FY20:

House:

On Tuesday, April 30, the House Appropriations Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) Subcommittee approved a draft of their FY20 appropriations bill. This move is the first step of many in the FY20 appropriations process.

The proposed bill includes an increase of $203 million to the National Center for HIV, Hepatitis, STDs and Tuberculosis Prevention (NCHHSTP), under which the Division of STD Prevention (DSTDP) sits. At this point, only the topline funding levels are known. The full details, including the STD funding level at CDC, are expected next week.

In the meantime, here is what we do know about other important health programs and agencies. The bill provides:

• As part of the funding for NCHHSTP, $140 million in new funding for ending the HIV epidemic.
• $400 million, an increase of $114 million, to Title X family planning
• $2.4 billion to Ryan White HIV/AIDS program, an increase of $116 million.
  • $50 million in Health Centers
  • $70 million in the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program to reduce new HIV infections by 90 percent in 10 years.

The bill will now move to full Appropriations committee markup, which is expected to take place on Wednesday, May 8.

Senate:

Meanwhile, the Senate Appropriations process is on standby until an agreement on raising the spending caps is reached.

Raising the Spending Caps:

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell is working closely with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer to raise the spending caps for FY20.  However, President Trump is not in favor of increasing spending, and thinks there could be advantages to a yearlong continuing resolution, particularly ahead of the 2020 elections.