Funding global health innovation
How science and research fared in the federal budget deal
President Obama recently signed into law a bill that funds the US federal government through the end of fiscal year (FY) 2011, following a last-minute negotiation reached in Congress just in time to prevent a possible government shutdown.
Although the bill reduces funding for federal agencies by more than $38 billion, in many ways it recognizes the importance of US investments in global health. For example, the US Agency for International Development’s (USAID) global health and child survival account received a funding increase of $80 million compared with FY 2010 levels, before an across-the-board cut included in the bill that affected all non-defense spending. However, the bill includes cuts that will trim funding for other agencies that are key drivers of research and innovation for global health, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Under the bill, the NIH lost $260 million in funds compared with FY 2010. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) received a cut of $730 million from last year’s funding levels.
Investments in global health research and development (R&D) are among the smartest budgetary decisions the United States can make. Not only do investments in research for new tools ranging from drugs to vaccines, microbicides, and diagnostics help save lives around the world, they also reap benefits in the United States by creating jobs and spurring economic growth. As policymakers begin discussions on the FY 2012 budget, it is crucial that they support robust budgets for agencies such as the NIH, USAID, and CDC. Indeed, as FY 2012 budget discussions begin in Congress, key voices from across the Obama administration are stressing to Congress the importance of strong support for global health, development, and innovation.
Officials from USAID recently highlighted the need to support global health programs and innovation for international development in the FY 2012 budget. During his testimony in front of the Senate Appropriations Committee, USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah said that the agency is “seeking new ways to harness the power of science, technology, and innovation.” He added that his agency is actively working to “recapture USAID’s legacy as the leader in applying scientific and technical solutions to the challenges of development. … The evidence is clear: development saves lives, strengthens democracies, and expands opportunity around the world. It also keeps our country safe and strengthens our economy. But our development assistance also expresses our American values.”
In the House, the Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Agencies also held a hearing on global health and HIV/AIDS programs, during which USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator for Global Health Amie Batson testified. Batson said that with the funding provided in the President's FY2012 budget request, "USAID will also support activities crucial to achieving our targets in a sustainable way, such as health systems strengthening, integration, building partnerships, research, and innovation."
During the hearing, Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY) highlighted the use of new technologies to further global health goals. "It is also vital that we continue to make investments in the fight against infectious disease. We are at a critical juncture for several debilitating diseases: the eradication of polio is within reach, microbicide technology that prevents the spread of HIV has been successfully tested, a malaria vaccine is in its final stage of clinical trials, and significant strides are being made in the development of interventions for neglected tropical diseases," she said, adding, "Scaling back our commitment to global health programs now risks sacrificing our progress in recent years.”
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