Letter to the Editor

It is not surprising that Iowa has been given low marks in the fight against cancer by the American Cancer Society.

It is especially upsetting after the $1.7 billion settlement by the tobacco industry to the state of Iowa that Gov. Terry Branstad and the state legislature would not continue to fund programs that would prevent new tobacco addicts.

Under Branstad's direction in 2011, the newly appointed public health director, Dr. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, eliminated the full-time administrator position for its anti-tobacco division. Branstad's budget cuts to the statewide teen group, Just Eliminate Lies (JEL), doomed that successful program.

We need a new governor who cares about the health of Iowans.

Julie Stewart Ziesman

Waukee