SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Governor JB Pritzker has joined the launch of the Governors Public Health Alliance, a new multi-state coalition aimed at defending public health and science-based healthcare policy.
The Alliance includes 15 governors, collectively representing 129 million Americans — or roughly 37% of the U.S. population.
The group plans to coordinate efforts on issues like vaccine policy, healthcare access, and emergency response, especially in light of recent federal actions that state leaders say have undermined trust in science and created confusion around public health guidelines.
In his announcement, Gov. Pritzker stressed that public health should not be politicized.
“When the federal government abandons science for conspiracy theories, slashes Medicaid, and undermines vaccine integrity, states must stand united to defend the facts," Pritzker said.
As part of the initiative, the governor also signed an Executive Order to protect immunization access for Illinois residents, reinforcing the state’s commitment to vaccines and public health programs amid what he called "damaging federal rollbacks."
The Alliance comes in response to recent moves by the Trump administration that several governors argue weaken long-standing public health systems and messaging.
Officials say the coalition will improve interstate collaboration and help states respond more effectively to future health challenges, including vaccine distribution, misinformation, and access to care.
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