Read first time 03/21/2005.   Referred to Committee on Rules.

     WHEREAS, The public health system as defined in RCW 43.70.575 is essential to fulfilling the state's constitutional responsibility to protect the health and safety of its citizens; and
     WHEREAS, The population-based services provided by the public health system are cost-effective and are critical in improving the value of public investments in all types of health services and in controlling health care costs; and
     WHEREAS, Our state public health system lacks the capacity to fulfill its critical functions with respect to well understood health threats such as impure air and water, unsanitary living conditions, unsafe food, and inadequate rates of immunization; and
     WHEREAS, The public health system lacks the capacity to address the emerging health threats of the 21st century including bioterrorism and other emergencies, health disparities, the spread of drug-resistant tuberculosis, HIV, SARS, West Nile virus, and other infectious diseases, and the predictable increases of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and other diseases that will result from tobacco and other drug addiction, poor diet, and inadequate exercise; and
     WHEREAS, According to the provisions of chapter 43.70 RCW the department of health has developed a public health improvement plan, in consultation with local health jurisdictions, the state board of health, and other state agencies, health services providers, and citizens concerned about public health; and
     WHEREAS, The public health improvement plan includes standards for all elements of the public health system and provides a detailed accounting of both performance and funding deficits in the current system, suggesting ways in which additional funds could be used to improve that system;
     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring, That the joint select committee on public health financing be established. Its members shall include one member from each caucus from the committee on health and the principal fiscal committee of the House of Representatives and Senate. The joint select committee shall collaborate with the office of the governor, the department of health, the association of counties, the association of local public health officials, and the state board of health. The joint select committee shall elect one of its members to serve as its chair. Staffing assistance shall be provided by the House of Representatives office of program research and Senate committee services. Legislative members of the joint select committee shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 44.04.120; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the joint select committee review all current and potential local, state, and federal funding sources and expenditures for public health services and recommend potential sources of future funding for public health services. The recommendation shall include methods to ensure that such funding does not supplant existing federal, state, and local funds received by any element of the public health system; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the joint select committee complete a report to the governor and the legislature by July 1, 2006.