Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero has joined 14 other governors in launching the non-partisan Governors Public Health Alliance in a move that some see as pushback against recent federal health policies championed by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Guam is the only territory that has joined the alliance, which includes the following state governors: Dr. Josh Green of Hawaii, Gavin Newsom of California, Bob Ferguson of Washington, Maura Healey of Massachusetts, Kathy Hochul of New York, Tina Kotek of Oregon, Ned Lamont of Connecticut, Dan McKee of Rhode Island, Matt Meyer of Delaware, Wes Moore of Maryland, Phil Murphy of New Jersey, Jared Polis of Colorado, JB Pritzker of Illinois, and Josh Stein of North Carolina.
“On Guam, we see the effects when people – especially children – are not vaccinated,” Leon Guerrero said in an Oct. 15 press release. “We’ve had cases of measles and other communicable diseases when our neighbors from the outer islands visit or pass through Guam, and they haven’t had the chance to be vaccinated. So we know how important it is to protect access to vaccines and other public health protective measures.”
The release was issued by the Governors Action Alliance, a nonprofit nonpartisan initiative that “helps governors work across state lines to champion fundamental freedoms and improve people’s lives.”
“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.”
Here’s what other governors had to say:
“From undermining vaccine access and abortion rights to slashing billions in Medicaid funding from those in need, the federal government is wreaking havoc on public health and the institutions we rely on,” New York’s Hochul said in the release. “The Governors Public Health Alliance will allow our states to share resources, coordinate with global partners, and deploy the tools and information needed to meet public health threats and protect the American people.”
“Viruses and illness don’t stop at state borders and our preparedness shouldn’t either,” Green, the nation’s only sitting governor who is also a physician, said in the GovAct release. “I am proud to be part of this new effort, giving governors and our public health teams new tools to coordinate and deliver clear, consistent, science-based guidance to the public at a time when we are facing unprecedented public health challenges.”
California’s governor issued his own release on Oct. 15, saying, “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.”
New CDC recommendations on COVID-19 vaccine
The new organization aims to enhance national coordination of public health efforts at the state and territorial level. It will complement existing structures by working with already established regional entities as the Northeast Public Health Collaborative and the West Coast Health Alliance, according to the GovAct release.
The aim is to strengthen emergency preparedness, improve communication, share data and expertise, and ensure states and territories can respond quickly and consistently to emerging health threats, according to the release.
The move comes after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently accepted controversial new guidelines for the updated COVID-19 vaccines that includes dropping the recommendation that Americans age 65 and older get a COVID-19 vaccine. The decision may mean many people will find it harder to get the vaccine this winter compared with previous years.