Senator Lamar Alexander, Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, this week released a 40-page report, “Preparing for the Next Pandemic”. The report aims to cover what the United States has learned from the past twenty years of public health preparedness and response and how it can better prepare for future pandemics. Chairman Alexander’s report recommends that Congress should work with federal departments and agencies, states, and the private sector to address these five specific issues and newly identified gaps: 1. Tests, Treatments, and Vaccines, 2. Disease Surveillance, 3. Stockpiles, Distribution, and Surges, 4. Public Health Capabilities, and 5. Coordination of Federal Agencies During a Public Health Emergency. Chairman Alexander requests recommendations that Congress can consider and act on this year. Responses should be sent to PANDEMICPREPAREDNESS@HELP.SENATE.GOV by 5pm ET on June 26.
The report may be accessed here.