HELP SAVE CDC HEALTHY COMMUNITIES PROGRAM
 
SOPHE MEMBERS are urged to contact your Senators and Representatives to sign onto the Senator Dear Colleague Letter to HHS Secretary Sebelius to fund CDC’s Healthy Community Program in 2011.

Two bipartisan letters are circulating to members of Congress - one in House, one in Senate. 

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s just-passed budget for 2011 cut almost $700 million in funding.  About half of the cuts are left to the discretion of the director of the agency.   If support is eliminated for the CDC Healthier Communities Program, SOPHE will lose funding - AND the important work in funded communities to reduce overweight, physical inactivity and tobacco use will be ended.

ACTION REQUESTED: 
Please take a few minutes to call your Senators and Representatives and ask them to sign the letter to HHS Secretary Sebelius that is currently circulating

Senate Letter - Being led by Sens. Crapo and Klobuchar - DEADLINE IS TODAY - MAY 6 - COB

House Letter - Being led by Reps. McGovern and Kind.  DEADLINE IS MONDAY - MAY 9 - COB

 
It is urgent you make this call NOW because HHS could make a decision on this cut as early as the beginning of next week. 

TALKING POINTS
  • With recent budget cuts, CDC may be forced to cut the Healthy Communities Program that reduces chronic disease and obesity rates in communities across the nation.
  • (When talking to your Senator's Health LA) -  Please ask the Senator to sign the dear colleague letter Senators Crapo and Klobuchar are circulating to send to Secretary of Health and Human Services Sebelius requesting maintained funding for the CDC’s Healthy Communities Program this year (FY 2011)
  • (When talking to your Representative's Health LA) - Please ask the Representative to sign the dear colleague letter that Reps. McGovern and Kind are circulating to send to Secretary of Health and Human Services Sebelius requesting maintained funding for the CDC’s Healthy Communities Program this year (FY 2011).
    • The CDC's Healthy Communities Program provides one-time seed funding to communities - on average about $50,000 - that allows them to implement important strategies that can prevent chronic disease and obesity - and ultimately reduce health care costs.
  • In the past, communities involved in these efforts have been able to raise at least $3 dollars locally for every $1 Federal dollar received. 
  • For example, communities leaders convened by YMCAs have influenced more than 14,500 changes that expand access to fresh fruits and vegetables where healthy food options are scarce; increase physical activity for our children and youth before, during and afterschool, and makes the healthy choice the easy choice in neighborhoods which in turn makes them more attractive places for businesses and families. It’s estimated these changes could impact more than 34 million lives.
  • We don’t want to lose the chance to help our community transform itself into a healthier place to live.
  • Thank you for your consideration in signing the Letter to Secretary Sebelius to save this important program that can save health care dollars and save lives.


To keep updated on this important issue and others, be sure to read “Advocacy Matters” in SOPHE’s weekly e-News U Can Use. Flex your political muscle and stand up for the public’s health!