R.I.S.E. ID: Adaptations to the Current Political Climate for the Infectious Diseases Frontline

Executive order–driven federal cuts and workforce contractions have immediately threatened health outcomes. These actions are broadly destructive, unfolding alongside ongoing, multistate outbreaks and deaths from vaccine-preventable illnesses. Furthermore, proposed steep cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act will have dire consequences for millions of Americans if passed into law. Given the urgency of collectively devastating federal actions, all healthcare providers must adapt, regardless of job role. Immediate societal harm through a loss of healthcare coverage and support of basic needs (eg, food stamps), erosion of pandemic preparedness, and loss of scientific expertise are just a few anticipated harms. Ultimately, increased downstream healthcare spending on a sicker society may ensue. While federal actions have “flooded the zone,” the infectious diseases workforce can actively R.I.S.E. (Recommit, Innovate, Speak Up, Evaluate) by recommitting to the most relevant issues impacting our patients, exercising our professional voices, and upholding our values.