PATH commends Congress for commitment to global health in FY18 spending bill
The US Congress's Fiscal Year 2018 Omnibus Appropriations bill maintains or increases funding for nearly all global health programs. Photo: courtesy of Pixabay.
PATH welcomes the passage of the Fiscal Year 2018 Omnibus Appropriations bill by the US Congress, which expressed a clear commitment to sustaining US leadership in global health, including additional funding to further strengthen America's ability to protect against infectious disease outbreaks—both abroad and within our own borders.
PATH is pleased to see that funding for nearly all global health programs has been maintained or increased. These programs save countless lives and provide the backbone for poor countries to deliver basic health services.
Notably, the Omnibus provided US$135 million in additional funding for US Agency for International Development (USAID) global health security programs, and a $50 million increase for US Centers for Disease Control programs to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging disease threats. PATH would like to thank Senators Graham, Leahy, Blunt, and Murray, and Representatives Rogers, Lowey, Cole, and DeLauro for their leadership in championing these vital programs.
PATH also applauds the $15 million increases for USAID maternal and child health programs and for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which together support the delivery of low-cost, lifesaving health services for newborns, children, and women in developing countries.
As Congress now moves on to the Fiscal Year 2019 budget, PATH urges Congress to be fully engaged in executing its oversight power and to continue its bipartisan support for these critical accounts in the Fiscal Year 2019 budget.
Posted March 26, 2018.