Today the House is expected to approve the Medical Preparedness Allowable Use Act (H.R. 1791), a bill introduced by Rep. Bilirakis that would allow grantees to use Urban Area Security Initiative and State Homeland Security Grant Program funding for medical preparedness for first responders and their families and for victims of a terrorist event. This bill would enhance medical preparedness, medical surge capacity, and mass prophylaxis capabilities, including the development and maintenance of an initial pharmaceutical stockpile, including medical kits, and diagnostics sufficient to protect first responders, their families, and immediate victims from a chemical or biological event.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that implementing this legislation would not affect federal expenditures and would have no impact on the federal budget over the next five years.