Ossoff Calls Proposed CDC Cuts 'A National Security Issue'

CHAMBLEE, GA -- Sixth District frontrunner Jon Ossoff called on other candidates of the race to come together in opposing a provision of the American Health Care Act (AHCA) that would cut funding to the Atlanta-based Centers For Disease Control & Prevention.

“This is a national security issue,” Ossoff said in a statement. “No matter where candidates stand on the overall bill, we should unite to protect Georgia families from the deadly outbreak of diseases like Ebola and Zika.”

Many of the candidates -- even some Republicans -- are divided on the AHCA, with many saying the bill is not quite where it needs to be.

Read more: 6th District race earning its 'jungle' moniker

The Trump Administration's newly released health care replacement bill would slash $1 billion from a prevention fund designed to prepare Americans to respond to disease threats. The administration says that the new bill includes a grant that can be used by states to implement prevention programs.

Eleven Republicans, five Democrats and two Independents are running to replace Tom Price, the nation's new health secretary, whose job it is to implement the new health plan.

Ossoff was joined by former CDC director Dr. Jeffrey Koplan, who said the provision will bring “increasing risk of disease and death” to the state and much of the nation.

The 6th District comprises the north Atlanta suburbs, including parts of DeKalb and Fulton, stretching over into Cobb.

Image courtesy of Jon Ossoff