FY17 Appropriations:  On Monday, Congress released its final fiscal year (FY) 2017 Appropriations bill after negotiations were completed over the weekend.  Unfortunately, the Division of STD Prevention (DSTDP) at CDC was cut by $5 million.  This cut was first passed by the Senate’s Labor Health and Human Services Subcommittee in June of 2016 and unfortunately, despite our advocacy efforts ever since, it was retained in the final negotiated bill.  The bill can be found here.  As you will note, generally, if the House or Senate had previously passed cuts to federal programs for FY ’17, these cuts were maintained, with some notable exceptions. The House of Representatives passed the FY17 Omnibus Appropriations bill by a vote of 309 -118 on Wednesday and the Senate passed  it on Thursday.  It now goes to the President for signature.

Obviously this is very disappointing news.  Please see NCSD’s response– an NCSD press release as well as our joint statement with other national organizations.

Please know that we will continue to fight every day on your behalf and be the strongest advocates for your work with elected officials.  To that end, NCSD is planning a first annual STD Day of Action June 20-21 in Washington, targeting members of the House and Senate Labor Health and Human Services Subcommittee.  This is just the beginning of a new focus to our advocacy efforts–please stay tuned.

ACA Repeal Efforts:  On Thursday, the House of Representatives passed a bill to replace the ACA by a vote of 217-213.  The American Health Care Act (AHCA), if enacted, would take away insurance coverage from millions of Americans and end protections for people with pre-existing conditions.  Additionally, by waiving the Essential Health Benefits (EHB) requirements, the bill would no longer require insurers  to provide a minimum about of services needed to keep people healthy. The bill also eliminates the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which funds 12 percent of the CDC’s budget.  The bill now goes to the Senate.  Click here to view the joint press release on the passage of this bill from NCSD and four of our partners.

HRSA Administrator: Dr. George Sigounas, MS, PhD has been appointed as the new Administrator for Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA).  Dr. Sigounas was a Professor of Medicine at East Carolina University’s Brody School of Medicine.  His involvement in the establishment and operation of a Bone Marrow Transplantation program, clinical trials, and patient committees have provided Dr. Sigounas with extensive understanding of the various aspects involved in patient treatment, including treatment processes, and financial issues.