It has been a busy start to the 60-day session. As Vice Chair of the Health Care & Wellness committee, I am doing my best to support infants, children and families in Washington state.
Healthy families are the cornerstone of thriving communities. But right now, we are headed in the wrong direction. Too many children are not getting the nutrients they need to grow strong and healthy. It hurts to think that my children’s generation may be the first to live shorter lives than their parents.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Washington can do better. That is why I introduced a package of bills to improve standards for newborn screenings, support breastfeeding mothers, and promote healthy food in schools. I testified on each of these bills this week.
Healthy From the Start
Washington’s children deserve to start out strong, but right now we are failing to protect newborns born with diagnosable, treatable conditions. Early detection is critical with rare disorders, but newborn blood samples routinely arrive late to the labs. Last year, two of Washington’s worst-performing hospitals were in Spokane County.
House Bill 2544 will set standards for the timeline of newborn screenings and parental notification of abnormalities. These standards and the corresponding reports on hospital compliance will give families the information they need to make some of life’s most important decisions. This issue is close to home for me. You can listen to my testimony here.
An Apple a Day
Even for children born with a clean bill of health, the outlook does not look good for a long, healthy life. We know what our kids need to be well-nourished, and we could be doing much more to ensure that children of all ages are getting the nutrients they need to thrive.
Breast milk provides the ideal nutritional makeup for infant health, immunity, and digestion. The benefits are extensive. But as I shared in my testimony, I know from my own family’s experience that breastfeeding mothers face substantial obstacles outside the home. House Bill 2329 would create a “Breastfeeding Friendly” designation to acknowledge hospitals, health care providers, workplaces, and child care centers that offer an optimal level of care for infant feeding.
As children grow older, they need wholesome foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Many schools would love to provide healthier meals for their students, but they lack the right equipment. House Bill 2410 would create the “Apple a Day” grant to help schools acquire that equipment and prepare healthier meals. You can listen to my testimony here.
I believe the height of public policy is to foster a better world for our children. I am humbled by the challenge to carry out this charge as your state representative. If you have thoughts about what our next generation needs to thrive, I would love to hear from you.
It is an honor to serve you.