Latest news with #AmyActon
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Dr. Amy Acton making three Youngstown stops in Ohio tour
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)—On Wednesday, Democratic candidate for Ohio Governor Dr. Amy Acton will launch a four-day listening tour across the state. The goal is to listen to Ohioans to see how leaders can make communities stronger. She has five stops today, including three in the Valley. The first is a walking tour of Youngstown's 3rd Ward with Mayor Tito Brown, which starts at 2:30 p.m. at the Northside Pool. Then, there will be a roundtable with Youngstown teachers and union members at Choffin Career Center at 4 p.m. Her day wraps up with a Homecoming Pizza Party at 5:30 p.m. at the Westside Bowl. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Medscape
15-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Group Aims to Elect 100 Doctors By 2030
Amy Acton, MD, MPH, wasn't accustomed to the spotlight. When Acton was appointed to lead the Ohio Department of Health in 2019, her top priorities were infant mortality and youth homelessness. Then came COVID-19. Acton quickly became the state's face of public health. Although many Ohioans hailed her as a hero, armed protesters angry about mandatory lockdowns showed up at her house. Acton resigned as the state health director just over 3 months into the pandemic. But she hasn't turned her back on public life — in January, she announced her candidacy for governor of Ohio in 2026. Acton said she feels called to address the state's declining public health. In Ohio, 'we went from having some of the best health outcomes to some of the worst, in terms of how long we live, our smoking rates, our diabetes rates and infant mortality,' Acton told Medscape Medical News in an interview. 'I can't look away when we're going back.' Acton's frequent media appearances during the pandemic helped hone her public speaking skills — a good preparation for life on the campaign trail. She said she had help from seasoned political advisors who have guided women into governor's offices in other states. She also consulted Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona, a former NASA astronaut. Learning The Ropes Although running for office can be a daunting transition for doctors who are used to working one-on-one with patients, a handful of groups help doctors learn the ropes. AMPAC, the American Medical Association (AMA)'s political action committee, organizes candidate workshops and campaign schools for doctors. AMPAC also contributes up to $5000 to a candidate's campaign per election, including a primary, general, runoff, or special election. AMPAC can contribute directly to a campaign or make gifts in kind. The group also can pay for ads endorsing a candidate, send direct mail through the AMA's political education fund, and use corporate dollars to educate voters. Although AMPAC is bipartisan, it encourages candidates to uphold key principals of public health. For example, it discourages candidates from accepting money from tobacco companies or groups that oppose evidence-based public health measures to reduce firearm violence. A $25-Million Campaign to Recruit Physician Candidates A political action committee called 314 Action has recruited and supported scientists as political candidates since 2016. Now, the left-leaning group has pledged to spend $25 million to elect 100 progressive doctors to state and national offices by 2030. The $25 million includes both direct contributions to candidates early in their campaigns, as well as providing advice and training. 'There's so much behind the scenes that goes into guiding these candidates through the decision to run, helping them have a strong and impactful launch, and then advising and training them throughout their campaign,' said Grace Silva, 314 Action's spokeswoman. 'We've got an incredible team of experienced campaign managers and finance directors who work closely in these campaigns.' For example, 314 Action commissioned a poll about voter interest in electing a doctor and whether they would support Action or the Republican candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. The survey found that voters gave both candidates roughly equal support. 'It's really hard to break into politics when you don't come from that traditional political background,' said Shaughnessy Naughton, a chemist who ran for Congress as a Democrat in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in 2014. Shaughnessy lost the race but founded 314 Action and now serves as its president. While most first-time candidates can't afford to hire a full-time campaign manager, Naughton said, 'we have very senior–level staffers that act in that capacity to help launch these campaigns until they're able to bring on paid staff.' Doctors' voices are urgently needed today to defend public health, Naughton said. The workforce of the US Department of Health and Human Services has been cut by 25% as part of President Trump's restructuring of the federal government. Acton also cited cuts to health programs such as Meals on Wheels, which combat hunger and isolation among older adults, as motivating her to run for governor. 'As physicians, we have to get out there and use our voices,' Acton said. The White House did not respond to Medscape Medical News ' request for comment. Natural Strengths as Candidates Doctors have a number of advantages as political candidates. Although some studies showed that trust in doctors declined during the pandemic, other studies showed that most Americans view physicians positively. In surveys, people report much more trust in doctors and nurses — the most trusted of all professionals — than politicians. Although running for office is challenging, Acton said, 'it's strange how well suited you are with the skill sets we have. Physicians are natural problem solvers.' Arvind Venkat, MD, who served as president of his state's emergency physicians organization, also became a public figure during the pandemic, when he appeared on local TV three times a week to answer questions about how to stay safe. 'We go into the field because we want to help people,' said Venkat, who was elected to represent Allegheny County in the Pennsylvania state legislature in 2023. Trust in Medicine – And Politics 'Politics is also about building a trusting relationship with people, but on a widespread basis,' Venkat said. 'I actually think that having a career in medicine — and being able to empathize with people — provides critical skills for anyone who's thinking about running for office.' Venkat said he's drawn on his healthcare experience when working on healthcare issues, such as protecting consumers from medical debt. But Venkat said he's also learned about subjects as diverse as energy, the environment, and public infrastructure. 'When you're a physician, you're a lifelong learner,' Venkat said. 'You're used to assimilating new sources of information. And as a physician, you understand the importance of unintended consequences. We're always taught to do no harm.' Obstacles to Running For Office As an emergency physician, Venkat said he has experience working in 'high-pressure environments,' which helps him keep his cool when making high-stakes decisions. But the political process can move at a frustratingly slow pace for doctors used to working quickly and independently, said Hawaii Gov. Josh Green, a family doctor and emergency physician, who co-chairs the Guardians of Health campaign. 'The biggest hurdle for me was being patient enough with the political process to get change done,' Green said. 'I was used to seeing a patient, prescribing a treatment and getting a result. In the emergency room, we're very driven to take action quickly. That's not how government works.' Green said he's legally barred from working as a doctor while serving as a governor. But Shaughnessy noted that many elected positions are part-time, especially in local government, allowing doctors to represent voters while continuing to see patients. Venkat, a full-time legislator, said he continues to work a couple emergency department shifts a month. 'I do my shifts on nights and weekends and holidays when the political world is not working,' he said. One of the biggest hurdles that Venkat had to overcome, he said, was fundraising. Venkat said he and his wife, who is also a physician, 'haven't had to ask anyone for money in our adult lives. But as a candidate, I have to overcome that queasiness. There's certainly been a learning curve associated with that.' A Critical Time for Science and Medicine Research shows that physicians are less likely to attend public meetings or even vote. But doctors are more likely than others to discuss politics with friends or family, donate to political organizations, and buy products or boycott companies based on political values. While research shows that doctors are more likely to vote for Democrats than for Republicans, the GOP has an edge among physicians in Congress. Of the 21 physicians serving in Congress — four senators and 17 representatives — 15 are Republican. All of the physician senators — Roger Marshall (Kansas), Bill Cassidy (Louisiana), Rand Paul (Kentucky), and John Barrasso (Wyoming) — are Republican. In the House of Representatives, six doctors are Democrats and 11 are Republicans. Regardless of party, 'we desperately need more physicians in politics,' Venkat said. 'Decisions are being made that directly affect our ability to care for patients in our communities.' As an elected official, 'you are able to help so many more people than you might be able to on an individual basis,' Venkat said. 'I've never liked it when people say that physicians should stay in their lane and just take care of patients. There's a long history of physicians advocating for their patients and their communities outside of the four walls of the clinic or the hospital or the emergency department.'
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Are Ohio lawmakers cutting library funding?: What we know now
Apr. 8—The Ohio House of Representatives this week is hashing out a massive two-year state budget. One proposal from House GOP leaders getting a lot of attention deals with Ohio's libraries. Libraries across the state and prominent Democrats — such as candidate for governor Amy Acton — are railing against a massive "cut" to statewide library funding and urging voters to contact their representatives ahead of voting this week. Is the state cutting library funding? Not exactly. The plan unveiled by Ohio House Republicans would eliminate the Ohio Library Fund, replacing it with line-item amounts appropriated for each year. They propose allocating $485 million in library funds for 2026 — a decrease from last year's library fund of $489.3 million — and then $495 million for 2027. So funding would be essentially flat over the next two years. Plus other line-items in the budget would result in an overall increase in state library related spending from current levels. So where is talk of a cut coming from? For years, the Ohio Public Library Fund has received 1.7% of Ohio's general revenue fund, which is powered by sales and personal income taxes and other revenue sources. According to the Ohio Library Council, an organization that advocates for public libraries, roughly 51% of the total funding for Ohio's public libraries comes from the state through the Public Library Fund. If the current funding formula were unchanged, the Ohio Office of Budget and Management projects that the PLF could contain up to $530 million under the current formula by the end of 2025. The Ohio House's budget proposal differs from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's budget pitch, which would have increased the PLF's slice of the general revenue fund by half a percent. This would generate $531.7 million in 2026 and $549.1 million in 2027. An Ohio Library Council analysis estimated that the House's version of the budget would reduce state funding for Ohio's public libraries by more than $100 million over the next two years — compared to the governor's proposal to expand the fund, not compared to current funding. What do libraries say? Dayton Metro Library officials said they're anticipating a $3 million difference, which could result in decreased operating hours, programming, library collections and even the closure of some lower-traffic branches. "Ohio's public libraries have had a partnership with the state to deliver services at the local level for almost 100 years and that funding is now at risk," Michelle Francis, executive director of the Ohio Library Council, in a press release. "Public libraries serve all ages, and funding cuts of this magnitude could jeopardize the vital services that our communities rely on." Similarly, the Clark County Public Library shared a plea with its patrons on social media Thursday evening, saying the Ohio House's proposal could impact services like children's programs, hotspot loans and more. The library called on community members to contract their state representatives to discuss library funding. "We appreciate the community we serve and your support for the library!" the social media post said. What do lawmakers say? In the Republican-dominated Ohio House, moving public library funding away from a percentage model has been framed as a way to be more flexible in determining how much public libraries actually need from the state every two years. "Many moons ago, somebody decided that the public library fund would be a certain percentage of the general revenue fund. The issue with that is, it doesn't necessarily always reflect all of the other budgetary concerns that are happening," House Speaker Matt Huffman, R-Lima, told reporters last week. "If you get 1.7%, you don't have to come in and say, 'Hey, here's why we need all this extra money.'" Huffman denied that the proposed change had anything to do with critiques of local libraries, like from that of Rep. Rodney Creech, R-West Alexandria, who publicly criticized the New Lebanon branch of the Dayton Metro Library for carrying tampons in the men's restroom. With the switch, Ohio House Finance Chair Brian Stewart, R-Ashville, argued that the state should quit "autopilot" spending, where possible. "I think every two years we need to do our job and say, 'What is the actual amount of money that we believe should be spent here?' and make that decision," Stewart said. House Democrats, meanwhile, oppose the switch. Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington, said she has "huge concerns." "Listen, we're talking about a 100-year precedent that we've used to fund our public library system here in the state of Ohio — which, by the way, is one of the top public library systems in the country because they have reliable, predictable funding," Russo said.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Watch: Dr. Amy Acton talks governor race, reflects on pandemic in FOX 8 interview
CLEVELAND (WJW) – During the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Amy Acton became one of Ohio's most prominent and most divisive figures, offering medical guidance to steer decisions made by Governor Mike DeWine. Today, she is running as a Democrat to replace DeWine when his term ends next year. On Thursday, she shared priorities from her campaign with FOX 8 and reflected back on the pandemic five years later. As a physician, Acton said she decided to run for political office in part because people across the state have been so open with her sharing their concerns. 'I had the privilege of serving Ohio, obviously, during one of the biggest crises we've endured. And in that I formed a bond with Ohioans,' she said. Medina County schools add cameras directly linked to sheriff's office 'Everywhere I go, Ohioans come up and they share with me their stories. What they're struggling with and sometimes even their ideas for how we can make things better. You know, I'm running for governor because I refuse to look the other way while people are struggling in this state,' she continued. Acton said state has continued going back on 'nearly every measure over the time I've been alive in Ohio.' 'A lot of that is due to special interests, bad actors in the statehouse and Ohioans are telling me it's time for a change.' Asked to identify specific areas where she feels Ohio is going backwards, Acton said there are several. 'For instance, we used to live long lives as compared to other states. Right now, we are at the bottom of the barrel, like on health measures. We don't live as long and healthy lives as even our neighboring states,' she said. 'We used to be the best in education, in public education. We invented public education in this state. Now, we're looking at folks trying to defund that, even though we had a bipartisan agreement on how to fund our schools and, you know, my life was saved by a public school. So this is something very dear to me.' 'Our growth and (Gross Domestic Product) is 45th right now, and our biggest export is young people.' Acton continued. 'I'm a doctor. I'm not a politician and I'm a problem solver. Though you saw me very live on air, sort of people got to see that work firsthand. But also, I'm a public servant and problems don't really care if you're a Democrat or a Republican. They just need solved.' Regarding the pandemic Dr. Acton reacted to Pew research that shows 79% of Democrats believe public health officials response was excellent or good, whereas only 35% of Republicans agree. 'It's one of the travesties, I think, that I have seen in my career that this would have become a political issue. First of all, there's no one who has gone unscathed in COVID, and it was truly an honor of a lifetime to serve in that moment. I'm so proud of what Ohioans did,' said Acton. 'A lot of people don't realize that the mortality rate, if you went in the ICU in March of 2020, your chance of dying was 50% in some places, and by June that had dropped to 5%. So, I'm so proud because we flatten the curve in Ohio.' 'We have data that shows that we were able to save a lot of lives and keep frontline people protected,' she added. 'But also we opened faster because we took swift and decisive action.' During that time, demonstrators on at least three occasions picketed outside of Acton's home. She said that was not why she resigned her position. Ohio company recalls 15,000 cases of oyster crackers 'The press kind of got it wrong. There was a lot of talk that I had stepped down because of protest stories, but that wasn't quite true,' she said. 'The actual story was that we had had protesters all along from March on, quite honestly, and we've had issues with security. But the reason I stepped down is because we were getting political pressure from both the White House and the Speaker of the House and in our state House ultimately wanting to do orders for special interests. These orders were quarantine orders. They were 150 years of quarantine power given to the doctor so that it wouldn't be political.' Demonstrators were upset over masking, closing schools and those who rejected vaccines referred to them as 'the jab.' 'It should never have become a politicized thing. In a weird way, we all had a had a common enemy and that's where leadership comes in,' Acton said. 'I'm very proud of the work we did in this administration that, with Governor DeWine, it was an honor because there's people that have no idea the feeling of 11.7 million lives and you don't want to lose one person. And that is the pace at which we fought this.' Acton is the only declared Democrat as of now running in the 2026 gubernatorial election. Ohio Attorney General David Yost and Vivek Ramaswamy are already running as Republicans with Ramaswamy having already been given the endorsement of President Trump. Acton realizes she is running in a state that has been solidly red, with a Republican majority in the state legislature and among the highest elected offices in the state. However, she believes Ohioans interests are not partisan. 'I think that's what Ohioans are telling me they want. They want people who put their best interests first and are doing the work that they sent us there to do,' Acton said. 'Ohio, where we went Obama twice, we went Trump twice. You know, I believe we are still a state that is very pragmatic, that we love common sense.' 'I come to this as truly a public servant who spent my whole life whole life working on issues. The hardest issues we face that we can only solve collectively. That's my specialty of prevention. It's about solving the things that give us the opportunity to reach our full potential,' she continued. 'When we reach our full potential and every Ohioan deserves that, they deserve to be able to live in a safe neighborhood and get a great education, have a good job and have a wonderful, wonderful quality of life.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
