VOTE on Solutions for Lake City
Fresh Food Access
Essential services should be within walking distance for everyone.
Vote on short-term and long-term solutions to restore grocery and pharmacy access in Lake City.
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Short-Term Solutions (3-12 months)
Expand Remaining Pharmacies
Establish temporary support at existing, limited-hour independent pharmacies (Genoa Healthcare and Seattle Indian Health Board) to expand service and operational capacity.
Interim Pharmacy Services
Establish temporary pharmacy services at existing community health centers or partner locations to provide immediate medication access while longer-term solutions are developed.
Mobile Pharmacy Services
Deploy mobile pharmacy units to serve Lake City residents on a scheduled basis, providing prescription medications and basic health services at convenient community locations.
Expand Farmers Market & Add Indoor Support
Enhance the existing Lake City Farmers Market with extended hours, indoor facilities, and additional vendors to provide more comprehensive food access including basic grocery items.
Expand Foodbank
Enhance existing food bank services in Lake City with expanded hours, mobile pantries, home delivery, and improved access to fresh produce and essential grocery items. Partner with North Helpline and other local food assistance organizations to provide comprehensive food access support.
Long-Term Solutions (1-3 years)
Community Co-op Grocery
Establish a community-owned cooperative grocery store similar to PCC Community Markets, providing high-quality food access with member ownership, community governance, and union representation.
Municipal Grocery Store
Create a publicly-funded grocery store with integrated pharmacy services that provides affordable, healthy food options to Lake City residents. Like Azalea Fresh Market in Atlanta.
Hub-Spoke Model
Create a centralized hub (former Fred Meyer) with multiple smaller spoke locations throughout Lake City, providing comprehensive grocery and pharmacy services with efficient distribution and union representation.
Pitch New Grocery Business
Attract new grocery retailers to Lake City through economic incentives, zoning changes, and community support, creating competition and improved access with union representation.
Expand and Improve Existing Stores
Provide support and resources to existing stores to expand their offerings and improve quality. Add pharmacy services and upgrade Grocery Outlet to full grocery status, while adding delivery and improving bus access to QFC and Safeway locations with union representation.
Key Laws & Policy Changes Needed to implement Short and Long Term solutions
Current Laws to Leverage
Medicare & Medicaid Coverage
- Medicare Part D Any Willing Pharmacy: Plans must contract with pharmacies meeting standard terms (42 C.F.R. § 423.120)
- Medicaid Free Choice: Beneficiaries may use any qualified provider (42 C.F.R. § 431.51)
- WA Medicaid Contracting: HCA may open standard contracts for any enrolled pharmacy (WAC 182-530-6000)
Private Coverage
- Pharmacist Services Parity: Plans must include adequate pharmacists (RCW 48.43.094)
- PBM Guardrails (2026): Anti-steering and reimbursement protections (RCW 48.200.310)
Policy Changes Needed
Land Use & Covenants
- Ban Restrictive Covenants: Make grocery/pharmacy blocking clauses void (Model: Bellingham BMC 20.10.027)
- Zoning Support: Expedited permits for grocery/pharmacy development
Pharmacy Network Access
- State AWP Law: Require commercial plans to contract with willing pharmacies (Model: Tennessee T.C.A. § 56-7-2359)
- Time-Based Standards: Minutes-based pharmacy access (Model: Colorado)
- QHP Network Adequacy: Include pharmacies in time/distance requirements (45 C.F.R. § 156.230)