Issues facing the CDC

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Issues facing the CDC

By ALISON YOUNG

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

http://www.ajc.com/search/content/metro/stories/2006/09/09/0910MESHcd

cissues.html

Published on: 09/10/06

THE CDC'S 3-YEAR REORGANIZATION

• At issue: In June 2003, CDC Director Gerberding launched

her " Futures Initiative " to modernize the agency's operating

structure for the first time since 1980. Among many changes, it

created a layer of " coordinating centers " to foster collaboration

across the agency and is consolidating support services to save

money.

• Critics say: It's making CDC more cumbersome and bureaucratic,

taking time and resources away from scientific programs that

directly benefit the public.

• Outside auditors say: The Government Accountability Office

commended CDC in 2004 for changing its organizational chart to

improve lines of accountability and cut the number of individuals

reporting directly to the CDC director. But GAO hasn't examined the

results.

CHANGING BUDGET PRIORITIES

• At issue: While the CDC's overall budget from Congress has risen

dramatically in recent years, to $8.4 billion this year, much of the

increases are because of terrorism and other urgent threats. Many of

CDC's bread-and-butter programs have taken significant cuts.

• What's happening: Since 2001 funding for domestic HIV/AIDS

programs is down by 19 percent, tuberculosis by 16 percent and

injury prevention by 12 percent. Terrorism funding is up 701

percent; the Strategic National Stockpile (vaccines, emergency

medical supplies) is up 895 percent.

• The impact: Financial erosion left CDC without a mumps specialist

when the disease swept the Midwest this year. The agency's rabies

researchers this year didn't have enough funding to keep crucial

supplies in stock until Gerberding diverted $325,000 to them from a

discretionary fund. Bathrooms in many CDC buildings now only are

cleaned every other weekday.

• Observers say: " My concern is the funding cuts are far more

disruptive than the leadership changes, " said Dr. s ,

executive director of the American Public Health Association and a

member of the CDC Director's Advisory Panel