Committee reaffirms support for reproductive health access, asks executive to explore local funding options

The King County Budget and Fiscal Management Committee unanimously approved a motion reaffirming the county's commitment to reproductive freedom and requesting the executive branch to explore options for supporting local safety-net abortion providers after the state enacted cuts and federal funding uncertainties were raised.

Councilmember Zahilay introduced the motion (proposed motion 2025-0139) and framed it as a request that the executive identify ways, within limited local resources, to help close gaps left by state and federal funding reductions. "We can do something, and we can do something substantial," Zahilay said, urging the council to send a message of urgency and leadership. The committee voted 7-0 to forward the motion with a due-pass recommendation to full council.

Three invited panelists described consequences of recent funding changes. Mercedes Sanchez, executive director of Cedar River Clinics, said clinics have seen increases in out-of-state patients since the Dobbs decision and described the effects of state cuts to the "abortion access program fund," which previously funded workforce retention, recruitment, security and patient costs. Sanchez read a text she received praising clinic staff and said the cuts will worsen timely access: "Fully staffed clinics are essential for delivering patient centered care... ultimately it will jeopardize our capacity to serve patients."

Lisa Hume Schultz, vice president of policy for Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, summarized the cumulative financial pressures clinics face—low reimbursements, inflation, pandemic impacts and rising labor costs—and warned that the recent state cut of $8.5 million from the abortion access program (a roughly 55% reduction from a $15 million program) and anticipated federal Title X reductions and proposed exclusions in federal reconciliation legislation could lead to clinic closures and thousands of patients losing access. She said Planned Parenthood sites in King County serve about 13,000 patients on Medicaid and that large service gaps could result if Medicaid reimbursements were curtailed.

Gabby Nazari, government relations director for Pro Choice Washington, said cuts to abortion access funding will ripple across public health because clinics provide broader preventive care such as birth control, STI testing and cancer screening. "A right isn't a right without access and access requires sustainable comprehensive funding," Nazari said, and urged the county to provide direct funding to safety-net abortion providers.

Committee members discussed prior local actions and funding: the council's post-Dobbs appropriation in 2022 that directed $500,000 to the Northwest Abortion Access Fund and $500,000 to South King County Public Health was raised; panelists said the Northwest fund dollars were critical to patient assistance, while they were not aware that the county's $500,000 went directly to safety-net abortion providers. Members also asked for details on services at risk; panelists listed abortion care, gender-affirming care, birth control, STI testing and treatment, cancer screening, PrEP/PEP and other preventive services.

The motion asks the executive to identify immediate and longer-term options, prioritize support for safety-net abortion providers and to coordinate with community partners and public health experts. Committee Chair Dombowski said the committee will expedite the motion to full council for a full-docket discussion and public comment. The committee vote was recorded as 7-0 in favor.