As National Public Health Week kicks off, this episode spotlights a theme that often goes unnoticed but is essential to keeping communities safe: government partners. ASTHO CEO Dr. Joseph Kanter reflects on the “invisible wins” of public health, from behind-the-scenes planning for massive events like Mardi Gras and the World Cup to the work that quietly prevents crises before they start. It’s a reminder that when public health works, most people never see it, but lives are improved and saved every day. And Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO senior vice president for government affairs and public relations, joins the conversation to explore how state and federal agencies collaborate in a complex and often polarized environment. She shares how public health leaders find common ground across political divides, build trust with policymakers, and tailor their messaging to drive real impact, from food safety to maternal health.

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National Public Health WeekStorytelling in Public Health:

Lessons from STI Prevention & Care

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As the federal budget process stalls, uncertainty continues to ripple through Washington. ASTHO’s senior director of Government Affairs, Jeffrey Ekoma joins us to break down the latest on the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown, which is the longest on record, and what it means for the broader FY26 budget timeline. He’ll unpack how congressional gridlock is delaying progress on FY27 appropriations, what to expect from the president’s upcoming budget request, and why growing talk of a reconciliation bill could have major implications for public health funding. While current delays may not directly hit public health programs, the indirect effects could shape funding priorities and advocacy efforts in the months ahead.

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What happens when an entire health system is pushed to the brink of a funding cliff? In this episode, Dr. Victor Ramos Otero, Secretary of Health for Puerto Rico, joins the show to discuss the urgent challenges facing the island’s health care system. At the center of the conversation is the looming expiration of enhanced Medicaid funding in 2027, a shift that could strip away a third of Puerto Rico’s health care resources and force difficult decisions about services, staffing, and access to care. Dr. Ramos Otero outlines the structural inequities that set Puerto Rico apart from U.S. states, including capped Medicaid funding, lower Medicare Advantage rates, and gaps in critical programs like long-term care and low-income subsidies. These disparities, he explains, are driving both health care professionals and patients to leave the island in search of more stable support.

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