# RCW 43.70.005: RCW 43.70.005: Intent

> Washington · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C70_S005

## Section

- **Citation:** RCW 43.70.005
- **Heading:** RCW 43.70.005: Intent
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Code / Title 43 / Chapter 70 / Section 005

## Text

The legislature finds and declares that it is of importance to the people of Washington state to live in a healthy environment and to expect a minimum standard of quality in health care. The legislature further finds that the social and economic vitality of the state depends on a healthy and productive population. The legislature further declares where it is a duty of the state to assure a healthy environment and minimum standards of quality in health care facilities and among health care professionals, the ultimate responsibility for a healthy society lies with the citizens themselves. For these reasons, the legislature recognizes the need for a strong, clear focus on health issues in state government and among state health agencies to give expression to the needs of individual citizens and local communities as they seek to preserve the public health. It is the intent of the legislature to form such focus by creating a single department in state government with the primary responsibilities for the preservation of public health, monitoring health care costs, the maintenance of minimal standards for quality in health care delivery, and the general oversight and planning for all the state's activities as they relate to the health of its citizenry. Further, it is the intent of the legislature to improve illness and injury prevention and health promotion, and restore the confidence of the citizenry in the efficient and accountable expenditure of public funds on health activities that further the mission of the agency via grants and contracts, and to ensure that this new health agency delivers quality health services in an efficient, effective, and economical manner that is faithful and responsive to policies established by the legislature.

## Nearby sections

- [RCW 43.70.005 RCW 43.70.005: Intent.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C70_S005.md)
- [RCW 43.70.010 RCW 43.70.010: Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C70_S010.md)
- [RCW 43.70.020 RCW 43.70.020: Department created.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C70_S020.md)
- [RCW 43.70.030 RCW 43.70.030: Secretary of health.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C70_S030.md)
- [RCW 43.70.040 RCW 43.70.040: Secretary's powers—Rule-making authority—Report to the legislature.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C70_S040.md)
- [RCW 43.70.041 RCW 43.70.041: Five-year formal review process of existing rules.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C70_S041.md)
- [RCW 43.70.045 RCW 43.70.045: Warren Featherstone Reid Award for Excellence in Health Care.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C70_S045.md)
- [RCW 43.70.047 RCW 43.70.047: Warren Featherstone Reid Award for Excellence in Health Care.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C70_S047.md)
- [RCW 43.70.050 RCW 43.70.050: Collection, use, and accessibility of health-related data.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C70_S050.md)
- [RCW 43.70.052 RCW 43.70.052: Hospital financial and patient discharge data—Financial reports—Data retrieval—American Indian health data—Reporting—Patient discharge data—Confidentiality and protection.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C70_S052.md)
- [RCW 43.70.053 RCW 43.70.053: Hospital consolidated annual income—Reporting.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C70_S053.md)
- [RCW 43.70.054 RCW 43.70.054: Health care data standards—Submittal of standards to legislature.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C70_S054.md)
- [RCW 43.70.056 RCW 43.70.056: Health care-associated infections—Data collection and reporting—Advisory committee—Rules.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C70_S056.md)
- [RCW 43.70.057 RCW 43.70.057: Hospital emergency room patient care information—Data collection, maintenance, analysis, and dissemination—Rules.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C70_S057.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T43_C70_S005. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.