IDSA criticizes repeal of Prevention and Public Health Fund

In response to the recent Senate introduction of the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017, which would effectively repeal the Prevention and Public Health Fund in FY2018, the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) came out strongly against the legislation, citing the detrimental effects the repeal would have on patients with Zika, influenza, and Ebola.

The fund currently accounts for more than 12 percent of the total U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) budget and supports various initiatives to develop laboratory capacities that facilitate rapid detection and response for disease outbreaks.

It also supports research into antimicrobial-resistant pathogens and the Section 317 Immunization Program, which provides needed vaccines for children against ailments such as measles, pertussis, and influenza.

“Adding to our concern is the proposal in the Trump administration’s FY2018 plan to cut CDC’s funding to fight antimicrobial resistance and to shift this funding to the Prevention and Public Health Fund,” the IDSA said in a statement. “Every year, at least two million people in the US develop drug-resistant infections and 23,000 die as a result of antimicrobial resistance. This is not the time to decimate funding for efforts to combat this critical public health threat.”

The organization continued, stating that removing the fund’s resources would result in significant budget gaps that would finder the CDC, state, and local health department efforts, leaving the country more exposed to the next domestic or global pandemic.

“If the fund is repealed, IDSA strongly encourages Congress to fully replace it in CDC’s budget,” the statement said.

The legislation remains under consideration by the Senate.