Re: “The emergency room disaster” [Feb. 18, Opinion]:
The op-ed identified the large expenditure of tax cash for “unhoused sufferers” estimated at $930 million to $1.15 billion per 12 months on this state. Nonetheless, we have already got the techniques to considerably cut back these expenditures and supply the wanted assist.
King County has many medical and behavioral well being companies underutilized by the hospital and first responder techniques locally. These companies will be recognized and contacted shortly with the information techniques out there. If the “unhoused” have group sources already out there, they are often related to supply a continuum of care that can cut back the overcrowded techniques.
The information story “The person in Room 117” [Feb. 4, Northwest] addressed this perplexing downside, stating that what is required is the inclusion of our “sturdy social help system.” We already present a “sturdy social help system,” we simply are usually not using it.
Nicely-evidenced analysis for years has proven offering those that are homeless with housing and “sturdy supportive companies” saves the system 50% of the prices of their care. Supportive companies present housing and entry to preventative medical care, vitamin, psychological well being care, medicine monitoring, substance habit companies, life expertise, and profession improvement.
Peter Moote, MSW, Seattle
