Phillips: Swine flu threat highlights the need for dedicated funding for public health

May 6, 2009

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With swine flu threatening the health and safety of King County residents, Metropolitan King County Councilmember Larry Phillips today called on the state Legislature in its special session to reconsider giving local governments the tools to keep their public health systems intact.

“The emergence of swine flu as a public health threat in King County and across the world is a startling reminder of why we need an adequately funded public health system,” said Phillips. “This is the worst time to be closing the doors of public health clinics and cutting off access to immunizations, and yet, without the Legislature’s help, that may be our only option.”

State Senator Karen Kaiser sponsored SB 6074, which would allow local jurisdictions to form public health districts and give those districts a dedicated public health funding source. The legislature declined to pass SB 6074, but with breaking news about the spread of confirmed cases of swine flu in Washington state and its likely return next winter, Phillips is hopeful legislators can be persuaded to reconsider in their special session.

Phillips led efforts in 2005 to ensure King County developed a pandemic flu emergency preparedness plan and stockpiled antiviral medication. That work, along with his efforts to prioritize public health funding as the Council’s 2009 Budget Chair, has put King County in the lead in its response to the swine flu outbreak. However, King County’s future preparedness for pandemic flu and other public health threats is being constrained by looming budget shortfalls that could force King County to dismantle its public health infrastructure.

“Having a strong public health system—from disease prevention to public clinics to food safety inspections—is vital to ensuring the safety and well-being of the people of King County,” said Phillips. “This is a top priority that we must protect.”