Bill Overview
Title: National Public Health Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to take a series of actions relating to the impact of certain products on public health. Specifically, HHS must (1) contract with the National Academy of Medicine, or a similar entity, to develop a list of public health crises; (2) develop a list of products that have a specified fiscal impact on the national public health system; and (3) require manufacturers of such products to develop and implement a plan to mitigate the effects of the products on public health.
Sponsors: Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-11]
Target Audience
Population: People impacted by public health policies and products
Estimated Size: 334233854
- The bill requires HHS to contract with entities to identify public health crises, which implies potential changes in public health focus that could affect medical professionals and public health administrators.
- The list of products that impact public health could include a wide range of consumer goods, impacting both producers and consumers nationwide.
- Manufacturers of products identified as having a fiscal impact on public health will be required to take action, affecting their operations and potentially their workforce.
- Consumers who use products that are identified on the developed list might face changes such as increased prices or reduced availability.
- Public health systems may see an adjustment in how resources are allocated based on the identified crises and product impacts.
Reasoning
- The policy is aimed at identifying and mitigating the impact of certain products on public health, which could affect a wide range of people across different occupations and demographics.
- The budget constraints suggest the policy's impact is substantial but not exhaustive, implying some sectors will be prioritized over others.
- We include people who are direct users of potentially affected products, those in the public health and manufacturing sectors, and ordinary consumers who may not be directly affected but form the general backdrop against which the policy operates.
Simulated Interviews
Public Health Administrator (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could streamline public health priorities, which is beneficial for resource allocation.
- Implementation might face hurdles due to differing opinions on what constitutes a 'public health crisis.'
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Manufacturer Worker (Houston, TX)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Worries about job loss if the products they produce are targeted by the policy.
- Acknowledges potential health benefits but fears personal economic repercussions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Graduate Student (Chicago, IL)
Age: 24 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Sees the policy as an opportunity for learning and potential career in policymaking.
- Positive about potential public health benefits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retired (Miami, FL)
Age: 58 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Worries about increased medication costs if these are impacted by new regulations.
- Hopeful for improved public health measures that could be beneficial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 3 |
Farmer (Rural Kansas, KS)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Apprehensive about stricter regulations on crop management products.
- Recognizes the need for balance in public health and agricultural productivity.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Small Business Owner (New York, NY)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Excited by the potential for healthier products yet concerned about possible price hikes.
- Anticipates adjustment challenges for business operations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Software Engineer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Sees a potential for tech innovations focused on public health improvements.
- Believes personal life will remain largely unaffected by the policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 8 |
Freelance Writer (Boston, MA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy could provide new topics and insights for articles.
- Looks forward to the potential positive stint in public health awareness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Physician (Naples, FL)
Age: 61 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Optimistic that the policy will enhance patient care through preemptive health measures.
- Concerns about bureaucracy potentially slowing down practice.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Retired Nurse (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Sees the benefit of structured public health initiatives for future generations.
- Worries about complex regulations affecting simplicity of care.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1500000000 (Low: $1200000000, High: $1800000000)
Year 2: $1400000000 (Low: $1100000000, High: $1700000000)
Year 3: $1350000000 (Low: $1050000000, High: $1650000000)
Year 5: $1300000000 (Low: $1000000000, High: $1600000000)
Year 10: $1250000000 (Low: $950000000, High: $1550000000)
Year 100: $1000000000 (Low: $750000000, High: $1250000000)
Key Considerations
- The bill will require substantial initial investment but could reduce healthcare costs over time by improving public health.
- Identification of products impacting public health involves complex criteria, requiring ongoing updates and revisions.
- There could be resistance from manufacturers required to modify products or production processes, impacting compliance costs.