Cutting Costs
Cutting Lives
The Human Cost of Policy Decisions
Cutting Costs
Cutting Lives
The Human Cost of Policy Decisions
What happens when a government abandons its duty to protect the public’s health? Cutting Costs / Cutting Lives is an ongoing interview series taking viewers inside the human cost of the recent administration’s devastating reductions to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
In each interview, we shine a light on the lives disrupted, and in many cases endangered, by the deliberate dismantling of public health protections. Through powerful, first-person conversations, we hear from patients, caregivers, experts in their field, and former public servants who reveal what was lost when science was sidelined and safety net systems were stripped bare.
This is not just a series about policy failure. It is a series about survival, resistance, and the urgent need to rebuild. Cutting Costs / Cutting Lives is an ongoing call to accountability and a tribute to those left behind by a system in retreat.
Dr. Ubaka Ogbogu
LLB, BL, LLM, SJD Professor, Faculty of Law University of Alberta; Katz Group Chair in Health Law, Research Chair, Ethics Board
Jesse Gilpatrick
Center for Independence, Disability Advocate
New interviews are coming, and these stories demand to be heard. We are still collecting powerful first-person accounts that reveal what happens when cost-cutting replaces care, and when policy decisions have real human consequences. Whether you are a patient, caregiver, healthcare worker, public servant, or advocate, your story matters. These interviews will be featured across our digital platforms to amplify truth, promote accountability, and inform the broader conversation on public health ethics and equity.
If your life or work has been impacted by government failures in health protection, we want to hear from you. Please reach out to us at info@wailofatale.org, or any of our social media contacts here.
Wail of a Tale Productions creates commercial media, including Public Service Announcements (PSAs), designed to spark conversation and ignite curiosity. Our educational commercials tackle critical social issues, raising awareness and galvanizing action.
Our founder, Marty Pack has been a catalyst for change, particularly in the realm of policy. Through her independent producer role, Marty has created impactful documentaries, such as Maria’s Story: Undocumented Violence, which have ignited essential conversations around immigration, domestic violence, and the intersections of policy with marginalized communities. In addition, her film The Takeover of Testing critically examines the impact of standardized testing on education policies and their disproportionate effect on students in underserved areas. These films have educated lawmakers, organizations, and the public, influencing policy changes and amplifying the voices of those often left unheard.
Rebecca Tarrant
Founder - Autistic Youth International, Global Ambassador & U.S. Coordinator - Neurodiversity Foundation