UPDATED, 9/22/2023: Transparency and Open Government Lacking At EvergreenHealth

EvergreenHealth Public Hospital District No. 2

A few examples of non-transparency with resultant confusion:

EvergreenHealth's Board of Commissioners meet publicly several times each month. 

• THE STUDY SESSION WAS ELIMINATED IN 2021 --The first Tuesday of the month is a Study Session, which is to consider matters for later decision by the Board and other information pertinent to the District. Begins at 5:30 p.m.  No comment period.
• The third Tuesday of the month at 5:30 pm the commissioners start their Business Meeting. where they take action on matters before it. Immediately the Board adjourns to Executive Session. Public comment is taken at 6:30 pm. (Suggest you call 425-899-1000 to confirm the meeting time; sometimes times change on controversial topics.)
• Educational Sessions are held the first Friday of every month in Tan Room 250 Commission Chambers.  In 2021 they became Open Public Meetings but "Public Comment" is not always posted on the Agendas when ACTION is taken and it can be restricted. 
  

Chamber Location:  Go down the narrow, winding hallway (hung with awesome history photos) of "Public Meeting" Room Tan 250. in the EvergreenHealth Surgery & Physicians Building.  The Public Meeting Room is now labeled "Community Meeting Room."

Photography and video-recording are forbidden in Board chambers. 

Hospital commissioners don't appear to participate in community events other than to raise

 money.  Several of seven commissioners are appointed, not elected, thus appointees don't 

 represent the public; they have no constituents.  Budget Hearings are held once a year at

7AM the first Friday of  November with 2-week Seattle Times newspaper notice.

Open Government

"By enabling the public to observe the workings of government, Open Government helps them hold the government accountable. In addition, enhanced public participation can result in more informed and better government policies, practices and decisions, and in more responsive, innovative and effective governance and services."

-- Bob Yoder, Opinion, 2/24/2023