Bill Text: MI SR0200 | 2015-2016 | 98th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: A resolution to urge the Congress of the United States to pass legislation that funds efforts to combat the Zika virus.
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-09-20 - Referred To Committee On Health Policy [SR0200 Detail]
Download: Michigan-2015-SR0200-Introduced.html
Senator Bieda offered the following resolution:
Senate Resolution No. 200.
A resolution to urge the Congress of the United States to pass legislation that funds efforts to combat the Zika virus.
Whereas, The Zika virus is an international public health crisis. Zika virus is a mosquito-born infection that is also spread by sexual contact. Currently, no vaccine is available to prevent Zika virus infection; and
Whereas, Although Zika symptoms are considered mild and often go undetected, what may seem to be benign is in fact linked to congenital and neurological birth defects in an unborn fetus. Pregnant women infected by Zika-infected mosquitoes are at high risk of infecting their unborn child; and
Whereas, Zika-infected mosquitoes know no boundaries. While travel-associated and locally-acquired cases are substantially higher in U.S. territories, cases within the United States are on the rise. Recent Centers for Disease Control (CDC) case counts report nearly 3,000 travel-associated and 43 locally-acquired cases; and
Whereas, In February 2016, President Barak Obama requested that Congress provide $1.9 billion in funding to respond to the fast-emerging Zika virus crisis. These funds would be used to prevent, detect, and respond to the Zika virus by accelerating vaccine research and diagnosis; mosquito control and surveillance efforts; and public health education for health care providers; and women and their partners about the disease. In addition, the funds would provide improved support services for low-income pregnant women. Congress has yet to take action to provide funding; and
Whereas, Current funding will soon be exhausted. Six hundred million dollars in funds allocated to combat Ebola were transferred to Zika prevention efforts. These funds are expected to be exhausted by the end of September 2016; and
Whereas, Failure to fund Zika virus prevention will seriously hinder efforts to develop a vaccine and to implement mosquito control and prevention efforts by state and local governments. It is imperative that Congress move quickly to fully fund efforts to address this public health crisis; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That we urge the Congress of the United States to pass legislation that funds efforts to combat the Zika virus; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.
