Washington, D.C., September 14, 2010 –The American Public Health Association 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repealed a provision in the new law requiring small businesses to report all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.
“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 rein
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.”
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.