ELECTIONS 2024: Our Work to Lower Costs and Improve Healthcare (DAVE PAUL)

State Representative Dave Paul (D-Oak Harbor) sent out the following email from his campaign account on Mon., June 10, 2024.

Dear Friends,

Like you, I’m frustrated with the soaring costs of prescription drugs. Fortunately, our state’s legislature is working to fix this. In 2023, the legislature passed SB 5729 to reduce the cost of insulin to $35 for a 30-day supply. This was a great first step, but we need to do more to help Washingtonians.

After meeting with constituents and healthcare professionals over the last year, I wrote HB 1979 to cap the cost of asthma inhalers and epi-pens at $35 for a 30-day supply of these life-saving drugs. I’m pleased to report that HB 1979 passed both the House and the Senate unanimously in 2024, and the legislation will start helping residents of our state this January.

Improving mental health outcomes–especially among young people–is another area that I’ve prioritized. I’ve continued to work with local officials, medical professionals, K12 educators, young people, and non-profit organizations to strengthen the Social Outreach, Adventure, & Resilience (SOAR) Program. This innovative partnership focuses on youth mental health outcomes, and by all accounts is making a difference in our community. I’m committed to continuing its funding in the 2025 budget. 

Looking Ahead to the 2025 session, I’m already working with legislators and medical providers to improve access to portable Physican Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST), which would let paramedics and EMT’s recognize medical jewelry linked to Do Not Resuscitate orders. I wrote House Bill 2166 last session after meeting with constituents and medical professionals about the need for this policy, and over 500 Washingtonians signed into support the bill during one hearing. The bill passed the House unanimously, but it did not receive a hearing in the Senate. With your help, we’ll get this important policy passed in 2025.

House Bill 1979, the SOAR Program, and the POLST legislation were all suggested by constituents. I’ll be spending this summer and fall talking to neighbors and community members to learn about other ideas for improving healthcare–and lowering healthcare costs.

As always, it’s an honor to serve.

Sincerely, 

Dave 

[Ed. Note: Donation link omitted.]

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