Management Sciences for Health Thanks U.S. Congress for Support of Global Health Programs

Arlington, VA—March 28, 2018—Management Sciences for Health (MSH) applauds the U.S. Congress for approving the Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 Appropriations bill, which maintains funding for almost all global health programs at equal or increased levels. We are pleased to see additional funding to further strengthen the ability of the United States to protect against infectious disease outbreaks, both abroad and here at home. This remarkable support from the United States is essential for the health and wellbeing of countless people across the world. Our lawmakers’ action to strengthen health systems helps save lives and bolster local and national economies.

Notably, the FY18 bill provides $135 million in additional funding for U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) global health security programs and a $50 million increase for U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) programs to prevent, detect, and respond to emerging disease threats.

MSH also welcomes Congressional appropriations of $4.65 billion for the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), $755 million for the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI), and $261 million for USAID’s bilateral TB programs. MSH has been a critical partner in all three of these U.S. bilateral efforts. 

Equally importantly, MSH applauds the U.S. Congress for approving $1.35 billion in funding for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria to help accelerate progress in the fight against the three diseases, and the $15 million increases for USAID maternal and child health programs and for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which supports the delivery of low-cost, lifesaving health services for newborns, children, and women in developing countries.

We join the global health community in thanking Senators Graham, Leahy, Blunt, and Murray, and Representatives Rogers, Lowey, Cole, and DeLauro for their leadership in championing these vital programs.