CDC Requires $1B in Additional Funds in FY 2008, Gerberding Writes in Report to Lawmakers
CDC, which faces budget reductions in fiscal year 2008, requires a $1 billion increase in funds to operate effectively, according to a 10-page report that agency Director Julie Gerberding recently submitted to lawmakers at the request of the House Appropriations Committee, Cox/Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. President Bush in his FY 2008 budget has proposed to reduce the CDC budget by about $500 million from $9.2 billion in FY 2007.In the report, Gerberding wrote that CDC requires almost $400 million in additional funds to address infectious diseases, more than $100 million for health promotion campaigns, $80 million for bioterrorism preparedness and more than $65 million for global health programs. Gerberding wrote, "Terrorism, infectious disease outbreaks and pandemics and natural disasters that affect a greater number of Americans and people around the globe are the likely outcomes for which CDC and its partners must prepare." She added, "The growing babble of junk science, unsubstantiated opinion and distracting debate that occupies an increasing proportion of cyberspace makes CDC's highly trusted role in distinguishing credible health information all the more critical." Gerberding submitted the report, which the Campaign for Public Health made public, to committee Chair David Obey (D-Wis.) on April 20 (Nesmith, Cox/Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 5/9). This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.
