This legislative session we are working community solutions to build the Tubman Center for Health & Freedom. We strongly urge the Washington State Legislature to take the next crucial step in establishing the State’s only Black community-owned and -led health center. The Tubman Center for Health & Freedom will address a glaring gap in health services and health career pathways for marginalized communities in our state – a gap that our current healthcare system has proven unable to close. 

Last session, the Legislature recognized the appalling disparities that continue to cost the lives and health of Black and Brown Washingtonians. The Legislature also recognized that it was past time to support new, community-designed approaches to address this health crisis. This commitment motivated the State’s initial investment in the Tubman Center for Health & Freedom. 

Tubman Health has made good on that investment. It has carried out community design in partnership with the City of Seattle and has firmed plans to establish a premier health services center in partnership with new affordable housing across from an existing light rail station. 

The Tubman Center for Health & Freedom will provide high-quality jobs to 60-100 practitioners from community and establish needed health career pathways. It will serve an estimated 8,000 primary care patients a year and reaching 16,000 through health services and health promotion programming. 

Our State must continue moving forward with Tubman Health to build a future of health justice and set a model for the entire country.