“State and federal funding for Public Health has shrunk in recent years, while the needs and demands of our people have grown exponentially,” said County Councilmember Julia Patterson, chair of the Board of Health. “Because of this alarming trend, it is vital that we prioritize how we are going to use the resources available. This framework will guide our funding decisions in a rational and consistent manner, ensuring that we are effectively prioritizing the critical functions of our public health department.”

“Passage of this framework represents the culmination of a collaborative effort that encompasses both government and over 700 regional stakeholders that have spoken into the process,” said Board of Health member David Hutchinson, Mayor of Lake Forest Park. “Now that the framework process is complete, we are tasked with implementing policies consistent with the recommendations included in the framework. Most importantly, we must move forward in a way that ensures the resources we have are used to maximize the health of the public.”

Adoption of the document known as “A Policy Framework for the Health of the Public” is the first major milestone in completing Phase I of the Public Health Operational Master Plan (PHOMP), a collaborative effort of the County Council, Executive, Public Health – Seattle & King County, and the Board of Health.

“A coordinated public health framework will play a fundamental role in how our public health department prioritizes programs and how our Council and Executive make budget decisions,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert, chair of the Council’s Law, Justice and Human Services Committee. “We can address many health concerns through public education, such as tobacco cessation and good nutrition. Other health challenges may require that we provide health services throughout the population, such as emergency care and immunization distribution. This framework ensures that our decisions are guided by principles that have been thoughtfully and collaboratively created.”

The King County Council initiated the Public Health Operational Master Plan in the 2005 King County Budget, through provisos requiring the Executive, Council, Board of Health and Public Health to work together to develop a sustainable operational and financing model for the County’s provision of public health services. The Policy Framework recommended today will guide Phase II of the PHOMP in evaluating decisions regarding public health operations and funding.

The King County Council is scheduled to act on the Policy Framework at its meeting on Monday, Feb. 26.