Federal report highlights public health funding gap

A new report from the Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise (PHEMCE) found that current funding levels proposed for federal health agencies may be insufficient to address emerging diseases and other public health threats over the next five years. 

What happened: The report estimates that an additional $66.9 billion would be needed through fiscal year 2031 to support medical countermeasure development and preparedness efforts.  

Funding priorities: The report identified pandemic influenza, antimicrobial resistance, and emerging infectious diseases such as Ebola among the areas requiring the largest investments. 

What’s next: Congressional appropriators continue to weigh fiscal year 2027 funding levels for public health agencies, while federal health officials assess future preparedness needs and emerging disease threats.