07/16/2019
Senate Bill S.1903, ‘‘Advancing Emergency Preparedness Through One Health Act of 2019’ was introduced in the US Senate on June 19, 2019, by Senators Tina Smith and Todd Young. This was followed on July 16, 2019 with introduction in the House of Representatives of the companion (identical text) Bill HR.3771 by Representatives Kurt Schrader and Ted Yoho.
Bi-Partisan One Health Congressional Bills introduced in U.S. Senate and House aim to establish an interagency One Health Program.
June/July, 2019, Washington, D.C. USA.
These companion bills push a coordinated “One Health” approach to better prevent, prepare for, and respond to zoonotic disease outbreaks. The bills call for appropriate US federal departments and agencies to establish a national One Health Framework to coordinate Federal activities under a One Health Program. S.1903 was referred to the Senate’s Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. HR.3771 was referred to four House Committees; Energy and Commerce, Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Senate Bill S.1903 Text House Bill H.R. 3771 Text
Senate June 2019 Press Release House July 2019 Press Release
Education and Advocacy:
September 2019 Launch of informal Coalition of U.S. One Health Partners
- U.S. Organizations are invited to Sign On to an informal Coalition of U.S. One Health Partners who support One Health and the One Health Act of 2019. That invitation is 'still' open. See the current list of partners .
October 2019 and February 2020
- One Health Coalition partners co-invited U.S. Lawmakers to two guided tours of the Smithsonian OUTBREAK Exhibit in Washington DC.
January 1, 2020 U.S. National One Health Awareness Month Senate Resolution
- US Senate passes Resolution S Res 462 declaring January 2020 One Health Awareness Month. In celebration the One Health Commission and Louisiana One Health in Action led a One Health Awareness Month social media campaign that went global. A ‘Calendar’ of information about One Health issues/topics was created for the world to use year round to educate about One Health.
- H.Res 794 was also introduced in the House on January 14, 2020 but was not passed in that chamber.
January 30, 2020
April 15, 2020 Representatives Shrader and Yoho urge inclusion of their bipartisan Advancing Emergency Preparedness Through One Health Act of 2019, HR 3771, in next Coronavirus response bill.
June 26, 2020
Use Information Handouts. Feel free to download and use when speaking with your own lawmakers. These handouts will be updated periodically as new U.S. One Health Coalition partners are added to the list. You may share this invitational link with organizations that might like to be included. https://conta.cc/2NOrwQD
Use the AVMA Action Alert system to identify and send a letter to your lawmakers about the One Health Act of 2019. You must complete the form to be taken to a draft letter that you can personalize. The letter will then be sent to your lawmaker.
See Informational video about the Bill prepared by Adtalem Global Education.
See also:
Advancing Legislation on ‘One Health’ in the United States of America
Dunham B, Kaplan B, One Health Newsletter: Volume 11 Issue 1
