WHO is Accountable Act

This bill would block federal money from being used to rejoin or fund the World Health Organization (WHO) unless the State Department certifies that the WHO has made certain changes. It ties any future U.S. membership or funding to reforms like keeping aid non-political, improving transparency, and avoiding waste or abuse. It also requires that WHO decisions not be legally binding on U.S. people or states as a condition of U.S. membership.

Key points

• Who is affected: U.S. agencies and taxpayers; global programs that receive WHO funding could be indirectly affected by U.S. funding changes.
• What changes: No U.S. funds for WHO membership or contributions until the State Department certifies that the WHO has:
  • Adopted reforms so aid goes to those most in need and isn’t politicized.
  • Is not controlled or influenced by the Chinese Communist Party and was not involved in a COVID-19 coverup by that party.
  • Granted observer status to Taiwan.
  • Does not divert medical supplies to Iran, North Korea, or Syria.
  • Increased transparency and cut waste, fraud, and abuse.
  • Stopped funding, engaging in, or messaging on issues seen as outside its core mission, including gender identity and gender-affirming care, climate change, and access to abortion.
  • Agreed that WHO directives are not legally binding on U.S. citizens or states as a condition of U.S. membership.
• When: These limits last until the State Department makes the required certification to Congress.