All These Things That We've Done

The Coalition for Health Funding has been incredibly busy during the first half of the year advocating for increased funding for public health programs! In the first five months of the year, CHF hosted numerous events to promote public health funding.

One of the new concepts we are proud to host are our mini Hill Day opportunities. Our recent CDC & HRSA Mini Hill Days were a great opportunity for CHF members to meet with Congressional offices to discuss the importance of funding the CDC and HRSA and their critical work in promoting public health. We are excited by the feedback we’re receiving on these opportunities and will continue to host them for different agencies in the latter half of the year.

The Coalition once again hosted our annual Budget Bootcamp series, which provide members with in-depth training on the federal budget process and tools to use in our advocacy efforts to increase funding for public health programs. These events are instrumental in educating members on the complexities of the budget process and developing effective strategies for productive advocacy.

We also are excited about the response to our CHF Catch-Ups! These informal monthly meetings provide members with updates on the latest developments in public health funding and policy, and allow members to share information and exchange ideas on target areas to make the most impact. We’ve also developed historical funding charts for our key agencies that members can use in their advocacy efforts.

In addition to these events and resources, CHF has also hosted several meetings with key administration and congressional staff to discuss public health funding priorities. During these meetings, members of the Coalition have the opportunity to ask questions about the FY24 appropriations process and learn about the health priorities of key Congressional and administration officials.

CHF also co-ed the creation of NDD United, a sign-on letter of over 760 organizations committed to defending non-defense discretionary program funding. The current debt ceiling dilemma further underscores the importance of the Coalition for Health Funding’s mission of advocating for increased funding for public health programs. As the government approaches the borrowing limit, there is a risk that federal programs, including those that support public health, could face cuts either through default or a debt ceiling deal. If these cuts were to take effect, it would have a devastating impact on public health initiatives and the communities that rely on them. By ensuring that public health programs have the resources they need, advocates can help promote a more resilient and prosperous future for all Americans.

As the year continues, the Coalition has plans for a variety of new events that will allow our members to connect with key staff and members of the administration, as well as each other. So hold on, we’re just getting started!