Governors Launch Bipartisan Public Health Alliance to Strengthen State-Level Coordination

On October 15, 2025, a bipartisan coalition of 15 U.S. governors announced the formation of the Governors Public Health Alliance (GPHA), a nonpartisan initiative aimed at enhancing public health coordination, emergency preparedness, and vaccine policy across participating states and territories. The alliance includes governors from California, New York, Colorado, and Guam, among others. Supported by the nonprofit GovAct, the GPHA will serve as a hub for sharing best practices, exchanging data, and collaborating on public health strategies. The initiative responds to concerns over federal public health policies and seeks to provide science-based guidance free from political influence.

The GPHA comprises the following states and territories: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai'i, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Colorado, and Guam. Collectively, these jurisdictions represent more than one-third of the U.S. population.

The alliance's primary objectives include strengthening emergency preparedness, improving communication, sharing data and expertise, and ensuring rapid and consistent responses to emerging health threats. By fostering collaboration among member states and territories, the GPHA aims to provide a unified approach to public health challenges.

GovAct, a nonprofit, nonpartisan initiative, supports the GPHA by serving as a centralized platform for collaboration. GovAct assists governors in protecting fundamental freedoms, including public health, by incubating, launching, and supporting alliances across governors' offices. The GPHA will also be guided by GovAct's Bipartisan Advisory Board, which includes former governors and senior federal officials.

The formation of the GPHA comes in response to concerns over federal public health policies and perceived political interference in health guidance. Governor Gavin Newsom of California stated, "California is proud to help launch this new alliance because the American people deserve a public health system that puts science before politics." This initiative builds on existing regional coordination efforts, such as the West Coast Health Alliance, which was formed by the governors of California, Oregon, and Washington in September 2025 to establish independent vaccine recommendations amid concerns over the politicization of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The establishment of the GPHA signifies a proactive approach by state leaders to safeguard public health amidst perceived federal inaction or politicization. By coordinating across state lines, the alliance aims to provide science-based guidance free from political influence, potentially restoring public trust in health recommendations. This collaborative effort may also lead to more consistent public health policies and responses to health emergencies across the participating states and territories.

The formation of the Governors Public Health Alliance represents a significant step by state leaders to collaboratively address public health challenges, emphasizing science-based decision-making and cross-state coordination.