On October 15, 2025, a coalition of Democratic governors from across the United States made a striking announcement: they are joining forces to form the Governors Public Health Alliance, a move intended to shore up public health defenses at the state level and counter what they describe as dangerous federal policy shifts under the Trump administration and U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The alliance, comprised of governors from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and the U.S. territory of Guam, aims to prioritize science-driven health guidance over what they see as politically motivated interference.
Governor Gavin Newsom of California, a prominent voice in the new coalition, set the tone with a pointed statement: “California is proud to help launch this new alliance because the American people deserve a public health system that puts science before politics. As extremists try to weaponize the CDC and spread misinformation, we’re stepping up to coordinate across states, protect communities, and ensure decisions are driven by data, facts, and the health of the American people.” According to reporting from Stateline, this alliance represents the largest collective effort by states to break away from recent federal health directives that have, in the words of several governors, alarmed both medical and public health experts.
The Governors Public Health Alliance’s mission is to foster transparency, preparedness, and coordination so that no state is left to face health threats in isolation. Delaware Governor Matt Meyer emphasized the collaborative spirit underlying the effort, stating, “This alliance is a commitment to transparency, preparedness, and coordination so that no state faces health threats alone. By working together, governors can share data, resources, and lessons learned to strengthen our preparedness for the next public health challenge.”
The new alliance is not the first time Democratic state leaders have banded together for public health. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, governors formed regional groups to coordinate their response to an often-volatile federal approach. California, Oregon, and Washington, for example, previously established the West Coast Health Alliance to share resources and strategies. The new Governors Public Health Alliance builds on these efforts, expanding its reach and ambition to a national scale.
At the heart of the current push is a deep concern about recent changes in federal health policy. The Trump administration and Secretary Kennedy have introduced new guidance on vaccines—particularly COVID-19 vaccines—that has prompted at least 17 states to sidestep federal recommendations and promote broader vaccine access. According to the Sacramento Bee, these moves come after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA), both under Kennedy’s leadership, issued guidance that many public health professionals and state leaders view as insufficiently protective.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore captured the frustration felt by many in the alliance, remarking, “At a time when the federal government is telling the states, ‘you’re on your own,’ governors are banding together.” Moore’s statement underscores the sense of abandonment some state leaders feel as federal agencies scale back their involvement in public health, a move that has left states scrambling to fill the gap.
The alliance is being billed as nonpartisan, though its initial roster consists entirely of Democratic governors. Organizers say the intent is not to exclude, but to create a “coordinating hub” where states can share best practices, data, and expertise. According to Politico, several of the participating governors—such as Newsom, Illinois’ JB Pritzker, and Maryland’s Moore—are considered possible contenders for the 2028 presidential race, adding a layer of political significance to the coalition’s formation.
Support for the Governors Public Health Alliance comes from GovAct, a nonprofit, nonpartisan initiative that also works on issues like democracy protection and reproductive freedom. GovAct provides a centralized platform for collaboration, incubation, and support of alliances across governors’ offices. Its Bipartisan Advisory Board includes former governors from both major parties—Arne Carlson (R), Jim Doyle (D), Deval Patrick (D), Marc Racicot (R), Kathleen Sebelius (D), and Bill Weld (R)—as well as former senior federal officials Sally Yates and Larry Thompson. Dr. Mandy Cohen, former CDC director under President Biden, is among the advisers lending expertise to the group. “The CDC did provide an important backstop for expertise and support,” Cohen said. “And I think now with some of that gone, it’s important for states to make sure that they are sharing best practices, and that they are coordinating, because the problems have not gone away. The health threats have not gone away.”
The alliance’s immediate goals are clear: strengthen emergency preparedness, improve communication, and ensure states and territories can respond quickly and consistently to emerging health threats. By sharing data and expertise, the coalition hopes to enhance public trust and counteract what it sees as misinformation and politicization of health policy. In the words of Governor Newsom, “We’re stepping up to coordinate across states, protect communities, and ensure decisions are driven by data, facts, and the health of the American people.”
Yet, the move has not gone unchallenged. Andrew Nixon, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, pushed back against criticism of the Trump administration and Secretary Kennedy’s approach. “The Trump Administration and Secretary Kennedy are rebuilding that trust by grounding every policy in rigorous evidence and Gold Standard Science – not the failed politics of the pandemic,” Nixon said in an email. He further accused Democratic governors of having “destroyed public trust in public health” through policies such as school closures and mask mandates during the pandemic’s peak.
The Governors Public Health Alliance is not intended to supplant existing organizations like the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, according to its organizers. Rather, it seeks to complement ongoing efforts and fill gaps created by federal restructuring and downsizing, particularly at the CDC. The alliance will also serve as a forum for discussing best practices, common challenges, and policy innovations, with the ultimate goal of protecting Americans from disease and injury regardless of political winds in Washington.
In the broader context, the formation of this alliance marks a new chapter in the ongoing tug-of-war between state and federal governments over the direction of public health policy. With public trust in institutions at a crossroads and health threats ever-evolving, the willingness of states to band together could set a precedent for future crises—whether health-related or otherwise. For now, the Governors Public Health Alliance stands as a testament to the enduring importance of state leadership in safeguarding the nation’s well-being.
