Public health officials, represented by the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL), and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) have reviewed the President’s FY 2003 budget and offer the following comments:

• The bioterrorism preparedness and public health infrastructure funds allocated this fiscal year are an important down payment on the health of this country that must be part of a sustained investment each and every year. Rebuilding the country’s public health infrastructure will take a long-term commitment—it’s not a one-shot deal.

• Bioterrorism preparedness must not be funded at the expense of other critical public health programs and priority areas. The public health system’s capacity to promote and protect the health of the nation’s residents from naturally occurring diseases and injuries is already weak and should not be weakened further through a transfer of funding.

• Flexibility must be incorporated in the federal model to enable public health programs to meet their goals at the state and local levels.

• The impact of this budget on the public health system is difficult to determine at this early stage. Public health officials will conduct a critical analysis of the budget details during the coming weeks to determine the net impact to public health.

To speak to a state, local, or laboratory health professional about the President’s budget, please contact the following:

Georges C. Benjamin, MD
Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene, Maryland
President, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
Contact: Paula Steib, 202-371-9090
http://www.astho.org/

Patrick M. Libbey
Director, Thurston County Public Health & Social Services Department
Washington State
President, National Association of County and City Health Officials
Contact: Jennifer Hudman, 202-783-5550 ext. 213
http://www.naccho.org/

Mary J.R. Gilchrist, Ph.D.
Director, University of Iowa Hygienic Laboratory
President, Association of Public Health Laboratories
Contact: Blair Farr, 202-822-5227 ext. 227
http://www.aphl.org/

Contacts