Welcome to Skagit County
August 12, 2015
Commissioner Dahlstedt appointed to national leadership position on healthy communities
WASHINGTON, D.C. – National Association of Counties (NACo) President Sallie Clark appointed Commissioner Ken Dahlstedt, Skagit County, Wash., to a one-year term as chair of the Public Health and Healthy Communities Subcommittee, one of the subcommittees within NACo’s Health Steering Committee.
“I am honored to lead NACo’s Public Health and Healthy Communities Subcommittee because health-related issues are important to our citizens and counties across the country,” Dahlstedt said. “We are protecting public health, working with our residents to encourage healthy lifestyles and address other health issues that affect our quality of life.”
Active in NACo since 2000, Dahlstedt was subcommittee chair and vice chair of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Steering Committee and has previously served as vice chair of the Health Steering Committee. He serves as vice chair of the Rural Action Caucus (RAC) Steering Committee and as a member of NACo’s Board of Directors.
Clark, commissioner, El Paso County, Colo., made her policy committee leadership appointments shortly after being sworn in as NACo’s president during its Annual Conference, July 10-13, in Mecklenburg County, N.C.
"Problems and solutions don't stop at the county line. Decisions in Washington, D.C. have major impacts on counties and our residents," said Clark. "NACo unites counties to increase understanding on Capitol Hill about the challenges our citizens face and to send a strong message against unfunded mandates. It is critical for county leaders to be actively engaged with our federal partners to build healthy, vibrant and safe communities."
Nationwide, counties invest more than $70 billion in health services, supporting more than 900 hospitals, 600 nursing homes and 1,500 local health departments.
The Health Steering Committee is responsible for NACo policy on all matters pertaining to public health and healthy communities. These include disease and injury prevention and health promotion, health disparities reduction, financing health care delivery, Medicaid, Medicare, long-term care, behavioral health services, substance abuse prevention and treatment and services for persons with disabilities.