APHA Finds Good News, Missed Opportunities in President's Proposed Budget

2/3/2003

From: David Fouse of the American Public Health Association, 202-777-2501

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3 -- The American Public Health Association (APHA) identified both good news and missed opportunities in President Bush's budget, which was released today.

"We fully support several initiatives the president outlined in his budget that will improve the health of people," said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, executive director of the American Public Health Association. "Sustained support for public health preparedness, increases to reduce chronic diseases, expanded funding for community health centers and a new U.S. commitment to fight global AIDS represent some of the good news. But the budget also includes missed opportunities, and the good news should not come at the expense of other vital health programs."

As for the good news, APHA identified several programs that received continued strong support or increases. -- Bioterrorism -- Public health workers are the first line of defense against a bioterrorist attack. The administration has continued its commitment to public health preparedness to protect our nation by sustaining funding for capacity at the state and local levels, research, hospital preparedness and food safety. -- Chronic diseases -- Chronic diseases are among the most prevalent, costly and preventable of all health problems, and represent the leading causes of death among Americans. The president has proposed an increase of $100 million over last year's request for chronic disease programs focusing on diabetes, obesity and asthma. -- Community Health Centers -- Health centers provide access to primary care and preventive services for their patients. Two-thirds are uninsured or on Medicaid, two-thirds are people of color and more than 85 percent live below 200 percent of the poverty level. The administration proposed significantly increasing funding for these programs. -- HIV/AIDS -- The AIDS pandemic is ravaging many countries across the globe; life expectancies will drop in 51 countries due to the AIDS crisis. President Bush's new commitment to the global AIDS fund will infuse prevention, care, treatment and research with desperately needed resources.

As for the missed opportunities, APHA found a number of proposals that were cut or under funded, which will hamper efforts to improve health. -- Health Professions Training Programs -- Healthcare professionals are in shortage, and the United States needs a diverse, stable and well-trained work force as it faces an aging and increasingly diverse population. While the president continues his support for nurses, he continues to vastly under fund vital training for health professionals. -- Immunization -- Child vaccinations significantly reduce childhood morbidity and mortality and save health care costs. Proposed funding for immunizing children has been cut and is inadequate, especially with more expensive drugs coming out. These cuts will likely prevent the nation from reaching the goal of immunizing 90 percent of our children. -- Occupational safety and health -- Worker safety and health programs were nearly level funded, after being sharply reduced from fiscal year 2002. These programs also play a critical role in protecting workers responding to terrorist incidents and natural disasters. -- Family Planning -- Family planning programs provide care to improve the health of women who need care but cannot afford it, reduce unintended pregnancies and decrease infant mortality and morbidity. Programs provide affordable family planning services to 4.5 million low-income women, many of who are uninsured. These programs were level funded. -- Environmental Health -- Programs to study and prevent the exposure of toxic substances and emergency response programs for chemical and radiological emergencies were cut from last year's proposal.

The American Public Health Association, the oldest and largest organization of public health professionals, represents more than 50,000 members from over 50 public health occupations.