Making America Unhealthy; A Blueprint

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: [email protected]

Statement from APHA CEO Georges C. Benjamin, MD

As President Trump prepares for his State of the Union, we doubt he is reflecting on the health of the nation. If he is, his address should explain why his administration’s policies and those he appointed to lead federal health agencies have undermined the health of the American people. 

The administration has paralyzed the nation’s public health system with a series of indiscriminate cuts to personnel and program funding, which impacts work at the federal, state and local levels. These callous changes halted health research across the country and threaten our nation’s leadership in innovative and productive enterprises, as other nations are ready and willing to eat our lunch. In addition, they undermined the nation’s health security by withdrawing from the WHO and eliminating USAID and other global health programs. These efforts have left us blind to the many health threats confronting our nation today and unprepared for future threats. 

They reduced access to health care by increasing the cost of insurance coverage for most people. This occurred through changes to Medicaid and Medicare that limited access, along with when they refused to extend the subsidies for the health exchanges established under the Affordable Care Act. They also failed to effectively reduce the cost of prescription drugs in Medicare under existing law. 

Uncontrolled outbreaks of infectious diseases like measles, combined with illegal, irresponsible and non-evidence-based changes to our nation’s vaccine procedures and recommendations are putting all people at risk. 

In the last two weeks, the EPA rescinded the 2009 Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding and protections to reduce mercury and other dangerous air pollution from power plants. With these actions, the administration is limiting our ability to protect our air from harmful pollutants. These are just some of the ways this administration has sided with business interests, instead of protecting our health. 

Simply said, since President Trump took office, the risk to the health of every person living in the U.S. and around the world has grown and the overall health of the nation has deteriorated. 

Reduced access to care, higher health care costs, lower vaccination rates, more preventable diseases and less healthy air, water and food — this is a blueprint to make America unhealthy. 

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The American Public Health Association champions optimal, equitable health and well-being for all. With our broad-based member community and 150-year perspective, we influence federal policy to improve the public’s health. Learn more at www.apha.org.