HomeMy WebLinkAbout5099 RESOLUTION NO.5 0 9 9
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF AUBURN, WASHINGTON, OPPOSING CLOSURE OF
THE KING COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH CLINIC IN
AUBURN
WHEREAS, Auburn is the 15th largest city in the state, with a population of
74,630 residents; and
WHEREAS, Auburn is a highly diverse community socioeconomically; and
WHEREAS, the City of Auburn and the community share a strong concern for
the disadvantaged members of the community, particularly families with small children;
and
WHEREAS, the City of Auburn commits significant resources annually to
providing safety net services and programs that help lift people out of poverty; and
WHEREAS, the City of Auburn's human services efforts are leveraged with
partnerships with numerous community social services organizations, including, but not
limited to, The Auburn Food Bank, Auburn Youth Resources, and Valley Cities; and
WHEREAS, King County Public Health is facing an approximately $15 million
annual budget deficit and is proposing closure of several local clinics to address the
budget deficit; and
WHEREAS, King County is proposing to close the Auburn Public Health
Clinic beginning in 2015, as well as clinics in Federal Way, Bothell, and White Center.
Two Seattle area clinics proposed for closure will have primary care services
transferred to other healthcare providers; and
WHEREAS, the Auburn clinic closure will eliminate necessary services for 10,700
low-income clients, primarily women and children, that are critical to reducing poverty,
supporting maternal and infant health, and providing family nutrition; and
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Resolution No. 5099
August 25, 2014
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WHEREAS, in 2013, the Auburn clinic served 3,000 clients with Maternity
Support Services (MSS) and Infant Case Management (ICM) for low-income
pregnant women and some infants through their first year of life; and
WHEREAS, in 2013, the Auburn clinic served 5,700 clients with Women,
Infants and Children (WIC) nutrition services for low-income pregnant women and
children age five and younger; and
WHEREAS, in 2013, the Auburn clinic provided 2,000 clients with family
planning services, reducing unplanned pregnancies, teen pregnancies, and sexually
transmitted diseases; and
WHEREAS, closing the Auburn clinic will eliminate 33 full-time equivalent jobs;
and
WHEREAS, clients of the Auburn clinic are overwhelmingly low-income and
people of color with no medical insurance; and
WHEREAS, the proposal to close both the Auburn and Federal Way clinics will
leave the southernmost cities in King County — the 7th and 5th largest cities in the
County respectively - unserved by a public health clinic, thereby imposing a greater
and disproportionate burden on low-income residents of Auburn and Federal Way to
travel to the City of Kent for health services; and
WHEREAS, while the City of Kent has two public health clinics, many Auburn
and Federal Way public health clients are unlikely to be able to travel to Kent for
public health services; and
WHEREAS, low-income residents have fewer mobility choices and are
dependent on public transit, and available public transit options are expected to be
further restricted by proposed Metro service cuts, including the elimination and
reduction of routes between Auburn and Kent, which compounds the burden of travel
for low-income residents; and
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Resolution No. 5099
August 25, 2014
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WHEREAS, King County in 2007 adopted the King County Public Health
Operational Master Plan which includes as one of four Guiding Principles, "Driven by
Social Justice: ... Public health will be a voice for the needs of the weak, the poor,
minorities and the disenfranchised."; and
WHEREAS, King County further emphasized the importance of social justice
regarding health in 2008 by instigating the King County Equity & Social Justice
Initiative, which emphasizes the importance of equal access to basic health care;
and then adopted in 2010 the King County Strategic Plan 2010-2014: Working
Together for One King County, which emphasizes equitable opportunities for all
people and communities.
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUBURN,
WASHINGTON, RESOLVES as follows:
Section 1. The City Council opposes the proposal to close both the Auburn and
Federal Way public health clinics, which would leave the southernmost part of King
County without a public health clinic, while three clinics are located in Renton and
Kent; and
Section 2. The City Council understands the need to address the revenue
shortfalls in the King County Public Health budget requests. The City Council firmly
believes that any cuts should reflect a commitment to equity across the county's
service area and reflect the location of populations of need. As such, the City Council
requests that the clinic closure proposal for King County Public Health be revised to
provide more equitable coverage of remaining clinics and avoid leaving the
southernmost part of King County without a public health clinic.
Section 3. The Mayor is authorized to implement such other administrative
procedures as may be necessary to carry out the directives of this legislation.
Section 4. That this Resolution shall take effect and be in full force upon
passage and signatures hereon.
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Resolution No. 5099
August 25, 2014
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Dated and Signed this � A�day
CITY OF AUBURN
ATTEST: nr
NANCY B I KdS, MAYOR
-,,,�anielle E. Daskam, City Clerk
APPROV D AS TO FORM:
Da iel B. Hei , ' Attorney
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Resolution No. 5099
August 25, 2014
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