2010 Senior Lobby Day Photos
1501 S Capitol Way Rm 102
Olympia, WA 98501
Phone 360-754-0207
Fax 360-956-0362
info@waseniorlobby.org
www.waseniorlobby.org
The State of Washington administers Health through the Department of Health (DOH) which works with its federal, state and local partners to help people in Washington stay healthy and safe. The programs and services help prevent illness and injury, promote healthy places to live and work, provide education to help people make good health decisions and ensure the state is prepared for emergencies.
Along with the state Department of Health, Washington's public health system includes 35 local health jurisdictions (serving 39 counties), the Board of Health and other partners.
The Washington State Board of Health is a 10-member Board of Health and provide a citizen forum for the development of public health policy. It recommends strategies and promotes health goals to the Legislature and regulates a number of health activities including drinking water, immunications and food handling. The Board of Health is an independent entity from the DOH.
In addition, DOH works with many health partners including the University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine; American Indian Tribes and urban Indian health programs; hospitals and clinics, state and local community-based organizations, associations and coalitions. It also has close working relationships with federal agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Agriculture and the National Institutes of Health.
For more information, please click on Department of Health
How to Train the Aging Brain
Can an old brain learn, and then remember what it learns? As it happens, Yes. See Aging Brain
Growing Array of Tech Products Designed for Older User
It's like learning a new language, see Tech Products
State budget cuts may end vision benefits, see Vision Benefits
Health Care Resources
Kaiser Family Foundation, helpful side-by-side of House and Senate proposals, click on KFF
Commonwealth Fund, click on Commonwealth
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, click on RWJF
Overdose Deaths Involving Prescription Opioids Among Medicaid Enrollees -- Washington, 2004-2007
During 1999-2006, the number of poisoning deaths in the U.S. nearly doubled, from approx 20,000 to 37,000, largely because of overdose deaths involving prescription opioid painkillers, see Overdose Deaths
Health Co-op Offers Model for Overhaul Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, one of the country's few surviving health insurance cooperatives, has recently embraced electronic medical records and a collaborative model of primary care. For full article click Health Co-op
Chronic illnesses often accompany the aging process. Many of the nation's leading health-care experts are recommending a combination of clinical and community-based interventions to address the growing prevalence of chronic conditions, see Healthy Aging
The core problem (for Medicare) is how to stop squandering so much money on needless treatment that doesn't help patients, see Medicare
The people seeking to change th nations's health-care system who are taking a closer look at the Seattle cooperative see Does Group Health hold answers in health-care debate?
see Best choice to dispose of drugs
Individual responsibility has been ignored in the health reform debate, see Health Reform Idea
American medical schools require no training in geriatric medicine. See Geriatric Patients
People who fall in the Part D coverage gap would only pay half the cost of brand-name medications, see 'Doughnut hole' Solution
Patients with Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders are frustrated by a decision by the new owners of Deaconess Medical Center to close a clinic and dismiss its director, Dr. Anthony Santiago. see Parkinson's Clinic
Then you know how important exercise is - a free Web site to help you find local physical activity programs for older adults, Active Options
Most Washington residents have struggled with the mounds of paperwork associated with visits to a doctor's office or hospital. Senator Karen Keiser D-Kent, chairwoman of the Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee, has introduced and passed Senate Bill 5346 which she calls the "Health Efficiencies Act."
Health care reform is coming to Washington! At least, a growing and engaged group of citizens is trying to make this a reality. See Health Care Reform
A new analysis of more than 50 strains of the H1N1 influenza virus at the center of the global outbreak concludes they are closely related and be fought with a single vaccine. see Vaccine
see Guest Commentary / Budget Cuts
Starting July --the beginning of 2009-2011 biennium--the Department of Social Services will give pharmacies less money for brand names prescription drugs for plans it covers. see Reimbusement rates
