# What This Bill Does

This bill would give the Secretary of Health and Human Services the power to ban people and goods from entering the United States from countries where the government determines there's a serious disease threat or a major problem with certain illegal drugs. Essentially, it's about stopping both disease and drug trafficking at the border by allowing the government to suspend entry from specific countries when it sees a public health danger.

Here's how it would work in practice: If the Secretary of Health and Human Services decides that a particular country has a communicable disease (like a new outbreak of flu or another illness) or is a significant source of certain controlled substances like heroin, fentanyl, or other narcotics, they could issue a regulation that temporarily blocks people and property from that country from entering the U.S. The Secretary would decide how long the ban lasts based on how serious they think the threat is. The bill specifically mentions that the Secretary would need to consult with the Attorney General when making decisions about drug-related threats.

The bill targets specific types of drugs: narcotic drugs, opiates, opium derivatives, stimulants, and fentanyl-related substances. This appears to be a response to concerns about drug trafficking and disease spread at borders. The practical effect would be that travelers from designated countries could be stopped at the border, and shipments of goods could be blocked, all based on the government's determination of a public health emergency. While the bill frames this as a health measure, it essentially combines disease prevention with drug enforcement authority at the border.

Securing the Border for Public Health Act of 2022

Lesko, Debbie

Securing the Border for Public Health Act of 2022 This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to restrict migration and imports from foreign countries to prevent the introduction of illicit drugs into the United States. Current law authorizes HHS to restrict migration and imports from foreign countries to prevent the introduction of communicable diseases. Under this bill, HHS may also restrict migration and imports from a country if HHS determines that introduction of certain controlled substances (e.g., opiates, stimulants, or fentanyl-related substances) from that country poses a risk to public health. HHS must consult with the Department of Justice in making the determination.