President’s Budget:

The CDC’s Budget Justification was released Monday, March 18, which provides more in-depth information to accompany the President’s proposed budget. The document confirms what NCSD interpreted from the budget in short that was released last week, the Division for STD Prevention will remain flat funded from FY 2019 at $157 million.

However, the document also lays out the clear need for increased funding to prevent STDs. Within the justification, CDC reports that STDs are at the highest level ever and that congenital syphilis is at alarming rates. Due to these increased rates the justification states that: “The upward trajectory of STIs, coupled with reduced resources, will require CDC to further prioritize program activities and initiatives, reducing actions where necessary, to maintain current targets.”

Additionally, the justification includes further description of the extra $291 million that is proposed for the end HIV initiative, including $140 million to HIV Prevention at CDC, $120 million to HRSA, $25 million to Indian Health Services, and $6 million to NIH Center for AIDS Research.

Budget Resolution and Markups:

Appropriations staff believe there is very little chance that the House will pass a budget resolution – an agreement that determines the total budget for the fiscal year and sets topline spending totals – due to internal divisions. The House may instead move forward with a resolution that will set the funding limit for the year and allow the House Appropriations Committee to divvy the top-line spending limit into different appropriations subcommittees, including labor, health and human services (LHHS), which determines STD funding. It is likely spending limits will be above the FY19 level, allowing some room for increased allocations to program.