May 2009

NACCHO Advocates for H1N1 Influenza Funding in Supplemental Appropriations
At press time, Congress was preparing to pass a supplemental appropriations bill funding the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan which would include funding requested by the Obama Administration for H1N1 flu response. The House version of this bill includes $350 million for state and local preparedness and response capacity. Click here for a letter sent by NACCHO jointly with the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) advocating for this funding.

NACCHO Members Testify on H1N1 Influenza Response
On May 20, NACCHO members Terry Allan, Health Commissioner of the Cuyahoga County Board of Health and Rex Archer, Director of the Kansas City, Missouri Health Department and NACCHO Past President testified before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on State and Local Pandemic Preparedness. They stressed the successful efforts of local health departments to respond to H1N1, but the need for increased support so that LHDs are prepared for any emergency that may occur, including a possible resurgence of H1N1 in the fall. According to Dr. Archer, “The only thing harder than preparing for a disaster is trying to explain why you didn’t.” Click here for written testimony from the hearing.

Obama Releases Budget for Fiscal Year 2010
On May 7, the Obama Administration released its FY2010 budget with $78.4 billion in spending for Health and Human Services. Congress will now move to consider the budget through its annual appropriations process.

The budget includes level funding at the FY09 level for most public health programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The budget includes more than $1 billion for food safety at the Food and Drug Administration, a $259 million increase over the FY09 level. HIV/AIDS prevention funding, public health emergency preparedness, and chronic disease prevention also received increases in the budget.

NACCHO continues to monitor FY2010 appropriations and will keep members updated about critical times when your vocal support of these programs is needed.

The following chart details funding for important public health programs at CDC and HRSA:

Selected Public Health Programs (all CDC except as noted)	FY09 Omnibus	FY10 Pres Budget
Terrorism-upgrading state and local capacity	746 M	761 M (+15 M)
Preventive Health Block Grant	102 M	102 M
Section 317 Immunization Program	496 M	497 M (+1 M)
HIV/AIDS	692 M	745 M (+53 M)
Healthy Communities	22.8 M*	22.8 M
Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health	35.6 M	39.6 M (+4 M)
Public Health Informatics	70 M	71 M (+1 M)
Environmental Public Health Tracking	31.1 M	31.3 M (+.2 M)
Climate Change	7.5 M	7.5 M
Maternal and Child Health Block Grant (HRSA)	662 M	662 M

 *$4 million for community-based grant program focusing on poor nutrition and physical inactivity

FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg Confirmed
On May 18, Margaret Hamburg was confirmed by the Senate as the next Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration. Dr. Hamburg previously served as health commissioner of the New York City Health Department and assistant secretary for health during the Clinton Administration. NACCHO congratulates Dr. Hamburg and looks forward to working with her to strengthen food safety surveillance and response at the local level.

Health Reform Expected to Move Forward Summer 2009
Key Congressional leaders have pledged to pass a health reform bill to provide insurance coverage for the uninsured by the beginning of August. The Finance Committee, chaired by Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), has released a policy options paper which focuses primarily on options for providing health insurance coverage. However, the paper does include an initiative focused on reduction in infant mortality and improved maternal well-being that would provide funding through the Title V – Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant to states, tribes, and territories.

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee is expected to begin consideration of health reform legislation in June. At press time, draft legislation was expected to be released in late May. Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) is leading a task force on prevention and public health within health reform. NACCHO has held discussions with key Senate staff about including a trust fund for public health within the bill that would fund prevention-related activities at the state and local level. NACCHO will continue to keep members updated through “Notes from Washington” and NACCHO Connect, our new e-newsletter. NACCHO staff will be calling on members throughout the summer as health reform advances to make your voices heard on this important topic.