2016 presidential candidates on epidemic control
From Ballotpedia
 Date: November 8, 2016 |
Winner: Donald Trump (R) Hillary Clinton (D) • Jill Stein (G) • Gary Johnson (L) • Vice presidential candidates |
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On February 1, 2016, the World Health Organization declared microencephaly and other neurological disorders resulting from the Zika virus a public health emergency.[1] Nearly all domestic Zika cases were travel-related, but more than a dozen came from Wynwood, Florida, the first active transmission area in the U.S.[2][3][4] Legislative efforts to fund a public health response to Zika stalled ahead of Congress' summer recess and were again blocked when Congress returned after Labor Day.[5]
In addition to responding to the spread of Zika, the 2016 presidential and vice presidential candidates commented on other epidemic control issues like 2014's Ebola outbreak and mandatory and childhood vaccinations.
See what the 2016 candidates and their respective party platforms said about epidemic control below.
Interested in reading more about the 2016 candidates' stances on issues related to epidemic control?
Ballotpedia also covered what the candidates said about healthcare issues, including Obamacare and Medicare and Medicaid.
| OVERVIEW OF CANDIDATE POSITIONS | |
Democratic ticket
Hillary Clinton
Zika virus
- On August 9, 2016, Hillary Clinton urged Congress to return for a special session to pass legislation addressing the Zika virus. “I am very disappointed that the Congress went on recess before actually agreeing on what they would do to put the resources into this fight, and I really am hoping that they will pay attention. In fact, I would very much urge the leadership of Congress to call people back for a special session and get a bill passed," she said.[6]
- Clinton released a statement on the Zika virus on March 18, 2016, where she called on Congress to take action on President Barack Obama's request for $1.8 billion in emergency appropriations. "Instead, Congressional Republicans said the Administration should use funds left over from fighting Ebola — even though that money is still being used. Why would we lower our defenses against one public health threat in order to meet another one? That’s senseless and dangerous. Congress needs to provide the funds to fight Zika now," she wrote. Clinton said the funds should be spent on developing a rapid diagnostic test for Zika and a vaccine, researching the connection between Zika and microcephaly, and mosquito control and abatement.[7]
- In April 2016, Clinton sent three staffers to Puerto Rico to research how the island had been impacted by the Zika virus and to observe how local clinics educated the population about the outbreak.[8]
Vaccinations
- On February 2, 2015, during an outbreak of measles in California, Clinton tweeted support for mandatory vaccinations. She wrote, "The science is clear: The earth is round, the sky is blue, and #vaccineswork. Let's protect all our kids."[9]
- As a presidential candidate in 2008, Clinton wrote in response to a questionnaire from an autism advocacy group that she was “committed to make investments to find the causes of autism, including possible environmental causes like vaccines.”[9]
Ebola
- After speaking at a fundraising dinner in Las Vegas on October 13, 2014, Clinton discussed a number of global threats. She said that Ebola was "not going to stay confined." Clinton also said, “We can’t say we’re not going to be involved because these things are other people’s problems.”[10]
| The 2016 Democratic Party Platform on epidemic control | ||||||
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Tim Kaine
Zika virus
- During a campaign event in Daytona Beach, Fla., on August 2, 2016, Kaine called on Republican leadership to reconvene Congress to pass new Zika legislation. He said, “Congress should not be in recess when Zika is advancing. We ought to go back and call an emergency session.” Senate Democrats filibustered the $1.1 billion funding bill that passed in the House after the House added language to restrict funding for women's health care and shift funds away from Obamacare. Kaine explained to the crowd, "The House put what we call a poison pill in it. They cared more about Planned Parenthood than they did Zika. Folks, Planned Parenthood is not a public health emergency. Planned parenthood is an important health provider.”[13]
- On July 5, 2016, Kaine hosted a roundtable discussion in Richmond to learn more about Virginia's Zika virus preparedness efforts and to discuss how the federal government could work together with state and local governments to combat Zika. “State and local health officials are working diligently in Virginia on what we can do to be prepared against the Zika virus, and I wanted to hear from them today and be educated about their efforts,” Kaine said following his discussion with public health officials and health advocacy groups. “There is a significant need for Zika related funding from Congress. As of June 23rd, nearly 300 pregnant women in the United States have had lab evidence of a Zika infection, along with 250 women in the territories. I will continue to do everything I can in the Senate to find a funding agreement that ensures our public health infrastructure has the tools to do the job, that increases research on this disease – particularly on the vaccine side – and that looks into methods of mosquito eradication in the short-term.”[14]
Vaccinations
- On March 2, 2007, Kaine, then the governor of Virginia, announced that he would sign legislation requiring all sixth-grade girls to be vaccinated against the human papilloma virus that causes cervical cancer so long as their parents do not object. Kaine had earlier expressed concern about mandating vaccinations but said that he was satisfied with the final language in the bill. "The particular language that ended up in the bill is fine," Kaine said. "It's very broad, and people get information about the health benefits and any health concerns about the vaccination, and they get to make their own decisions. I think that is the right balance." Virginia was the second state after Texas to require the vaccine.[15]
Ebola
- On October 17, 2014, U.S. Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner (D-Va.) requested information on how Virginia was preparing to identify and treat patients who presented with Ebola symptoms. The senators asked Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Services William Hazel and President and CEO of the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association Sean Connaughton about supplies, training, and whether additional resources were needed to aid preparedness efforts. “Hospitals and providers are the first line of defense for the public, and Virginia is home to a robust public health infrastructure,” wrote Warner and Kaine. “While there have been no confirmed cases of Ebola in Virginia, it is important that the Commonwealth is fully prepared to address any potential public health need.”[16]
- In September 2014, Kaine co-sponsored a Senate resolution to recognize the threat Ebola posed to West Africa and the potential threat Ebola posed globally.
Republican ticket
Donald Trump
Zika virus
- While campaigning in Florida on August 3, 2016, Donald Trump deferred to Florida Gov. Rick Scott when he was asked how he would handle the Zika virus outbreak. "I watch and I see and I see what they’re doing with the spraying and everything else. And I think he’s doing a fantastic job. And he’s letting everyone know exactly what the problem is and how to get rid of it. He’s going to have it under control. He probably already does," said Trump.[17] Earlier in the day, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) had called on Trump to address the spread of the virus.
Vaccinations
- During the September 16, 2015, Republican debate, Trump suggested a link between vaccinations and autism. He said, "People that work for me, just the other day, two years old, beautiful child went to have the vaccine and came back and a week later, got a tremendous fever, got very, very sick, now is autistic.”[18]
- On September 4, 2014, Trump tweeted, "I'm not against vaccinations for your children, I'm against them in 1 massive dose.Spread them out over a period of time & autism will drop!"[19]
- On March 28, 2014, Trump tweeted, "Healthy young child goes to doctor, gets pumped with massive shot of many vaccines, doesn't feel good and changes - AUTISM. Many such cases!"[20]
Ebola
- In October 2014, Trump posted messages on Twitter blaming President Obama for Ebola cases diagnosed in the United States.[21]
- After the CDC confirmed that a patient in Texas who had traveled to Liberia had Ebola, Trump tweeted, "Ebola is much easier to transmit than the CDC and government representatives are admitting. Spreading all over Africa-and fast. Stop flights."[22][23]
- After two Americans contracted Ebola while helping to treat patients in Liberia, Trump tweeted, "The U.S. cannot allow EBOLA infected people back. People that go to far away places to help out are great-but must suffer the consequences!"[24]
| The 2016 Republican Party Platform on epidemic control | ||||||
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Mike Pence
Zika virus
- On August 12, 2016, Pence tweeted that he had been briefed on the Indiana State Department of Health's efforts to prevent and respond to the Zika virus.[26]
- After learning of Indiana's first Zika case, Pence tweeted, "Hoosiers can be assured that @StateHealthIN (Indiana Health Dept.) is working diligently to study the Zika virus and will proactively keep you informed."[27]
Vaccinations
- According to Indiana Public Media, Pence said he lobbied against legislation that set a goal of having 80 percent of 13 to 15-year-olds in the state vaccinated against HPV by 2020. Pence lobbied against the bill because of his concern about government mandates. He said that the goal could “set Indiana on the path toward mandate, [which] created a concern for many people. I think it is a decision that’s best left to parents in consultation with their doctors.”[28][29]
- On February 3, 2015, Pence issued a statement on vaccinations. He wrote, “Indiana law requires all children be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases like the measles by getting vaccinated. Vaccines protect all our children from illnesses, and our administration strongly urges Hoosier families to have their children vaccinated.”[30]
Ebola
- Pence took part in a webcast to discuss Ebola with healthcare workers on October 9, 2014. He said, “At this time, we have no reported cases of Ebola virus in Indiana,” Pence said. “However, there is no doubt that the Ebola virus has been a cause for international concern and is a growing concern here in the U.S., now more than ever.” Referring to 2009's H1N1 pandemic flu and the first U.S. case of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome in 2015, Pence commented, “The professionalism, dedication and medical expertise demonstrated by our public health and healthcare community during these and other outbreaks gives me confidence that we are prepared to effectively respond to Ebola in our state, should we get a case."[31]
- Read more of Mike Pence's public statements on 2016 campaign issues
Green ticket
Jill Stein
Zika virus
- On September 19, 2016, Stein tweeted, "There's a lot that we can do to combat the Zika virus as a public health crisis using non-toxic means."[32]
Vaccinations
- On October 13, 2016, Stein tweeted, "I was part of a movement to remove mercury from vaccines. Incredibly, this public health win has been twisted to smear me as 'anti-vaccine.'"[33]
- At a town hall event hosted by CNN on August 17, 2016, Stein was asked if she was “anti-vaccine.” Stein said, “I think there's kind of an effort to divert the conversation from our actual agenda. The idea that I oppose vaccines is completely ridiculous.”[34]
- In an interview with The Washington Post published on July 29, 2016, Jill Stein said that while vaccines were “an invaluable medication,” she was concerned with vaccine safety and government oversight of mandatory vaccinations. "Like any medication, they also should be — what shall we say? — approved by a regulatory board that people can trust. And I think right now, that is the problem. That people do not trust a Food and Drug Administration, or even the CDC for that matter, where corporate influence and the pharmaceutical industry has a lot of influence."[35]
Ebola
- Following the 2014 Ebola outbreak, Jill Stein released a statement in October 2014. She wrote, "The discussion of Ebola in the US has been sorely lacking in a public health reality check, which Dr. Flowers has raised. In fact, the massive gaps in US health care create pockets of vulnerability, that could seed local Ebola hot spots in the US. The missed diagnosis of the first US Ebola case in Dallas is a red flag. This signal event resulted in a tragic delay of treatment and isolation, exposing up to 100 contacts, and potentially contributing to the patient's death. The diagnosis was missed because crucial information was not relayed through the electronic medical records system. Unfortunately, this is not a rare occurrence. Add to that crowded housing conditions and barriers to health care, there could be substantial risk - even potentially a perfect storm in the making for Ebola to take root in the US. The lesson is being driven home within the US as around the world: Health injustice anywhere is a threat to health everywhere. A truly health-protective response to Ebola should include urgent measures to implement a Medicare-for-all health care system to insure we are all protected from Ebola now and from future epidemics that inevitably lie ahead."[36]
| The 2016 Green Party Platform on epidemic control |
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The 2016 Green Party Platform does not specifically mention epidemic control.[37] |
Ajamu Baraka
Zika virus
- Ballotpedia was in 2016 unaware of any public statements made by Ajamu Baraka on the Zika virus.
Vaccinations
- Ballotpedia was in 2016 unaware of any public statements made by Ajamu Baraka on vaccinations.
Ebola
- Ballotpedia was in 2016 unaware of any public statements made by Ajamu Baraka on Ebola.
Libertarian ticket
Gary Johnson
Zika virus
- Ballotpedia is unaware of any public statements made by Gary Johnson on the Zika virus.
Vaccinations
- In a statement to Reason.com in August 2016, Gary Johnson sought to clarify his stance on mandatory vaccinations. He said, "Today, there are no federal laws mandating vaccinations, and that is as it should be. No adult should be required by the government to inject anything into his or her body. Each of the 50 states has varying vaccination requirements for children, consistent with their responsibilities for public education and providing a safe environment for students who are required to attend school under state law. Likewise, each of the 50 states has varying opportunities for parents to seek exemptions from vaccination requirements for legitimate reasons of personal belief. That, too, is as it should be. … Government has a responsibility to help keep our children and our communities safe. At the same time, government has a responsibility to preserve individual freedom. Vaccination policies must respect both of those responsibilities. I personally believe in vaccinations, and my children were vaccinated. But it is not for me to impose that belief on others."[38]
- Our America Initiative, a nonprofit co-founded by Johnson to promote "classical liberal" policies, announced in January 2015 that it supported a Mississippi advocacy group's effort to place "childhood vaccination decisions into the hands of parents and doctors."[39]
- Johnson tweeted in September 2011, "No to mandatory vaccines."[40]
Ebola
- In October 2014, Johnson said that marjiuana has "efficacy in regard to treating Ebola." He later clarified that he meant additional research should be conducted to determine the potential curative effects of the drug for Ebola patients.[41][42]
| The 2016 Libertarian Party Platform on epidemic control |
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The 2016 Libertarian Party Platform does not mention epidemic control.[43] |
Bill Weld
Zika virus
- Ballotpedia was in 2016 unaware of any public statements made by Bill Weld on the Zika virus.
Vaccinations
- Ballotpedia was in 2016 unaware of any public statements made by Bill Weld on vaccinations.
Ebola
- Ballotpedia was in 2016 unaware of any public statements made by Bill Weld on Ebola.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms 2016 presidential candidates Zika virus vaccination epidemic. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ World Health Organization, "Zika virus and complications," accessed August 6, 2016
- ↑ CNN, "'It's definitely scary': Miami residents grapple with Zika," August 5, 2016
- ↑ The Miami Herald, "New Zika case in SW Miami-Dade being investigated as spraying in Wynwood kills mosquitoes," August 4, 2016
- ↑ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Case Counts in the U.S." accessed September 14, 2016
- ↑ The New York Times, "Zika Bill Is Blocked by Senate Democrats Upset Over Provisions," June 28, 2016
- ↑ The Atlantic, "Hillary Clinton to Congress: Come Back to D.C. and Fund Zika Research," August 9, 2016
- ↑ Medium, "The time to take action against Zika is now," March 18, 2016
- ↑ Hillary for America, "Congress must approve emergency funding to fight this virus," May 19, 2016
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 CNN, "Hillary Clinton hits GOP with pro-vaccine tweet," February 3, 2015
- ↑ CBS Las Vegas, "Hillary Clinton: Ebola Is Not Going To Stay Confined," October 14, 2014
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Democratic Party, "The 2016 Democratic Party Platform," accessed August 5, 2016
- ↑ Politico, "Kaine calls on GOP to cancel recess and pass Zika bill," August 2, 2016
- ↑ Tim Kaine United States Senator for Virginia, "Kaine Receives Briefing on Virginia's Zika Virus Preparedness Efforts," July 5, 2016
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Kaine Says He'll Sign Bill Making Shots Mandatory," March 3, 2007
- ↑ Tim Kaine United States Senator for Virginia, "WARNER, KAINE REQUEST UPDATE ON VIRGINIA HOSPITALS’ EBOLA RESPONSE PREPAREDNESS & NEEDS FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES," October 17, 2014
- ↑ The Huffington Post, "Trump Silent On Zika Virus At 2 Florida Campaign Events," August 3, 2016
- ↑ The Guardian, "Donald Trump on vaccines: ‘It’s not helpful’, experts say," September 17, 2015
- ↑ Twitter, "Donald J. Trump," September 4, 2014
- ↑ Twitter, "Donald J. Trump," March 28, 2014
- ↑ USA Today, "Trump hits Twitter to blame Obama for Ebola in NYC," October 24, 2014
- ↑ Twitter, "Donald J. Trump," August 1, 2014
- ↑ ABC News, "Ebola in America: Timeline of the Deadly Virus," November 17, 2014
- ↑ Twitter, "Donald J. Trump," August 1, 2014
- ↑ Republican Party, "The 2016 Republican Party Platform," accessed August 5, 2016
- ↑ Twitter, "Governor Mike Pence," August 12, 2016
- ↑ Breaking News, "Zika Virus Outbreak (2015-present)," accessed August 18, 2016
- ↑ Indiana Public Media, "Pence Lobbies Against HPV Vaccinations," February 26, 2015
- ↑ IndyStar, "Gov. Mike Pence weighs as state HPV vaccine email draws criticism," October 23, 2015
- ↑ WOWO News Radio, "Governor Pence Issues Statement Regarding Vaccinations," February 3, 2015
- ↑ IndyStar, "Gov. Mike Pence confident Indiana is prepared to respond to Ebola," October 9, 2014
- ↑ Twitter, "Jill Stein," September 19, 2016
- ↑ Twitter, "Jill Stein," October 13, 2016
- ↑ CNN, "Jill Stein: I will have trouble sleeping at night if either Trump or Clinton is elected," August 17, 2016
- ↑ The Washington Post, "Jill Stein on vaccines: People have ‘real questions’," July 29, 2016
- ↑ Green Shadow Cabinet, "Health Justice the Best Cure for Ebola," October 8, 2014
- ↑ Green Party, "The 2016 Green Party Platform," accessed August 10, 2016
- ↑ Reason.com, "Libertarian Gary Johnson Comes Out Against Carbon Taxes, Mandatory Vaccines," August 26, 2016
- ↑ Our America Initiative, "Mississippi," accessed January 7, 2016
- ↑ Twitter, "Gov. Gary Johnson," September 12, 2011
- ↑ Marijuana.com, "Did Gary Johnson Say Marijuana Cures Ebola?" October 14, 2014
- ↑ High Times, "Marijuana and Ebola," October 20, 2014
- ↑ Libertarian Party, "The 2016 Libertarian Party Platform," accessed August 6, 2016
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