TACOMA, WASH.—Pierce County Council will consider a resolution that would terminate the Interlocal Agreement between the City of Tacoma and Pierce County establishing the joint Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, which has existed since 1972. The first hearing on this resolution is Dec. 7 with a planned final vote scheduled for Dec. 15.
“I was surprised to learn of this resolution,” said Director of Health Anthony L-T Chen, MD, MPH. “We are the City’s health department, we are the County’s health department, and we serve residents in all of our cities and towns. We are the reliable local source of public health information, data, services and policy,” he said.
As a joint City-County health department, the Tacoma-Pierce County Board of Health includes Tacoma City Council members, Pierce County Council members, a representative from Pierce County cities and towns, and a representative from the Pierce County Medical Society. Learn more about our Board of Health.
City of Tacoma contributes $1.17 million in health pool funding to support programs such as communicable disease control, parent child family health, Family Support Centers, Black Infant Health and hazardous waste remediation. ?
“In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic our focus needs to remain on bringing the disease under control, and now, distributing vaccine to the community. As a small government agency, we are nimble and agile. We are a neutral convener, and, especially during COVID-19, we have worked quickly with many partners throughout the county to serve all residents of Pierce County. The Health Department needs to focus all of its attention on ending COVID-19 in Pierce County. Efforts that divide our attention from this critical public health response are an unfortunate distraction,” Chen said. ?
During the pandemic and for many years prior, our staff has worked tirelessly to protect and improve the health of all people and places in Pierce County. We are proud of our role as an independent, trusted, and neutral public health department. As a small government agency, the Health Department is focused on efficient response, rapid cycle improvement and innovation.
About Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department?
Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department’s mission is to protect and improve the health of all people and places in Pierce County. As part of our mission, the Health Department tackles known and emerging health risks through policy, programs and treatment to protect public health. We are one of roughly 244 accredited health departments in the country and among six in the state to have met or exceeded the?Public Health Accreditation Board’s?quality standards. Learn more at?www.tpchd.org.?
Bob Warfield says
A brief survey of global pandemic experience and various response against the dismal and tragic one of this coronavirus in America should make clear the folly of response fragmentation, where national leadership remains AWOL. This is a bad idea, on par with previous impulse to privatize the VA.
This citizen says NO.
Dave Hall says
This proposal is a naked power grab, led by Councilmember Pam Roach. It’s not only ill-timed, it’s beyond bone-headed.
Cindy says
Absolutely!
Cindy says
This is NOT the time, nor the people who should be making this underhanded maneuver.
Eric Chandler says
Can anyone tell me/us WHY this is being considered? I have LOOKED and CANNOT FIND THE ANSWER to that terribly important question in ANY OF THE PIERCE COUNTY DOCUMENTATION.
THERE HAS TO BE A LOGICAL AND DOCUMENTED REASON FOR DOING THIS.
drsmythe says
Good question. I’d like to know what is behind this also.
Virginia W. says
I think right now this is very poor choice on the Tacoma – Pierce County’s part of dissolving this agency- Would suggest do upgrades etc – Also we are still dealing with the Covid 19 pandemic. Strongly suggest they table this idea and wait until the pandemic is over and then reconsider it. Also what about those that still need to get their food handlers card um?
Beverly P Isenson says
Changing the Health Department’s status in the middle of a pandemic which has cost 279,000 lives in the US, as of yesterday, is a shameful waste of time. It is worse than changing a horse in the middle of a stream. It is changing things in the middle of a tsunami. Our county, with 905,000 people has had about 330 deaths. Compare that with South Dakota, where the whole state has 903,000 people and deaths now top 1,000. Let’s leave the health professionals to do their work, without political harassment.
Toni Magelssen says
Pam Roach introduced this ignorant Ordinance #2020-36 to terminate the TPCPH agreement which has been in effect for 48 years! How stupid can stupid get especially during a local & national health crisis. If this ordinance passes it would go into effect January 1, 2121 which is totally ignorant.
Virginia W. says
oh I agree with you there. It is very selfish of the Pierce County Council and the Tacoma City Council. Leave the agency alone, it has worked great for 48 years. All it needs is a few tweaks. Deeper Questions need to be asked. Such as How are the Food workers and others get their Food Handler’s cards um?
Scott Anderson says
For all the opposed people to this resolution, could you please explain why this proposal is so wrong. Particularly, the people who mention the timing of the resolution in regard to the pandemic.
What do you think that TPCHD is doing to “fight” the virus? Do you think TPCHD is involved in the antigen process? Or the distribution? Perhaps you believe TPCHD is coming up with game plans on how to ward off the virus.
Here is what TPCHD really does:
1) Audit and educate businesses and employees for food safety.
2) Ensure compliance of septic and wells.
3) Track health statistics and try to educate the public (cheerleaders) about health.
I think if the County can do this cheaper, it would be prudent to remove county funding from TPCHD. Perhaps move Tony Chen and some of his better lackeys from the department.
Toni Magelssen says
Just where did you get your facts ?
The TPCHD has a much broader scope of responsiblities that what you listed. I suggest you go to their website and educate yourself.
Scott Anderson says
Toni, I did go to their website. Better yet, I’ve worked with them.
I understand that simply stating that TPCHD does more than I offered in my three bulleted items listed above and telling me to “educate myself” is easier than rebuttal. However, it’s not helpful.
I simply asked what it is that TPCHD does that cannot be done by Pierce County and why everyone thinks that the pandemic has anything to do with this timing.
Nancy Henderson says
I have written to both County Executive Dammeier and to Councilmember Richardson with the following concerns:
1) Lack of outreach and consultation with stakeholders. Both the City of Tacoma and the Health Dept were blindsided by this proposal.
2) Plans for an imminent vote without adequate time for wider consultation with stakeholders and public input. Rushed decisions often lack a factual foundation and yield regret. They also suggest a hidden agenda which erodes trust in government.
3) Lack of convincing justification of the necessity for this change. Where are specific facts/figures? The suggestion that there will be better representation is dubious. Buckley Mayor Pat Johnson represents small Towns and Cities, albeit as a non-voting member. How would her removal give us more representation?
4) Proposal for a massive disruption of a health organization thoroughly engaged in maneuvering through a time of crisis with the COVID-19 pandemic. It is treacherous to change canoes when paddling in whitewater.
5) The optics are terrible. Two county council members almost out the door proposing rushed plans to dismantle part of the home without convincing arguments of the need or solid plans for remodeling.
My request:
Put the proposal on hold and reconsider when heads are not spinning from just trying to combat the pandemic. Consult all the stakeholders first. Lay out the reasons clearly. Have a public process for input and public debate. Make a decision based on careful analysis and review to ensure we get this right.
Eric Chandler says
Well done Nancy! You’ve got my vote!
Nancy Henderson says
Correction: Buckley Mayor Pat Johnson, the representative for the Pierce County Cities and Towns Association, IS a voting member of the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Dept .