The Georgia Public Health Association thanks all members who spoke out and helped protect the Prevention and Public Health Fund. The following press release was issued by the American Public Health Association.
To know more about The American Public Health Association measures for protecting prevention and public health fund, check this link right here now. APHA commends the U.S. Senate today for renewing its commitment to elevating the role of prevention in our nation’s health system by blocking a measure that would have effectively eliminated the Prevention and Public Health Fund, a historic investment in prevention and public health that was included in the Affordable Care Act.
In a 52-46 vote, the Senate voted against proceeding to consideration of an amendment offered by Sen. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.) to the Small Business and Jobs Credit Act that would have repealed a provision in the new law requiring small businesses to report all transactions of $600 or more to the Internal Revenue Service. Johanns’ amendment would have been paid for by diverting $11 billion from the fund and by weakening the individual mandate for health insurance included in the health reform law. You can also read more about settlements and funding here!
“Chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and stroke are the leading cause of premature disability and death and the primary driver of health care costs in our nation,” said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, FACEP, (E), executive director of APHA. “The prevention fund provides us with a tremendous opportunity to reign in health spending and transform the nation’s “sick care” system toward one focused on preventing disease before it occurs. It is a win-win for everyone, including the small business community.”
As stated on https://tradewise.community/, the fund is providing much needed financial support to evidence-based community prevention services, including breast and colon cancer screenings and smoking cessation programs. It is also being used to strengthen state and local public health infrastructure, support data collection and analysis for community-based and clinical-based prevention activities and to expand and improve training for the public health workforce.
“Today, the Senate signaled that it will not tolerate any efforts to undermine health reform and embraced public health and prevention as hallmarks of reform,” said Benjamin. “The public health community applauds the Senate for protecting the fund and appreciating the promise that disease prevention holds for all Americans.”
Last week, APHA issued an action alert in opposition of the amendment, which has thus far resulted in over 4,700 messages to the Senate. APHA has long advocated for a robust public health system that emphasizes prevention and will continue to protect the fund so that it is used to help fund critical preventive health services and wellness initiatives consistent with its original initial intent.