The West Coast Health Alliance (WCHA) is a newly formed alliance that is determined to uphold the integrity of effective public health strategies that protect the health of our communities. The WCHA includes public health leaders and subject matter experts from the state health departments of California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington. The Alliance was introduced in response to CDC changes, the new West Coast Health Alliance represents a “unified regional response” to the Trump administration’s reconstruction of the agency.
Principles
To protect the health of our communities, the West Coast Health Alliance will work to ensure that public health strategies are based on the best available science. We will independently pursue strategies shaped by our unique laws, geographies, histories, and peoples, using these shared principles as the foundations of our Alliance:
- Health as a right: We affirm that all members of our communities should have access to quality health care and information.
- Science and integrity: We are committed to leading with science and to grounding our policies and recommendations in rigorous research, clinical expertise, and decades of proven public health practice. We commit to reevaluating our recommendations as new data becomes available.
- Transparency and trust: Our communities deserve clear, transparent communication about health, rooted in science. We will safeguard public trust through honesty, clarity, and accountability.
- Public health responsibility: We recognize the responsibility entrusted to us to protect and promote the health of the public. We will serve in a manner worthy of that trust, prioritizing prevention and evidence-based care to save lives.
- Equity at our core: We are committed to giving everyone in our communities the opportunity to attain their highest level of health, and to eliminating barriers to evidence-based care especially for disproportionately impacted or marginalized communities.
- Tribal sovereignty: We affirm and respect Tribal sovereignty, recognizing Tribes’ authority over their health services. We also acknowledge health disparities impacting Indigenous peoples.
- Coverage and access: We advocate for full coverage by payors of preventive services.
The members of the WCHA share a commitment to public health recommendations that are guided by safety, effectiveness, transparency, access, and trust. Through this partnership, the four states will work to coordinate health guidelines by aligning public health recommendations informed by respected national medical organizations. This will allow residents to receive consistent, science-based recommendations they can rely on to keep themselves, their families, and their communities healthy and safe.
To stay up to date with West Coast Health Alliance, follow this link and navigate to News Releases and Statements.
To view a printable .pdf of their charter click here