Some U.S. Senate Democrats Call For U.S. Zika Coordinator, More Funding For Response

abc7NY: Sen. Charles Schumer to call for Zika czar after 16th confirmed case in New York
“New York Senator Charles Schumer wants the White House to appoint a ‘Zika czar’ to coordinate the U.S. response to the mosquito-borne virus that is being blamed for serious birth defects after the 16th case in was confirmed in New York state. Schumer said Friday that the Zika czar would coordinate between federal agencies and foreign governments to prevent the spread of the virus and that the position should be filled before the start of mosquito season in the U.S…” (2/12).

The Hill: Dems urge GOP to fund birth control, fight Zika
“A group of Democratic senators is urging Republican leaders to prioritize more funding for birth control for women worldwide who might be exposed to the Zika virus. … Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), ranking member on the Senate Health Committee, is leading a group of about 30 Democrats calling for more funding for domestic and international programs that help prevent unwanted pregnancies…” (Ferris, 2/12).

New York Times: Obama May Meet Zika Head On in Cuba
“…So far [the risks of Zika in Latin America and the Caribbean] have yet to alter schedules at the White House. ‘Over all, the president is not changing travel plans based on Zika,’ said Peter Boogaard, a White House spokesman. Neither are other senior officials in the administration…” (Harris, 2/15).

Washington Post: Why Zika is ‘much more insidious, cunning, and evil’ than Ebola
“Global health authorities and government officials are mobilizing to battle the fast-spreading Zika virus, sending rapid-response teams to affected regions, issuing travel warnings for pregnant women, accelerating vaccine trials, and even deploying mosquito-fighting troops to hard-hit areas in Brazil…” (Sun/Dennis, 2/16).

The KFF Daily Global Health Policy Report summarized news and information on global health policy from hundreds of sources, from May 2009 through December 2020. All summaries are archived and available via search.

KFF Headquarters: 185 Berry St., Suite 2000, San Francisco, CA 94107 | Phone 650-854-9400
Washington Offices and Barbara Jordan Conference Center: 1330 G Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005 | Phone 202-347-5270

www.kff.org | Email Alerts: kff.org/email | facebook.com/KFF | twitter.com/kff

The independent source for health policy research, polling, and news, KFF is a nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, California.