U.S. President's 2009 Biodefense Budget Proposal Calls for Overall Growth, But Some Cuts

U.S. hospitals have dramatically improved their ability to respond to biosecurity threats since the 2001 terrorist attacks. Yet, the number of hospital beds and emergency departments continues to decline, and many hospitals remain unprepared for either deliberate attacks or major disease outbreaks.

For 2009, the Bush Administration has recommended a multi-billion-dollar overall increase in funding for bioweapons, prevention and defense. The new funding would be devoted primarily for biodefense-related research, development, and medical countermeasures such as vaccines. But, the president's proposal also includes possible cuts for state and local capacity-building efforts as well as hospital preparedness, according to Alan Pearson, director of the Biological and Chemical Weapons Control Program at the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation.

Read more about the president's proposed biodefense budget—the subject of a 12 June briefing organized by AAAS and the Congressional R&D Caucus.