FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Media Relations
Washington, D.C., March 5, 2020 – The American Public Health Association applauds Congress for working in a bipartisan, bicameral manner to provide $8.3 billion in critical new funding to combat the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
The new funding will support public health professionals as they work to fight the outbreak, which has been reported in at least 13 states. Federal, state, local and tribal health departments and agencies are on the front lines protecting the health of U.S. communities.
“Swift emergency funding will allow public health, medical and scientific experts to better safeguard U.S. residents from this increasing threat,” notes APHA Executive Director Georges C. Benjamin, MD. “As more cases of COVID-19 are confirmed, nothing less than the health of our nation is at stake.”
Within the funding total, $2.2 billion is provided for prevention, preparedness and response activities at the federal, state and local level to combat the coronavirus outbreak.
“We’re especially pleased that this funding does not come at the expense of other important public health and social programs and that the bill will require replacing funds that have been transferred from other important federal health and safety net programs to address the outbreak,” Benjamin said.
“We thank the House and Senate for overwhelmingly passing the bill and we urge the president to quickly sign it.
“APHA stands ready to support any additional funding and resources that may be needed to protect the health of all our communities from this outbreak.”
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The American Public Health Association champions the health of all people and all communities. We are the only organization that combines a nearly 150-year perspective, a broad-based member community and the ability to influence federal policy to improve the public’s health. Learn more at www.apha.org.