Policy & Advocacy

As the national voice for local health departments, NACCHO serves a critical role in Washington, advocating for local public health with federal policymakers. Our advocacy efforts are guided by our Federal Legislative and Policy Agenda, which is informed by our members and approved annually by NACCHO’s Board of Directors. Our key priorities are:

  • Strengthening and supporting the public health workforce;
  • Bolstering and improving access to federal public health funding, including resources to support public health infrastructure and data modernization at the local health department level;
  • Ensuring federal public health funding flows from the federal to states and local communities quickly and equitably; and
  • Addressing a wide range of public health concerns through work in coalition with partners.

 

NACCHO's policy statements and communications to Congress and the administration on a multitude of issues can be found below. The organization's Board of Directors determines positions on public health issues. Learn how local health departments have used NACCHO's policy statements to influence local, state and federal policy.

NACCHO members participate actively in the organization's policy development process through workgroups. Individual members are also invited to submit policy statements to be considered by the relevant workgroup and the Board of Directors.

Connect with NACCHO Government Affairs.

Subscribe Today

News from Washington

Sign up for NACCHO's weekly e-newsletter which provides a rundown of all the action in Washington.

Subscribe Today

News from Washington

Listen Now

The NACCHO Podcast

Get monthly updates from D.C. and interviews with public health officials. You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Listen Now

The NACCHO Podcast

Get Involved

Take Action

Visit NACCHO's action center to join our Congressional Action Network and get in touch with your federal representatives.

Get Involved

Take Action

Local health department officials are encouraged to contact their Members of Congress to educate them on issues surrounding public health.

    Read

    Advocacy Toolkit

    NACCHO's 2026 Advocacy Toolkit

    Read

    Advocacy Toolkit

    Government Affairs

    2025 Federal Legislative and Policy Agenda

    The Federal Agenda is informed by local health department input and approved annually by the Board of Directors.

    Government Affairs

    2025 Federal Legislative and Policy Agenda

    Read

    Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program FAQs

    Answers to frequently asked questions on the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program.

    Read

    Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program FAQs

    Read

    Public Health Workforce Factsheet

    A factsheet on the current public health workforce landscape and why a loan repayment program is needed for a sustainable workforce.

    Read

    Public Health Workforce Factsheet

    Read

    Local Health Departments Impact Our Lives Everyday

    Local health departments at the city and county level are on the front lines of ensuring the health of the public.

    Read

    Local Health Departments Impact Our Lives Everyday

    Read

    NACCHO’s Recommendations for the Next President & Congress

    The incoming Presidential Administration and 119th Congress have a unique opportunity to strengthen the public health system.

    Read

    NACCHO’s Recommendations for the Next President & Congress

    Read

    Advocacy vs Lobbying

    A factsheet to better identify the differences between advocacy and lobbying.

    Read

    Advocacy vs Lobbying

    Read Now

    Public Health is Local

    A Common-Sense Investment to Achieve National Health Security and Prosperity

    Read Now

    Public Health is Local

    Read

    Public Health Is Local

    A Step-by-Step Guide to Taking In-District Educational Meetings with Your Members of Congress

    Read

    Public Health Is Local

    You can find blog posts on federal policy on NACCHO Voice.

    NACCHO’s Coverage of FY27 HHS Budget Hearings

    Robert F. Kennedy Jr., HHS Secretary, appeared before seven congressional...

    Apr 24, 2026

    NACCHO’s Coverage of FY27 HHS Budget Hearings

    NACCHO Analysis: FY27 President’s Budget Request

    Last week, the White House released its Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) President’s...

    Apr 07, 2026

    NACCHO Analysis: FY27 President’s Budget Request

    Local Public Health Leaders Advocate for Federal Support

    NACCHO was proud to convene more than 100 local public health professionals in...

    Mar 03, 2026 | Victoria Van de Vate

    Local Public Health Leaders Advocate for Federal Support

    Congress Releases Bicameral Fiscal Year 2026 Labor-HHS...

    Congress released the bill text and joint explanatory statement of the...

    Jan 21, 2026 | Victoria Van de Vate

    Congress Releases Bicameral Fiscal Year 2026 Labor-HHS...

    NACCHO Government Affairs 2025 Year in Review

    NACCHO had a busy year advocating on behalf of local public health in Congress...

    Dec 19, 2025 | Lauren Soule, Molly Curington, Victoria Van de Vate

    NACCHO Government Affairs 2025 Year in Review

    House Appropriations Committee Releases FY26 Labor-HHS Bill

    On September 9, the House Appropriations Committee approved its FY26 Labor,...

    Sep 12, 2025

    House Appropriations Committee Releases FY26 Labor-HHS Bill

    Secretary Kennedy Testifies Before Senate Finance...

    On September 4, Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy...

    Sep 05, 2025

    Secretary Kennedy Testifies Before Senate Finance...

    • Advocacy

    Senate Appropriations Committee Passes FY26 Labor-HHS Bill

    The Senate Appropriations Committee approved its FY26 Labor-HHS Appropriations...

    Aug 05, 2025 | Adriane Casalotti, Victoria Van de Vate, Lauren Soule, Molly Curington

    Senate Appropriations Committee Passes FY26 Labor-HHS Bill

    • Advocacy

    Proposed CDC Director

    On June 25, Susan Monarez, nominee for Director of the Centers for Disease...

    Jun 27, 2025 | Molly Curington

    Proposed CDC Director

    To contact the Government Affairs team, please use the information below.

    Public Affairs

    Adriane Casalotti

    JavaScript is required to reveal this message. / Email

    Government Affairs

    Victoria Van de Vate

    JavaScript is required to reveal this message. / Email

    Government Affairs

    Lauren Soule

    JavaScript is required to reveal this message. / Email

    Government Affairs

    Molly Curington

    JavaScript is required to reveal this message. / Email

    Back to Top