Stronger disaster preparedness act signed into law

President Trump has signed the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act (S. 1379), which aims to ensure that the United States is ready to withstand the adverse health effects resulting from severe weather events, disease pandemics and bioterror attacks. The legislation includes American Hospital Association-supported provisions related to the Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP). These include: reauthorization of HPP at an increased amount; reserving a percentage of HPP funds to develop regional health care emergency preparedness and response systems; and formally keeping the HPP and Public Health Emergency Preparedness Program separate under their respective agencies. The law also clarifies state liability law for volunteer health care professionals. A post by the assistant secretary for preparedness and response at the Department of Health and Human Services provides additional detail. (HHS news release, 6/25/19)