King County Board of Health Affirms Commitment to Healthcare for Immigrants as they Face Catastrophic, Widespread Loss of Health Coverage

October 17, 2025

The King County Board of Health on Thursday unanimously passed a Resolution to commit to providing healthcare support for immigrants as they face federal policy changes that will remove Medicaid and insurance subsidies for many lawfully present immigrants beginning in 2026 – including refugees, asylum seekers, trafficking survivors, and other residents across King County.

“By taking this action, the Board underscored its belief that every person in King County deserves to live with dignity, stability, and access to healthcare, regardless of immigration status,” said Board Chair Teresa Mosqueda. “In this moment we are not cowering or curtailing our care for immigrant communities, instead we are fighting for expansion of coverage and support for our immigrant neighbors. I’m proud the Board has reaffirmed that protecting the public health’s means protecting everyone’s health by maintaining access to clinics and care, and that community well-being depends on everyone having their healthcare needs met and access to affordable coverage.”

The Resolution reaffirms the Board’s commitment to health equity and access for all to health care in King County, calls for a state partnership to expand and protect access to coverage, and encourages local governments to share “know-your-rights” information with immigrant and refugee communities to protect their health and well-being. The Resolution encourages King County to further available subsidies, mitigate funding and care gaps, and help mitigate catastrophic and widespread coverage losses for those excluded from federal programs.

“Refugees and immigrants are human beings who need to be treated as such,” said Francoise Milinganyo Board of Health alternate member and Executive Director of Congolese Integration Network. “Healthcare is not a privilege reserved for few; it is a fundamental human right for all people, regardless of nationality, legal status, or place of origin. May the King County Board of Health support refugees and immigrants in this journey to obtain the right to healthcare for refugees and immigrants.”

More than 42,000 immigrants in King County were uninsured as of 2023, and state programs designed to expand eligibility – including Apple Health Expansion and Cascade Care Savings – have reached capacity within days of opening enrollment.

“We commend the Board of Health for its strong commitment to ensuring access to health care for immigrants and refugees,” said Lee Che Leong, Senior Policy Advocate at Northwest Health Law Advocates. “Far too many of our friends, families, and neighbors in King County live in fear that seeking basic medical care could jeopardize their safety. This resolution is a step toward affirming the dignity of every person in our community and working toward affordable health care for all.”

This resolution was preceded by a discussion and presentation at the July Board of Health by the Congolese Integration Network and Northwest Health Law Advocates on health disparities for the immigrant population in King County, and following the King County Executive’s many presentations on federal funding and policy changes that could affect access to care for immigrant community members. The resolution continues commitments made to advance and protect the right to access healthcare for immigrant communities, such as the 2025 Executive proposed budget which directed the county to consider how healthcare could be made more affordable for immigrant residents in King County; a 2018 BOH Resolution which affirmed our commitment to serve all residents regardless of immigrant status, country of origin, race, age or other identities; and a Safety Plan model from Gov Ferguson released earlier this year which gives local jurisdictions resources to protect vulnerable residents.