ASPPH Opposes Public Health Cuts in House FY 2025 Spending Bill

June 27, 2024 - The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (ASPPH) is deeply concerned by cuts and structural changes to public health agencies proposed in the House Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (Labor-HHS-ED) appropriations bill. The cuts to key public health programs in the FY 2025 bill are unacceptable. This reduced funding would weaken the nation's public health system on the heels of a pandemic that continues to kill hundreds of Americans daily. The House bill demonstrates a lack of foresight in public health and the tools necessary to ensure a healthier and safer country.

ASPPH particularly opposes the following proposals in the House FY 2025 bill:

• $1.7 billion cut to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is approximately a 22% cut to the nation's leading public health agency. Robust support for the CDC budget is essential to allow the agency to carry out its mission to protect the US from health, safety, and security threats. We must proactively make investments at CDC to effectively detect, respond and prevent future emerging health threats, develop and sustain a strong public health workforce, and promote healthy communities through prevention.
  • The elimination of funding for the Center for Forecasting and Analytics (CFA), which is a $55 million cut. The elimination of the CFA will hamper the federal government's ability to forecast emerging health threats and allow for timely action to mitigate their effects across communities, such as social and economic disruption. The Center plays a critical role in convening the next generation of public health data professionals, expert disease modelers, emergency responders, and public health communicators.
  • The elimination of CDC programs to research firearm injury and mortality prevention and climate and health, two public health issues that are already deeply underfunded. ASPPH stays committed to addressing two major public health crises, including gun violence through our Gun Violence Prevention initiative and climate change through our Climate Change & Health initiative. This includes ensuring adequate federal funding support for programs to reduce firearm-related injury and mortality and to lessen the impacts of climate change on population health. We cannot afford to lose lives to the preventable consequences of these crises.

• Structural changes and policy reforms at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The bill maintains FY 2024 funding levels for the NIH, which will slow progress in responding to public health threats. We also are concerned by the consolidation of the existing 27 institutes and centers (ICs) into 15 new centers. Each IC within the NIH is dedicated to specific areas of health research, from cancer to infectious diseases. Consolidation may dilute the specialized focus that allows for targeted and effective research, potentially hindering advancements. Additionally, the proposed change will likely result in slower decision-making processes, delayed approval of breakthrough research grants, and impediments to the overall efficiency of the NIH. Public health issues are diverse and complex, requiring targeted approaches. A consolidated NIH might struggle to address the wide range of health needs effectively, potentially leading to a more one-size-fits-all approach that may not be suitable for all conditions. While ASPPH is open to a full and robust discussion on how to improve NIH, including restructuring, this should follow the normal process of Congressional hearings and other opportunities for stakeholder input.

• Various policy riders, such as impeding work in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice (DEIJ). ASPPH champions the development of a diverse and exceptional public health workforce and values social justice, equity, and health for all. Consistent with our ongoing DEIJ initiatives, we strive to create an equitable and inclusive community that respects everyone. It is part of our mission to stand up against discrimination in all forms, including the House bill's efforts to block policies that promote DEIJ. Blocking DEIJ efforts can lead to a less diverse environment in schools of public health, which can negatively impact the breadth of perspectives and experiences represented within these institutions. Such actions will also hinder progress in reducing health disparities and promoting health equity.

ASPPH is concerned the House bill's cuts and policy changes will lead to increased vulnerability to disease outbreaks, weakened emergency preparedness, stifled research and innovation, and long-term economic consequences across the nation. Thus, we strongly oppose this bill and call on the House to restore funding to these critical issues in the Labor-HHS-ED appropriations bill. We look forward to working with Congress to explore alternative policy solutions to ensure a stronger investment in the public health system.