[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4331 Introduced in House (IH)]







110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                H. R. 4331

To amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to preparation for 
 an influenza pandemic, including an avian influenza pandemic, and for 
                            other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            December 6, 2007

  Mrs. Lowey introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
 Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on 
Agriculture, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, 
 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the 
                jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To amend the Public Health Service Act with respect to preparation for 
 an influenza pandemic, including an avian influenza pandemic, and for 
                            other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Attacking Viral Influenza Across 
Nations Act of 2008''.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) The Department of Health and Human Services reports 
        that an influenza pandemic has a greater potential to cause 
        rapid increases in death and illness than virtually any other 
        natural health threat.
            (2) Three pandemics occurred during the 20th century: the 
        Spanish flu pandemic in 1918, the Asian flu pandemic in 1957, 
        and the Hong Kong flu pandemic in 1968. The Spanish flu 
        pandemic was the most severe, causing over 500,000 deaths in 
        the United States and more than 20,000,000 deaths worldwide.
            (3) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has 
        estimated conservatively that up to 207,000 Americans would 
        die, and up to 734,000 would be hospitalized, during the next 
        pandemic. The costs of the pandemic, including the total direct 
        costs associated with medical care and indirect costs of lost 
        productivity and death, are estimated at between 
        $71,000,000,000 and $166,500,000,000. These costs do not 
        include the economic effects of pandemic on commerce and 
        society.
            (4) Recent studies suggest that avian influenza strains, 
        which are endemic in wild birds and poultry populations in some 
        countries, are becoming increasingly capable of causing severe 
        disease in humans and are likely to cause the next pandemic 
        flu.
            (5) In 2004, 8 nations--Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, 
        Japan, Laos, China, Cambodia, and the Republic of Korea--
        experienced outbreaks of avian flu (H5N1) among poultry flocks. 
        Cases of human infections were confirmed in Thailand and 
        Vietnam (including a possible human-to-human infection in 
        Thailand).
            (6) As of December 4, 2007, 336 confirmed human cases of 
        avian influenza (H5N1) have been reported, 207 of which have 
        resulted in death.
            (7) On February 23, 2005, Dr. Shigeru Omi, Asia regional 
        director of the World Health Organization (WHO), stated with 
        respect to the avian flu, ``We at WHO believe that the world is 
        now in the gravest possible danger of a pandemic.''.
            (8) The best defense against influenza pandemics is a 
        heightened global surveillance system. In many of the nations 
        where avian flu (H5N1) has become endemic the early detection 
        capabilities are severely lacking, as is the transparency in 
        the health systems.
            (9) In addition to surveillance, pandemic preparedness 
        requires domestic and international coordination and 
        cooperation to ensure an adequate medical response, including 
        communication and information networks, public health measures 
        to prevent spread, use of vaccination and antivirals, provision 
        of health outpatient and inpatient services, and maintenance of 
        core public functions.

SEC. 3. AMENDMENTS TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT.

    Title XXI of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300aa-1 et 
seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

             ``Subtitle 3--Pandemic Influenza Preparedness

``SEC. 2141. DEFINITION.

    ``For purposes of this subtitle, the term `State' shall have the 
meaning given such term in section 2(f) and shall include Indian tribes 
and tribal organizations (as defined in section 4(b) and 4(c) of the 
Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act).

``SEC. 2142. PROPOSAL FOR INTERNATIONAL FUND TO SUPPORT PANDEMIC 
              INFLUENZA CONTROL.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary should submit to the Director of 
the World Health Organization a proposal to study the feasibility of 
establishing a fund, (referred to in this section as the `Pandemic 
Fund') to support pandemic influenza control and relief activities 
conducted in countries affected by pandemic influenza, including 
pandemic avian influenza.
    ``(b) Content of Proposal.--The proposal submitted under subsection 
(a) shall describe, with respect to the Pandemic Fund--
            ``(1) funding sources;
            ``(2) administration;
            ``(3) application process by which a country may apply to 
        receive assistance from such Fund;
            ``(4) factors used to make a determination regarding a 
        submitted application, which may include--
                    ``(A) the gross domestic product of the applicant 
                country;
                    ``(B) the burden of need, as determined by human 
                morbidity and mortality and economic impact related to 
                pandemic influenza and the existing capacity and 
                resources of the applicant country to control the 
                spread of the disease; and
                    ``(C) the willingness of the country to cooperate 
                with other countries with respect to preventing and 
                controlling the spread of the pandemic influenza; and
            ``(5) any other information the Secretary determines 
        necessary.
    ``(c) Use of Funds.--Funds from any Pandemic Fund established as 
provided for in this section shall be used to complement and augment 
ongoing bilateral programs and activities from the United States and 
other donor nations.

``SEC. 2143. POLICY COORDINATING COMMITTEE ON PANDEMIC INFLUENZA 
              PREPAREDNESS.

    ``(a) In General.--There is established the Pandemic Influenza 
Preparedness Policy Coordinating Committee (referred to in this section 
as the `Committee').
    ``(b) Membership.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Committee shall be composed of--
                    ``(A) the Secretary;
                    ``(B) the Secretary of Agriculture;
                    ``(C) the Secretary of State;
                    ``(D) the Secretary of Defense;
                    ``(E) the Secretary of Commerce;
                    ``(F) the Administrator of the Environmental 
                Protection Agency;
                    ``(G) the Secretary of Transportation;
                    ``(H) the Secretary of Homeland Security;
                    ``(I) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; and
                    ``(J) other representatives as determined 
                appropriate by the Co-Chairs of the Committee.
            ``(2) Co-chairs.--The Secretary and the Secretary of 
        Agriculture shall serve as the Co-Chairs of the Committee.
            ``(3) Term.--The members of the Committee shall serve for 
        the life of the Committee.
    ``(c) Meetings.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Committee shall meet not less often 
        than 2 times per year at the call of the Co-Chairs or as 
        determined necessary by the President.
            ``(2) Representation.--A member of the Committee under 
        subsection (b) may designate a representative to participate in 
        Committee meetings, but such representative shall hold the 
        position of at least an assistant secretary or equivalent 
        position.
    ``(d) Duties of the Committee.--
            ``(1) Preparedness plans.--Each member of the Committee 
        shall submit to the Committee a pandemic influenza preparedness 
        plan for the agency involved that describes--
                    ``(A) initiatives and proposals by such member to 
                address pandemic influenza (including avian influenza) 
                preparedness; and
                    ``(B) any activities and coordination with 
                international entities related to such initiatives and 
                proposals.
            ``(2) Interagency plan and recommendations.--
                    ``(A) In general.--
                            ``(i) Preparedness plan.--Based on the 
                        preparedness plans described under paragraph 
                        (1), and not later than 90 days after the date 
                        of enactment of the Attacking Viral Influenza 
                        Across Nations Act of 2008, the Committee shall 
                        develop an Interagency Preparedness Plan that 
                        integrates and coordinates such preparedness 
                        plans.
                            ``(ii) Content of plan.--The Interagency 
                        Preparedness Plan under clause (i) shall 
                        include a description of--
                                    ``(I) departmental or agency 
                                responsibility and accountability for 
                                each component of such plan;
                                    ``(II) funding requirements and 
                                sources;
                                    ``(III) international collaboration 
                                and coordination efforts; and
                                    ``(IV) recommendations and a 
                                timeline for implementation of such 
                                plan.
                    ``(B) Report.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The Committee shall 
                        submit to the President and Congress, and make 
                        available to the public, a report that includes 
                        the Interagency Preparedness Plan.
                            ``(ii) Updated report.--The Committee shall 
                        submit to the President and Congress, and make 
                        available to the public, on a biannual basis, 
                        an update of the report that includes a 
                        description of--
                                    ``(I) progress made toward plan 
                                implementation, as described under 
                                clause (i); and
                                    ``(II) progress of the domestic 
                                preparedness programs under section 
                                2144 and of the international 
                                assistance programs under section 2145.
                    ``(C) Consultation with international entities.--In 
                developing the preparedness plans described under 
                subparagraph (A) and the report under subparagraph (B), 
                the Committee may consult with representatives from the 
                World Health Organization, the World Organization for 
                Animal Health, and other international bodies, as 
                appropriate.

``SEC. 2144. DOMESTIC PANDEMIC INFLUENZA PREPAREDNESS ACTIVITIES.

    ``(a) Pandemic Preparedness Activities.--The Secretary shall 
strengthen, expand, and coordinate domestic pandemic influenza 
preparedness activities.
    ``(b) State Preparedness Plan.--
            ``(1) In general.--As a condition of receiving funds from 
        the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Health 
        Resources and Services Administration related to bioterrorism, 
        a State shall--
                    ``(A) designate an official or office as 
                responsible for pandemic influenza preparedness;
                    ``(B) submit to the Director of the Centers for 
                Disease Control and Prevention a Pandemic Influenza 
                Preparedness Plan described under paragraph (2); and
                    ``(C) have such Preparedness Plan approved in 
                accordance with this subsection.
            ``(2) Preparedness plan.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Pandemic Influenza 
                Preparedness Plan required under paragraph (1) shall 
                address--
                            ``(i) human and animal surveillance 
                        activities, including capacity for 
                        epidemiological analysis, isolation and 
                        subtyping of influenza viruses year-round, 
                        including for avian influenza among domestic 
                        poultry, and reporting of information across 
                        human and veterinary sectors;
                            ``(ii) methods to ensure surge capacity in 
                        hospitals, laboratories, outpatient healthcare 
                        provider offices, medical suppliers, and 
                        communication networks;
                            ``(iii) assisting the recruitment and 
                        coordination of national and State volunteer 
                        banks of healthcare professionals;
                            ``(iv) distribution of vaccines, 
                        antivirals, and other treatments to priority 
                        groups, and monitor effectiveness and adverse 
                        events;
                            ``(v) networks that provide alerts and 
                        other information for healthcare providers and 
                        organizations at the National, State, and 
                        regional level;
                            ``(vi) communication with the public with 
                        respect to prevention and obtaining care during 
                        pandemic influenza;
                            ``(vii) maintenance of core public 
                        functions, including public utilities, refuse 
                        disposal, mortuary services, transportation, 
                        police and firefighter services, and other 
                        critical services;
                            ``(viii) provision of security for--
                                    ``(I) first responders and other 
                                medical personnel and volunteers;
                                    ``(II) hospitals, treatment 
                                centers, and isolation and quarantine 
                                areas;
                                    ``(III) transport and delivery of 
                                resources, including vaccines, 
                                medications and other supplies; and
                                    ``(IV) other persons or functions 
                                as determined appropriate by the 
                                Secretary;
                            ``(ix) the acquisition of necessary legal 
                        authority for pandemic activities;
                            ``(x) integration with existing national, 
                        State, and regional bioterrorism preparedness 
                        activities or infrastructure;
                            ``(xi) coordination among public and 
                        private health sectors with respect to 
                        healthcare delivery, including mass vaccination 
                        and treatment systems, during pandemic 
                        influenza; and
                            ``(xii) coordination with Federal pandemic 
                        influenza preparedness activities.
                    ``(B) Underserved populations.--The Pandemic 
                Influenza Preparedness Plan required under paragraph 
                (1) shall include a specific focus on surveillance, 
                prevention, and medical care for traditionally 
                underserved populations, including low-income, racial 
                and ethnic minority, immigrant, and uninsured 
                populations.
            ``(3) Approval of state plan.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Director of the Centers for 
                Disease Control and Prevention, in collaboration with 
                the Secretary of Agriculture and the Administrator of 
                the Health Resources and Services Administration, shall 
                develop criteria to rate State Pandemic Influenza 
                Preparedness Plans required under paragraph (1) and 
                determine the minimum rating needed for approval.
                    ``(B) Timing of approval.--Not later than 180 days 
                after a State submits a State Pandemic Influenza 
                Preparedness Plan as required under paragraph (1), the 
                Director of the Centers for Disease Control and 
                Prevention shall make a determination regarding 
                approval of such Plan.
            ``(4) Reporting of state plan.--All Pandemic Influenza 
        Preparedness Plans submitted and approved under this section 
        shall be made available to the public.
            ``(5) Assistance to states.--The Centers for Disease 
        Control and Prevention and the Health Resources and Services 
        Administration may provide assistance to States in carrying out 
        this subsection, or implementing an approved State Pandemic 
        Influenza Preparedness Plan, which may include the detail of an 
        officer to approved domestic pandemic sites or the purchase of 
        equipment and supplies.
            ``(6) Waiver.--The Secretary may grant a temporary waiver 
        of 1 or more of the requirements under this subsection.
    ``(c) Domestic Surveillance.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary, in coordination with the 
        Secretary of Agriculture, shall establish minimum thresholds 
        for States with respect to adequate surveillance for pandemic 
        influenza, including possible pandemic avian influenza.
            ``(2) Assistance to states.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The Secretary, in coordination 
                with the Secretary of Agriculture, shall provide 
                assistance to States and regions to meet the minimum 
                thresholds established under paragraph (1).
                    ``(B) Types of assistance.--Assistance provided to 
                States under subparagraph (A) may include--
                            ``(i) the establishment or expansion of 
                        State surveillance and alert systems, including 
                        the Sentinel Physician Surveillance System and 
                        122 Cities Mortalities Report System;
                            ``(ii) the provision of equipment and 
                        supplies;
                            ``(iii) support for epidemiological 
                        analysis and investigation of novel strains;
                            ``(iv) the sharing of biological specimens 
                        and epidemiological and clinical data within 
                        and across States; and
                            ``(v) other activities determined 
                        appropriate by the Secretary.
            ``(3) Detail of officers.--The Secretary may detail 
        officers to States for technical assistance as needed to carry 
        out this subsection.
    ``(d) Private Sector Involvement.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the 
        Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and 
        the Administrator of the Health Resources and Services 
        Administration, and in coordination with private sector 
        entities, shall integrate and coordinate public and private 
        influenza surveillance activities, as appropriate.
            ``(2) Grant program.--
                    ``(A) In general.--In carrying out the activities 
                under paragraph (1), the Secretary may establish a 
                grant program to provide grants to eligible entities to 
                coordinate pandemic preparedness surveillance 
                activities between States and private health sector 
                entities, including health plans and other health 
                systems.
                    ``(B) Eligibility.--To be eligible to receive a 
                grant under subparagraph (A), an entity shall--
                            ``(i) submit an application at such time, 
                        in such manner, and containing such information 
                        as the Secretary may require; and
                            ``(ii) be a State with a collaborative 
                        relationship with a private health system 
                        organization or institution.
                    ``(C) Use of funds.--Funds under a grant under 
                subparagraph (A) may be used to--
                            ``(i) develop and implement surveillance 
                        protocols for patients in outpatient and 
                        hospital settings;
                            ``(ii) establish a communication alert plan 
                        for patients for reportable signs and symptoms 
                        that may suggest influenza;
                            ``(iii) purchase necessary equipment and 
                        supplies;
                            ``(iv) increase laboratory testing and 
                        networking capacity;
                            ``(v) conduct epidemiological and other 
                        analyses; or
                            ``(vi) report and disseminate data.
                    ``(D) Detail of officers.--The Secretary may detail 
                officers to grantees under subparagraph (A) for 
                technical assistance.
                    ``(E) Requirement.--As a condition of receiving a 
                grant under subparagraph (A), a State shall have a plan 
                to meet minimum thresholds for State influenza 
                surveillance established by the Director of the Centers 
                for Disease Control and Prevention in coordination with 
                the Secretary of Agriculture under subsection (b).
    ``(e) Temporary Facility.--The Secretary may establish a temporary 
Federal facility or body to coordinate Federal support and assistance 
to States and localities, activities across Federal agencies or 
departments, or direct implementation of Federal authorities and 
responsibilities when appropriate under Federal law or when State and 
local actions to address the pandemic or threat of pandemic are deemed 
insufficient by the Secretary or Director of the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention.
    ``(f) Procurement of Antivirals for the Strategic National 
Stockpile.--The Secretary shall determine the minimum number of doses 
of antivirals needed to prevent infection or treat infection during 
pandemic influenza, including possible pandemic avian influenza, for 
health professionals (including doctors, nurses, mental health 
professionals, pharmacists, veterinarians, laboratory personnel, 
epidemiologists, virologists and public health practitioners), core 
public utility employees, and those persons expected to be at high risk 
for serious morbidity and mortality from pandemic influenza, and take 
immediate steps to procure this minimum number of doses for the 
Strategic National Stockpile described under section 319F-2.
    ``(g) Procurement of Vaccines for the Strategic National 
Stockpile.--Subject to development and testing of potential vaccines 
for pandemic influenza, including possible pandemic avian influenza, 
the Secretary shall determine the minimum number of doses of vaccines 
needed to prevent infection during at least the first wave of pandemic 
influenza for health professionals (including doctors, nurses, mental 
health professionals, pharmacists, veterinarians, laboratory personnel, 
epidemiologists, virologists, and public health practitioners), core 
public utility employees, and those persons expected to be at high risk 
for serious morbidity and mortality from pandemic influenza, and take 
immediate steps to procure this minimum number of doses for the 
Strategic National Stockpile described under section 319F-2.

``SEC. 2145. INTERNATIONAL PANDEMIC INFLUENZA ASSISTANCE.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall assist other countries in 
preparation for, and response to, pandemic influenza, including 
possible pandemic avian influenza.
    ``(b) International Surveillance.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary, acting through the 
        Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 
        in collaboration with the Secretary of Agriculture, in 
        consultation with the World Health Organization and the World 
        Organization for Animal Health, shall establish minimum 
        standards for surveillance capacity for all countries with 
        respect to pandemic influenza, including possible pandemic 
        avian influenza.
            ``(2) Assistance.--The Secretary and the Secretary of 
        Agriculture shall assist other countries to meet the standards 
        established in paragraph (1) through--
                    ``(A) the detail of officers to foreign countries 
                for the provision of technical assistance or training;
                    ``(B) laboratory testing, including testing of 
                specimens for viral isolation or subtype analysis;
                    ``(C) epidemiological analysis and investigation of 
                novel strains;
                    ``(D) provision of equipment or supplies;
                    ``(E) coordination of surveillance activities 
                within and among countries;
                    ``(F) the establishment and maintenance of an 
                Internet database that is accessible to health 
                officials domestically and internationally, for the 
                purpose of reporting new cases or clusters of influenza 
                and under information that may help avert the pandemic 
                spread of influenza; and
                    ``(G) other activities as determined necessary by 
                the Secretary.
    ``(c) Increased International Medical Capacity During Pandemic 
Influenza.--The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of State, 
may provide vaccines, antiviral medications, and supplies to foreign 
countries from the Strategic National Stockpile described under section 
319F-2.
    ``(d) Assistance to Foreign Countries.--The Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention and the Health Resources and Services 
Administration may provide assistance to foreign countries in carrying 
out this section, which may include the detail of an officer to 
approved international pandemic sites or the purchase of equipment and 
supplies.

``SEC. 2146. PUBLIC EDUCATION AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGN.

    ``(a) In General.--The Director of the Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention, in consultation with the United States Agency for 
International Development, the World Health Organization, the World 
Organization for Animal Health, and foreign countries, shall develop an 
outreach campaign with respect to public education and awareness of 
influenza and influenza preparedness.
    ``(b) Details of Campaign.--The campaign established under 
subsection (a) shall--
            ``(1) be culturally and linguistically appropriate for 
        domestic populations;
            ``(2) be adaptable for use in foreign countries;
            ``(3) target high-risk populations (those most likely to 
        contract, transmit, and die from influenza);
            ``(4) promote personal influenza precautionary measures and 
        knowledge, and the need for general vaccination, as 
        appropriate; and
            ``(5) describe precautions at the State and local level 
        that could be implemented during pandemic influenza, including 
        quarantine and other measures.

``SEC. 2147. HEALTH PROFESSIONAL TRAINING.

    ``The Secretary, directly or through contract, and in consultation 
with professional health and medical societies, shall develop and 
disseminate pandemic influenza training curricula--
            ``(1) to educate and train health professionals, including 
        physicians, nurses, public health practitioners, virologists 
        and epidemiologists, veterinarians, mental health providers, 
        allied health professionals, and paramedics and other first 
        responders;
            ``(2) to educate and train volunteer, non-medical personnel 
        whose assistance may be required during a pandemic influenza 
        outbreak; and
            ``(3) that address prevention, including use of quarantine 
        and other isolation precautions, pandemic influenza diagnosis, 
        medical guidelines for use of antivirals and vaccines, and 
        professional requirements and responsibilities, as appropriate.

``SEC. 2148. RESEARCH AT THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH.

    ``The Director of the National Institutes of Health (referred to in 
this section as the `Director of NIH'), in collaboration with the 
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other 
relevant agencies, shall expand and intensify--
            ``(1) human and animal research, with respect to influenza, 
        on--
                    ``(A) vaccine development and manufacture, 
                including strategies to increase immunological 
                response;
                    ``(B) effectiveness of inducing heterosubtypic 
                immunity;
                    ``(C) antivirals, including minimal dose or course 
                of treatment and timing to achieve prophylactic or 
                therapeutic effect;
                    ``(D) side effects and drug safety of vaccines and 
                antivirals in subpopulations;
                    ``(E) alternative routes of delivery;
                    ``(F) more efficient methods for testing and 
                determining virus subtype;
                    ``(G) protective measures; and
                    ``(H) other areas determined appropriate by the 
                Director of NIH; and
            ``(2) historical research on prior pandemics to better 
        understand pandemic epidemiology, transmission, protective 
        measures, high-risk groups, and other lessons that may be 
        applicable to future pandemics.

``SEC. 2149. RESEARCH AT THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND 
              PREVENTION.

    ``The Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 
in collaboration with other relevant agencies, shall expand and 
intensify research, with respect to influenza, on--
            ``(1) communication strategies for the public during 
        pandemic influenza, taking into consideration age, racial and 
        ethnic background, health literacy, and risk status;
            ``(2) changing and influencing human behavior as it relates 
        to vaccination; and
            ``(3) development and implementation of a public, non-
        commercial and non-competitive broadcast system and person-to-
        person networks.

``SEC. 2150. INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE STUDY ON THE LEGAL, ETHICAL, AND 
              SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF PANDEMIC INFLUENZA.

    ``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall contract with the Institute 
of Medicine to--
            ``(1) study the legal, ethical, and social implications of, 
        with respect to pandemic influenza--
                    ``(A) animal/human interchange;
                    ``(B) global surveillance;
                    ``(C) case contact investigations;
                    ``(D) vaccination and medical treatment;
                    ``(E) community hygiene;
                    ``(F) travel and border controls;
                    ``(G) decreased social mixing and increased social 
                distance;
                    ``(H) civil confinement; and
                    ``(I) other topics as determined appropriate by the 
                Secretary.
            ``(2) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
        the Attacking Viral Influenza Across Nations Act of 2008, 
        submit to the Secretary a report that describes recommendations 
        based on the study conducted under paragraph (1).
    ``(b) Implementation of Recommendations.--Not later than 180 days 
after the submission of the report of under subsection (a)(2), the 
Secretary shall address the recommendations of the Institute of 
Medicine regarding the domestic and international allocation and 
distribution of pandemic influenza vaccine and antivirals.

``SEC. 2151. NATIONAL PANDEMIC INFLUENZA ECONOMICS ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

    ``(a) In General.--There is established the National Pandemic 
Influenza Economics Advisory Committee (referred to in this section as 
the `Committee').
    ``(b) Membership.--
            ``(1) In general.--The members of the Committee shall be 
        appointed by the Comptroller General of the United States and 
        shall include domestic and international experts on pandemic 
        influenza, public health, veterinary science, commerce, 
        economics, finance, and international diplomacy.
            ``(2) Chair.--The Comptroller General of the United States 
        shall select a Chair from among the members of the Committee.
    ``(c) Duties.--The Committee shall study and make recommendations 
to Congress and the Secretary on the financial and economic impact of 
pandemic influenza and possible financial structures for domestic and 
international pandemic response, relating to--
            ``(1) the development, storage and distribution of 
        vaccines;
            ``(2) the storage and distribution of antiviral and other 
        medications and supplies;
            ``(3) increased surveillance activities;
            ``(4) provision of preventive and medical care during 
        pandemic;
            ``(5) reimbursement for health providers and other core 
        public function employees;
            ``(6) reasonable compensation for farmers and other workers 
        that bear direct or disproportionate loss of revenue; and
            ``(7) other issues determined appropriate by the Chair.
    ``(d) Compensation.--
            ``(1) In general.--Each member of the Committee who is not 
        an officer or employee of the Federal Government shall be 
        compensated at a rate equal to the daily equivalent of the 
        annual rate of basic pay prescribed for level IV of the 
        Executive Schedule under section 5315 of title 5, United States 
        Code, for each day (including travel time) during which such 
        member is engaged in the performance of the duties of the 
        Committee. All members who are officers or employees of the 
        United States shall serve without compensation in addition to 
        that received for their services as officers or employees of 
        the United States.
            ``(2) Travel expenses.--A member of the Committee shall be 
        allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
        subsistence, at rates authorized for an employee of an agency 
        under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
        Code, while away from the home or regular place of business of 
        the member in the performance of the duties of the Committee.
    ``(e) Staff.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Chair of the Committee shall provide 
        the Committee with such professional and clerical staff, such 
        information, and the services of such consultants as may be 
        necessary to assist the Committee in carrying out the functions 
        under this section.
            ``(2) Detail of federal government employees.--
                    ``(A) In general.--An employee of the Federal 
                Government may be detailed to the Committee without 
                reimbursement.
                    ``(B) Civil service status.--The detail of the 
                employee shall be without interruption or loss of civil 
                service status or privilege.
            ``(3) Procurement of temporary and intermittent services.--
        The Chair of the Committee may procure temporary and 
        intermittent services in accordance with section 3109(b) of 
        title 5, United States Code, at rates for individuals that do 
        not exceed the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay 
        prescribed for level V of the Executive Schedule under section 
        5316 of that title.''.

SEC. 4. PANDEMIC INFLUENZA AND ANIMAL HEALTH.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary of Agriculture shall expand and 
intensify efforts to prevent pandemic influenza, including possible 
pandemic avian influenza.
    (b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
this Act, the Secretary of Agriculture shall submit to Congress a 
report that describes the anticipated impact of pandemic influenza on 
the United States.
    (c) Assistance.--The Secretary of Agriculture, in consultation with 
the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the World Health 
Organization, and the World Organization for Animal Health, shall 
provide domestic and international assistance with respect to pandemic 
influenza preparedness to--
            (1) support the eradication of infectious animal diseases 
        and zoonosis;
            (2) increase transparency in animal disease states;
            (3) collect, analyze, and disseminate veterinary data;
            (4) strengthen international coordination and cooperation 
        in the control of animal diseases; and
            (5) promote the safety of world trade in animals and animal 
        products.

SEC. 5. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
necessary to carry out this Act (and the amendments made by this Act) 
for each of the fiscal years 2009 through 2012.
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