BCHC issued recommendations to Congress on reauthorizing existing Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) programs. Our priorities include:
- Reauthorize the Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Hospital Preparedness Program Cooperative-Agreements at levels commensurate with FY2002;
- Reauthorize temporary reassignment of federally funded staff in the event of an emergency and modifications to the provision to provide flexibility so local health departments and federal agencies may issue and receive temporary reassignments;
- Reauthorize the Presidential Advisory Council on Combatting Antibiotic-Resistance Bacteria to coordinate federal activities to address antimicrobial resistance;
- Authorize the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response as an operating division within HHS to give it more authority over its preparedness and response mission;
- Continued focus on cybersecurity threats particularly as it pertains to public health data and entities;
- Reauthorize the Strategic National Stockpile as a critical resource;
- Authorize separate programs and budget lines for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority;
- Grants for STLT Governmental Public Health Agencies, and;
- Reauthorize and create a funding mechanism for the Public Health Emergency Fund.
