Kiggans, Bera Commit to Expanding Access to Global Health Services in SECURE Health Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Reps. Jen Kiggans (VA-02) and Ami Bera (CA-06) introduced the Strengthening and Expanding Capacity for Unified Response and Excellence (SECURE) in Health Act. This bill promotes transparency and accountability in global health by requiring coordinated strategies, detailed tracking of federal spending and outcomes, and regular public reporting to ensure effective and sustainable investments in the global health workforce.

Congresswoman Kiggans said, “As a nurse practitioner, expanding access to quality and efficient care has been one of my top priorities since entering Congress in 2023. The SECURE Health Act directly addresses the reality that nearly half the world still lacks access to critical health services by strengthening and supporting the global health workforce. Through coordination with the President and federal agencies, this bill strengthens training and protections for the global health workforce and establishes a five-year strategy to maximize existing resources and drive future investment. This is about reinforcing America’s leadership and impact around the world.”

“Investing in the global health workforce helps build strong health systems that save lives and stop outbreaks before they spread and reach our shores,” said Representative Ami Bera. “But to get the most from the resources we already commit, we need stronger planning, better coordination, and a clearer strategy across our government. The bipartisan SECURE Health Act is a smart step forward that will make our investments in frontline health workers more effective, sustainable, and better aligned with our public health and national security goals.”

“The global health landscape is only as resilient as the people who serve on the frontlines. Every day, health workers serve as the first, and often only, line of defense against the diseases and crises that threaten our shared security,” said Rabih Torbay, Project HOPE’s CEO. “The SECURE Health Act provides a unified strategy that ensures that those who care for us have the support they need to care for their communities.” 

Read the bill here.

Read a one-pager here.

This legislation was endorsed by: Frontline Health Workers Coalition, Accelerate Global, LLC, Advancing Synergy, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Association For Promotion Sustainable Development, AVAC, CARE, Catholic Medical Mission Board, Community Health Impact Coalition, CORE Group, Elizabeth Glaser, Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), FHI 360, Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Fund for Global Health, Global Health Council, Global Network et Black People Working in HIV, Greenlight Initiative Foundation, Ghana Housing Works, Inc., Medical IMPACT, North Carolina Global Health Alliance, Operation Smile, PAI, Project HOPE, Resolve To Save Lives, Save the Children, Shot@Life, Training for Health Equity Network: THEnet, Treatment Action Group, UNICEF USA, United to Beat Malaria, and World Vision