Schumer: Congress Set to Approve $350 Million in Emergency Federal Funding to Cover Costs Of H1N1 Flu, Prepare for and Respond to Further Spread

Press Release

Schumer: Congress Set to Approve $350 Million in Emergency Federal Funding to Cover Costs Of H1N1 Flu, Prepare for and Respond to Further Spread

As Confirmed Cases Could Rise Above 500,000 in NYC, Funding Necessary to Address Budgetary Shortages That Threaten Local, State, and National Response Efforts

NYC Expected to Spend More than $4 million to Combat Current Virus, May Need Much More to Prepare for Next Flu Season Where H1N1 is Expected to Return

Schumer: Millions Coming NYC Area Gov't and First Responders to Combat the Virus Right Now and in the Months Ahead

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer said that Congress is set to approve $350 million in the final Supplemental Appropriations bill to upgrade state and local ability to prepare for and respond to the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus and other potential pandemics. Last month, Schumer, along with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, requested that this money be included in addition to funding already set aside for the Department of Health and Human Services to address vaccine development and general preparedness. As the virus continues to spread and communities begin to mobilize, this emergency funding will address state and local budgetary gaps that threaten response efforts to the emerging outbreak. In New York City, as many as 500,000 may be infected.

"As new H1N1 cases continue to be reported across New York City, New York State, and the nation, the time to act is now," Schumer said. "This additional funding will provide communities the ability to gather resources in order to protect the public from the new influenza virus."

"As a parent and a lawmaker, my number one focus is making sure that New Yorkers are safe," said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. "This emergency funding is a needed shot in the arm for our state and local governments that are on the front lines in combating the H1N1 virus. I will continue to work with Senator Schumer to ensure that the public health system has all the tools it needs to protect citizens from the threat of the H1N1 virus and any future spreading of the virus."

In New York, the Center for Disease Control has confirmed hundreds of cases of individuals diagnosed with the H1N1 influenza virus. During the last month, New York City closed dozens of schools after documenting confirmed cases of H1N1, with the number of school closures increasing daily. Public health departments throughout the state are facing shrinking budgets but have growing caseloads. Additional funding is not only necessary, but critical to an effective response effort that includes hiring and training public health department professionals, temporary employees, and consultants to investigate the disease and implement preparedness plans to respond to the outbreaks, as well as purchasing vitally important laboratory supplies and equipment. However, the need for additional funding stretches across the country. As of May 24, 6,764 individuals have confirmed cases of H1N1 influenza throughout the United States and the virus has claimed eight lives.

The investment of at least an additional $350 million for state and local preparedness and response is needed to strengthen the nation's public health infrastructure and ensure all individuals affected by H1N1 receive urgent and targeted care. As more and more people in the U.S. are relying on public health departments to provide critical information, treatment, and protective measures, additional funding specifically for state and local preparedness and response will provide those on the front lines with the resources necessary to limit the potential damage of this virus.

State and local funding is needed to allow public health departments across the country respond effectively to current outbreaks and to enhance preparedness planning for any future spread of the H1N1 influenza virus. It is essential that the state and local public health workforce be reinforced to enable enhanced influenza surveillance, case detection, epidemiological investigation, laboratory testing and disease mitigation in the event that the H1N1 virus continues to spread or returns in a more dangerous form.

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