BILL REQ. #:  H-2695.1 

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 public health financing task force 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 task force 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 task force shall appoint an executive committee not to exceed four members from among its voting members and may appoint one subcommittee if necessary. Staffing assistance shall be provided by the House of Representatives office of program research, Senate committee services, and the joint legislative audit and review committee. Legislative members of the task force shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 44.04.120. Nonlegislative members, except those representing an employer or organization, are entitled to be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060; and
     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the task force recommend a source and level of dedicated funding the legislature should provide 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 task force complete a report to the governor and the legislature by July 1, 2006.