Urgent Action!The Prevention and Public Health Fund is in jeopardy. On September 14th, congress will vote on an amendment to the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act that would virtually eliminate the Prevention Fund. This amendment unnecessarily targets community prevention, and we need to take action to protect the Fund. Here's what you can do:
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Background and talking points
The Johanns amendment was introduced to the Senate as a means to decrease costly red tape reporting requirements for small businesses. However, it propose to offset the costs of the amendment by draining all the funds from the Prevention and Public Health Fund. A competing bill by Senator Bill Nelson also gives relief to small business-but by reducing tax subsidies to the five largest oil companies. For a comprehensive overview of the two amendments, read the report from the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities.
Here are some talking points to emphasize:
- Small businesses need our support--but not at the expense of our health. A strong and healthy workforce will improve lives and help America compete with the rest of the world.
- The Prevention and Public Health Fund invests vital resources in prevention and health that our communities are depending on. It is short-sighted to take money from prevention: 75 percent of current health care costs are the result of chronic diseases, many of which could have been prevented in the first place.
- Provide specific examples of local programs that work and emphasize the need to bring these programs to scale. Examples may include interventions related to physical activity, nutrition, air quality, traffic safety, worksite wellness as well as injury and violence prevention. For examples, see our Communities Taking Action profiles.
- Americans value prevention and rank prevention as a high priority in health reform. In fact, 72% want more prevention in health care even if it costs money. (http://www.rwjf.org/publichealth/product.jsp?id=43811).
- Bolster your case by using an analysis of the Johanns and Nelson amendments from the National Women's Law Center.
Tools for advocates
- Prevention Institute has created a Health Reform Rapid Response Network to keep you up to date on the latest coverage of prevention and health reform. Sign up now!
- Sign on to the 'Principles for Quality Prevention in Health Reform' a shared set of principles that aims to ensure the highest quality in our national prevention efforts.
- What Role can Health Impact Assessment Play in the National Health Reform Initiative? Read our Testimony to the National Research Council Committee on Health Impact Assessment.
- Find the contact information for your elected officials.
- Read letters to Health and Human Services Secretary Sebelius and joint recommendations for health reform's Prevention and Public Health Fund, by The Convergence Partnership, Prevention Institute and Policylink.
