WASHINGTON - Partnership for Prevention today urged House conferees to hold firm for prevention and wellness funding as part of an economic stimulus package. In  a letter to conferees, Partnership Interim President Corinne G. Husten, MD, MPH said the $3 billion in funding proposed in the House version of the bill “will create an estimated 17,000 jobs while providing immediate assistance to state and local public health agencies and programs that are critical components of the nation’s safety net."

The Senate voted 61-37 vote today to pass its version of the stimulus bill, which means the package goes to a House-Senate conference  committee  to iron out the differences. The version in the House would appropriate $3 billion for prevention and wellness programs. The Senate originally sought $5.8 billion, but dropped funding for it entirely to reach a compromise that delivered the three moderate Republican votes needed to secure a filibuster-proof majority vote.

Husten noted that the House funding represents less than one-half of a percent of its overall $3 billion stimulus package. Partnership also joined 170 other public health organizations in signing a letter urging conferees in the House and Senate to retain prevention and wellness funding in the stimulus package.