AMA urges Congress to provide immediate funding to help combat Zika

Amidst growing concerns about the nation's ability to respond to the Zika virus, the American Medical Association (AMA) today adopted policy during its Annual meeting urging Congress to act swiftly to provide sufficient funding to combat the virus.

"Without sufficient funding for research, prevention, control and treatment of illnesses associated with the Zika virus, the United States will be ill-equipped to deploy the kind of public health response needed to keep our citizens safe and healthy," said incoming AMA President Andrew W. Gurman, M.D. "We are calling on Congress to immediately ensure adequate funding to help combat the Zika virus that will very soon impact the health and well-being of our citizens, and put unborn babies at unnecessary risk for birth defects and complications."