Health care has become too expensive for many Americans, and access to care is becoming more difficult. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has implemented drastic cuts to health and social services, including Medicaid, that will cause more people to suffer.

Health advocates across the nation are hosting in June a week of action to spotlight the problems and call for change. Seven Days in June: Health is Primary, will spotlight the importance of affordable and accessible health care June 1-7. Town halls, rallies, demonstrations and more are being organized to affirm that health care is for all. 

Partners on the campaign include APHA, the National Public Health Coalition, Defend Public Health, Service Employees International Union and National Nurses United.

Cleve Jones, a health and human rights activist and organizer of “Seven Days in June,” spoke with The Nation’s Health about the purpose and importance of the weeklong event.

 What is the goal of Seven Days in June? 

Our goal is to increase public awareness of the really devastating local impact that the federal cuts to health care are going to result in. And we feel that most communities are not prepared for this. Most people don't know what's happening. 

This is one of the most critical issues for all Americans, regardless of political ideology as we approach midterm elections. The event is June 1-7 because June has the most primary elections, making it the optimal time for voters to start thinking about the choices they make. And its aim is to insist that everyone who’s running for office address the health care affordability crisis. 

 One tagline of the event is “Health Cuts Kill.” That's a pretty bold message. 

It shouldn't be bold, to tell the truth. When health care is cut, people get sick and die. When prevention education is cut, people get sick. When early detection is lost, curable diseases become fatal. Vaccine cuts are already showing increased whooping cough and measles cases, some ending in death. USAID elimination has cost approximately 600,000 lives, mostly children in sub-Saharan Africa. 

 Why do you want to be involved in this?

I heard about HIV/AIDS almost 45 years ago, while working in the California state Legislature's Assembly Health Committee. By 1985, almost everyone I knew was dead, dying or caring for someone dying. 

This taught me a harsh lesson about government failure to respond to health care crises. For the last 20 years, I worked with Unite Here, a labor union representing service industry workers, primarily women, immigrants and women of color. Health care is the biggest reason labor unions need to exist, ensuring members can access quality, affordable health care.

 Who should get involved? 

Everyone who cares about having the right to go to a doctor when you're sick, to get prescriptions that you need, to get medications that keep you alive.  

 What should they do?

First, educate yourself and your community about the impact of federal cuts globally and locally. Second, hold candidates accountable regardless of party affiliation, demanding specific answers on reducing health care costs, renewing commitment to medical research and addressing racial disparities. Third, understand that compassion and empathy are not weaknesses but central to every faith tradition, creating solidarity to defend the most vulnerable. Fourth, lift up and celebrate local health care heroes, including doctors, nurses, phlebotomists, researchers and custodial staff.

 Why should public health workers be part of this?

Public health workers know better than anyone what happens when services aren't fully funded. While this affects everyone except the wealthiest, consequences will be most severe on already-struggling communities, including low-wage workers, underinsured people, immigrants and communities of color. 

Public health workers show up daily, often underpaid, bringing skill and compassion that saves lives. Organizations like APHA play a critical role in educating the public and moving toward a more equitable and healthy society.

 On June 5, a nationwide candlelight vigil will be held for those who have suffered due to lack of health care. Tell me more about that.

Candlelight memorials are traditions across many cultures for collective mourning. So the candlelight memorials are a time to come together and reflect on loss, to remember the people that we loved so much. And also there's power when we grieve collectively, and out of that, I hope will come strength for people to continue this struggle.

This interview was edited for style, length and clarity.