On March 23, 2018, President Trump signed into law the fiscal year (FY) 2018 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which provides funds for the federal government for the remainder of the federal fiscal year (through September 30, 2018).
The $1.3 trillion package includes health programs at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that support patients living with allergies and asthma.
EPA spending remains the same as in FY2017, totaling $8.1 billion. This amount includes funding to continue initiatives that address indoor and outdoor environmental asthma triggers.
HHS received $78 billion, an increase of $10 billion above the FY2017 level. This amount includes funding for allergy and asthma surveillance, research and health workforce programs in the following agencies:
- $8.3 billion for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- $29 million for the National Asthma Control Program
- $37 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- $3.38 billion for National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
- $5.26 billion for National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
- $334 million for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
- $7 billion for Health Resources and Services Administration
Attention in Congress will move to FY2019 appropriations bills to fund the government by October 1, 2018 (the start of the federal fiscal year). Allergy & Asthma Network will continue to advocate for funding for programs that are critical to improving patients’ health outcomes and quality of life.
The Network thanks advocates for their support during the last year in engaging members of Congress about these important asthma and allergy programs.
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