As funding uncertainty and rising health needs converge, county leaders are leaning on trust, coordination, and cross-sector partnerships to protect public health across Maryland.
At MACo’s Winter Conference, county leaders and public health partners came together for a timely and candid conversation about what it will take to protect community health in an era of uncertainty. The panel, “Navigating Trust and Collaboration: Counties Protecting Public Health Together”, explored how counties can sustain essential public health services and build resilient partnerships as funding priorities shift and health challenges grow more complex.
Moderated by Garrett County Commissioner Chair Paul Edwards, the discussion underscored a shared reality: counties are on the front lines of public health, even as federal support becomes less predictable and expectations continue to rise.
Our expert panelists are discussing strategies for building partnerships and leveraging coalitions to sustain essential services, protect residents, and strengthen trust in local public health systems. #MACoCon #MDcounties pic.twitter.com/uj6l9DxnVP
— Karrington Anderson (@Kanderson_MACo) December 10, 2025
Dr. Kisha Davis, Health Officer for Montgomery County, framed the conversation by grounding public health in its most fundamental definition, the collective work of society to create the conditions for people to be healthy. Drawing on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Davis emphasized that trust is not built only during emergencies. Clear communication, alignment between elected officials and local health departments, and sustained relationships are essential long before a crisis emerges. She highlighted the growing role of local health officers as “chief health strategists,” working across agencies to embed health considerations into housing, transportation, youth services, and public safety decisions through a Health in All Policies approach.
Dr. Davis also pointed to the funding reality facing local health departments: pandemic-era dollars are expiring just as community needs and public expectations increase. Workforce shortages and rigid funding structures further strain local capacity, underscoring the critical need for long-term, predictable investment to drive meaningful public health progress.
From a national perspective, Blaire Bryant, Legislative Director for Health at the National Association of Counties, outlined the federal public health landscape counties are navigating. She described both policy headwinds and tailwinds, noting that while some federal priorities continue to support public health systems, others threaten to reduce local governments’ flexibility and funding. Bryant stressed that counties must remain active partners in federal advocacy while also finding interim strategies to protect residents if funding gaps emerge.
Natasha Mehu, Vice President of Government Affairs and Policy at the Maryland Hospital Association, brought a health system perspective to the discussion, underscoring the importance of collaboration between counties and hospitals. She highlighted Maryland hospitals’ significant investments in community benefit programs, nearly $2.09 billion in fiscal year 2022, supporting access to care, housing, food, and transportation beyond hospital walls.
Mehu also walked through Maryland’s unique all-payer hospital model, which holds hospitals accountable for community health outcomes and has produced billions in Medicare savings while promoting equity and value statewide. However, she cautioned that hospitals are facing mounting financial pressures from rising labor and supply costs, insurance denials, and infrastructure needs, making strong partnerships with counties more important than ever.
Across the discussion, panelists returned to a consistent theme: protecting public health is a shared responsibility that depends on trust, coordination, and collaboration across all levels of government and sectors. Whether through aligning public health and hospital strategies, advocating collectively at the federal level, or embedding health into local decision-making, counties play a central role in sustaining community well-being.
Title: Navigating Trust and Collaboration: Counties Protecting Public Health Together
Speakers:
- Kisha Davis, Health Officer, Montgomery County
- Blaire Bryant, Legislative Director, Health, National Association of Counties
- Natasha Mehu, Vice President, Government Affairs and Policy, Maryland Hospital Association
Moderator: The Honorable Paul Edwards, Commissioner Chair, Garrett County
More about MACo’s Winter Conference:
