More than 50 major health associations are asking congressional leaders to resolve their differences and pass a Zika funding bill quickly.
“We urge Congress in the strongest possible terms to craft a Zika funding package that can be passed with broad support,” the groups wrote in a letter sent Tuesday to House Speaker Paul Ryan, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid.
The letter, signed by the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, March of Dimes and others, notes that spread of Zika in the U.S. since Congress adjourned for its summer recess in July.
Since then, the number of cases in the U.S. have exceeded 2,500 and the virus has started spreading through mosquito bites in several regions in Florida.
The groups wrote that some experts have predicted the virus may start spreading locally in Texas and Louisiana as well. They also noted that 624 women in the U.S. have been infected, exposing their fetuses to serious birth defects. Seventeen babies with microcephaly have been born in the U.S., they reminded the lawmakers.
House Republicans have passed a $1.1 billion Zika funding bill, short of the $1.9 billion President Obama requested, but Senate Democrats are blocking the measure over disputes about how to pay for it and the lack of a new funding stream for a Planned Parenthood clinic in Puerto Rico.
The health groups wrote that Congress has “squandered” its chance for “total prevention” but should act now to help keep the virus from spreading further.
“All sides must return to the negotiating table immediately to craft a package that can be passed by both chambers and signed by the president,” the groups wrote. “Anything else further endangers the health and well-being of American women, infants, and families.”
Congress is returning to Washington this week, but it’s not clear if lawmakers will be able to resolve their differences over the funding.
