SECURE Health Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
- Committees
- Intelligence (Permanent Select) Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Mar 19, 2026
Bottom line
The SECURE Health Act aims to enhance global health security and outcomes by centralizing U.S. strategy, coordination, and reporting on investments in the global frontline health workforce, emphasizing sustainability and host country ownership.
What it actually does
This bill mandates the creation of a comprehensive 5-year Global Health Workforce Strategy by the President and establishes a Global Health Workforce Coordinator within the Department of State, along with an interagency task force. It requires annual reporting on U.S. funding for frontline health workers, detailing support for training, salaries, and protection measures, with an emphasis on transitioning salary support to domestic financing. The bill also directs the U.S. to support an independent global report on the health workforce.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that a well-trained and supported global health workforce is critical for improving health outcomes, preventing infectious disease spread, enhancing global health security, and fostering economic stability worldwide. They contend that this bill's coordinated approach, focus on integrated investments, and emphasis on sustainable financing will maximize the impact of U.S. global health efforts and protect American interests by reducing instability and health threats abroad.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that while the goals are laudable, the bill creates new bureaucratic structures (Coordinator, Task Force) without clear new funding, potentially leading to administrative overhead without significant new resources for frontline workers. Some may also express concern that requiring host country contributions for salaries could be challenging for the poorest nations, potentially hindering rather than helping workforce expansion in the most critical areas.
The bill is concise and clearly structured, making it accessible for an informed reader to evaluate its core provisions within a reasonable timeframe.
Section 4
Global Health Workforce Strategy
This section requires the President to establish and regularly update a 5-year Global Health Workforce Strategy. This strategy must identify U.S. Government spending on the global health workforce from global health and humanitarian assistance funds, and include measurable goals and implementation plans for these investments. Additionally, all relevant Federal departments and agencies must align their policies with this strategy.
Supporters argue
Proponents argue that a unified, measurable strategy is essential to ensure U.S. global health investments are efficient, effective, and aligned with national priorities, preventing fragmented efforts and maximizing impact on the global health workforce.
Critics contend
No specific opposition is typically raised against this provision, as strategic planning is generally seen as beneficial. However, some might express concern about potential bureaucratic delays in establishing and updating such a comprehensive strategy.
Tradeoffs
The tension lies between the desire for comprehensive strategic oversight and the potential for increased administrative burden or reduced flexibility for individual agencies with specific expertise and existing programs.
Section 5
Global Health Workforce Coordinator
This section mandates the appointment of a Global Health Workforce Coordinator within the Department of State. This new position is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the implementation of the SECURE Health Act and approving strategy and resource allocations across foreign assistance programs that support the global health workforce.
Section 7
Annual Reporting Requirements
This section requires the President, in coordination with relevant Federal departments and agencies, to publish an annual report. This report must detail U.S. efforts to train and support frontline health workers across all funding streams. It specifically requires breakdowns of funding for health workers (direct/indirect, single-disease/integrated), support for training (pre-service, in-service, capacity building, digital access), and support for salaries and employment, including plans to transition to domestic funding sources and protection measures for health workers.