iBIO, a life sciences industry association representing over 91,000 jobs in Illinois, joined over 100 stakeholders last week in urging Congress to reauthorize the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA).
PAHPA expired on September 30, 2023, requiring stopgap, temporary extensions in the continuing resolution, which expired on November 17. The letter encourages Congress to include a comprehensive five-year PAHPA reauthorization in the next moving legislative vehicle.
In a time where our nation faces a rapidly changing health security threat landscape, the reauthorization of PAHPA is crucial to prevent, prepare for, and respond to such incidents. PAHPA was last reauthorized in 2019 and is set to expire at the end of this year. Failure to reauthorize this critical legislation would have serious effects on our country’s economic wellbeing, national security, and health security.
iBIO believes that the reauthorization of PAHPA is essential to ensuring that our country has the necessary tools and resources to face any health security threat, whether naturally occurring, the result of an accident, or intentionally caused. This bipartisan legislative framework sets the foundation for a strong public health system that can effectively respond to and manage public health emergencies.
“We fully support the reauthorization of PAHPA as it is vital to the safety and wellbeing of Americans. The life sciences industry is committed to working closely with Congress and other stakeholders to ensure that the critical frameworks and resources provided by the act are continued,” said John Conrad, President & CEO of iBIO.
The 100+ stakeholders who signed the letter stand ready to assist Congress in any way possible to reauthorize this important legislation and continue to build a strong public health system that is prepared for any public health emergency. Together, we can ensure that our country is ready to face any health security threat that comes our way.