Campaign to Save Public Health
An adequate, stable and long-term source of public health funding is a top priority
for WSNA. Public health and public health nurses are our first line of defense in
responding to disease outbreaks, bioterrorism and in disaster preparedness. They
are also the center of a quality health care system and the most cost effective
system for disease prevention and health improvement. WSNA was a founding member
of the Public Health Roundtable, a coalition of organizations advocating for a long-term
stable public health funding.
In 2007, we were able to secure $10 million new dollars towards public health in
the 07-09 biennial budget. WSNA was also successful in amending the statute to include
language that recognizes the important role of public health nurses and nursing
services: “The legislature further finds that public health nurses and nursing
services are an essential part of our public health system delivering evidence-based
care and providing core services including prevention of illness, injury, or disability,
the promotion of health, and maintenance of the health of populations.”
In the fall of 2008, in response to a looming funding crisis on the county level,
WSNA launched the ‘Campaign to Save Public Health.’ The immediate goal
was to prevent counties in the state from making dangerous cuts to public health
funding in the face of budget shortfalls while also working with partner organizations
to secure a long-term, stable and adequate funding source for the future.
WSNA also served as a lead organization in the planning and organizing of Public
Health Lobby Day on March 2nd, 2009. Through an online rally and gathering in Olympia,
hundreds of people showed their support for public health and urged their elected
leaders to maintain current public health funding in the Governor’s budget,
increase local revenue funding options and find a stable, adequate and long-term
funding solution.
Media Campaign
An initial four week advertising campaign in 2008 featured billboards and bus boards
in Spokane, King, Snohomish and Whatcom County while our press effort included guest
opinions and editorials and letters to the editor. Most importantly, we launched
a new website, SavePublicHealth.com, so that individuals could learn about public
health and get engaged in the issue.
To extend the ‘Campaign to Save Public Health’ through the entire Legislative
Session and expand its reach, WSNA created a new coalition of partners including
the Washington Health Foundation, the Washington State Medical Association, Group
Health Cooperative and IFPTE Local 17.
Building on the success of WSNA’s campaign in the fall of 2008, the new $65k
campaign featured television ads across the state, internet banner ads, and billboards
during the first quarter of 2009 reaching over 5 million people statewide.
Public Health Summits
In addition to launching the education and outreach campaign, WSNA brought together
key stakeholders in public health ranging from public health district administrators
to government officials to leaders of health care and advocacy organizations.
With dangerous funding cuts being proposed in counties across the state, WSNA planned
and hosted the ‘Summit on the Public Health’ in September of 2008. The
goal was to identify how the attendees and organizations represented could work
together to protect public health funding as counties moved through their budget
processes in the fall.
In December of 2008, WSNA convened the ‘Action Summit on Public Health’
as county budgets were being finalized and focus was shifting towards the growing
state budget shortfall. This second forum was held to follow up on the initial efforts
of the 'Summit on Public Health' and start building a real plan to save public health
this year and in the future. The Action Summit garnered even more interest and participation
than the first.
WSNA will continue to be a leader in promoting funding for public health and public
health nurses. As Registered Nurses, we all understand and see the consequences
everyday of the crumbling public health system in Washington State. The severity
of this crisis and potential for long-term impact on health in Washington continue
to demand our immediate and far-reaching action.
