The United States must be prepared for the next public health emergency before it arrives. The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) provides the foundation for critical federal preparedness and response programs, including those administered by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). PAHPA expired on September 30, 2023, and Congress must act to ensure these essential programs remain equipped to prevent, prepare for, and respond to emerging infectious disease threats and other public health emergencies.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Recent public health emergencies have exposed vulnerabilities in our healthcare system, including workforce shortages, medical supply chain disruptions, communication challenges, and persistent health inequities. At the same time, threats such as antimicrobial resistance, emerging infectious diseases, and the health impacts of climate change continue to grow. Congress has an opportunity to strengthen our nation's preparedness and response capabilities through a comprehensive PAHPA reauthorization.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Take Action Today 
Contact your senators and representative and urge them to support a comprehensive reauthorization of PAHPA that:&nbsp;&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Strengthens the healthcare workforce through training and cross-training of infection preventionists, healthcare epidemiologists, and other public health professionals.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>Improves communication and coordination among healthcare providers, public health agencies, and government officials during public health emergencies.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>Enhances medical supply chain resilience and supports a transparent and accessible Strategic National Stockpile.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>Expands surveillance, research, and preparedness efforts for emerging infectious disease threats.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>Modernizes healthcare data collection, reporting, and information-sharing systems.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li>Reduces health disparities and improves equitable access to vaccines, treatments, and preventive services.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
Healthcare epidemiologists, infection preventionists, and antimicrobial stewardship professionals are on the front lines of protecting patients and communities from infectious diseases. A strong PAHPA reauthorization will help ensure our healthcare and public health systems are prepared to meet future challenges while safeguarding patient safety and national security.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Send Your Message 
Use this letter template to ask your members of Congress to support a comprehensive reauthorization of PAHPA and strengthen America's public health preparedness infrastructure for future emergencies.&nbsp;
Take action today and make your voice heard.

Urge Congress to Reauthorize PAHPA and Strengthen Our Nation's Health Security

As a constituent and a healthcare professional, I urge you to support a comprehensive reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) and to include it in the next appropriate legislative package.

PAHPA provides the foundation for many of our nation's critical public health preparedness and response programs, including those administered by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). These programs are responsible for helping the United States prevent, prepare for, and respond to emerging infectious disease outbreaks and other public health emergencies. PAHPA expired on September 30, 2023, and comprehensive reauthorization is needed to ensure the nation remains prepared for future threats. 

Without the needed federal authorizations and funding in place, our nation is exposed to known vulnerabilities that appear in our healthcare system during public health emergencies, including workforce shortages, supply chain disruptions, challenges in communicating timely and trusted public health information, and health inequities. At the same time, new threats continue to emerge, including antimicrobial resistance, emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, and the growing public health impacts of climate change and globalization. These challenges underscore the need to strengthen and modernize our nation's health security infrastructure. 

As Congress considers PAHPA reauthorization, I encourage you to prioritize:
- Strengthening the healthcare workforce through training and cross-training of infection preventionists, healthcare epidemiologists, and other public health professionals.
- Improving communication and coordination among healthcare providers, public health agencies, and government officials during public health emergencies.
- Enhancing medical supply chain resilience and ensuring a transparent, accessible, and well-supported Strategic National Stockpile.
- Expanding surveillance, research, and preparedness efforts for emerging infectious disease threats.
- Modernizing healthcare data collection, reporting, and sharing systems to improve situational awareness and response capabilities.
- Reducing health disparities and improving equitable access to vaccines, treatments, and preventive services, particularly for vulnerable and underserved populations. 

Healthcare epidemiologists, infection preventionists, and antimicrobial stewardship professionals play a critical role in protecting patients and communities from infectious diseases. A strong and forward-looking PAHPA reauthorization will help ensure that healthcare systems, public health agencies, and communities are better prepared to respond to future public health emergencies while protecting patient safety and national security. 

Thank you for your consideration of this important issue. I respectfully urge you to support a comprehensive reauthorization of PAHPA that strengthens our nation's preparedness, response, and recovery capabilities.