HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2008-083WHAT LTUM
(,'UUNT'Y
C'UUN(,'1L AGENDA BILL NO. 2008 - 22 B -
CLEARANCES
Initial
Date
Date Received in Council Qf
fice
Agenda Date
Assigned to:
Originator:
12/2/2008
12/2/2008
Board of Health
Division Head:
Dept, Head:
Prosecutor:
Purchasing/Bud, et:
Executive:
TITLE OF DOCUMENT:
Resolution Secure Fundng for the Public Health System in Washington State
ATTACHMENTS:
SEPA review required? (
SEPA review completed? (
) Yes ( ) NO
) Yes ( ) NO
Should Clerk schedule a hearing ? ( ) Yes ( ) NO
Requested Date:
SUMMAR Y STA TEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE: (If this item is an ordinance or requires a public
hearing, you must provide the language for use in the required public notice. Be specific and cite RCW or WCC as appropriate.
Be clear in explaining the intent of the action.)
Resolution Secure Funding for the Public Health System in Washington State
COMMITTEE ACTION:
COUNCIL ACTION:
12/2/2008: Board of Health Approved 5 -0 Caskey- Schreiber & Kelly
absent Res. 2008 -083
Related County Contract #:
Related File Numbers:
Ordinance or Resolution
Number: R2008 -83
Please Note: Once adopted
on the County's website at:
and signed, ordinances and resolutions are available for viewing and printing
www. co. whatcom. wa. us /council.
SPONSORED BY: Consent
PROPOSED BY: HEALTH
INTRODUCTION DATE: 12 2 08
RESOLUTION NO, 2008 -083
SECURE FUNDING FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM IN WASHINGTON STATE
WHEREAS, it is the responsibility of Whatcom County government to provide public
health services to the 190,000 residents of Whatcom County, as well as workers and tourists who
enter the County each day;
WHEREAS, in 2008 Whatcom County provided almost three times the amount of
general public health funds as was provided by the state;
WHEREAS, state law vests in the Whatcom County Health Board oversight of all
matters pertaining to the preservation of the life and health of the people of Whatcom County,
including the adoption of Countywide public health policy and the enactment and enforcement of
local public health regulations;
WHEREAS, over the past century, public health functions have led to remarkable gains
in health that have significantly increased longevity and improved quality of life, including
accomplishments such as: safe food and water dramatically reducing illness and deaths;
population -wide vaccination programs eradicating smallpox worldwide and making other once -
common diseases rare; and better hygiene, nutrition, antibiotics, and access to health care,
contributing to a ninety percent decrease in infant mortality and a ninety -nine percent decrease in
maternal mortality since 1900, nationwide;
WHEREAS, public health functions provided by the Whatcom County government
protect, promote, and provide for the health of the public every day;
WHEREAS, over the past decade, federal and state revenues that support public health
have been eliminated, limited or reduced, thus requiring significant increases in the level of
county general fund resources for public health services;
WHEREAS, increases in County general fund contributions to public health are not
sustainable at the rate needed over the long term;
WHEREAS, Whatcom County projects the 2009 Whatcom County general fund budget
deficit at $5- million, which has required significant reductions in local public health funding;
WHEREAS, in a study on county financial health, the Washington State Department of
Community, Trade and Economic Development found that all counties across the state are
fiscally distressed;
WHEREAS, the Washington State Legislature's 4410 Joint Select Committee concluded
that the Washington state public health system is under - funded by more than $600 million each
biennium and that the need for additional funding for local public health jurisdictions statewide
is critical; and
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WHEREAS, the 4410 Joint Select Committee concluded that funding for public health
must be a joint responsibility of the state and local jurisdictions;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Health Board:
A. The Health Board finds that the potential risks to the health of the public resulting
from reduced state funding are unacceptable.
B. Stable funding for public health should be a part of any state health care reform
legislation.
C. The Health Board finds that it is imperative to identify and acquire adequate,
stable, dedicated, long -term state funding sources for public health in order to
protect, promote, and provide for the health of the public.
D. FURTHER, the Health Board calls on the State of Washington to provide
adequate, stable, dedicated, long -term financing for local public health statewide
to protect, promote, and provide for the health of the public.
E. FINALLY, the Health Board urges the State to examine any and all adequate and
stable options for state financing for public health.
APPROVED this 2nd day of December, 2008.
N T � WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
�,� WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
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Dana = 4a�v6F, Clerk o the Council Carl Weimer, Health Board Chair
API'My,Lb 4S TO V\ M:
Deputy
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