CMS Declares $66.1 Million Fund to Motivate Zika Prevention and Treatment Services

The CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) today has declared an appropriate funding of $66.1 million to support prevention activities and treatment services for health conditions regarded to Zika virus.  This proposed funding is authorized by the Congress in the Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017, and Zika Response and Preparedness Act (P.L. 114-223).

In accordance to Vikki Wachino (Deputy Administrator, CMS, Director CMCS), this funding will increase attempts to give access to significant health care services for people, in particular pregnant ladies and kids, living in areas with regional active Zika transmission. Giving instant help to areas affected by Zika is critical.  Powerful coordination by health departments is necessary to deal the prevention and treatment requirements of people at danger from Zika.

According to Zika Response and Preparedness Act (P.L. 114-223), organizations which are eligible to apply for this proposed funding opportunity involve states, territories, tribes or tribal organizations with active or regional transmission of the Zika virus (confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). American Samoa, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Florida have been designated by the CDC as places with laboratory-confirmed active or regional Zika virus transmission.  This emergency funding opportunity is presently available to the territorial and state health departments in these regions.   

Almost $60.6 million from this funding is directed to Puerto Rico, which has a huge incidence of regional Zika cases. On the percent of active and regional Zika cases reported by the CDC and the size of the populations in these regions, allocations are based.  This funding in Puerto Rico will highly accelerate the resources and capacity required to stop transmission of the virus and give screening, critical diagnostic and treatment for pregnant ladies, newborns and others.

Applicants must indicate their capability to rapidly and effectively expand existing Zika response efforts to ensure a quick Zika response and further evaluate the most effective use and dissemination of funds in their respective jurisdictions.  This funding will be made available for healthcare services regarded to the screening, counseling, medical care, family planning, diagnostic testing, case management and treatment, and improving provider capacity and capability.