HHS Awards Public Health Preparedness Funds

In July, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced $229 million in federal fiscal year (FY) 2014 awards for the Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP), and $612 million for the Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) program. These grants are awarded to states, territories, and four local governments (the District of Columbia, New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles County). While PHEP received a 4.6% increase in FY 2014, grants for HPP were reduced by -31.1%.

Beginning in FY 2012, HPP and PHEP funds were consolidated into one funding announcement and awarded jointly. HHS notes that complying with application and reporting requirements will be a high priority in FY 2014, as several grantees have failed to submit information according to deadlines.