Jerry Moran: “I rise to inquire about the coordination of disease prevention and health promotion activities at the Federal level.…”

“I rise to inquire about the coordination of disease prevention and health promotion activities at the Federal level. H.R. 2127 eliminates explicit funding for the activities carried out by the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, including the aggressive implementation of the national prevention strategy, Healthy People 2000. Although the activities of this office are to be continued at the Secretary's discretion, no moneys were transferred to carry out this mandate. I would like to clarify with the chairman his intent on maintaining disease prevention and health promotion as an integral part of our national health policy and ensuring coordination of the array of Federal efforts in this domain. I understand the budget constraints that you faced in putting together this legislation and appreciate the considerable flexibility that this bill gives the Secretary of Health. I also appreciate the increased funding for specific, categorical prevention programs supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, such as for breast and cervical cancer screening. However, I am concerned that we are abdicating a strong Federal leadership role in orchestrating and coordinating prevention policy. Would the chairman agree that a strong emphasis on disease prevention and health promotion must be part of our national health strategy?”