Ready or Not? Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism

Jeffrey Levi, PhD

Congressional Briefing

February 3, 2012

Who We Are Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) is a non-

profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to saving lives by protecting the health of every community and working to make disease prevention a national priority.

Overview Progress in public health preparedness over

past decade Economic crisis and federal budget cuts leave

us less prepared than a few years ago Basic capabilities are eroding Policy opportunities

PAHPA reauthorization FY 13 budget and sequestration (risks and

opportunities)

9th Annual Ready or Not? report Goals:

Demonstrate progress, challenges in preparing nation for disaster

Illustrate role of public health

Supported by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

A Decade of Progress 10 years ago, health departments responded to

9/11 with little preparation. Since then: PHEP and HPP Grants established All states and localities have tested their plans to

receive and distribute medical supplies Developing domestic vaccine and other medical

countermeasure capacity Growth in lab capacity Passage of PAHPA, FSMA

Federal, State & Local Cuts Federal funds for state & local preparedness

cut by 38% since FY05 (adjusted) $72M cut to PHEP grants from FY10-12 40 States & DC cut public health funding 49,000 lost state & local public health jobs

More prepared than a decade ago…but may be less prepared than even a few years ago

Programs at Risk from FY 11&12 Cuts and Potential Sequestration 51 of 72 cities in Cities Readiness Initiative Level 1 Chemical Testing Labs in 10 states Field epi program in 24 states Research and training centers at 18

different universities Comprehensive nuclear, radiological,

chemical response support from CDC

Recommendations Assuring dedicated funding and strengthening

the public health preparedness core capabilities

Improving biosurveillance to rapidly detect and track outbreaks or attacks

Improving research, development and manufacturing of vaccines and medications

Recommendations Enhancing the ability to provide care for a

mass influx of patients during emergencies Providing better support to help communities

cope with and recover from disasters Coordinating food safety with other

preparedness efforts through the strategic implementation of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act of 2011.

Originally passed in 2006 to specifically address public health preparation and response for disasters

Created Assistant Secretary for Prep & Response at HHS (ASPR)

Created BARDA to spur development of pipeline of vaccines, drugs, devices (MCM)

Created National Health Security Strategy New focus on at-risk individuals

Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA)

PAHPA Reauthorization (H.R. 2405/S. 1855) Key Provisions Include:

Flexibility for states to surge public health staff during disaster (House)

Limited carryover of unspent preparedness funds (Senate)

MCM implementation plan and 5-year budget Review of need to replenish SNS

PAHPA Reauthorization (cont.) Key provisions:

MCM Strategic Investor to leverage venture capital and technical expertise (Senate)

Plan to improve coordination among biosurveillance plans. Senate bill includes coordination with HIT

Separate Senate medical surge

capacity bill to allow 1135

waivers for evacuation areas

PAHPA Reauthorization Principal Area of Concern

Spending capped at lowest level in several programs’ history, including state & local preparedness grants

Questions? Please contact TFAH:

Dara Lieberman, Senior Government Relations Manager –

dlieberman@tfah.org or 202-223-9870 ext. 20. www.healthyamericans.org