We can’t take risks with our health

Published 2:33 pm Friday, September 5, 2008

There is a real possibility that our health as citizens of Snohomish County may soon be placed in severe jeopardy. City and county leaders may propose very soon severe cuts in programs and services currently provided by Snohomish Health District (the local agency that protects the public’s health). The Health District is funded by a combination of city, county and state tax dollars. Drastic measures are being considered.

Sharing resources for safe food and water, even breathing the same air, we all need safe and clean environments to live, work and play: all fundamental expectations for the residents of Snohomish County.

Years ago, epidemics spread throughout our nation rapidly, claiming many lives — diseases such as whooping cough, tuberculosis, diphtheria and polio. Without the protection of immunizations and preventive medications given routinely by the Health District, our citizens are no more protected than those in Third World countries! Most immunization services are provided on a sliding fee scale according to ability to pay, making them more widely available to families who face the rising costs of health care.

Infants with special health-care needs will no longer have evaluations and referrals to programs that make a huge difference in their growth and developmental outcome. “Little things” such as a home visit by an expert nurse or social worker who sees the possibilities instead of just the “diagnosis” of autism, Down Syndrome, or other more unusual congenital birth problems. Health District experts work to give these families hope for their child and his/her future.

Public health services are provided for the cost of just $10 per resident per year. We cannot afford to eliminate the very programs that keep us all healthy. We must not allow the proposed cuts in services to occur.

Margaret Osborn