- The Honorable Charles Schumer
Majority Leader
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510 - The Honorable Mike Johnson
Speaker of the House
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515 - The Honorable Mitch McConnell
Minority Leader
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510 - The Honorable Hakeem Jeffries
Minority Leader
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515
Dear Leaders Schumer and McConnell, Speaker Johnson, and Leader Jeffries:
The undersigned organizations write to encourage swift passage of the Pandemic All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA), legislation that is vital to improving the nations response to public health and medical emergencies, ensuring readiness against emerging threats. Our organizations know firsthand that trauma systems serve as critical infrastructure for disaster and emergency response, managing both day-to-day emergency and trauma care, but also surge capacity when needed.
Without Congressional action, the important programs that PAHPA authorizes are at risk of again expiring when the temporary extension provided in H.R. 6363, Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act, 2024 expires on January 19, 2024. PAHPA created the infrastructure for public health readiness; one such program that continues to play a pivotal role in advancing our capabilities to rapidly respond to emerging threats is the Military and Civilian Partnership for the Trauma Readiness (MISSION ZERO) Grant program. This bipartisan-supported grant program, which was established by The MISSION ZERO Act and signed into law in 2019 as part of the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation (PAHPAI) Act (Public Law No:116-22), is managed by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR).
Click here to read the full Neurosurgery Joins Trauma Coalition Letter Urging Reauthorization of Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA).
