S. 2055 would authorize two programs to invest in research and to provide incentives for developing medical countermeasures. One program would authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to enter into an agreement with an independent entity that fosters the development of medical countermeasures. The bill also would create an incentive program that awards vouchers for priority review to companies that obtain Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of certain drugs that can be used to counter the effects of biological, chemical, radiological, or nuclear agents. The bill also would require HHS to prepare a five-year budget plan for medical countermeasures. CBO estimates that implementing S. 2055 would cost $94 million over the 2017-2021 period, assuming appropriation of the necessary amounts. Pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply to this legislation because it would not affect direct spending or revenues.
CBO estimates that enacting S. 2055 would not increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2027.
S. 2055 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act and would not affect the budgets of state, local, or tribal governments.
