HB 1825-S2.E - DIGEST
(AS OF HOUSE 2ND READING 3/13/2007)

Declares that protecting the public's health across the state is a fundamental responsibility of the state. With the commitment to state funding of the public health system as provided in this act, the state expects that measurable benefits will be realized to the health of the residents of Washington. A transparent process that shows the impact of increased public health spending on performance measures related to the health outcomes in this act is of great value to the state and its residents. In addition, a well-funded public health system is expected to become a more integral part of the state's emergency preparedness system.

Requires this increase in public health funding to deliver the following outcomes, subject to available funding: (1) Create a disease response system capable of responding at all times;

(2) Stop the increase in, and reduce, sexually transmitted disease rates;

(3) Reduce vaccine preventable diseases;

(4) Build capacity to quickly contain disease outbreaks;

(5) Decrease childhood and adult obesity and types I and II diabetes rates, and resulting kidney failure and dialysis;

(6) Increase childhood immunization rates;

(7) Improve birth outcomes and decrease child abuse;

(8) Reduce animal-to-human disease rates; and

(9) Monitor and protect drinking water across jurisdictional boundaries.

Requires that beginning November 15, 2009, the department shall report to the legislature and the governor annually on the distribution of funds under this act and the use of those funds. The initial report must discuss the performance measures adopted by the secretary and any impact the funding in this act has had on local health jurisdiction performance and health status indicators. Future reports shall evaluate trends in performance over time and the effects of expenditures on performance over time.