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11 comments

[–] PhunkyPlatypus 3 points (+3|-0)

He proposed cutting funding, but that amendment to the bill was not adopted.

[–] Boukert [OP] 2 points (+2|-0)
[–] PhunkyPlatypus 3 points (+3|-0)

It’s true that the president’s proposed budgets have included funding cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — but Congress hasn’t enacted those cuts.

That seems to accurately sum up what I said.

[–] Boukert [OP] 2 points (+2|-0)

The Washington Post reported that former National Security Adviser John Bolton dissolved the NSC’s Office of Global Health Security and Biodefense in May 2018 in a reorganization effort. That’s when Rear Adm. R. Timothy Ziemer, who was senior director of the office, left his post. He was not replaced.

One area of concern is funding for the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which was created by the Affordable Care Act. The ACA, which said the fund would back “expanded and sustained national investment in prevention and public health programs,” set the annual appropriation for the fund at $500 million for fiscal 2010, increasing to $2 billion for 2015 and thereafter. However, Congress, and the secretary of Health and Human Services, has used some of this appropriation for other programs and expenses.

The PPHF “has been repeatedly cut and used to pay for other legislation,” the Trust for America’s Health report says.

For instance, in 2013, the HHS secretary used nearly half of the PPHF funding for implemention of the ACA’s insurance marketplace, according to a 2017 Congressional Research Service report. Under Trump, Congress passed, and he signed, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, which repeals $1.35 billion in PPHF appropriated funding over 10 years.

[–] Boukert [OP] 2 points (+2|-0)

The Fake News Media and their partner, the Democrat Party, is doing everything within its semi-considerable power (it used to be greater!) to inflame the CoronaVirus situation, far beyond what the facts would warrant. Surgeon General, “The risk is low to the average American.”

[–] F6F_Hellcat 1 points (+1|-0)

Yep. The regular flu has killed over 20,000 people in the US this year. The Wuhan virus less than 100. Where's all the hysteria over that?

[–] PhunkyPlatypus 1 points (+1|-0) Edited

The flu started in September though. Covid19 didnt appear here until january/febuary, The virility and infection rate are the real concern.

[–] doggone 0 points (+0|-0)

So, two years ago there were a reserve of intubators and hospital space for a situation like this?