PANDEMIC FLU RESPONSE PLAN

House Bill 5630 

Sponsor:  Rep. Leslie Mortimer

House Bill 5631

Sponsor:  Rep. Richard Ball

Committee:  Health Policy

Complete to 2-19-06

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILLS 5630 AND 5631 AS INTRODUCED 2-2-06

The bills would amend the Public Health Code to require the Department of Community Health, assisted by the Department of Agriculture, to establish and maintain a Pandemic Influenza Plan.  House Bill 5631 is tie-barred to House Bill 5630, meaning it could not go into effect unless House Bill 5630 also were enacted.  A brief description of each bill follows.

House Bill 5630 would amend the Public Health Code (MCL 333.5112) to require that in developing the pandemic flu plan, the Department of Community Health consult with the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to ensure that the plan is consistent with the national preparedness efforts.  Further, the department, in consultation with the state Department of Agriculture and also with local health departments, would be required to review and update the plan at least annually, and make it (and the updates) available to the public through its website.

The bill requires that beginning one year after the effective date of the legislation and annually thereafter, the Department of Community Health prepare a report about the plan, including an assessment of its effectiveness and the state's preparedness for an influenza outbreak.  The report would be presented to the appropriate standing committees and Appropriations subcommittees of the Senate and House of Representatives that primarily address public health issues.

House Bill 5631 would amend the Public Health Code (MCL 333.2253) to require the state Department of Agriculture to cooperate with and assist the director of the Department of Community Health, if an epidemic involved avian influenza or another virus or disease that is or could be spread by contact with animals.

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bills 5630 and 5631 as introduced, have fiscal implications for the Departments of Community Health and Agriculture.  These functions required by the bills are currently being performed by DCH and Agriculture.  The Department of Community Health's pandemic influenza planning efforts are currently supported with federal Public Health Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response grant funds.  House Bills 5630 and 5631 require ongoing tasks related to planning and coordination which may require state funding in the future if the federal grant funding declines.

The FY 2005-06 DCH budget includes federal public health bioterrorism preparedness funding of $31.1 million, of which a portion is for preparedness planning and interagency collaboration under the grant guidelines.  Some grant funds are directed by DCH to the Department of Agriculture for epidemiology and laboratory support.  A new federal grant has recently been announced which includes $2.9 million to Michigan for pandemic influenza planning.  The department anticipates the funds this fiscal year and has submitted a request for a supplemental DCH appropriation for this purpose.

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Susan Frey               

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.