Miller-Meeks, Colleagues Introduce Diagnostic Testing Preparedness Plan Bill
Washington, D.C. — Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Kim Schrier (D-WA), Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), and Andre Carson (D-IN) introduced the Diagnostic Testing Preparedness Plan Act (H.R. 1108). This legislation requires HHS to develop a diagnostic testing preparedness plan to be used during declared public health emergencies.
“From development to distribution, it is crucial to have a comprehensive plan for diagnostic and clinical lab testing capacities during a public health emergency,” said Dr. Miller-Meeks. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw how critical diagnostic tests were for the public health response. As a physician, I am proud to sponsor this bipartisan bill to ensure the U.S. has a robust response to future public health emergencies.”
“Diagnostics are an essential part of public health preparedness and, as was exemplified in the COVID-19 Pandemic when we struggled to provide the testing required to slow the spread of disease while South Korea was doing thousands of drive-thru tests daily. Diagnostic testing is especially crucial during a public health emergency,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “This commonsense, bipartisan bill will improve our clinical and diagnostic laboratory testing capacity, enhance public-private partnerships, and strengthen our overall public health preparedness against illnesses ranging from the seasonal flu to new, emerging threats.”
“Diagnostics play a role in every aspect of public health,” said Congressman Carson. “Whether it’s a bad flu season or the outbreak of a new infectious disease like the bird flu, our bill will ensure my district and cities across the country are better coordinated and better prepared to tackle the world’s most serious health problems. I’m honored to work with Roche Diagnostics in my home district and with my colleagues across the aisle on this important bill.”
Background:
Diagnostic tests were crucial to the COVID-19 response, but the pandemic revealed glaring gaps in available tests in the United States, including supply chain issues and reliance on foreign countries for materials. This bill will facilitate public-private coordination and overall increase capacity to develop accurate, externally validated tests. The plan will also lead to the rapid development, authorization, scaling, procurement, and distribution of diagnostics and clinical and diagnostic laboratory testing capacity during a public health emergency as well as a variety of other public health threats.
The Bipartisan Diagnostics Testing Preparedness Plan Act is endorsed by Johns Hopkins University, Roche Diagnostics, and the American Clinical Laboratory Association.
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