U.S. CODE

U.S. Code

§ 300hh-10. Coordination of preparedness for and response to all-hazards public health emergencies

(a) In general

There is established within the Department of Health and Human Services the position of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response. The President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint an individual to serve in such position. Such Assistant Secretary shall report to the Secretary.

(b) Duties

Subject to the authority of the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response shall carry out the following functions:

(1) Leadership

Serve as the principal advisor to the Secretary on all matters related to Federal public health and medical preparedness and response for public health emergencies.

(2) Personnel

Register, credential, organize, train, equip, and have the authority to deploy Federal public health and medical personnel under the authority of the Secretary, including the National Disaster Medical System, and coordinate such personnel with the Medical Reserve Corps and the Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals.

(3) Countermeasures

Oversee advanced research, development, and procurement of qualified countermeasures (as defined in section 247d–6a of this title) and qualified pandemic or epidemic products (as defined in section 247d–6d of this title).

(4) Coordination

(A) Federal integration

Coordinate with relevant Federal officials to ensure integration of Federal preparedness and response activities for public health emergencies.

(B) State, local, and tribal integration

Coordinate with State, local, and tribal public health officials, the Emergency Management Assistance Compact, health care systems, and emergency medical service systems to ensure effective integration of Federal public health and medical assets during a public health emergency.

Promote improved emergency medical services medical direction, system integration, research, and uniformity of data collection, treatment protocols, and policies with regard to public health emergencies.

(5) Logistics

In coordination with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the General Services Administration, and other public and private entities, provide logistical support for medical and public health aspects of Federal responses to public health emergencies.

(6) Leadership

Provide leadership in international programs, initiatives, and policies that deal with public health and medical emergency preparedness and response.

The Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response shall—

(1) have authority over and responsibility for—

(A) the National Disaster Medical System (in accordance with section 301 of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act); and

(B) the Hospital Preparedness Cooperative Agreement Program pursuant to section 247d–3b of this title;

(2) exercise the responsibilities and authorities of the Secretary with respect to the coordination of—

(A) the Medical Reserve Corps pursuant to section 300hh–15 of this title;

(B) the Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals pursuant to section 247d–7b of this title;

(D) the Cities Readiness Initiative; and

(3) assume other duties as determined appropriate by the Secretary.

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