Dear Chairman Saylor and Chairman Bradford,
The Pennsylvania Health Policy Coalition was established to represent the unified interests of the Commonwealth’s local health departments. We write to request a substantial increase in Act 12 and Act 315 funding for local health departments.
Pennsylvania’s local health departments (LHDs) face unique challenges addressing public health in our communities. Pennsylvania's Local Health Administration Law, Act 315 of 1951, was enacted to improve local health administration throughout the commonwealth by authorizing the creation, establishment and administration of local departments of health in all counties. Our local health departments were established to improve our community's public health via the provision of direct health services, health education and community health leadership and control.