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WA’s Food Aid Program for Infants and Mothers Now Funded Through Most of November
The news Thursday was a relief to advocates for the Women, Infants and Children program, known as WIC
By Jake Goldstein-Street Washington State Standard
Federal food benefits for Washington mothers and their babies at risk due to the federal government shutdown will continue into mid-to-late November, the state announced Thursday.
Funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will allow the state to keep up food benefits under the Women, Infants and Children program, known as WIC, and support the 11 workers still administering it in Washington.
“It’s definitely a relief,” said Nicole Flateboe, executive director of Nutrition First, the state’s WIC association. “It’s food benefits through Thanksgiving, hopefully.”
The estimate of assistance lasting until mid-to-late November is based on current use. If enrollees start increasing their usage, the funding could run out sooner, according to the state Department of Health.
An agriculture department spokesperson said Thursday that the agency “utilized tariff revenue to fund WIC for the foreseeable future.” It was unclear exactly how much money the feds were providing.
WIC benefits have been among the most vulnerable to the ongoing shutdown. When
the shutdown began Oct. 1, the state had about two weeks’ worth of funding to keep feeding low-income Washingtonians enrolled in WIC.
Redirected tariff revenue from the Trump administration is allowing states to get through October, but that $300 million infusion would only last through the end of the month.
“Meanwhile, funding for federal food stamps - a program that is separate from WICis set to run dry at the end of October.”
In Washington, over 200 clinics serve more than 212,000 women and their children younger than 5 years old annually under the WIC program, according to the state. WIC helps nearly one-third of all newborn babies. Nationally, the program serves nearly 7 million Americans.
WIC helps mothers with access to healthy food, breastfeeding support, nutrition education and health screenings. Research has
shown participation in the program helps avoid low birth weights and reduce maternal mortality.
The new money announced Thursday is focused on food benefits, not the program’s other services.
Earlier this month, King County and Seattle officials promised that the nearly 30,000 enrollees there would receive one-time vouchers for food and baby
Last Night’s Dinner Party Was Just Plain Awful. The Worst.
No matter how hard I try, I cannot ignore what happened last night.
My writer’s mind ponders, laughs at, and ultimately rejects everything else I try to say. I cannot write my pages today without telling this story . . .
Mary Lou Sanelli Falling Awake
While setting the table and lighting the candles it had started off feeling like the sort of evening when you feel nothing can go wrong. I was throwing a little dinner for a friend who brought someone, someone I didn’t know, and while my friend’s generous nature filled every inch of my kitchen, it soon became clear that I was nowhere near left leaning enough for her friend who asked a question that I have never found a way to answer gracefully. To some, my answer proves I am not liberal enough. To others, it demonstrates, without a sliver of patience, that I am not conservative enough to be taken seriously. What a minefield these labels have made of us.
While trying to stay focused on the homecooked meal I was trying to pull off, I answered her question as honestly as I could a little afraid, and defensive, and proud, all at once. There, I thought, I have said what I think, and I know my opinion will come off as politically incorrect to you. She looked at
me and a frown formed. And we both know it can take no more than a subtle shift of one’s smile to ruin a perfectly good evening.
On the written page I go in deep, but with strangers, who knows how far you can go before you’ve gone too far?
“What a minefield these labels have made of us.”
But what I didn’t remember until rereading this is that she arrived without a hostess gift of any kind, which I never think is too much to ask for someone who has gone through the effort of hosting. Maybe it’s just an Italian thing, but my mother drilled it into me to always arrive with something, a little something, you must. This alone made me wonder if her presence would take more than give. And sure enough, somewhere between the salad and the pasta we sort of lost control of the détente we had silently agreed to.
The worst part was seeing how sorry my friend looked for bringing someone who was determined to set me straight. I know you don’t need straightening, her eyes seemed to say. I could also see how hard she was trying to stay safely in the middle because she is the most generous person you ever want to meet. No. Really. Generosity owes its very existence to people like her.
I know it’s been said that good things emerge out of the bad, but I think I will always remember last night’s dinner as just plain awful. The worst.
Luckily, when you find yourself needing to escape your worst moments, there is always a good walk to look forward to. So I take one.
More specifically, I take a long one. Along the way, I call my sister because I am dying to tell her about last night, but she doesn’t pick up. So I call again. I do the same thing for the next ten minutes, call my sis, walk for bit, call my sis, walk on. Stop it, I hear myself say. For god’s sake. You don’t have to talk about it. But the other half of me knows better.
To this day, I don’t know why it helps us so much to hash over anything that upsets us, stresses us, or brings us joy, my sister and I, but we do, so this time I leave a message, call me back! The longest twenty minutes passed, and then she called and what a fun time we had rehashing my terrible dinner party. The secret of happiness!
Later, it dawns on me that more stories like this, of-standing-up-for-my-beliefs, are likely to come—because they will come. And it’s anybody’s guess whether I’ll handle them graciously or flounder like I did last night when I felt like a scratching post in my own kitchen, but my friends say that one of the things they love most about me is my resilience.
I like the sound of that.
But to cope with governance that seems hellbent on breeding animosity and chaos,
we will need more than resilience, we will need to read our country’s history closely; the world’s even closer. We will need to remind ourselves how 3D leadership—deceit, double-dealing, duplicity—has been many a leader’s method, and let this fact tear through us like a shot of something good and strong. Because, hey, you know what? Dividing us is part of the plan. Knowing this just might help us through.
Still, there is no way I can easily wrap my brain around “divide and conquer,” as the saying goes. It demands more than resistance, it demands consideration, more than we seem to have left in reserve. But we (I refuse to say “both sides” because the most well-adjusted people I know are clearly in the middle and prefer to take things issue by issue) will have to get through the next three years together. And arguing is getting us nowhere.
Having said that, one of the other necessary things we (or some of us, anyway) will have to practice is forgiving ourselves when we fail.
Mary Lou Sanelli’s latest title is In So Many Words. She works as a writer, speaker, and master dance teacher. Contact her at marylou@olympus.net. For more information visit www.marylousanelli.com.
Twelfth Church of Christ, Scientist
In Person and Online Church Services
All are welcome & warmly invited to join these healing services
For best audio results, please join by clicking on the link from your computer or smartphone and choose “Call Over Internet”
All Zoom Services Meeting ID: 418 806 2637 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/418 806 2637
Sunday Services 11:00am – 12noon Pacific
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Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lessons
Our weekly Bible Lesson Sermon may be found here: https://quarterly.christianscience.com/
Additional Healing Resources: ChristianScience.com CSWashington.com ChristianScienceTwelfthSeattle.com
For additional assistance, please contact us at seattle12cs@gmail.com or 206.283.230 ChristianScienceTwelfthSeattle.com
King County Board of Health Moves to Protect Immigrant Healthcare Amid Coming Coverage Loss
Staff Report
The King County Board of Health on October 16th unanimously adopted a resolution pledging to safeguard healthcare support for immigrants in the region as federal policy changes threaten to cut off Medicaid and insurance subsidies for many lawfully present immigrants beginning in 2026.
The action comes amid growing concern that refugee, asylumseeker, trafficking-survivor and other immigrant populations in King County could face “catastrophic, widespread” losses of health coverage, according to the board’s announcement.
“By taking this action, the Board underscored its belief that every person in King County deserves to live with dignity, stability, and access to healthcare, regardless of immigration status,” said board chair Teresa Mosqueda. “In this moment we are not cowering or curtailing our care for immigrant communities, instead we are fighting for expansion of coverage and support for our immigrant neighbors. I’m proud the Board has reaffirmed that protecting the public health’s means protecting everyone’s health by maintaining access to clinics and care, and that community wellbeing depends on everyone having their healthcare needs met and access to affordable coverage.”
The resolution explicitly reaffirms the board’s commitment to health equity and access for all residents of King County, irrespective of immigration status. It urges partnership with the state of Washington to expand and protect access to coverage, and it encourages local governments to distribute “know-your-rights” information among immigrant and refugee communities to shield
their health and well-being.
It also calls on King County to explore strategies to bolster subsidies, address funding and care gaps, and mitigate significant coverage losses for those excluded from federal programs.
Advocates welcomed the move.
“Refugees and immigrants are human beings who need to be treated as such,” said Francoise Milinganyo, an alternate member of the Board of Health and executive director of the Congolese Integration Network. “Healthcare is not a privilege reserved for few; it is a fundamental human right for all people, regardless of
Advocates. “Far too many of our friends, families, and neighbors in King County live in fear that seeking basic medical care could jeopardize their safety. This resolution is a step toward affirming the dignity of every person in our community and working toward affordable health care for all.”
The board’s action followed a summer presentation at its July meeting by the Congolese Integration Network and Northwest Health Law Advocates, which spotlighted health disparities among immigrant populations in King County. It came after repeated presentations from the
or other identities.
For residents and community organizations, the board’s resolution signals both urgency and a renewed policy commitment. Advocates say the timing is critical: with federal changes slated for 2026, state and local health-coverage programs may face greater pressure and demand in the meantime.
Locally, officials say the next steps will include mapping out how the county can expand subsidy and coverage options, coordinating with state agencies and community organizations, and tracking emerging federal
More than 42,000 immigrants in King County were uninsured as of 2023, and state-programs designed to expand eligibility, including the Apple Health Expansion and Cascade Care Savings, have reached capacity within days of opening enrollment.
nationality, legal status, or place of origin. May the King County Board of Health support refugees and immigrants in this journey to obtain the right to healthcare for refugees and immigrants.”
Health-law advocates say the resolution is a meaningful step.
“We commend the Board of Health for its strong commitment to ensuring access to health care for immigrants and refugees,” said Lee Che Leong, senior policy advocate at the Northwest Health Law
county’s executive office on looming federal funding and policy shifts that could affect access to care in immigrant communities.
The resolution also builds on earlier measures: the 2025 executive-proposed budget, which directed the county to consider how to make health care more affordable for immigrant residents, and a 2018 resolution that affirmed the county’s commitment to serve all residents regardless of immigrant status, country of origin, race, age
policy shifts that could alter eligibility rules. They also emphasize the importance of community outreach, ensuring immigrants know their rights, know available resources, and understand how to access care even in uncertain policy environments. Community-based organizations in King County report that gaps in care are already real. Some immigrants and refugees face language barriers, fear of enforcement, or confusion over eligibility.
Meanwhile, as state programs quickly fill to capacity, those newly arriving or with changing status may be left without affordable options. The resolution’s call for information-sharing and local government coordination is aimed directly at bridging those gaps.
Public health leaders say one reason for urgency is the cascading effect when coverage is lost: untreated chronic conditions, deferred preventive care, and increased strain on emergency services all risk raising long-term costs for individuals, families, and the healthcare system. In this view, ensuring immigrant access to healthcare is not only an equity matter, but a matter of overall community health.
With its unanimous passage, the resolution sends a clear message: in King County, even as federal policies tighten, local publichealth governance intends to lean into immigrant health issues rather than step back. Whether the county can mobilize additional resources, build new coverage pathways, and partner successfully with the state will determine how much it can reduce the risk of coverage collapse for impacted residents.
As one county health official put it: “When our neighbors cannot access care, our entire community’s health is at risk.”
Savvy Senior: How to Stave Off Cognitive Decline as You Age
By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior, Are there any proven strategies to preventing cognitive decline? I have a family history of dementia and worry about my own memory and cognitive abilities as I grow older.
—Forgetful at 55
Dear Forgetful, F or most people, starting in their fifties and sixties, the brain’s ability to remember names, multi-task or learn something new starts declining. While our genes (which we can’t control) play a key role in determining our cognitive aging, our general health (which we do have some control over) plays a big factor too.
Here are some healthy lifestyle strategies – recommended by medical experts – you can employ that can help stave off cognitive loss and maybe even build a stronger brain.
MANAGE HEALTH PROBLEMS:
Studies have shown that cognitive problems are related to health conditions, like diabetes, heart disease and even depression. So, if you have high blood pressure, high
cholesterol or diabetes you need to treat them with lifestyle changes and medication (if necessary) and get them under control. And if you have a history of depression, talk to your doctor about treatment options.
EXERCISE:
Aerobic exercise increases blood flow to all parts of your body, including your brain, to keep the brain cells well nourished. So, choose an aerobic activity you enjoy like walking, cycling, dancing, swimming, etc., that elevates your heart rate and do it for at least 30 to 40 minutes three times a week.
EAT HEALTHY:
protect the brain. A Mediterranean diet includes relatively little red meat and emphasizes whole grains, fruits and vegetables, fish and shellfish, and nuts, olive oil and other healthy fats. Also keep processed foods and sweets to a minimum.
GET PLENTY OF SLEEP:
Quality, restful sleep contributes to brain health too. Typically, adults should get between seven and nine hours of sleep daily. If you have persistent problems sleeping, you need to identify and address the problem. Medications, late-night exercise and alcohol can interfere with sleep quality and length, as can arthritis pain, sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome.
If you need help, make an appointment with a sleep specialist who will probably recommend an overnight diagnostic sleep test.
CHALLENGE YOUR MIND:
Some research suggests that mind challenging activities can help improve memory, and slow age-related mental decline. But be aware that these activities consist of things you aren’t accustomed to doing. In other words, crossword puzzles aren’t enough to challenge your brain, if you’re already a regular puzzle doer. Instead, you need to pick up a new skill like learning to dance, play a musical instrument, study a new language or do math problems – something that’s challenging and a little outside your comfort zone.
Brain-training websites like Lumosity, Elevate and Peak are good mind exercising tools because they continually adapt to your skill level to keep you challenged. Socializing and interacting with other people is another important way to stimulate the brain. So, make a point to reach out and stay connected to friends, family and neighbors. Join a club, take a class or even volunteer – anything that enhances your social life.
CHECK YOUR EYES AND EARS:
A growing body of evidence shows that vision and hearing loss, which affects brain stimulation, can also increase the risk of cognitive
decline. So, get your eyes and ears checked regularly and treat any issues promptly.
REDUCE STRESS:
Some stress is good for the brain, but too much can be toxic. There’s evidence that things like mindfulness meditation, yoga and tai chi are all good ways to help reduce stress.
DON’T SMOKE OR DRINK:
Smoking and regular alcohol consumption both effect the brain in a negative way, so kick the habit if you smoke and, if you drink, do so only occasionally.
Send your questions or comments to questions@savvysenior. org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.
Seattle Invests $1.5 Million to Electrify Port Trucking Fleet
Seattle is taking another step toward cleaner air and climate action with a new $1.5 million investment aimed at helping replace diesel port trucks with zeroemission electric models.
The funding, announced this month by the Seattle Office of Sustainability and Environment (OSE), will support the purchase of 12 new Class 8 electric drayage trucks through a partnership with Zeem Solutions, a California-based electric fleet and charging infrastructure provider. These large electric trucks will serve the Port of Seattle and surrounding freight corridors, where thousands of diesel rigs haul goods every day between ships, warehouses, and distribution hubs.
TACKLING POLLUTION WHERE IT HITS HARDEST
The move is part of Seattle’s ongoing effort to reduce emissions in neighborhoods disproportionately affected by industrial activity-especially the Duwamish Valley, home to South Park and Georgetown communities. Residents in these areas experience some of the region’s highest rates of asthma and other pollution-related illnesses.
“Transitioning our freight system to electric power is one of the most direct ways to protect public health and move toward our climate goals,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell. “These trucks drive through communities that have carried the burden of pollution for generations. With every diesel engine we replace, we make progress toward a cleaner, fairer Seattle.”
The new trucks will replace older diesel drayage vehicles that operate daily around the port. Drayage, short-haul trucking that moves shipping containers between ports and nearby logistics centers, is one of the largest sources of emissions near Seattle’s industrial core.
PILOT PROGRAM REVEALED KEY CHALLENGES
This latest funding builds on the city’s Heavy Duty Electric Trucks Pilot, launched in 2023 to test the real-world performance of zero-emission trucks and to identify barriers for small trucking companies and independent drivers. The pilot found that while many drivers are eager to go electric, the high cost of equipment, often more than $500,000 per truck, and limited access to fast charging make adoption difficult.
Seattle’s partnership with Zeem Solutions is designed to bridge those gaps. Zeem’s model bundles electric truck leases with charging, maintenance, and fleet support, lowering up-front costs for operators. Two local companies, Jet City Trucking and Ephrata Trucking, have already committed to the program and will begin integrating electric rigs into their fleets.
“This is just the beginning,” said Tracey Whitten, Transportation Policy Manager at OSE. “With more than 5,000 trucks serving the ports of Seattle and Tacoma, scaling electrification will be vital to bringing cleaner air and healthier neighborhoods to frontline communities.”
BUILDING THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ELECTRIC FREIGHT
The initiative complements a $5.12 million grant from the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) to Zeem Solutions to construct a SeaTac-area charging depot, expected to open by early 2026. The facility will be capable of serving up to 250 trucks per day, offering both fast charging and fleet management services for operators across the region.
City officials say this public-private partnership approach could serve as a national model for other ports transitioning to zeroemission freight. By leveraging both city funding and private investment, the program aims to accelerate deployment without leaving smaller trucking businesses behind.
FUNDED THROUGH SEATTLE’S GREEN NEW DEAL
Seattle’s $1.5 million contribution is funded through the city’s Payroll Expense Tax, which supports the Seattle Green New Deal, an initiative that directs local revenue toward climate resilience, clean energy, and environmental justice projects. Oversight and recommendations come from the Green New Deal Oversight Board, which helped prioritize this investment in freight electrification.
“Climate investments must also be community investments,” said Harrell, who credited the oversight board for ensuring the funds support those most affected by pollution. “By focusing on the Duwamish Valley and empowering small operators, we’re proving that clean energy can also mean economic opportunity.”
COMMUNITY AND INDUSTRY LEADERS WEIGH IN
Environmental and community advocates praised the announcement as a sign of momentum in Seattle’s fight for cleaner air. “For years, South Park and Georgetown residents have asked for action on diesel pollution,”
said a representative from the Duwamish River Community Coalition. “Electric trucks are one of the clearest ways to reduce emissions right where people live and work.”
Industry leaders have also welcomed the city’s involvement, noting that electrification is quickly becoming essential for competitiveness as ports nationwide implement stricter emissions rules. “This is about futureproofing our logistics industry,” said Zeem Solutions CEO Paul Gioupis in a statement. “Seattle’s leadership ensures local truckers can transition affordably and sustainably.”
LOOKING AHEAD
Seattle’s port trucking electrification is still in its early stages, but city officials believe the groundwork being laid now will pay off over the next decade. With the SeaTac depot under construction and additional grant funding expected from state and federal sources, the city hopes to see hundreds of zero-emission trucks on the road by 2030.
“Cleaner trucks mean cleaner air for everyone,” Whitten said. “Each investment like this helps Seattle take another step toward a future where climate action and community well-being move forward together.”
Sound Transit Seeks Public Feedback on 2026 Service Plan
Survey and details for potential future ST Express bus service changes open now through Nov. 7
Submitted
Sound Transit invites the public to learn more and provide feedback about proposed changes to future ST Express bus service.
By the end of 2026, Link light rail will provide expanded service to many communities across the Central Puget Sound region. To maximize the benefits of this new service, Sound Transit is developing a plan to change some ST Express Routes to improve regional mobility.
The 2026 Service Plan survey is open from Oct. 6 to Nov. 7. Riders are asked to provide their feedback on proposed changes ST Express service, including a new overnight bus service.
The public can learn more about the 2026 Service Plan at http://www.soundtransit.org/2026serviceplan
The website includes an online survey for the public to provide feedback. The website and survey are available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Tagalog and Russian.
Sound Transit remains committed to working closely with its partners to continue serving the public. Efforts will continue to prioritize serving riders who depend on Sound Transit’s services, including seniors, people with disabilities, Title VI protected populations (race, color, national origin), low-income and limited-English-proficiency populations.
Halloween FUN!
Queen Anne Trick or Treat on the Ave
• Date: Friday, October 31, 2025
• Time: 3:30–6 PM PDT
• Location: Queen Anne Ave between Galer St and McGraw St Features: Merchants will pass out treats, there will be a costume contest, and the Seattle Thrillers will perform.
Magnolia Village Trick or Treat
• Date: Friday, October 31, 2025
• Time: 4–6 PM PDT
• Location: W. McGraw St. from 34th Ave W. to 32nd Ave W.
Features: Celebrate Halloween in Magnolia Village! The Chamber of Commerce and local merchants invite families to enjoy safe, festive trick-or-treating along W. McGraw St., closed from 34th to 32nd Ave W.
Thanks to Magnolia Summerfest’s sponsorship, participating businesses will be stocked with candy for all the little ghosts and goblins. Join the fun and enjoy this beloved community tradition!
Trolloween
• Date: Friday, October 31
• Time: 7 p.m.
• Location: North 36th Street, Troll Ave N.
Tot Carnival
• Date: Friday, October 31
• Time: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Location: Queen Anne Community Center
Features: Free for Ages 3-6 Tots try on their Halloween costumes and join in some pre-Halloween fun. Our mini carnival will have games, treats, and fun for all. Costumes are optional but encouraged! Register with Seattle Parks & Recreation.
MLC at Halloween in the Village
• Date: Friday, October 31, 2025
• Time: 4–6 PM PDT
• Location: Magnolia Lutheran Church - 2414 31st Ave W.
Features: We will be handing out treats as a part of Magnolia’s annual Halloween in the Village celebration! Come by to get a treat, rest your legs, and listen to organist, Mary Douglas, play some spooky Halloween music on our Balcom and Vaughan organ.
Features: An annual celebration of the Fremont Troll’s birthday! The evening begins with live music and a theatrical pageant at the Troll, followed by the Haunt of Fremont—a costumed procession through the neighborhood.
If You Smoked or Still Do This 60-Second Screening Could Save Your Life
By Harold Wimmer President and CEO of the American Lung Association
Denise Lee smoked up to two packs a day for 40 years, but when she quit at 54, Denise made one more lifesaving decision.
After seeing an American Lung Association billboard that read “If you smoked, this lung cancer screening could save your life,” Denise scheduled a low-dose CT scan. The next day, her results
CT scan takes less than a minute and, as Denise knows, it could save your life. I’ve dedicated my life to advocating for healthy lungs, starting as a regional program director of the American Lung Association all the way to my current position as president and CEO. As such, I want anyone and everyone - especially those who’ve smoked - to know how easy and effective a screening is.
While we continue to make significant strides, lung cancer remains the top cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. - yet about only one quarter of lung cancer cases are caught early, when five-year survival rates are over 60%.
Lung cancer often grows silently without any symptoms, which is precisely why early detection is so important and can lead to more effective treatment. But over 80% of high-risk current and former smokers haven’t been scanned.
came back: a mass was detected, which they later confirmed was lung cancer.
When she scheduled the scan, Denise had yet to develop a single symptom - and catching her lung cancer that early meant she had multiple treatments available. It’s been eight years since, and Denise remains cancer-free.
Lung cancer screening is a simple, quick, painless and noninvasive procedure. A low-dose
on a table while an open imaging machine takes pictures to examine lung health. Less than a minute long, the screening is completely painless, and most private insurance plans cover the test, as does Medicare.
Of course, no one wants to hear that they may have lung cancer. But the head start afforded by a screening can make all the differ-
“Early detection has turned lung cancer from a terminal diagnosis into an eminently treatable condition.”
ence and open the door to more treatment options - from surgery to chemotherapy to newer advances like targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Early detection has turned lung cancer from a terminal diagnosis into an eminently treatable condition.
formula through a partnership with Safeway if funding runs out.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture funds the program, while the state Department of Health administers it in Washington. WIC participants can purchase food using electronic benefit transfer cards, which work like debit cards.
Money for the program flows from the federal government to the state and then some of it to the clinics, which provide WIC services and help to get people enrolled in the program.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has pledged to make back payments once the shutdown ends. But as of earlier this month, the state had not, Flateboe said. And the expenses are too big for some of the clinics to take on without a guarantee they’ll be made whole.
Earlier this month, Nutrition First called on the state to adjust its contracts with the clinics to ensure reimbursement. Flateboe said
Screenings are recommended for high-risk individuals - that includes current smokers, those who quit within the last 15 years, or exsmokers between the ages of 50 and 80 who smoked a pack a day for 20 years (known as ‘20 pack years’) or the equivalent, such as two packs a day for 10 years.
With recent medical advances, lung cancer screenings can now be conducted using low-dose CT scans. Patients simply lie down
Thursday that the Department of Health is now working on revising those contracts.
Still, one of those clinics, at the Spokane Regional Health District, has issued layoff notices to roughly 30 employees effective at the end of October, out of fear of not getting reimbursed.
“Without this assurance, SRHD can only support staff costs through the end of October,” spokesperson Kelli Hawkins said in an email. “We are hopeful that the federal government shutdown will end soon, allowing for WIC funding to continue. At that time, SRHD can rescind the layoff notices and continue offering this vital service to our community.”
About 50 employees at the state health department have been temporarily laid off or had their hours reduced due to the shutdown. Most were working in the division that manages WIC. With the new funding, those employees will return to work Nov. 3, but if the shutdown continues, they could be laid off again three days later, said Department of Health spokesperson Raechel Sims.
In the past 10 years, these scans have saved 80,000 years of life -that’s nearly thirty-million more days spent with loved ones and friends. If every high-risk individual had been screened for lung cancer between 2013 and 2020, that number could have been more than six times higher -half a million years of life saved. If you think you might be at risk, it’s now easier than ever to find out. Visit SavedByTheScan. org and take a brief quiz to find out whether you’re eligible for a low-dose CT scan. One in five people who took the quiz found out they were at high risk.
I joined the American Lung Association nearly five decades ago. I’m proud to have witnessed the enormous progress we’ve made against lung cancer. But there’s more work to do and that starts with more people getting scanned.
If your lungs could talk, they’d tell you to talk to your doctor and ask about lung cancer screenings.
Meanwhile, funding for federal food stamps - a program that is separate from WIC - is set to run dry at the end of October.
Washington’s U.S. Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, along with other Senate Democrats, called on Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins on Wednesday to open up funding to allow benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, to continue into November.
In a letter, the senators noted the way Rollins’ agency was able to open up funding to maintain WIC benefits and said the same should be done for SNAP.
“Americans are already struggling with the rising cost of groceries, and they cannot afford a sudden lapse in grocery assistance,” the letter reads. “We urge you to immediately communicate to states and committees of jurisdiction the USDA’s plans to disburse the contingency funding to state agencies and utilize all available legal authorities so that American families can get benefits without interruption.”