By Ricky Dana
To my fellow Missourians and to Americans across this country,
Public health is in trouble. In the last 48 hours, several top leaders at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention resigned after the abrupt firing of CDC Director Susan Monarez. Their message was simple and serious: when politics overrules science, families pay the price.
What just happened
Dr. Susan Monarez was fired less than a month after taking the helm at the CDC, following clashes over vaccine policy. In response, senior officials — including Dr. Debra Houry, Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, and Dr. Daniel Jernigan — resigned in protest. Staff at CDC headquarters in Atlanta publicly showed support for the departing leaders. These aren’t routine personnel changes; they are a warning flare about interference with the scientific work that protects our communities.
Why this matters in rural Missouri and everywhere else
Rural families rely on clear, honest guidance — during flu season, outbreaks, and natural disasters. When experts are pushed out and evidence is sidelined, confidence drops and confusion grows. That hurts parents making decisions for their kids, seniors managing chronic conditions, and workers who just need straight answers.
What I will fight for
Transparency and oversight: Congress must insist on open processes and public documentation for major health decisions.
Science-based leadership: Keep qualified experts in charge of disease surveillance, vaccine policy, and emergency response — not political operatives.
Respect for communities like ours: Public health guidance must be practical, plain-spoken, and based on real-world evidence from rural counties as well as big cities.
Call to action
We can’t afford politics that gamble with our health. When you elect me as your congressman, I will fight to restore science-based leadership, protect Missouri families, and make sure public health decisions serve people — not ideology.
— Ricky Dana, Candidate for U.S. House – Missouri’s 4th District
Sources:
PBS NewsHour – Aug. 28, 2025 episode (segment: “Public health is in trouble”)
Washington Post – White House fires CDC director who says RFK Jr. is ‘weaponizing public health’
Reuters – US CDC chief fired after weeks in role; four top officials resign