Public Health Service Act as Amended Sections 301-3351

This document contains the text for relevant sections of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act. The PHS Act forms the foundation of HHS’ legal authority for responding to public health emergencies. Among other things, it authorizes the HHS Secretary to lead all Federal public health and medical response to public health emergencies and incidents covered by the National Response Framework (section 2801); to direct the U.S. PHS and other components of the Department to respond to a public health emergency (sections 203A, 311); to declare a public health emergency (PHE) and take such actions as may be appropriate to respond to the PHE consistent with existing authorities (section 319); to assist states in meeting health emergencies (section 311); to control communicable diseases (sections 361-369); to maintain the Strategic National Stockpile (319F-2); to provide for the operation of the National Disaster Medical System (section 2812); to establish and maintain a Medical Reserve Corps (sect