The Georgia government meeting held on October 7, 2025, focused on evaluating funding for public health, emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts across local, state, and federal levels. The discussions highlighted the roles of various health agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state health agencies, and local health departments, in delivering essential public health services.

The meeting began with an overview of the foundational public health services (FPHS) framework, which sets minimum service standards that all governmental public health entities should provide, regardless of community size. This framework aims to ensure equitable access to health services across urban and rural areas. The importance of measuring the effectiveness of public health initiatives was also underscored, with references to self-assessment and accreditation processes that signal quality and continuous improvement.

Key discussions included the three pillars necessary for strengthening public health systems: standards, resources, and accountability. The meeting emphasized that standards must be supported by stable funding to ensure health departments can effectively implement them. The need for consistent funding was particularly relevant, as many health departments faced challenges when federal relief dollars from the COVID-19 pandemic began to dwindle.

Several state examples were presented to illustrate successful public health funding initiatives. Indiana's recent legislation established core public health services and significantly increased funding for local health departments, resulting in a 1500% increase in annual public health investment without raising taxes. This initiative, known as Health First Indiana, aims to enhance service delivery through a partnership model between state and local agencies.

Massachusetts shared its experience with the SAFE Act, which mandated minimum public health standards and established grant programs to support municipalities. The recent SAFE 2 legislation built on this foundation, making standards consistent and mandatory across the state, thereby improving service delivery and accountability.

Missouri's approach was highlighted as a grassroots initiative, focusing on assessing local public health capacity without formal legislation. This initiative aims to identify gaps and resources needed for effective service delivery, setting the stage for potential future policy decisions.

The meeting concluded with a brief mention of public health modernization efforts in Oregon and Washington, both of which have implemented legislative frameworks to enhance public health capabilities and address funding gaps.

Overall, the meeting underscored the critical need for coordinated efforts and stable funding to strengthen public health systems in Georgia and beyond, ensuring that all communities have access to essential health services.