The US Division of Well being and Human Companies (HHS) introduced plans to chop its workforce by 1 / 4, eliminating 10,000 positions. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has vowed to intestine your complete company in his effort to Make America Wholesome Once more, vowing that eliminating extra forms will enable the company “to do more with less.”
The company plans to chop $11 billion in public well being funding, and whereas Kennedy admits there might be a “painful period” forward, one should take a look at the numbers and understand that these inflated businesses haven’t led to improved well being care. “All of that money,” Kennedy stated of the division’s $1.7 trillion yearly funds, “has failed to improve the health of Americans.”
America is without doubt one of the sickest nations within the developed world. Critics consider that these cuts will injury public well being, however America is spending practically 18% of its GDP on well being care initiatives with out outcomes. The common American is not going to stay to see 80 years of age. The common life expectancy stands round 76.4 years, based on the CDC, with girls residing a mean of 79.3 years and males expiring sooner at 73.5. These figures have been steadily declining every year. Compared, the world common is 82.5 years.
The US ranks 32 out of 38 OCED nations for all times expectancy. But, the US spends much more per capita on well being in comparison with different developed nations. In 2023, America spent $13,432 per capita. Compared, Switzerland and Germany, the second and third highest spenders, solely pay a bit over $7,000 per capita and have more healthy populations.
Younger Individuals (25-29) are dying at a charge 3X greater than their friends in superior economies. Kennedy’s primary platform has been to talk on behalf of the kids of America, who’re dealing with elevated dangers of sickness in comparison with previous generations. Kennedy claims 66% of kids endure from some type of a well being situation, with different estimates placing this determine nearer to 40%.
The Biden Administration elevated the well being division funds by 38% and inflated the workforce by 17%. Extra funding didn’t tackle the foundation causes of America’s well being epidemic. Kennedy plans to consolidate 28 divisions into 15, and can reduce regional workplaces from 10 to five. A extra cohesive company will present a “new era of responsiveness and a new era of effectiveness,” as we can not proceed funding measures that aren’t producing outcomes.
