Bill Overview
Title: To prohibit the use of funds to propose amendments to the International Health Regulations, the Global Pandemic Treaty, or any other agreement among World Health Organization member states, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill prohibits the federal government from proposing any agreement among World Health Organization (WHO) member states that would modify authorities under U.S. law unless the proposal is authorized in advance by an act of Congress. The bill also prohibits the federal government from providing contributions to the WHO unless the Department of State certifies that certain events have occurred, including the WHO holding China accountable for any failures to comply with the International Health Regulations adopted by the 58th World Health Assembly in 2005.
Sponsors: Rep. Stewart, Chris [R-UT-2]
Target Audience
Population: Global population involved in international public health initiatives
Estimated Size: 331000000
- The bill focuses on U.S. involvement with the WHO, particularly regarding amendments to International Health Regulations and related actions.
- Any changes to international health agreements could potentially impact global public health strategies and pandemic responses.
- The bill involves the U.S. funding contributions to the WHO which is significant in the global health landscape.
- By requiring Congress approval before making proposals to WHO agreements, U.S. legislative actions could delay or alter international health policies.
- The WHO's decisions and policies affect global public health workers, governments, and populations dependent on international health aid and guidelines.
Reasoning
- The policy directly involves U.S. legislative actions tied to international health agreements, meaning its immediate impact might be more on U.S. policy and global health administration than on individual citizens.
- However, the indirect effects could be significant for people working in healthcare, international policy, or those with personal or professional ties to international health initiatives.
- The budget constraints suggest that direct measures affecting a vast number of individuals would be limited, focusing instead on administrative and policy-level changes.
- The variety of roles and perspectives concerning international health ensures diverse opinions and varying degrees of impact associated with any policy changes involving the WHO.
Simulated Interviews
Public Health Researcher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The insertion of congressional oversight might delay crucial health agreements.
- The WHO provides important frameworks that influence our public health strategies locally.
- Limiting funds could hinder our ability to respond to global health emergencies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Medical Doctor (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 56 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm worried that slowing cooperation with the WHO could impair our readiness for future pandemics.
- The policy might interfere with getting timely updates from WHO that are critical for my practice.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 8 |
Congressional Staffer (Austin, TX)
Age: 32 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy increases the workload but allows us more control over international health commitments.
- It could slow down beneficial global health collaborations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 8 |
Nonprofit Worker (Seattle, WA)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry about the trickle-down effect of funding changes on global health progress.
- Our projects sometimes depend on WHO strategies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 8 |
Epidemiologist (Boston, MA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any disruption in WHO collaboration could hinder our prediction models.
- The policy introduces uncertainty into global health data sharing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 8 |
Policy Advisor (New York, NY)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy provides more oversight, potentially safeguarding national interests.
- However, it might complicate international negotiations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Graduate Student (Miami, FL)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy might make it difficult for the U.S. to remain a leader in global health diplomacy.
- Concerns about education and research impacts due to limited WHO collaboration.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 8 |
Public Policy Analyst (Denver, CO)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Focusing funds elsewhere could help domestic issues, but may weaken our global health foothold.
- Rely more on domestic solutions post-policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 7 |
Healthcare Executive (Raleigh, NC)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While international cooperation is essential, more congressional oversight could ensure robust domestic systems.
- Concerned about agility in responding to global directives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 9 |
Retired Healthcare Worker (Detroit, MI)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As someone who depended on international guidelines, I see this as a step back.
- Could impact global health security, crucial for everyone's wellbeing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2000000 (Low: $500000, High: $5000000)
Year 2: $2000000 (Low: $500000, High: $5000000)
Year 3: $2000000 (Low: $500000, High: $5000000)
Year 5: $2000000 (Low: $500000, High: $5000000)
Year 10: $2000000 (Low: $500000, High: $5000000)
Year 100: $2000000 (Low: $500000, High: $5000000)
Key Considerations
- The bill's requirement for congressional approval before proposing international health regulations amendments could slow down U.S. response to global health issues.
- WHO's accountability clause might strain U.S.-China relations, affecting broader international diplomatic and economic engagements.
- Savings from contributions to WHO might lead to potential gaps in participation in international public health initiatives.