Aug. 15 Meeting for Information on Tri-Local Hospital Affiliations

Information and Conversation—Thursday, August 15, 5:30 – 7 p.m. at Eastsound Fire Hall

By Jean Henigson

By the end of August, Island Hospital (which operates Orcas Medical Center), together with Skagit Valley Hospital, and Cascade Valley Hospital, intend to announce their joint decision about forming a partnership with one of four larger healthcare organizations: Peace Health, University of Washington Medical Center/Peace Health, Swedish/Providence Hospital, and Virginia Mason Hospital. The Boards of Commissioners are primarily concerned about the future financial viability of the three hospitals. There are many complexities involved which are further complicated by current political healthcare funding uncertainties.

NOW is the time, while there is still the chance to voice your opinion, for you to become informed about how this might affect you and your family.

Until now, Island, Skagit Valley, and Cascade Valley Hospitals have all remained independent, are public hospital districts, and their policies regarding all medical treatment options have been completely secular.

Peace Health, University of Washington Medical Center/Peace Health, Swedish/Providence Hospital all now have connections, to some degree, with the Catholic Church. All Catholic Healthcare Hospitals and Services must answer to the Ethical and Religious Doctrines of the Conference of Catholic Bishops. Only Virginia Mason Hospital remains totally independent and secular. So, the joint decision made by the three Boards of Commissioners may lead to changes in policy which will affect the availability of some medical treatment options for patients, i.e. you and your family.

How will our medical treatment options be affected locally and on the mainland? What is the situation with Peace Island Medical Clinic on San Juan Island? What are the legal issues with Washington law regarding taxpayer-funded public hospitals and religious non-profits, the Reproductive Privacy Act, and the Death with Dignity law?

Come to the Eastsound Fire Hall on Thursday, August 15th, at 5:30 with whatever knowledge, questions, and concerns you can bring to this forum. Printed background material and reference links will be available. Representatives from People for Healthcare Freedom, Orcas Medical Center, Orcas Medical Foundation, and Island Hospital, and State Senator Kevin Ranker have been invited.

For information, contact Jean Henigson, 376-6549, dance@rockisland.com or gretchen.krampf@processexperts.com.