Health coalition members oppose $1.8B proposed budget cut to CDC
September 2024
In a letter to the U.S. House of Representatives, the 136 members of the CDC Coalition, including Big Cities Health Coalition (BCHC), expressed strong opposition to the proposed $1.8 billion (22%) cut to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) outlined in the FY 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies appropriations bill.
The CDC Coalition emphasizes the critical need for robust funding to sustain public health efforts and address existing health threats. The CDC Coalition also calls for the rejection of this bill, warning that the cuts would undermine essential CDC programs that combat chronic diseases, improve emergency preparedness, and protect communities from environmental health risks.
The letter highlights how the proposed bill would eliminate funding for vital initiatives, including the Injury Prevention and Control Center, the Tobacco Prevention and Control program, and the Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative among others.
These cuts would severely impact state and local health infrastructures, which rely heavily on CDC support to implement health initiatives and respond to emergencies.
Additionally, the CDC Coalition underscores that nearly 80% of the CDC’s budget supports state, tribal, local, and territorial health agencies, crucial for public health resilience. Adequate funding for the CDC is essential not only for addressing immediate health challenges but also for ensuring long-term health equity and safety in communities nationwide.
The CDC Coalition urges representatives to reject the proposed funding cuts and, instead, prioritize robust funding for the CDC to enhance its capabilities and protect the health of all citizens.
