Opinion: Former CDC Director Tom Frieden: Cuts to the agency will cost American lives and dollars
The Office on Smoking and Health, the Environmental Health Laboratory, CDC Communications offices — the gutting of these teams will make America sicker, writes former CDC Director Tom Frieden.
The CDC cuts announced Tuesday threaten America’s health, safety, and economy. Despite claims of efficiency, these cuts target proven programs that prevent disease and save lives — and as a result, Americans will be sicker and face increased health care costs. The government’s goal should not be to hit an arbitrary number of jobs eliminated, but to focus on the number of illnesses and premature deaths prevented.
The CDC has been America’s frontline defense, working 24/7 to protect Americans against health threats — whether naturally occurring or man-made, arising in the U.S. or anywhere in the world, and infectious or otherwise. These cuts restrict our ability to stop the leading killers of Americans. Cuts to CDC and other global work will cost lives, damage America’s reputation, and weaken our economy. It’s less expensive, safer, and more effective to stop health threats when and where they emerge than fight them in our country.
