The nation once again is on the precipice of financial catastrophe, but have we overlooked public health? Juxtaposed against one another, the comparison of health care with public health-one largely overutilized, expensive, and underperforming, the other responsible for eradicating diseases and providing safe food and water-cries out for thoughtful fiscal recalibration. We have examined the recent Institute of Medicine report on public health financing and made actionable recommendations for sustainable public health financing.