Voters have a tough choice to make this November whether to support Three Rivers Hospital or ask them to go back to the drawing board to come up with something better.
Three Rivers is seeking a 30 year levy of 78 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value in Okanogan Douglas Hospital District 1, dba Three Rivers Hospital. The district includes the Methow Valley, Pateros, Brewster, Bridgeport and Mansfield.
The levy would raise $45 million…
The Planning Group is correct. This hospital should CLOSE! A comprehensive study completed nearly 25 years ago on the hospitals in Okanogan County arrived at this conclusion. The financial situation probably will only get worse due to cuts in funding from the government for all hospitals. It makes common sense to consolidate. We need one new hospital in the Okanogan/Omak area for all of the county! This bond will raise the property taxes to the point of owing a home in the Methow Valley a greater burden that it all ready is due to the high assessed values. AGAIN VOTE NO!!
Paul is correct, a study was conducted 25 or so years ago. But that is point, that study was done 25 years ago and much of the premise that surrounds it is not applicable to today. The Public Healthcare Districts and their network of Critical Access Hospitals has proven to provide quality healthcare and emergency services in our rural settings. Keeping care local and accessible makes for better health and emergent outcomes. Consolidation will mean a reduction is accessibility and outcomes. Now and in the future we in the rural communities will be asked to support those systems that provide a lifeline and services ensuring quality care close to home for our neighbors, our loved ones, and ourselves. Vote yes to support our local services