HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2005-012WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. Zoos — 124
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initial
Date
Date Received in Council O ice
Agenda Date
Assigned to:
Nelson
2116/2005
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2/22/2005
Finance/Council
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FEB 16 2W4
WHATCOM COUNTY
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COUNCIL.
Executive:
TITLE OF DOCUMENT:
Resolution supporting Whatcom Alliance for Healthcare Access
ATTACHMENTS:
SEPA review required? ( ) Yes ( ) NO
Should Clerk schedule a hearing? ( ) Yes ( x J NO
SEPA review completed? ( ) Yes ( ) NO
Requested Date:
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE: (If this item is an ordinance or requires a public
/tearing, 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 supporting the Whatcom Alliance for Healthcare Access (WAHA) to help provide healthcare access to uninsured and partially insured
residents of Whatcom County. The resolution supports the efforts of WAHA through the St. Luke's Foundation in the amount of $50,000.
COMMITTEE ACTION:
COUNCIL ACTION:
2/22/2005: Committee recrnarended approval
2/22/2005: Approved 7 -0, RES. #2005 -012
Related County Contract #:
Related File Numbers.
Ordinance or Resolution
Number: Res. #2005 -012
Please Note: Once adopted and signed, ordinances and resolutions are available for viewing and printing
on the County's website at: www.co.whatcom.wa.us /council.
Access to Healthcare 2.15 SPONSORED BY: CONSENT
PROPOSED BY: NELSON
INTRODUCED: 2/22/2005
RESOLUTION NO. 2005 -012
SUPPORTING THE WHATCOM ALLIANCE FOR HEALTHCARE ACCESS TO HELP
PROVIDE HEALTHCARE ACCESS TO UNINSURED AND PARTIALLY INSURED
RESIDENTS OF WHATCOM COUNTY
WHEREAS, the Whatcom Alliance for Healthcare Access (WAHA) is composed of
community members concerned about access to healthcare for not only the insured but
also the partially insured and uninsured; and
WHEREAS, the alliance has worked together as a group for two years in
establishing relationships with the private and public sector to evaluate an approach that
will work within our community for helping individuals without access to be provided care;
and
WHEREAS, the alliance is proposing a three - pronged programmatic approach to
achieve this goal of consistent access to healthcare for all residents of Whatcom County.
The three program elements are:
1. Access coordination to ensure that people who are eligible for government
sponsored health insurance are enrolled, others are aware of what options they have to
secure commercial insurance, and that everyone in Whatcom County has access to
primary healthcare services.
2. Specialty care access that organizes and recruits participating providers
linking them to the community health centers, participating ancillary providers and the
hospital whereby care for the uninsured is distributed fairly and supports are in place to
encourage patient responsibility.
3. Enhanced intensive care management and patient education for selected
populations. For example, people with chronic conditions and frequent users of
emergency services; and
WHEREAS, access to health care, while becoming difficult for those with insurance,
for many without insurance it is nearly impossible leaving only the hospital emergency
room as a primary care provider; and
WHEREAS, Whatcom County has a high level of professional and caring health
professionals there is a critical need for coordination of that care; and
WHEREAS, we continually see a "disconnect" between program benefits offered
and the funding needed to support these benefits; and
WHEREAS, there is a lack of consumer information and incentives to encourage
patients to less expensive options for care; and
WHEREAS, a private health care insurance system that is employer based so that
when people lose their jobs, they lose their health care benefits; and
WHEREAS, the Whatcom Alliance for Health care Access requested from policy
makers help in creating a centralized standards for management of health care financing
and services to reduce burdensome administrative costs; and
WHEREAS; they also requested us to provide incentives and reduce barriers for
communities or regions to develop creative partnerships and systems that broaden access
and improve the quality and cost effectiveness of local care.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Whatcom County will support this
effort, through the St. Luke's Foundation in the amount of $50,000.
C
;# A3�c�y of February , 2005.
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WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
e WHATCOM COUNTY,WASHINGTON
Dana foAyn -0atis;,Ork of the Council Laurie Caskey- Schreiber, Council Chair
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Civil Deputy secut r