CMS providing $66.1 million for Zika prevention and treatment

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Wednesday announced $66.1 million in funding to combat the Zika virus.

Puerto Rico will receive $60.6 million because of its high incidence of local Zika cases, CMS said.

Other areas that are eligible for the funds include American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Florida. They are eligible because they have active or local Zika virus transmissions that have been confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Allocations are based on the percent of active and local Zika cases reported by the CDC and the size of the population.

Health departments eligible to apply for funding include states, territories, tribes or tribal organizations.

Applicants must demonstrate their ability to quickly and efficiently expand existing Zika response efforts and further determine the most effective use and dissemination of funds in their respective jurisdictions. 

The money is to support prevention activities and treatment services for health conditions related to the Zika virus, CMS said.

Funds will be available for healthcare services related to family planning, diagnostic testing, screening and counseling, medical care, case management and treatment, and improving provider capacity and capability.

Funds to Puerto Rico will go to resources to help prevent transmission of the virus and to provide diagnostic, screening and treatment for pregnant women, newborns and others, CMS said.

[Also: Demand, backlog pose challenges for Zika testing in at-risk areas]

Congress authorized the funds in the Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017, and the Zika Response and Preparedness Act.

[Also: Congress approves $1.1 billion in funding to help fight Zika]

Zika is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. The virus can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus, causing birth defects.

[Also: Clinical trials underway for potential Zika vaccine at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research]

"This funding will accelerate efforts to provide access to important healthcare services for people, in particular pregnant women and children, living in areas with local active Zika transmission," said Vikki Wachino, deputy administrator, CMS.  "Providing immediate assistance to areas affected by Zika is critical.  Strong coordination by health departments is essential to address the prevention and treatment needs of people at risk from Zika."

Twitter: @SusanJMorse