Amata Welcomes HHS/CDC Grant for Public Health Crisis Response
Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata is welcoming $370,247 in federal health services funds for the American Samoa Department of Health for public health crisis response.
This is a discretionary grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) designated for the Cooperative Agreement for Emergency Response: Public Health Crisis Response. Specifically, the funds are through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and their Coordinating Office for Preparedness & Emergency Response.
"These are timely funds for American Samoa," said Aumua Amata. "Departments like HHS and agencies like CDC now have helpful added flexibility of knowing new health and emergency funds are on the way, since Congress passed the $8 billion coronavirus package, along with ongoing legislative efforts."
Congresswoman Aumua Amata & Director Motusa Nua
"Thank you to Emergency Preparedness Director Ben Sili for his work on this program, and congratulations to Health Director Motusa Nua," said Congresswoman Amata. "Most of all, thank you to our medical professionals and first responders for their readiness in this time of heightened awareness. Finally, I appreciate this financial action by the Trump administration and HHS Secretary Alex Azar."
On Friday, March 6, the President signed the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020. The supplemental contains $8.3 billion government-wide, with resources directed for grants or cooperative agreements to states, localities, and territories to accelerate planning and operational readiness for COVID-19 preparedness and response, as well as develop tools and strategies, provide technical assistance and program support, as well as ensure ongoing communication and coordination among public health agencies and partners throughout the response.
"Our state, local, tribal and territorial public health partners are on the front lines of the COVID-19 response. The action we are taking today will continue to support their efforts to increase public health capacity where it's needed most," said CDC Director Robert R. Redfield, M.D. "These funds will allow public health leaders to implement critical steps necessary to contain and mitigate spread of the virus in communities across the country."
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