Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions

Floor Speech

STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS -- (Senate - August 06, 2009)

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By Mrs. MURRAY (for herself and Mr. DURBIN):

S. 1591. A bill to amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, to establish the Health Technology Program in the United States Agency for International Development to research and develop technologies to improve global health, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, for a child in a developing country, very simple tools, like safe injection technologies for vaccination, can mean the difference between life and death. But the fact is that many countries are simply unable to afford such critical health technologies. Research has given us many promising early-stage technologies that could make a difference, but tragically, in many cases the promise of such technologies goes unrealized.

I know that it is sometimes tempting to think of global health as a distant goal, far removed from the lives of everyday Americans. But, as the emergence of new pandemic threats such as H1N1 flu reminds us, global health is public health--and it affects Americans right here at home. It is impossible to pick up a paper today, watch TV, or use the internet without realizing that we are more connected than ever before to people around the world.

As I speak with scientists and leaders in my State, they are excited about finding new ways to tackle tough global health problems. I hear the same enthusiasm when I speak with young people who are passionate about helping others. Of course, this growing support for global health can be seen not only in my home state, but throughout our country, in our universities and in community organizations. I know that many of my colleagues in the Senate are dedicated, tireless advocates for global health. Last year, the Congress demonstrated its strong commitment by reauthorizing the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, PEPFAR, a huge victory for global health and a strong foundation for future efforts.

In May, President Obama announced a new, comprehensive global health strategy, renewing the longstanding U.S. commitment to global health and building on the successes of programs begun during the Bush administration like PEPFAR and the President's Malaria Initiative, programs that have saved countless lives. President Obama has called for us to continue these efforts and to focus on improving the health of mothers and children and strengthening health systems in developing countries.

Developing countries urgently need technologies that will work for their health care systems, technologies that are easy-to-use, culturally appropriate, and above all affordable.

Today I am introducing the 21st Century Global Health Technology Act to support these goals by applying our country's traditional strengths in research, innovation, and entrepreneurship to global health. My bill will encourage the development of appropriate global health technologies by authorizing efforts at the US Agency for International Development, USAID, to make sure that promising health technologies are not left to sit on the shelf, but instead are developed and delivered to those in need.

Developing global health technologies is not easy or glamorous and the financial incentives for business are few. But for many years, the USAID has supported global health technology development through an innovative model that encourages the public, non-profit, and private sectors to work together.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill because the USAID has a long and inspiring track record of success in technology development. For example, the USAID's HealthTech program meets a wide range of needs from developing tools to rapidly diagnose infectious diseases to designing safe delivery kits that keep mothers and newborns healthy. Working with non-profit and commercial-sector partners, HealthTech has investigated over 100 technologies, licensed or transferred 21 life-saving technologies designed for use in low-resource settings, and moved 10 technologies into global use.

The HealthTech program helps the USAID leverage Federal money to encourage the private sector to become involved in the fight to improve global health. In an average year, HealthTech matches the USAID's funding with cash and in-kind contributions from the private sector. The average ratio of private sector investment to USAID funding in HealthTech-developed technologies that have reached commercialization is about 9 to 1. It's a win-win model that increases the number of affordable global health technologies and provides new opportunities for U.S. companies.

Technology development at the USAID is a smart investment. However, the agency's technology development efforts currently are not authorized, so funding is often uncertain. That uncertainty prevents the USAID from pursuing many promising technologies. My bill will provide $5 million per year over 5 years to support technology development at the USAID--a small, but steady source of funding that will bring greater stability to technology development efforts and encourage more private sector partners to get involved.

Investing in global health technology is the right thing for the U.S., for our companies, for our bright young people who are pursuing careers in global health, and for our security since our well-being is linked to our ability to prevent global pandemics and to reach out to people around the world. But, most importantly, investing in global health and in affordable health technologies will save millions of lives. It is simply the right thing to do.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the RECORD.

There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows:

S. 1591

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