HHS Reduces Hospital Preparedness Program by $42 Million - June 1, 2011

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently cut $42 million from the Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) for the rest of fiscal year 2011. HHS made the cut in order to meet agency funding reductions pursuant to the continuing budget resolution passed by Congress and signed by President Obama in April. The continuing resolution made certain mandatory funding reductions – such as a $600 million cut in discretionary spending for community health centers – but allowed HHS to make other adjustments, including the HPP reduction, in order to reach its target funding level for the year. The HPP cut is applied equally across all states, territories and cities that receive HPP funding. The HPP, administered by the Assistant Secretary of Preparedness and Response, was established in 2002 to help hospitals prepare for and respond to biological attacks. Since then funds have been made available for preparations for many types of mass disasters.