Ready or Not? Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism Jeffrey Levi, PhD Congressional Briefing February 3, 2012
Jan 16, 2016
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 –
[email protected] or 202-223-9870 ext. 20. www.healthyamericans.org