A large coalition of organizations, including the AHA and its American Organization of Nurse Executives subsidiary, this week urged Congress to increase funding for all aspects of public health in fiscal year 2009. In a letter to members of the House and Senate, the group estimated an additional $5.3 billion is needed to restore funding to public health programs cut in FY 2006, restore purchasing power eroded by at least five years of flat funding, and meet the health challenges facing the nation.