Washington, D.C., February 6, 2006
– The American Public Health Association (APHA) says today that President Bush’s fiscal year 2007 budget puts the health of millions of Americans at risk with proposed cuts to invaluable disease prevention and health promotion activities.
The budget released today provides increased funding to the departments of defense and homeland security theoretically to protect Americans. Yet the same budget calls for devastating funding cuts in health programs and, in some cases, eliminates programs entirely, such as the Preventive Health Services Block Grant at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that enables states to implement innovative health-promoting initiatives and creates a response mechanism to address health emergencies, such as West Nile virus and natural disasters. Under the president’s plan, the CDC’s budget would lose 2.1 percent in (2007) appropriations to fall to $5.8 billion, and the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) budget would be cut 4.8 percent to $6.31 billion.
"This administration has emphasized the importance of protecting our nation’s citizens but, ironically, has put the well-being of millions at risk with cuts to programs designed to improve health and save lives," said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, APHA executive director. "While controlling federal spending is critical, it is also imperative that our nation’s government do whatever it can to protect the public’s health. Short-sighted and short-term savings will lead to greater health and medical expenditures in the long term.
"It is fiscally and ethically irresponsible to weaken our nation’s efforts to protect men, women and children from chronic diseases and illnesses and other emergencies," Benjamin said. "We call on Congress to choose its priorities wisely and to protect the health of all Americans."
Using its five principles for measuring action on health, APHA found a number of proposals that were cut or under funded, which will hamper efforts to improve health. These five principles are:
- Costs of Health Care. APHA expresses concerns with the ability of the budget proposals to make health care more affordable for Americans. The budget plan encourages the use of health savings accounts (HSAs) yet puts tighter limits on Medicare and Medicaid, which provide a lifeline for millions of Americans who cannot afford vital medical services.
- Quality of Health Care. APHA wants the budget to work to reduce or eliminate disparities in health outcomes and care, curtail medical errors and otherwise ensure that Americans have access to the best medical care available. The administration’s plan cuts $133 million from Rural Health programs, which curtails medical services to residents in rural communities that traditionally have more limited resources.
- Access to Health Care. APHA recognizes that more than 45 million Americans lack health insurance and rising health costs are keeping vital medical and public health services out of the reach of many. Proposed cuts to Medicare and Medicaid would further restrict Americans’ already limited access to health coverage. Additionally, the budget would further constrict medical services with funding deductions in Rural Health Outreach Grants and the Urban Indian Health Program.
- Health Infrastructure. APHA is concerned with our nation’s growing work force shortages in health and public health practitioners, such as nurses, pharmacists and epidemiologists. The administration’s plan purports to protect Americans yet cuts $136 million from health professions training programs. These deductions come at a time when our public health infrastructure is struggling to provide more services with a smaller work force and diminished resources.
- Emphasis on Prevention. APHA supports policies that promote evidence-based preventive health services. The administration’s budget fails to focus on the front end needs – such as preventing disease, injury and death -- of our nation’s health care system. The administration’s plan curtails funding for prevention programs, such as Universal Newborn Hearing Screening, the Urban Indian Health Program, the Community Services Block Grant and the Preventive Health Services Block Grants.
In addition to the many harmful cuts, there are a few positive proposals. APHA applauds the following:
- Bioterrorism preparedness would receive an additional $25 million from 2006 to raise its budget to $1.66 billion.
- The budget provides for more than 300 new and expanded health center sites, including 80 new sites in economically challenged counties, with a funding increase of $181 million.
- The budget calls for the reauthorization of Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act. The program would receive an additional $95 million from 2006.
- The fiscal plan calls for $2.65 billion to be allocated to support pandemic flu preparedness activities across the Department of Health and Human Services.
APHA calls on Congress to take the health needs of Americans into consideration while shaping the nation’s priorities and to support the measures necessary to guarantee that Americans have access to primary and preventive health services that will improve the quality of their lives.