Arlington, VA – A coalition of free-market, consumer, and taxpayer organizations has come together to address an open letter to The Honorable Dawn O’Connell, Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The letter emphasizes the crucial need for astute management and strategic resource allocation in Project NextGen, a $5 billion public-private initiative aimed at bolstering the United States’ preparedness for future pandemics.
Read the full letter here.
Key Takeaways:
- The coalition urges a sound stewardship of Project NextGen, advocating for the development of cost-effective responses to pandemics which could potentially save trillions in economic losses.
- Emphasis on prudent prioritization:
- Maintain a balanced grant portfolio to ensure funding supports innovative vaccines and therapeutics with significant impact potential.
- High merit-based criteria and minimal bureaucratic barriers to foster innovation and ensure the most promising projects are supported.
- Learning from past preparedness programs, adopting a systematic approach to address known challenges and risks.
- The letter reflects a collective call to avoid the fiscal irresponsibility witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic response, highlighting the opportunity for Project NextGen to be a success story through effective utilization of the allocated $5 billion.
This coalition of organizations implores Secretary O’Connell and relevant stakeholders to consider their recommendations for the future success of Project NextGen. The initiative has the potential to serve as a beacon of excellence in pandemic preparedness, saving billions of taxpayer dollars and enhancing public health outcomes. We encourage all involved parties to embrace a meticulous and strategic approach to project management, ensuring the effective and efficient use of resources in anticipation of future public health threats.
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