Senate committee holds hearing on reauthorizing PAHPA

Jan 17, 2018 - 04:08 PM

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee today held the first of two planned hearings on reauthorizing the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, currently set to expire Oct. 1. Among other provisions, PAHPA authorizes funding for the Hospital Preparedness Program, the only federal funding source that supports efforts by regional health care systems to improve preparedness and response. Testifying at the hearing, Robert Kadlec, M.D., assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the Department of Health and Human Services, said his priorities include “better leveraging and enhancing” existing federal programs, such as the HPP and National Disaster Medical System, to “create a more coherent, comprehensive and capable regional system integrated into daily care delivery.” Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) last week introduced the Hospital Preparedness Program Reauthorization Act (H.R. 4776), AHA-supported legislation that would authorize $515 million annually for the program through fiscal year 2023, double the current appropriation level.

Related News Articles

Headline
AHA issues statement on the 2024 election
"The AHA and America’s hospitals and health systems congratulate President-elect Trump and look forward to working with him and his incoming Administration to…
Headline
Senate report scrutinizes Medicare Advantage prior authorization denials for post-acute care services 
A report released Oct. 17 by the Senate Homeland Security Committee’s investigative subcommittee scrutinizes some of the nation's largest Medicare Advantage…
Headline
House Energy and Commerce Committee advances two-year telehealth extension, extends hospital-at-home program to 2029 
The House Energy and Commerce Committee Sept. 18 advanced legislation on expiring telehealth and hospital-at-home flexibilities. The AHA supported the passage…
Headline
Senators introduce the SEPSIS Act
Sens. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Bob Casey, D-Pa., Sept. 11 introduced the SEPSIS Act, legislation which would task the Centers for…
Headline
House Education and Workforce Committee holds hearing on contracting provisions, telehealth legislation
The House Education and Workforce Committee advanced several bills Sept. 11, including legislation that would empower commercial insurance companies at the…
Perspective
Keeping Congress Focused on Protecting Access to Care
Congress returns to Washington, D.C., next week following the summer recess, and lawmakers can expect a busy fall as they face a full plate of issues that need…