Citing ‘increasingly unstable’ DC health leadership, McKee joins governors’ health coalition

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee announced he’s joining Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and other Democratic governors in a new health initiative.

It’s being called the Governor’s Public Health Alliance.

Rhode Island and Mass. are joining 12 states and the territory of Guam for the partnership.

The alliance is billed as an initiative to coordinate responses to health threats and strengthen preparedness, from seasonal illness to future global health challenges.

It’s being funded by the non-profit organization Gov-Act, and has a board of advisers that include former Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director, Dr. Mandy Cohen.

The states, which include Connecticut, have already begun sharing data and coordinated directives, including preserving access to the COVID-19 vaccine.

In the release, Governor McKee said:

At a time when public health leadership from Washington, D.C. is increasingly unstable, we are committed to stepping up to create clear, coordinated leadership led by facts and science.