Public Health Threats and Emergencies Act

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 952.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jun 14, 2000

Public Health Threats and Emergencies Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services, upon determining that a disease or disorder presents a public health emergency or that a public health emergency otherwise exists, to take appropriate action to respond, including conducting and supporting investigations into the cause, treatment, or prevention of the disease or disorder. Establishes the Public Health Emergency Fund to support such activities.Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish reasonable capacities appropriate for national, State, and local public health systems and their work forces to detect and respond effectively to significant public health threats; (2) award grants to determine the extent to which States or local public health agencies can achieve such capacities; and (3) award grants to address core public health capacity needs.Authorizes appropriations for FY 2001 through 2010 for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for defending and combating public health threats of the 21st century.Directs the Secretary to establish: (1) an Antimicrobial Resistance Task Force to coordinate Federal programs relating to antimicrobial resistance; and (2) a joint interdepartmental working group on preparedness and readiness for the medical and public health effects of a bioterrorist attack. Requires: (1) research and development of new antimicrobial drugs and diagnostics; (2) educational programs for medical and health personnel in the use of antibiotics; and (3) grants to establish demonstration programs promoting the judicious use of antimicrobial drugs and the control of the spread of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Frist, William H. [R-TN] · R–TN

Committees

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee

8 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Oct 18, 2000
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 952.
Oct 18, 2000
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Jeffords with amendments. With written report No. 106-505.
Oct 18, 2000
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Jeffords with amendments. With written report No. 106-505.
Sep 20, 2000
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
Jun 14, 2000
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Jun 14, 2000
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5115-5116)
Jun 14, 2000
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Reported to Senate · Oct 18, 2000 Formatted Text PDF
Introduced in Senate · Jun 14, 2000 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 4964 · Public Health Threats and Emergencies Act

Source last updated: Aug 20, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze S.2731 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

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Discuss S.2731, 106th Congress: Public Health Threats and Emergencies Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/2731

Text version to examine: Reported to Senate · 2000-10-18.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s2731/BILLS-106s2731rs.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-20T14:17:51Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.2731 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.2731 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

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Discuss S.2731, 106th Congress: Public Health Threats and Emergencies Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/2731

Text version to examine: Reported to Senate · 2000-10-18.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s2731/BILLS-106s2731rs.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-20T14:17:51Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.2731 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.2731 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

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Discuss S.2731, 106th Congress: Public Health Threats and Emergencies Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/2731

Text version to examine: Reported to Senate · 2000-10-18.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s2731/BILLS-106s2731rs.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-20T14:17:51Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.2731 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.2731 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

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Discuss S.2731, 106th Congress: Public Health Threats and Emergencies Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/106th-congress/senate-bill/2731

Text version to examine: Reported to Senate · 2000-10-18.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/106/bills/s2731/BILLS-106s2731rs.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-20T14:17:51Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.2731 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.