By the Global Network’s Policy Team
On Wednesday the White House released President Obama’s FY 2014 budget request.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Where do neglected tropical diseases (NTD) stand in this new budget? With the funding level for USAID’s NTD Program holding at $85 million, the President has shown that his commitment to valuable global health programs remains firm. This number is somewhat of a flat-line number keeping funding for NTDs steady with the two most recent congressional appropriations—FY 2012 = $89 million; FY 2013 = $ 84.55 million (estimating $89 million with a 5% sequestration).
The Administration perspective on NTDs did change over the last year, recognizing the NTD control program’s value and the strength of the USAID’s public/private partnership. Through successful advocacy efforts, the FY 2013 budget number of $67 million was thankfully pushed aside. Moving toward $100 million for FY 2014, however, would really secure the program’s current trajectory and the commitments agreed to by endorsers of the London Declaration on NTDs.
For more information about what the President’s budget means for global health, check out these articles and opinion pieces:
USAID’s IMPACTblog on the Administration’s commitment to end extreme poverty
Jeremy Kadden, Senior Legislative Manager for InterAction, offers his opinion in the Huffington Post