Bill Overview
Title: Strengthening Our Health Security Act of 2022
Description: This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to meet conditions related to notification and planning before terminating certain restrictions on imports and individuals entering the United States. Current law authorizes HHS to restrict entries and imports from foreign countries to prevent the introduction of communicable diseases. HHS exercised this authority as part of its COVID-19 response, including to allow for the expulsion of undocumented migrants at the border without any asylum processing. Under this bill, HHS may not terminate the restrictions for (1) at least 60 days after it notifies Congress of the end of the COVID-19 emergency, and (2) at least 30 days after it submits to Congress a plan for addressing the possible influx of migrants or imports resulting from lifting the restrictions.
Sponsors: Rep. Wenstrup, Brad R. [R-OH-2]
Target Audience
Population: Migrants and individuals at international borders affected by import restrictions due to health regulations
Estimated Size: 1000000
- The bill deals with health-related import and immigration restrictions, which primarily affect migrants and individuals at international borders.
- The restrictions were tied to the COVID-19 response, which implies it impacts those in countries with ongoing health concerns related to the pandemic.
- The bill affects the planning and notification processes for lifting restrictions, impacting agencies involved in public health and border control.
- The bill will directly impact undocumented migrants who might be expelled at the border under these restrictions.
- People involved in U.S. supply chains that depend on imports could be indirectly affected if restrictions are tightened or prolonged.
Reasoning
- The policy targets individuals attempting to enter the United States through borders, especially impacting those involved in immigration processes.
- Given the $5,000,000 budget for the first year, the primary focus would be on administrative costs related to notification and planning, potentially impacting a limited number of communities at or near border entry points.
- A significant portion of the 1 million individuals attempting to cross the border annually could be impacted, but since the policy relates to planning notifications and conditions, the direct individual wellbeing impact might not be drastic beyond administrative and bureaucratic processes.
- Impacts on import-related businesses are indirect, dependent on how restriction lifelines affect supply chains disrupted or prolonged by health directives.
Simulated Interviews
Customs Agent (El Paso, TX)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could streamline health protocols at the border, making my job more manageable.
- It ensures preparedness, which is crucial for border operations.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
NGO Worker (McAllen, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy might slow down the entry process for migrants, affecting their wellbeing.
- Preparedness is good, but it should not hinder urgent cases.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Business Owner (Laredo, TX)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could delay imports but having a plan might help mitigate sudden impacts.
- Businesses like mine depend on seamless import processes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Healthcare Worker (San Diego, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Maintaining health measures is crucial, but we need flexibility for urgent healthcare needs.
- Policies like this can lead to bureaucratic delays that impact patient health.
- The structured end to restrictions is positive, but we must ensure a safety net for urgent cases.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Logistics Coordinator (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy implies more checks, which could lead to logistical delays.
- From a logistics perspective, having a plan is beneficial but time-sensitive goods might suffer.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Immigration Lawyer (Brownsville, TX)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could mean more hurdles for asylum seekers.
- A structured end to restrictions must not detract from the urgent needs of migrants.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 2 |
Local Official (Nogales, AZ)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy allows for planned public health responses, crucial for communities near the border.
- Long-term planning is great, though there may be short-term disruptions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Import Officer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 41 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy requires us to anticipate changes, which adds pressure but also prepares us better.
- It's challenging but essential to balance health concerns with import efficiency.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Public Health Official (Houston, TX)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Being prepared is key in public health, and this bill ensures we keep those measures in place.
- However, there's a need to remain adaptable to changing health landscapes.
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 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Border Patrol Officer (Tucson, AZ)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy can help us maintain order during health emergencies but adds to our workload.
- Well-defined procedures ensure better handling of migrant and health concerns at the border.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 2: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 3: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- The bill's main costs are administrative rather than logistic.
- Long-term costs are minimal due to the temporary enforcement of notification procedures related to ending restrictions.
- Preparatory measures should involve multi-agency coordination to minimize operational disruptions.