 Gov. Jay Inslee and state legislators doubled down on efforts to protect reproductive freedom during a Friday press conference at Wayside United Church of Christ in Federal Way. Gov. Jay Inslee, state lawmakers, faith leaders, and reproductive care providers convened Friday in Federal Way at Wayside United Church of Christ to announce additional measures to protect reproductive freedom. The governor’s and legislators’ 2023 legislative proposals feature a host of bills strengthening access and protection for individuals seeking reproductive health care in Washington state.
“A woman’s right of choice is a health care issue,” said Gov. Jay Inslee. “Health care must remain the providence of individual Washington women. These laws will keep the tentacles of restrictive states out of Washington.”
Rep. Drew Hansen previewed a sanctuary policy that will protect patients from out-of-state from being punished for lawfully seeking and receiving legal health care services in Washington state. Rep. Tarra Simmons previewed a bill that will prevent health system mergers from creating extralegal restrictions for patients seeking lawful abortion or gender-affirming care.
The event followed a pro-choice event held in Bellingham last week during which legislators announced a bill to protect the data privacy of people seeking reproductive health care, and another to protect providers from adverse criminal or civil action while providing legal health care services. The governor also reiterated his commitment to introducing a constitutional amendment to enshrine the right to abortion.
 Gov. Jay Inslee visited Meadowdale High School in Lynnwood on Monday morning. The Edmonds School District is pioneering digital literacy efforts to help students perform reliable research, and the Teachers of Color Foundation is advancing educator diversity. Growing up in Seattle, Leon Johnson remembers just one teacher of color throughout his education. He is determined to change that picture for future generations. Leon is a paraeducator at Meadowdale High School in Lynnwood, and he’s now just a few steps away from becoming certified as a teacher. His son has followed suit, recently completing his master’s degree in education. Justine Locke’s ascent at Lynnwood High School has garnered headlines – she started as a lunch lady before being promoted to a teacher, then again to assistant principal.
These success stories were supported by the Teachers of Color Foundation. The foundation asserts that adults in classrooms could better represent the students they teach. Through fundraising and advocacy, the group is helping establish alternative routes to certification, conducting mentorship programs, and helping aspiring educators afford the cost of education and student teaching.
Gov. Jay Inslee visited Meadowdale High School on Monday to meet foundation members and discuss state efforts to improve educator diversity like the Beginning Educator Support Team mentorship program and the “Grow Your Own” program helping schools recruit community members.
Meadowdale High School is also leading new efforts to teach digital literacy and avoid biased reporting. The Edmonds School District teaches a SIFT strategy, helping students to stop, investigate sources, find trusted reporting, and trace claims to original sources. When asked what stuck with him about digital literacy training, one student replied, “skepticism – reading critically helps me find bias.”
 Gov. Jay Inslee and staff from MultiCare and Mount Tahoma High School pose for a picture outside the new school-based health center. The clinic offers physical and mental health care to students just a short walk away, dramatically improving access to vital care. Many students lack a primary care provider. Cold and flu season is starting. Youth mental health is in a critical state. But within 50 Washington schools, health care is now just a short walk away for students. In recent weeks, Gov. Jay Inslee has visited some of these school-based health centers now becoming more common.
Oakland and Mount Tahoma high schools in Tacoma have both recently opened school-based health centers run in partnership by Tacoma Public Schools and MultiCare. The clinics are each staffed once a week by a professional psychiatrist to offer students mental health support.
Meadowdale High School in Lynnwood became the first school in Snohomish County to open a school-based health center this year. The Meadowdale clinic offers dental care services including x-rays and cleanings, in addition to physical and mental health care services.
Recent state budgets and 2SHB 1664 are improving staff-to-student ratios in schools to bolster the number of counselors, paraeducators, and nurses available to students. The close proximity, reduced wait times, and often-subsidized cost of school-based health centers level common barriers between youth and mental health support. Combined, state investments in school-based health centers and supporting staff are improving student health.
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