Resolution in Support of Public Health Workers and of Sustainable Funding for Public Health – Seattle & King County

October 21, 2026

WHEREAS, Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC) workers including nurses, social workers, counselors, support staff, and many others provide clinical care, disease prevention, and community health services to residents across King County including people who have no healthcare coverage or are under-insured; and

WHEREAS, King County’s own forecast shows the Public Health Fund’s undesignated reserves falling from $120.9 million in 2025 to a projected negative $56.3 million by 2028–2029, and its operating gap growing from about $22.7 million a year in the 2026–2027 budget to about $60.1 million a year in 2028–2029 and about $71.3 million a year by 2030–2031; and

WHEREAS, H.R. 1 makes deep cuts to federal funding for Medicaid and the resulting loss of health coverage for King County residents will increase demand for public health clinics and services while at the same time significantly decrease revenue for those same public health clinics; and

WHEREAS, in March 2026 the Washington State Legislature passed, and the Governor signed, House Bill 2442, which gives counties new revenue tools, including the authority to levy up to $0.05 per $1,000 of assessed value, restricted by law to the operation, maintenance, and capital costs of public health clinics, effective July 1, 2026; and

WHEREAS, this levy would cost about $25 a year on a home assessed at $500,000, and, because its use is legally restricted, would be directed to public health clinics rather than diverted to other purposes; and

WHEREAS, elected leaders in our region have pledged to protect residents from the impact of federal cuts, and a well-funded public health system is a practical way to keep this pledge; and

WHEREAS, when public health funding runs short, workers face layoffs, vacancy freezes, and heavier caseloads, and as a result King County residents lose access to care; and

WHEREAS, MLK Labor has a long-standing commitment to protecting worker rights, advancing economic justice, and supporting the solidarity of all working families; and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, MLK Labor stands in solidarity with the workers of Public Health – Seattle & King County and recognizes the essential role they play in maintaining the health and wellness of our communities; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that MLK Labor formally calls on the King County Council, the King County Board of Health, and the King County Executive to adopt a sustainable funding plan for Public Health – Seattle & King County, and to use the taxing authority available to them, including the public health clinic levy authorized by HB 2442, to close the Public Health Fund’s projected operating gap; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that MLK Labor opposes balancing the Public Health Fund through layoffs, position eliminations, or reductions in clinic services, and urges that any budget changes impacting public health workers respect existing collective bargaining rights and obligations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that MLK Labor directs its officers to communicate this resolution to the King County Council, the King County Board of Health, the King County Executive, and the Budget and Fiscal Management Committee, and to encourage affiliates and members to testify and contact their councilmembers during the budget process; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that MLK Labor will work with affiliated unions representing public health workers and with community and healthcare partners to build public support for fully funding Public Health – Seattle & King County.