Prevention and Public Health Fund
KEY PROVISION: The Public Health Services Act will be funded to invest in prevention and public health programs.
By voting for the Affordable Care Act in 2010, Congress approved dedicated funding levels for the new Prevention and Public Health Fund. The Fund will invest $15 billion over 10 years on proven, effective programs to prevent disease and injury, the largest national commitment ever made.
Some of the efforts supported by the Fund include:
- Expand opportunities for recreation and exercise
- Improve nutrition by increasing access to fresh fruits and vegetables and farmers
- markets, and helping kids to eat healthier meals and snacks in schools
- Reduce tobacco use
- Expand mental health and injury prevention programs
- Improve prevention services in low-income and underserved communities
- Improve state and local health departments protect residents and respond to disease outbreaks
Funding will be increased annually from $500 million in 2010 to $1.5 billion through fiscal year 2015 and will remain at $1.5 billion thereafter. However, beginning in September 2010, attempts have been made by Congress to block spending of the Fund.
Why this is important
Preventing disease and illness helps individuals, families and children improve their quality of life and reduces health care costs for all. To date, the US spends only 4% of health care costs on disease prevention efforts while the cost of treating illness, or "disease treatment," has skyrocketed.
What this means in New Hampshire
In 2010, the NH Department of Health and Human Services received funding to strengthen the public health infrastructure for improved health outcomes and to build and strengthen infectious disease epidemiology and laboratory capacity throughout the state.
