Subject: The Reality of Austerity and Public Health Consequences
Russ Vought’s claim that fears of benefit cuts leading to deaths are “totally ridiculous” dismisses well-documented evidence from the UK. Studies have shown that austerity measures implemented after 2010 contributed to hundreds of thousands of excess deaths, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Research estimates 190,000 excess deaths over a decade due to reductions in welfare benefits, healthcare funding, and other public services. Another study suggests the number may be closer to 335,000 between 2010 and 2019. These deaths were linked to increased poverty, worsening health outcomes, and reduced access to essential services—clear consequences of austerity-driven policies.
Ignoring this evidence is dangerous. If similar measures were introduced in the U.S., we would likely see similar devastation among low-income and marginalized communities. Economic policy cannot be divorced from public health. Austerity is not merely about balancing budgets—it has direct, measurable impacts on life expectancy, well-being, and societal stability.
Dismissing concerns about benefit-related deaths is not a defense of responsible governance, it is an attempt to evade accountability. The historical evidence is clear: austerity can kill. The real question is whether policymakers are willing to acknowledge this reality—or continue pretending it doesn’t exist.
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