Girmay’s Plan to Protect and Expand Reproductive Rights

Across the country, extremists are working to dismantle the freedom to choose, to make decisions about our own bodies, and to access lifesaving reproductive care. They’ve overturned Roe. They’re criminalizing providers. And they’re coming after contraception, gender-affirming care, and even basic sexual health services.

Here in King County, we don’t back down — we step up.

Last month, I released my Homelessness Action Plan, my Public Safety Now Plan, and my Universal Childcare Plan. Today, I’m releasing my plan to protect and expand reproductive rights in King County.

As your next County Executive, I will fight to keep our region as a national leader and safe haven for reproductive freedom.

Girmay’s Reproductive Health Plan

1. Establish an Office of Reproductive Health

To coordinate and enhance reproductive health services across the county, I will establish an Office of Reproductive Health within Public Health — Seattle & King County. This office will oversee initiatives related to abortion access, contraception, maternal health, gender-affirming care, and reproductive justice. Funding for this office will be sourced from existing public health budgets and supplemented by state grants where available.​

2. Expand Access to Comprehensive Reproductive and Gender-Affirming Healthcare

Ensuring equitable access to a full spectrum of reproductive healthcare services is essential. To achieve this, I will:​

• Enhance Services at Harborview Medical Center: Collaborate with Harborview Medical Center to ensure it has the necessary resources to provide comprehensive reproductive healthcare services. This will involve allocating county funds and seeking stable revenue authority for Harborview from the state.​
• Increase Funding for County Health Clinics: Allocate resources to King County’s healthcare clinics to offer abortion care, contraception, prenatal and postpartum services, and gender-affirming care in underserved neighborhoods. Funding will be pursued through the Best Starts for Kids levy, the general fund, local Harborview taxing authority, and other applicable state and federal grants.​
• Implement Mobile Health Clinics: Develop mobile reproductive health clinics to serve rural and underserved areas, ensuring accessibility for all residents. This initiative will be funded through a combination of county resources and partnerships with non-profit organizations.​
• Support Incarcerated Individuals: Ensure that individuals in county jails receive comprehensive reproductive healthcare, including contraception and prenatal care, by integrating services within the existing correctional health framework.​

3. Address Maternal Health Disparities

To combat unacceptable disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes among marginalized communities, I will:​

• Launch the Maternal Health Equity Initiative: This program will provide culturally competent, community-based care for Black, Indigenous, and immigrant mothers.
• Expand Doula and Midwife Programs: Increase support for doula and midwife services to assist high-risk pregnancies and reduce mortality rates. This expansion will be financed through county health funds and targeted grants.​
• Integrate Healthcare with Housing Services: Collaborate with housing and homelessness services to ensure pregnant individuals experiencing homelessness have access to medical care and stable housing. This will involve cross-departmental coordination and leveraging existing housing funds.​

4. Advance Menstrual and Sexual Health Equity

Access to menstrual products and sexual health services is a basic necessity. To promote equity in these areas, I will:​

• Implement the Menstrual Equity Initiative: Provide free period products in all county buildings, including public health clinics, shelters, and jails. Funding will be allocated from public health budgets and supplemented by partnerships with private organizations.​
• Enhance Sexual Health Services: Expand access to STI screenings, PrEP, and HIV prevention services, particularly in communities with high infection rates.

5. Strengthen Privacy Protections

To safeguard individuals seeking reproductive healthcare, I will:​

• Develop Data Privacy Policies: Implement policies to ensure that personal data, such as geolocation information, is protected and not used to track individuals traveling across state lines for reproductive services. This will involve collaborating with legal experts and advocacy groups to establish robust privacy safeguards.

6. Advocate for Federal Policy Changes and Funding

Recognizing the limitations of county authority, I will:​

• Collaborate with State and Federal Partners: Work alongside state partners and Washington’s federal delegation to advocate for legislation that protects reproductive rights, such as supporting the repeal of restrictive laws, fighting cuts to Medicare, and promoting the passage of protective acts.​
• Secure Sustainable Funding: Pursue diverse funding sources, including state and federal grants, to support and expand reproductive health services within the county.​

By implementing this comprehensive and pragmatic plan, we can ensure that King County remains a leader in safeguarding and advancing reproductive rights, providing accessible and equitable healthcare for all residents.

If you’re with me in this fight, I need your support to win this race and make this plan real. Together, we can show the country what reproductive justice looks like when local governments lead.

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