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OLYMPIA – Governor Bob Ferguson today announced that he is joining with other governors across the U.S. to launch the Governors Public Health Alliance, a new nonpartisan initiative bringing together governors across state lines to strengthen coordination, preparedness and response on public health issues.
In coordination with Governors Maura Healey (MA), Josh Green (HI), 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), the Alliance will allow states to explore data-sharing, align on guidance and act quickly in the face of emerging health threats — from seasonal illness outbreaks to future global health challenges.
“I’m proud to join this Alliance of governors across the country who are committed to protecting the health of our residents,” Governor Ferguson said. “Diseases don’t stop at state or national borders — and preparedness shouldn’t either. By joining forces, we will act faster and communicate better to ensure our communities stay healthy.”
The Governors Public Health Alliance will serve as a nonpartisan coordinating hub for governors and their public health leaders and a unified, cross-state liaison with the global health community. The Alliance also provides a platform for governors to exchange best practices, align policies and coordinate on issues like vaccine access, emergency response and health security.
The Governors Public Health Alliance supports national coordination on public health at the gubernatorial level – complementing existing mechanisms and interfacing with entities like the West Coast Health Alliance, of which Washington is a part. The Governors Public Health Alliance will facilitate this 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.
The Governors Public Health Alliance is supported by the Governors Action Alliance (GovAct), a nonprofit, nonpartisan initiative that supports governors in protecting fundamental freedoms, including public health. The Alliance is advised by leading public health experts, including former CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen, former Alaska Chief Medical Officer Dr. Anne Zink and Dr. Raj Panjabi, former White House Senior Director for Global Health Security and Biodefense. As an initiative of GovAct, the Alliance will also be advised by GovAct’s Bipartisan Advisory Board of former governors and former senior federal officials.
“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.”
“Governors are being asked to do more with less—daily. And yet the challenges keep growing,” said Julia Spiegel, founder and CEO of 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.”
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 provide governors and their teams with timely briefings, policy toolkits and coordinated strategies to respond to major public health events and consistent communication across states and communities.
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