Our public health system is at a crisis point, not only at Spokane County, where the Assessment/Outreach program has already been cut, but across the state. With the health of our families and communities at stake, we cannot afford any more cuts. Counties across the state are proposing dangerous cuts to public health funding that would leave the health system unprepared for disasters and incapable of maintaining current services like providing child immunizations and protecting the safety of our food and water supplies. Public health is also our first line of defense in responding to bioterrorism and in disaster preparedness. The ability of our local public health departments to perform core functions has been drastically reduced since the elimination of the Motor Vehicle Excise Tax (MVET) in 2000. Since then, backfill funding for public health has been at risk in each legislative session and counties have had to take up the burden of finding adequate funding for these essential services. Facing budget shortfalls, counties across the state are now looking to slash public health funding even further, leaving our communities dangerously unprepared if disaster strikes. We must let county officials know that we will not accept any more dangerous and irresponsible cuts to public health funding. There is just too much at stake. It is absolutely critical that we have an adequate and long-term, dedicated funding source for public health.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

Washington's public health system is in great danger.

I urge you to support public health by maintaining current funding levels and working towards an adequate and long-term stable and dedicated funding source.

Public health is underfunded and to adequately fund the District, the Spokane County Commissioners, City Council and Board of Health, must increase the current public health budget. Also, please restore funding for the Outreach/Assessment program, which evaluates and refers clients with drug or alcohol problems. Prevention programs such as this help keep people with alcohol or drug problems out of the Spokane County jail system.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
October 21, 2008