatment plants. Conferees reached compromise
on other issues:
- $1.6 billion is authorized for state grants in FY 2003,
with $520 million set aside for hospital preparedness. Such
sums as necessary are authorized through 2006. Additionally,
a new hospital and community preparedness program is authorized
for 2004-2006 that establishes grants to partnerships of
hospitals and state or local governments.
- Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will create
and biennially review a list of biological agents or toxins
that pose a threat to public health and safety.
- Persons handling restricted biological agents or toxins
must register with the HHS Secretary, who will submit names
to the Attorney General for background checks. A new provision
allows for appeals of adverse decisions of the Attorney
General. The Secretary will maintain a database of all registered
persons and toxins.
- $300 million is authorized for the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention to upgrade its scientific equipment
and laboratories.
- HHS may award grants to health professions schools and
programs to relieve shortages of health professionals to
prepare for bioterrorism or another public health emergency.
Also included in the final bill was a provision that makes
it a federal criminal offense to cause the disruption of,
or physical damage to, facilities that use animals for research
purposes. Conspiring to commit such activities will also be
a federal criminal offense. It establishes penalties for such
criminal offenses and authorizes restitution for economic
damage resulting from the loss.
Included as an amendment to the conference report was the
reauthorization of the Prescription Drug User Fees Act (PDUFA),
which was set to expire in September. PDUFA enables the Food
and Drug Administration to use fees imposed on the pharmaceutical
companies to expedite the testing of new drugs. User fees
for medical devices were considered during the conference,
but were not included in the final report.
Contact
Erica Froyd, Director, Public Health and Research Legislative Affairs
AAMC Office of Governmental Relations
efroyd@aamc.org
(202) 828-0525
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