Public Health Services
Dave has been active in promoting both the physical and mental health of Snohomish County residents.
Health District:
Dave has served as both Chair and Vice Chair of the Snohomish County Health District. The district handles a wide range of issues, from safe preparation of food in restaurants to insuring septic sewer systems are safe. Some specific issues Dave has worked on include:
- Working to make sure the district has a plan in place to address the possibility of an outbreak of West Nile Virus.
- The manufacture of methamphetamines creates a chemically contaminated site. When the Health District ran short of funds to clean sites up Dave worked with law enforcement to make sure this vital service continued.
- Redesign of Health District programs so more low income women and children could be served at lower cost.
The Health District faced financial difficulties in 2004. As Chair Dave led the Board in making difficult decisions to prioritize and redesign services.
Discount prescription drug cards:
Dave sponsored the Snohomish County prescription drug discount card program in conjunction with the National Association of Counties (NACo). Snohomish County is one of only a few counties nationwide to offer this program.
The NACo/Snohomish County Prescription Discount Card provides benefits to program participants:
- Everyone is eligible
- Average savings of 20 percent
- Extra savings available through mail service
- Savings on specialty medications
- No enrollment fees
- No age requirements
- No income requirements
- Family coverage with just one card
- Over 54,000 participating pharmacies nationwide
- All commonly prescribed medicine is covered
- Unlimited use
For more information check the Prescription Drug Discount Card on this web page
Mental health services:
Dave has served as an alternate or member of the board of the North Sound Mental Health Administration (NSMHA) for nearly 15 years. NSMHA provides mental health services to all Medicaid eligible persons in Snohomish, Skagit, Island, Whatcom, and San Juan counties. It also provides crisis services to all citizens in the five county region.
As NSMHA Vice Chair and Chair of the Planning Committee Dave has taken a leading role in planning how to address reductions in state and federal funding with the least negative impact on citizens. Services are being prioritized and re-organized through a comprehensive review.
