 With Congress back in session, budget negotiations for FY13 are starting to heat up. House leadership has instructed several committees to find "savings" to the tune of $18 billion in the first year alone as an alternative to sequestration cuts found in the Budget Control Act of 2011. With directives from House leadership to get rid of "government slush funds," discretionary health programs are under attack including a proposal to eliminate the Prevention and Public Health Fund. Not only would the proposal eliminate the Fund, it would also rescind any of the Fund's unobligated dollars.
The Prevention and Public Health Fund is the nation's greatest source of dedicated prevention funding; it moves us towards a system that improves health, saves lives, reduces costs and strengthens our country. We simply can't afford to go backwards. One of the best ways to bend the cost curve of health care is to prevent illness in the first place. Each dollar invested in prevention delivers a 5 to 1 return in five years. The epidemic of chronic diseases and rising health care costs are crippling our communities. This exacts a heavy personal toll on Americans, and enormous economic and social consequences for communities, businesses, and for the nation.
We need broad and sustained mobilization from you immediately, and on an ongoing basis. Take action today!
Please click below to send an email to your U.S. House Representative to let them know you are against cutting funding for the Prevention and Public Health Fund.
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