[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 11 (Thursday, January 18, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E59]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  GLOBAL HEALTH INNOVATION ACT OF 2017

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 17, 2018

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 1660, 
Global Health Innovation Act, because it encourages the continual 
research and development of new global health strategies and promotes 
transparency between our Federal agencies and the United States 
Congress.
  Under H.R. 1660, the U.S. Agency for International Development 
(USAID) would be required to report to Congress on the development and 
use of global health innovations in USAID programs, projects, and 
activities.
  This annual report would have to include a thorough description of:
  The extent to which global health innovations include drugs, 
vaccines, and mobile technologies, as well as related service delivery 
improvements and behavior changes;
  How innovation has advanced USAID's efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, end 
preventable child and maternal deaths, protect communities from 
infectious diseases, and further its Global Health Strategic Framework;
  Progress made toward health product development goals;
  How USAID's investments in innovation relate to its goals;
  How USAID leverages investments to improve health innovation, 
develops affordable global health products, and advances health 
innovations in development;
  USAID's collaboration with other federal agencies; and
  How USAID is coordinating global health innovation activities between 
its Global Development Lab, Center for Accelerating Innovation and 
Impact, and Bureau for Global Health.
  The report would have to be submitted within 180 days of the bill's 
enactment, and then annually for four years.
  The critical research and development of global health technologies 
has facilitated the development of life-saving technologies saving 
countless lives across the globe.
  Ultimately, the goal of H.R. 1660 is to support a long-term program 
to develop these much needed health technologies and innovative easy-
to-use health solutions for low resource environment.
  I have always been an advocate for the protection of women and 
children.
  This bill would help to stifle the spread of infectious diseases in 
underdeveloped countries, and work to find new and improved ways to 
fight infection for those who cannot fight themselves.
  So I stand for H.R. 1660; and I ask my colleagues to stand with me in 
support of this bill, and the pursuit of improved global health.

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