KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON - On Saturday, September 14th, the King County Civil Rights Commission and Public Health - Seattle & King County will hold a community health care forum titled, "When getting health care seems impossible: Making the health care system work for you." This event is part of continued efforts by King County to break down barriers for residents trying to access health care services.
"With this forum we're promoting the well-being of our community and making sure our diverse populations have access to health services," said King County Executive Ron Sims.
Participants of this community health care forum will be able to learn about:
- patients' rights to receive appropriate health care
- how to recognize illegal discrimination
- low-cost health care options for individuals and families
The forum, which is free, open to the public and wheelchair accessible, will be held:
Saturday, September 14, 2002
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
King County Fire District Training Facility in Skyway
12424 76th Avenue S., Seattle (across from K.C. Fire District 20)
"Both nationally and locally, we have found that there are serious barriers, including ethnic and racial discrimination, to accessing health care services," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County. "This health care forum is part of our community's efforts to eliminate disparities in health and give everybody access to health care."
To view Public Health's 2001 Report on Racial and Ethnic Discrimination in Health Care Settings, which identifies discrimination issues and makes recommendations to address discrimination in the health care setting, please visit: www.metrokc.gov/health/reports/discriminationinhealthcare.pdf
The King County Civil Rights Commission takes a strong leadership role in raising community awareness and involvement on civil rights issues and advises the King County Executive and County Council on matters related to the County's civil rights programs. For more information, visit: www.metrokc.gov/dias/crc.
Public Health - Seattle & King County aims to achieve and sustain healthy people and healthy communities by providing public health services which promote health and prevent disease. For more information, visit: www.metrokc.gov/health
