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The United States' decision to reject proposed amendments to a crucial global health treaty is facing increasing scrutiny. Former Biden administration official Stephanie Psaki is among those questioning the move, asking a vital question: Why would a nation reject an agreement designed to bolster pandemic preparedness and safeguard American interests?

The International Health Regulations (IHR) are a legally binding framework agreed upon by 196 countries, including the US. They outline responsibilities for countries to prevent, detect, and respond to public health emergencies of international concern. The proposed amendments, painstakingly negotiated over several years, aimed to address shortcomings exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, strengthening global cooperation and accountability.

Why the Rejection? The Trump administration initially raised concerns about the treaty's potential impact on national sovereignty and its ability to dictate domestic policies. While the Biden administration initially signaled a willingness to engage, the US ultimately declined to support the amendments, citing concerns about potential overreach and the need for further discussion. However, critics argue that this stance undermines global efforts to prevent future pandemics and leaves the US vulnerable.

Stephanie Psaki's Perspective: A Critical Eye Psaki, who served as a senior director for biosecurity and global health security on the National Security Council, has been a vocal advocate for strengthening global health governance. She argues that the US’s rejection is short-sighted and potentially damaging. “Rejecting these amendments sends a signal that the US is not fully committed to working with the international community to prevent and respond to future health threats,” she stated in a recent interview.

What Were the Key Amendments? The proposed changes focused on several critical areas, including:

• Improved Information Sharing: Mandating faster and more transparent reporting of outbreaks and potential threats.
• Strengthened Verification Mechanisms: Establishing independent assessment mechanisms to verify information shared by countries, addressing concerns about data reliability.
• Greater Accountability: Introducing mechanisms to hold countries accountable for fulfilling their obligations under the IHR.
• Addressing Health Workforce Shortages: Recognizing the critical need for a globally available and well-trained health workforce.

The Risks of Isolation Many experts believe that a unilateral approach to pandemic preparedness is unsustainable. Global health threats don’t respect borders, and effective responses require international collaboration. By rejecting the amendments, the US risks isolating itself from vital partnerships and hindering the development of a coordinated global response.

Looking Ahead: A Call for Reconsideration The debate over the IHR amendments highlights the ongoing tension between national sovereignty and global cooperation in public health. Psaki and others are urging the US government to reconsider its position and engage constructively in discussions to strengthen the treaty. The stakes are high: the future of pandemic preparedness, and the health and security of Americans, may depend on it.

The US needs to prioritize global health security as a national security imperative. Rejecting opportunities to strengthen the IHR is a gamble that the nation cannot afford to take. A renewed commitment to multilateralism and collaboration is essential to protect the US and the world from future pandemics.