Statement attributable to:
George M. Abraham, MD, MPH, MACP, FIDSA
President, American College of Physicians
WASHINGTON, D.C. March 29, 2022 –The American College of Physicians (ACP) was pleased to see the proposed 2023 federal budget released by President Biden yesterday included significant improvements in funding for key federal health programs and agencies. We have seen over the past couple of years how important governmental support for health care and public health is to ensure the health of the American public. We are glad to see that President Biden’s budget proposal recognizes the important role of health and health care services and programs.
Specifically, ACP was glad to see that President Biden’s budget includes:
- Significant support for the mental health workforce. This area of health care was strained prior to the pandemic, and the increase in mental health conditions over the past two years has greatly exacerbated the strain. ACP believes that better support for mental health care professionals and services, as well as the integration of behavioral health with primary care, is key to supporting the health and well-being of our patients.
- A new Vaccines for Adults Program to ensure that uninsured adults are able to access all of the vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices at no cost. We have seen over the past year how critical widespread use of vaccines is to maintaining public health. We need this sort of program to ensure that vaccine uptake is as extensive as possible.
- Support to improve public health and avert future pandemics. The budget includes increases in investments in pandemic preparedness and biodefense. It also includes a major increase in funding for public health systems and capacity, both at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and at local agencies.
- Increased funding for initiatives to improve maternal health and to increase health equity.
- A major increase in funding for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health. Increased investment in research will speed the development and practical application of health care breakthroughs.
- Adequate funding for key federal agencies and programs, like the workforce programs administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT. This includes increased funding for public health initiatives like the Title X family planning program and gun violence research.
ACP believes that increased investments in public health and federal health programs are needed to ensure the health of all Americans. We look forward to working with the administration and with Congress to advance these critical health care programs.
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About the American College of Physicians
The American College of Physicians is the largest medical specialty organization in the United States with members in more than 145 countries worldwide. ACP membership includes 161,000 internal medicine physicians (internists), related subspecialists, and medical students. Internal medicine physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. Follow ACP on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.