8/14/2024

Aug 14, 2024

My Dear Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            How was NOLA? It seems that the folks at Tulane gave you a warm reception, even though you made a joke about the tuition there. I love the idea of investing in more precise surgical procedures to remove cancerous cells. As I noted yesterday that investment should be coupled with education campaigns around health.

            Please consult with Dr. Jennifer Groos (JG) who wrote in the Des Moines Register regarding the idea that “food is medicine.” She notes, “90% of Americans are failing to eat the recommended amount of fruits & vegetables.” She suggests that we scale up programs like “Double Up – Food bucks” which they have at the mobile farmer’s market I go to. Yesterday it was parked in front of low-income housing a few blocks from my place & folks could buy carrots, zucchini & peppers with their SNAP cards. I spent $18 at full price & got plenty of food for several meals. Tonight, my husband plans to make eggplant parmesan! JG argues $13.6 billion in health care costs could be saved if programs like this were scaled across the country.

            If you really want to stop cancer, make sure that an expansion to the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP) is in the latest farm bill.

            I hope your call with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino (JRM) goes well. I’m sure you’ll talk about the Darién Gap & how we can protect the delicate & essential ecosystem there while also caring for the migrants who risk their lives trying to cross it.

            As usual, keep an eye on Burma. The latest news suggests that the junta’s relations with Japanese businesses continue to deteriorate as it tries to be tough on inflation while propping up the economy.

            BYBS,

            RCA