Bill Overview
Title: End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2022
Description: This bill authorizes actions, including the provision of international assistance, to combat tuberculosis. The President may provide international assistance for the prevention, treatment, control, and elimination of tuberculosis. The President must also establish goals for U.S. efforts to detect, cure, and prevent all forms of tuberculosis globally by updating the National Action Plan for Combating Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis. The Government Accountability Office must periodically report to Congress on the impact of efforts to combat tuberculosis that are supported by U.S. bilateral assistance.
Sponsors: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals affected by tuberculosis worldwide
Estimated Size: 9000
- Tuberculosis (TB) is a global health issue, primarily affecting low- and middle-income countries.
- According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 10 million people fell ill with TB in 2021.
- TB predominantly affects adults in their most productive years, but all age groups are at risk.
- The End Tuberculosis Now Act targets the reduction of TB globally, which implies reaching the estimated global number of TB cases.
Reasoning
- The End Tuberculosis Now Act primarily focuses on international efforts, therefore its direct impact on the US population may be limited to those directly involved in healthcare, public health policy, and potentially those in communities with higher incidence of TB.
- Most Americans are not directly affected by TB due to its low prevalence in the US; thus, the impact for the majority may relate more to global health improvements and international relations.
- For those in the healthcare sector, particularly in infectious disease, this policy may bring changes in the form of increased research opportunities, funding, or involvement in international health programs.
- There's a fraction of the US population, particularly in states with higher TB rates, where some level of direct benefit might occur due to better monitoring and TB management as part of enhanced US national strategies.
- Hence, to simulate interviews, we'll cover different demographics including healthcare professionals, individuals working in international aid, and regular citizens to capture a broad perspective on perceived and actual impact.
Simulated Interviews
Infectious Disease Specialist (New York, NY)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy highlights the US commitment to tackling infectious diseases globally, which aligns with my work and passion.
- Increased international collaboration could lead to more comprehensive research opportunities.
- I anticipate better funding and resource allocation towards TB research as a result of this policy.
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 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Public Health Administrator (Austin, TX)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having updated national action plans will strengthen our state’s framework for managing TB cases.
- I expect increased data sharing and federal support to enhance our local TB response system.
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 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
College Student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could serve as a model for how international health issues are tackled globally and may influence educational content in my field of study.
- Promotes US leadership in global health, which I find inspiring.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
International Aid Worker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The Act is crucial for the work I do, providing much-needed resources and support for TB programs overseas.
- It may lead to more fieldwork opportunities and partnerships with US agencies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Retired Teacher (Miami, FL)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While not directly affecting me, it's reassuring to see the US taking a stand on global health issues.
- I hope it leads to more volunteer opportunities with international health missions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Software Engineer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see potential for increased demand for health-tech solutions supporting TB tracking and treatment efforts.
- Could indirectly benefit my work by creating new markets for health analytics tools.
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 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Nurse (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy will enforce proactive measures domestically, potentially streamlining operations at clinics like ours.
- It's crucial for maintaining public health, especially in high-risk communities.
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 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Factory Worker (Detroit, MI)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Not very knowledgeable about TB, but any healthcare improvements in the US sound good.
- Indirect benefits might include better health policy awareness or healthcare facility upgrades.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 4 |
Grad Student in Public Policy (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could serve as a case study in my coursework and future research.
- Shows a dedication to addressing health inequities, which is the focus of my studies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired Public Health Official (Boston, MA)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's a timely policy; TB has long needed global attention and resources for eradication efforts.
- This could improve US standing in global health leadership.
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 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000000 (Low: $4500000000, High: $5500000000)
Year 2: $5100000000 (Low: $4600000000, High: $5600000000)
Year 3: $5202000000 (Low: $4700000000, High: $5704000000)
Year 5: $5408080000 (Low: $4900000000, High: $5916160000)
Year 10: $5894867200 (Low: $5300000000, High: $6484352000)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Tuberculosis remains a significant global health threat requiring international cooperation to address effectively.
- There is a need for alignment and cooperation with international health organizations like WHO for maximal impact.
- The need to update U.S. national plans for a specific global disease is rare and indicates a serious commitment.
- Periodic evaluation by the Government Accountability Office ensures accountability and effectiveness of the policy initiatives.