Bill Overview
Title: CDC Tribal Public Health Security and Preparedness Act
Description: This bill allows tribes and tribal organizations to apply directly to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) program funds. Currently, only states and certain local entities may apply for PHEP funds to respond to public health emergencies, such as COVID-19. The CDC must award at least 10 cooperative agreements to tribal applicants. Additionally, the CDC must consult with tribes and tribal organizations to ensure the PHEP program enables these entities to respond to public health emergencies. The CDC may make certain modifications to the program after the consultation.
Sponsors: Rep. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ-7]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals in U.S. tribal populations
Estimated Size: 7000000
- The bill specifically targets tribes and tribal organizations allowing them direct access to apply for CDC Public Health Emergency Preparedness funds.
- Currently, only states and certain local entities have direct access to these funds, so this is a significant shift in direct funding mechanisms.
- Tribal populations in the United States, estimated at around 7 million individuals identifying as American Indian or Alaska Native alone or in combination with other races, will be the direct beneficiaries.
- Global estimate is largely irrelevant as the bill specifically pertains to U.S. tribal entities.
Reasoning
- The policy focuses mainly on Native American and Alaska Native tribal populations, granting them access to CDC funds for public health emergencies.
- The Cantril wellbeing scores are based on subjective self-reporting, which can be impacted by perceived access to resources and security.
- The program's budget indicates a significant investment in public health infrastructure for tribes, likely improving health outcomes and preparedness.
- People outside the tribal communities may not experience any notable changes, hence scores should reflect non-impact for those individuals.
- There will be diversity among the impacted group regarding how immediately and profoundly they feel the benefits, affected by factors like geographic location and current public health conditions.
Simulated Interviews
Nurse (Cherokee, North Carolina)
Age: 48 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a nurse, I see first-hand the gaps in our emergency preparedness. More direct funding could fill these gaps.
- I believe this policy will help us better respond to health crises, especially diseases like COVID-19 that spread quickly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Unemployed (Navajo Nation, Arizona)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Direct funding could mean quicker responses to public health issues on our land.
- More resources might improve our hospitals and clinics, which we need.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Real Estate Agent (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy doesn't affect me or my business.
- I support it if it helps others who need it.
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 | 8 | 8 |
Teacher (Pine Ridge, South Dakota)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Enhanced emergency preparedness will benefit our schools, making them safer for children.
- I hope to see better cooperation between tribes and CDC.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Retired (Anchorage, Alaska)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased funding can help us preserve our community and culture during emergencies.
- Elders are vulnerable, so this helps protect us.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Software Engineer (Portland, Oregon)
Age: 32 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I don't think this policy affects me directly.
- Seems like a good thing for tribes though.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
College Student (Rapid City, South Dakota)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could open up more educational opportunities for us in public health.
- I hope to see internships or training programs as part of these improvements.
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 |
Non-Profit Advocate (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This funding is crucial for improving health responses in tribal areas.
- I foresee better collaboration and resources.
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 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Tribal Government Official (Phoenix, Arizona)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Direct PHEP funds are a step forward for tribal sovereignty.
- We're excited about the potential to tailor responses to our unique needs.
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 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Healthcare Administrator (St. Paul, Minnesota)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is expected to improve resource allocation in urban clinics for Native populations.
- We are keen to see how this unfolds in practical terms.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $250000000 (Low: $200000000, High: $300000000)
Year 2: $255000000 (Low: $205000000, High: $305000000)
Year 3: $260000000 (Low: $210000000, High: $310000000)
Year 5: $270000000 (Low: $220000000, High: $320000000)
Year 10: $290000000 (Low: $240000000, High: $340000000)
Year 100: $400000000 (Low: $350000000, High: $450000000)
Key Considerations
- Ensuring equitable distribution of funds among tribes is vital to meet diverse needs.
- Administrative overheads at the CDC might increase due to direct arrangements with tribal entities.
- Aligning tribal health infrastructure with CDC guidelines might require additional support and resources.