SEPSIS Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1]
- Committees
- Energy and Commerce Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jan 15, 2026
Bottom line
The SEPSIS Act aims to reduce sepsis mortality and improve patient outcomes by enhancing federal coordination, data collection, and hospital best practices, backed by a five-year funding authorization.
What it actually does
This bill establishes a dedicated sepsis team within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to lead education campaigns, improve pediatric sepsis data collection, and inform the development of sepsis quality measures. It also mandates annual reports and briefings to Congress on sepsis activities and authorizes a voluntary 'Honor Roll' program to recognize hospitals for effective sepsis programs. The bill authorizes $20 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to fund these initiatives.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue the bill addresses a critical public health issue, citing high sepsis mortality and costs. They emphasize the need for increased federal investment in research, improved data collection, and the adoption of proven protocols like 'Rory's Regulations' to prevent avoidable deaths and reduce healthcare expenditures. The bill's focus on education, quality measures, and an honor roll incentivizes best practices and provides a coordinated national response.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that while the goal is laudable, the bill creates new federal programs and reporting requirements that could add administrative burden to hospitals and healthcare providers without guaranteeing significant improvements. Some might contend that existing agencies already have mandates to address infectious diseases and public health, and this bill represents an unnecessary duplication of effort or an overreach of federal authority into areas best managed at the state or local level. Others might question the effectiveness of an 'honor roll' program as a primary driver for change.
The bill is short and clearly written, making it accessible for a quick but thorough review.
Section 3, amending Title III of the Public Health Service Act by inserting Section 317W(a)
Establishment of CDC Sepsis Team and Activities
This provision directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to establish and maintain a dedicated sepsis team. This team is tasked with leading education campaigns on best practices for hospitals, improving data collection specifically for pediatric sepsis, sharing information with Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to develop quality measures, updating sepsis data elements for interoperability, and facilitating the development of sepsis outcome measures across the Department of Health and Human Services.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this centralized CDC team will provide much-needed federal leadership and coordination to combat sepsis, ensuring consistent best practices and leveraging data to drive improvements in patient care across the nation.
Critics contend
Some might argue that existing CDC functions already cover infectious disease surveillance and public health education, and creating a specific 'sepsis team' might lead to bureaucratic redundancies or divert resources from other critical public health initiatives.
Tradeoffs
Balances the need for dedicated focus on sepsis with potential for overlap with existing public health mandates.
Section 3, amending Title III of the Public Health Service Act by inserting Section 317W(b) and (c)
Congressional Reporting and Annual Briefings on Sepsis Progress
This section mandates that the CDC Director submit a report to Congress within one year on the development and implementation of sepsis outcome measures for both adult and pediatric populations, considering social and clinical factors. Additionally, it requires annual briefings to Congress on various sepsis activities, including the adoption of best practices by hospitals, pediatric sepsis rates, inter-agency coordination, impact evaluation of core elements, and data sharing.
Section 3, amending Title III of the Public Health Service Act by inserting Section 317W(d)
Voluntary Hospital Sepsis Honor Roll Program
This provision authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a voluntary program to recognize hospitals that demonstrate effective sepsis programs or show significant improvement over time. The recognition would be based on areas such as early detection, effective treatment, and overall progress in reducing the burden of sepsis. The Secretary is required to solicit applications and establish public benchmarks for selection.
Section 3, amending Title III of the Public Health Service Act by inserting Section 317W(e)
Funding Authorization for Sepsis Programs
This provision authorizes the appropriation of $20,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to carry out the activities outlined in the new Section 317W. This funding is intended to support the CDC sepsis team, reporting requirements, the honor roll program, and other related activities.