Health Archives | Seattle's Child

WA moves to issue its own guidance for vaccines insurers must cover

wpp-admin — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 18:27:55 +0000

Last fall, Washington and other Western states issued their own vaccine recommendations in a sharp rejection of federal policy that Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has upended.

And on Thursday, the Washington Legislature passed legislation to change state law so that vaccine coverage is tied to recommendations from the state, not a federal panel filled with Kennedy appointees. It requires insurers to follow the state’s guidelines instead of the ones from the feds that Democrats say can no longer be trusted.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices had been made up of vaccine experts from across the country, including one from the University of Washington, but Kennedy, a longtime vaccine skeptic, fired them last year. Kennedy replaced them largely with anti-vaccine activists or doctors without expertise in the field. Kennedy has said he wanted to restore trust in a panel he believed was rife with conflicts of interest.

For decades, the committee has reviewed vaccine efficacy and recommended who should receive which shots. The guidance goes to the director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, who usually follows the group’s decisions.

These recommendations guide what vaccines insurers will cover, as opposed to forcing patients to pay out of pocket. Under the state legislation, House Bill 2242, insurance companies must cover the state-recommended immunizations for health plans starting or renewing after April 1.

Washingtonians have had access to no-cost immunizations and other preventive health services, like cancer screenings, since 2010.

The bill passed the state Senate on Thursday on a 36-12 vote. All Senate Democrats supported the legislation, along with about a third of Republicans. The House approved it on a party-line vote earlier this month.

“When guidance reflects rigorous research and expert consensus, patients and providers can make informed decisions with confidence and public trust in our health care system is strengthened,” said Sen. Annette Cleveland, D-Vancouver, the chair of the Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee.

The committee’s top Republican, Sen. Ron Muzzall, R-Oak Harbor, pointed out the legislation carries no vaccine mandates as he indicated his support.

The legislation now heads to the desk of Gov. Bob Ferguson, who requested it in the first place, along with Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer. This is one of the first measures to reach the governor this legislative session.

In his State of the State address to the Legislature in January, Ferguson, a Democrat, noted a new West Coast Health Alliance would be making recommendations reliant on science.

He then shouted out this bill so Washington can “shift vaccine recommendations away from science-denying federal committees and place it with our own Washington state Department of Health, which will be guided by — you guessed it again — science.”

When the governor signs it in the coming days, state law will change immediately.

After the advisory committee purge, Washington banded together with Oregon, California and Hawaii to form the West Coast Health Alliance to issue immunization guidance independent of the feds. The alliance has since announced recommendations on vaccines against COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, among others.

Last month, the CDC overhauled the childhood immunization schedule, reducing the vaccines recommended for kids from 17 to 11. For example, the federal government narrowed recommendations for shots previously advised for all kids, like those against hepatitis A and B and rotavirus.

This week, over a dozen Democratic-led states sued the Trump administration over the moves. Washington Attorney General Nick Brown is not part of the suit. The West Coast Health Alliance rebuked the CDC’s changes, and sided with the schedule laid out by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has said the new guidance reflects “common-sense public health policy shared by peer, developed countries.”

Kennedy has also drawn fire for announcing COVID vaccines would no longer be recommended for healthy children and pregnant women, a decision also currently being litigated.

Photo: A single dose of the MMR vaccine by Joshua Haiar/South Dakota Searchlight)

This article has been reposted with permission from the Washington State Standard, part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization and committed to shining “a light on policy and politics in all 50 states.” Click here to support nonprofit, freely distributed, independent local journalism. Read this article and others online at Washington State Standard.

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Kids deserve federal and state pot regulations | Op-Ed

Cheryl Murfin — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 16:02:45 +0000

Last week, I read an opinion by the New York Times editorial board that gave me pause and left me shaking my head in agreement.

The editors pointed out that daily marijuana use in the U.S. has climbed from about six million in 2012 to nearly 18 million today, as has the number of people (youth and adults) with pot-related illness and marijuana-linked paranoia and chronic psychotic disorders.

And another number has also risen. According to a 2023 study published in the journal Pediatrics, the number of edible cannabis exposures among children under age 6 increased by about 1,375 % from 2017 (207) to 2021 (3,054). According to Washington Poison Center, “One of the most common calls we receive about cannabis is little kids mistaking an edible for candy.”

The bottom line for the NYT editors? They still support legalization. But their position has evolved, and they now say the feds need to step in — with a federal tax on pot, by restricting high THC and other harmful types of marijuana, and by “cracking down” on spurious and unproven health claims about weed.

Thankfully, Washington has been been forerunner in two of those three areas. In this state, pot is subject to a 37% cannabis excise tax along with regular sales tax (state + local), making Washington one of the heaviest taxing states for legal cannabis. And while the state does not limit THC concentration in marijuana flowers and concentrates, it does limit each edible “serving” to no more than 10 milligrams of THC. In fact, Oregon lawmakers are considering mirror legislation right now to prohibit the sale of individual edibles that have more than 10 milligrams of THC. According to a report in the Washington State Standard last week, in 2023, children ages newborn to 5 made up one-third of all cannabis-related cases reported to the Oregon Poison Center.

There’s good news when it comes to cannabis. Over the last decade, teen use rates have not risen in King County or Washington state. They have gone down by most measures. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports declines in current cannabis use among King County students (grades 8/10/12) from 2008-2021; the Washington Department of Health’s 2023 Healthy Youth Survey notes youth substance use stayed mostly stable post-pandemic, with current cannabis use around 8% among 10th graders.

President Donald Trump supports states’ rights to legalize pot. For once, I agree with him. If alcohol — despite its well-documented health and social harms — is legal and regulated, then marijuana should be treated the same way. I believe that added federal regulation of THC levels (my vote would be for lowering it to 5% in individual edibles), is an important next step and would go miles to discourage weed companies from creating new, stronger strains. Cannabis has gotten significantly stronger over the last 20 years — cannabis growing is a business, and its bottom line is money, not addiction control. And yet, research shows the newer strains of pot are addictive — and that most addiction begins with teen use.

Cannabis companies don’t care if a new strain is strong or addictive. They care about making money.

For now, if you have cannabis at home, heed the poison center’s warning, no matter how old your kids are: “Keep your kiddos safe by always storing your stash up high, out of their reach, and locked up.”

TAKE ACTION: Do you have an opinion about whether the federal government should legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis? Make your voice heard. Contact your members of Congress.

This article is an opinion piece (Op-Ed) and reflects the views of the author. We encourage thoughtful debate and welcome a range of viewpoints. Readers who wish to submit their own Op-Ed for consideration can do so by emailing editor@seattleschild.com.

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When Perimenopause Meets Parenthood: Brain fog, mood swings, and midlife moms

Melody Ip — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 16:01:51 +0000

On the day of her youngest daughter’s birthday party, Seattle mom Makeba Greene was out picking up the cake and taking a moment to relax before returning home — that is, until party guests began texting her, asking where she was. Greene had forgotten what time the party started and also couldn’t find the invitation to confirm the details.

By the time Greene and her daughter rushed home, the guests had already been waiting for a half-hour. Though Greene can laugh about the story now, she was mortified in the moment.

If you’re a mother in midlife, you can likely relate to what Greene described as perimenopausal brain fog, thanks to fluctuating estrogen levels that define this stage before menopause. Other common symptoms of perimenopause include irregular periods, hot flashes, insomnia, night sweats, and vaginal dryness.

According to the Mayo Clinic, perimenopause typically begins in a woman’s 40s and lasts about four years, but can span between two to 10. If perimenopause isn’t taxing enough on its own, it’s not uncommon for women in perimenopause to be parenting kids going through puberty, according to Dr. Ashley Fuller, a Seattle-based gynecologist.

“A big part of my role during puberty is to be a steady landing place for my kids, but I don’t feel very steady these days,” Greene said. “It feels like we are all going through different forms of puberty together, and my hormone-induced mood swings do not always enable me to model the emotional regulation of a well-adjusted adult.”

Giving Perimenopause Center Stage

Until recently, perimenopause and menopause were barely discussed. Now, there’s a cultural and generational shift fueled by social media and increased awareness and education, Fuller said. Projects like “The (M) Factor,” a 2024 documentary on menopause (read our review here), sparked a follow-up film on perimenopause, “Before the Pause,” currently being screened around the nation. A four-part docuseries called “BALANCE: A Perimenopause Journey,” released in January, follows two monk-filmmakers’ examination of perimenopause.

Humor also has become part of the movement. Friends are exchanging memes and confessions of perimenopause snafus. In “The Official We Do Not Care Club Handbook,” influencer and author Melani Sanders shares a blunt letter to her family about how perimenopause has transformed her inside and out. She explains why she no longer is giving into the weight of expectations and perfection.

To her readers, she writes, “Let’s help the next generation normalize the reality of our bodies being far from perfect and pleasant. We dealt with every one of their fluids, odors, and emissions with tender loving care. I feel like they can buck up and deal with ours.”

(Image courtesy Surej Kalathil Sunman Media)

Permission for Self-Care

For women to be their best selves, especially during perimenopause and even more so as a parent, Fuller said women need to be gentle with themselves.

“Puberty is our ovaries coming online, and perimenopause is our ovaries going offline, and it’s not always smooth sailing,” said Fuller. “We see our teenagers and pre-teens going through this and how it affects their moods — their skin, sleep, all the things. And we’re actually doing something really similar, but going the opposite direction with it. So have some grace.”

Having family members at both ends of the spectrum can make for tumultuous family dynamics, Fuller added, especially in households where mothers set the tone. Among families with two mothers, both parents may be simultaneously experiencing their own perimenopause journey — with different symptoms and timetables.

Self-care is a must, Fuller emphasized. This includes exercising, carving out time for yourself, and getting a good night’s sleep, which affects mood, weight, brain fog, and libido.

“Women hold the mental load, the management of so many things — our kids, careers, partners, aging parents,” she said. “We always put ourselves last. As a mom, it’s hard to find that balance, but it’s really important to. When our kids, especially our daughters, see us prioritizing [ourselves], that’s a good message for them, of self-care and looking for what you need to be able to thrive.”

Communication with kids and partners also is key. They may be oblivious to perimenopause, so bring them up to speed. Tell them what it is and how you’re experiencing it. As Greene navigates perimenopause while parenting daughters in puberty, being transparent about her own hormonal changes encourages gentleness and empathy on both sides.

“Hormone changes can make you feel out of control in your own body, which is a terrible experience for all of us,” Greene said. “While we can’t always control everything happening to our bodies, it can really help to just learn how to observe our bodies and be aware of what we’re feeling. It’s also important to cry! I cry a lot in front of my kids.”

With hormonal rollercoasters in full swing, the household may feel unsteady and unpredictable, unsure of which version of mom they’ll encounter. But with increased grace and communication — plus lubricant and hand-held fans — families can ride out the new season together.

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Why teens act the way they do — it’s brain science

Susanna Block — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:29:17 +0000

Parenting a teen can be, well, let’s call it exciting! Teen drama, intense crushes, or shifting moods are some of the behaviors you might be navigating with your teen. It can feel hard to track, but these truly are all aspects of normal development. When you wonder what’s going on in their head, remember that sometimes it is literally about what’s going on in their brain, biologically speaking. A better understanding of your teen’s brain development can help you support their healthy development.

The dramatic development in a teen’s brain helps explain why parenting teens can be equal parts joy and exasperation. You might admire their creativity, fast learning, and adaptability, but you might still see them struggle with impulse control, decision-making, and evaluating consequences. Both the dizzy excitement and door slamming we see from teens can, in part, be explained by changes in the brain.

What is going on with my emotional teen’s brain?

A teen’s brain relies more on the emotional, reactive center, the amygdala, than an adult’s does. The area of the brain that controls reasoning and helps us think before we act, the prefrontal cortex, is still changing and maturing well into our 20s.

Compared to adults, the teen brain has a harder time thinking before acting or stopping action once it’s started. Their judgment can be overwhelmed by impulses, making it harder to choose between safer and riskier choices.

This doesn’t mean teens can’t show self-restraint or don’t know right from wrong, but they are partly driven by a brain that is currently relying heavily on emotional and reward-driven centers. That can lead to positives, such as strong social connections, and to challenges, such as reckless behavior.

Why is my teen obsessed with K-pop or video games?

There is increased activity in the part of the brain that heightens sensitivity to rewards in teens. The midbrain reward system is the area at the root of romantic love, habit formation, and the reward for being part of the pack. That system is still mostly in charge at this stage.

Teens will be seeking social approval and exciting experiences. They’ll get immersed in listening to their favorite song (over and over) or want to try every new game. This reward-focused part of the brain can influence things like forming habits and addictions, but it can also lead to positive outcomes, such as joining peers in peaceful activism or volunteering.

Why is my teen so stressed out?

There are plenty of stress triggers at this age. Combine that with stronger emotional reactivity and still-developing coping systems, means that stressful situations can feel overwhelming. Teens may react more to stress more intensely than adults and also may be more susceptible to stress-related problems like anxiety and depression. There are hormonal changes at play that affect the limbic system and the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is important in mood regulation.

Why is my teen still asleep at noon?

This has biological roots too (they are also flexing their independence muscles). Teens are experiencing a shift in their circadian clocks, including changes in the sleep hormone melatonin, causing them to feel awake later at night and struggle with early mornings. Not getting enough sleep can further disrupt hormones and increase impulsivity and emotional volatility.

What helps teens, and their brains, thrive?

Amid all this change, adolescent brains are learning rapidly and have a great capacity for adaptation, called neuroplasticity. You’ll likely see them develop new skills and strengths, make social connections, and think in different ways. Even better, engaging in healthy, challenging activities can help strengthen those brain circuits and promote development.

Here are some things you can do to support your teen and their growing brain power:

Practice patience. What might seem like willful defiance, oversized emotions or thoughtless risk-taking can actually be about how their brains are wired at this age. You’ll still need to parent around those behaviors, but you can acknowledge the biological side while maintaining consistent expectations.

Prioritize good sleep habits. Sleep is essential for all of us. When possible, aim for a balanced schedule that aligns with their adolescent biology.

Be a coach. They are at an age where they are asserting their independence but still reliant on their caring families. Help them reflect on choices and consequences and coach them on different behaviors rather than criticize.

Help them cope with stress. It’s a good time to practice coping skills with your teen because, on the flip side of the brain changes associated with this age, teens also have a lot of cognitive flexibility, which allows them to adapt and shift their perspective more easily.

Seek support if needed. That applies to both you and your teen. Considering how dynamic the adolescent brain is during this period, it’s not a coincidence that major mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression, often appear during this time. If you’re worried about your teen or you need support yourself, talk to your provider, who can also refer you to mental health care.

Links between the prefrontal cortex and the midbrain reward system develop over time and at different rates in different kids. While a teen’s brain reaches its largest physical size early in adolescence, it still has a lot of changes and development to do, well into their mid-20s. Have some patience and enjoy the ride. It’s an amazing thing to see your child become a teen, make new cognitive connections, become more emotionally aware, and find their own path.

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A Parent’s Guide to the Childhood Immunization Schedule

Susanna Block — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 19:16:07 +0000

February can feel like one big cycle of colds, missed days of school, and viruses running through the family. Hang in there! Spring is coming, and usually brings fewer flus and colds. Keeping our children safe from serious illness is a crucial job for parents. Immunizing them against infections and diseases is a proven, safe, and effective way to do that. Following a recommended vaccination schedule against contagious diseases protects them now and sets our kids up for a healthier future. Here’s a look at immunization recommendations.

I’ll start by reiterating that there is robust evidence to support the safety, effectiveness, and necessity of vaccines. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends a vaccine schedule for when and how many doses children in the U.S. receive. Navigating the schedule might look complex at first glance, but it’s helpful to know it’s based on the times when vaccines work best with children’s immune systems and when they are most vulnerable to certain diseases.

I consider the AAP a trusted resource for parents who have questions on immunizations, along with discussing vaccines with your child’s provider. Let’s look at the vaccine schedule to better understand how you are protecting your child and why it’s recommended to start vaccines at these times.

Vaccines recommended at birth

Hepatitis B is the first vaccine most babies receive, with the first dose within 24 hours of birth. Why? People who are infected with hepatitis B as a baby have a 90% chance of developing serious, chronic conditions like liver damage and liver cancer in their lifetime.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is extremely common overall and is the top cause of hospitalization for babies, so the vaccine is recommended at birth and sometimes for pregnant mothers who can pass protective antibodies on to babies.

Vaccines for babies at 2 months

Diphtheria, tetanus and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine prevents serious illness from these three diseases.

We hear about DTaP, what’s it all about? Before we had a vaccine, diphtheria killed 1 out of every 5 kids who were infected. Awful, I know. Pertussis, also known as “Whooping Cough,” is characterized by a severe cough caused by bacteria damaging the airways. Babies with pertussis may need hospitalization and are at risk of death.

Tetanus is caused by bacteria already present in the soil or dust, usually from a cut or puncture wound. You can’t protect kids from getting cuts and scrapes out there, but you can protect them from a painful disease with a tetanus vaccine.

Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib) vaccine prevents several types of illness, some life-threatening, including ear infections, lung infection, and meningitis.
Polio (IPV) vaccine prevents a disease that causes death and paralysis. Polio outbreaks still occur in the U.S., so unvaccinated children are at risk.
Pneumococcal vaccine prevents disease caused by bacteria that can cause ear infections, pneumonia and sometimes sepsis, an overwhelming infection.
Rotavirus (RV) vaccine stops the highly infectious virus that is the main cause of diarrhea in children.

Immunizations at 6 months

COVID-19 vaccine, which we know is safe and effective. Children younger than 2 years old are at the highest risk for severe COVID-19 and hospitalization. The AAP recommends the COVID vaccine for all young children aged 6 months through 23 months. Beyond that age, it recommends the vaccine for children and teens with risk factors for COVID or whose parents want COVID vaccine protection.
Influenza (flu) vaccine is for an unpredictable disease. You don’t know if your child will have a mild case, missing a few days of school, or a severe flu that needs hospital care. Annual flu shots are recommended for everyone.

Vaccines for toddlers (12–18 months)

Varicella vaccine prevents “chickenpox,” and the Hepatitis A vaccine provides lifelong protection from a serious liver disease.

Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine protects most people for life for these diseases with serious consequences.

Since we’ve recently had another outbreak of measles here, I’ll say a little more on measles. Nearly 1 out of every 3 children under the age of 5 who catches measles ends up in the hospital. The measles virus is quite contagious; it can remain in the air for up to two hours. It incubates for 10 to 14 days, so an infected person could spread it widely before the rash even appears. The vaccine lasts a lifetime with 97% protection against the virus, protecting you and your community.

Vaccines for school-age kids and teens

Meningococcal vaccines protect older kids from a fast-acting disease that is life-threatening if it’s not caught and treated early, within a few hours. Infections are spread in saliva through close contact, such as coughing or kissing.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) prevents six types of cancer. Vaccinating kids against HPV when they are ages 9-12 years will allow them to build strong immunity against the virus before they are exposed to it. Here’s my guide to the HPV vaccine.
Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis booster: The protection your teen got from their childhood vaccine starts to wear off around age 11. They will need a booster vaccine every 10 years as an adult as well.

Catch-up immunizations: What parents should know

Children and teens can catch up on recommended immunizations if there are doses or vaccines you missed, check with your provider. Immunization helps protect your child now from serious illness and can protect health over a lifetime.

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This Hits Home: News that impacts Washington families

Cheryl Murfin — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 03:06:31 +0000

Being a parent is nonstop hard work, making it challenging to stay on top of news that impacts families in Washington state. This Hits Home is your weekly hit of news, commentary, and, occasionally, opinion. Want to have a say? Look for the ‘Take action’ prompts. Here’s the update for the week of Feb. 9-15.

SPS expands highly capable program to two more schools

With Seattle Public School highly capable services available in only one elementary, middle, and high school in Seattle, parents and teachers have long voiced concern over inequitable access to specialized educational programs for K-12 students who perform or show potential to perform at significantly advanced academic levels.

The district announced last week that, as of next September, the highly capable program will also be available at Rainier View Elementary in South Seattle and Alki Elementary in West Seattle. They join programs at Thurgood Marshall Elementary, Washington Middle School, and Garfield High School in the city’s Central District.

“These new sites are a direct response to what we heard during our community engagement sessions—families and educators asked for services closer to home,” wrote Paula Montgomery, drirector of SPS’ Highly Capable program, in an email to parents. She added the program gained 700 students this year.

Which site a student would be assigned do depends on their home school elementary boundary:

Rainier View Elementary will serve Emerson, Rainier View, Dunlap, Wing Luke, MLK, Graham Hill, South Shore, Dearborn Park, Maple, and Rising Star elementaries.
Alki Elementary will serve Lafayette, Alki, Genesse Hill, Fairmount Park, Gatewood, West Seattle Elementary, Sanislo, Concord, Highland Park, Roxhill, and Arbor Heights elementarie.
And, Thurgood Marshall Elementary will serve Hawthorne, Montlake, McGilvra, Stevens, Lowell, Madrona, Leschi, Bailey Gatzert, Beacon Hill, Thurgood Marshall, Kimball, and John Muir elementaries.

Montgomery also clarified for kids already in highly capable classrooms: “Families with students currently attending Thurgood Marshall also have the option to remain through 5th grade. Additionally, there is no further action needed for families who would like to remain at their current school.”

Results for highly capable entrance assessments for the 2026–27 school year are out this month, and SPS has extended the enrollment window for all five locations for current and newly identified advanced learners through Feb. 28. Late applications will be accepted through March 31. Learn more about the district’s distribution of highly capable students in this article from The Seattle Times.

(Image of courtesy The Reptile Zoo)

Good-bye to The Reptile Zoo, again

It’s for sure this time: The Reptile Zoo, a popular haunt for reptile-loving kids since 1996, will close its doors permanently on Feb. 16.

The once-busy 7,000-square-foot roadside menagerie in Monroe first announced its closure last October. Zoo owner Isaac Petersen said then that the attraction suffered during the pandemic and has since been burdened by rising costs. The October media coverage drew visitors to the zoo on Highway 2, leading to a brief comeback that ends this week.

There’s no going back this time. Zoo owners have rehomed most of their animals—although some are still available. If your family has the know-how and space, you mightconsider contacting the zoo. Read the whole story at Seattleschild.com

Should phones be banned at the state level? (Image: iStock.com)

Should WA follow the stateside cellphone ban trend?

Washington state does not currently have a statewide law that outright bans cellphones in schools. Here, we allow school districts to make their own restrictions (or not) on student use of cellphones and other mobile devices. And all districts in the state have some form of restriction or ban in place to stop kids from using devices in class or on school grounds.

But a statewide no cellphone rule? Not here, not yet. But if the momentum behind statewide cellphone bans and restrictions in schools continues, maybe one day Washington will follow suit.

According to a recent report by Stateline, the nonprofit news network, more than half of states (38 states and Washington, D.C.) have enacted a state-level law that restricts cellphone use in schools. And teachers, superintendents and education experts are waving flags of praise and celebration. They connect state-level policies to increased student attention and learning, improved student mental health, and stronger school communities.

For those states, the legislative question is: for how much of the school day should distracting devices be inaccessible to students?

Currently in Washington, which falls smack in the middle of two major student achievement scales and still has many students struggling with math and reading, the state legislature is considering a measure that addresses cellphone use in school.

On Feb. 11, the Senate fast-tracked and approved Senate Bill 5346, which would task the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) with gathering research, best practices, and district policies on limiting use of mobile devices in schools. The measure would help districts develop strong cellphone policies. So no statewide ban this year. For us, the question remains, “Is the decision to ban cellphones in schools really a local issue?”

TAKE ACTION: Do you have an opinion on whether a ban on cellphone use in schools should be mandated by state law? I’d love to hear it. Email me at cheryl@seattleschild.com. You have a voice on SB 5346: reach out to your representatives in the state House and Senate.

Greenhouse gas causing car exhaust (Image: iStock.com)

Speaking of flowers …and Trump’s reversal of climate change protections

If it feels like spring is arriving earlier each year— or lingering longer — in Seattle, you’re not imagining it. Long-term weather data from stations across Washington show that last frost dates are creeping earlier, and those first truly warm days are appearing earlier on the calendar. Scientists call it “season creep.” Over the past century, the Northwest has steadily warmed, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Climate Change Impacts in the Northwest webpage.

And, as the Washington Department of Health points out, climate change means the pollen Washington now starts about 20 days earlier and stretches roughly a month longer than it did three decades ago.

So yes, Virginia, er, President Donald Trump, climate change is real. Just ask NASA and the National Academy of Sciences, whose evidence-based research finds a clear and inarguable link.

And yet, last week, Trump revoked the Obama-era foundation for federal climate protections in the U.S. — a scientific finding that said greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane endanger public health and welfare. That “endangerment finding” was what allowed the federal government to regulate vehicle tailpipe emissions and other greenhouse gas pollution under the Clean Air Act, and its undoing removes that legal basis. And unless Congress acts, or courts block the change, the country will not be able to regulate the single largest source of greenhouse gases.

Trump says it will lower consumer costs and expand vehicle choice. Climate scientists and environmental advocates warn that it undermines decades of climate progress and weakens the country’s ability to slow global warming and protect public health.

You’ve got kids. Your kids, grandkids, and their progeny will inherit the planet. What do you think about one of the most far-reaching decisions of the Trump administration?

TAKE ACTION: I want to hear how you feel about the revocation of the endangerment finding; what concerns do you have, if any? Email me at Cheryl@seattleschild.com. Do you think Congress needs to take action on this issue? Make your voice heard. Contact your members of Congress.

Dr. Soleil Boyd, executive director of Children’s Alliance speaks in Olympia in January (Image: Children’s Alliance)

Could a ‘millionaires tax’ be an investment in a future for all families?

The bill that would impose a 9.9% tax on Washingtonians who earn more than $1 million in a year was passed out of the Senate Ways and Means Committee last week for consideration by the full Senate. If passed by the full legislature and signed into law by Gov. Bob Ferguson, Senate Bill 6346, (the “millionaires tax,”) would start collecting about $3.5 billion a year in 2028, with some exemptions and restrictions. In response, Washington’s largest statewide nonprofit children’s advocacy group, Children’s Alliance, threw its full support behind the potential tax.

“Revenue from this tax would primarily go into the state’s General Fund to support vital programs and services like health care and education,” Dr. Soleil Boyd, Children’s Alliance executive director wrote in a Seattle’s Child op-ed on Friday. The tax, Boyd wrote, is a key to stopping the cycle of cutting vital programs in times of state budget deficit only to refund them in better financial times.

“This year, many critical programs are at risk of funding cuts and delays – but one stands out: early learning,” she wrote. “Cuts to early learning make up 40% of all proposed cuts in the budget, which would cause thousands of families to lose access to care and leave early learning providers without the necessary resources to provide a living wage for their staff.”

Read Boyd’s full argument in support of Senate Bill 6346.

TAKE ACTION:To make your voice heard on the proposed “millionaires tax,” reach out to your representatives in the state House and Senate.

Parents! Take this survey!

This month, 4Culture, King County’s cultural funding agency, wants to hear from county residents—especially families—about how often, where, and when you go out to explore the region through theater, museums, festivals, music, films, public art, and other events and cultural activities.

As 4Culture explains, the King County Resident Cultural Participation Survey helps 4Culture understand, measure, and improve access to arts, heritage, and cultural experiences. It’s focused on identifying participation trends and barriers to equitable cultural opportunities in the county. The survey is one tool the agency uses to determine how it spends money from the county Lodging Tax and other revenue to support the “cultural sector.”

The survey takes about 9 minutes to complete and asks questions to determine how many outings include kids, or for which the main reason for going is to spend time as a family.

TAKE ACTION: Help the county ensure arts and culture remain a high priority. Take the survey here.

United States Capitol building in Washington DC (Image: S. Greg Panosian)

Murray and Cantwell announce federal budget wins for Washington kids and families

Those sneaky top Republicans and Democrats. According to an article this week in the New York Times, they managed last week to work together and pass several bills that, together, make it harder for President Donald Trump and his administration to go around Congress when allocating federal funds. Washington Senator Patty Murray (D-Bothell) is one of those top Democrats who pushed for codifying the rules and funding levels the administration must abide by when allocating (or withholding) federal funds.

Along with that win, Murray, vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Edmonds), who is chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation fannounced Washington projects of impact to kids and families that will receive federal dollars in 2026. Among the greater Seattle-area wins:

$3.15 million to build affordable housing units in Seattle
$3 million to Seattle Children’s Hospital for construction of a youth behavioral health crisis stabilization observation unit
$800,000 for United Way King County to improve emergency food distribution system
$1.5 million to the Seattle Indian Services Commission for the construction of affordable housing, early learning center, and a child care facility
$300,000 to Seattle-based statewide Page Ahead Children’s Literacy Program and its Book Up Summer program providing free books for kids and book discussion nights for families
More than $7 million to City of Seattle and groups like Renton’s Friends of Youth in support of affordable housing
$2 million to support high school maritime education programs in Tacoma and Port Townsend
$4.5 million to Seattle Indian Health Board to build a health center
$100,000 to Children’s Therapy Center to support resource navigation services for parents and caregivers of children with disabilities
$6.2 million for the construction of a new early learning center in Bremerton
$600,000 for the organization Open Doors for Multicultural Families in support of a new, early childhood education center at the Kent/Des-Moines Light Rail site
$850,000 to Edmonds to build a new food bank in a more convenient location,
$1.6 million Sea Mar Community Health Centers
$2 million to Lake Forest Park toward construction of the Lakefront Park Community Center Project
$250,000 to the City of Federal Way for day care relocation and renovation

Seattle and King County sync regarding protecting families from ICE aggression

Seattle’s new Mayor, Katie Wilson, has already taken a tough stance on immigration enforcement agents in the City. Two weeks ago, Wilson ordered that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are barred from using city-owned property. She also committed $4 million in legal defense funds for residents facing immigration proceedings, opened a dedicated hotline where community members can report ICE activity, and instructed Seattle Police to document federal immigration enforcement actions occurring within city limits.

The county’s chief is right there with Wilson.

Last week, King County Executive Girmay Zahilay issued his first executive order since taking office last year. In it, he too banned ICE from making arrests in non-public areas of county-owned buildings and properties.

And, like Wilson, Zahilay went further. He committed $2 million in emergency funding to help immigrant and refugee families access legal services, maintain their housing, and keep food on the table. The order also directs the King County Sheriff’s Office to outline how it responds to calls to 911 reporting immigration raids.

“Every resident who calls King County home, regardless of their citizenship status, deserves safety, dignity, and to live without fear or intimidation,” Executive Zahilay said in a release.

While immigrant families still live in fear of ICE aggression and arrest, city and county leadership and policies aimed at protecting them from aggressive and possibly illegal ICE tactics speak volumes. As Mayor Wilson recently put it, “This moment demands action.”

Are people abusing the Public Records Act to hurt school districts?

A bill moving through the Washington legislature seeks to find ways to discourage people from misusing the state’s Public Records Act to target school districts. HB 2661 addresses records requests that are “frivolous, retaliatory, or harassing” and that place a heavy burden on school district resources and personnel.

By driving up financial, legal, and operational strain—especially when districts must respond to complex, high-volume requests tied to controversial issues and spend extensive staff time redacting and reviewing records—these demands can pull resources away from classrooms and into compliance, heightening the tension between transparency and student privacy.

The amended form of the bill, which now goes to the full House of Representatives for a vote, requires the state’s Joint Legislative Audit and Review Committee to form a work group to research the impacts of records request abuse on school districts. The task force invitees will now be asked to join the work group.

TAKE ACTION: To make your voice heard on HB 2661 , reach out to your representatives in the state House and Senate.

Physical therapist assisting baby with birth trauma in coordination exercise (Image: iStock.com)

Lawmakers should not balance the budget on the backs of the state’s most vulnerable kids | Op-Ed

If passed by the state legislature this year, House Bill 2688 could result in a Washington that fails thousands of its most vulnerable residents—babies and toddlers with disabilities.

Last week, the House Committee on Appropriations voted to move the proposal forward—with one big, bill-turning change. Rather than increasing the budget for the Early Support for Infants and Toddlers (ESIT) program from $48 million to about $50 million a year by increasing its funding formula multiplier from 1.15 to 1.2, the amended bill sets the formula back to the 2008 multiplier level of 1.0. The program’s multiplier is the number the state uses to calculate how much money it provides for each baby or toddler receiving early intervention services. If the multiplier goes up, programs receive more money per child; if it goes down, they receive less.

The result of the amended bill would be tragic: fewer kids receiving critical early intervention services they need to thrive and significantly less money for school districts, which provide many of those services. In King County, this means about 1,200 fewer children would have access to state-funded services to help them develop vital communication, motor, and basic survival skills (including eating). ESIT currently serves more than 7,000 infants and toddlers in the county with an array of diagnoses, among them Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, hearing or vision loss, developmental delays, prematurity, severe illness, and autism spectrum disorder.

If you are a parent with a disabled baby, this bill could mean the difference between your child receiving vital early intervention and not.

Yes, Washington is facing a $2.3 billion budget shortfall for the current biennium. Most children’s programs should not expect increases when money is this tight—even the most critical and impactful ones like ESIT. But neither should they become the back upon which a deficit is balanced. The amendment moved forward by the House Appropriations Committee doesn’t kill HB 2688. It blunts its purpose.

Instead of strengthening special education funding, it goes backward, landing at a level below the status quo and leaving districts and families largely where they’ve been for more than a decade: doing more with less.

House Bill 2688 has been referred to the House Rules Committee before a vote by the full House. If approved it would need to pass the Senate before the session’s closure March 12.

Read this full opinion-editorial at Seattleschild.com.

TAKE ACTION: To make your voice heard on HB 2688 and its limitation of services for disabled infants and preschoolers. Reach out to your representatives in the state House and Senate.

More gloom on the way. Bring on the free flowers

Forecasters are calling for a wet week—with alternating days of rain and potentially snow showers. In other words, dark, dreary, Seattle winter. Frye Art Museum has just the fix: “Wallflowers,” a new exhibit centered on, well, flowers. In other words, bright, colorful, mostly cheery and a nod toward spring.

According to the exhibit description, the installation of exhibit art was “structured to mimic the delights of navigating a cultivated garden [and] oscillates between discrete paintings and immersive patterns, between contemplation and exuberance.” The show runs until the real buds start to emerge, that is, May 17. And it’s absolutely FREE.

The post This Hits Home: News that impacts Washington families appeared first on Seattle's Child.

Final Odessa Brown expansion ends, bringing trauma-informed care to kids in Central District

Seattle Child Staff — Wed, 18 Feb 2026 03:02:38 +0000

The long-awaited two-phase expansion of Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic (OBCC) in Seattle’s Central District is now complete, according to officials at Seattle Children’s Hospital, the clinic’s parent facility.

On Monday, the hospital announced that the 12,800-square-foot expansion projected had ended with the opening of OBCC’s new Community Advocacy Restorative Education (CARE) Clinic, a multidisciplinary hub of medical and mental health services for babies, children, and teens who have experienced or been exposed to trauma, including abuse, domestic violence, firearm violence, and trafficking. Services include:

Routine and preventive medical visits, including vaccines.
Sexual and reproductive health support, such as birth control; pregnancy-related care, including prenatal visits; and testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases.
Behavioral health services to treat PTSS, depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions, including 1-on-1 therapy (in person and by video visit) and medicine.
Smoking, vaping, alcohol, or drug use help and information, including brief substance-use counseling; information about reducing the risk of harm from substances; help with quitting or cutting back; cessation medication and referrals to community-based treatment.
Referrals for finding shelter or housing, food, financial support, support at school, or other needs.
Quick access to appointments for other services at OBCC, including dental care, nutrition counseling, and social work.

In a post about the CARE Clinic opening, Ashley Speller, Seattle Children’s Services communication manager, wrote: “This service fills a critical gap between traditional primary care and more intensive trauma services, helping ensure youth and families receive the right level of support in a safe, trusted setting.” The clinic will be provides regardless of a family’s ability to pay.

The Central District expansion was launched in 2024 its location at 1711 S Jackson Street. The first set of services at the clinic, phase 1, opened in July 2025 and includes:

Autism spectrum disorder evaluations for current OBCC patients of all ages
Coordinated autism evaluations with behavioral health and speech services
Eating disorder treatment and support
Mental and behavioral health therapy
Nutrition consultations
Reproductive health services
Speech and language services
Weight management services

Services are delivered in languages most commonly spoken by patient families, including English, Spanish, Somali, Cantonese, Oromo, and Vietnamese. Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic also provides services at its OBCC Othello clinic, located at 3939 S Othello St., Suite 101, and at Beacon Hill International School, Lowell Elementary, and Garfield High School, as part of its mission to ensure convenient and accessible care for families facing barriers to care.

Dr. Shaquita Bell, associate vice president and chief medical director at Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic, said in the post that families are now experiencing “shorter wait times and greater access to the holistic, high-quality care they need.”

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Measles in Washington: A Parent Guide for Seattle-Area Families

Seattle's Child Staff — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 21:54:36 +0000

Current Measles Status in Western Washington

Last updated: Monday, February 2, 2026
Status: Active exposure alert

What parents need to know right now

New exposure: Seattle-Tacoma International Airport — Jan. 22, 2026, between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
(A Concourse, Gate A12; Transit to International Arrivals Hall, Baggage Claim 22; lower-level baggage claim exit at the south end of the main terminal)
Cases reported: International traveler case reported by Public Health — Seattle & King County
Who should take action: Unvaccinated people, infants, pregnant people, and those with weakened immune systems
What to do: If you were at one of the locations during the times listed above, find out if you have immunity against measles. This means you have been vaccinated for measles or have had measles previously. Call your healthcare provider if you develop symptoms such as a fever or rash. To prevent possible spread to other people at the healthcare facility, do not go in person without calling first. Wear a well-fitting mask when you go.

This section is updated as new information is confirmed by county or state health officials.

What is Measles and How it Spreads

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases in the world. It spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes and can linger in a space for up to two hours after they leave.

If one person has measles, up to 9 out of 10 nearby people without immunity can become infected.

Measles Symptoms Parents Should Watch For

Symptoms usually appear 7–21 days after exposure and often start before the rash appears. Common symptoms include:

Fever
Cough
Runny nose
Red, watery eyes
Rash (typically appears several days after fever begins)

Because people are contagious before the rash shows up, outbreaks can spread quickly — especially in schools, child care centers, and crowded indoor spaces.

When to Call a Doctor After Possible Exposure

Health officials recommend calling ahead before visiting a clinic or hospital if measles is suspected. This helps prevent exposing others in waiting rooms. Call a provider if your child:

Has a fever and rash
Was at a known exposure site
Is unvaccinated and develops cold-like symptoms after possible exposure

MMR Vaccine Facts for Washington Families

The MMR vaccine (measles, mumps, rubella) is the most effective protection against measles. Health officials note:

Two doses provide about 97% lifetime protection
The vaccine has been safely used for decades
Most people in Washington are protected through routine childhood vaccination

Families who are unsure about vaccination records are encouraged to contact their pediatrician or school.

What Pediatric Experts Say About Measles in Our Community

Pediatric infectious disease specialists emphasize that measles remains highly contagious but very preventable with vaccination.

In a Q&A with Seattle’s Child, a board-certified pediatrician answered common questions from local families about measles symptoms, risks, and when to seek care — including how the illness can spread before symptoms appear and why early recognition matters.

Experts remind parents that:

Most children are protected through routine MMR vaccination, which is safe and highly effective.
If your child might have been exposed or develops symptoms, call your provider before visiting to limit contagion.
Vaccination not only protects your own family but slows community spread when coverage is high.

For more expert answers, read Measles in King County: A pediatric expert answers your questions.

Recent Measles Activity in Washington State

Jan. 2026 — Snohomish County: Three child cases linked to visiting family; exposure sites included schools and a medical clinic
Jan. 2026 — Sea-Tac Airport: International traveler exposure in A Concourse and International Arrivals Hall
Jan. 2026 — Kittitas County: Case confirmed involving Central Washington University student

How Schools and Child Care Respond to Measles Cases

When a case is confirmed, local health departments may recommend:

Excluding unvaccinated students temporarily
Notifying families of possible exposure windows
Enhanced cleaning and ventilation
Monitoring for symptoms over the incubation period

Policies vary by district and county.

Trusted Local Health Resources for Families

Bottom Line for Parents

Measles is serious, but it’s also preventable. Staying informed, checking vaccination status, and acting quickly after possible exposure are the most effective ways families can protect their kids and community.

The post Measles in Washington: A Parent Guide for Seattle-Area Families appeared first on Seattle's Child.

UPDATE: Health official announce a measles outbreak in Snohomish County

Cheryl Murfin — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 16:05:27 +0000

UPDATE: Public Health—Seattle & King County sent out another measles warning this weekend: A Canadian traveler infected with measles spent three hours at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on Jan. 22. The person visited the following places at the airport between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.: A Concourse (Gate A12), Transit to International Arrivals Hall (Baggage claim 22), and the lower level baggage claim exit at the south end of the main terminal. If your family members were in these areas, watch for symptoms until Jan. 26.

Measles is finding a foothold in Washington state and local health officials announced the number of cases meets the definition of an outbreak in Snohomish County.

The Snohomish County Health Department confirmed three new measles cases this week, all in local children who were exposed to a contagious family visiting from South Carolina. The children tested positive on Wednesday, Jan. 14, after developing fever, cough and the telltale rash associated with measles. None of the children had been vaccinated.

Because the illness spread from person to person within the community, county officials say the cases officially constitute an outbreak — a sign that measles is circulating locally.

How this outbreak began

Health officials in Snohomish County and Public Health – Seattle & King County were first alerted last week that three members of a South Carolina family — one adult and two children — were infectious while visiting the region between Dec. 27, 2025, and Jan. 1, 2026. There have been 434 cases of measles have been reported since OctobeThe largest active measles outbreak in the U.S. is in South Carolina, where 434 cases of measles have been reported in South Carolina since October, making that state the largest outbreak in the country.

Before receiving a diagnosis, the family visited multiple public places in Everett, Marysville and Mukilteo, traveled through Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and stopped at a nearby car rental facility — all while contagious.

Now, local officials say additional cases are likely.

“We’re expecting more measles cases as a result of the previous exposures as well as these new outbreak cases,” said Snohomish County Health Officer Dr. James Lewis. “We are hoping to contain it, but unfortunately there have been a number of exposure sites already, and there are likely more cases in the community that we do not know about yet.”

Lewis consulted with the Washington State Department of Health before declaring the outbreak. Under public health guidelines, an outbreak is defined as three or more linked measles cases in a community.

What families should know right now

Health officials emphasize that most people in the region are protected thanks to widespread vaccination.They note:

Most residents have immunity through the MMR vaccine (measles, mumps and rubella)
The vaccine is safe, highly effective, and provides about 97% lifetime protection
The overall risk to the general public remains low

Families are urged to check vaccination records for all household members. If you or your children are not vaccinated — or if you’re unsure — officials strongly recommend getting vaccinated as soon as possible.

Public locations where exposure may have occurred

Measles can spread before symptoms appear and can linger in the air for up to two hours after an infected person leaves a space. Anyone who was at the following locations during the listed times may have been exposed:

Jan. 8, 2026, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Stellar Kids Dentistry Everett, 111 SE Everett Mall Way, Everett
Jan. 9, 2026, 8:30 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Pathfinder Kindergarten Center (Mukilteo School District), 11401 Beverly Park Rd., Everett
Jan. 9, 2026, 8:30 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Serene Lake Elementary School (Mukilteo School District), 4709 Picnic Point Rd., Edmonds
Jan. 13, 2026, 1:10 p.m. – 3:10 p.m.
Swedish Mill Creek Campus, 13020 Meridian Ave. S., Everett

For additional exposure sites connected to the visiting South Carolina family, families are encouraged to review the Jan. 8 media release and the state Department of Health’s measles exposure map.

Another case in Central Washington

In a separate announcement this week, Kittitas County Public Health confirmed a measles case involving a Central Washington University student.

Anyone unvaccinated who was at the following locations should contact the Kittitas County Public Health call center at 509-933-8301:

January 8

8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.: CWU Dining Lion Rock station, SURC
3 – 8:30 p.m.: CWU Dining Lion Rock station, SURC
1 – 4:50 p.m.: International Aviation Management, Samuelson Building

January 9

12:08 – 2:08 p.m.: CWU flight training center
2:30 – 4:30 p.m.: CWU flight training center

What to do if you may have been exposed

Check whether you have received the recommended MMR vaccinations or had measles previously
If symptoms develop — especially fever or rash — call a healthcare provider before visiting a clinic or hospital
Limit contact with others, particularly infants and people with weakened immune systems

Why measles is taken so seriously

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases known. If one person has it, up to 9 out of 10 nearby people without immunity can become infected.

Symptoms include:

Fever
Rash
Cough
Runny nose
Red, watery eyes

The incubation period ranges from 7 to 21 days, meaning symptoms may not appear until weeks after exposure. People are contagious before the rash appears, which makes outbreaks difficult to contain.

While many recover, measles can lead to ear infections, pneumonia, diarrhea, and in rare cases, brain swelling or death. The risk of complications is highest for:

Infants and young children
Adults over 20
Pregnant people
Individuals with compromised immune systems

“We’re concerned about the health and safety of our Snohomish County children,” said Kim Van Pelt, director of the Snohomish County Health Department. “Measles is a serious disease that often brings unpleasant symptoms, and in rare cases swelling of the brain and even death.”

Families seeking more information, including travel guidance and vaccination resources, can visit the Snohomish County Health Department’s measles page.

For now, health officials say awareness, vaccination, and early action remain the most effective tools for protecting the community Go the health department’s measles page for updates.

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Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital closes gender-affirming care clinic

Cheryl Murfin — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 03:02:56 +0000

South Puget Sound trans teens seeking gender-affirming medical care have lost a medical ally: Tacoma’s MultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital will shut down its Gender Health Clinic this week.

A hospital spokesperson confirmed that 320 current patients receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy, puberty blockers, and other medications at the clinic will need to get those medications elsewhere. More than 150 families were on the waiting list for care at the hospital at the time of the closure announcement.

In a statement, MultiCare placed the blame for the closure squarely on the shoulders of the Trump administration:

“Due to recent escalations at the federal level to eliminate medical interventions to treat gender dysphoria for minors nationwide, as well as investigations and significant penalizations of health care organizations that provide such care,  MultiCare Health System has made the difficult choice to close the MultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s Gender Health Clinic.

“This was an incredibly painful decision, and one that we wish that we did not have to make,” hospital officials wrote.

Federal pressures hit all hospitals providing gender-affirming care

Federal pressure to stop hospitals from providing gender-affirming medical care has been felt by all gender-affirming medical providers in the region and throughout the nation. Seattle Children’s Hospital has not closed its gender-affirming care program. However, it remains under federal investigation regarding its practices. Seattle Children’s is operating and accepting referrals for adolescents.

According to the statement, MultiCare has tried in myriad ways to keep the clinic open:

“Over the last year, we have worked to find options that would allow us to continue to care for this important group of patients. Unfortunately, continuing to provide gender-care-related medical treatment to minors puts our organization and our providers at too great a risk for government investigation and enforcement actions, including cutting off Medicare and Medicaid payments to MultiCare’s entire health system.”

Loss of those funds would be devastating for local families:

“Nearly 75% of MultiCare patients — and more than 62% of Mary Bridge Children’s patients — depend on Medicare and Medicaid,” MultiCare officials wrote. “Loss of this funding not only undermines MultiCare’s ability to operate, but more critically, threatens patients’ access to essential care in every region that MultiCare offers care.”

Patients currently being seen at the Multicare Mary Bridge Gender Health Clinic will be able to receive behavioral health care at the hospital, and staff are working to direct those patients to other providers.

Trans youth under attack

In December, the administration of President Donald Trump acted to erase what he once called “a stain on our Nation’s history” by establishing new rules that effectively ban gender-affirming care for minors throughout the United States. To ensure doctors comply, the administration said it will refuse or pull back federal funding from hospitals that offer such treatment. At a time when hospitals are trying to figure out how to keep doors open in the face of current Medicaid cuts (and those coming down the pike) few are likely to challenge Trump’s no-funding hammer.

The proposed new U.S. Department of Health and Human Serviecs rules were announced a day after Republicans in the House of Representatives approved legislation making it a crime (punishable by a find or up to 10 years in prison) to provide transgender minors with gender-affirming care. That proposal would Senate approval.

And this month in Olympia, lawmakers said they will not hear an initiative to block transgender girls from competing in girls’ sports in committee, all but ensuring that it will go to voters in November.

Initiative Measure No. IL26-638 (IL26-638) is backed by the political committee Let’s Go Washington and conservative hedge fund manager Brian Heywood. The group turned in more than 400,000 signatures for the initiative.

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