Underwood, Bera, Castor, and DeLauro Introduce Bill to Modernize Public Health Data Infrastructure

WASHINGTON – Today, Representatives Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Ami Bera (CA-07), Kathy Castor (FL-14), and Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) introduced the Improving DATA in Public Health Act. The legislation would modernize the country’s public health data infrastructure by facilitating the safe and secure transfer of critical health data, improving coordination between federal, state, and local agencies, and helping the nation prepare for, identify, and respond to public health emergencies. The Improving DATA in Public Health Act is led by Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) in the Senate.

“The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that we need to better support our health care providers and public health professionals as they respond to public health emergencies,” said Underwood. “The Improving DATA in Public Health Act would help save lives by equipping health care professionals and public health departments with the information they need to make timely, evidence-based decisions during emergencies, while also strengthening year-round efforts to improve the health of our communities.”

“The pandemic has underscored how outdated public health data systems can hamper our efforts to respond to public health emergencies,” said Kaine. “This bill is critical to ensuring local, state, and federal public health agencies can quickly aggregate data, coordinate public health efforts, and keep our communities safe and healthy.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has identified gaps across different public health jurisdictions and it’s critical that we learn from these lessons to better position ourselves to surveil against any public health threats now and into the future,” said Bera, M.D. “As a doctor, I understand the frustrations with the lack of data standards in the health care space which is why I joined my colleagues in introducing the Improving Data in Public Health Act. This legislation will help ensure sharing and coordination of critical public health data to enhance our response to public health emergencies and help facilitate ongoing efforts to improve the health of Americans.”

“CDC needs timely and consistent health data to help keep Americans healthy and safe in partnership with states and local communities. CDC also can be more efficient and save taxpayers money through modern reporting networks and timely identification of outbreaks and threats. I recently visited CDC’s headquarters in Atlanta, and spoke with officials about the importance of being able to collect secure, comprehensive data that paints a clear picture of our nation’s health. I am proud to introduce the Improving DATA in Public Health Act with my colleagues today to make us better equipped to handle some of our nation’s biggest challenges,” said Castor.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to make investments that support more dynamic public health data sharing efforts,” said Chair DeLauro. “Our public health data systems are out of date, and in serious need of improvements, which I have worked to fund through my Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies annual spending bill. With better data, we can improve our readiness and response to public health threats. I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Improving DATA in Public Health Act to ensure that we have timely, high quality, and accurate health data to share nationally.”

The United States’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic was hindered by gaps in public health data, varying definitions of data across government agencies, and difficulties accessing data. These barriers made it more difficult for health care professionals to access the data they needed to make timely, evidence-based clinical decisions and prevented public health officials from accurately monitoring and responding to disease outbreaks. The Improving DATA in Public Health Act would help save lives and prepare the U.S. for future public health crises by:

• Promoting coordination between federal agencies to share critical public health data used to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies;
• Creating standards to improve and secure the transfer of electronic health information;
• Establishing an Advisory Committee to ensure that public health data reporting processes are carried out effectively; and
• Providing funding for providers, medical centers, state and local government organizations, and other key stakeholders to help them develop and disseminate best practices in the collection and sharing of electronic health information

The Improving DATA in Public Health Act is supported by the American Academy of Family Physicians; American Association of Colleges of Nursing; American Public Health Association; American Society for Microbiology; Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago; Association of Public Health Laboratories; Association of State and Territorial Health Officials; Big Cities Health Coalition; Bipartisan Policy Center; Council of Public Health Nursing Organizations; Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists; Families USA; National Association of County and City Health Officials; National Association of School Nurses; Resolve to Save Lives; Society for Public Health Education; and Trust for America’s Health.

This legislation continues Underwood’s work to modernize public health data systems. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, Underwood advocated for and secured $100 million – double the previous funding level – to modernize public health data surveillance and analytics at the Centers for Disease of Control and Prevention and state and local health departments in the FY22 government funding bill.

A one pager of the legislation can be found here.

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