Congressional Action Network

NACCHO held a webinar for the Congressional Action Network on May 7 to update members on the current situation with federal funding and sequester cuts and let them know how they could take action with Members of Congress.

• Webinar slides
• Webinar recording

Sign up for NACCHO's Congressional Action Network.

NACCHO's Online Advocacy Guide provides you with the information and tools you need to communicate with Members of Congress. It provides background on NACCHO's advocacy priorities, the difference between advocacy and lobbying and information on the legislative process. 

Click here for information and materials for communicating with Members of Congress.

There are 79 new Representatives and 12 new Senators in 2013. Local health departments should take the lead and educate Members of Congress in their jurisdictions about what local health departments do to keep people healthy and safe. Members of Congress need to understand the impact of cuts that local health departments have already experienced, as well as the likely consequences more cuts would have on the public's health.

The Legislative Action Center also provides action alerts and letters you can send directly to your Members of Congress. Provide feedback on contact with Members of Congress here.

The Budget Control Act of 2011 requires deficit reduction of more than $1 trillion over the next ten years, or automatic across-the-board cuts, called a sequester.

On March 1, the sequester went into effect. The US Department of Health and Human Services estimates that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be cut by approximately $350 million over the next six months. With two-thirds of CDC's funding going to state and local health departments and other community partners, cuts to communities could be as high as $230 million. 

Congress and the President must act to stop the sequester otherwise non-defense discretionary (NDD) programs; including local health department programs such as cancer screenings, childhood vaccinations, HIV testing, emergency response, and the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant; will have been cut by 20 percent overall between 2010 and 2012. It is important to send a strong message that further cuts of $109 billion annually to NDD are unacceptable.

These cuts weaken local health departments’ ability to promote health and protect the safety of the communities they serve. It is essential that Congress and the White House take a balanced approach to deficit reduction that does not further cut programs that serve human needs.

Click here for more information about sequestration. Click here to inform your Members of Congress about how further cuts will impact your community.