Local Boards of Health call on Congress to pass health reform this year

The Boards of Health of five Puget Sound counties and the Clark County in the southwestern corner of Washington state have called on Congress to enact “comprehensive health reform” this year.

Left to right: Rick Talbert, Chair, Tacoma/Pierce County Board of Health; Stanwood Mayor Dianne White, member, Snohomish County Board of Health; Kitsap County Commissioner Steve Bauer, Chair, Kitsap County Board of Health; Thurston County Commissioner Sandra Romero, Chair, Thurston County Board of Health; and King County Councilmember Julia Patterson (speaking), chair of the King County Board of Health.

“Every day we witness the unacceptable impacts our failing health ’system’ has on the health of the public,” the heads of the five boards wrote in a letter to the state’s federal delegation. “Without comprehensive health reform, the health of our communities will continue to erode and financial pressures will continue to to increase.”

Altogether, the five boards oversee the public health of 4.1 million (60 percent) of the state’s residents.

The letter also calls on the state’s Congressional members to “not be deterred by the theatrical tactics of those who oppose reform.”

“The status quo is not financially sustainable, nor does it lead to the health individuals and communities we all want,” the letter says.

The letter says that reform legislation should require that “all people have access to health services that:

Are comprehensive, high-quality, conveniently located, and affordable;

Promote health and prevent disease;

Encourage diverse communities to be engaged in improving health outcomes; and

Reduce disparities based upon race, income, geography or other external factors.

The letter does not call specifically call for a public insurance plan option, which would compete with private insurance companies and is one of the most contentious provisions of plans now under consideration in Congress.

The letter does, however, call on Congress to support the Prevention and Public Health Investment Fund, a provision in the Senate version of the bill that would provide up to $10 billion to support public health activities if it is included in the final legislation.

The letter was signed by Julia Patterson, chair of the King County Board of Health; Sandra Romero, chair of Thurston County Board of Health; Steve Bauer, chair of Kitsap County Board of Health; Rick Talbert, chair of the Tacoma/Pierce County Board of Health; and Dave Seabrook for the Clark County Board of Health.

To learn more:

• Visit the Web page of the Health Reform Project of Public Health – Seattle & King County.
• To contact your U.S. senator or representative click here to find a link to his or her official Web site.