IDSA reviews Congressional funding allocations for health concerns

Proposed funding allocations by the Senate Appropriations Committee address some of the most urgent threats to public and individual, the Infectious Diseases Society of America said.

The bill’s allotment of $168.5 million for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Antibiotic Resistance Initiative reflects an awareness that antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest public health threats the country faces. The allocation represents an increase in funding that will help states and local communities track disease-resistant pathogens and prevent their spread.

Also, $600 million was allocated for antimicrobial resistance research at the National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases, an increase from 2019 funding. Further, a $5.937 billion allocation for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases represents an overall increase.

However, the bill’s allocation of $30 million — level with 2019 funding — for the Advanced Molecular Detection program, falls short of what will be needed in the year ahead, IDSA said. Similarly, level funding of $21 million in the bill for the National Healthcare Safety Network, which works to increase the number of healthcare facilities reporting antibiotic use and resistance data, also falls short. Additionally, the proposed bill flatlines funding for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, which works toward the development of new antibiotics that can address resistant pathogens. IDSA says investment in antibiotic research and development is essential, and it urges Congress to fully fund each of these priorities.

The bill also recognizes the role of continued U.S. leadership against infectious disease outbreaks worldwide with $595 million for the CDC Center for Global Health. This funding includes a $100 million increase for the CDC Global Public Health Protection program.

The Senate State and Foreign Operations and Related Programs Appropriations subcommittee approved $1.56 billion for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. That represents a $210 million increase over FY 19 funding. However, a $50 million cut in funding for the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief represents a discouraging step back, IDSA said.

As the federal funding process moves forward, IDSA will continue to advocate for full funding for CDC, USAID, and DoD efforts to control the current Ebola outbreak, fight HIV, and respond to infectious disease threats.