ASTHO’s federal legislative agenda guides the organization's advocacy work and sets priorities for the government affairs team. The team's success is measured by the impact of that work.
The disparities experienced during the COVID pandemic have brought a national focus to health equity in our nation. The attention and resources currently being provided to help address health inequities provide an opportunity that I have ...
On March 23, 2023, ASTHO President Anne Zink testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.
On March 10, 2020, ASTHO member and Mississippi state health officer, Thomas Dobbs, MD, MPH, testified before a House subcommittee about the state of the COVID-19 response.
On Dec. 15, 2021, ASTHO released its list of the top 10 state public health policy issues to watch in 2022. Although COVID-19 did not make the “official” list, it is woven into the management plan for nearly every trend. The 10 public ...
The federal legislative priorities listed in this document reflect the most pressing needs of ASTHO's members in 2023: state and territorial health officials.
In January 2024, ASTHO sent a letter to President Biden asking for the administration's support in adopting and implementing a federal rule to prohibit the sale of menthol flavored combustible cigarettes.
On Oct. 20, 2023, ASTHO submitted a response to a Request for Information from the U.S. Senate's Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee on the modernization of CDC.
On July 10, 2023, ASTHO submitted comments on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions bipartisan discussion draft to reauthorize the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act.
This post has been updated. It was originally published on June 4, 2025.
Public Health Implications of House-Passed Reconciliation Bill Public Health Implications of One Big Beautiful Bill Learn how the House-passed reconciliation bill impacts critical public health programs in this legislative alert. On May ...
On June 26, 2024, the House Labor Health and Human Services and Education (LHHS) appropriations subcommittee released its version of the FY25 LHHS appropriations bill.
ASTHO CEO Michael Fraser's Testimony in Regards to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the Committee on Appropriations, United States Senate
Lame Duck Session Priorities in Congress 2024 Lame Duck Session Priorities in Congress Catherine Jones With several public health/health care policies set to expire, learn about the must-dos and must-haves that lawmakers have just weeks ...
ASTHO has its Federal Legislative Agenda priorities set for 2020.
A brief recap of the 2023 fall legislative session on the Hill, especially as it pertains to public health.
Federal Government Affairs Engaging in Government Affairs for Public Health Access timely information about public health related policies, and tap into the legislative and advocacy expertise of ASTHO’s Government Affairs team. ASTHO ...
One Big Beautiful Bill Law Summary Learn how the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill impacts key public health initiatives in this legislative alert. On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) into ...
Summary of FY24 Senate LHHS Appropriations Bill maternal and child health, substance use prevention, essential health care programs, mental health, healthcare access, human services, labor health, community health centers, capitol hill, ...