Bill Overview
Title: Medical Countermeasures Surge Capacity Act of 2022
Description: This bill expands the scope of research and development activities carried out by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to include support for maintaining and improving domestic manufacturing surge capacity and capabilities for vaccines, diagnostics, and other medical countermeasures. In particular, BARDA must enter into transactions with facilities to ensure that domestic manufacturing surge capacity is available to manufacture medical countermeasures and related products in the event of a public health emergency (e.g., by supporting flexible or advanced manufacturing). The Government Accountability Office must report on these efforts. In addition, BARDA must address support for domestic manufacturing surge capacity in its strategic plan for countermeasure research, development, and procurement. The bill also reauthorizes through FY2028 a program through which BARDA may support innovative technologies to assist in medical countermeasure research and development using grants, cooperative agreements, and other transactions.
Sponsors: Sen. Romney, Mitt [R-UT]
Target Audience
Population: People worldwide who could benefit from improved public health emergency responses
Estimated Size: 330000000
- BARDA's efforts primarily impact individuals who would be recipients of vaccines, diagnostics, and other medical countermeasures. This includes most of the population during a public health emergency.
- The bill aims to improve the capacity for rapid response during health crises, which could potentially impact anyone living in areas affected by such emergencies.
- Significant emphasis is given to domestic manufacturing capabilities, suggesting that populations in the U.S., where these facilities are expected to be located, will see direct benefits from enhanced national security and preparedness.
Reasoning
- The policy targets enhancing the nation's capability to respond to public health emergencies, meaning nearly all Americans could see indirect benefits, especially during events like pandemics.
- Budgetary considerations focus on improving manufacturing capacity, making it crucial that the selected interviewees reflect a diverse set of roles to examine both immediate and longer-term impacts.
- The simulation aims to include people directly linked to healthcare facilities and manufacturing sectors while also including those from the general public who may perceive broader benefits due to improved emergency response capabilities.
Simulated Interviews
Vaccine Production Supervisor (New Jersey)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this policy is crucial. Enhancing capacity prepares us better for emergencies.
- It helps secure jobs and potentially provides quicker response times during pandemics.
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 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Epidemiologist (California)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With improved facilities, data-driven responses to outbreaks could become more efficient.
- Investments could lead to faster vaccine and diagnostic tool availability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 5 |
School Teacher (Florida)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Knowing there's a strong domestic production means peace of mind during flu seasons.
- I hope the policy quickens the delivery of vaccines to schools.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Logistics Coordinator (Texas)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This bill can directly improve logistics and increase demand for our services.
- I believe better manufacturing leads to quicker recovery from health crises.
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 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
University Student (New York)
Age: 22 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy might revolutionize how quickly we can study infectious disease dynamics.
- If it supports research, it could benefit my future career in public health.
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 | 9 | 4 |
Retired (Ohio)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Enhanced manufacturing capacity should translate to better access to necessary medication.
- I hope this prevents scarcity during emergencies.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Pharmacist (Illinois)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could streamline how quickly vaccines reach pharmacies.
- I'm optimistic that this policy will improve our infrastructure significantly.
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 | 9 | 5 |
Biomedical Engineer (Washington)
Age: 31 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm excited to see investments in flexible and advanced manufacturing.
- This policy could strengthen our ability to innovate and respond to emergencies faster.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 6 |
Health Policy Analyst (Texas)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Investing in surge capacity can future-proof our response to pandemics.
- The policy reflects a proactive strategy I support strongly.
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 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Software Developer (Michigan)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A focus on advanced manufacturing will demand innovative software solutions for which I'm excited.
- The policy may open up more developments in my work area.
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 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1500000000 (Low: $1200000000, High: $1800000000)
Year 2: $1550000000 (Low: $1240000000, High: $1860000000)
Year 3: $1600000000 (Low: $1280000000, High: $1920000000)
Year 5: $1700000000 (Low: $1360000000, High: $2040000000)
Year 10: $2000000000 (Low: $1600000000, High: $2400000000)
Year 100: $30000000000 (Low: $24000000000, High: $36000000000)
Key Considerations
- Ensuring adequate funding and oversight for BARDA's expanded scope will be crucial for effective implementation.
- The impact on the domestic manufacturing sector will depend on the adaptability and readiness of existing facilities.
- Political commitment to sustained funding can influence the long-term success of this policy.