SeaTac and Tukwila have been chosen as pilot cities for the collaborative local 'Global to Local" health initiative.

The selection was announced Monday morning before the start of a two-day healthcare symposium in Seattle. The U.S. Surgeon General and the CEO of GE are expected to participate.

Washington Global Health Alliance, Public Health - Seattle & King County, HealthPoint and Swedish Hospital announced their collaboration and plans to use the same practices health organizations use in developing countries here at home.

"It is surprising to many that some of the greatest disparities between the wealthiest and poorest in our nation can be found in our own backyards," said David Fleming, director and health officer, Public Health - Seattle & King County. "We selected this location as our pilot site because there are profound differences between the health of its residents in comparison to other communities in the region. Not only will Global to Local benefit these individual communities, it really has the potential to serve as a model in furthering community health."

Not enough money has been invested into community health, Fleming said.

"Unfortunately here in King County everyone does not have an equal opportunity for health care."

Swedish has committed $1 million to Global to Local. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), a senior member of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee has included $400,000 in the 2011 appropriations bill. The bill has passed the subcommittee, but it still has to be approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee and finally the full U.S. Senate.

"There is a universal need to re-define healthcare, and that includes improving healthcare models and delivery in our communities," said Dr. Rod Hochman, chief executive officer of Swedish.

Global to Local's plan is as much about education and economic stability as it is direct healthcare. Seattle's Northwest Securities has committed to providing a financial and economic development council for the initiative.

Joe Pauza, who volunteers at the Tukwila Food Pantry, said he spends most of his time away from the food bank trying to connect people with organizations that can help them.

He also related his own story of dealing with the health system, and not knowing the other options that were open to him.

Pauza said after he was laid off three years ago he continued to go to Harborview Medical Center to get his prescriptions filled. Because he no longer had insurance he no longer had a doctor there. So to get his prescription filled he had to go into the emergency room and get them filled through a physician's aide.

He did this for a year, not once seeing a doctor. Finally a physician's aide took him through the steps to get his medication from the Harborview Pioneer Square clinic.

"There was nothing telling me how to do it," Pauza said.

The partnership for the Global to Local initiative is currently working with local community colleges to develop care giving curriculums. Global to Local is also working on developing a community resource center, which will combine health, social services and economic development programs.

Their mission is purposely vague at this stage. The partnership is currently working with the communities to find out what they want and need. The partnership specifically did not want to come in with a program and try to make the community fit into it, they want to develop a program around the needs of the community.

It will be an ongoing process over the next several years.

If you are interested in becoming involved, or would like to learn more contact Global to Local Project Manager Adam Taylor at 206-293-2485, or adam.taylor@kingcounty.gov.