A few weeks ago, Congress agreed upon a new budget for the United States. Folded into negotiations was the budget for public health, specifically COVID-19 funding. It was all slashed. This probably makes sense to the average person. We are, of course, in a different phase of the pandemic. One that seems more manageable.
I think you're trying to be measured and responsible and adult and calm and all that. And I get it. And I also get that even suggesting increased funding in this day-and-age opens you up to screeds from some sections. But... speaking as an informed (voting) citizen without nearly the expertise that you have, I think you aren't being nearly as loud and screaming as you (need? should?) could be. Again-- my somewhat uninformed opinions-- but we need to realize that we (collectively, nationally, internationally) need moon-shot level spending to identify targets, treatments, and preventatives across a range of infections agents: Corona, sure; but many other viruses, bacteria, and fungi. It's sad that COVID hasn't been the necessary wakeup call.
Funding is also desperately needed for Long COVID research and treatment. There has been a mass disabling event. Understanding post-viral illnesses is critical -- not *only* to help those in need now (which should be motivation enough), but to prepare for future impacts. As much of your writing has indicated, viruses are not going anywhere.
Yes, only Congress can fix this...but not with the degree of dysfunctionality currently on display daily. I wonder if it were even possible to get ALL our CongressCritters to agree that the sun rises in the East and sets in the West.
While your posts are always measured and reasonable, I am certain that you are screaming inside. Thank you for staying the course and not abandoning your mission...for our good health and yours. ❤️👍❤️
Wasn't there some money for next generation vaccines? Was that slashed too? We're at a horrible state right now--the virus circulates and there's zero data. I recently had to help a very ill friend with no health insurance get treatment for Covid and there are NO tests/treatments/clinics--the safety net is gone. It's just plain wrong. And I'm a provider at a health clinic--I worked so hard to help and I have the resources to help. It's just wrong. The burden of endemic falls on the people who can't afford it.
I think your efforts to communicate this information on SubStack is a start. You are reaching the right audience without having to go through editors and publishers. Too bad public health funding isn’t a line item in the defense budget - you’d never have to look for dollars again. It’s just the way this country rolls today. When I read “The Premonition” by Michael Lewis I first realized how unorganized our public health system is (and how many capable and talented people there are who could change this). Keep informing us. You are being heard.
I recently was ill and though tested negative for Covid I was shocked at the providers lack of care or concern that it could be (or have been) Covid. They are acting like the virus is gone but it hasn't gone anywhere! Please keep reporting and letting us know when we should be on guard again.
I like the link to defense spending and believe that public health should be considered a part of national defense, analogous to the origin of the interstate highway system. Then-President Eisenhower conceived the highway system as important to national defense, not just convenience in personal and business transportation. Many more factions got on board and money flowed once the interstate highways were envisioned as important to national defense as well as the usual transportation needs.
Public health is important to national defense - just look at all the money that the military spends on infectious diseases. Their goal is protecting soldiers but all citizens need protection against Covid and SARS.
I think this argument would be stronger with some more rigorous fact-checking. Some of the terminology isn't accurate. The debt ceiling deal is not a budget; it's a budget plan. The budget itself will now be crafted through the appropriations process. That distinction may seem like a quibble, but it's is a very fundamental aspect of this discussion. Also, I think it's very significant that much of the pandemic funding was not rescinded. HHS retained ~$10 billion, including the NextGen funding. That's real money, so I don't think the description of "slashing" is accurate.
I would like to contact my Members of Congress about this. Can you provide some specific things I should ask them for? Thank you--for everything you do.
I haven't had the courage to read Laurie Garrett's book documenting the wreckage of the Public Health system in our country. After forty years in medicine, that wreckage is ever so clear. And what to we expect from a nation of poorly-evolved and poorly-educated descendants of chimpanzees, a nation with a phobic resistance to the idea that community matters. As always, you hit that lousy, stinking nail directly on its head.
A cogent analysis reflecting a country dedicated to diversionary "values" issues so the wealthy can make bank, while our citizens get more agitated and angry from being overlooked and insecure across the board. This does not bode well.
Here's a thought... stop electing republicans who go out of their way to deny science and gut public education
I think you're trying to be measured and responsible and adult and calm and all that. And I get it. And I also get that even suggesting increased funding in this day-and-age opens you up to screeds from some sections. But... speaking as an informed (voting) citizen without nearly the expertise that you have, I think you aren't being nearly as loud and screaming as you (need? should?) could be. Again-- my somewhat uninformed opinions-- but we need to realize that we (collectively, nationally, internationally) need moon-shot level spending to identify targets, treatments, and preventatives across a range of infections agents: Corona, sure; but many other viruses, bacteria, and fungi. It's sad that COVID hasn't been the necessary wakeup call.
Funding is also desperately needed for Long COVID research and treatment. There has been a mass disabling event. Understanding post-viral illnesses is critical -- not *only* to help those in need now (which should be motivation enough), but to prepare for future impacts. As much of your writing has indicated, viruses are not going anywhere.
Yes, only Congress can fix this...but not with the degree of dysfunctionality currently on display daily. I wonder if it were even possible to get ALL our CongressCritters to agree that the sun rises in the East and sets in the West.
While your posts are always measured and reasonable, I am certain that you are screaming inside. Thank you for staying the course and not abandoning your mission...for our good health and yours. ❤️👍❤️
Wasn't there some money for next generation vaccines? Was that slashed too? We're at a horrible state right now--the virus circulates and there's zero data. I recently had to help a very ill friend with no health insurance get treatment for Covid and there are NO tests/treatments/clinics--the safety net is gone. It's just plain wrong. And I'm a provider at a health clinic--I worked so hard to help and I have the resources to help. It's just wrong. The burden of endemic falls on the people who can't afford it.
I think your efforts to communicate this information on SubStack is a start. You are reaching the right audience without having to go through editors and publishers. Too bad public health funding isn’t a line item in the defense budget - you’d never have to look for dollars again. It’s just the way this country rolls today. When I read “The Premonition” by Michael Lewis I first realized how unorganized our public health system is (and how many capable and talented people there are who could change this). Keep informing us. You are being heard.
Thank you for your timely and well thought out information.
I just sent a gift subscription to my congressman (a Democrat) whose staff can surely find time to read it.
I recently was ill and though tested negative for Covid I was shocked at the providers lack of care or concern that it could be (or have been) Covid. They are acting like the virus is gone but it hasn't gone anywhere! Please keep reporting and letting us know when we should be on guard again.
I like the link to defense spending and believe that public health should be considered a part of national defense, analogous to the origin of the interstate highway system. Then-President Eisenhower conceived the highway system as important to national defense, not just convenience in personal and business transportation. Many more factions got on board and money flowed once the interstate highways were envisioned as important to national defense as well as the usual transportation needs.
Public health is important to national defense - just look at all the money that the military spends on infectious diseases. Their goal is protecting soldiers but all citizens need protection against Covid and SARS.
Very sad that Americans don't value health care and science, until they personally get sick. Even then many ignore care.
I think this argument would be stronger with some more rigorous fact-checking. Some of the terminology isn't accurate. The debt ceiling deal is not a budget; it's a budget plan. The budget itself will now be crafted through the appropriations process. That distinction may seem like a quibble, but it's is a very fundamental aspect of this discussion. Also, I think it's very significant that much of the pandemic funding was not rescinded. HHS retained ~$10 billion, including the NextGen funding. That's real money, so I don't think the description of "slashing" is accurate.
I would like to contact my Members of Congress about this. Can you provide some specific things I should ask them for? Thank you--for everything you do.
I haven't had the courage to read Laurie Garrett's book documenting the wreckage of the Public Health system in our country. After forty years in medicine, that wreckage is ever so clear. And what to we expect from a nation of poorly-evolved and poorly-educated descendants of chimpanzees, a nation with a phobic resistance to the idea that community matters. As always, you hit that lousy, stinking nail directly on its head.
A cogent analysis reflecting a country dedicated to diversionary "values" issues so the wealthy can make bank, while our citizens get more agitated and angry from being overlooked and insecure across the board. This does not bode well.