Bill Overview
Title: Tracking Pathogens Act
Description: This bill requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to take specified actions related to the genomic sequencing of pathogens. Specifically, the CDC must issue guidance on sharing specimens and other activities to support collaboration in the genomic sequencing of pathogens. The CDC must also strengthen and expand activities related to the use of genomic sequencing of pathogens in public health surveillance, including by providing technical assistance to health departments. The CDC may award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to academic and other laboratories related to these activities. In addition, the CDC must establish through public health agencies (or partnerships of such agencies) centers of excellence to promote innovation in pathogen genomics and molecular epidemiology.
Sponsors: Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-7]
Target Audience
Population: People globally, as improved pathogen tracking can impact global health
Estimated Size: 334000000
- The bill aims to enhance the CDC's capabilities in pathogen genomics, which will likely improve public health responses to infectious diseases.
- Genomic sequencing helps in identifying and tracking infectious disease outbreaks, essential for controlling epidemics and pandemics.
- The improvements in pathogen tracking will potentially benefit global health systems, given the interconnected nature of modern pandemics.
- Academic and medical research communities globally would benefit from increased data sharing and collaboration initiatives.
- General populations will benefit from enhanced public health responses such as improved disease surveillance, quicker identification, and containment of outbreaks.
- Developing countries might also be positively impacted if the CDC's guidance and support extend internationally.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily benefits populations engaged in public health, healthcare, and research related to infectious diseases.
- Direct impact will likely be seen more in urban populations where research centers are located, though rural populations will benefit indirectly through improved public health responses.
- The policy could indirectly impact individuals outside of these fields by preventing and reducing disease outbreaks that affect everyone.
- Healthcare professionals, researchers, and academics will have the most pronounced impact due to increased resources, collaboration, and innovation opportunities.
- Budget constraints mean not all regions or institutions may see immediate benefits from the policy, so some will experience delayed or indirect effects.
- Even though the bill has a substantial budget, it will likely initiate changes that need some time to yield visible public health improvements.
- The need for collaboration and infrastructure investment suggests that benefits will grow over time rather than be immediate.
Simulated Interviews
Epidemiologist (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a significant step forward for public health.
- It will strengthen our ability to track and respond to outbreaks.
- The funding for collaborative projects with academic and other labs is much needed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired Nurse (New York, NY)
Age: 67 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm hopeful that this policy will prevent the kind of pandemic struggles we faced with COVID-19.
- Increased funding for health departments is great news.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
PhD Student (Cambridge, MA)
Age: 24 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could increase funding and collaborative opportunities for emerging researchers like me.
- It could make a big difference in academic circles.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Public Health Officer (Boise, ID)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy will help us build better systems for disease tracking.
- Rural areas might not see immediate benefits, but over time, the improvements will be clear.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Hospital Administrator (Houston, TX)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any policy that helps manage outbreaks is welcome, especially post-COVID.
- We might benefit from improved surveillance systems.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Software Engineer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could foster innovation in healthcare technology.
- It's reassuring to see more effort being put into disease prevention.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Research Scientist (Chicago, IL)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy will likely enhance our research capabilities and data access.
- Collaboration with the CDC could lead to new discoveries and applications.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
School Teacher (Denver, CO)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Important for preparing future generations about public health challenges.
- I hope it also includes educational dissemination.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Freelance Journalist (Miami, FL)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Aiding the CDC can only be beneficial for broader public health.
- It will be interesting to see how quickly impacts are realized.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Public Policy Analyst (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy represents a thoughtful approach to modern public health challenges.
- Funding sustainability will be crucial for long-term success.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $450000000, High: $600000000)
Year 2: $400000000 (Low: $350000000, High: $500000000)
Year 3: $400000000 (Low: $350000000, High: $500000000)
Year 5: $350000000 (Low: $300000000, High: $450000000)
Year 10: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $400000000)
Year 100: $150000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $250000000)
Key Considerations
- Initial high costs will need to be weighed against potential long-term savings from more effective outbreak management.
- The prolonged nature of benefits, which may not manifest immediately, requires a commitment to long-term policy support.
- The global interconnected impact and reliance on international cooperation may pose challenges but also provide widespread benefits.