Vice President J.D. Vance expressed concerns about the U.S. health care system, stating that it is failing residents in Appalachia, who he believes are being “left behind.”
At the Make America Healthy Again Summit on Wednesday, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. referred to Vance as “something of an Appalachian golden child.” Kennedy noted Vance’s background, mentioning his education at Ohio State University and Yale University, as well as his success as a best-selling author. During the event, Vance highlighted the frustration among Appalachian residents regarding job losses to overseas countries, along with their distress over the reduced lifespans of their loved ones.
President Kennedy remarked that Vance’s achievements stand as a “tragic reminder of the lost potential” experienced by many others in the region, which faces significant health challenges, including high rates of addiction, obesity, alcoholism, and suicide—reported to be the worst in the nation.
“In the U.S., when we look at regions with declining life expectancy, Appalachia is at the forefront,” Vance said, reflecting on the impact of personal loss since his father passed away from cancer a few years ago.
Responding to a question from his wife, Usha Vance, about influential male figures in his life who reached the age of 70, Vance shared that his grandfather died at 67 due to a “very preventable disease,” and lamented that none of his uncles lived past 69.
“It’s striking that folks from Appalachia are accustomed to losing loved ones early on,” Vance observed. “If we’re talking about populism and anger, then yes, people do get upset over job loss and things moving away. Yet, that anger can feel even more profound when faced with the reality of their loved ones dying sooner than others.”
Continuing, Vance reflected on his own experiences, saying, “Sure, I’ve had an incredible journey. I feel fortunate and thankful, but there’s a sense of guilt too. Many who grew up in similar conditions didn’t have the financial support or the opportunities to create the kind of loving families that Usha and I have.” He articulated a desire to provide similar chances for others and expressed anger over the failures of leadership that led to the current situation.
“You know, when we talk about Appalachia, these are people who may not have much, yet they’ll give their last shirt to someone in need. That’s just who they are,” he added.
“This region should not be forgotten,” Vance concluded, emphasizing that residents deserve “better, healthier lives” and asserting their abandonment by the country’s leadership.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), those living in the Appalachian region, spanning about “205,000 square miles from northern Mississippi to New York state,” face considerable health issues.
Additionally, residents in these counties contend with elevated “unemployment and poverty rates,” as noted on the CDC’s website.
