With Obamacare repeal, Oklahoma could lose almost $47 million in public health funding

Jan. 19--Oklahoma could lose almost $47 million in public health funding over the next five years if the prevention and public health fund, part of the Affordable Care Act, were repealed, according to an analysis by the Trust for America's Health, a D.C-based nonpartisan health advocacy group.

Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stands to lose 12 percent of its annual budget. In total, states could lose more than $3 billion over the next five years from grants and programs supported by the prevention fund. "CDC is the world's leading public health authority and the front line against major threats to the health and well-being of the American people -- such as disease outbreaks, prescription drug misuse and diabetes," said John Auerbach, Trust for America's Health president and CEO. "Losing the Prevention Fund would result in diminished support for public health in every state, undermining their ability to fight epidemics and keep people safe." The $890 million gap in CDC's annual funding created by eliminating the prevention fund could not be filled under current laws without drawing funds away from service programs in other labor, education or health agencies, according to Trust for America's Health.

If the prevention fund were eliminated, the impact would be felt at the local, state and federal levels as public health organizations respond to several major health crises that are on the rise.

For example, with the exception of the one-time-only funding for Ebola and Zika, Oklahoma's core funding for preparedness and response to health emergencies has been cut by more than one-third in the past decade, with the state now receiving only $7 million per year for these protections.

Additionally, deaths from opioids grew by 27 percent in Oklahoma in the past 10 years. Nationally, more than 2 million Americans misuse prescription drugs, and nearly a half million are addicted to heroin, costing the country more than $55 billion a year in healthcare, workplace and criminal justice spending.

CDC plays a critical role by providing support to states and healthcare providers to monitor and control the inappropriate prescribing of opioids.

Over the past few years, Oklahoma has used CDC prevention funds to pay for vaccines for low-income children and adults and to prevent infectious and chronic diseases.

The federal cut would mean even less money for an agency that has seen significant state budget cuts. Over the past seven years, the Legislature cut the Health Department's state funding by nearly 30 percent.

It's not yet clear how President-elect Donald Trump and the congressional Republicans plan to revamp the federal health law.

They have not agreed on a plan, and they do not have enough votes in the Senate to fully repeal the current statute. Instead, they are planning to use a budgeting rule to disassemble part of the law, and that will limit what they can change.

But they also may seek revisions in important regulations and guidance that have determined how the law is implemented.

Contributing: The Associated Press

___

(c)2017 The Oklahoman

Visit The Oklahoman at www.newsok.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.