Duckworth, Wyden Introduce Bill to Increase Support for U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – Today, U.S. Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Ron Wyden (D-OR) introduced new legislation to help make sure the U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps has the funding it needs to ensure a highly-trained, always-ready, fully-deployable national public health service. The U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps Operations and Readiness Act would authorize dedicated annual funding to the USPHS Commissioned Corps, which is currently the only uniformed service without a budget line item dedicated to service operations and maintenance.
“One of the most critical lessons we can learn from the COVID-19 pandemic is how important it is for our country to be prepared for the next public health crisis,” said Duckworth. “By supporting our Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, we could help create more opportunities for Americans to serve and protect our country against current and future public health emergencies. That’s one reason why I’m proud to join Senator Wyden in introducing this legislation to do just that and help us strengthen our nation’s national health security.”
“Over the last three years, the significance of public health has been felt like never before. In times of public health emergencies, the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps stands as our nation's frontline protectors, dedicating their lives to safeguarding the health of every American,” said Wyden. “This bill marks a critical stride towards ensuring that this invaluable service is well-prepared to meet the evolving public health needs of our nation.”
The increasing frequency and severity of public health emergencies makes our nation more vulnerable to potential threats. The USPHS plays a critical role in preserving national public health and national security during domestic or global public health emergencies. USPHS is the only uniformed service in the world solely dedicated to public health. Establishing a budget line item for service operations and readiness is vital to ensure a fully-deployable national public health asset.
A copy of the bill text is available here.
Duckworth and Wyden also recently urged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to ensure funds are identified to sustain and build the USPHS Commissioned Corps public health emergency response capabilities after the Fiscal Responsibility Act rescinded certain American Rescue Plan Act funds that authorized the USPHS Commissioned Corps Ready Reserve and built capacity for the USPHS Public Health Emergency Response Strike Teams.
“The USPHS Commissioned Corps is one of eight federal uniformed services, and it is the only service with an exclusive focus on public health. The COVID-19 pandemic and unprecedented natural disasters, including wildfires, hurricanes, and droughts, have brought to light the importance of investing in our preparedness and the nation’s health through the USPHS Commissioned Corps,” the senators wrote to HHS Secretary Xavier Beccera. “The USPHS Commissioned Corps Ready Reserve and PHERST meet the current challenges of maintaining the nation’s health security by augmenting the Commissioned Corps’ capability to respond to health emergencies, improve access to health services, and ensure vulnerable and underserved populations receive the health care they need. We hope you will continue to advocate for and support this critical public health workforce asset and your frontline public health responders. It is important that HHS develop a plan for sustaining the USPHS Commissioned Corps with remaining funds and future budget proposals.”
A copy of the letter is available here.
Duckworth also recently introduced the Parity for Public Health Service Ready Reserve Act, which would empower HHS to recruit, retain and mobilize an elite sustainment force of Public Health Service uniformed servicemembers in response to public health emergencies.
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