President’s proposed $22M increase for AMR is needed but will be hampered by other cuts

The proposed $22 million increase for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Antibiotic Resistance Solutions Initiative in the president's FY 2027 budget request is a critical step toward expanding our nation's capacity to prevent, detect and respond to drug-resistant infections. However, targeted investments like this rely on a strong public health and medical research infrastructure, both of which are marked for severe cuts in the budget request.

This increase in funding would support state and local efforts to better identify and contain deadly drug-resistant superbugs, prevent health care-associated infections and improve detection of foodborne illness pathogens. Unfortunately, given the approximate 30% proposed cut for CDC, the proposed 12% cut for the National Institutes of Health - including a $1.8 billion cut to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - and deep cuts to other public health programs, the president's budget proposal will severely hamper the effectiveness of the AR Solutions Initiative.

Congress must not only approve the $22 million increase but deepen its investment in the AR Solutions Initiative and reject cuts to other important public health and biomedical research programs.

- Ronald G. Nahass, MD, MHCM, FIDSA - President, IDSA

About IDSA
The Infectious Diseases Society of America is a global community of 13,000-plus clinicians, scientists and public health experts working together to solve humanity's smallest and greatest challenges, from tiny microbes to global outbreaks. Rooted in science, committed to health equity and driven by curiosity, our compassionate and knowledgeable members safeguard the health of individuals, our communities and the world by advancing the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. Visit idsociety.org to learn more.