Board approves sign-on authority to protect tobacco-settlement-funded health programs

The Cascade City-County Board of Health approved Resolution 25-05 to affirm support for continued funding from the tobacco Master Settlement Agreement, including funds used for cancer screening, tobacco-use prevention and related chronic disease programs.

Abigail, a health department staff member, said the settlement channels money to cancer control programs, breast and cervical cancer screening, fall-prevention classes for seniors and blood-pressure classes that are tied to preventing diseases associated with tobacco use. "This resolution asks the board to affirm its support of the continued funding without reduction of the screening prevention and disease management programs, as well as approving the execution of one or more letters...advocating for the continued support of said programs and opposing legislation that would reduce funding," Abigail said.

Laurie Glover moved approval of Resolution 25-05. Abigail seconded. The board recorded no public comment on the motion and the chair announced the voice vote carried.

Board member Laurie Glover asked whether the resolution covered home-visiting programs; Abigail clarified the settlement-related funding at issue "specifically supports the asthma home visiting exclusively" and does not affect the maternal and child health block grant-funded home visiting programs.

The resolution also authorizes signing onto circulated advocacy letters if staff and the chair determine those are appropriate, so the approved position can be used in committee testimony or sign-on letters to protect current settlement funding.