RES 14-668RESOLUTION NO. #14 -668
A RESOLUTION of the City Council of the City of Federal Way,
Washington, opposing closure of the King County Public Health Clinic
in Federal Way
WHEREAS, Federal Way is the 10th largest city in the state, with a population of 90,150
residents; and
WHEREAS, Federal Way is a highly diverse community socio - economically; and
WHEREAS, the City of Federal Way and the community share a strong concern for the
disadvantaged members of the community, particularly families with small children; and
WHEREAS, the City of Federal Way commits significant resources annually to providing
safety net services and programs that help lift people out of poverty; and
WHEREAS, the City of Federal Way's human services efforts are leveraged with
partnerships with numerous community social services organizations, including, but not limited to,
The Multi - Service Center, FUSION, Valley Cities; and
WHEREAS, King County Public Health is facing an approximately $12 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 Federal Way Public Health Clinic
beginning in 2015, as well as clinics in Auburn, Bothell, and White Center. Two Seattle area clinics
proposed for closure will have primary care services transferred to other healthcare providers; and
WHEREAS, the Federal Way clinic closure will eliminate necessary services for 13,700 low-
income clients, primarily women, that are critical to reducing poverty, supporting maternal and infant
health, and providing family nutrition; and
WHEREAS, in 2013, the Federal Way clinic served 4,430 clients with Maternity Support
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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 Federal Way clinic served 7,135 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 Federal Way clinic provided 1,806 clients with family planning
services, reducing unplanned pregnancies, teen pregnancies, and sexually transmitted diseases; and
WHEREAS, closing the Federal Way clinic will eliminate 38 full -time equivalent jobs; and
WHEREAS, clients of the Federal Way clinic are overwhelmingly low- income and people of
color, with 92% of clients having incomes 200% below the national income level, and 73% being
people of color, while 59% do not have medical insurance; and
WHEREAS, the proposal to close both the Federal Way and Auburn clinics will leave the
southernmost cities in King County — the 5th and 7th largest cities in the County respectively -
unserved by a public health clinic, thereby imposing a greater and disproportionate burden on low-
income residents of Federal Way and Auburn to travel to the City of Kent for health services; and
WHEREAS, while the City of Kent has two public health clinics, many Federal Way and
Auburn 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 Federal Way and Kent, which
compounds the burden of travel for low- income residents; and
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
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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 FEDERAL WAY,
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. Severability. If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this resolution should be
held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or
unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity or constitutionality of any other section, sentence,
clause or phrase of this resolution.
Section 4. Corrections. The City Clerk and the codifiers of this resolution are authorized to
make necessary corrections to this resolution including, but not limited to, the correction of
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scrivener /clerical errors, references, resolution numbering, section/subsection numbers and any
references thereto.
Section 5. Ratification. Any act consistent with the authority and prior to the effective date
of this resolution is hereby ratified and affirmed.
Section 6. Effective Date. This resolution shall be effective immediately upon passage by
the Federal Way City Council.
RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FEDERAL WAY,
WASHINGTON this 12th day of August, 2014.
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
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ATTEST:
S H NIE COURTWY, DEPUTY CI CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
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INTERIM I Y ATTORNEY, AMY JO PEARSALL
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: 08 -05 -2014
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: 08 -12 -2014
RESOLUTION NO.: #14 -668
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