Healthy Counties Initiative
NACo’s Healthy Counties Initiative creates and sustains healthy counties by supporting collaboration and sharing evidence-informed approaches to pressing health issues. The initiative is centered on supporting and elevating best practices and county innovations in public health. By addressing key public health issues, Healthy Counties empowers county leaders with resources for promoting and advancing health policies and programs that meet the needs of their communities.
The Healthy Counties Initiative is supported by the Healthy Counties Advisory Board, a committee comprised of county elected officials, key county agency staff and corporate partners. These members work collaboratively to identify priorities and ensure that other county leaders receive timely and useful information to make appropriate health decisions for their communities.
Resource
Healthy Counties: Fostering Better Health Outcomes in Children and Older Adults
U.S. Senate Committee approves legislation to reauthorize programs for older adults
On July 31, the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions (HELP) approved the bipartisan Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2024 on a 20-1 vote.
Health does not have to be partisan: Talking about health in a way that resonates with everyone
The de Beaumont Foundation has identified tangible steps county officials can take to heal divides and talk about community health in a way that resonates with everyone.
Congress introduces legislation to restore critical public health funding
On November 14, the Public Health Funding Restoration Act was introduced in both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. This legislation would address a pressing need to strengthen the nation’s public health infrastructure through direct and flexible funding to local health entities.
CMS finalizes Medicare rule with key improvements for justice-involved populations
On November 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published a final rule that, in a major advocacy win for counties, will improving access to Medicare for justice-involved individuals who are in pre-trial status or who are reentering the community.
Six years of the SUPPORT Act: Ongoing behavioral health policy priorities for counties
On October 24, 2018, the bipartisan SUPPORT Act was enacted. It represented the largest Congressional investment in overdose prevention at the time, aiming to strengthen the nation's response to the substance use crisis.
FCC adopts geo-routing requirements for the 988 Hotline
On October 17, the FCC adopted a Report and Order implementing new geo-routing requirements for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.