Silver State Times

WASHINGTON – On June 6, 2023, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03), Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), Congressman Michael Burgess (TX-26), and Congressman Dan Crenshaw (TX-02) introduced the bipartisan Disease X Act, which proactively supports the research and development of medical countermeasures (MCM) to address current and future public health threats. 

Many states, including Nevada, continue to see cases of a potentially lethal, drug-resistant fungus that poses a serious risk to public health. Rather than wait for the next public health threat to emerge, such as another infectious disease, Nevada should be a leader in public health preparedness. That is why Congresswoman Lee is joining a bipartisan effort to invest in MCMs and ensure that the United States has the tools it needs to comprehensively respond to future public health threats. 

The Disease X Act does this by establishing an MCM program at the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). This program would invest in research and development related to infectious diseases with the potential to cause future, large-scale outbreaks, as well as identify the manufacturing capabilities needed to produce MCMs.  

“If we learned anything from the pandemic, it’s that we must take public health threats seriously and take proactive steps to be prepared for the future,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03). “Right here in southern Nevada, we continue to see instances of drug-resistant infections, and this bill is an important step towards addressing this threat. I’m joining a bipartisan coalition to deliver powerful medical countermeasures to address the threats we know, and plan for those we don’t know, so we are never caught flat-footed again.” 

“It’s been over three years since the COVID-19 pandemic began wreaking havoc on our nation, and yet we still have no sustained funding, program, or strategy dedicated to accelerating the development of countermeasures for unidentified infectious diseases. It’s imperative that we not only learn the lessons from the mistakes made leading up to and during the pandemic, but also take action to ensure we’re never caught flat-footed in our response to a future viral threat,” said Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03). “With infectious disease outbreaks occurring at concerningly rapid rates, it’s incumbent on Congress to act swiftly and responsibly. That’s why I’m partnering with Congressman Burgess, Congressman Crenshaw, and Congresswoman Lee to introduce the bipartisan Disease X Act, and I look forward to working with them and our colleagues on the Health Subcommittee to get this legislation passed into law.” 

“America was severely underprepared for the COVID-19 pandemic, underscoring our need to proactively address future threats to better protect public health and save lives,” said Congressman Michael Burgess (TX-26). “The Disease X Act is crucial legislation enhancing BARDA's mission by expanding its scope to facilitate public-private research and developing countermeasures for emerging viral pathogens with pandemic potential. This legislation would pave the way for a more resilient and prepared nation.” 

“This Act would be a major leap forward in our collective efforts to stay ahead of the ever-evolving threat landscape,” said Anita Cicero, Deputy Director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. “The Disease X Act of 2023 empowers BARDA to invest in modern technologies that will lead to new vaccines and drugs against pandemic–capable viruses. We commend Representatives Trahan and Burgess for their vision and urge all lawmakers to unite in support of this important bill.” 

"Disease X is the culmination of what amounts to a conceptual shift in how the country prepares for infectious disease threats with the aim of enhancing resiliency in a truly proactive manner," said Dr. Amesh Adalja, Senior Scholar and Project Director for the Disease X Medical Countermeasures Program Project at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. 

Original source can be found here.