IDSA Applauds Inclusion of PREVENT in Congressional Funding Bill

The Infectious Diseases Society of America applauds the inclusion of the PREVENT Pandemics Act — including the BIO Preparedness Workforce Pilot Program — in the proposed funding bill released today and urges Congress to pass the bill and the president to sign it before year’s end. PREVENT demonstrates an important bipartisan down payment on equipping the nation to be better prepared for future outbreaks.

IDSA successfully led a significant advocacy effort to include the BIO Preparedness Workforce Pilot Program in PREVENT as part of a comprehensive effort to address the nation’s infectious diseases workforce shortage. Specifically, this program would help make the field of ID a more financially feasible choice for new physicians and increase the availability of infectious diseases experts in underserved communities through a loan repayment program. PREVENT will also strengthen medical supply chains, improve disease data collection and bolster the nation’s overall preparedness infrastructure.

The new year is a chance to reflect on the lessons learned from the nation’s response to outbreaks like RSV, mpox, and COVID-19 and to look ahead on how future responses can be more robust and more equitable. The PREVENT Pandemics Act is an important step forward.

Carlos del Rio, MD, FIDSA – President, Infectious Diseases Society of America

About IDSA
The Infectious Diseases Society of America is a community of more than 12,000 physicians, scientists and public health experts who specialize in infectious diseases. Its purpose is to improve the health of individuals, communities and society by promoting excellence in patient care, education, research, public health and prevention relating to infectious diseases. Learn more at https://www.idsociety.org/.