SALT LAKE CITY-Utah Republican Senator Mitt Romney and Connecticut Democratic Senator Chris Murphy have united to propose the creation of a health security council.
The purpose of this, Romney confirmed, is to prepare the country to confront the spread of another infectious disease this upcoming flu season.
Previously, Romney expressed his disappointment in the lack of protective equipment for health care workers, such as masks and gowns and medical devices that would help the ill.
He confirmed he was also frustrated with the nation’s lag in coronavirus testing.
Romney and Murphy believe such legislation would reiterate the United States’ commitment to global health security.
If it passes, this legislation would create the Global Health Security Interagency Review Council and the position of global health security coordinator. This position would be appointed by the president from the National Security Council.
These new entities would also be responsible for the implementation of the Global Health Security Agenda. This initiative was launched by nearly 30 countries in 2014 to address global infectious disease threats.
They would also provide policy recommendations, help federal agencies implement the agenda and assist other countries to reach these goals.
This bipartisan legislation was also introduced in the House.
