Federal Government Affairs

ASTHO offers personalized legislative and advocacy expertise to our members. Additionally, ASTHO helps prepare them to provide testimony before Congress or participate in congressional briefings.

We also provide congressional leaders and their staff with timely and relevant information regarding public health activities in their respective jurisdictions to guide their consideration of public health related policies.

Federal Legislative Agenda

Each year, ASTHO’s Board of Directors reviews and approves our federal legislative agenda to ensure it represents the most critical needs of state and territorial public health officials at the federal level. It is prioritized into three tiers:

  • Tier one represents priority areas where ASTHO will play a lead role in advocacy.
  • Tier two includes issues where ASTHO will actively collaborate with key partners.
  • Tier three covers issues that ASTHO will monitor and advocate for, as time permits.

Login to Access the Agenda

Governmental Public Health Appropriations Book

The government affairs team produces a variety of resources annually to support our advocacy efforts. Our governmental public health appropriations book is a flagship product that incudes expert analysis from ASTHO and affiliate staff. The appropriations book also represents a wide array of core public health programs and the recommendations by these organizations for annual appropriations to CDC, HRSA, and SAMHSA so they receive necessary resources to execute their missions.

Download the Book (PDF)

Legislative Alerts

The government affairs team regularly sends legislative alerts to members, affiliates, and public health advocates with the most up-to-date information on emerging public health policies from Congress and the administration. Legislative alerts encourage members to actively engage with their members of Congress to advocate for policies that improve the public’s health.

View the Alerts

Testimony Before Congress

State and territorial health officials are leading experts in public health practice and speak to Congress frequently about the impact of federal policy on their jurisdiction. State and territorial health officials testified on COVID-19, the opioid crisis, vaping, and funding for public health.

View the Testimony

Capitol with text overlay of View From Washington, D.C. with Carolyn Mullen and Jeffery EkomaView from Washington

Join members of ASTHO's Federal Government Affairs team as they break down public health policy on Public Health Review Morning Edition.

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Latest Federal Affairs Resources

ASTHO Legislative Alert.
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Federal Government Shutdown Update: Contingency Plans Released

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ASTHO Legislative Alert.
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Summary of FY26 Continuing Resolution

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ASTHO Federal Health Policy Update
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Federal, State, and Stakeholder Perspectives on the Rural Health Transformation Fund

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ASTHO Legislative Alert.
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Summary of FY26 House LHHS Appropriations Bill

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ASTHO's CMO Series with Susan Kansagra, MD
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Understanding and Applying for the Rural Health Transformation Program

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ASTHO's CMO Series with Susan Kansagra, MD
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Levers for Preventing Chronic Disease That Intersect with Key MAHA Report Themes

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ASTHO Legislative Alert.
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Summary of FY26 Senate Appropriations Bill

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ASTHO Federal Health Policy Update.
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Federal Preparedness Programs Support Health Departments

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