# What This Bill Does

This bill asks the U.S. State Department to create and improve a plan to help Taiwan regain observer status at the World Health Organization (WHO). Observer status means Taiwan could attend WHO meetings and participate in discussions about global health issues, even though it wouldn't have a vote like full member countries do.

Taiwan used to have this observer status from 2009 to 2015, but lost the invitation starting in 2016. The bill points out that Taiwan has actually been a strong global health partner—it's donated billions in medical aid to over 80 countries, helped fight diseases like Ebola and COVID-19, and worked with the U.S. on health training programs. The bill argues that keeping Taiwan out of WHO discussions is counterproductive, especially during pandemics when diseases don't respect borders and global cooperation matters.

The main reason Taiwan lost its invitation is political pressure from China, which claims Taiwan as part of its territory and opposes Taiwan's participation in international organizations. The bill also mentions that Taiwan has faced similar exclusions from other international groups like aviation and police organizations since 2016. Congress is essentially telling the State Department: "We want you to actively work on getting Taiwan back into WHO meetings, and we want you to report back to us each year about what you're doing and what's changed in your strategy if Taiwan still doesn't get invited."

This is a bipartisan effort with supporters from both parties, reflecting a broader congressional interest in supporting Taiwan's international participation, particularly on issues affecting global health and security.

To direct the Secretary of State to develop a strategy to regain observer status for Taiwan in the World Health Organization, and for other purposes.

Kim, Young

 <p>This bill directs the Department of State to include additional information in its annual reports concerning Taiwan's participation at the World Health Organization's World Health Assembly (WHA) as an observer. The report shall describe changes and improvements to the State Department's plan to support Taiwan's observer status at the WHA, following any meetings at which Taiwan did&nbsp;not participate under such status. (China has opposed Taiwan's participation in the WHA.) </p>