HomeMy WebLinkAboutres2022-029Whatcom County COUNTY COURTHOUSE
311 Grand Avenue, Ste #105
Bellingham, WA 98225-4038
(360)778-5010
Agenda Bill Master Report
File Number: AB2022-302
File ID: AB2022-302 Version: 1 Status: Substitute Approved
File Created: 05/17/2022 Entered by: DBrown@co.whatcom.wa.us
Department: Council Office File Type: Resolution
Assigned to: Council Committee of the Whole Final Action: 05/24/2022
Agenda Date: 05/24/2022 Enactment #: RES 2022-029
Primary Contact Email: CFrazey@co.whatcom.wa.us
TITLE FOR AGENDA ITEM:
Resolution supporting every person's right to inclusive healthcare
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE:
Resolution supporting every person's right to inclusive healthcare
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE FILE
Date: Acting Body:
Action:
Sent To:
05/24/2022 Council Committee of the Whole
SUBSTITUTE
RECOMMENDED FOR
APPROVAL WITH
PROPOSED
AMENDMENT(S)
Aye:
4 Buchanan, Donovan, Frazey, and Galloway
Nay:
0
Absent:
0
Abstain:
3 Byrd, Elenbaas, and Kershner
05/24/2022 Council
SUBSTITUTE APPROVED
Aye:
4 Buchanan, Donovan, Frazey, and Galloway
Nay:
0
Absent:
0
Abstain:
3 Byrd, Elenbaas, and Kershner
Whatcom County Page 1 Printed on 512512022
Agenda Bill Master Report Continued (AB2022-302)
Attachments: Proposed Resolution, Substitute Resolution - Redline/Strike, Substitute Resolution -Clean,
Alternate Resolution - Donovan, Substitute Resolution as Amended in COTW 5.24
Whatcom County Page 2 Printed on 512512022
PROPOSED BY: FRAZEY/GALLOWAY
INTRODUCED: 5/24/22
RESOLUTION NO. 2022-029
SUPPORTING EVERY PERSON'S RIGHT TO INCLUSIVE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE
WHEREAS, upon taking the Oath of Office, Whatcom County Councilmembers swear
to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution and laws of the State of
Washington; and
WHEREAS, under the authorities established by the Whatcom County Charter,
Whatcom County government is obligated to preserve public peace, health and safety; and
WHEREAS, all people should retain the right to access quality, affordable, and inclusive
healthcare, including reproductive health, pre -and -post -abortion and pre-and-post-partum
services including mental health services, and pre- and postnatal care; and
WHEREAS, all people should have equitable access to the same reproductive care; and
WHEREAS, geographical location and financial resources often create barriers to
receiving the healthcare they need; and
WHEREAS, the ability of people to fully participate in the community and economy has
been facilitated by their ability to control their reproductive lives; and
WHEREAS, reproductive health is as much about someone choosing when to become
a parent so they can be the best parent possible as it is about the choice to not be a parent;
and
WHEREAS, access to safe and legal abortion is critical to maintaining public health and
safety; and
WHEREAS, historically, illegal abortions created significant risk of injury and death,
and by 1965, accounted for 17% of all deaths attributed to pregnancy and childbirth; and
Page 1
WHEREAS, in 1970, Washington State voters approved Referendum 20, making
Washington State the first state to legalize abortion through a vote of the people; and
WHEREAS, in 1973, the United States Supreme Court held in Roe v. Wade, a 7-2
decision, that a person has the constitutional right to choose whether to have an abortion,
without excessive governmental interference, under the due process clause and the "right to
privacy" guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution; and
WHEREAS, in 1978, the Common Pleas Court of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, held
that a person cannot be legally compelled to undergo a medical procedure to save another,
upholding the right to bodily autonomy; and
WHEREAS, a recently leaked draft decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health
Organization indicates that the U.S. Supreme Court might imminently overturn the Roe v.
Wade decision, leaving it to individual states to allow or ban abortions; and
WHEREAS, if Roe v. Wade is overturned and states implement bans on abortion,
Washington state will likely become the closest abortion provider for many more people; and
WHEREAS, for generations, the US Congress, regardless of party control, has failed to
codify a right to abortion in statute; and
WHEREAS, on November 24, 2020, the Whatcom County Health Board passed
Resolution 2020-054 affirming Whatcom County's commitment to policies and practices that
reflect a conscious effort to ensure racial equity, equity of access and service, and further to
ensure the equitable treatment of all people, regardless of race or ethnicity;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Whatcom County Council that Whatcom
County uphold its commitment to preserving public health and safety by:
• Partnering with Mt. Baker Planned Parenthood to expand the Whatcom County
Health Department's current services (needle exchange, STD testing, vaccines,
etc.) offered through the Whatcom County Syringe Services Program and
provide access to reproductive healthcare (Pap smears, mammograms,
contraception , etc.) .
• Expanding funding for the Whatcom County Nurse -Family Partnership _.(NFP .
Page 2
• Supporting access to quality, affordable, and inclusive healthcare including
reproductive health and protecting a person's right to choose.
Supporting, uplifting, and empowering local healthcare providers, especially
those providing safe abortion services.
• Joining leaders across the state and nation in defending Roe V. Wade as the
law of the land.
• Calling on Congress to define an expansive national right to abortion in statute.
• Urging state and federal lawmakers to fully fund Title X and pass legislation
codifying the full right and access to safe and legal abortion and other
reproductive healthcare nationwide.
• Calling on both political parties to appoint pro -choice justices to the US
Supreme Court, courts of appeals, and federal district courts.
• Supporting the priorities outlined in the Healthy Whatcom Community Health
Improvement Plan, including the mental health and well-being of children,
parents, and caregivers.
APPROVE �k.i� 24th day of May , 2022.
c 0 tj
WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
ATTESTT �OLJ �a s WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
i
Dana Brotyn-Dav s,'Clgrk-of,t.he Council Todd Donovan, Council Chair
APPROVED AS Tb` FORM:
/s/ Karen Frakes (approved via e-mail 5.25.22) / IL
Civil Deputy Prosecutor
Page 3