Bill Overview
Title: A bill to establish or continue a multidisciplinary research program to advance the discovery and preclinical development of medical products for priority virus families and other viral pathogens with a significant potential to cause a pandemic, and for other purposes.
Description: This bill directs the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support research on medical products for virus families and viral pathogens with pandemic potential. Specifically, the NIH must establish or continue a multidisciplinary program for supporting research centers to advance the discovery and development of medical products to prevent, treat, and diagnose such viruses.
Sponsors: Sen. Burr, Richard [R-NC]
Target Audience
Population: People worldwide potentially affected by pandemics
Estimated Size: 330000000
- This bill aims at research focused on viral pathogens with pandemic potential, impacting all people globally due to the possible widespread nature of pandemics.
- The bill mandates NIH to support advancements in medical products for viral pathogens, directly impacting the scientific community and healthcare providers.
- By potentially increasing preparedness and response strategies for viral outbreaks, the wellbeing of the global population is potentially impacted.
- Improved medical products can reduce morbidity and mortality in pandemic scenarios, affecting the general population worldwide.
Reasoning
- The policy aims to improve research on viral pathogens, which could enhance future pandemic responses.
- Given the limited budget, immediate effects might primarily be seen in research institutions rather than the general population.
- Healthcare professionals and those with interest in pandemic preparedness are more likely to be directly impacted.
- Many citizens might not feel an immediate effect unless they experience a pandemic or related health threat.
- Over time, enhanced medical products and preparedness could improve general wellbeing scores due to increased health security.
- The impact might vary based on the individual's awareness and interactions with healthcare systems.
- Some people might be skeptical or unaware of the policy's potential long-term benefits.
- Different geographic locations may perceive varying levels of threat from pandemics, influencing their perception of the policy's importance.
- Cultural attitudes towards healthcare and scientific research can influence opinions on the policy.
- The policy might also be perceived as a long-term investment with benefits that may not be immediately visible to non-experts.
Simulated Interviews
Healthcare researcher (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is crucial for future pandemic preparedness.
- As a researcher, I see the direct benefits in advancing medical products.
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 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Public Health Officer (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could strengthen our response to future pandemics.
- Increased research is vital for pandemic preparedness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this policy leads to better protections in schools.
- Pandemics significantly disrupt education environments.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Entrepreneur (Houston, TX)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased research can lead to better business opportunities.
- Health-related disruptions impact business sustainability.
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 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Graduate Student (Portland, OR)
Age: 24 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy aligns with what I'm studying and it's promising.
- Interdisciplinary research is key to tackling complex health issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Software Developer (Miami, FL)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Enhanced research will spur innovation in health tech.
- Policy could indirectly benefit tech businesses through research funding.
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 | 8 | 7 |
Nurse (Columbus, OH)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could improve healthcare responses in future crises.
- Preparedness is crucial to protecting patients and healthcare workers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Retail Manager (Austin, TX)
Age: 53 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Research could prevent future economic instabilities.
- Health crises have drastic effects on retail and consumers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 66 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this policy prepares us for the next pandemic.
- Older populations need reassurance of better future healthcare responses.
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 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Biotech Executive (Denver, CO)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could accelerate innovation in biotech.
- Industry partnerships with NIH could yield significant advancements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 9 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1000000000 (Low: $900000000, High: $1200000000)
Year 2: $1050000000 (Low: $950000000, High: $1250000000)
Year 3: $1100000000 (Low: $1000000000, High: $1300000000)
Year 5: $1200000000 (Low: $1100000000, High: $1400000000)
Year 10: $1400000000 (Low: $1300000000, High: $1600000000)
Year 100: $2000000000 (Low: $1800000000, High: $2200000000)
Key Considerations
- The policy emphasizes funding critical scientific research, which has high potential global impacts especially in pandemic contexts.
- Involving multidisciplinary efforts ensures comprehensive approach but also implies coordination costs among scientific domains.
- The focus on pandemic preparedness aligns with global health security priorities, affecting international funding and collaborative potentials.
- Potential administrative costs at the NIH may adjust budget needs over time.