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Predictions regarding how the health system would be impacted in the event of a U.S. default paint a grim picture for the country and for public health.

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ASTHO Members and Staff Named to Inaugural List of 40 Under 40 Public Health Leaders ARLINGTON, VA—Members and staff of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) received recognition today from the de Beaumont Foundation for their contributions and leadership in the public health field. The de Beaumont Foundation’s inaugural "40 Under 40 in Public Health" list honors several health officials, health department staff, and ASTHO staff and affiliates, including: Jonathan Ballard, Chief Medical Officer, New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Christa Cupp, Public Health Educator, Wisconsin Department of Health Services, Division of Public Health, Office of Policy and Practice Alignment Julian Drix, Asthma Program Manager, Rhode Island Department of Health Eric Harkness, Director, Office of Health Policy, Tennessee Department of Health Jeffrey Howard, Commissioner and Chief Medical Officer, Kentucky Department for Public Health Joseph Kanter, Assistant State Health Officer and Region One Medical Director, Louisiana Department of Health Joneigh Khaldun, Chief Medical Executive and Chief Deputy Director for Health, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Carolyn Mullen, Chief of Government Affairs and Public Relations, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials Kaitlyn Neises-Mocanu, Special Assistant for Policy, Sustainability, and Development, Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation Jamila Porter, Director of Programs and Evaluation, Safe States Alliance (ASTHO Affiliate) Lauren Powell, Director, Office of Health Equity, Virginia Department of Health Alison Traynor, North Dakota Suicide Prevention Program Director, North Dakota Department of Health  Mariah Wilberg, Communications Specialist and Health Educator, Minnesota Department of Health "I am thrilled and honored to see ASTHO leaders represented on this list," says Michael Fraser, ASTHO's chief executive officer. "Their inclusion speaks to the passion, commitment, and tireless effort demonstrated every day by both ASTHO and the state and territorial public health leaders we represent in order to improve the nation's health."  A panel of judges selected these individuals based on their fresh perspectives, creative problem-solving, and innovative health solutions in communities across the country. Nominees for the "40 Under 40 in Public Health" list included a wide range of public health professionals, including health commissioners, directors of health equity, doulas, and epidemiologists. For more information about the "40 Under 40 in Public Health" honorees and their accomplishments, visit de Beaumont Foundation's 40 under 40 page. ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

Government affairs officers from ASTHO and NACCHO discuss approaching public health advocacy as a coalition and the upcoming 2020 Hill Day.

Hill Day Advocacy at ASTHO’s 2026 Spring Leadership Forum Hill Day Advocacy at 2026 Spring Leadership Forum Catherine Jones Learn about key topics from Hill Day at ASTHO's 2026 Spring Leadership Forum, including crucial public health funding and access to care. While spring brings many familiar rites of passage, ASTHO’s Spring Leadership Forum stands out as a defining moment each year. For one week, ASTHO Board Members convene with health officials from states and the U.S. territories and freely associated states (FAS) in Washington, D.C., to examine pressing public health policy issues, participate in leadership and policy training, and align cross-jurisdictional priorities. This year’s forum saw a record number of more than 40 health officials. It included discussions with federal agency experts, meetings with congressional offices during Hill Day, and specialized sessions (e.g., Rural Health Academy and public health communications in the AI Era). Federal Agency Meetings ASTHO’s Board of Directors met with leadership from HHS, including representatives from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, CMS, Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, SAMHSA, and HRSA. Discussions focused on: Strategic priorities for each agency. How to strengthen federal-state collaboration. Sustaining public health infrastructure. Addressing emerging health priorities. Hill Day Meetings About Public Health Funding ASTHO organized meetings with members of Congress and their staff to highlight the importance of sustained, stable, and robust public health funding — specifically, the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) and Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). PHIG A central priority was advocating for a $1 billion allocation for PHIG in FY27 to strengthen the public health workforce, data systems, and foundational capabilities health departments rely on. Officials noted the impactful use of PHIG dollars in their states, how this funding directly supports local health departments, and emphasized that public health funding has historically followed a boom-and-bust cycle tied to emergencies — leaving federal agencies and state and local health departments to respond to major crises without consistent infrastructure and workforce support between events. RHTP Conversations also addressed the Rural Health Transformation Program and the challenges of deploying large federal investments quickly and effectively. Participants discussed an innovative pilot that allows Medicare reimbursement for emergency medical services responding to calls that do not result in hospital transport. Additional topics included: Clinical workforce shortages. Measles outbreaks. Vaccine access and insurance coverage. Emergency preparedness (i.e., the Strategic National Stockpile). Adequate lab capacity. Impacts of delays in federal grant funding. Workforce. Broader efforts to redesign health care systems to prioritize prevention and keep patients out of emergency rooms. Hill Day Discussions with U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States Meetings with congressional committees focused on issues facing the U.S. territories and FAS, such as those surrounding Medicaid funding and access to care for veterans. Medicaid Funding Territorial health leaders emphasized the critical role Medicaid plays in sustaining island healthcare systems, where the program serves as a backbone of coverage for many residents. Congressional action has helped stabilize territorial Medicaid funding by establishing a permanent 83 percent Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) for the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa, and a temporary 76 percent FMAP for Puerto Rico. However, leaders stressed that Medicaid funding remains vulnerable to statutory caps that are too low and future policy changes. They also emphasized Puerto Rico’s current FMAP will expire in 2027. Access to Care for Veterans Representatives from FAS (the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau) raised concerns about access to health care and mental health services for veterans. While veterans from these nations are eligible for certain benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs, many must travel long distances to receive care in Guam or U.S. states — creating significant financial and logistical barriers. Leaders emphasized solutions to improve access, including: Expanding telehealth services. Mail-order pharmacy options. Beneficiary travel programs. Leveraging existing on-island hospitals and clinics. Ensuring veterans can receive care and age in place in their home communities supports their health, strengthens local health systems, and reinforces longstanding partnerships between U.S. states and critical Pacific Island allies. Looking Ahead ASTHO extends its sincere appreciation to the members of Congress, congressional staff, committee staff, and federal agency leaders who met with state and island delegations and engaged in thoughtful dialogue on strengthening public health systems. In the months ahead, ASTHO’s Government Affairs team will continue working closely with congressional offices to provide timely data and perspectives, and to advocate for sustained federal investment in public health programs and territorial and FAS health care issues. ASTHO remains committed to advancing solutions to ensure health agencies have the resources and flexibility needed to address today’s public health challenges and prepare for those ahead. Reviewed by - Carolyn Mullen article yes

Advocating on Capitol Hill for strong public health systems is critical to advancing the work of state and territorial health agencies. ASTHO's 2019 “Washington Week” has come and gone, but the work is far from over.