Two former health officials argue in a STAT News opinion piece that Congress must urgently reauthorize the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA). They warn that America's next health emergency will not wait for Washington's slow processes.
PAHPA, which governs the Strategic National Stockpile and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, is critical for coordinating federal responses to infectious disease outbreaks and biological threats. The authors contend that letting it lapse would undermine preparedness infrastructure.
Vanderwagen and Alton call for bipartisan action to renew the law before it expires, noting that previous reauthorizations have strengthened capabilities. They frame the issue as a matter of national security rather than partisan politics.
Without timely reauthorization, gaps in federal response mechanisms could emerge, potentially leaving the nation vulnerable to pandemics or chemical and radiological events. The authors stress that proactive investment now is cheaper than emergency spending later.
The piece serves as a direct appeal to lawmakers, reflecting growing concern among public health experts about waning political attention to preparedness since the COVID-19 pandemic.