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Council extends HCA street medicine grant funding after debate over harm-reduction activities and data collection
Summary
The council approved an ordinance to extend the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) street medicine grant, drawing debate over harm reduction practices, data collection needs and whether the program helps move people off the streets.
The Spokane City Council on Thursday voted 5-2 to extend funding for the Washington State Health Care Authority street medicine grant under Ordinance C 36 7 59.
Sunshine Wiggins, a program user, testified in favor of the grant, saying the street medicine teams “can come to you” and that the program reduces barriers to care for people experiencing homelessness. She described the program’s ability to provide verification of homelessness and basic wound care in the field.
Council member Cathcart said she had been skeptical of street medicine in the past and questioned whether it could keep people off the street. She voted to support the ordinance after staff clarified the funding restrictions and what services were allowed. Cathcart requested that the contract include specific data points: “how many folks who you utilize street medicine access additional services because of that connection” and “how many individuals on the street as a result of their interactions with street medicine are put into some form of housing.” Staff indicated they were open to collecting those measures.
Council member Bingle questioned harm-reduction measures and highlighted that a separate regional needle-exchange program exists; he raised concerns about funding for exchange of paraphernalia and about dollar fungibility. Other councilors emphasized the grant’s restriction to naloxone distribution and wound care and noted that the money was allocated by the state and would revert if not accepted.
Supporters argued that street medicine reduces pressure on emergency rooms, helps keep people alive during extreme weather and improves access to services. The ordinance passed 5-2 with one abstention recorded for a different item this meeting; Council member Cathcart ultimately voted in favor after securing staff commitments to add data collection.
The ordinance extends the city’s use of state HCA funds for street medicine operations; council members asked staff to return with proposals for the specific data collection measures Cathcart requested.
