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Concerns about federal workforce reductions and potential funding cuts, especially for HIV prevention
0:31:57
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Acting Commissioner Morse discusses concerns about potential federal workforce reductions, particularly at the CDC, and their impact on funding. She highlights specific worries about cuts to HIV prevention programs.
- The CDC is undergoing a workforce reduction exercise, which may impact its workforce and potentially CDC funding
- There are reports of potential targeting of CDC's HIV prevention programs for cuts
- DOHMH receives about $36 million in CDC HIV prevention funding, which has contributed to a 71% reduction in HIV cases in New York City over the past 20 years
Michelle Morse
0:31:57
That is a very good question.
0:31:59
We are watching very closely announcements about the reduction in workforce exercise that federal agencies are going through.
0:32:09
We know that the CDC is going through that exercise.
0:32:13
The letter that I sent to HHS Secretary Kennedy and acting CDC Director Doctor.
0:32:20
Susan Manarez really outlined our concerns about significant reductions in the workforce, But those plans were submitted as far as we know and there are several more weeks of planning around the White House's directive to agencies to reduce their work force.
0:32:39
So we'll be watching very closely for further announcements.
0:32:43
But we expect that those are likely to impact significantly the CDC workforce and potentially CDC funding.
0:32:50
The other thing that I'll mention is that it has been widely reported in the media and in the news that one of the areas of potential targeting for CDC funding is CDC's HIV prevention programs.
0:33:03
We were concerned to learn of that news because we have seen a seventy one percent reduction in HIV cases in New York City over the past twenty years because of that funding, because of the prevention funding for HIV.
0:33:18
So we'll be watching that news very closely as well, But in the coming weeks we may hear more about that specific reduction.
0:33:25
We have about $36,000,000 in CDC HIV prevention funding.
0:33:32
And that funding also funds many community based organizations that do HIV prevention services and care.
Lynn Schulman
0:33:39
Great.
0:33:40
You haven't received a response yet, right, from your letter?
Michelle Morse
0:33:43
I have not received a response.
Lynn Schulman
0:33:45
Would you be willing to share the response once you receive it with the committee staff?
Michelle Morse
0:33:49
I'm happy to do so in consultation with our IGA teams at City Hall.
Lynn Schulman
0:33:53
Okay.