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Health Secretary Asks For Emergency Coronavirus Funding While Trump Calls For 16% Cut To CDC Budget

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Topline: Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said on Wednesday the Centers for Disease Control needs at least $136 million in funding for the government’s efforts against coronavirus (after spending its $105 million rapid-response fund) as more people sicken and die from the disease across the world, while President Trump proposes a 16% budget cut.

  • Azar asked Congress to divert the requested additional funds from other government health programs, but said HHS would not divert any money from Trump’s border wall construction.
  • Just one day before, Azar asked a Senate subcommittee to approve $2.5 billion in additional funds to expand surveillance efforts, develop vaccines, stockpile protective equipment and support state and local governments.
  • Azar told lawmakers that the U.S. has 30 million surgical masks on hand, but needs 300 million⁠—and suggested the country build out manufacturing facilities to make the protective gear. (Trump told us manufacturing jobs would return!)
  • Also on Tuesday: CDC infectious diseases director Nancy Messonnier told reporters that the spread of coronavirus is “not a question of if this will happen, but when this will happen, and how many people in this country will have severe illnesses.”
  • Meanwhile, the White House asked Congress on Monday for $1.25 billion to prepare for coronavirus, but Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) proposed an $8.5 billion emergency fund.

Crucial quote: “The immediate risk to the public remains low,” Azar told House members Wednesday, but added that the U.S. should expect to see more cases. 

What to watch for: Trump’s Wednesday evening press conference on coronavirus, which he announced in a morning tweet. “Low Ratings Fake News MSDNC [sic] Comcast & @CNN are doing everything possible to make the Caronavirus [sic] look as bad as possible, including panicking markets,” Trump tweeted. “USA in great shape!” 

Big number: 1,782. That’s how many points the Dow Jones lost since Friday’s close amid coronavirus fears, while the S&P 500 fell over 7% from last week’s record high. Trump is reportedly furious about the virus’ impact on markets and has allegedly discouraged staffers from making any further negative statements about the outbreak. 

Key background: Azar was appointed by Trump January 29, 2020, to oversee a coronavirus task force. And Trump released his proposed 2021 budget on February 11, 2020, which in addition to cutting the CDC’s budget by 16%, also calls for a 10% overall reduction for HHS. Internationally, Trump wants to cut the U.S.’ contribution to the World Health Organization by $65 million, a 40% reduction. (The U.S. accounts for about 2.5% of WHO’s $4.8 billion budget.) Trump’s proposed budget is unlikely to pass the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives, which has the power of the purse, and will ultimately decide how the funds will be spent, after various committees weigh in.

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