Title: Epi Section's Legislative Corner

Author: Ruth Allen

Section/SPIG: Epidemiology

Issue Date:

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APHA has expanded the opportunities for all Section members to be informed on pending public health legislation and to be more active as good citizens.  In partnership with CDC Coalition and Friends of HRSA, this year there are five priorities at APHA for congressional attention:

1) FY 09 CDC funding at $7.4 billion;
2) FY 09 HRSA funding at $7.9 billion;
3) Increased focus on prevention in FDA regulation of tobacco;
4) Mental health parity in HR 1424;
5) Increased attention to public health aspects of climate change, e.g., heat stress for vulnerable people and disease rate changes for both infectious vector borne disease and chronic diseases, e.g., asthma, heart and respiratory diseases.

APHA Legislative Affairs staff (202-777-2513) have packets and will make appointments for Hill visits, or you can make an appointment and do home office visits while your members of Congress are on recess.  APHA urges all interested Section membership to make appointments and visits in July and August. Check www.apha.org for details.