CONGRESS FOR VOTERS

RepublicanSecond Degree Amendment · S.Amdt. 3842· Senate(119-SAMDT-3842)

To establish a military-civilian medical surge program.

Rep. Fischer
Age: 75 years
Nebraska
Introduced
9/9/2025
Last activity
10/9/2025 — Amendment SA 3842 agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
Sponsored by
Deb Fischer
Cosponsors
None
Changes amendment
119-SAMDT-3748
On the bill
119-S-2296 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026
  1. Introduced
  2. Passed Senate
  3. Adopted

What this amendment would do

SA 3842, submitted by Mrs. Fischer, aims to add a Military-Civilian Medical Surge Program to the bill. This program is designed to enhance the medical surge capacity and interoperability of the National Disaster Medical System when responding to specific declarations, such as wars, national emergencies, or major disasters.

The amendment proposes the following changes and additions:

  • Program Management: The Secretary of Defense, working with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, will carry out the program. Oversight of operations, staffing, and deployment will be handled by the National Center for Disaster Medicine and Public Health at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (or a successor center).

  • Partnerships: The Secretary will establish partnerships with various healthcare entities, including nonprofit and private organizations, hospitals, and academic medical centers. These partners must be critical for mobilizing civilian medical responses during catastrophic events or wartime and show proficiency in areas like special pathogen preparedness.

  • Location Selection: The Secretary must select at least eight locations that serve as transport hubs or logistics centers relevant to Department of Defense missions. Additional locations, including those outside the continental United States, may be selected if they are strategically relevant.

  • Mobilization: The program ensures civilian medical personnel can quickly support military medical treatment facilities during: ** A declaration of war by Congress. ** A national emergency declaration under the National Emergencies Act. ** A public health emergency declared under the Public Health Service Act. ** The President's use of executive powers under the War Powers Resolution. ** Any other major disaster or emergency declared by the President.

  • Accountability: Starting July 1, 2026, the Secretary must provide annual reports to specific House and Senate committees regarding the program's status, resource availability, personnel readiness, and interagency coordination.

  • Limitations: The amendment clarifies that the Department of Defense cannot control or limit the authorities of the Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding the administration of the National Disaster Medical System.