Washington, D.C. – The Bush budget threatens vital health programs that millions of underserved Americans rely on for basic care and further erodes valuable prevention programs aimed at youth populations. Congressman John D. Dingell, Ranking Member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, today highlighted several cuts contained in Bush’s budget.

"As the country faces a potential economic downturn, this budget hurts worthy and needed safety net health programs that protect America’s most vulnerable populations," Dingell said. "Bush’s budget speaks louder than his words -- the big guy becomes wealthier and healthier at the expense and detriment of the little guy."

The Bush budget eliminates the bipartisan Community Access Program which coordinates and integrates existing safety net health care resources, enabling medically underserved people to receive better health care. Bush also slashes 60 percent of the budget aimed at staffing part of the health care safety net throughout the country. This move comes at a time when the nation is facing significant shortages in the areas of nursing, pharmacology and dentistry. Cuts to rural health programs also undermine efforts to improve the availability and quality of health care in rural areas.

The Bush budget also cuts 23 percent, $175 million, of the budget for chronic disease and health under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention which is responsible for tracking, preventing and researching disease throughout the country. Chronic diseases are responsible for more than 70 percent of all deaths and more than 70 percent of all health care expenditures in the United States, yet only $1.25 per person is invested annually in attempting to prevent these leading killers. The $175 million cut includes elimination of the $125 million Youth Media Campaign that focuses on teaching youth the importance of a healthy diet and exercise, the dangers of tobacco and drug use, and underage alcohol consumption.

"We’ve spent years educating our children about the dangers of a lethargic existence, and smoking and drinking, and reports tell us that we have made substantial progress," Dingell said. "The elimination of these programs will undermine this program, and condemn us to higher health care spending in the years ahead."

The Bush budget also calls for cuts in state-based chronic disease programs. Although specific cuts to specific programs are not identified in the budget, these programs include breast and cancer screening, cancer registries, diabetes prevention and control, heart disease and stroke programs, arthritis programs, tobacco prevention and cessation, obesity prevention, and the Safe Motherhood and WISEWOMAN programs.

"These cuts, when combined with virtual freezes on funding for Ryan White AIDS treatment grants, mental health programs and the National Health Service Corps, will needlessly fray the public health safety net. These are not piddling programs. They are vital to the health and well-being of Americans and should be treated as such. I look forward to a serious debate on this budget," said Dingell.

- 30 -

[Editor’s note] Public health budget highlights as analyzed by the Democratic staff are posted on this web site:  "Budget Highlights"