The American Public Health Association (APHA) is charging that President Obama's fiscal year 2013 budget proposal will shortchange key federal public health programs.

“APHA recognizes today’s tough economic environment, but in the midst of fundamentally transforming our nation’s health system to emphasize disease prevention and wellness, now is not the time to underinvest in our already underfunded, overburdened public health system," said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, FACEP (E), executive director of APHA.