One controversial element of the Affordable Care Act is creation of the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which sets aside about $15 billion to finance public health programs over the next decade. Under the program, the Health and Human Services department awards grants for projects that prevent illness or promote health. For example, since 2010, HHS has awarded more than $42 million to California organizations for programs like training more primary care residents, building laboratory capacity, and reducing tobacco use.
Program supporters say investment in prevention will ultimately save money via early detection of diseases and better management of costly chronic conditions. Opponents have deemed it a “slush fund” and want to eliminate it. In April, the House approved legislation that would dismantle the fund, but the Senate has not taken action on the bill. The fund could also be targeted by the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, which is tasked with cutting $1.5 trillion from the federal budget this fall.
Dr. Georges C. Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association (APHA), offers his views on why the fund is essential to public health and how it may fare in the current political environment.
CNN: The APHA supported the creation of the Prevention Fund. Why is this type of investment important?
CNN: Can prevention efforts like this really save money?
DR. BENJAMIN is currently a distinguished fellow in public health at Hunter College of the City University of New York. He will return to his role as executive director of the American Public Health Association in 2012. Previously he served as the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where he oversaw the expansion of the state's Medicaid program.
The Fund's goal was to replace 'yo-yo,' patchwork funding with a stable, reliable funding stream for the first time.
Source DR. BENJAMIN