In Pennsylvania’s lawmakers- negotiated budget for the 2021-22 fiscal year, a sizable amount will be spent on education and human resources, which is understandable. Few of the federal relief dollars allotted to Pennsylvania will be directed toward investing in our public health infrastructure.
Public health officials often have forgone lucrative careers in the public sector and have dedicated their talents to serving us, the public. In the past year, many have faced threats and criticism. They are exhausted and disheartened, and many have left the ranks of public health. They have been working in underfunded agencies for a decade through the AIDS epidemic, the SARS epidemic, the possibility of an Ebola outbreak, etc.
The previous federal administration even saw fit to decrease the key public health agency we had in China by cutting its staffing by two thirds. We will never know the full extent of that decision.
It is shortsighted for the Pennsylvania Legislature to add $2.52 billion to the state’s savings account, resulting in a balance of historic high and not to invest in a public service that the last year and a half has taught us is critical to our health and economy.
Beth Newman
South Side