Regional healthcare leaders, elected officials convene for 2nd in series of strategic roundtables in NW WA

||| FROM AMY DRURY for PEACEHEALTH |||

Bellingham, Wash. – On Monday, Dec. 8 a diverse group of healthcare leaders and elected officials and their representatives from across Northwest Washington gathered for the second in a series of high-impact roundtables focused on advancing regional health priorities. The event is a continuation of the August discussion around the challenges to the health and social services safety net.

Purpose:

This roundtable brought together policymakers and regional leaders to explore collaborative public and private solutions to both preserve the health and social services safety net and ensure it can respond to increasing need in our communities.

Background:

Northwest Washington’s health and social services safety net is held together by a unified collective of organizations and policymakers that ensure access to vital care for individuals and families facing economic, social and health obstacles in our communities.

This roundtable is a critical step toward identifying sustainable solutions and reinforcing our shared commitment to community well-being.

Key highlights:

• Built a shared understanding of Medicaid and its impact on our communities, including anticipated changes.
• Learned about the need for dental care and programs to support dental health for those who are un-insured, under-insured or covered by Medicaid.
• Discussed potential policy recommendations and advocacy actions to strengthen the health and social services safety net.
• Identified priorities to share with state legislators ahead of the January legislative session.

Speakers:

• Rachel Lucy, Director Community Health, PeaceHealth
• Amy Harley, MD, Public Health Officer, Whatcom and San Juan Counties
• Kelly Kikuchi, Director Patient Financial Advocacy, PeaceHealth
• Jodi Joyce, CEO, Unity Care NW
• Heather Flaherty, Executive Director, Chuckanut Health Foundation
• Chuck Prosper, Chief Executive, PeaceHealth

Elected Officials Present:

• Rep. Alicia Rule, 42nd District
• Sen. Liz Lovelett, 40th District (Bellingham, San Juan, Skagit, Anacortes)
• Rep. Sam Low, 39th District (includes East County from Granite Falls to Bow)
• Jon Scanlon, Whatcom County Council member
• Mary Lou Steward, mayor of Blaine

Attendees:

Leaders from PeaceHealth, Unity Care NW, Family Care Network, Sea Mar Community Health Centers, Whatcom County Health and Community Services, local foundation leaders, the North Sound ACH and representatives from area health and social service agencies were in attendance.

Quotes:

“Dental access for low-income adults remains one of the greatest needs in our community. Currently, Sea Mar and Unity Care are among the only dental clinics serving the Medicaid population, and there are no denturists or oral surgeons in Whatcom County accepting Medicaid referrals for patients ages 21 and older. In addition to serving adults and children at its dental clinics, Unity Care focuses on upstream prevention by providing dental screenings and sealants at every school in Whatcom County annually.”— Jodi Joyce, CEO, Unity Care NW.

Dental access remains one of the greatest needs in our community. Adult dental care is consistently identified as a top priority for low-income adults year after year. Currently, very few dental clinics serve the Medicaid population, and there are no denturists or oral surgeons in Whatcom County accepting Medicaid referrals. Unity Care helps bridge this gap by providing dental screenings and sealants to every school in Whatcom County annually.”— Jodi Joyce, CEO, Unity Care NW.

“Medicaid—known as Apple Health in Washington—provides coverage for more than two million people, roughly one in four Washington residents. Among enrolled adults under 65, 70% are employed and most of the remainder are unable to work, due to conditions such as caregiving responsibilities, school or a disability.  Apple Health also covers nearly half of Washington’s children and pays for 59% of the state’s nursing home care,” said Amy Harley, MD, Public Health Officer, Whatcom and San Juan Counties.

“As vice chair of the Health Care and Wellness Committee, I am inspired by the opportunity to listen, learn and work alongside our communities to create policies that uplift and protect every neighbor. Together, we can build a future where health and wellness are not privileges, but promises for all,” said Rep. Alicia Rule.

“When we come together, there’s nothing we can’t do. The need is vast and great. The overwhelm is by design. And the opportunity is to do what is morally right together, with the people in this room,” said Heather Flaherty, Executive Director, Chuckanut Health Foundation.

The roundtable concluded with a commitment to reconvene again in the spring to continue to develop actionable recommendations and foster ongoing collaboration between participating organizations.

Thank You to Our Partners: We extend our gratitude to all participating individuals and elected officials for their commitment to improving health outcomes across Northwest Washington.