Drafter
Clerk 05/07/2025
Title
A MOTION reaffirming King County's commitment to reproductive rights in response to state and federal cuts.
Body
WHEREAS, King County has long affirmed the fundamental right of every individual to make personal reproductive health decisions, including access to abortion and comprehensive reproductive healthcare, and
WHEREAS, the federal government has recently enacted severe cuts to health programs that directly affect reproductive care access, especially for low-income and marginalized communities, and
WHEREAS, these cuts include slashing funds from Title X which affects grants that support networks of clinics including health departments, federally qualified health centers, school-based providers, Cedar River Clinics, and Planned Parenthood clinics; and widespread firings at the United States Department of Health and Human Services including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Reproductive Health; and
WHEREAS, significant cuts were made to reproductive healthcare funding during Washington state's 2025 legislative session despite an initial commitment to expand access in response to the national erosion of reproductive rights. This includes a reduction of $8,470,000 for workforce retention initiatives for reproductive health providers through the Washington state Department of Health, and
WHEREAS, local reproductive health providers, including Planned Parenthood, Cedar River Clinics, and others, are already reporting increased patient volume, staff shortages, and financial insecurity due to the convergence of federal and state cuts, and
WHEREAS, these threats come during a historic national crisis in reproductive rights in the wake of the United States Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A. The council reaffirms King County's unwavering support for reproductive freedom and pledges to use every available local tool to support reproductive healthcare providers and protect access for all people in King County, regardless of income, immigration status, or geographic location.
B. The council expresses grave concern over federal and state funding cuts that undermine access to essential reproductive healthcare.
C. The council commits to working collaboratively with providers, advocates, and public health experts to understand and respond to the impact of those funding cuts in our region.
D. The council will convene a public panel of reproductive healthcare leaders at the May 14, 2025, meeting of the budget and fiscal management committee to inform the public and shape King County's local response moving forward.
E. The council requests the executive to explore funding options to replace lost
state and federal dollars to support reproductive health options. The council also acknowledges the dire state of the county budget and structural gap in the general fund.