In a statement released today by the executive office, President Obama firmly backed the Prevention and Public Health Fund, and the value of prevention. In reference to HR 1217 "Repeal of the Affordable Care Act's Prevention and Public Health Fund," being voted on today by the House, the memo said that the repeal "could worsen the Nation’s health and increase system costs by defunding prevention activities such as programs that promote physical activity, reduce the burden of chronic disease, and prevent smoking and other tobacco use." The memo ends, "If the President is presented with legislation that would eliminate funding or repeal the Prevention and Public Health Fund, his senior advisors would recommend that he veto it."
Prevention saves money and lives, and enables our health care system to be effective for everyone. We applaud President Obama's commitment to prevention and wellness and his public and bold stance against those trying to defund it.
Read the full statement here.