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Health department interlocal will allow free TB medication access; staff previews CDBG reconveyance
Summary
Health and Human Services staff previewed an interlocal agreement with the state Department of Health to supply tuberculosis medication at no cost when insurance does not cover it; separately, a staff member briefed the board on a routine reconveyance tied to a prior $25,000 CDBG grant when a homeowner sells the property.
Health and Human Services staff told the Cowlitz County Board on Monday that an interlocal agreement with the Washington State Department of Health will provide tuberculosis medication to local health departments at no cost when a patient's insurance does not cover treatment.
"The state is providing TB medication at no cost to local health departments if they have active TB cases," Gina James of Health and Human Services said, adding that the agreement sets storage and inventory requirements for any medication received.
James said there is no money exchanged under the agreement; its purpose is to close gaps when individuals cannot obtain medication through their insurance, which can be expensive.
Separately, a county staff member briefed the board on a reconveyance item tied to an earlier Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Under the program, a $25,000 lien placed on a property when work was funded must be paid if the property is sold; staff said the homeowner in this case had passed away and the family is requesting payoff of the remaining lien. Staff estimated the county had done roughly 6 or 7 reconveyances and that about twenty-some cases remain in the program, with most expected to finish by 2028.
Both items were placed on upcoming agendas for formal consideration.
