HLC Announces 2019 Policy Priorities
Each year, the Healthy Living Collaborative of Southwest Washington (HLC) identifies a policy agenda based on input from its cross-sector coalition of community stakeholders. Recommendations for 2019 seek to address a broad range of issues that influence health and wellness in Southwest Washington communities.
- Increase the Housing and Essential Needs rental assistance program.
- Implement eviction reform and require cause to terminate tenancy to prevent homelessness.
- Increase the Medicaid reimbursement rate.
- Funding for school Nurses, counselors, family and community engagement coordinators, and school nurse corps – $60 million for K-12 comprehensive supports.
- Increase Working Connections Child Care reimbursement rates – ensure they cover the cost of meeting state standards.
- Opioid prevention – Comprehensive package addressing prevention, treatment and recovery
supports. - Invest $200 million in the Housing Trust Fund to create affordable homes
- Support the priorities of the Children’s Mental Health Workgroup – Priorities will likely include increasing the Medicaid rate, addressing workforce issues, increasing school based mental health services, including suicide prevention and expanding partial hospitalization programs.
- Funding to support school-based health centers – Potential pilot funding for Southwest Washington.
- Home visiting – Invest an additional $9 million in state funding to expand home visiting to
1200 more families.