A new multi-service crisis response center will provide behavioral health services for Washingtonians in north King County. Representatives from Kirkland, Bothell, Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, and Shoreline announced the site of the crisis response center during a press conference on Wednesday. It will be located at 11410 NE. 122nd Way in Kirkland’s Totem … Read more
Governors from 20 states announced the creation of the Reproductive Freedom Alliance on Tuesday. The alliance is a non-partisan coalition of 20 governors committed to protecting and expanding reproductive freedom in their states, and is the largest such coalition ever convened. The alliance will work together to strengthen reproductive freedom in the face … Read more
A bill that would strengthen reproductive rights for Washingtonians in the state’s constitution sparked passionate remarks, both in support of and in opposition to the proposed amendment, during a legislative meeting on Tuesday. Members of the Senate Health & Long Term Care Committee held a public hearing for Senate Joint Resolution 8202. The … Read more
Senate Housing Committee members discussed a $4 billion Washington housing initiative on Wednesday during a public hearing for Senate Bill 5202. SB 5202 aims to reduce homelessness in Washington through capital expenditures for programs that address housing insecurity. Committee staffer Melissa Van Gorkom said the state Finance Committee would be authorized to issue … Read more
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee prioritized initiatives to address homelessness and behavioral health needs in his proposed 2023-25 budget, which he released on Wednesday. Inslee’s housing proposal features a referendum that would allow legislators to front-load $4 billion of housing construction over the next six years. The underlying capital budget will fund approximately 2,200 … Read more
Gov. Jay Inslee and other Washington lawmakers have announced several new policy proposals that will be part of a 2023 legislative package that aims to strengthen abortion access and other reproductive health services in the state. Lawmakers announced the proposals at Federal Way’s Wayside United Church of Christ on Friday. Rep. Drew Hansen … Read more
Registration is now open for the 2023 Washington State of Reform Health Policy Conference! Register to join us at our first conference of 2023, which will be held at the Westin Seattle on Thursday, January 5th! The State of Reform team is hard at work putting together a diverse array of timely panel topics and speakers for the … Read more
My name is Eli Kirshbaum and I’m a Senior Reporter/Editor here at State of Reform. Emily is out on vacation for the next two weeks, so I’m stepping in to write her newsletters while she’s gone. Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or comments during her time off—I’d be happy to … Read more
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced late last month that he will rescind 12 COVID-19 emergency authority proclamations that affect the health care sector and are no longer needed in response to the pandemic. The rescissions will take effect on Oct. 27th, which will give health care providers and facilities time to transition to pre-COVID laws. … Read more
Several Washington health care agencies are implementing initiatives that expand the use of peer support specialists in behavioral health treatment. On Wednesday, Gov. Jay Inslee met with members of the Results Washington program, which he established in 2013 through Executive Order 13-04. Health care officials updated Inslee on project efforts to increase access … Read more