Healthcare

Press release:

Vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others—including babies—during the ongoing whooping cough (pertussis) epidemic, so Public Health – Seattle & King County and Group Health Cooperative are partnering to provide free whooping cough booster shots for adults.

Adults without health insurance and those who cannot afford to pay can get a free booster on Saturday, May 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Group Health Burien Medical Center.

Young infants are at highest risk for severe illness, hospitalization and death from whooping cough. In older children and adults, the severity of whooping cough can range from a serious illness to less severe cold-like symptoms.

However, the greater danger is that adults can spread the infection to infants, pregnant women and others who have no protection.

Health officials urge all adults, especially those who have contact with infants, children and pregnant women, to make sure they have had their whooping cough vaccination.

Date: Saturday, May 12, 2012

Time: The clinic is open from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. or until there is no more vaccine available

Press release:

A medical van now visits Transform Burien’s program on two Wednesdays a month - the first and third.

The medical program offers:

* Screening for diabetes and high blood pressure
* Connections to other services such as 1) dental, 2) food, 3) shelter or housing, 4) domestic violence
* Help with DSHS and other benefit applications
* Mental health care
* Establishing a regular medical provider

Those qualifying for help:

* staying on the street,
* staying in a camp,
* staying in a vehicle,
* "doubled up" with family or friends (couch surfing)
* staying in transitional housing,
* living in a motel short term,
* staying at a detox or treatment center.

If the one or more of the requirements above are not met, the staff of the Mobile Medical Van can direct the individual to the appropriate agency.

TRANSFORM is located at 425 SW 144th street in Burien (which is in the old community center by the skate park)

Our hours are:

Sundays
3-5 pm
Hot meal, clothing and a food bank are available

Wednesday
12 noon- 2pm

Press release

State Rep. Bob Hasegawa (D-11) has introduced a measure (HB 2832) to extend access to quality health care services for all Washingtonians.

He said the idea for this legislation came out of a small business roundtable he held before session began. Small business owners expressed their growing concern over the impacts of health care costs and rising premiums, saying the costs of providing health insurance to their employees have significantly increased, and were their number one concern. They identified this issue as a top priority for the 2012 session.

This year the Legislature passed the Healthcare Exchange bill (HB 2319), a measure that will help lower costs of coverage. “But we also need to look at ways to contain costs on the service provider side,” said Hasegawa.

“More than six hundred thousand Washingtonians don’t have health care coverage either because individual plans are unavailable in their area or because they simply can’t afford them,” Hasegawa explained. “What we need is something like ‘VA for All.’ Why not create a system where we could have some access to controlling costs, as well as providing coverage for everybody?”

Press release:

April 7th launches a program to help provide residents with some relief from the high cost of prescription medications. Through the program -- sponsored by the National League of Cities (NLC) -- the city is making free prescription discount cards available to city residents. The discount cards offer city residents an average of 23 percent savings off the retail price of prescription medications.

Burien has a similar program for its residents.

The NLC Prescription Discount Card can be used by all residents of Des Moines and has no restrictions based on a resident’s age, income level, or existing health coverage. The card can be used at approximately four pharmacies in the city, as well as at more than 60,000 participating retail pharmacies across the country.

SeaTac lawmakers ended up March 10 endorsing ‘healthy living” policies such as encouraging neighborhood grocery stores to stock more fresh fruit and produce but the vote was close.

The City Council voted 4-3 to endorse the “Corner Store” policies and regulations. Mayor Tony Anderson, Deputy Mayor Mia Gregerson, Councilman Barry Ladenburg and Councilman Dave Bush voted in favor of the endorsement. Council members Terry Anderson, Rick Forschler and Pam Fernald voted against.

The policies are part of a healthily living grant from Public Health-Seattle, King County. Besides working with local stores, the policies would encourage such activities as mobile farmers markets and community gardens on public land. The policies could be incorporated into SeaTac comprehensive plan at a later date.

Fernald said she didn’t believe the city should become involved in what products are sold in the city. She said she opposes “bribing” stores to stock foods they would not normally carry. That could lead to stores throwing away lots of food they can’t sell, she added.

Press release:

Highline Medical Center will close the 17 bed Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) located at the Specialty Campus in Tukwila in April 2012.

Highline Specialty Campus continues to provide Acute Rehabilitation services for patients recuperating from major surgery, illness or an accident.

In addition, Highline Specialty Campus provides Geriatric Psychiatry and Addiction Recovery Treatment.

To learn more about Highline Medical Center healthcare services visit www.HighlineMedicalCenter.org

Federal USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon and USDA Regional Administrator Allen Ng will visit SeaTac’s Madrona Elementary on Monday to recognize four Highline elementary schools that received Silver honors in the Healthy US Schools Challenge.
Concannon and Ng will eat a school lunch with students in the cafeteria.
Four Highline elementary schools have received recognition in the Healthier US School Challenge (HUSSC). Beverly Park, Madrona, Southern Heights and White Center Heights Elementary schools are all being recognized for creating healthier school environments through promotion of good nutrition and physical activities.

To qualify for recognition, schools must meet stringent criteria for the school meal program, nutrition education, physical activity and school policies which support a wellness environment, with efforts to:
improve the nutritional quality of the foods served,
provide students with nutrition education, and
provide students with physical education and opportunities for physical activity.

Press release:

Global to Local (G2L), an unprecedented public-private partnership focused on addressing health disparities in the cities of SeaTac and Tukwila is hosting an open house event Wednesday, Jan. 18th from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Family Resource Center, 4040 S. 188th St., Suite 100 in SeaTac.

Following its conceptualization in 2009, G2L has brought together public health experts, private health-care providers, and global health specialists to improve the health of underserved populations in King County.

These organizations came together to implement a multi-year commitment to provide resources such as staffing and funding to develop local programs that will help improve health among some of the most underserved populations in the County.

At the Jan. 18th open house, Global to Local staff and leadership will introduce G2L’s new space, highlight 2011 accomplishments, take a short tour of the HealthPoint Community Clinic upstairs and share information with community members and elected officials.

Press release:

Burien residents can get some relief from the high cost of prescription medications through a new program offered through the city of Burien and National League of Cities (NLC).
The program provides free discount cards that offer savings off the retail price of prescription medications that aren’t covered by health insurance plans.
While discounts on each prescription may vary, cardholders can save as much as 20 percent off the pharmacy’s regular retail prices for prescription drugs.

The NLC Prescription Discount Card can be used by all residents of Burien and has no restrictions based on a resident’s age, income level, or existing health coverage. The card can be used at all major pharmacies in and around Burien. The discount program goes into effect Jan. 6.

“Given the current economic climate, where many people need to watch what they spend, we are happy to partner with the National League of Cities to make this prescription discount card available to our residents,” said Burien Mayor Joan McGilton.

Press release:

This Tuesday, Global2Local and the YMCA are partnering with local health care provider HealthPoint and Abbott Laboratories to provide access to free flu shots for the uninsured and onsite health screenings for any South King County resident.

These screenings will help individuals detect health conditions and identify opportunities to improve health quality.

Each screening will include tests for blood pressure, body mass index, cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose levels.

Individuals will be given instant results, and will have the opportunity to speak with health and fitness professionals about ways to improve their health.

For the best results, individuals should refrain from eating or drinking 8 to 12 hours before the screening. Spanish language interpreters will be available during the screening.

What: Free health screening and flu shot vouchers for uninsured individuals
When: Tuesday, November 22, 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Where: Tukwila Pantry, 3118 S. 140th Street, Tukwila, WA 98168
Who: This event is open and available to all members of the public.