March 7th marked the end of legislative session and this year we saw some amazing investments to help build a healthier Washington.
hero_image_alt_text===Image of bowls of salad ingredients
thumbnail===https://assets.nationbuilder.com/yourethecure/pages/39410/attachments/original/1711391541/Salad.jpg?1711391541
thumbnail_alt_text===Image of bowls of salad ingredients
$45 million for school meals
Unfortunately, healthy school meals for all failed to pass this legislative session. However, last year's bill has been successful in expanding participation among elementary school students, and required additional funding to close the gap. The budget included $45 million to make up for that shortfall.
$500,000 for Commercial Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program Funding
We were excited to see that the final budget included $500,000 for commercial tobacco prevention and cessation program funding for fiscal year 2025! While this is only a fraction of what we initially asked for, legislators warned us that this year would be an extremely tight budget year.
Passage of HB 1945 Streamlining and enhancing program access for persons eligible for food assistance
This bill will allow children that are eligible for or receiving basic food benefits eligible for Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) and Birth to Three ECEAP beginning August 1, 2030. The bill passed was delivered to the Governor to sign into law.
$100,000 in additional funds for Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program
This program will provide food as medicine to individuals experiencing food insecurity or individuals who are at high risk of developing a chronic health condition.
$12.23 million for Summer EBT
This program will help 550,000 children and their families keep food on the table by providing grocery-buying benefits to low-income families with school-aged children when schools are closed for the summer and they don't have access to free and reduced-price school meals.
Next legislative session, we are excited to be working on:
- Healthy School Meals for All
- Increased Commercial Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program Funding
- Quality Acute Systems of Care - Stroke Systems of Care
- Ending the sale of flavored tobacco products
Stay tuned to our blog for a deeper dive on all of these issue areas and opportunities for you to help assist us in this fight for a healthier Washington!
Showing 1 reaction