On Monday night, members of the U.S. House of Representatives proposed a bill that aims to replace the Affordable Care Act. I am gravely concerned about the implications for Baltimore. As I mentioned in an opinion piece in The Baltimore Sun, the proposal threatens to dismantle Medicaid, which is the safety net that provides insurance for women, children, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. It would cut reproductive health services and gut programs that focus on disease prevention. It takes away protections to low-income individuals to help them get insurance, and will take us back to a time when people are forced to choose between paying for food and medications.

We at the Baltimore City Health Department will always stay steadfast in our mission to protect health, eliminate disparities, and ensure the well-being of every Baltimorean through education, advocacy, and direct service delivery. Now is the time for us to speak up. We must all raise our voices to talk about how this “replacement” plan will not only harm the health and well-being of millions of Americans; it is also fiscally irresponsible and dangerous to national security. When it comes to health, there is no margin of error. We cannot be silent in the face of injustice.

In the meantime, our work continues. This week, I joined Mayor Catherine Pugh, Baltimore City Public Schools CEO Dr. Sonja Santelises, Johns Hopkins University President Ron Daniels, parents, students, and other partners to celebrate a major milestone in our efforts to improve access to vision care. As of this week, we have distributed 1,000 pairs of glasses to City Schools students through Vision for Baltimore, a program convened by the Health Department to provide every elementary and middle City Schools’ student with vision care and glasses. 

It is our duty to do everything we can for our children and our communities. Our actions will be reflected in the futures of generations yet unborn. I thank you all for your partnership as we safeguard the health of every Baltimorean. 

Sincerely,

Leana Wen, M.D., M.Sc.