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CM Rhonda Lewis serves as Vice-Chair of the Health, Housing and Human Services Committee (HHHS). Here she is with HHHS Chair CM Mosqueda, CM Barón and CM Fain on June 2.
On Tuesday, June 2, the Health Housing and Human Services Committee heard a presentation on public health finance from King County Chief Budget Officer Aaron Rubart.
This was followed by a report on challenges facing Medicaid recipients. With federal changes, 72,000 King County residents currently receiving Medicaid would be at risk of losing their coverage. Click here for the report.
Are you low-income and looking for Health Insurance?
King County has trained navigators to help people transition from Medicaid to WA state AppleHealth or other insurance plans with the goal of keeping people covered by health insurance.
Click here to contact the King County Access and Outreach Team.
This team can assist in multiple languages including English, Korean, Mien, Spanish, Vietnamese, Amharic, Mashallese, Somali, and Portugese.
For a list of community medical clinics in King County – click here.
Health insurance helps ensure people get early treatment which is often more effective. Insurance also reduces the cost and burden of emergency room visits on our hospitals.
You can learn more by watching the HHH meeting here.
Tuesday afternoon –
The Council presented six MLK awards to community leaders who are answering the question posed by King County’s namesake - Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – “What are you doing for others?”.
Awardees are pictured and listed below and include neighborhood and community organizers, small business owners, a sheriff’s office detective, US Air Force Major, social service providers and educators – all are contributing to a better King County.
For more details on the 2026 MLK awards click here.
 Left to right: CM Baron (D4), CM Mosqueda (D8), D8 awardee, Makini Howell, owner Plum Bistro and Makini’s ; CM Dunn (D9), D9 MLK posthumous Awardee Maj. Ariana G. Linse Savino who died in service to her country, represented by her parents Darren and Omayra Linse, CM Perry (D3), D3 awardee Detective Edward Christian King County Sheriff Search and Rescue, CM Fain (D5), D5 awardee Gwen Allen Carston and husband Charles Carston, Kent Black Action Commission, CM Balducci (D6), D6 awardee Ken Wong, Bellevue School District and the Eastside Race and Leadership Coalition.
 May 26, 2026 MLK Awardees left to right: Gregory Davis, Rainier Beach Action Coalition - D2 MLK Awardee, CM Rhonda Lewis (D2); CM Jorge Baron (D4), Dominque Alex, CEO Mary’s Place – D4 MLK Awardee; Mr. and Mrs. Ken Johnson with CM von Reichbauer (D7) and Mr. Jesse and Mrs. Johnson – D7 MLK Awardees.
The annual MLK awards spotlight local efforts to build community, respect and collaboration. It is awarded to individual leaders who have taken action to benefit their communities over time with commitment and resolve.
 CM Lewis gives opening comments to acknowledge Gun Violence Prevention Month. She joined CM Mosqueda to present to Eleuthera Lisch, Director of the King County Regional Office for Prevention of Gun Violence. Click the image to watch the presentation.
The Council also recognized May as Gun Violence Awareness month. I joined CM Mosqueda in presenting this proclamation to leaders working together and with the King County Regional Office to Prevent Gun Violence which is part of Public Health Seattle-King County.
Director Eleuthera Lisch was joined by representatives from Harborview Hospital, community members affected by gun violence and staff from the Prevent Gun Violence office.
 Left to right: CM Rod Dembowski (D1), CM Jorge L. Barón (D4), CM Reagan Dunn (D9), xx, xx, xx, xx, xx, Eleuthera Lisch, Director King County Office to Prevent Gun Violence, Council Chair Sarah Perry (D3), CM Steffanie Fain (D5), xx, CM Claudia Balducci (D6),), CM Rhonda Lewis (D2), CM Pete von Reichbauer (D7), Deaunte Damper – King County Public Health, CM Teresa Mosqueda (D8).
Rainier Beach High School lost two high school seniors to gun violence at a bus stop near the high school in January this year. The King County Office of Gun Violence Prevention met with family and community members to help create a network of safety. We appreciate their tireless, dedicated work.
The Council took action on legislation which would enable King County to meet the caseload standard for the department of public defense established by the Washington State Supreme Court. This is critical to ensure we provide the resources needed for our justice system.
On Wednesday, I joined my colleagues on the King County Flood Control District Executive Committee which discussed grants funds to support improvements in watershed improvement areas which will offer protection from flooding and environmental degradation.
The Regional Water Quality Committee (RWQC) met to consider the long-term plans for paying for the piping and equipment needed to protect public health and clean water over the next 20 years.
To maintain the system and meet state and federal requirements for improvements to the system, rates are going up. I am concerned about the impact increasing rates will have on affordability in our region – particularly on low-income households. I also want to ensure that we have clean, safe water for generations to come.
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