Baldwin, Terry, Towns Seek to Strengthen Public Health System

Press Release

Baldwin, Terry, Towns Seek to Strengthen Public Health System

Representatives Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Lee Terry (R-NE), and Edolphus Towns (D-NY) today introduced legislation that invests in and supports our nation's public health infrastructure. The Strengthening America's Public Health System Act helps states and municipalities create new jobs in the public health field, analyze local public health problems, and take prompt action to address them.

"Our public health system has greatly improved since the mid-1990s, but is struggling to keep pace with the many threats families face on a daily basis," said Rep. Baldwin. "The current salmonella outbreak is just one reminder of how difficult it is to ensure the safety of our food, air, and water, and to prevent and control disease outbreaks. We must provide our public health personnel with all the tools they need to keep people safe," Baldwin said.

"This is an extremely important bill. Today local public health departments must confront increased disease outbreaks, emerging infections, pandemic flu and environmental health threats. University of Nebraska Medical Center played an integral part in creating this legislation that will enhance the nation's public health capacity by strengthening its core science infrastructure and ensuring a seamless, rapid flow of information. This bill will help us meet the serious public health challenges of today and tomorrow," said Rep. Terry.

"I have long been an advocate of protecting our public's health and this piece of legislation will undoubtedly aid and sustain in these efforts," Rep. Towns said. "Additionally, from an economic standpoint, the legislation will create much needed jobs. With the recent economic downturn affecting our entire country, and particularly New York, it is not only prudent but it is imperative for me to champion legislation that will revive our job market" said Rep. Towns.

"We applaud the leadership of Representatives Baldwin, Terry, and Towns on this critical piece of public health legislation," added Patrick McConnon, MPH; Executive Director, Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. "This bill will enhance critical public health infrastructure that will strengthen local-state-federal disease surveillance and reporting capacity. These improvements will help to meet the serious challenges ahead, such as emerging infections, growing antimicrobial resistance, and increased foodborne disease outbreaks," McConnon said.

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