Climate and Health Protection Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Underwood, Lauren [D-IL-14]
- Committees
- Energy and Commerce Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Feb 27, 2025
Bottom line
The bill codifies and provides dedicated, non-transferable funding for the CDC's Climate and Health program, aiming to ensure its continuity and enhance its capacity to help communities prepare for and respond to the public health consequences of climate change.
What it actually does
This bill mandates the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to continue implementing its Climate and Health program, or any successor program, specifying its core purposes: translating climate science for various government levels, creating decision support tools for climate preparedness, and establishing the CDC as a leader in addressing public health impacts of climate change. It also authorizes $110,000,000 annually for the program starting in fiscal year 2026 and prohibits these funds from being transferred or reprogrammed to other programs.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue that this bill is essential for safeguarding public health by providing a stable, dedicated mechanism within the CDC to address the escalating health threats posed by climate change. They contend that it ensures critical resources and expertise are available to state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments, enabling them to better protect their communities from climate-related health impacts like extreme heat, vector-borne diseases, and air quality issues.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that explicitly mandating and earmarking funds for a climate program within the CDC represents an overreach of the agency's primary mission, potentially diverting focus or resources from other pressing public health challenges. Some may also contend that climate change initiatives are better handled by environmental agencies, or that such strict funding limitations reduce the Secretary's flexibility to adapt to evolving public health priorities.
The bill is very short and written in clear language, making it highly accessible for a quick and comprehensive evaluation.
Section 2, new section 317W(a)
Mandate for CDC Climate and Health Program Continuity
This provision requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to continue implementing the existing Climate and Health program, or any future successor. It explicitly defines the program's three main objectives: translating climate change science for various governmental and community entities, developing decision support tools to enhance climate preparedness, and establishing the CDC as a credible leader in planning for the public health effects of climate change.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this provision is crucial for ensuring the CDC can effectively address the growing health threats posed by climate change, providing essential resources and guidance to communities on the front lines. They emphasize the importance of a dedicated federal program to translate complex climate science into actionable public health strategies.
Critics contend
Critics might contend that explicitly mandating and funding this program within the CDC duplicates efforts of other agencies or represents an expansion of the CDC's mission beyond its core infectious disease and traditional public health functions, potentially leading to mission creep.
Tradeoffs
This provision balances the recognized need for a dedicated public health response to climate change against concerns about the appropriate scope of the CDC's mission and potential overlaps with other federal agencies involved in climate adaptation.
Section 2, new section 317W(c)
Authorization of Appropriations and Funding Limitation
This provision authorizes the appropriation of $110,000,000 for the Climate and Health program for fiscal year 2026 and for every fiscal year thereafter. Crucially, it includes a strict limitation: none of these authorized funds can be transferred or reprogrammed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to support any other program administered by the Secretary, ensuring the funds are exclusively used for the Climate and Health program.