STAT
By Leana S. Wen, M.D., MSc., FAAEM
As a physician who has treated patients in the emergency department before and after the Affordable Care Act was instituted, I have seen firsthand how it has transformed the lives of many of my patients. And as the health commissioner for Baltimore city, I have seen how it has safeguarded the lives of more than 40,000 residents in my city, and millions more around the country, who would otherwise be uninsured.
But there is more to the repeal of the ACA and its replacement with the American Health Care Act than the potential loss of health insurance by tens of millions of Americans. The act also includes a sustained mechanism to safeguard a healthier, more secure, and financially stable future for America: the Prevention and Public Health Fund.
Created in 2010, this is the first federal funding source dedicated to public health. It directly empowers communities to prevent chronic conditions and helps local jurisdictions be more agile in responding to health crises while reducing long-term health costs.
Continue reading the story on STATnews.com.
Wen was also on National Public Radio’s OnPoint to address today’s American Health Care Act vote and how it will affect people that will lose their healthcare coverage under it:
As a physician who has worked in ERs before and after the #ACA I’ve seen how this policy has transformed the lives of patients @OnPointRadio
— Leana Wen, M.D. (@DrLeanaWen) March 23, 2017
Cities like Baltimore are concerned about how the reductions in the public health fund will hamper their abilities to protect public health:
.@DrLeanaWen on @OnPointRadio: The proposed #ACArepeal cuts 12% of the @CDCgov budget, putting us at risk for disease outbreaks
— B’more City Health (@BMore_Healthy) March 23, 2017