Health Reform

A transformed U.S. health system demands new and different commitments and investments from both government and the private sector. The United States must establish health as the default outcome, rather than obesity and chronic illness. It is imperative we begin now by creating a shared vision and taking steps to generate a United States that is the healthiest nation in a healthier world.The ASTHO Task Force on Health Reform was formed in recognition of the critical need to ensure public health is included in state and national reform plans and the clear role that ASTHO must play in ensuring such inclusion.

ASTHO seeks a health reform bill that will:

• Create and maintain a dedicated, stable funding streat for state population based public health programs.
• Strengthen the recruitment and retention of public health professionals to address the shortage of public health workers, so that state and local public health agencies can respond to natural and manmade disasters, infections disease outbreaks, foodborne illness, and other public health threats and emergencies.
• Allow Vaccines for Children Act funds to be used at public health clinics--this would expand access to childhood vaccines that save thousands of lives and prevent many hospitalizations and illnesses.

ASTHO members testimony to Congress on public health and health reform.