HOUSE BILL REPORT

2SHB 2643

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Passed House:

February 17, 2014

Title: An act relating to coordinating and expanding efforts with private and public partnerships to help ensure Washington's healthiest next generation.

Brief Description: Concerning efforts with private and public partnerships to help produce Washington's healthiest next generation.

Sponsors: House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Health & Human Services (originally sponsored by Representatives Farrell, Riccelli, Cody, Bergquist, Stanford, Gregerson, Sawyer, Tarleton, Fey, Stonier, Robinson, Walkinshaw, Morrell, Pollet, Ormsby and Freeman; by request of Governor Inslee).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Health Care & Wellness: 1/29/14, 2/3/14 [DPS];

Appropriations Subcommittee on Health & Human Services: 2/6/14 [DP2S(w/o sub HCW)].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 2/17/14, 68-28.

Brief Summary of Second Substitute Bill

  • Establishes the Governor's Council for the Healthiest Next Generation to identify policy-related action plans and funding recommendations that protect children's health.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE & WELLNESS

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 10 members: Representatives Cody, Chair; Riccelli, Vice Chair; Harris, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Clibborn, Green, Jinkins, Moeller, Morrell, Tharinger and Van De Wege.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 5 members: Representatives Schmick, Ranking Minority Member; DeBolt, G. Hunt, Manweller and Ross.

Staff: Jim Morishima (786-7191).

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

Majority Report: The second substitute bill be substituted therefor and the second substitute bill do pass and do not pass the substitute bill by Committee on Health Care & Wellness. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Morrell, Chair; Harris, Ranking Minority Member; Cody, Green, Kagi, Ormsby and Tharinger.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 3 members: Representatives G. Hunt, Ross and Schmick.

Staff: Mary Mulholland (786-7391).

Background:

Many public and private entities have programs, or provide resources, aimed at improving the health of children. For example:

Summary of Second Substitute Bill:

The Governor's Council for the Healthiest Next Generation.

The Governor's Council for the Healthiest Next Generation (GCHNG) is established to:

The membership of the GCHNG includes:

For the purpose of informing its research, policy, and funding recommendations, the GCHNG may create ad hoc advisory committees to obtain input and supporting working relationships with nutrition and physical activity practitioners, parent and student associations, school and child care administrators and faculty, businesses, and established stakeholder organizations. The GCHNG must maintain a contact list of the ad hoc advisory committees for the purpose of providing notices to stakeholders regarding the purpose of the committees, timelines for planned work, means for participation, and desired outcomes.

The Governor must discontinue the GCHNG upon a determination of reduced need or resources.

The Strategic Work Group.

A strategic work group (Work Group) is established under the oversight of the GCHNG. The Work Group includes the existing efforts of, and representation by, the Department of Health, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Department of Early Learning. The Work Group must also include representatives of local public health and others with expertise in nutrition and physical activity.

The Work Group must:

Shared Goals and Benchmarks.

The GCHNG and the Work Group must collaborate to identify shared goals and benchmarks, such as:

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Health Care & Wellness):

(In support) Many issues can affect a child's health, including breastfeeding, nutrition, and playing outside. Policies in this area really matter. This bill creates a collaborative and strategic approach to children's health and allows flexibility in the use of state resources. This bill represents a focused, inclusive, transparent approach that will have all departments in state government working together. Research suggests that members of the current generation will not live as long as members of their parents' generation. Childhood obesity and diabetes are important issues in this area. Childhood obesity is an epidemic, but a solvable problem. While the state has made encouraging progress on these issues, our job is not done. This bill will give the state the necessary resources to get evidence-based approaches up to scale. The roots of adult health are planted during childhood. Lifestyle choices affect 50 percent of our health outcomes. This bill will help organizations that provide early care and learning, childcare, after school programs, and athletics for kids. This bill builds on efforts such as creating safe environments and making water the go-to beverage. Kids should have the best start possible. Childhood obesity will not be eliminated one kid at a time; we need a systems change. Many careers require a healthy weight, including the military. The military loses 20-25 percent of candidates because of weight issues. We owe our youth a healthy lifestyle to help them succeed in any career they choose. Eighty percent of tenth graders take no physical education at all; this is why body mass indices are increasing. This bill will help give tools to early learning professionals. This bill's emphasis on public-private collaboration is important. Nurses should inform the GCHNG's work.

(Opposed) None.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Appropriations Subcommittee on Health & Human Services):

(In support) For the first time in 200 years, the current generation of American children may have shorter life expectancies than their parents. This is due specifically to unhealthy weight. This is unacceptable. The bill would create a framework for the Department of Early Learning (DOL), the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), and Department of Health (DOH) to work as partners to find effective and workable steps to combat childhood obesity.

Research supports that early intervention is critical. Prevention strategies can have the greatest impact where children spend a lot of time, such as early learning environments and schools.

Three agencies will cooperate in a strategic work group. The DEL will have a full-time nurse to serve as an obesity prevention coordinator, and the OSPI would have a subject matter expert on the relationship between health and academic achievement. The fiscal note anticipates a one-time cost of $126,000 for each of those positions. The DOH would facilitate and coordinate the work of the group, including research and developing the report to the Governor's Council. An epidemiologist would work on the project and a health services consultant would coordinate the work of the three agencies. The cost for the DOH staff in the fiscal note is $98,000. The fiscal note on the bill represents the entire cost for all three agencies.

The remainder of the fiscal impact of the bill would support small grants for efforts to combat childhood obesity. The DOH understands that if needed, the DOH could reduce the small grant program by about $120,000.

A partnership between agencies represents the best possibility for broad and effective action to prevent childhood obesity.

Retired admirals, generals, and business people throughout the state realize that to produce the workforce of the future and a secure nation, it is a worthwhile investment to provide health and nutrition information to parents and help kids form healthy habits while in early learning environments. The program would pay for itself in avoided costs.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying (Health Care & Wellness): Representative Farrell, prime sponsor; John Wiesman, Department of Health; Bette Hyde, Department of Early Learning; Vic Coleman, Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition; Sue Anderson, Washington State Alliance of YMCAs; Lindsay Hovind, American Heart Association; Wallace Turner, Washington Military Department; Steve Leahy, Mission: Readiness; Sydney Smith Zvara, Association of Washington Healthcare Plans; Debra French, Washington State Dairy Council; Lauren Hipp, Momsrising; and Kate White Tudor, Washington State Nurses Association.

Persons Testifying (Appropriations Subcommittee on Health & Human Services): John Wiesman, Department of Health; and Steve Leahy, America's Edge.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Health Care & Wellness): None.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Appropriations Subcommittee on Health & Human Services): None.