Dr. Gerald Parker, Texas A&M University’s associate dean for Global One Health at the School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) and director of the Pandemic & Biosecurity Policy Program, recently testified before the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health on the importance of being prepared for emerging threats and disasters.
The subcommittee, which includes Reps. Michael Burgess and Dan Crenshaw of Texas, discussed the reauthorization for the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) along with a number of public health-related bills. PAHPA was first signed into law in 2006 to provide the federal government with the authority to prepare and quickly respond to emergencies, such as Hurricane Katrina, the emergence of H5NI (avian influenza A), and other public health emergencies, whether deliberate, accidental, or natural.
PAHPA has been reauthorized twice since 2006, with the current authorization set to expire in September. As a result, Congress is working to find consensus on a new bill.
As an expert on pandemic preparedness, public policy, and biosecurity, Parker was invited to speak on the importance of public health preparedness and provide recommendations for strengthening PAHPA and improving the United States’ ability to handle medical and public health emergencies.
Parker also served as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ first principal deputy assistance secretary for preparedness and response, a position that was established after the 2006 legislation went into effect.
“The threats we face range from terrorism, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, cyber, natural disasters, climate change, pandemics, and more that we do not yet grasp,” Parker said during his opening remarks. “These are hard problems, and we must have the right tools to confront an ever-expanding list of potentially catastrophic threats.”
As the current PAHPA was drafted before the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the hearing provided an opportunity to discuss lessons learned and address areas for improvement.
Parker emphasized the importance of close working relationships between the federal government and state and local partners who are on the front lines, as well as the need for a deputy assistant to the President for biodefense, global health security, and pandemic preparedness in the White House.