By Elana Gordon
KANSAS CITY, MO – A new study released by the non-profit research group, Trust for America's Health, reports that Midwestern states receive less funding from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) than other states. Kansas is ranked at the very bottom of the list, receiving about $13.61 per capita in CDC funding, compared with the overall national average of about $17.00 per capita.
Joe Blubaugh is spokesperson for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and says CDC funding accounts for only part of the federal funding the state receives. But he also says Kansas faces limitations in the funding it does get.
"You know, we are being asked to do more with less money, so it is a challenge at times," Blubaugh said.
The CDC allocates money, mostly through grants, to state and local agencies for a range of public health programs. The new report also puts Missouri at 41st on the list of state funding from the CDC.
Funding for health care coverage on KCUR has been provided by the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City.
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