The Public Health Service Act is a United States federal law enacted in 1944. The full act is codified in Title 42 of the United States Code (The Public Health and Welfare), Chapter 6A (Public Health Service). Contents The act clearly established the federal government's quarantine authority for the first time. It gave the United States Public Health Service responsibility for preventing the introduction, transmission and spread of communicable diseases from foreign countries into the United States. The Public Health Service Act granted the original authority for scientists and special consultants to be appointed "without regard to the civil-service laws", known as a Title 42 appointment. During COVID-19 pandemic, section has been used for Title 42 expulsion. Amendments It has since been amended many times. Some of these amendments are: Family Planning Services and Population Research Act of 1970 , which established Title X of the Public Health Service Act, dedicated to providing family planning services for those in need. National Cancer Act of 1971 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 Health Center Consolidation Act of 1996 National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering Establishment Act of 2000 Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance Research and Education Amendments of 2001 Hematological Cancer Research Investment and Education Act of 2001 Newborn Screening Saves Lives Act of 2007 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Reauthorization Act of 2013 (H.R. 307; 113th Congress) Suicide Training and Awareness Nationally Delivered for Universal Prevention Act of 2021 (S. 1543; 117th Congress) Proposed amendments Other attempted amendments to the act have bee proposed but failed: Stem Cell Research Enhancement Acts of 2005 and 2007 115TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION H. R. 708 To amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to change the permissible age variation in health insurance premium rates. One proposal to amend the Public Health Service Act is the Veteran Emergency Medical Technician Support Act of 2013 (), a bill in the 113th United States Congress. The bill was introduced on January 14, 2013 by Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL). It passed the United States House of Representatives on February 12, 2013 by a voice vote, indicating that it was generally non-controversial. The Bill would amend the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a demonstration program for states with a shortage of emergency medical technicians (EMTs) to