Hillary Clinton Proposes Rapid Response Fund to Fight Pandemics

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Hillary Clinton proposed a new Public Health Rapid Response Fund to deal with pandemics such as Zika virus. Clinton has urged Congress to pass federal funding to assist areas infested with Zika carrying mosquitoes, but Congress has failed to do so. Clinton said that the fund would be available to assist “the CDC, HHS, FEMA, state and local public health departments, hospital systems, and other federal agencies” respond to any public health crisis. A copy of the release from Hillary for America is below.

“The United States faces new threats to public health, from pandemic diseases like those caused by the Ebola and the Zika viruses, to the risk of biological weapons and bioterrorism, to long-term challenges like more extreme weather and expanding ranges for Lyme disease and water-borne illnesses as a result of climate change. And in a global economy, diseases like SARS, MERS, and avian influenza cannot be contained in their countries of origin.

“But despite these threats, we are not investing in public health preparedness and emergency response the way we should to keep our families and communities safe. A 2015 study found that spending on public health had fallen more than 9 percent since 2008. And uncertain long-term budgets leave our public health agencies dependent on emergency appropriations—meaning that when Congress fails to step up, communities are left without the resources they need, vaccines languish in development, and more people get sick.

That is why as President, I will create a Public Health Rapid Response Fund, with consistent, year-to-year budgets, to better enable the CDC, HHS, FEMA, state and local public health departments, hospital systems, and other federal agencies to quickly and aggressively respond to major public health crises and pandemics. I will also ensure that our government has strong leadership and is organized to better support and work with people on the ground facing public health challenges. Doctors and public health experts have been warning for months that the Zika virus was likely to reach the continental United States, but Congress has failed to pass the President’s emergency funding request. As a result, the Zika virus has gained a foothold in Miami, and 196 people have already been infected in the city—infections that may have been preventable. 

In addition, we need to do more to boost our preparedness for biological threats and bioweapons; to support research for new diagnostic tests, therapeutic treatments, and vaccines for emerging diseases; to build capacity in public health departments; to train the next cadre of public health professionals and ensure that public health and environmental health practices are standard to the educations of medical students; and to provide resources for states and local governments to plan for complex, multi-faceted public health threats, like the impacts of climate change, and build more resilient communities.”

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News Source: Politico

Hillary Clinton Campaigns in Los Angeles Area

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On Friday, Hillary Clinton held four campaign events in the Los Angeles, California area. Her first event was in Culver City and featured appearances by Elizabeth Banks, Sophia Bush, Michelle Kwan, Debra Messing, Mary Steenburgen, and Sally Field. Each actress took a few minutes to speak about why they supported Clinton. When Clinton took the stage, she stressed the importance of the 2016 election and defeating Republican nominee Donald Trump. Clinton concluded by asking for voters’ support in Tuesday’s primary saying, “Starting next Tuesday, we’re on our way to breaking the highest and hardest glass ceiling.” A video from the event is below.

She then traveled to Westminster where she spoke with supporters at a Get Out the Vote rally. During her speech, she spoke about a number of platform points including expanding health care, passing immigration reform, and lowering the cost of higher education. She continued to go after Trump saying that he has “set a very bad example” for not condemning violence at a number of his rallies. Clinton said that she does not want her supporters to provoke violence, but to be respectful of others. She said, “I don’t think any of this helps anybody.” Clinton went on to criticize a number of Trump’s proposals and comments before asking for voters’ support on June 7.

Clinton met with community leaders in Santa Ana. She gave a brief speech to the supporters present before sitting down with a group of city leaders and business owners to discuss local and national issues. The listening event has been a staple of Clinton’s 2016 campaign, and she has held at least one a day during this trip to California. Topics covered during the event included health care, immigration reform, and a number of other platform topics. A video of Clinton’s speech from the event is below.

The final event of the day was a Get Out the Vote rally in San Bernardino, a city still recovering the December 2015 terror inspired mass shooting. Clinton’s speech focused on national security and her vow to do everything she can to keep America and Americans safe from foreign and domestic threats. She said, “I want you to know from the bottom of my heart I will do whatever I can to protect America and Americans and do whatever I can to support our brave law enforcement, who were there protecting people right in this city.” Clinton discussed a number of other platform points during her 30-minute speech before asking for voters’ support in the state’s primary on Tuesday. A full video of Clinton’s speech is below.

For all the latest, follow our Scheduled Events page and follow Clinton on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

News Source: The Orange County Register, The Desert Sun, The Wall Street Journal, CBS Los Angeles, US News & World Report