In Other News . . .

When I picked up my paper this morning, I learned that Pope John Paul II is still dead, the Red Sox lost their season opener, and the Ulong Tribe is the worst in Survivor history. Fortunately, I have other news sources, such as the Massachusetts Public Health Association, which offers the following info:

President Bush's budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2006 spells disaster for public health and health care programs. The president has called for a cut of over $530 million-or nearly 7 percent-to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) budget, including:

• A 6.5 percent cut-more than $58 million-to Chronic Disease and Health Promotion programs, including cancer, heart disease, and obesity prevention;
  
• Elimination of the $131 million Preventive Health and Health Services block grants to the states, 40 percent of which go directly to local public health authorities;
  
• A 14 percent cut-$130 million-for CDC bioterrorism preparedness funding for state and local health departments; and
  
• Cuts of nearly $240 million-88 percent-in building and facilities funds, including money for CDC research and testing.

In addition, President Bush proposed Medicaid cuts of $45 billion over the next ten years. The president's plan would restructure Medicaid through block grants, eligibility restrictions, and spending caps and would dramatically reduce health care for children, seniors, and low-income families.

You may recall that the Senate voted to protect Medicaid, but the House has voted to cut Medicaid by $20 billion over the next five years -- oddly enough, exactly twice what Mr. Bush proposed. What do you think might happen in Conference Committee?

The American Public Health Association has action resources -- links to issue briefs, connections to your Senators and Representatives, events, organizations -- Here! Stand up for Life!