Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, alongside Senators Susan Collins and Bob Casey, introduced the bipartisan SEPSIS Act today. This legislation aims to reduce sepsis-related deaths by directing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to expand their dedicated efforts on sepsis prevention, building on their ongoing work to combat this deadly condition. The bill builds on the success of Rory’s Regulations, a life-saving initiative in New York State.

“Sepsis is a devastating medical condition, which unjustly claims the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans each year. The true tragedy is that many of these fatalities are preventable if there is early enough detection. The federal government must continue to bring more awareness and research to combatting this ruinous condition and save lives,” said Leader Schumer.

“I sincerely thank the Stauntons, who faced an unimaginable loss when their son Rory – a 12-year-old from Queens – died from sepsis a decade ago. They have turned their profound suffering into tangible action so that hopefully no parent or family has to experience the same pain.” 

The SEPSIS Act would task the CDC with dedicated sepsis work, building on their ongoing efforts to reduce the burden of sepsis through the Hospital Sepsis Program Core Elements.

The CDC’s work will include:
• An education campaign about addressing sepsis in hospitals
• Improving data collection on pediatric sepsis,
• Sharing information with HHS on data collection, including CMS on sepsis quality measures and
• Development and implementation of a sepsis outcome measure.

The SEPSIS Act also requires a report on the development and implementation of a sepsis outcome measure, and a Congressional briefing on CDC’s sepsis activities.

Lastly, the SEPSIS Act includes a voluntary recognition program for hospitals who maintain effective sepsis programs or improve their sepsis programs over time.