Overnight Health Care — Senators unveil pandemic prep overhaul

Welcome to Tuesday’s Overnight Health Care, where we’re following the latest moves on policy and news affecting your health. Subscribe here: thehill.com/newsletter-signup. 

It’s 36 degrees in D.C. today, but President BidenJoe BidenFox News reporter says Biden called him after ‘son of a b—-‘ remark Peloton responds after another TV character has a heart attack on one of its bikes Defense & National Security — Pentagon puts 8,500 troops on high alert MORE still made a stop at a local ice cream shop. “If it’s above freezing, then it’s ice cream weather,” he tweeted.

Two key senators released a bipartisan proposal to overhaul the U.S. response to pandemics.  

For The Hill, we’re Peter Sullivan (psullivan@thehill.com) and Nathaniel Weixel (nweixel@thehill.com). Write to us with tips and feedback, and follow us on Twitter: @PeterSullivan4 and @NateWeixel. 

Let’s get started.

Bipartisan pandemic plan released

The bipartisan leaders of the Senate Health Committee on Tuesday released a proposal for wide-ranging legislation aimed at improving the U.S. preparedness for pandemics after the many shortcomings in the response to COVID-19.   

The discussion draft from Sens. Patty MurrayPatricia (Patty) Lynn MurrayThese Senate seats are up for election in 2022 CDC leader faces precarious political moment Schumer ramps up filibuster fight ahead of Jan. 6 anniversary MORE (D-Wash.) and Richard BurrRichard Mauze BurrThese Senate seats are up for election in 2022 Pelosi says she’s open to stock trading ban for Congress Momentum builds to prohibit lawmakers from trading stocks MORE (R-N.C.) includes proposals on topics such as improving data collection, speeding up the development of vaccines and treatments, and improving public health communication.   

One of the most prominent proposals is to create a task force modeled on the 9/11 Commission to examine the U.S. response to COVID-19 as well as the controversial subject of the origins of the pandemic, which some have said could have resulted from a lab leak in China. An interim report would be required within 180 days, and a final report would be required within a year.   

“After everything our nation has been through these past two years, we owe it to everyone who worked so hard to get us through this crisis to take every step we can to make sure we are never in this situation again, and that’s what this bill will help us get done,” Murray said in a statement.   

Money question: The measure would not directly provide new funding for pandemic preparedness, though it would authorize some programs that could be funded as part of the annual appropriations process.   

Other provisions: 

• Creating an advisory committee on public health communication 
• Authorizing grants for genomic sequencing 
• Directing support for “manufacturing surge capacity” for vaccines and treatments 
• Allowing the secretary of Health and Human Services to directly appoint up to 250 people during a public health emergency.   

Read more here.

A new round of White House vs. DeSantis

White House press secretary Jen PsakiJen PsakiSchumer requests Senate briefing on Ukraine amid Russia tensions Biden…