Social & Human Services

Joint Select Committee on Public Health Finance

The Joint Select Committee on Public Health Finance has met during a two-phase process to (1) evaluate Washington’s current status of public health and identify appropriate levels of services and outcomes, and (2) make informed funding recommendations. The committee met on July 17 to review recommendations and has decided to meet once more before conclusions and recommendations will be complete.

Public health service in Washington involves 35 different local health jurisdictions that receive local, state and federal support. In fiscal year 2004, state and local governments spent about $590 million on public health. Public health is financed by a variety of sources:

• Federal grants;
• Annual state appropriations from the state General Fund, Health Services Account, and the state’s tobacco lawsuit settlement;
• Local tax sources; and
• Fees charged for regulatory activities.

Local health departments also receive $24 million from the state General Fund to "backfill" approximately 90 percent of what was previously received from the motor vehicle excise tax (MVET) before it was repealed by Initiative 695 in 2000.

Draft conclusions and recommendations recognize that state and local government must continue to have joint responsibility to provide public health services. Current funding recommendations (subject to change) are that the state creates a stable and dedicated source of state funds, local health jurisdictions maintain their current level of financial support adjusted for inflation, and provisions are made for additional local taxing authority. A combination of other options to finance additional local public health services are also recommended for consideration.

Legislation is likely during the 2007 session.

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