CDC Funding:
One of the stated purposes of the VBDN coalition is to advocate for funding for the fight against vector-borne diseases and to ensure that it is a legislative and funding priority for Congress.
- The VBDN joined a support letter organized by several members of the coalition which was sent to Chair Roy Blount and Ranking Member Patty Murray of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.(June 21, 2019)
PAHPAI Act:
The Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness and Advancing Innovation Act of 2019 was being finalized just as the VBDN was forming. Individual partners of the coalition were all active on the topic. Following its passage, the VBDN thanked the sponsors of the legislation
TICK Act:
Supporting the introduction of the TICK Act is a primary focus area of the Vector-Borne Disease Network (VBDN). The legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate on May 23, 2019 by Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tina Smith (D-MN). Sen. Angus King (I-ME) is an original co-sponsor. The full text of the legislation may be found online here and a one-page summary of the legislation is here. In brief, the legislation would establish an Office of Oversight and Coordination for Vector-Borne Disease at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), reauthorize the Regional Centers of Excellence in Vector-Borne Disease for five years at $10M per year, and authorize CDC grants at $20M per year that would be awarded to State Health Departments. Leadership of the coalition had the opportunity to review an early draft of the legislation and was able to suggest changes which added more of a vector management focus.The bill was signed into law at the end of 2019.
- VBDN Supports TICK Act in the House with a community support letter (July 22, 2019)
- TICK Act introduced in the U.S. Senate (May 23, 2019)
- VBDN Supports TICK Act with a community support letter, signed by 27 members of the coalition and allied groups (May 22, 2019)
- Thank you letters were sent to all the offices that had been asked to co-sponsor and signed on.