Oversight Democrats Urge HHS to Declare a Public Health Emergency in Response to Alarming Rise in Syphilis Rates

Washington, D.C. (June 10, 2024)—Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, led Committee Democrats in a letter to Xavier Becerra, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), requesting he declare an immediate public health emergency regarding a disturbing trend showing the rapid rise in maternal and infant syphilis across the country, and a briefing on steps HHS is taking to mitigate the spread of the infection.

“To contain the spread of syphilis to protect the health of every community in the United States and to urgently stop the transmission of syphilis from pregnant people to their newborn infants—I urge you to declare a public health emergency pursuant to your authority under Section 319 of the Public Health Service Act.  By declaring a public health emergency, HHS will be able to access crucial emergency funds for a more robust response to the outbreak, across every level of government.  Declaring a public health emergency will also allow agencies, including FDA, to take additional measures to increase access to and distribute life-saving antibiotics so that drug shortages do not prevent pregnant people and newborns from getting the care they need,”  wrote the Members.

Syphilis is an incredibly dangerous infection that can increase the risk of stillbirth or miscarriage, as well as result in blindness, deafness, and severe developmental delays for infants born to infected carriers.  In addition to the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Syphilis and Congenital Syphilis Task Force, the Committee believes in utilizing all appropriate tools and authorities for HHS to respond.

In February, Oversight Democrats launched an investigation over the shortage of Bicillin LA, a key medication used to treat syphilis during pregnancy.  While the investigation commended the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for temporarily authorizing a substitute medication, Extencilline, they also called for an increase in access to both medications for pregnant people.

“Rapidly rising rates of syphilis during pregnancy and in newborn infants signal a wider maternal health crisis.  Syphilis in newborns babies is entirely preventable if the disease is treated during pregnancy, and CDC estimates that 90% of new cases could have been prevented with timely testing and treatment.  However, according to the CDC, nearly 40% of syphilis cases were among mothers that did not receive prenatal care with half testing positive for syphilis during pregnancy but not receiving timely treatment.  Nationally, about one in five pregnant women diagnosed with syphilis did not receive any prenatal care,” wrote the Members.

In this letter, the Members requested a staff briefing on the steps HHS is taking to ensure the adequate and timely supply of antibiotics for pregnant people and expand access to affordable testing, treatment, and prenatal care in underserved communities.

Click here to read the letter.