5 Things Washington: ‘Commitment to Reproductive Freedom,’ Q&A w/ Vince Porter, 988 launch – State of Reform – State of Reform

In this edition of 5 Things Were Watching we feature conversations on the future of home-based health care services, the soon-to-launch 988 hotline, and state leaders reactions to the Supreme Courts Roe v. Wade decision.

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Emily BoergerState of Reform

Vince Porteris the Director of theRegence Health Policy Center. Formerly the health care innovation hub Cambia Grove, the new policy center aims to inform and advance policies that promote affordable and accessible care. In this Q&A, Porter discusses thebenefits of home-based care services and what the end of the public health emergency might mean for the health care system.

Porter saysthe end of the PHE could mean the reversal of several flexibilities and innovations made possible during the pandemic.Letting these programs expirespecifically Hospital at Home waiversat this juncture would set everyone back a few years on research, data analysis, and process improvements. This is a pivotal moment and key opportunity that could help move the ball closer to a quality, community-based health care system that improves access and decreases costs for patients.

Following the Supreme Courts decision last week to overturn Roe v. Wade, thegovernors of Washington, Oregon, and California issueda Multi-StateCommitment to Reproductive Freedom. During a press conference Saturday, Gov. Inslee and other state leaders discussed potential measures to strengthen access and support for abortion providers and patients.

These measures include:pursuing a constitutional amendment to solidify the right of choice in Washington, dedicating $1 million in funds to ensure reproductive care clinics can provide care, ensuring hospital mergers dont result in loss of access to abortion care, and issuing an executive order directing the Washington State Patrol to refuse to cooperate with abortion-related investigatory requests from agencies in states that dont allow abortion. Washington isone of 16 statesthat have codified the right to abortion, and is one of just 4 states that have laws preventing lawsuits against abortion providers.

Ahead of the July 16th launch of the988 suicide prevention line, State of Reform caught up with Michele Roberts, Assistant Secretary for Prevention & Community Health at the DOH,for a conversation on the benefits of the hotline, the services that will be available, and next steps in improving Washingtons behavioral health crisis response services.

Roberts saysthe new hotline will create a distinctbut coordinated system with 911.We know that the vast majority of people seeking help from the [National Suicide Prevention Lifeline] do not require additional interventions. Fewer than 2% of NSPL calls require connection to emergency services like 911, said Roberts. The 988 coordinated response is intended to promote stabilization and care in the least restrictive manner.

The Washington State Health Care Authority held an informational meeting this week to discuss its plans to distribute $100 million to behavioral health providers to address workforce challenges. The HCA will receive the funds,which come from the 2023 supplemental community behavioral health budget, on July 1st.

During the meeting, Behavioral Health Policy and Programs Supervisor Kimberly Wright said the funds could be used forworkforce retention and recruitment, child care stipends, student loan repayment, tuition assistance, relocation expenses, and costs incurred due to the COVID-19 public health emergency. Community behavioral health providers contracted and receiving payments through an MCO orBH-ASO are eligible for the funds.HCA intendsto provide funding notifications in August, with payments sent to providers by Sept. 30th.

A multi-perspective group of speakers discussed the impact oftrauma, societal norms, and economics on mens health during a recent DOH panel in recognition ofMens Health Month. During the conversation, former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin discussed how trauma, and an unwillingness to talk about trauma, is a key issue impacting mens health.

DOH Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah addedthat societal norms can result in men internalizingtheir difficult experiences.These unchecked feelings, he said, can provoke negative methods of dealing with pain, including acts of violence.Were not doing enough for our next generation,Shah said. What are we teaching our sons? What are we doing to prevent them from reliving trauma that we ourselves have lived? Shame on us if we do not, and cannot, and will not do more.

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5 Things Washington: 'Commitment to Reproductive Freedom,' Q&A w/ Vince Porter, 988 launch - State of Reform - State of Reform