Urgent! Call Your Senators Today
Support Public Health Funding in the Economic Stimulus Bill:

Why: The Senate is currently debating the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, better known as the Economic Stimulus Bill. On Monday February, 2nd , the Senate released a revised version of the bill. It keeps $5.8 billion for Prevention and Wellness, but no longer includes a specific directive that $400 million of that funding must be spent on HIV and STD prevention.

We are disappointed by this decision. But most importantly, we must ensure that the full public health funding remains in the final bill. Funding to improve the public health system will stimulate job creation, build healthier communities, and help prevent sexually transmitted infections. Controlling health care costs is critical to our nation's economic recovery.

* Funding for public health and disease prevention in the stimulus bill will reduce health care costs over the long term.
* The public health investment will create new jobs and help revitalize the infrastructure of state, local, and community-based programs aimed at reducing rates of disease.

Take Action: Contact Your Senators NOW. All Senate Offices can be reached through the Capitol Switch Board at (202) 224-3121. If you don't know who your Senators are, go to www.senate.gov .

Urge your Senators to:

1) Support the $5.8 billion Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund;

2) Oppose ANY amendment that would diminish this vital Prevention and Wellness Funding;

3) Pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

You may use these talking points:

I am disappointed that funding specific to HIV and STD prevention was removed from the Economic Stimulus Bill, but still URGE you to vote for the bill's passage.

Please support the $5.8 billion Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund. Oppose ANY amendment that would further diminish this vital prevention and wellness funding.

The public health system has severe workforce shortages. One of every four public health workers is eligible to retire in 2012. Investing in the public health sector will stimulate job creation in the short-term and help build stronger, healthier communities. The investment will create new jobs and help revitalize the infrastructure of state, local, and community-based programs aimed at reducing rates of disease.

Investing in prevention and research can help decrease many costly diseases and avoid the need for treatment. Therefore, funding for public health and disease prevention in the stimulus bill will also reduce health care costs over the long term.

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ASHA Moderator