Lowey protests Trump's proposed cuts to the CDC

<p>Rep. Nita Lowey (D-17th District) is sounding the alarm today about President Donald Trump's proposed budget cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in light of this year's dire flu season.</p>

News 12 Staff

Feb 16, 2018, 5:30 PM

Updated 2,259 days ago

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Rep. Nita Lowey (D-17th District) is sounding the alarm today about President Donald Trump's proposed budget cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in light of this year's dire flu season.
Under the proposed cuts, the CDC would take a $729 million hit. That's a cut of more than 10 percent of the CDC's current funding. The White House's proposed budgets cuts would likely take months to be approved, if they even are approved.
Lowey, who spoke today at the Hudson River Healthcare Center in Haverstraw, says the White House's suggestion of those cuts during the worst flu season in years is dangerous for everyone.
"It is shocking that this administration would propose cutting money from the Centers for Disease Control when people are dying from the flu," Lowey said.
The flu has hit New York and the Hudson Valley particularly hard, as the number of confirmed cases has increased nearly every week. To date, more than 14,000 New Yorkers have had to go to the hospital with the flu and five children have died, including two just last week. And experts say the season is far from over.
Dr. Sophia McIntyre of the Hudson River Health Center in Haverstraw is also concerned about what next year's flu season would look like if the budget cuts are passed.
The flu has already shaken residents close to home.
Probationary firefighter and Clarkstown North High School graduate Willy McCue is fighting for his life in intensive care because of the illness. His family updated a GoFundMe page for his medical costs.
Health officials are also warning people that if you haven't gotten your flu shot yet, you can and should still do so.
Go HERE to hear more from Rep. Lowey.


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