Senate Committee Approves
BioShield, Postpones Smallpox Measure
March 21, 2003 - The Senate Health, Education, Labor
and Pension (HELP) Committee March 19 approved the portion
of Chairman Judd Gregg's (R-N.H.) bioterrorism bill (S.
15) that codifies the President's proposed "Project
BioShield," but postponed a vote on the smallpox vaccine
compensation program to address concerns raised by Ranking
Member Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.).
"Project BioShield," approved unanimously by the
committee, is designed to expand and speed up the availability
of vaccines and treatments to combat potential bioterrorism
agents. Under the plan, the federal government would provide
$6 billion over 10 years to create and produce vaccines and
treatments and would guarantee drug companies a buyer for
these products. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration
would have the authority to expedite the approval process
for vaccines and treatments and approve their use, prior to
formal approval, in the event of a bioterrorist attack.
The committee plans to reconsider the smallpox compensation
provision March 26. The compensation program, introduced March
5 by the Bush administration, would provide benefits to public
health and medical response team members who are injured as
a result of receiving the smallpox vaccine. The program would
provide $262,100 in death or disability benefits and compensate
participants for two-thirds of lost wages after they miss
five days of work for illness related to the vaccination.
Additionally, the federal government would provide compensation
to third parties who become ill from public health and medical
response team workers who have been vaccinated.
Information:
Erica Froyd, Director, Public Health and Research Legislative Affairs
AAMC Office of Governmental Relations
efroyd@aamc.org
(202) 828-0525
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