Why It Matters

The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) is currently lobbying against proposed federal funding reductions that affect U.S. health infrastructure. Under the 2026 budget proposal the CDC’s discretionary budget would decrease from $9.15 billion to $4.24 billion, while NIH funding faces a projected reduction of approximately $18-19 billion. Additionally, the organization is addressing the geographical distribution of specialized care, as nearly 80% of U.S. counties lack an infectious disease physician.

To address these challenges, IDSA is advocating for the PASTEUR Act, a legislative proposal to establish subscription-style government payments that incentivize antibiotic development. The strategy combines defensive efforts to maintain existing budget levels with proactive advocacy for new antimicrobial resistance authorities.

By the Numbers

The Infectious Diseases Society of America has filed 194 total disclosures since 2003, representing $16.2 million in cumulative spending. In fourth quarter, IDSA spent $68,000 on lobbying through its in-house team, which consists of three registered lobbyists. Amanda Molk Jezek, the team’s longest-serving lobbyist, has filed 54 disclosures since 2011. Lisa J. Cox has advocated for the society since 2017 across 36 filings, while Amanda C. Woodson joined the staff in early 2024 with 10 disclosures.

The Agenda

During fourth quarter 2025, IDSA focused on four strategic priorities. To drive antimicrobial innovation, the organization advocated for the PASTEUR Act and its subscription-style payment model. Workforce development efforts included supporting the H.R. 4445 Bio-Preparedness Workforce Pilot Program and J-1 and H-1B visa pathways for international infectious disease specialists.

To protect health infrastructure, the team lobbied for robust CDC, NIH, FDA, and HRSA funding against proposed FY2025 and FY2026 cuts. Finally, IDSA engaged in broader pandemic response efforts to ensure long-term federal readiness.

Broader Context

The PASTEUR Act has gained bipartisan momentum following its February 2026 reintroduction, but legislative progress coincides with new fiscal barriers to healthcare recruitment. As 92% of rural counties face primary care shortages, the $100,000 H-1B visa fee increase was imposed in September 2025, altering the economics of international recruitment. This had been a primary method for addressing nationwide staffing gaps.

Public health trends inform IDSA’s preparedness advocacy. The CDC reported 26 human H5N1 infections between January and August 2025. Simultaneously, projections indicate that ending the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program could increase infections by 49 percent by 2030, illustrating the potential epidemiological impact of federal funding shifts.

Between The Lines

While the House Ways and Means Committee held hearings on advancing America’s health care workforce in February 2026, funding and immigration policy remain central points of contention.
Key legislative activity includes Rep. Jason Crow’s bipartisan effort to reauthorize the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program and Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro’s opposition to NIH workforce funding reductions, which she warned would “cause irreparable damage to ongoing research to develop cures and treatments" for numerous diseases. Additionally, legislation introduced by Senator Tom Cotton in October 2025 would remove H-1B exemptions for universities and research bodies, directly intersecting with IDSA’s international recruitment priorities.

Competitive Landscape

Washington State University, is also active on antimicrobial resistance and research funding. Additionally, the biotech firm Invivyd has engaged external lobbying support for infectious disease policy initiatives, signaling increased private-sector participation in federal preparedness strategies.

The Bottom Line

IDSA allocated $68,000 in fourth 2025 for advocacy regarding federal health research funding and antibiotic development legislation. While the PASTEUR Act has bipartisan sponsors, advocacy for NIH and CDC appropriations occurs amid federal budget constraints.

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