Advocates Urge Congressional Leaders to Reject Massive Cuts Which Would Put Public’s Health at Risk

(Washington, DC – January 8, 2024) This week, Trust for America’s Health joined the Coalition for Health Funding and a broad, multisector group of over 1,100 organizations in a letter to Congress voicing strong concern that a full-year continuing resolution would trigger massive cuts that would be “disastrous for the capacity of the Federal government to serve the public.” The letter to Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries urged policymakers to work together using the bipartisan Senate Appropriations Committee funding levels as a starting point for FY2024 negotiations moving forward.

At stake is funding for programs that are critical to safeguarding the public’s health. Examples include prevention and response to health emergencies; programs that provide nutrition assistance to young children, families, and older adults; medical care for veterans; housing and home energy assistance programs; and investments that ensure safe transportation and drinking water. These programs are a small part of the federal budget but represent major impacts on communities’ health and wellbeing.

Read the letter at: NDD United Letter, January 7, 2024