“Of particular note is the $635 billion health care reserve fund which will be used to finance health reform and ensure that we all have access to the health services needed to stay healthy.

“APHA is also pleased with the investments aimed at targeting health disparities. This includes funding aimed at improving the health of racial and ethnic minorities and low-income and disadvantaged populations; funding to strengthen and support our nation's health care workforce, especially in underserved communities; funding for a new initiative to improve rural health care; and increased funding to support and expand the provision of health care for American Indians and Alaska Natives.

“Additionally, APHA welcomes increased funding to keep us safe from pandemic influenza and food-borne illness. The pandemic flu funding builds on the investments we have made in pandemic planning that allowed us to respond effectively to H1N1 and works to keep us safe from future outbreaks. The increased funding for the Food and Drug Administration will help ensure the safety of our food and medicine and increase the number of food inspectors by approximately 20 percent.

“Each of these provisions provides funding to essential public health programs and helps build a strong foundation from which to begin working towards a healthier America. We look forward to working with Congress and the president to further strengthen our investment in health and ensure that our public health system has the support required to be effective.”

Founded in 1872, the APHA is the oldest, largest and most diverse organization of public health professionals in the world. The association aims to protect all Americans and their communities from preventable, serious health threats and strives to assure community-based health promotion and disease prevention activities and preventive health services are universally accessible in the United States. APHA represents a broad array of health providers, educators, environmentalists, policy-makers and health officials at all levels working both within and outside governmental organizations and educational institutions. More information is available at www.apha.org.