ARPA–H Act

Bill: 117-hr-5585
Sponsor: Rep. Eshoo, Anna G. [D-CA-18]
Introduced: 2021-10-15 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Department of Health and Human Services
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Health technology, devices, supplies
Public contracts and procurement
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Technology transfer and commercialization

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-15
text: 

Advanced Research Project Agency-Health Act or the ARPA-H Act

 
This bill establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Health to accelerate innovation in health and medicine by investing in high-risk, high-reward research projects. The bill also establishes an interagency committee to inform, and a fund in the Treasury to support, the agency's activities.
 The President must appoint from the personnel of HHS a director to lead the agency. The director may submit testimony and recommendations concerning the agency to Congress without review or approval by other federal officers or agencies. 
The director must designate personnel to serve as program managers who administer the agency's research programs, including by selecting projects to support, setting progress milestones for projects, and making recommendations about terminating or continuing projects.
 
The agency may use a variety of mechanisms to support the research projects, including grants, contracts, and prize competitions. The agency's budget is separate from that of HHS.
 
The agency must coordinate with the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to expedite development and coverage of high-need cures. Additionally, the agency may partner with other public and private entities, such as institutions of higher education and patient advocacy organizations.
 
The bill also requires the agency to develop and periodically update a strategic plan and annually report on its activities. Furthermore, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine must evaluate the agency's performance.
 

action_date: 2022-06-13
text: 

Advanced Research Project

s

 Agency-Health Act or the ARPA-H Act

 
This bill establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Health to accelerate health and medical innovation by investing in high-risk, high-reward research. The bill also establishes a committee to advise on agency activities.
 
HHS must transfer all authorities, functions, funds, and personnel from a similar entity within the National Institutes of Health to a new, independent agency.
 
Additionally, the President must appoint a director to lead the agency. The director may submit testimony and recommendations concerning the agency to Congress without review or approval by other federal officers or agencies. 
 
The director must appoint personnel to administer the agency's research programs, including by selecting projects to support and making recommendations about terminating or continuing projects.
 
The agency may use grants, prize competitions, and a variety of other mechanisms to support the research projects. The agency's budget is separate from that of HHS.
 
The agency must coordinate with the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to expedite development and coverage of high-need cures. Additionally, the agency may partner with other public and private entities (e.g., institutions of higher education and patient advocacy organizations).
 
The bill also requires the agency to develop and periodically update a strategic plan and annually report on its activities. Furthermore, (1) the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine must evaluate the agency's performance; and (2) the Government Accountability Office must review the research portfolio of HHS and its components, including the new agency.
 

action_date: 2022-06-22
text: 

Advanced Research Project

s

 Agency-Health Act or the ARPA-H Act

 
This bill establishes within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Health to accelerate health and medical innovation by investing in high-risk, high-reward research. The bill also establishes a committee to advise on agency activities.
 
HHS must transfer all authorities, functions, funds, and personnel from a similar entity within the National Institutes of Health to a new, independent agency.
 
Additionally, the President must appoint a director to lead the agency. The director may submit testimony and recommendations concerning the agency to Congress without review or approval by other federal officers or agencies. 
 
The director must appoint personnel to administer the agency's research programs, including by selecting projects to support and making recommendations about terminating or continuing projects.
 
The agency may use grants, prize competitions, and a variety of other mechanisms to support the research projects. The agency's budget is separate from that of HHS.
 
The agency must coordinate with the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to expedite development and coverage of high-need cures. Additionally, the agency may partner with other public and private entities (e.g., institutions of higher education and patient advocacy organizations).
 
The bill also requires the agency to develop and periodically update a strategic plan and annually report on its activities. Furthermore, (1) the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine must evaluate the agency's performance; and (2) the Government Accountability Office must review the research portfolio of HHS and its components, including the new agency.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-06-23
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2022-06-22
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2022-06-22
text: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 336 - 85 (Roll no. 288).
action_date: 2022-06-22
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 336 - 85 (Roll no. 288).
action_date: 2022-06-22
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5808-5809)
action_date: 2022-06-22
text: Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on H.R. 5585 would resume.
action_date: 2022-06-22
text: Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on H.R. 5585 would be postponed.
action_date: 2022-06-22
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Eshoo amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mrs. Boebert demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
action_date: 2022-06-22
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1170, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Eshoo amendment No. 1.
action_date: 2022-06-22
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5585.
action_date: 2022-06-22
text: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4176, H.R. 5585 and H.R. 7666. Rule provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 4176, H.R. 5585 and H.R. 7666. Rule provides for one motion to recommit each for H.R. 4176, H.R. 5585 and H.R. 7666. Rule provides that proceedings may be postponed through July 15, 2022, on measures that were the object of motions to suspend the rules on the legislative days of June 21, 2022, June 22, 2022, June 23, 2022, or June 24, 2022, and on which the yeas and nays were ordered.
action_date: 2022-06-22
text: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1191. (consideration: CR H5795-5803; text: CR H5795-5798)
action_date: 2022-06-21
text: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1191 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 4176, H.R. 5585 and H.R. 7666. Rule provides for one hour of general debate on H.R. 4176, H.R. 5585 and H.R. 7666. Rule provides for one motion to recommit each for H.R. 4176, H.R. 5585 and H.R. 7666. Rule provides that proceedings may be postponed through July 15, 2022, on measures that were the object of motions to suspend the rules on the legislative days of June 21, 2022, June 22, 2022, June 23, 2022, or June 24, 2022, and on which the yeas and nays were ordered.
action_date: 2022-06-13
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 277.
action_date: 2022-06-13
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 117-365.
action_date: 2022-06-13
text: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Energy and Commerce. H. Rept. 117-365.
action_date: 2022-05-18
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 53 - 3.
action_date: 2022-05-18
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2022-05-11
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2022-05-11
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2021-10-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2021-10-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2021-10-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-10-15
text: Introduced in House