President Obama proposes additional efforts to combat Zika virus

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo yesterday issued the following statement regarding President Obama’s additional efforts to combat the Zika virus. The Obama Administration submitted a $1.9-billion emergency supplemental appropriations request to respond to the Zika virus at home and abroad.

“The Administration’s request would, among others, provide emergency assistance to States and territories to combat the virus. The President is proposing $225 million in CDC funding for grants and technical assistance to expand mosquito or vector control and other programs that would prevent the spread of Zika and similar diseases. He also proposes providing additional federal Medicaid funding to Guam and other U.S. territories for health services to pregnant women at risk of infection or diagnosed with Zika virus, for children with microcephaly, and for other health care costs. The request proposes $246 million for the territories to cover the costs of increasing the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage to 65 percent, which would not count towards Guam’s current Medicaid allotments,” she said.

Bordallo joined her colleagues on Feb. 9, 2016 in writing to President Obama to urge his administration to take additional steps to address outbreaks of the Zika virus in the U.S. and abroad. Read the letter to President Obama here.

“President Obama recognizes the serious threat the Zika virus poses to our public health, and his Administration is working prevent its spread and reduce risks to Americans. This matter is particularly pressing for the people of Guam as the first several cases of the Zika virus infection have been reported in the Marshall Islands. I support the President’s proposal for an emergency supplemental appropriations request, which will provide significant resources to combat the Zika virus and prevent further spread within the United States and abroad. I am especially pleased that the President has requested additional funding to support programs in the territories, which are vulnerable to the virus. I strongly encourage my colleagues to vote to pass the President’s request. I will continue to work with them to monitor the Zika virus and provide Congressional support to combat it.” (PR)