President Barack Obama has issued an executive order to address the crucial matter of antibiotic resistant bacteria....part of the President's outstanding leadership on environmental and public health matters.
The Presidential Order published in the Federal Register last week establishes a leadership and coordination role of the federal government to address all aspects of the antibiotic resistant bacteria problem.
The Federal Government will work domestically and internationally to detect,
prevent, and control illness and death related to antibiotic-resistant infections
by implementing measures that reduce the emergence and spread of anti-
biotic-resistant bacteria and help ensure the continued availability of effective
therapeutics for the treatment of bacterial infections.
Combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a national security priority. The National Security Council staff, in collaboration with the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Domestic Policy Council, and the Office of Management and Budget, shall coordinate the development and implementation of Federal Government policies to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria, including the activities, reports, and recommendations of the Task Force for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria established in section 3 of this order. [emphasis added]
The Order describes how each pertinent federal agency will participate and how coordination will take place. There are provisions for international cooperation, addressing epidemics of antibiotic resistant bacteria, public health and medical research on the issue, advisory and scientific committees to address planning, etc.
This is our President being responsible and doing the nuts and bolts of governing and public health stewardship....something for which republicans have no talent or interest.
Also worthy of note last week is another Presidential order addressing "Climate-Resilient International Development".....to help address the greenhouse gas emission consequences of international development related to United States involvement.