Spokane County commissioner says she pressed lawmakers for public health funding during Olympia and D.C. trips

Spokane County Commissioner Amber Waldra said she traveled to Olympia and Washington, D.C., to press state and federal lawmakers for funding to expand sobering beds and address PFAS contamination in the county's drinking water.

Waldra said the outreach included meetings with capital-budget writers and elected officials. "I traveled to both Olympia and Washington DC to advocate on behalf of Spokane County priorities and public health investments at the federal level," she said, adding that meetings in Washington included discussions with "Senator Patty Murray, Senator Maria Cantwell, and Representative Michael Baumgartner." She also said she and Commissioner Chris Jordan met with "Senator Marcus Rochelle and other local elected leaders" and were accompanied by assistants Amy and Chrissy.

"I'm very concerned about potential cuts and that would impact our ability here in Spokane County to prevent the spread of disease, support healthy moms and babies, and be prepared for health emergencies," Waldra said, describing the purpose of the visits. She said she joined Board of Health members from across the country in Washington to advocate for continued federal investment in public health through Centers for Disease Control funding and Medicaid dollars.

Waldra noted that the Spokane Regional Health District Board recently adopted an updated strategic plan and referred listeners to a KSPS interview with Administrative Officer Alicia Thompson for more detail on the district's core values and vision. She said she will monitor potential federal funding changes and "keep you informed about ways you can advocate for the health of our community."