2023 Global Health Briefing Book Progress Report

H.R.1305 SUPERBUGS Act of 2023 introduced in the House

Builds on the first national action plan to stop the spread of AMR. The act directs HHS and DoS to formulate a strategy for the Federal Government to secure support from foreign countries, multilateral organizations, etc., to facilitate the development and commercialization of qualified pandemic or epidemic products, including AMR pathogens, and for other purposes.

This bill directs HHS and DoS to formulate a strategy to confront the growing threat of AMR, increasing focus and investment on combating this major health threat.

S.1355 PASTEUR Act of 2023 and H.R.2940 PASTEUR Act of 2023 introduced in the House and Senate

Establishes a program to develop antimicrobial innovations targeting the most challenging pathogens and most threatening infections, and for other purposes.

This bill establishes a program to develop innovations in the fight against the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance.

H.R.2764 Green New Deal for Health Act and S.1229 Green New Deal for Health Act introduced to the House and Senate

Establishes a Green New Deal for Health to prepare and empower the health care sector to protect the health and well-being of our workers, our communities, and our planet in the face of the climate crisis, and for other purposes.

This bill establishes various measures to bolster the health care sector against the climate crisis, including financing, research initiatives, and the establishment of an Office of Sustainability and Environmental Impact.

S. 3371 and H.R. 6515 Fostering Overseas Rule of Law and Environmentally Sound Trade (FOREST) Act

This act aims to combat illegal deforestation by prohibiting the importation of products made wholly, or in part, of certain commodities produced on land undergoing illegal deforestation, and for other purposes.

This bill is beneficial to health as it would tackle a significant driver of emissions from deforestation and biodiversity loss, curb the spillover of pathogens from wildlife to people that cause pandemics, and protect the ecological integrity of the world’s remaining forests.

H.R.1838 Global Health, Empowerment and Rights (HER) Act and S.1098 Global HER Act introduced in the House and Senate

Permanently and legislatively repeals the Global Gag Rule and prevents a future president from unilaterally imposing the Global Gag Rule which blocks U.S. federal funding for non-governmental organizations that provide abortion services, provide counseling or referrals, or advocate to decriminalize abortion using non-USG funds.

This bill permanently repeals and prevents future presidents from implementing the Global Gag Rule, which restricts reproductive healthcare services globally.

H.R.1723 Abortion is Health Care Everywhere Act of 2023 introduced in the House and S.929 introduced in the Senate

Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to authorize the use of federal foreign assistance funds for comprehensive reproductive health care services, and for other purposes.

This bill amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1962 to effectively broaden access and available funds for supporting reproductive healthcare services.

H.R. 4166 Support UNFPA Funding Act introduced in the House

Authorizes funds to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

This bill continues to allow funding for UNFPA, which works to provide reproductive health resources in areas inaccessible to U.S. agencies.

H.R.436 No Taxpayer Funding for the U.N. Population Fund introduced in the House

Prohibits the use of funds to provide contributions directly or indirectly to UNFPA.

This bill prohibits funding for the UNFPA, decreasing the accessibility of reproductive health resources globally.

H.R. 7 No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion and Abortion Insurance Full Disclosure Act of 2023 and S. 62 introduced in the House and Senate

This bill prohibits the use of federal funds for abortions or for health coverage that includes abortions.

This bill restricts reproductive healthcare access through prohibiting the use of federal funds for health coverage that includes abortions.

H.R.2492 Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act introduced in the House

Codifies an expanded version of  the Global Gag Rule which blocks U.S. federal funding for non-governmental organizations that provide abortion services, provide counseling or referrals, or advocate to decriminalize abortion.

This bill expands and codifies the Global Gag Rule, which restricts reproductive healthcare services globally.

H.R.1775 AUDIT Act referred to House Foreign Affairs

Requires certain bureaus of DoS and USAID to release quarterly reviews of certain grants, and for other purposes.

This bill requires certain bureaus of DoS and USAID to release quarterly reviews of their activities.

On The Horizon

Reintroduction of the Reproductive Rights Are Human Rights Act, which requires the State Department to include discussion of the status of reproductive rights in its annual report on country human rights practices.

H.Res 389 Global Frontline Health Worker Resolution introduced in House

Acknowledges the essential contributions of frontline health workers to recovering progress and further expanding and sustaining gains in global health and strengthening U.S. national security and global economic prosperity.

This resolution recognizes the essential contributions of frontline health workers and U.S. support for their crucial work.

On The Horizon

Advocates are working to introduce a similar resolution in the Senate.

S.1798 Offices of Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction and Health Security Act of 2023 introduced in the Senate 

Establishes a Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office and an Office of Health Security in the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.

This bill strengthens U.S. and global health security by establishing an Office of Health Security in the Department of Homeland Security.

S. 2333 Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Response Act introduced in the Senate

To reauthorize certain programs under the Public Health Service Act with respect to public health security and all-hazards preparedness and response, and for other purposes.

The bill authorizes the work of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), and includes more expansive and explicit language directing BARDA to conduct R&D for known and as-yet-unknown pathogens with pandemic potential, as well as an amendment to authorize the creation of the FDA EPP program (the old S.2329), the bill also includes drug supply chain provisions and a 5-year extension of the MCM PRV program.

S. 2329 Emerging Pathogens Preparedness Program Authorization Act introduced in the Senate

Establishes an Emerging Pathogen Preparedness (EPP) program within the Food and Drug Administration to improve regulatory oversight of medical countermeasures for future pandemics.

Now a part of the Senate PAHPA bill as an amendment, this bill would give more authority to the FDA to combat pandemics.

H.R. 4421 Preparing for All Hazards and Pathogens Reauthorization Act introduced in the House

Reauthorizes certain programs under the Public Health Service Act with respect to public health security and all-hazards preparedness and response related to the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, and for other purposes.

The bill authorizes the work of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), and also includes more expansive language directing BARDA’s research on emerging infectious diseases. This bill is similar to the BARDA language in the Senate version.

H.Res 204 and S.Res 95 introduced in the House and Senate

Recognizes the duty of the Federal Government to adopt a 21st-century global health solidarity strategy in remembrance of Paul Farmer.

This resolution directs the federal government to address the ongoing and past harms that undermine global health and to adopt a 21st century global health strategy.

S.Res.139  A resolution recognizing the critical role that PEPFAR has played in the global fight against HIV/AIDS introduced in the Senate

Recognizes the crucial role of PEPFAR in the global fight against HIV/AIDS.

This resolution supports and recognizes the critical role of PEPFAR in the global fight against HIV/AIDS.

H.R.4050 and S.1924 GLOBE Act introduced in the House and Senate

Builds a framework into U.S. diplomacy to protect LGBTQI+ human rights around the world, leveraging all available U.S. mechanisms.

This bill supports LGBTQI+ human rights through creating a framework while leveraging all available U.S. diplomacy mechanisms.

H.R.2335 to provide for a limitation on availability of funds for Bilateral Economic Assistance, Global Health Programs, HIV/AIDS for fiscal year 2024 introduced in the House

Implements a limitation on availability of funds for Bilateral Economic Assistance, Global Health Programs, HIV/AIDS for FY24.

This bill limits funding for global health, HIV/AIDS, and bilateral economic assistance programs for FY24, limiting the ability of the U.S. to confront major global health threats.

S.Res.482 A resolution commemorating and supporting the goals of World AIDS Day introduced in Senate

Commemorates and supports the goals of World AIDS Day.

This resolution supports the goals of World AIDS Day highlighting support for HIV/AIDS work.

H.Res.904 A resolution commemorating and supporting the goals of World AIDS Day introduced in the House

Commemorates and supports the goals of World AIDS Day.

This resolution supports the goals of World AIDS Day highlighting support for HIV/AIDS work.

On The Horizon

Congress will consider reauthorization of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR).

H.R.2854 World Malaria Day bill introduced in the House

Requires the USAID Administrator to submit a report on progress relating to malaria reduction, and for other purposes. 

This bill requires USAID to submit a progress report on malaria reduction efforts.

S.Res 170 World Malaria Day resolution introduced in the Senate

Reaffirms the Senate’s support for World Malaria Day, public-private partnerships, and continued U.S. leadership in bilateral and multilateral malaria control and elimination efforts. 

This resolution affirms the Senate’s support for World Malaria Day and continued actions to control malaria.

S.1547 Bipartisan Reach Every Mother and Child Act of 2023 introduced in the Senate

Aims to strengthen U.S. efforts to end preventable deaths of mothers, newborns, and young children in low- and middle-income countries by 2030.

This bill amends the Foreign Service Act to implement policies to end preventable maternal, newborn, and child deaths globally.

S.Res.81 World Health Organization Pandemic Treaty Implementation Resolution introduced in the Senate

Prohibits any international agreement that is drafted by the World Health Organization and relates to pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response from legally binding the United States unless the Senate ratifies the agreement as a treaty. The bill also outlines requirements for negotiating and ratifying such an agreement.

This resolution restricts the ability of the U.S. to act in concert with WHO by preventing any international agreement drafted by the WHO related to PPPR from being binding until ratified by the Senate.

H.R.79 WHO Withdrawal Act introduced in the House

Requires the President to immediately withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization and prohibits using any federal funds to provide for U.S. participation in the WHO. The bill also repeals the 1948 act authorizing the United States to join the WHO.

This bill withdraws the U.S. from the WHO and prevents U.S. federal funding to the WHO, limiting the U.S. government’s ability to act in the global health arena.

H.R.1425 and S. 444 No WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty Without Senate Approval Act introduced in the House and Senate

Requires any convention, agreement, or other international instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response reached by the World Health Assembly to be subject to Senate ratification.

This bill requires any agreements reached by the World Health Assembly to be subject to Senate ratification, limiting the timely implementation of global health measures by the U.S.

S.324 STOP Neglected Diseases of Poverty Act introduced in Senate

Establishes a task force, a grant program, and other efforts to address neglected diseases of poverty in the United States.

This bill establishes a task force, grant program, and other measures to address the severely underfunded neglected diseases of poverty in the U.S.

H.R.1570 and S.767 bipartisan MINDS Act introduced in the House and Senate

Enhances mental health and psychosocial support within United States development and humanitarian assistance programs.

This bill improves mental health and psychosocial support within U.S. development and humanitarian  programs by requiring local, culturally relevant program development.

S.3207 Foundation for International Food Security Act of 2023 introduced in Senate

Establishes the Foundation for International Food Security to leverage private sector investments in order to improve agricultural productivity, build food systems to mitigate food shock, help alleviate poverty, reduce malnutrition, and drive economic growth in developing countries, and for other purposes.

This bill was extensively reviewed and debated by the NGO community. While most recognize the need to better leverage private sector investment to support global food security and nutrition, there continue to be questions on the effectiveness, accountability, and impact of establishing a new foundation external to existing global food security efforts and strategies.

S.Res. 397 A resolution designating October 16, 2023 and October 16, 2024 as “World Food Day”

The resolution designates October 16, 2023 and 2024, as “World Food Day.”

This resolution draws attention to the issue of hunger and rising food insecurity around the world.

This resolution was agreed to in the Senate.

H.R. 1776 and S.288 End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2023 introduced in the House and Senate

Aims to strengthen and streamline U.S. efforts in the global fight to end TB worldwide by 2035.

This bill authorizes bilateral assistance to prevent, treat, control, and eliminate tuberculosis, as well as requires updates to the National Action Plan for Combating Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis.

H.R. 1768 and S.960 NIH Reform Act introduced in the House and Senate 

Requires the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) be separated into three institutes: the National Institute of Allergic Diseases, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, and the National Institute of Immunologic Diseases. It also requires the President to appoint the directors of the new institutes and requires that the Senate confirm the appointment of the directors of the new institutes and the National Cancer Institute.

This bill requires the NIAID to be separated into three new institutes, further fragmenting the health and research and development spaces within the U.S.

S.1441 Accelerating Biomedical Innovation Act introduced in Senate

Establishes a Center for Biomedical Innovation and Development in order to accelerate innovation and development of advanced medical countermeasure products.

This bill supports U.S. health R&D by establishing a Center for Biomedical Innovation and Development.

H.R.2824 FIGDA Act of 2023 referred to House Foreign Affairs Committee

Supports the prioritization and expanded use of innovation at the United States Agency for International Development, and for other purposes.

This bill provides funding to support the prioritization and expanded use of innovation within USAID, as well as authorizes U.S. participation in the Global Innovation Fund.

H.R. 3832 and S. 2093 Disease X Act of 2023 referred to respective health subcommittees

Sets up a program to address medical countermeasures (MCMs) for “Disease X,” an unknown future pathogen with pandemic potential. Directs the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to accelerate the research, development, and procurement of MCMs to address emerging disease threats and allows the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to award contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements to develop MCMs for viral families with pandemic potential.

This bill improves health security by establishing a program to address medical countermeasures (MCMs) for “Disease X,” directs BARDA to accelerate the R&D of MCMs, and allows HHS to award contracts, grants, and co-op agreement to develop MCMs.

H.R. 6424 Supporting Innovative Global Health Technologies (SIGHT) Act of 2023 introduced in the House and referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs

This bill provides additional authorities for USAID leadership in global health technology innovation for low-resource settings and for other purposes.

The SIGHT Fund would be housed within USAID’s Global Health Bureau and funded through an initial dedicated appropriation of $250 million. This fund would support investment toward R&D of new drugs, vaccines, diagnostics, and medical devices to address a range of global health challenges.

H.Res 338 and S.Res 180 Expressing support for the designation of April 30, 2023, as “National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day” introduced in the House and Senate

Expresses support for the designation of April 30, 2023, as “National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day.”

This resolution supports the designation of April 30, 2023 as National Adult Hepatitis B Vaccination Awareness Day showing continued support for Hepatitis B and vaccination.