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Press Releases & Testimony

NYSACHO’s advocacy efforts include the presentation of testimony at public hearings on fiscal and policy issues that affect public health. Testimony presented in the past five years is available to the public, listed in descending order by date.

NYSACHO MEMBERS ELECT 2024-2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS 
NYSACHO STATEMENT ON ADOPTED FY2025 STATE BUDGET 
NYSACHO AND NYSDOH JOIN TO COMMEMORATE NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK WITH GRANTS TO 10 COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS TO AID EFFORTS IN COMBATTING CLIMATE CHANGE 
NYSACHO PRESIDENT DR. IRINA GELMAN TESTIFIES ON NYSACHO’S 2024-25 STATE BUDGET PUBLIC HEALTH PRIORITIES 
TESTIMONY OF DR. IRINA GELMAN, COMMISSIONER, NASSAU COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, ON BEHALF OF THE NEW YORK STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS BEFORE THE JOINT ASSEMBLY AND SENATE HEALTH BUDGET HEARING 
Testimony Of Sarah Ravenhall, NYSACHO Executive Director On Examining The Status Of The Health Care Workforce In New York State 
NYSACHO MEMBERS ELECT 2023-2024 BOARD OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND PRESIDENT 
NYSACHO’s Final End of Session Statement 
County Health Department Leads STOP THE BLEED Training Teaches New York State Association of County Health Officials Staff 
COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS STATEMENT ON FY24 NEW YORK STATE BUDGET 
COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS RECOGNIZE EARTH DAY BY ANNOUNCING CLIMATE AND HEALTH ADAPTATION AWARDS FOR LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS 
NYSACHO Public Health Week 
NYSACHO TESTIMONY HIGHLIGHTS 2023-24 STATE BUDGET PUBLIC HEALTH PRIORITIES 
NYSACHO Testimony to the Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on the 2023-24 Executive Budget Proposal 
PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS’ STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR HOCHUL’S 2023 2024 EXECUTIVE BUDGET PROPOSAL 
PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS’ STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR HOCHUL’S STATE OF THE STATE MESSAGE 
NYSACHO STATEMENT ON COMMISSIONER BASSETT DECLARING POLIO AN “IMMINENT THREAT TO PUBLIC HEALTH” 
STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR HOCHUL DECLARING POLIO A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY 
MONKEYPOX PRESENTS NEW CHALLENGES TO STRAINED, UNDER RESOURCED PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM 
NYSACHO ISSUES HEALTH EQUITY STATEMENT REGARDING ACCESS TO REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES AND CONTRACEPTIVE CARE 
NYSACHO MEMBERS ELECT 2022-23 BOARD OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND PRESIDENT 
PROFESSIONALS AND ORGANIZATIONS RECOGNIZED BY THEIR PEERS FOR EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE 
NYSACHO 2022 Final Budget Agreement Statement 
NYSACHO STATEMENT ON THE 2022-23 FINAL STATE BUDGET AGREEMENT 
NYSACHO NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK 
ADVOCATES, COUNTY EXECUTIVES, PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS RENEW CALL TO FULLY FUND CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING PREVENTION ACTIVITIES 
PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS’ STATEMENT ON LEGISLATURE’S ONE-HOUSE BUDGET BILLS 
PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS, STATE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS CALL FOR INCREASED FUNDING FOR CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING PREVENTION ACTIVITIES 

Lower Blood Level Law Passed in 2019 Remains Underfunded. An Estimated 17,000 New York Children Under Age 6 Have Actionable Elevated Blood Lead Levels

NYSACHO PRESIDENT DR. INDU GUPTA TESTIFIES BEFORE LEGISLATIVE JOINT BUDGET HEARING ON HEALTH 
NYSACHO Testimony to the Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on the 2022 Executive Budget Proposal 
NYSACHO STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR HOCHUL’S 2022-23 EXECUTIVE BUDGET PROPOSAL 
STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR HOCHUL’S 2022 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS By Sarah Ravenhall, NYSACHO Executive Director 
PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS, COUNTY LEADERS AND HEALTH ADVOCATES JOIN FORCES TO CALL FOR PASSAGE OF THE “PREPARE ACT” TO ADEQUATELY AND SUSTAINABLY FUND NEW YORK’S PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM 
NYSACHO Provides Testimony to Senator Michelle Hinchey on Water Infrastructure Funding Reform Testimony 
Press Release – NYSACHO TESTIFIES ON COMBATTING CHILDHOOD LEAD POISONING TO SENATE STANDING COMMITTEES ON HEALTH, HOUSING, CONSTRUCTION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT 
Rebuilding the Public Health Infrastructure to Improve Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention – NYSACHO and NYSAC Testimony to the Joint Senate Committees on Health and Housing, Construction and Community Development 
NYSACHO Recognizes National Public Health Thank You Day 
COUNTY HEALTH LEADERS JOIN WITH PEDIATRICIANS AND FAMILY PHYSICIANS TO EMPHASIZE IMPORTANCE OF VACCINATING CHILDREN AGES 5 AND OLDER AGAINST COVID-19 
Press Release – NYSACHO TESTIFIES TO ASSEMBLY LABOR, HEALTH AND HIGH-ER EDUCATION COMMITTEES: PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM IS IN CRISIS 
NYSACHO Provides Testimony to the Assembly Labor with Health and Higher Education Committees on Public Health Workforce 
NYSACHO Statement Regarding State and Local Coordination of Pandemic Response 
COUNTY HEALTH LEADERS PROVIDE TESTIMONY TO JOINT SENATE TASK FORCE ON OPIOIDS, ADDICTION AND OVERDOSE PREVENTION 
NYSACHO’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SARAH RAVENHALL, PROVIDES TESTIMONY OF BEHALF OF NYSACHO TO THE JOINT SENATE TASK FORCE ON OPIOIDS, ADDICTION AND OVERDOSE PREVENTION 
COUNTY HEALTH LEADERS STATEMENT ON THE APPOINTMENT OF DR. MARY T. BASSETT AS NEW YORK STATE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH 
NYSACHO applauds Governor Hochul for recognizing the outstanding effort played by local health departments during the COVID 19 pandemic. 
Statement from NYSACHO President Regarding Governor Hochul’s 8/24/2021 Press Briefing and Universal Masking for K-12 Schools 
COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS TO NEW YORKERS: OUR PANDEMIC RESPONSE LEADERSHIP WILL REMAIN STEADFAST 
NYSACHO Statement on Universal Masking and K-12 Guidance Related to Increasing COVID-19 Transmission Rates Throughout the State 
NYSACHO Statement: LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS’ EFFORTS CONTRIBUTE TO LIFTING OF MOST COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS 
NYSACHO MEMBERS ELECT 2021-2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND PRESIDENT 
LAW ENFORCEMENT, COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC HEALTH LEADERS UNITE TO STOP ABUSE OF PANDEMIC RESPONSE WORKERS 
STATEMENT FROM NYSACHO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SARAH RAVENHALL CONCERNING COVID-19 PREVENTION AND RESPONSE ACTIVITIES IN SCHOOLS 
Statement by Sarah Ravenhall, Executive Director of the New York State Association of County Health Officials Regarding the SFY 2021 2022 State Budget 
NYSACHO JOINS PUBLIC HEALTH COLLEAGUES ACROSS THE NATION TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK 
A Coordinated Statement Regarding Legalized Cannabis Negotiations from the New York State Association of County Health Officials and New York State Public Health Association 
NYSACHO PARTNERS WITH COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY TO CONDUCT STUDY OF COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS’ PREPAREDNESS FOR AND RESPONSE TO INITIAL SURGE OF COVID 19 
COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS PRESENT STATE BUDGET PRIORITIES 
2021 Joint Legislative Budget Hearing – NYSACHO Testimony on Executive Budget Proposal 
EXECUTIVE BUDGET’S PUBLIC HEALTH PROVISIONS TO CHALLENGE CURRENT AND FUTURE PANDEMIC RESPONSE 
PUBLIC HEALTH LEADERS WELCOME STATE’S DECISION TO MORE ACTIVELY ENGAGE LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS IN COVID-19 VACCINATION ACTIVITIES 
Flu Vaccination is Vital Protection for Everyone Aged 6 Months and Older as Nation Faces “Twindemic” of Influenza and COVID-19 
A Joint Statement on Cluster Action Initiative/School Testing from Sarah Ravenhall, Executive Director of the New York State Association of County Health Officials (NYSACHO) and Stephen J. Acquario, Executive Director of the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) 
LOCAL HEALTH OFFICIALS COMMEND GOVERNOR CUOMO FOR ESTABLISHING VACCINE DISTRIBUTION & IMPLEMENTATION TASK FORCE – Statement by NYSACHO President Dr. Kevin Watkins 
NYSACHO AWARDED $200,000 TO SUPPORT RURAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS’ RESPONSE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC 
PUBLIC HEALTH FIRST RESPONDERS FACING THREATS AND HARASSMENT WHILE COMBATTING COVID-19 PANDEMIC – Statement by NYSACHO Executive Director Sarah Ravenhall 
$30 MILLION ANNOUNCED FOR COVID-19 RESPONSE CRITICAL FOR NEW YORK’S 58 LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS Statement by NYSACHO President Kevin D. Watkins 
CONTRACT TRACING IS A CORE FUNCTION OF LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENTS Statement by NYSACHO Executive Director Sarah Ravenhall 
THE NEED FOR A SUSTAINED COMMITMENT TO ADDRESSING RACIAL DISPARITIES Statement by NYSACHO Executive Director Sarah Ravenhall 
NYSACHO MEMBERS ELECT 2020-2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND INCOMING PRESIDENT 
AS PARTS OF THE STATE REOPEN AND NEW YORKERS LOOK FORWARD TO THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND, LOCAL HEALTH OFFICIALS URGE “CAUTION, REASON AND PATIENCE” – 
STATE FUNDING MUST PRIORITIZE LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE CAPACITY – Statement by NYSACHO Executive Director Sarah Ravenhall 
The Power of Public Health During a Global Pandemic – Statement by NYSACHO Executive Director Sarah Ravenhall 
GOVERNOR’S EMERGENCY DECLARATION A CRITICAL AND SOUND STEP THAT WILL AID THE FIGHT AGAINST COVID-19 Statement by NYSACHO Executive Director Sarah Ravenhall 
COVID-19 FUNDING UNDERSCORES IMPERATIVE FOR RESPONSIVE AND PROPERLY RESOURCED PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCIES 

Statement from Executive Director, Sarah Ravenhall

NYSACHO supports the Covered Lives proposal and urges the Governor and Legislature to include a covered lives assessment of $40 million in the FY 2020-2021 budget. 
NYSACHO Testimony 2020-2021 State Health Budget 
Statement from Executive Director Sarah Ravenhall on NYSACHO’s Testimony at the January 30, 2020 Legislative Hearing on the Executive Budget 
NYSACHO Press Release – NEW CDC REPORT CONFIRMS DIRECT LINK BETWEEN LEGAL CANNABIS AND VAPING ILLNESSES 
Local Health Officials Respond to State of the State Message 

Laud Governor’s Plans to Fight Vaping, Opioids and Tobacco and Oppose Adult Use Cannabis Linked to Vaping Illnesses and Fatalities

NYSACHO Testimony on Electronic Cigarettes and Vaping 

Testimony submitted to the Senate Standing Committees on Consumer Protection, Health, and Education Public Hearing regarding the safety and potential harms of electronic cigarettes and vaping, especially among school-aged youth.

NYSACHO Testimony to the Assembly Minority Task Force on Water Quality – 10/29/19 
LOCAL HEALTH OFFICIALS TO STATE LEADERS: VAPING ILLNESSES SOUND DEADLY ALARM ON THE DANGERS OF VAPING AND LEGALIZED RECREATIONAL CANNABIS 
NYSACHO APPLAUDS GOVERNOR CUOMO FOR TAKING ACTION ON VAPING AS CASES OF ASSOCIATED LUNG DISEASE AND DEATHS CONTINUE TO RISE 
STATEMENT FROM NEW YORK STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY HEALTH OFFCIALS (NYSACHO) PRESIDENT DANIEL J. STAPLETON GOVERNOR CUOMO SIGNS BILL SAFEGUARDING RESIDENTS FROM TOBACCO-RELATED ILLNESS BY RAISING LEGAL TOBACCO PURCHASE AGE TO 21 
NEW YORK STATE ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS (NYSACHO): 2019 LEGISLATIVE SESSION YIELDS NUMEROUS PROTECTIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH 
LOCAL HEALTH OFFICIALS APPLAUD GOVERNOR, ASSEMBLY AND SENATE PASSAGE OF CRITICAL PUBLIC HEALTH POLICY STRENGTHENING IMMUNIZATION RATES IN SCHOOLS BY REPEALING NON-MEDICAL EXEMPTIONS FROM VACCINATIONS 
NYSACHO Provides Testimony to the Senate Public Hearing on Suicide and Suicide Prevention June 4, 2019 
COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS CONGRATULATE 2019-2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND INCOMING PRESIDENT DANIEL J. STAPLETON, MBA, NIAGARA COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR 
NEW YORK’S COUNTY HEALTH OFFICIALS, PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS CELEBRATE NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH WEEK 
NYSACHO Press Release – PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS’ STATEMENT ON 2019-2020 FINAL STATE BUDGET 
STATEMENT FROM NYSACHO PRESIDENT PAUL PETTIT LOCAL HEALTH OFFICIALS LAUD SENATE PASSAGE OF BILL RAISING LEGAL TOBACCO PURCHASE AGE TO 21 MEASURE NOW AWAITS GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE 
NYSACHO Press Release – LEAD POISONING PREVENTION LAW CANNOT BE EFFECTIVELY IMPLEMENTED WITHOUT ADDITIONAL STATE FUNDS 
Health Officials Laud Article 6 Restorations; Support Tobacco 21 and Blood Lead Level Reduction Plans, Request Additional Flexible Funding to Effectively Implement 
LOCAL HEALTH OFFICIALS LAUD ASSEMBLY FOR PASSING BILL RAISING LEGAL TOBACCO PURCHASE AGE TO 21 
Testimony of the New York State Association of County Health Officials (NYSACHO) to the Joint Legislative Committees on Health and Finance/Ways and Means Regarding the 2019-20 Executive Budget Proposal 
NYSACHO Statement on Governor Cuomo’s 2019-2020 Budget Address 
New York’s County Health Officials Asking Governor, Legislature to Raise Legal Age to 21 to Protect Young New Yorkers From Ravages of Tobacco Use 
Availability of and Access to Opioid Overdose Reversal Drugs 
Naloxone Access Survey 
Including E-Cigarettes in the Existing Clean Indoor Air Act 

Testimony before the Senate Standing Committee on Health to consider including electronic cigarettes in the existing Clean Indoor Air Act and regulating liquid nicotine.

Early Intervention Fiscal Agent Implementation 

Testimony to Joint Legislative Committees on Health, Insurance, and Oversight, Analysis, and Investigations

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NYSACHO is incorporated as a not-for-profit, non-partisan charitable organization with 501(c)(3) tax exempt status.
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