H.R. 3694 · 117th Congress · House

To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in consultation with the United States Trade Representative and other heads of Federal agencies, to submit to Congress a report on the impact of a waiver of certain obligations of member nations under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights on global COVID-19 vaccine access, and for other purposes.

Active· Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Introduced
Jun 4, 21
Passed House
Pending
Passed Senate
Pending
Sent to President
Pending
Signed into Law
Pending

Executive Summary

This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to submit a report analyzing the impact on global COVID-19 vaccine access of a waiver of certain obligations held by nations who are members of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights. (India and South Africa previously submitted a petition to suspend all intellectual property rights associated with COVID-19 innovations, such as vaccines.)

Based on this report, the U.S. Trade Representative must oppose such elimination or waiver with respect to COVID-19 vaccines if HHS determines that the elimination or waiver will not materially increase global vaccine access or that it will have a negative impact on specified factors relating to access to, manufacture of, and investment in COVID-19 vaccines.

Action Timeline

3
  1. JUN 04, 2021IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  2. JUN 04, 2021IntroReferral

    Introduced in House

  3. JUN 04, 2021IntroReferral

    Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Committees

1

Ways and Means Committee

hswm00

Referred: Jun 4, 2021

Active