On March 15, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee approved the Prepare for and Respond to Existing Viruses, Emerging New Threats, and Pandemics Act (PREVENT) Pandemics Act by a bipartisan vote of 20-2. The CAP advocated for and supported several provisions in the PREVENT Pandemics Act.

The PREVENT Pandemics Act would strengthen the nation’s public health and medical preparedness and response systems. The legislation is the result of bipartisan efforts by members on and off the of the HELP Committee to examine what has worked, and what has not, during the nation’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CAP has engaged with congressional leaders and submitted comments to the HELP Committee on PREVENT Pandemics Act.

Key elements of the legislation supported by the CAP include:

• Addressing social determinants of health: Authorize $70 million in each fiscal year from 2023 to 2027, to address social determinants of health and improve health outcomes.
• Increasing Genomic Sequencing, Analytics, and Public Health Surveillance of Pathogens: Authorize $175 million in each fiscal year from 2023 to 2027, to strengthen and expand activities related to genomic sequencing of pathogens, including new and innovative approaches and technology for the detection, characterization, and sequencing of pathogens, analytics, and public health surveillance.
• Supporting Epidemic Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC): Require the CDC to identify strategies to include and leverage the capabilities of public and private entities.
• Improving access to Specimen Samples and Diagnostic Tests: Make publicly available policies and procedures related to accessing specimens for emerging infectious diseases.
• Modernizing and Strengthening the Supply Chain: Modernize and strengthens supply chains.
• Modernizing clinical trials: Modernize clinical trials by requiring the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue new guidance documents.
• Strengthening medical device supply chains: Require manufacturers of certain critical medical devices to develop, maintain, and implement a redundancy risk management plan.

Sen. Paul Amendment on LDT Oversight Fails

During the committee hearing, Sens Rand Paul (R-KY) proposed adding his laboratory-developed testing (LDT) oversight bill, the VITAL Act, to the legislation. His amendment failed by a vote of 19-2, with most Republicans and all Democrats voting against the amendment. The CAP does not support the VITAL Act.

The CAP supports the bicameral, bipartisan process that is working to develop legislation to address the oversight of LDTs. This process includes a broad coalition of stakeholders and key federal agencies. While there is more work to be done, significant progress has been made to develop a LDT oversight legislation that takes into consideration safety issues, process issues, removing duplication, and ensuring public health and safety.