By Senator Bill Frist, M.D and Tom Frieden
Congress will soon be faced with many momentous decisions that will affect the lives of Americans for years to come. One of the most critical threats to our health is the potential for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention‘s (CDC) budget to be reduced to its lowest levels in 20 years — at a time when the public’s health is more at risk than ever.
Just this week, the House Appropriations Committee released the draft fiscal year 2018 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) funding bill, which cuts $200 million from CDC’s budget.
This cut is smaller ($1 billion less) than what the president requested, but still risks endangering American lives, particularly since further cuts could be added as the bill moves through the House and Senate.
CDC has, over the past seven decades, earned its status as one of the most highly respected institutions in the country. However, it has also historically been one of the most under-funded. CDC works around the clock and around the world to protect Americans, often without the resources it needs. And now the situation could become dire.
Read more on The Hill.
