Delaware
Gov. Meyer joins 14 Democratic governors in new Public Health Alliance. What to know
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Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer has joined 14 fellow Democratic leaders in announcing the creation of the Governors’ Public Health Alliance on Oct. 15.
This new coalition was developed to support state leaders in protecting the health and well-being of their residents, seemingly in critique of recent shifts in federal health guidance.
That work will include providing communication, sharing data centered on public health policy and guidance, emergency planning, “health threat detection” and consulting experts, according to a press release issued the same day.
This effort is also supported by the nonprofit platform GovAct, an initiative designed to support gubernatorial leaders in defending freedoms like access to public health.
Joining this group comes a little over a month after Meyer announced Delaware would also be part of a Northeastern regional public health coalition – which, in turn, came as reaction to the governors of California, Oregon and Washington reporting they would launch a West Coast Alliance.
The new coalition also intends to continue providing state leaders and their teams with resources and appropriate briefings regarding “major policy developments” related to public health, share coordinated plans ahead of significant events and provide opportunities to discuss issues surrounding health security.
“This alliance is a commitment to transparency, preparedness, and coordination so that no state faces health threats alone,” Meyer said in a statement that same day. “By working together, governors can share data, resources, and lessons learned to strengthen our preparedness for the next public health challenge.”
The new alliance includes Democratic governors from Maryland, Washington, Hawaii, New York, Oregon, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Jersey, California, Colorado, Illinois, North Carolina and Massachusetts, as well as the U.S. territory of Guam.
Olivia Montes covers state government and community impact for Delaware Online/The News Journal. If you have a tip or a story idea, reach out to her at omontes@delawareonline.com.