H.R. 4473: United States-Israel Bilateral Innovation for Research and Development in Health Act of 2025

This bill, known as the United States-Israel Bilateral Innovation for Research and Development in Health Act of 2025 (or BIRD Health Act of 2025), aims to establish a program to enhance collaboration between the United States and Israel in health-related research and innovation. Below are the key features of the bill:

Program Establishment

The bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create a bilateral research and innovation program called the BIRD Health Program. This program is designed to:

• Facilitate and coordinate efforts between the U.S. and Israel in developing healthcare products and services.
• Improve the delivery of these products and services to individuals in need.

Coordination and Governance

The BIRD Health Program will be administered by the Binational Industrial Research and Development Foundation (BIRD Foundation) and will involve cooperation between the U.S. and Israeli governments, specifically the Department of Health and Human Services and the Israeli Ministry of Health. These entities will help define focus areas and select projects for funding.

Goals and Components of the Program

The goals of the BIRD Health Program include:

• Facilitating joint research and development projects in health technologies.
• Supporting the commercialization and deployment of innovative healthcare products and services, such as:
  • Medical devices and diagnostics
  • Pharmaceuticals and biological products
  • Genomics and personalized medicine
  • Telemedicine and digital health technologies
  • Artificial intelligence applications in healthcare
  • Infectious disease prevention
  • Vaccine development
  • Epidemiological research
• Strengthening health-related ecosystems by fostering U.S.-Israel partnerships in healthcare technology development.

Funding and Implementation

The bill authorizes $10 million annually from fiscal years 2026 to 2032 to support the BIRD Health Program. The funds will be administered by the BIRD Foundation under the oversight of the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of Commerce.

Evaluation and Reporting

The Secretary of Health and Human Services is required to submit an annual report to Congress detailing:

• The progress of funded projects and their impact on healthcare innovation.
• The economic and scientific benefits resulting from U.S.-Israel collaborations.
• Policy recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of the program.

Additionally, a comprehensive review of the program's success will be submitted to Congress every three years.

Definition of Health Technology

The bill defines health technology as including medical devices, pharmaceuticals, digital health solutions, diagnostics driven by artificial intelligence, and biologics.

Relevant Companies

None found.