ASTHO warns cuts in FY04TERRORISM preparedness dollars will hurt states' response capability
"This is a disturbing decrease in funds for state and local preparedness," said ASTHO President Mary C. Selecky, Secretary, Washington State Department of Health. "We cannot stress enough that public health is struggling to overcome 20 years of neglect while it responds to new preparedness needs. Sustained federal funding is essential to continuing this progress."
The awards, which are administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, include a reduction in the base amount for each state of slightly over $1 million. Even with the redirection of $27 million for the Cities Readiness Initiative, nearly all states experienced significant reductions. This decrease comes on top of the Administration's proposed fiscal year 2005 budget request, which would further reduce public health preparedness funds to the states by an another $105 million for next year.
"Since 2001, state public health departments have made tremendous improvements in their ability to respond to a terror event, outbreak of infectious disease, or other public health threat or emergency," said ASTHO President-elect Richard A. Raymond, MD, Nebraska State Health Official. "Reducing state bioterrorism preparedness funding means states will do less and the development of important protective programs will be delayed in implementation."
"ASTHO looks forward to working with the Administration and Congress to assure the restoration of preparedness funds to states and the continuation of a long-term sustained commitment to state preparedness," said ASTHO Executive Director George E. Hardy, Jr., MD, MPH.
The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials is the national nonprofit organization representing the public health agencies of the United States, the U.S. Territories, and the District of Columbia. ASTHO's members, the chief health officials of these jurisdictions, are dedicated to formulating and influencing sound public health policy, and to assuring excellence in state-based public health practice.
Paula A. Steib, Communications Director
Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
1275 K ST NW, Suite 800
Washington, DC 20005
202-371-9090 ext. 1638
ASTHO avertizeazã taieturi din FY04TERRORISM de pregãtire de dolari va rãnit membre de capacitatea de rãspuns - ASTHO warns cuts in FY04TERRORISM preparedness dollars will hurt states' response capability - articole medicale engleza - startsanatate