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October 12th Meeting
Official Minutes
Call to Order: 7:00 PM.
Flag Salute led by Stephen Lamphear
Chair's Report
The chair gave a report highlighting: upcoming events and a race
in southern King County, district no. 7. In that race, Geni Hawkins
is running against Peter Van Reichbauer, a Republican who jumped
ship from the Democratic Party when he was in the State Senate.
This is an important race for the Party: it could shift a significant
balance of power in the County Council. The Chair also mentioned
the upcoming opening of the West Seattle Food Bank and the One Community
Campaign. The chair of that effort, Kristi Sifri-Steele spoke to
the membership. Finally, the Chair mentioned the need for poll workers,
for which Ann Martin provided details.
Candidate Introduction: Geni Hawkins, County Council District
7
Geni introduced herself and outlined why she is running against
Pete Van Reichbauer. She gave a most impressive talk, not only demonstrating
her strengths, but also clearly showing how this district is winnable.
Her website is hawkins4kcc.org.
Discussion on I-330
Limits Healthcare Liability ? There was a panel discussion on I-330.
Panelists were: Ron Morris, a Family Practice doctor in Puyallup
who has been a longtime Democrat and ran for State Rep in the 25th
District; Barbara Flye, chair of the Committee for No on I-330 and
the former Executive Director of Washington Citizen Action; Reed
Schifferman of Stritmatter, Kessler, Whelan Whitney, Coluccio, an
experienced malpractice litigator who has represented both plaintiffs
and defendants; and Eileen Cody, 34th District Representative and
chair of the House Health Care Committee.
Dr. Morris stressed the continuing squeeze on doctors with malpractice
premiums going up and reimbursement flat or even going down. Particularly
hard hit have been rural OB-GYNs. For those reasons, he supports
I-330. Ms. Flye stated that the initiative was written too broadly,
giving too much exemption to many entities, including drug companies.
She mentioned that the initiative, if passed, would severely restrict
portions of Washington?s patient bill of rights. Mr. Schifferman
related some of the cases he has handled and stressed the need to
have mechanisms to protect patients from incompetent and dangerous
doctors. Eileen Cody stated her opposition to the initiative, but
also mentioned her opposition to I-336. She stated that any reform
needs to deal with several core issues, which are: patient safety,
insurance reform and tort reform. Any legislation that does not
cover all of these in an interrelated way is flawed. There were
rebuttals from all panelists.
Motion to Oppose I-330, Limits Healthcare Provider Liability:
Motion was made by Leslie Harris and seconded. The motion passed.
Motion to Oppose I-900, State Performance Audits:
Motion was made by Eileen Cody and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Motion to Endorse I-901, Eliminates Indoor Smoking in
Public Places:
Motion was made by Brian Earl and seconded. The motion passed.
Motion to Endorse I-912. Repeals Increase in Gas tax:
Motion to OPPOSE was made by Alan Munro and seconded. The motion
passed unanimously.
Motion to Suspend the Rules:
Motion was made by Lucy Krakowiak and seconded. The motion was made
to rescind a prior endorsement of I-336. The motion passed.
Motion to Oppose I-336, Malpractice Insurance Proposal:
Motion was made by Lucy Krakowiak and seconded. The motion failed.
Motion to Endorse I-336, Malpractice Insurance Proposal:
Motion was made by Rebecca Wells and seconded. The motion failed.
Resolutions on Southwest Airlines FLights From King County AIrport
(Boeing FIeld):
Chris Arkills and Ann Martin both offered resolutions regarding
the proposal by Southwest Airlines to locate at Boeing Field. There
was discussion on the motions. Chris Arkills? motion secured a 2/3
vote for endorsement by the membership; Ann?s failed.
Resolution regarding the withdrawal of Troops from Iraq
John Repp and Karen Farnsworth offered this motion. Rebecca Wells
offered an amendment requiring us to endorse only candidates who
support this resolution. The amendment failed. The original motion
passed unanimously.
New PCOs
Stephen Lamphear, Beth Grieser and Cherisse Luxa were elected as
PCOs.
Respectfully submitted Bill Schrier, Secretary
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