Bill Overview
Title: PREVENT Pandemics Act
Description: This bill sets out programs and activities primarily to address public health preparedness and response. Specifically, the bill establishes a legislative task force to investigate the COVID-19 pandemic and a White House office to advise on pandemic preparedness and response. It also revises authorities, programs, and other aspects of the Department of Health and Human Services and associated agencies to support preparedness and response activities at all levels of government. Other matters addressed in the bill include grants related to health disparities and for centers for public health preparedness; collection and dissemination of public health data (e.g., genomic sequencing of pathogens); workforce programs for public health and related fields; the safety and availability of the blood supply; research concerning viruses and other pathogens with pandemic potential, vaccines and other medical countermeasures, and the long-term health effects of COVID-19; biosafety and security related to biological agents and toxins; national security, privacy and information security, and foreign influence in biomedical research; the administration of the Strategic National Stockpile; and domestic manufacturing of medical countermeasures. The bill also modifies the regulation of medical products with a particular focus on expediting the development and approval of medical countermeasures. Additional areas of focus include strengthening medical product supply chains and supporting innovation in, for example, clinical trial designs.
Sponsors: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Target Audience
Population: global population impacted by pandemic preparedness legislation
Estimated Size: 331000000
- The bill addresses pandemic preparedness and response, impacting a large portion of the global population since pandemics do not respect national borders.
- It involves public health infrastructure, which is relevant to governments and populations worldwide.
- Public health workers and healthcare professionals globally will be directly impacted as the bill discusses workforce programs.
- The bill targets health disparities, suggesting focused impacts on vulnerable populations who typically bear a greater burden during pandemics.
- Innovation in medical countermeasures and supply chains suggests a potential worldwide impact on populations reliant on medical products.
- The focus on genomic sequencing and international biomedical research implies impacts on scientific communities and populations worldwide through enhanced preparedness strategies.
Reasoning
- The allocated budget suggests significant investment but is spread over multiple initiatives like research, workforce development, and infrastructure support. Thus, direct individual impacts might initially be low except for those in directly affected sectors.
- The impact will vary widely among demographics. Those involved in healthcare, public health, and related support services may see moderate to high direct benefits.
- The broad aim of enhancing public health systems implies long-term indirect benefits for all citizens via improved pandemic responses.
- Specific focus on addressing health disparities suggests that underserved communities may experience meaningful benefits, particularly in early stages of policy implementation.
- Considering the scales of public health infrastructure and pandemic-preparedness initiatives, immediate individual-level changes in Cantril scores may be small, with more substantial impacts unfolding over time.
- Population diversity in experiences and current access to healthcare means a varied reception to the policy.
- Underlying assumptions include the successful enactment and management of intended programs without significant bureaucratic or political barriers.
Simulated Interviews
public health professional (New York)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this policy is crucial because it focuses on preparedness, which has been lacking.
- The support for workforce programs will enhance our capacity to handle future pandemics.
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 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 6 |
small business owner (Los Angeles)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm cautious but hopeful. Anything that limits the fallout from future pandemics is good for business.
- It seems like a lot of money not directly helping businesses like mine immediately.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
college student (Chicago)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm very interested in the research aspects, especially genomic sequencing.
- It gives me hope for future pandemics being less disruptive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
retired nurse (Houston)
Age: 60 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's reassuring to see focus on strengthening healthcare systems.
- I'm concerned about whether this will genuinely trickle down to tangible changes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
farmer (Rural Texas)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I doubt this bill will change much for folks like us out here.
- Healthcare improvements seem urban-focused.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
single mother and essential worker (Miami)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I appreciate the focus on preparedness. It was really hard during the last pandemic.
- I hope there will be support for workers like me.
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 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
biomedical researcher (Seattle)
Age: 30 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is an exciting time for research with increased funding and focus.
- I believe it can also enhance international scientific collaborations.
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 | 10 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 6 |
retired (Baltimore)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any policy that improves response to health threats is essential for people like me.
- I am hopeful for progress but worried about the time it takes to see changes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
IT specialist (Phoenix)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think improved data systems could make a big difference.
- I don't expect immediate changes in my daily life but it's reassuring.
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 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
public school teacher (Atlanta)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm glad for more attention to public health education.
- I hope it delivers resources to schools to help educate students better.
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 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $2500000000 (Low: $2000000000, High: $3000000000)
Year 2: $2600000000 (Low: $2100000000, High: $3100000000)
Year 3: $2700000000 (Low: $2200000000, High: $3200000000)
Year 5: $2900000000 (Low: $2400000000, High: $3400000000)
Year 10: $3300000000 (Low: $2700000000, High: $4000000000)
Year 100: $4000000000 (Low: $3000000000, High: $5000000000)
Key Considerations
- The policy requires a long-term investment approach, looking to stabilize impacts from future pandemics.
- There is high uncertainty regarding the frequency and severity of future pandemics, which could affect cost and savings estimates.
- International collaboration on pandemic preparedness is crucial but may introduce complexities in the execution of this policy.