H.R. 4572 – Worst-Case Scenario Hospital Preparedness Act

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Updated April 15, 2026 at 7:29 PM UTC

The Worst‑Case Scenario Hospital Preparedness Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to contract with the National Academy of Medicine (or another qualified entity) to assess how well hospitals, long‑term care facilities, dialysis centers and other medical sites are prepared for public‑health emergencies. The evaluation must begin within 60 days of enactment and a report with recommendations must be delivered to HHS and Congress within 18 months. The bill affects all U.S. medical facilities that provide inpatient or outpatient care and the federal agencies that fund or regulate them.

Key Provisions

Within 60 days, HHS must arrange for the National Academy of Medicine (or a suitable alternative) to evaluate nationwide hospital, long‑term care, dialysis and other medical facility emergency preparedness.
The evaluation must catalog and assess current rules, identify priority policy options, and review federal grant programs related to emergency preparedness, recommending improvements or new grants.
The evaluator must recommend best practices for emergency power sources (including renewable and battery options) and for ensuring access to clean water during emergencies.
A comprehensive report, due no later than 18 months after enactment, must be submitted to HHS and Congress outlining findings and a strategy to improve preparedness across the health‑care system.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

December 8, 2017

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

December 6, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Energy and Commerce Committee

December 6, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.

Health Subcommittee

December 8, 2017

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued December 6, 2017

I

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 4572

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 6, 2017

Mrs. Dingell (for herself and Mr. Webster of Florida) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Medicine to evaluate the preparedness of hospitals, long-term care facilities, dialysis centers, and other medical facilities for public health emergencies.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Worst-Case Scenario Hospital Preparedness Act.

2.

National Academy of Medicine evaluation and report on the preparedness of hospitals, long-term care facilities, dialysis centers, and other medical facilities for public health emergencies

(a)

Evaluation

(1)

In general

Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall enter into an arrangement with the National Academy of Medicine or, if the National Academy declines to enter into such an arrangement, another appropriate entity under which the National Academy (or other appropriate entity) agrees to evaluate the preparedness of hospitals, long-term care facilities, dialysis centers, and other medical facilities nationwide for public health emergencies, including natural disasters.

(2)

Specific matters evaluated

The arrangement under paragraph (1) shall require the National Academy of Medicine (or other appropriate entity)—

(A)

to catalogue, review, and evaluate the efficacy of current rules and regulations for hospitals, long-term care facilities, dialysis centers, and medical facilities regarding emergency preparedness planning;

(B)

to identify and prioritize options to implement policies for hospitals, long-term care facilities, dialysis centers, and other medical facilities nationwide that address future threats;

(C)

to review all Federal grant programs that affect the preparedness of hospitals, long-term care facilities, dialysis centers, or other medical facilities for public health emergencies and provide recommendations for improving such preparedness by—

(i)

improving such existing Federal grant programs; or

(ii)

creating new Federal grant programs;

(D)

to review, identify, and recommend best practices for improving emergency preparedness at hospitals, long-term care facilities, dialysis centers, and other medical facilities;

(E)

to identify and recommend best sources and guidelines for alterative or emergency power systems, including renewable sources, battery storage, and generators; and

(F)

to identify and recommend best practices and guidelines for emergency preparedness planning at hospitals, long-term care facilities, dialysis centers, and other medical facilities related to access clean water.

(b)

Report

(1)

In general

The arrangement under subsection (a)(1) shall require the National Academy of Medicine (or other appropriate entity) to submit to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Congress, not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, a report on the results of the evaluation conducted pursuant to this section.

(2)

Contents

The report under paragraph (1) shall—

(A)

describe the findings and conclusions of the evaluation conducted pursuant to this section; and

(B)

include a strategy for improving the preparedness of hospitals, long-term care facilities, dialysis centers, and other medical facilities nationwide for public health emergencies, including natural disasters.