GovAct Press Release: 15 Governors Launch Governors Public Health Alliance to Safeguard Public Health, Strengthen Preparedness, and Coordinate Across Borders
Nonpartisan initiative will be supported by GovAct and help states and territories to coordinate and address health threats across state lines
WASHINGTON – Today, Governors Bob Ferguson (WA), Josh Green (HI), Maura Healey (MA), Kathy Hochul (NY), Tina Kotek (OR), Ned Lamont (CT), Lou Leon Guerrero (GU), Dan McKee (RI), Matt Meyer (DE), Wes Moore (MD), Phil Murphy (NJ), Gavin Newsom (CA), Jared Polis (CO), JB Pritzker (IL), and Josh Stein (NC) announced the launch of the Governors Public Health Alliance, a new coalition of governors designed to protect the health of people across the U.S.
The Governors Public Health Alliance will serve as a nonpartisan coordinating hub for governors and their public health leaders. The Governors Public Health Alliance will support Governors and their states in coordinating and collaborating to protect the public’s health by facilitating data sharing and communication about health threat detection, emergency preparedness and response, public health guidance and policy, and deployment of experts.
The Governors Public Health Alliance supports national coordination on public health at the gubernatorial level – complementing existing mechanisms and interfacing with entities like the Northeast Public Health Collaborative and West Coast Health Alliance. The Governors Public Health Alliance will serve as a unified, cross-state liaison with the global health community and will facilitate cross-state collaboration by bringing together regional and other groups to share best practices and surface common challenges, elevating national considerations for vaccine policy and regulatory solutions to keep science front and center.
The Alliance welcomes further engagement across Governors’ Offices and with public health associations and other relevant groups.
From the Governors
“We can no longer rely on the information coming out of Washington, D.C., but our states are coming together to unequivocally state that science still matters,” said Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson. “Diseases don’t stop at state borders — and preparedness shouldn’t either. By joining forces, we will act faster and communicate better to ensure our communities stay healthy.”
“Viruses and illness don’t stop at state borders and our preparedness shouldn’t either,” said Hawaiʻi Governor Dr. Josh Green, the nation’s only sitting governor who is also a physician. “I am proud to be part of this new effort, giving governors and our public health teams new tools to coordinate and deliver clear, consistent, science-based guidance to the public at a time when we are facing unprecedented public health challenges.”
“While Donald Trump and RFK Jr. turn their backs on public health, Governors are stepping up to make sure our residents have the health care they need and deserve,” said Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey. “Massachusetts is glad to join this coalition with states from across the country to build on the work we’ve been doing in the northeast to safeguard public health, including access to vaccines.”
“From undermining vaccine access and abortion rights to slashing billions in Medicaid funding from those in need, the federal government is wreaking havoc on public health and the institutions we rely on,” New York Governor Kathy Hochul said. “The Governors Public Health Alliance will allow our states to share resources, coordinate with global partners, and deploy the tools and information needed to meet public health threats and protect the American people.”
“Oregonians deserve a health system that’s ready to meet the moment — whether that’s a wildfire smoke event, a virus outbreak, or a long-term public health challenge,” Oregon Governor Tina Kotek said. “This alliance is about staying one step ahead and making sure every Oregonian has access to the care, information, and protection they need. I’m proud that Oregon is working with other states to make that happen.”
“Connecticut is proud to join an alliance that strengthens our collaboration with other states and protects the health and wellbeing of our residents, while preparing against future threats,” said Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont. “Whether it was during the COVID pandemic or any other public health crisis, it’s important for governors to speak with one voice and communicate clearly with our communities to keep them safe. Once again states are stepping up, amid federal uncertainty, to ensure our residents have the information they need to stay protected.”
“On Guam, we see the effects when people – especially children – are not vaccinated,” said Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “We’ve had cases of measles and other communicable diseases when our neighbors from the outer islands visit or pass through Guam, and they haven’t had the chance to be vaccinated. So we know how important it is to protect access to vaccines and other public health protective measures.”
“Public health is the foundation of everything that makes our states strong: our economy, our schools, our families,” said Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee. “At a time when public health leadership from Washington D.C. is increasingly unstable, we are committed to stepping up to create clear, coordinated leadership led by facts and science. I’m proud to join this alliance of fellow governors because when we work together, we get results and that’s exactly what this moment demands.”
“Protecting the health of our communities doesn’t stop at our state borders,” said Delaware Governor Matt Meyer. “This alliance is a commitment to transparency, preparedness, and coordination so that no state faces health threats alone. By working together, governors can share data, resources, and lessons learned to strengthen our preparedness for the next public health challenge. Delaware is proud to join this effort to make our state—and our nation—safer and healthier.”
“At a time when the federal government is telling the states, ‘you’re on your own,’ governors are banding together,” said Maryland Governor Wes Moore. “In Maryland, we believe that everyone should have access to affordable, effective health care. We proudly stand with our peers across the country who share in that vital mission.”
“New Jersey’s approach to public health will always be grounded in collaboration and science. I am proud to formalize these partnerships as we navigate uncertain times and build trust in evidence-based practices,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. “Through this collaboration, we look forward to working closely with governors across our nation to combat serious public health threats.”
“California is proud to help launch this new alliance because the American people deserve a public health system that puts science before politics,” said California Governor Gavin Newsom. “As extremists try to weaponize the CDC and spread misinformation, we’re stepping up to coordinate across states, protect communities, and ensure decisions are driven by data, facts, and the health of the American people.”
“Every American deserves access to health care and this alliance will strengthen public health for everyone. Colorado is proud to be a leader in healthy living, and with this new opportunity to work together, we can share our best practices and innovative approach to public health, while learning from our colleagues around the country. With regular uncertainty and less resources from Washington D.C., Governors are on the front lines of public health. This new partnership will help states deliver consistent, commonsense solutions that prevent the spread of disease, save lives, and protect our freedom,” said Colorado Governor Jared Polis.
“When the Trump Administration abandons its responsibility to protect public health, Illinois steps up. We are proud to join the Governors Public Health Alliance and stand alongside state partners in helping provide reliable public health information,” said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. “We will continue to follow the science, listen to medical experts, and do everything in our power to ensure families across the country and in Illinois receive the health care they need.”
“In North Carolina, we believe in neighbors helping neighbors, and that is exactly why I joined 14 other Governors and their public health officials across the country to form this partnership,” said North Carolina Governor Josh Stein. “I look forward to working with them to learn from each other and share timely information, ideas, and workable solutions to address the biggest health problems Americans face today.”
Supported by GovAct and Public Health Experts
The Governors Public Health Alliance is supported by GovAct, a nonprofit, nonpartisan initiative that supports governors in protecting fundamental freedoms, including public health. The Alliance is guided by a bipartisan set of public health advisors: Dr. Mandy Cohen, former CDC Director and North Carolina Secretary of Health and Human Services; Dr. Anne Zink, former Alaska Chief Medical Officer; and Dr. Raj Panjabi, former White House Senior Director for Global Health Security and Biodefense; as well as Amb. Nina Hachigian, former U.S. Special Representative for City and State Diplomacy. As an initiative of GovAct, the Alliance is also guided by GovAct’s Bipartisan Advisory Board of former governors — Arne Carlson (R-MN), Jim Doyle (D-WI), Deval Patrick (D-MA), Marc Racicot (R-MT), Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS), and Bill Weld (R-MA) — and former senior federal officials Sally Yates and Larry Thompson.
“With many health threats at our doorstep, collaboration and communication between Governors is essential to protect the health of families and save lives,” said Dr. Mandy Cohen, former CDC Director and former North Carolina Secretary for Health and Human Services. “This alliance creates the framework to support the national coordination needed to safeguard communities.”
Participating states have already begun sharing best practices, receiving briefings from public health experts, and coordinating on executive actions governors can take to strengthen public health protections, including standing orders or directives to preserve access to COVID-19 vaccines.
The Alliance will continue to provide governors and their teams with toolkits and timely briefings on major policy developments in public health, share coordinated strategies ahead of high-profile events and offer opportunities to discuss health security issues.
“Governors are being asked to do more with less—daily. And yet the challenges keep growing,” said Julia Spiegel, founder and CEO of the Governors Action Alliance (GovAct). “GovAct is here to help bring capacity, expertise, and know-how so that governors have the tools they need to act decisively, together, to protect the health and well-being of their people.”
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About GovAct
Governors Action Alliance (GovAct) is a nonprofit nonpartisan initiative that helps governors work across state lines to champion fundamental freedoms and improve people’s lives. GovAct serves as a centralized platform for collaboration across governors’ offices—incubating, launching, and supporting alliances of governors. These alliances share cutting-edge policy and legal approaches to some of the most challenging and critical issues we face. To learn more, go to www.GovActAlliance.org.