Establishment of MedShield program

(a) In general The Secretary of Health and Human Services (referred to in this Act as the Secretary) shall implement a pandemic preparedness and response program utilizing artificial intelligence and other relevant technologies, to be known as the MedShield program (referred to in this Act as the Program), in accordance with recommendations of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence. The Program shall operationalize a national medical shield that gathers innovations across the public-private ecosystem in the United States, as well as from allies and partners, to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of delivering medical solutions to individuals, functioning as a shield against biological threats. The Program shall continuously operate and monitor threats, for the purpose of safeguarding the public health of the United States. (b) Plan and integration Pursuant to the Program, the Secretary shall— (1) develop a plan to integrate the recommendations of the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence for pandemic preparedness and response, in accordance with the responsibilities of the Department of Health and Human Services as the primary agency and coordinator for the emergency support function relating to public health and medical services under the National Response Framework of the Federal Emergency Management Agency; and (2) consult with heads of appropriate Federal agencies and select allies and partners to ensure the integration of the Program between relevant departments and agencies and international partners to achieve a coordinated international effort to address a pandemic. (c) Utilization of artificial intelligence In carrying out the Program, the Secretary shall leverage artificial intelligence and other relevant technologies and capabilities, including as follows: (1) Development and deployment of a global pathogen surveillance system for the real-time detection and tracking of pathogens. (2) Employment of artificial intelligence enabled systems to accelerate the identification and development of effective vaccines. (3) Development and deployment of therapeutic treatments for individuals affected by biological threats. (4) Advanced artificial intelligence-enabled modeling to optimize strategies for pathogen tracking, vaccine distribution, and therapeutic interventions. (5) Streamlining and enhancing rapid manufacturing of vaccines and therapeutics.