To ensure the protection of military and civilian personnel in the Department of Defense from an influenza pandemic, including an avian influenza pandemic.

SA 1453. Mr. OBAMA submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 1042, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2006 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe personnel strengths for such fiscal year for the Armed Forces, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

In subtitle B of title VII of the bill, add the following at the end:

SEC. 718. PANDEMIC AVIAN FLU PREPAREDNESS.

(a) Study.--The Secretary of Defense, in collaboration with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall conduct an ongoing study on efforts within the Department of Defense to prepare for pandemic influenza, including pandemic avian influenza. In conducting such study the Secretary shall address the following, with respect to military and civilian personnel--

(1) the procurement of vaccines, antivirals and other medicines, and medical supplies, including personal protective equipment, particularly those that must be imported;

(2) protocols for the allocation and distribution of vaccines and medicines among high priority populations;

(3) public health containment measures that may be implemented on military bases and other facilities, including quarantine, travel restrictions and other isolation precautions;

(4) communication with Department of Defense affiliated health providers about pandemic preparedness and response;

(5) surge capacity for the provision of medical care during pandemics;

(6) the availability and delivery of food and basic supplies and services;

(7) surveillance efforts domestically and internationally, including those utilizing the Global Emerging Infections Systems (GEIS), and how such efforts are integrated with other ongoing surveillance systems;

(8) the integration of pandemic and response planning with those of other Federal departments, including the Department of Health and Human Services, Department of the Veterans Affairs, Department of State, and USAID; and

(9) collaboration (as appropriate) with international entities engaged in pandemic preparedness and response.

(b) Submission of Report.--Not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary of Defense shall submit to the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services and Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives, a report concerning the results of the study conducted under subsection (a).