Springfield Standard

Recently, Senators Eric Schmitt and Mike Lee introduced the Public Health Improvement Act, a bill designed to reform the leadership and focus of two major US health institutions, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This initiative is intended to address concerns regarding trust in public health institutions.

Senator Eric Schmitt emphasized the need for such reforms, stating, “The mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic, the draconian mandates, and the stifling of free speech brought the American people’s trust in public health institutions to an all-time low. That’s why I introduced The Public Health Improvement Act, which would limit the terms of the CDC and NIH directors, as well as narrow the CDC’s focus by removing noncommunicable diseases from its strategic planning scope. These key changes will help ensure Congressional oversight of the CDC and NIH, as well as begin the rebuilding of trust in these institutions.”

The proposed legislation seeks to achieve several goals: setting a 12-year term limit for CDC and NIH directors, refining the CDC's strategic focus to exclude noncommunicable diseases, modifying the CDC Director’s Advisory Committee composition to include members appointed by Congress and the Comptroller General, and limiting the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to regulate only communicable diseases. Additionally, it requires congressional approval for extending public health emergencies beyond 90 days and advocates for the transfer of certain CDC offices, such as those dealing with chronic diseases and environmental issues, to the NIH.

The full text of the bill is available for those interested in a more detailed examination.