Earlier today, the House Appropriations Committee held a markup of the State and Foreign Operations bill. While there were some notable and encouraging increases in global health funding, the proposed bill falls short of meeting the need.

The bill provides $64.575 billion in base budget authority, which is roughly $8.474 billion more than fiscal year (FY) 2022 enacted levels and $4.175 billion more than the President’s FY23 request. The House bill allocates $10.98 billion for global health programs at the State Department and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), a $1.15 billion increase over FY22 enacted levels and $400 million above the President’s request. 

Global Health Council is pleased to see a $300 million increase in global health security funding; $500 million for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) and positive report language on WASH in health care facilities; $2 billion for the Global Fund, and initial funding for the President’s proposed Health Resilience Fund. Language in the bill also allows for global health program funds to be used for contributions to an international financing mechanism for pandemic preparedness and a new authority to transfer up to $200 million in funding to respond to international disease outbreaks. Global Health Council supports new funding for an international financing mechanism without a reduction in funding to existing global health programs.

However, the bill provides flat funding for many other global health programs. With inflation rates currently exceeding 8%, flat funding will require these programs to do more with less and make cuts to essential services. The U.S. has played a critical role in fighting diseases, developing effective programs, and building health systems throughout the world. Building on this legacy is more important than ever – and that requires adequate resources. 

“We are at a critical point in global health; even prior to COVID-19, the world faced many health challenges. These have now been exacerbated by the strain placed on health systems in the wake of the pandemic,” said GHC’s President and CEO, Elisha Dunn-Georgiou. “The funding proposed in the House bill is not enough to meet that goal and should be seen as the starting point for negotiations going forward, rather than the high watermark.”

Looking ahead to the ongoing appropriations process, negotiations have stalled between House and Senate leadership for a bipartisan, bicameral agreement on topline spending levels for FY23, and it is unclear what funding will ultimately be available. The Senate plans to mark up appropriations bills in July. As the leading membership organization devoted to advancing global health priorities, GHC will continue to work with both chambers of Congress to advocate for the strongest possible funding for global health in FY23 appropriations bills.