Budget and Appropriations

FY18: Just in time, the waiting game on the Congressional side has come to an end. Lawmakers had until today to act before the current continuing resolution (CR) expires on March 23 and they did it!  To great impact for STD prevention and treatment!

As you likely saw from NCSD’s statement earlier this week, for the first time since 2003, Congress increased funding for the Division of STD Prevention (DSTDP) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reversing a $5 million cut to DSTDP from last year! This funding restoration is a big win for our field and is a “down payment” in getting STDs programs the additional funding needed to respond to record-levels of morbidity. It comes after a year of increased visibility of STDs in the press and on the Hill through three NCSD-organized STD Days of Action.  A very big thank you to everyone who participated in Hill meetings this year or recommended partners to come to DC and advocate for STD prevention funding. Please know that your efforts are making a difference!

Another victory from the funding deal is that the report language on sexually transmitted diseases will also be signed into law.  Report language is a way for Congress to communicate to the federal government their policy priorities and how they would like the Administration to administer certain programs. Additionally, report language is another lever for national groups like NCSD to use to ensure the federal government is focusing on our priorities.

FY18 funding was level funded (compared to FY17’s funding) for the following programs: the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention (DHAP), the Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH), the Division of TB Elimination, the Ryan White Care Act, the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program, and the Title X family planning program. Negative rider language on Title X was also defeated. The Division of Viral Hepatitis received a $5 million increase, and the Title V Material and Child Health Block grant received a $10 million increase. See a more in-depth funding chart here.

The House passed the FY18 omnibus bill by a vote of 256-167 on Thursday–with 145 Republicans and 111 Democrats voting “yes” and 90 Republicans and 77 Democrats voting no (view the roll call here). Late last night, the Senate passed the bill by a vote of 65-32.  It now goes to the President for a signature (fingers crossed).

FY19: At the same time, Congress is in the process of developing FY19 funding bills, including negotiating funding for DSTDP.  On the House side, Representative Cicilline from Rhode Island, with support from NCSD, wrote a letter to fellow members asking the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services to support $227.3 million for sexually transmitted disease prevention at the CDC.

We hope that soon another letter will be circulated on the Senate side and we will let you know so you can reach out and encourage your Senators to sign on!