Strategies to Address Antimicrobial Resistance Act

Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) introduced the Strategies to Address Antimicrobial Resistance (STAAR) Act (S. 2313) on November 6, 2007. Representatives Jim Matheson (D-UT) and Michael Ferguson (R-NJ) introduced the House-version of the bill (H.R. 3697) on September 27, 2007. IDSA has enthusiastically endorsed this important legislation and the Bad Bugs logo comprehensive and strategic approaches it employs to tackle the problem of antimicrobial resistance. The STAAR Act provides important solutions to contain the spread of antimicrobial-resistant "bad bugs" through better overall coordination and funding of federal activities. The STAAR Act will strengthen federal antimicrobial resistance surveillance, prevention and control, and research efforts as well as enhance the collection of critical information on the use of antibiotics in humans and animals.

In addition to IDSA, the STAAR Act has been endorsed by the American Medical Association (AMA), American College of Physicians, American Public Health Association (APHA), International Society of Microbial Resistance (ISMR), Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), Pediatric Infections Diseases Society (PIDS), National Foundation for Infections Diseases (NFID), Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists (SIDP), Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics (APUA), Michigan Antimicrobial Resistance Reduction (MARR) Coalition, and Premier, an alliance of 1,700 nonprofit hospitals and healthcare systems nationwide.

IDSA applauds the STAAR Act's co-sponsors for their leadership in addressing this critical issue that is affecting patients across the country.

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Bill Language

S. 2313, Senate-version of the STAAR Act (PDF, 78K)

H.R. 3697, House-version of the STAAR Act (PDF, 150K)

Bill summaries and explanations

STAAR Act Background Document (PDF, 17K)
STAAR Act Brief Summary (PDF, 25K)
STAAR Act Highlights (PDF, 28K)
STAAR Act Questions & Answers (PDF, 32K)
STAAR Act: Rationale for Creating an Antimicrobial Resistance Clinical Research and Public Health Network (PDF, 23K)
Rep. Matheson's Introduction Statement (includes legislative history)
STAAR Act: Options for Improving Access to Antimicrobial Consumption Data in the United States (PDF, 25K)

IDSA Statements

IDSA Testimony on Antimicrobial Resistance at FDA Part 15 Hearing 04/28/2008 IDSA testifies at FDA hearing on antimicrobial resistance and makes twelve recommendations on appropriate FDA actions to help lead federal efforts to combat this growing problem.
Twelve Organizations Endorse STAAR Act; Urge Bill's Prompt Passage 3/20/08 APUA, AAFP, AAP, ACP, AMA, APHA, APIC, IDSA, NFID, PIDS, Premier, and SIDP push for comprehensive action by Congress to address antimicrobial resistance epidemic.
IDSA Writes President Bush Concerning Antimicrobial Resistance Funding 12/17/07 ID specialists urge inclusion of greater resources in President's 2009 and 2010 budgets.
The Epidemic of Antimicrobial Resistant Infections: A Call to Action for the Medical Community from the Infectious Diseases Society of America January 15, 2008 12/12/07 Published in Clinical Infectious Diseases [CID 2008:46 (15 January)].
IDSA Press Release 11/06/07
IDSA letter to Drs. Anthony Fauci, NIAID and Julie Gerberding, CDC, Requesting a Strengthened Federal Response to Antimicrobial Resistance 6/19/07

Patient Stories

Many families have suffered the debilitating effects of antimicrobial-resistant infections. These compelling and heart-wrenching stories engender a strong sense of urgency to enact the Strategies to Address Antimicrobial Resistance (STAAR) Act soon.

	Rebecca's Story A healthy 17-year old high school honor student and swimmer from Northern New Jersey who died of an MRSA infection
	Carlos Don's Story A healthy 12-year old athlete from Southern California who died of pneumonia caused by an MRSA infection
	Bryce’s Story: A Family Hopes A healthy 14-month old from Santee, California who contracted MRSA and spent many harrowing weeks in the intensive care unit as doctors struggled to save his life
	Ricky Lannetti's Story A healthy 21-year old football player at Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania who contracted MRSA and did not survive the infection
	Dee Dee Wallace's Story A Wisconson woman nearly loses her leg, and her life, to MRSA
	Brandon Noble's Story Washington Redskins defensive tackle who has had recurring serious MRSA infections in his knee
	My Son, My Sun—A Mother’s Story of Tragedy in the Face of MRSA Simon, a healthy baby from Chicago, Illinois who contracted MRSA and did not survive his infection

Background

Many ‘Superbugs’ Exist 11/27/2007
Excellent Fox News segment describing the epidemic

CDC estimates 94,000 invasive drug-resistant staph infections occurred in the U.S. in 2005 10/16/2007

"Invasive Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infections in the United States," Journal of the American Medical Association, (full text requires subscription) 10/17/2007
This CDC-supported study demonstrates that invasive MRSA infections killed more than 19,000 Americans in 2005--more than emphysema, HIV/AIDS or Parkinson's disease, and MRSA is only one of several important antibiotic-resistant infections of which we must be concerned.

"Antimicrobial Resistance: It's Not Just for Hospitals," Editorial by Elizabeth A. Bancroft, MD, SM, 10/17/2007
Read the abstract on the Journal of the American Medical Association website. (full text requires subscription)

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairs Seek CDC Leaders Positions/Documents on Antibiotic Use in Food Animals (PDF) 10/1/2007

The Struggle against Superbugs: Combating Antimicrobial Resistance in the Clinic and the Community
An eBriefing of the New York Academy of Sciences

IDSA's Efforts to Curb Antimicrobial Resistance
Presented by Martin J. Blaser, MD, New York University School of Medicine 6/21/2007

IDSA Staff Contacts

Media and the Public:
Steve Baragona (703) 299-0412
Diana Olson (703) 299-0201
Federal Policymakers:
Robert J. Guidos, JD (703) 299-0202