Katko introduces COVID-19 and Pandemic Response Centers of Excellence Act
U.S. Rep. John Katko (R, NY-24).[File photo, News10NBC]
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — U.S. Rep. John Katko (R, NY-24), whose district includes all of Wayne County, Thursday introduced a bill that would fund medical centers’ research into COVID-19 and pandemic preparedness.
Katko was one of 16 who first cosigned the bill. The other 15 Representatives are Democrats.
It’s called the COVID-19 and Pandemic Response Centers of Excellence Act.
It would authorize the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award federal funds to medical centers that have made advances in COVID-19 research during the pandemic.
Katko’s office cites SUNY Upstate and the University of Rochester as examples.
The aim would be to improve COVID-19 patient care and vaccine research as well as bolster preparedness for future pandemics.
Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Bill Cassidy (R-LA).