The Sinema-backed legislation establishes at least 10 Centers for Public Health Preparedness and Response to be equitably distributed among geographical regions in the country
WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema cosponsored the bipartisan Centers for Public Health Preparedness and Response Reauthorization Act, which establishes at least 10 Centers for Public Health Preparedness and Response throughout the country in order to prepare for future public health emergencies. This bipartisan legislation has the potential to create public health research opportunities for Arizona universities and institutions.
“We’re preparing for future health emergencies to keep Arizonans safe and healthy, and help ensure the economic and health challenges from the coronavirus pandemic do not happen again,” said Sinema.
The COVID-19 pandemic revealed serious vulnerabilities in our public health capacities. This bipartisan legislation backed by Sinema would strengthen the United States’ response to future public health emergencies, helping put into practice evidence-based research to protect American families.
The bipartisan Centers for Public Health Preparedness and Response Reauthorization Act allows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to award grants or enter into partnerships with academic institutions, nonprofit entities, public health officials, and state, local, and Tribal governments to form public health preparedness and response centers. These centers would be responsible for researching, communicating, and sharing public health information to improve the ability of health professionals provide a comprehensive response during future public health emergencies.
Sinema continues her efforts to support increased quality of care for Arizonans and Americans. In April, Sinema urged Congressional leaders to reach an agreement on critical COVID health aid and cosponsored the bipartisan Healthcare Workforce Resilience Act, which increases the number of health care workers in Arizona and helps address the shortage of doctors and nurses in Arizona and across the United States.