By Michelle Terry, MD
Secretary, King County Medical Society
Dear Members and Partners,
Children do not vote or lobby. They do not write op-eds. They naturally grow – into the future we will all share. It is our responsibility, as the adults in the room, to nurture the environment that supports our children so that the future is sound. The health of children is not a side issue; it is the ground on which every other civic hope stands. In King County, we are fortunate to have skilled clinicians, committed families, and a community that deeply cares for its youngest members. But caring, by itself, is not enough. Children need systems that work, systems that are consistent, fair, and built with them in mind.
Medicaid: A Lifeline
For many families, Medicaid is the front door to pediatric care. It ensures children can see a doctor when they are sick, and just as importantly, when they are well. It keeps clinics open, supports prevention, and allows pediatricians to do what they do best: help children thrive. Protecting Medicaid means protecting the everyday health of nearly 40% of Washington’s children.
Immunizations: A Public Trust
Vaccines remain among the most reliable tools we have to keep children safe. As missed vaccinations continue to affect coverage across the state, strong immunization programs matter more than ever. When we vaccinate children, we protect not only individual lives but the whole community. This is a straightforward, evidence-based truth. We vaccinate to prevent disease for which there are limited treatments.
Mental Health: The Quiet Crisis
Children’s mental health deserves the same attention as broken bones and fevers. Pediatricians across Washington report rising needs and strained systems. Emotional well-being shapes how children learn, connect, and grow into independent adults. Access to behavioral health care must be early, compassionate, and consistent.
Social Determinants of Health: The World Around the Child
A child’s health is shaped not only in exam rooms, but in homes, schools, parks, and neighborhoods. Safe housing, nutritious food, clean air, and stability matter as much as any prescription. Improving these conditions is not abstract policy—it is the practical work of giving every child a fair chance. Children cannot build these systems themselves. They depend on us—clinicians, policymakers, parents, and neighbors—to keep the path ahead clear. KCMS stands with our partners across Washington in urging continued investment in Medicaid, immunization programs, mental health supports, and the conditions that allow children to grow well. If we do this work right, our children will not need to thank us. They will simply grow up healthy, ready, and able to make discoveries and contributions to make our world better. And that will be thanks enough.