Dear friends and neighbors,
I recently returned from Washington, D.C., where I was honored to present on a bipartisan panel alongside legislators from Colorado, Montana, and New Hampshire about the progressive, effective work we’ve been doing to expand our housing supply and address affordability challenges in our respective states. The fact is, Washington and many of our cities have been working hard on housing reforms to cut red tape, streamline permitting, and ensure we can build the 1.1 million new homes needed over the next 20 years to house our growing population. It’s encouraging to have that work recognized nationally. Still, there’s more to be done!
Access to the COVID vaccine
I’ve worked in public health for years and know how important it is that Washingtonians have access to basic, essential health care. Like many of you, I’m very concerned about the steps that Robert Kennedy Jr. is taking as secretary of Health and Human Services, particularly his dangerous efforts to limit vaccine access and undermine vaccine science.
Here in Washington, we’re ensuring people can still get the vaccines they need to keep themselves and their families healthy. We’ve joined California, Hawaii, and Oregon in a West Coast Health Alliance, so our states can provide residents with the best immunization guidance — rooted in evidence, science, and public health. Our state health officer has signed a standing order allowing pharmacists, nurses, and other health care providers to administer the COVID vaccine to everyone six months or older unless there’s a specific, individual reason not to. People enrolled in Apple Health (our state Medicaid program) can get a COVID vaccine at no cost, and our insurance commissioner has ensured all individual and small employer health insurance plans will cover the vaccination cost. And the Legislature is doing its part too, passing legislation to increase childhood vaccination rates in schools and preserving the ability of public health officials to share accurate, evidence-based information with the public about vaccines and communicable diseases.
If you have any questions or concerns about accessing the vaccines you need to keep yourself and your family safe, please reach out to my office. We will continue to share information from the Department of Health and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.
Legislative internships opening!
Do you know a college junior or senior interested in learning more about the Legislature? Applications are now open for our internship program. Interns get paid to work with member offices, participate in mock debates, meet with statewide elected officials, and more – all while earning academic credit. Learn more and apply today at https://leg.wa.gov/learn-and-participate/civic-education-programs/internship-program/
Thanks for reading!
– Jess
